NOVEL NEXT Chapter 365: What the hell is this?
Dante was leaning against a stone wall, arms crossed, while his sharp eyes observed the surroundings.
He was with Siren, Valentina, Lilith, and Morgana, who had recently arrived. They were all gathered, discussing the latest events with clear concern on their faces.
They were deeply focused on the matter, but Dante... he was somewhat lost in thought about what he had heard from Tiamat, or the remnant of the Dragon's existence, especially regarding those who were lost when he was the so-called Dragon Progenitor... With Alter-Dante removing experiences as he recovered from things... The feelings for those who were gone didn't bother him anymore—after all, he was just Dante now, not that person. But Tiamat had planted something in his mind, a huge block that obstructed any further thoughts...
But now wasn't the time for that. The girls caught his attention when Valentina was the first to speak, her voice soft, but she was clearly far from happy.
"These hybrids aren't like anything else we've faced before. There's something different about them... Whoever is controlling these trash bags really put everything into creating this mess."
Lilith nodded thoughtfully. "I've studied their energies. They carry traces of demons, werewolves, and vampires, but they're somehow... destabilized. It's like their very natures are in conflict. They shouldn't exist, and yet, here they are. Corrupted to the core."
Morgana, ever pragmatic, chimed in. "And whoever's behind this knows exactly what they're doing. These hybrids aren't accidents of fate. They're deliberate creations, weapons designed to cause chaos. But why? What's the real goal?"
Dante remained silent, listening to their conversation. He wasn't in the mood to think about these idiotic problems the enemies were creating... especially with conflicts involving forces as distinct as an End Dragon.
"Someone is creating these monsters to take us down," he finally said, his voice deep and serious. "But it's not just brute force. There's intelligence behind this. A larger purpose."
Siren, beside him, nodded, but there was a worry in her eyes that she hadn't fully expressed yet. She was still the queen of the werewolves, so she knew exactly everything that could be done with her race, and... it was infuriating her more and more. Her people had been used, her kind had been turned into abominations.
"We're being manipulated," she said, her voice grave. "Someone is pulling the strings, making us react, and we're wasting time just responding to attacks. We need answers, and more importantly, a new plan." Experience more tales on empire
The discussion was abruptly interrupted when the heavy wooden door slammed open. A werewolf came running in, panting heavily, his eyes wild and full of fear. His body was covered in dirt, as if he'd been running for miles without stopping.
Everyone immediately turned to face the intruder. The silence that followed was intense, only the sound of his labored breathing filling the air.
"What happened?" Siren was the first to ask, her voice sharp upon seeing it was one of her men.
The werewolf knelt on the floor, still gasping for breath, trying to catch his breath. "All... all of the King's werewolves... they've disappeared!" he managed to stammer, eyes wide, fear evident in every word.
Siren stepped forward, her face expressionless, but her eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint there. "Disappeared? What do you mean?"
The werewolf trembled, trying to explain. "I was patrolling near the King's territory, as usual... but something was wrong. The scent... everything was off. When I reached their camp... there was no one. No signs of a struggle, no tracks. They just vanished. All of them! I contacted the others, and the camps are empty too, the palace guards are gone as well."
Lilith stepped forward, her face pale with shock. "That doesn't make sense. Werewolves don't just vanish. Something must have happened."
Dante pushed away from the stone wall, his presence dominating the room. "This is no coincidence. First, the corrupted hybrids, and now this? Someone is moving us like pieces on a chessboard." His fists clenched, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Whoever it is... they're a step ahead of us."
Morgana crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "If they disappeared without a trace, that suggests a spell or magic of a very high level. Something—or someone—extremely powerful is involved."
Siren nodded in agreement. "And if the King and his werewolves were taken, that means our enemy is getting bolder. They're not just creating corrupted hybrids; they're abducting entire armies."
The werewolf still kneeling on the floor looked up at Siren, his voice shaking slightly. "I know it might be reckless, but we need to storm the royal palace."
