NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Seed had Been Planted
Xender stood at the back of the battlefield, watching the chaos unfold. His lips curled into a sly grin as he muttered under his breath,
"Good… no one saw me cast that spell."
He narrowed his sharp eyes at Zephyra, who stood battered and bloodied, her defiance still burning despite the overwhelming odds.
"Damn it. This is why villains always lose—they underestimate the heroes. Did she really think she could take on four of them alone?"
Xender shook his head, the gears in his mind spinning.
The heroes had regrouped, their confidence renewed. Zephyra glared at them with seething anger etched across her face.
"We can take her down," Leo declared, his voice steady and determined.
Xender clenched his fists.
"I have to save her. But if they realize it's me, my cover is blown."
As Xender plotted, Leo raised his hands, his magic surging. A cold gust of wind swept through the battlefield as 'Winter's Grasp' froze Zephyra in place. Ice crept up her legs, locking her in a glacial prison.
"Now!" Mei shouted, commanding her summoned warrior spirits.
The shining armored figures charged toward Zephyra, their blades glinting as they closed in for the kill.
Xender's heart raced. He had to act fast. Summoning his shadows, he wove tendrils of darkness into a mask that concealed his face, the shadows wrapping around his body like a living cloak.
His figure transformed, his presence emanating the menace of an elite demon. With his body enhanced by shadow magic, he moved like a blur, slipping from his position at the rear to the side of the battlefield without a single pair of eyes noticing.
From the darkness, Xender lunged forward at blinding speed, placing himself between Zephyra and the warrior spirits.
The ground shook as he landed, his shadow-cloaked form towering before the stunned heroes.
"What are you waiting for, you fools?" Xender growled, his voice distorted by the shadows.
He turned his head toward the remaining demons on the battlefield.
"Can't you see we've lost this fight? Retreat into the dark forest. Now!"
The demons hesitated, their eyes wide as they took in Xender's fearsome appearance.
His aura radiated power, and they mistook him for one of their own—a powerful elite demon.
Without questioning, they obeyed, scattering into the forest in a panicked retreat.
Xender turned his attention back to the heroes.
"Heroes," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice, "we shall meet again."
Before they could react, Xender shattered the ice binding Zephyra with a single punch, shards flying in all directions. He caught her limp body as she fell, hoisting her over his shoulder with ease.
Dark tendrils erupted from the ground, twisting and writhing as they formed a barrier between him and the heroes. Shadow creatures, born from his magic, emerged to block any pursuit.
With Zephyra securely in his grasp, Xender melted into the darkness, his form disappearing into the forest along with the fleeing demons.
The heroes stood frozen, stunned by the sudden turn of events.
"Who… was that?" Mei asked, her voice trembling.
Leo's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched.
"I don't know. But something tells me this isn't the last we'll see of him."
Deep within the forest, Xender slowed his pace, the shadows around him dissipating as he gently laid Zephyra against a tree. He smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair from her bloodied face.
"Take your hand off my face," Zephyra said weakly, glaring up at Xender. Her voice carried a sharp edge despite her battered state.
Xender smirked, standing over her as he pulled his hand away.
"You're welcome, by the way," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Zephyra's piercing red eyes locked onto his.
"Who in the hell are you? I can tell you're no demon," she spat, her voice filled with suspicion.
Xender chuckled softly, the sound low and mocking.
"I just saved your miserable life. A 'thank you' would be nice."
"I didn't ask for your help," she snapped, struggling to sit up.
Xender sighed, shaking his head. The shadows that cloaked his body began to dissipate, fading into the air like smoke.
As his mask dissolved, his face was revealed—sharp features, piercing eyes, and a confident smirk that bordered on arrogance.
Zephyra's gaze narrowed as she took in his human appearance.
"Why would a human help me?"
He leaned closer, his tone turning cold.
"Listen carefully, you pathetic creature. I didn't save you out of the kindness of my heart. I saved you because I might need you in the future."
His eyes bore into hers, and his voice carried an undeniable authority.
"Now, run along before the heroes find you again. Try not to die before we meet next."
Zephyra bristled at his words. Her pride burned, and her hands clenched into fists.
A mere human had dared to look down on her, to speak to her as if she were beneath him.
She forced herself to her feet despite her weakened body. Her legs trembled, but her anger fueled her. With a roar, she swung a fist at Xender, determined to wipe the smug look off his face.
But Xender was ready. He caught her punch effortlessly, his grip firm and unyielding. Before she could react, he twisted her arm and grappled her to the ground.
She struggled, but his 'Dark Embrace' spell wrapped around her like chains, pinning her to the blood-soaked earth.
"Not so mighty now, huh?" Xender taunted, leaning down to meet her glare.
"You really think you can fight me in this pathetic state?"
Zephyra snarled, her pride stinging more than her injuries.
Xender's voice turned sharp, cutting through her defiance.
"You call humans weak, yet you were just defeated by them. Next time, don't underestimate your enemies."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Xender straightened, his expression softening just enough to show curiosity.
"Before I leave… what's your name?"
Zephyra hesitated, her pride warring with her situation.
"Aren't you going to kill me?"
Xender let out a dry laugh.
"Why would I go through all this trouble to save you just to kill you? If I wanted you dead, I'd have let the heroes finish the job."
After a pause, she finally muttered,
"Zephyra."
Xender grinned, his sharp smile filled with amusement.
"You owe me your life, Zephyra," he said, his voice calm but laced with power.
Before she could respond, he stepped back into the shadows, his form vanishing as if he had never been there.
Zephyra remained on the ground, glaring into the empty space where he had stood. Her fists clenched as frustration boiled within her.
"That arrogant human..." she muttered under her breath, her body still too weak to chase after him.
Xender reemerged from the forest, blending seamlessly into the remnants of the human army. The battlefield was littered with bodies—knights, monsters, and demons alike.
Victory cheers filled the air as the surviving soldiers celebrated, their faces stained with dirt and blood.
Xender smirked to himself, staying on the outskirts of the group. He slipped back into his role, acting as if he had been there the whole time.
The battle had ended, but for Xender, this was only the beginning.
As the soldiers cheered, he glanced toward the forest where Zephyra had escaped.
The seed had been planted—a powerful elite demon now owed him her life.
"One step closer," Xender muttered under his breath, his grin widening.
"To becoming the greatest villain this world has ever seen."