Married To Darkness
Chapter 270: Splitting to Search

Chapter 270: Splitting to Search

"Creatures of the night who are bringing an umbrella," Lucius muttered, earning a laugh from Jean.

"Protect the women," Alaric said firmly, ignoring Lucius’s sarcasm. "That’s our job."

"And who’s protecting us from you?" Lucius quipped.

Jean grinned. "Oh, I think Salviana and I can handle that just fine."

As the group strode into the shadows, ready to face whatever danger awaited, their camaraderie brought a rare lightness to the weight of the night’s mission.

Just as the group was preparing to leave, Emma appeared in a flurry, her cheeks flushed and her breath slightly labored from hurrying.

"Emma?" Salviana asked, freezing mid-step. Jean tilted her head in curiosity. "What are you doing here?"

Emma glanced at Alaric, who casually leaned on his umbrella, looking far too pleased with himself.

"She’s coming with us," Alaric announced, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "She has a personal connection to the culprit. Her presence might prove... useful."

Jean and Salviana exchanged skeptical glances.

"Well, good evening to you all," Emma greeted politely, bowing slightly. Despite the tension, her attire was surprisingly suitable for the mission: dark, practical, yet refined.

Jean raised an eyebrow. "And you are...?"

Alaric gestured toward Lucius, whose expression had grown curiously amused. "Lucius, this is Emma. She’ll be joining us tonight."

Emma’s eyes flicked to Lucius, lingering. "And who is he?"

Jean’s lips quirked in a grin as she answered, "Lucius is my personal guard knight. He’s here to watch over me."

Lucius tipped his head lazily, his lips curling into a half-smile. "At your service."

Emma nodded, her gaze darting between them. "I see..."

"Shall we get moving?" Alaric interjected, clearly eager to avoid any extended introductions.

Jean, ever the peacemaker, clapped her hands lightly. "Alright, let’s go. The night won’t wait for us!"

"Agreed," Salviana added, gripping her umbrella tightly. She still wasn’t entirely sure about Emma joining but trusted Alaric’s judgment—mostly.

Emma fell in step with the group, adjusting to their pace. Though she tried to blend in, her occasional glances at Lucius didn’t go unnoticed.

Lucius, ever the observer, leaned slightly toward Alaric and murmured, "Interesting choice, bringing her along. Are you sure she’s ready for this?"

Alaric smirked without missing a step. "She’ll be fine. Besides, you’re here to save the day if anything goes wrong."

"Convenient," Lucius muttered dryly.

Jean overheard and couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t worry, Emma. Lucius likes to grumble, but he’s harmless—most of the time."

"I’m never harmless, I’m only harmless to you Pumpkin,"

Emma offered a shy smile but said nothing, silently resolving to prove herself.

And with that, the group plunged into the night, their shared purpose uniting them as they strode toward danger, ready to confront whatever awaited.

The moon was a dim, silver half, casting fragmented light through the canopy of trees as the group slipped quietly through the back gate, courtesy of Alaric’s magic.

The cold air was alive with the faint rustling of leaves and the occasional distant hoot of an owl.

And Their steps were soft, deliberate, and cautious, the woods growing denser with every passing minute.

Salviana walked close to Alaric, her golden eyes scanning the unfamiliar terrain. Though she trusted him implicitly, curiosity gnawed at her. "Where are we going?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

"You’ll see," Alaric replied cryptically, his sharp eyes darting around.

Jean and Emma followed behind, their whispers filling the space between rustling leaves. Lucius walked slightly ahead of them, his every step precise and silent, like a shadow gliding through the trees.

Suddenly, Alaric raised a hand, halting them. He crouched low, motioning for the others to do the same.

"What is it?" Salviana whispered, kneeling beside him.

Alaric’s gaze was fixed on a figure moving briskly through the trees ahead. The man’s steps were hurried, his head turning as though he was checking for pursuers.

"Stay down," Alaric hissed.

The group remained still, watching as the man disappeared deeper into the woods.

"Let’s go after him, that’s our culprit," Alaric announced.

"Yes!" Jean whispertelled.

Just as they prepared to follow, Alaric’s head snapped to the side, his brows knitting into a deep frown.

"What is it now?" Lucius murmured, already on alert.

"Another one," Alaric muttered, his voice low and tense. "We’re not alone."

Jean’s eyes widened as she glanced around. "Someone else? Here?"

"Footsteps," Alaric confirmed. His sharp gaze flicked to Lucius, and they exchanged a wordless understanding.

"We’ll have to split," Alaric announced.

"Split? Why?" Jean asked, her voice edged with unease.

"Because there’s someone else here," Alaric replied tersely.

"Oh," Emma whispered, her face pale but resolute.

Lucius nodded and spoke with quiet authority. "Jean and Emma, you’re with me. We’ll follow that man. Alaric, take Salviana and circle east."

"Obviously," Alaric said, rolling his eyes. "Emma, stick with them and don’t do anything reckless."

"Understood," Emma said, her voice steady despite the tension.

The group moved with a purposeful urgency, their footfalls muffled by the forest floor.

"Stay close to me," Alaric murmured to Salviana as they headed east.

"I always do," she replied softly, gripping her umbrella tightly.

Meanwhile, Lucius led Jean and Emma north, his senses honed and alert. Jean whispered something lighthearted to ease the mood, while Emma kept her eyes fixed ahead, determination written all over her face.

The woods seemed to hold its breath as the hunt began, each step drawing them closer to answers—and danger.

~~{────────

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Meanwhile somewhere in this woods.

A ritual took place.

IT was like the one that happened the night they woke Luxius up.

The ritual site was a chilling sight, tucked away in the shadowy depths of the forest where the moonlight barely reached.

The clearing was circled by crooked trees, their gnarled branches like skeletal hands stretching toward the sky.

In the center stood an enormous cauldron filled with dark, viscous water, its surface rippling unnaturally as though something alive stirred within.

Beside it sat another bowl, this one containing a grotesque mass of melted skin, writhing and attempting to reform—a sight that made even the bravest look away.