Siren stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder to calm him. "You've done well. We'll handle this. Thank you for your service. Now, get some rest."
Valentina crossed her arms, turning to Dante. "So, what do we do now?"
Dante took a deep breath, tension rippling through his muscles as his mind worked through possible solutions. He wasn't someone who reacted with fear or panic, but the scale and speed of what was happening were concerning.
"First, we need to find out who's behind this. Whoever's pulling the strings can't keep hiding in the shadows. We'll track them down... and take them out," Dante said bluntly, but then added, "But we're making a move. All four of you are coming with me—we're storming the palace."
Lilith raised her head. "And what about the missing werewolves? We can't just abandon them."
Dante nodded. "We won't. But first, we need to understand what happened. Whoever's attacking us knows what we're doing. They're a step ahead... we need to turn the tables."
Morgana, who had been silent, finally spoke. "I can try to locate the werewolves, but it'll take time and preparation. And if they're being held by some kind of powerful magic, it could be dangerous."
Siren's gaze locked on hers, determination burning in her eyes. "Do whatever you need to, Morgana. Every second that passes, they could be in more danger."
Valentina turned to Dante, her expression firm. "We'll find who's behind this, and we'll bring them back. But we can't do this alone. We need to stand together, now more than ever."
Dante nodded, his eyes blazing with resolve. "We will fix this. We'll stop this enemy before they can cause any more harm."
"Morgana, can you open a portal into the Royal Palace?" Dante asked, his voice steady, despite the gravity of the situation.
Morgana raised an eyebrow. "Directly into the palace? That's risky. If there are magical wards, I might get detected before we can get through."
Dante shook his head, dismissing her concerns. "We don't have time for caution. If the werewolves have disappeared, then the palace has already fallen."
"Alright," Morgana agreed.
Without delay, she began chanting in an ancient language, the air around her shimmering with magic as her hands moved in fluid, precise patterns. A vortex of energy formed before her, growing larger until it became a swirling portal, pulsating like a window to another world.
"It's done," Morgana said, breathless from the effort. "Let's go."
Wasting no time, Dante led the group through the portal, his eyes focused on whatever awaited them on the other side.
As they stepped through the portal, they found themselves inside the Royal Palace—a place that once radiated power and prestige, but now was drenched in an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
There was an abnormal silence, as if all life had been drained from the palace.
The hallways were devoid of guards or servants, and the candles mounted on the walls burned low, casting flickering shadows that seemed to watch their every move.
As they advanced, a dark, oppressive presence loomed in the air. Dante remained on edge, his senses sharp, as if expecting something to strike at any moment. Their footsteps echoed through the empty corridors, amplifying the feeling of dread that clung to them.
Finally, they reached the grand throne room, and what they saw made them freeze in place.
In the center of the room, at the foot of the throne, were the King's advisors—once powerful and respected figures—but now they were on all fours, kneeling like broken dogs, their heads bowed, eyes hollow and devoid of life. They didn't react to the group's entrance, as if they were trapped in some kind of dark trance or enchantment.
Even worse, beside them knelt Velkan, the once mighty King of the Werewolves. He, too, was on his knees, his eyes vacant, as though every ounce of will had been drained from him. He no longer resembled a leader—just a shell, lifeless and broken.
"What the hell is this?" Dante growled, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. Seeing Velkan—someone he once respected—reduced to such a pathetic state made his anger rise to a near-uncontrollable level.
Lilith stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she examined the scene. "They're... completely controlled. Who could have done this?"
Morgana moved closer, her eyes glowing with a mystical light as she assessed the situation. "There's powerful magic at work here. Something—or someone—is keeping these men trapped in this state of submission. I can't pinpoint the exact source, but it's incredibly strong... stronger than my mother."
Dante's eyes flickered with fury, his jaw clenched. "Whoever did this won't get away with it."