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 .

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

raven wings began circling us , their war cries echoing as

felt

was afraid of

drained as I screamed like a madwoman ,

who was now trying to escape

to die , you bastard ! I wont let you kill anyone else like you did my parents ! I WONT LET YOU ! A high pitched screech erupted from its twisted mouth as the ravens continued their relentless attack

if my connection to them strengthened they

Kill .

Kill Kill .

pure instinct , I opened my mouth to devour the black mist , the evil

underestimated it

in far too

me , far too overwhelming knocking me unconscious , leaving

Hiding behind a bush , I could barely believe what I was

my mouth to stifle a scream

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

a flock of ravens swirled around her

could she be resisting it ? And worse the specter was

there was no doubt this had to

could read the secrets engraved on the

to her if they captured her maybe

theyd return my

, torn between fear and hope But then

scattered into the sky , and

… it was backing away from her like

she ? WHAT IS THAT MAIDENT She had completely lied to us

a moment lost in those chaotic

that moment cost me everything

ran

my

where I hid- The shadow loomed above me , seething

I could hear footsteps those

called them here to capture Valeria

To deliver her .

scream for help-

swallowed my voice forever

after finishing my conversation with the

something , but no matter how much

already losing

he pushed me further , Id force

somewhere else entirely focused only

and distant she

it was

, I craved the way things used to be

wandered the market , asking about Valeria

Panic set in .

was deepening

I sniffed

stench mixed with her trail

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