The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation by Luna Nova

Chapter 21

WHAT IS THAT MAIDEN ?! VALERIA I had only ever heard of them in childrens horror stories .

They were almost impossible to find , and nearly no one had survived after seeing them .

Beings of pure dark energy and evil rotting , murderous magic .

Its red eyes , like two deep abysses filled with flames , stare at me from that shapeless face , making me tremble in fear .

Its body was made of a black mist , with long , dangling strands that hung from every part of it as it advanced toward me .

Its arms were far too long , disproportionate , with massive , razor sharp claws that could slice me clean through .

I crawled backward , dragging myself across the ground .

I couldnt feel my legs .

My heart was pounding so fast I thought it would stop at any moment .

I tried to get up multiple times , failing each attempt .

It loomed over me , and through the darkness , I saw with terror as it opened a wide mouth filled with crooked teeth and grinned , making every hair on my body stand on end .

AAAHHH ! I screamed , covering my face as the intimidating shadow enveloped me in its darkness , swallowing me whole .

Suddenly , forgotten memories from my childhood came flooding back .

I had been happy with my parents .

We would take vacations at a lakeside cabin .

I went out fishing , exploring freely .

But when I returned , I couldnt find them anywhere .

I saw myself climbing the stairs again , the strong scent of blood reaching my nose .

My trembling hand pushed open their bedroom door and then I saw them .

Their lifeless bodies were sprawled on the floor .

And above them , that same specter , feeding on their blood and flesh .

Hearing my scream at the door , it noticed me and lunged to levour me as well .

I dont want to die I want to live ! I want to live ! Those were my thoughts then and now .

I shifted back into my human form , pain searing through me far beyond what anyone could endure like my skin was being flayed off my body .

Something inside me awakened .

An uncontrollable rage surged through my veins , a power filling every muscle with infinite strength .

I opened my eyes and roared at the darkness consuming me I dug my hands , now bearing long , sharp claws , intol that shadow .

MAIDENT I wanted to consume it instead to hurt it , destroy it

us , their war cries

I felt

afraid of

power being drained as I screamed like

it who was now trying to escape

kill anyone else like you did my parents ! I WONT LET

strengthened they followed my will ,

Kill .

Kill Kill .

opened my mouth to devour the black mist , the

underestimated

took in far too much

power exploded inside me , far too overwhelming knocking me unconscious , leaving me vulnerable once again

I could

mouth to

that woman lying there on the ground she was fighting the

then a flock of ravens swirled around her , pecking

And worse the specter was screaming in pain ,

no doubt this had

could read the secrets engraved on the Goddesss

them to her if they captured her maybe they would finally leave

my

drum , torn between fear and hope But

suddenly scattered into the sky , and Valeria lay unconscious

away from her like

THAT MAIDENT

hesitated for just a moment lost

cost

ran

my

lifted my head , peering over the bush where I hid- The shadow loomed above me , seething

I could hear footsteps those men

here to

To deliver her .

scream for help- But

my voice forever

just after

no matter how much

was already losing

Id force

mind was somewhere else entirely focused only on her

how cold and distant she had become

knew it was for the best

I craved the way things used to be

wandered the market , asking about Valeria but I couldnt find her

Panic set in .

night was deepening

Lifting my head , I sniffed the air , searching for her scent-

stench mixed with

through my senses , and I broke into a run heading straight for