Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 728: We won... but at what cost?

Chapter 728: We won... but at what cost?

Nadia sauntered into the settlement after several minutes had passed with her standing in place, her gaze focused on the destruction her actions had wrought on the unsuspecting Henosians.

Though they had managed to survive the assault, more than half of the settlement had been swallowed up by the conflict, leaving many in utter despair.

"Why, my ancestors?... Why do you allow these things to happen?... Why?" She heard a man cry out as he knelt before what remained of his dwelling.

Because it was winter, Nadia could tell that he had very little chance of ever recovering from what he’d lost... and so, she counted him as her first.

The Trial was to leave a hundred men destitute, and though it did not specify in what sense, Nadia chose the best option: stripping them of everything, ensuring that they would have nothing... not even the clothes on their backs would be spared.

Of course, while she was planning this, she had removed her emotions, ensuring that they wouldn’t get in the way, but now, as she walked the streets of the settlement, she realized just how precise her planning was.

Women and children were spared naturally as the men made sure to take them to shelter before returning to take on the undead creatures that sought to take everything away.

As for the aftermath, Nadia guessed that with such chivalric folks, all the men would have to die before the women and children felt the full brunt of the Long Night and its horrors.

By the time she was done walking past a few streets, she had already counted almost thirty men, all of whom were completely distraught at the loss they had suffered.

This was all because of her, all because...

"Who are you?"

Jolted from her thoughts, Nadia glanced at the one that spoke, finding that it was one of those that was hit the hardest by the attack.

Having already denied her ability to speak or understand Impala, Nadia replied. "... Nadia. Nadia Khan."

"Emetite?... Why are you here?"

"I was wandering the wilderness when I saw smoke coming from this direction. I thought people were being attacked so I came over." Nadia explained.

Taking a look around, she added. "It seems I was right, but..."

"You are too late. We managed to beat back the undead."

"You won, yet you do not act like a victor."

A melancholic smile adorned the man’s lips as he replied. "We won... but at what cost?"

***

"How much further till the next town?" Alex asked as he trudged through the snow with Victoria following closely behind.

The duo had been forced to sacrifice air travel due to the brutal winter winds that gnawed at their bones and reduced visibility to almost zero.

"I don’t know!" Victoria replied as she pulled on her clothes.

The cold was such that even cold-blooded creatures would be forced to seek warmer dwellings.

The wind howled, carrying along faint cries of the undead as Alex remarked.

"We need to find somewhere to lay low until this storm passes!"

"Agreed!"

And so, the duo wasted no time in doing as they’d said, swiftly finding a valley filled with multiple caves, most of which they assumed would be occupied by mutants.

The mutant turned out to be a Giant Ant, with Victoria swiftly dispatching the creature.

Thankfully, due to their size, a cave could only hold one ant, which meant that for the time being, they had the place to themselves.

At least until the other Giant ants realized that something was wrong and came looking for answers.

In any case, Alex and Victoria made their way to the deepest part of the cave, after which the former summoned Humphrey, who helped with fire by transmuting the air.

"Finally." Alex breathed a sigh of relief as he laid against the wall and glanced towards the ceiling, with Victoria doing the same.

Steady breathing echoed in the cave for a bit before Alex spoke up. "You know, I’ve been thinking."

As he glanced down to make eye contact with Victoria, he continued. "What if there’s a way to hasten the completion of my Trial?"

"I don’t understand, Master."

"I’m thinking of something, like a grand gesture, a way to give everyone across the continent hope... at least those that need it."

"But how?"

Alex pursed his lips, taking the time to ponder before responding. "Do you remember, back in Ra’as, what we did along with Humphrey and the Witch?"

"That... back then, there was a lot to handle."

"So you think it won’t be possible now?"

"I didn’t say that..."

"But?"

"It places a bigger target on your back. Those that haven’t been watching you would surely watch you now."

"You have a point," Alex admitted. "Hence the reason why I’m not using my real identity. So what do you think?"

Victoria appeared worried as she replied. "You have to be careful, Master. Don’t forget that you are the Dark Lord and a lot of people in Ra’as depend on you."

"Sure," Alex replied with a hint of a smile, leaving much unsaid.

"We should head to the Spirit World," Victoria suggested with Alex nodding.

"Sure."

Taking a deep breath, Victoria muttered.

Open Sesame.

Just as the doorway began to open, she suddenly sensed something, causing her expression to change as she immediately tried to close it, only for a flaming fist to grab the edge of the door the next second, catching both Victoria and Alex by surprise.

"Shit."

"Master!" Victoria exclaimed in a panic as she was struck by PTSD, recalling the terrifying flames that had nearly killed her during her quest in the Spirit World.

Alex swiftly grabbed Victoria and without hesitation, snapped, teleporting them out of the cave.

The duo appeared at the edge of the valley just in time to watch as the cave they were previously in completely collapsed.

At the same time, the entire valley was immediately engulfed in invisible flames that ate through everything.