Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 42: The Midnight Ambush

The clock struck midnight, and the streets of Loyrn were cloaked in silence. The only sound that could be heard was the faint rustling of the wind as it carried the cold, misty air through the Victorian-era city. Dim gas lamps cast a flickering glow over cobblestone paths, their light struggling to pierce the thick fog that seemed to swallow everything it touched.

Lucian sat on a bench in one of the quieter parts of the city, his back against the iron frame as he stared up at the pale moon. His sword rested beside him, the blade still humming faintly from its earlier battle. He didn't look tense, though he knew better than anyone how deceiving appearances could be.

The events of the evening had left him restless. The Crimson Witch's sudden appearance and her cryptic offer still gnawed at his mind. He hated loose ends, and she was undoubtedly the kind of problem that would rear its head at the worst possible moment.

"Should've killed her when I had the chance," he muttered to himself, closing his eyes briefly.

The stillness around him felt unnatural, and Lucian's sharp instincts caught on to it immediately. The air was too quiet, too heavy, as if the city itself was holding its breath.

"Out already?" a familiar, venomous voice purred.

Lucian opened his eyes to see the Crimson Witch standing a few feet away, her fiery crimson robes glowing faintly in the fog. She held her staff loosely in one hand, the crystal at its tip pulsing like a heartbeat.

Behind her, figures began to emerge from the shadows-her lackeys, each clad in dark cloaks and armed with a variety of weapons. Their faces were obscured, but Lucian could feel their gazes locked on him, predatory and hostile.

"You must really love the sound of your own voice," Lucian said, his tone dripping with mockery. He didn't move from the bench, his posture relaxed as if he hadn't just been surrounded.

The Crimson Witch smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "And you must really love testing your luck. I don't like being humiliated, Lucian. You should've taken my offer when you had the chance."

Lucian chuckled, leaning forward slight.,.

I told you before: not interested. But I'm guessing you didn't come here for another sales pitch, did you?"

"No," she said, her voice turning icy. "I came to end this."

The Ambush Begins

The lackeys moved first, their cloaks billowing as they closed in on Lucian. Swords, daggers, and other weapons gleamed in the moonlight as they raised them, ready to strike.

Lucian moved with blinding speed, grabbing his sword and unsheathing it in one fluid motion. The first lackey who approached him barely had time to react before Lucian's blade slashed across his chest, sending him crumpling to the ground.

"You idiots! Don't rush him!" the Crimson Witch snapped, her voice cutting through the chaos.

The lackeys regrouped, forming a loose circle around Lucian as they watched him warily. He stood in the center, his sword held loosely in his hand, a smirk playing at his lips.

"Come on, then," he said, his voice taunting. "Let's see what you've got."

Two lackeys lunged at him simultaneously, one from the left and the other from the right. Lucian sidestepped the first, parrying the second's blade with a sharp clang.

He spun around, using the momentum to deliver a clean strike that sent the lackey's weapon flying before kicking him to the ground.

The remaining lackeys hesitated, their confidence clearly shaken.

"Pathetic," Lucian muttered, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the Crimson Witch.

"You brought backup, and this is the best you could do?"

She raised her staff, her expression hardening. "Don't underestimate them. They're not here to beat you—they're here to wear you down."

With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of crimson energy surging toward him.

Lucian barely managed to leap out of the way, the bench he'd been sitting on moments ago exploding into splinters as the energy struck it.

Lucian vs. The Crimson Witch

Lucian landed on his feet, his sword glowing faintly as he infused it with shadow energy. "If you wanted a rematch, you should've just asked," he said, his smirk returning.

The Crimson Witch didn't reply. She raised her staff high, and the crystal at its tip flared with blinding light. Fire erupted around her, forming a swirling vortex that crackled with energy.

Lucian charged forward, his movements precise and calculated. He slashed through the vortex with his sword, the blade cutting through the flames like a knife through butter. The Crimson Witch stepped back, her expression unreadable as she summoned fiery projectiles and hurled them at him.

Lucian dodged with ease, his form flickering in and out of the shadows as he closed the distance between them. When he was close enough, he swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for her staff.

"Not this time," she said, twisting her body to avoid the strike. She retaliated with a blast of crimson energy, which Lucian narrowly avoided by rolling to the side.

The fight became a deadly dance, the two of them exchanging blows with an intensity that left the surrounding area in ruins. Trees were scorched, the ground was torn apart, and the air was thick with the scent of smoke and ozone.

The Turning Point.

Lucian was faster and more skilled, but the Crimson Witch had power on her side.

She unleashed a devastating attack, slamming her staff into the ground and sending shockwaves of fire rippling outward.

Lucian was caught off guard, the force of the attack knocking him off his feet. He rolled to the side just in time to avoid a follow-up strike, her staff narrowly missing his head.

"You're getting sloppy," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

Lucian gritted his teeth, pushing himself to his feet. "And you're getting predictable."

He raised his sword, the blade glowing brighter as he channeled more shadow energy into it. "Eclipse Veil."

The darkness surged forward, enveloping the area in an impenetrable shroud of black. The Crimson Witch's confident smirk faltered as her vision was consumed by the void.

"This trick again?" she muttered, raising her staff to dispel the darkness.

But Lucian was already behind her. He swung his sword with all his strength, aiming for the crystal at the tip of her staff.

The blade struck true, shattering the crystal into pieces. The explosion of energy that followed sent them both flying, the Crimson Witch landing hard on the ground as her staff clattered out of reach.

Lucian got to his feet first, his sword pointed at her throat. "Looks like I win," he said, his voice cold and unyielding.

A Hollow Victory!

The Crimson Witch glared up at him, her expression a mix of anger and defiance.

"Kill me, then. Get it over with."

Lucian hesitated, his grip on his sword tightening. But after a moment, he lowered the blade.

"I don't kill unarmed opponents," he said, stepping back.

Her eyes narrowed. "You'll regret that."

With a wave of her hand, she vanished in a swirl of fire, leaving behind only the faint scent of smoke.

Lucian stood there for a moment, his sword still in hand. He knew she'd be back-this wasn't over.

Turning on his heel, he made his way back to the city, his mind racing with thoughts of what was to come.