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

us , their

felt

afraid of me

was weakening , its power being drained as I screamed like a madwoman ,

who was now trying to escape from

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

as if my connection to them strengthened they followed my

Kill .

Kill Kill .

I opened my mouth to devour

underestimated

far too

, far too overwhelming knocking me unconscious , leaving

bush , I could

mouth to

woman … that woman lying there on the ground she was fighting the specter

of ravens swirled around her , pecking at

the specter was screaming in pain , as if it

no doubt this had to be the woman

one who could read the secrets engraved on the Goddesss

lead them to her if they captured her maybe they would

return my older sister

heart pounded like a drum , torn between

into the sky , and Valeria lay unconscious on the

… it was backing away from her

MAIDENT

moment lost in those chaotic

moment cost me

cold chill ran down my spine

soaked my

head , peering over the bush where I hid- The shadow loomed above me , seething with hatred and

the distance , I could hear footsteps those men approaching

had called them here to capture Valeria

To deliver her .

to scream for help- But the sound

darkness swallowed my

I reached the market just after finishing my conversation with the

something , but no matter how much I pressed , he refused to speak

was already losing patience

me further , Id force the truth out of

my mind was somewhere else entirely focused only on her

distant

knew it was

I craved the way things

wandered the market , asking about

Panic set in .

was deepening

closing Lifting my head , I sniffed the air , searching for

foul , bitter stench mixed with her

broke into a run heading straight for the forest