Chapter 3: The Hunt Begins

The cold night wind howled through the towering pines as four riders disappeared into the northern forest.

Thaddeus led the group without hesitation, his black stallion charging through the darkness.

Behind him rode Evelyn, Ryland, and Orion, each carrying enough weapons to face an army.

Marcus and a squad of royal guards followed several hundred meters behind.

No one spoke.

The explosion at Blackridge Manor still lingered in everyone's mind.

"The footprints end near the river," Marcus reported through the communication crystal.

"We found signs of at least six people traveling together."

"They're professionals," Orion observed while examining broken branches.

"No unnecessary tracks. They know how to disappear."

"Not well enough," Thaddeus replied.

His heightened senses caught the faint scent of blood drifting through the forest.

"Someone's injured."

"Fresh?" Ryland asked.

"Less than an hour old."

The group followed the scent until they reached a narrow clearing surrounded by ancient oak trees.

The ground was soaked with blood.

Yet there wasn't a single body.

"What happened here?" Evelyn whispered.

Ryland crouched beside the crimson soil.

"There was a fight."

"And someone dragged the injured away."

Marcus pointed toward several unusual markings carved into a nearby tree.

"Your Majesty."

The symbol was unmistakable.

A black crown wrapped by three serpents.

"The Obsidian Circle," Orion muttered.

"They're making sure we know they're responsible."

"Or they're leading us somewhere," Evelyn suggested.

Thaddeus remained silent.

Something about the scene felt wrong.

Too obvious.

Almost staged.

"Everyone spread out," he ordered.

"Watch for traps."

The guards moved carefully through the clearing.

A sudden whistle sliced through the air.

"Incoming!" Marcus shouted.

Dozens of arrows rained down from the trees.

"Shields!"

Ryland instantly shifted into his massive black wolf, knocking Evelyn safely behind a fallen log.

Orion's vampire speed became a blur as he intercepted several arrows before they reached the others.

Thaddeus raised one hand.

Dark energy exploded outward.

The remaining arrows froze in midair before falling harmlessly to the ground.

"Cowards!" Ryland growled.

Figures dressed in black cloaks emerged from the forest.

Each wore silver masks hiding their faces.

Without speaking, they attacked.

The clearing erupted into chaos.

Steel clashed against steel.

Magic illuminated the darkness.

Thaddeus moved like death itself.

One swing of his blade sent two attackers crashing into nearby trees.

Ryland's enormous wolf tore through another pair before they could recover.

Orion fought with elegant precision, disarming enemies faster than they could react.

Evelyn remained behind cover, using defensive spells to shield the royal guards.

"Left side!" she shouted.

Marcus turned just in time to block a poisoned dagger.

"Thanks!"

The battle lasted only minutes.

The surviving attackers suddenly retreated deeper into the forest.

"They're running!" Ryland barked.

"No," Thaddeus answered.

"They're drawing us in."

Before anyone could move, a slow clap echoed through the trees.

"Impressive."

A tall man stepped from the shadows.

Unlike the others, he wore no mask.

Long dark hair rested across his shoulders.

A thin scar crossed his left eye.

His crimson eyes locked directly onto Thaddeus.

"It's been a long time... Dark King."

"Who are you?" Evelyn asked.

The stranger ignored her.

"You don't remember me, do you?"

Thaddeus narrowed his eyes.

"Should I?"

The man laughed quietly.

"After everything you destroyed... I suppose not."

"You kings never remember the lives you ruin."

Dark energy gathered around his hands.

"Allow me to introduce myself."

"My name is Kael Draven."

"Leader of the Obsidian Circle."

"And the man who will take everything you love."

Ryland stepped forward.

"Try it."

Kael smiled.

"Not tonight."

"Tonight was only a warning."

He reached into his coat and tossed something onto the ground.

A silver pendant landed at Evelyn's feet.

She picked it up slowly.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"This..."

"Impossible," she whispered.

"What's wrong?" Orion asked.

Evelyn stared at the pendant.

It was identical to the necklace her mother had given her before she disappeared years ago.

"Where did you get this?" she demanded.

Kael's smile widened.

"Ask your family."

"They've been lying to you your entire life."

"Enough!" Thaddeus roared.

Dark magic erupted around him, shaking the forest.

But before he could attack, Kael crushed a black crystal in his hand.

Thick smoke swallowed the clearing.

When it finally cleared...

Kael and every remaining member of the Obsidian Circle were gone.

Only silence remained.

Marcus searched the area.

"No tracks."

"It's like they vanished."

Thaddeus clenched his fists.

"He wanted us to find that pendant."

"Which means it's part of his plan," Orion said.

Evelyn continued staring at the silver necklace.

There was one tiny engraving on the back.

"Property of House Ashbourne."

"Ashbourne?" Ryland frowned.

"That bloodline was wiped out over twenty years ago."

"Not completely," Evelyn whispered.

"Because according to my mother... that's where I was born."

Everyone fell silent.

For the first time, Evelyn realized the attack wasn't simply about revenge.

Someone from her forgotten past had finally returned.

And they knew exactly who she really was.