The Dark Novels

As Azure saw the boy with blue hair causing the alarm, his heart dropped. The boy stood around 5'10 feet tall, wearing a blue trench coat that resembled thieves' garb with bandages underneath. Azure couldn't help but notice his purple eyes and couldn't help but think, *Wait, weren't they blue last time?* The other people in the lobby immediately armed themselves, ready to fight.

*His name is Xain, I think,* Azure recalled, trying to recall what the Guard with red hair had said as the boy collapsed. He felt fear, unsure of what was about to unfold.

*Unless every single one of these guys is on the same level as Valien, I doubt we stand a chance,* Azure thought to himself as he quickly sought cover behind one of the pillars in the lobby. From his hidden position, he peered out to observe the unfolding situation, keeping a close eye on Xain and the armed individuals in the room.

Ercale scanned the lobby, seemingly unfazed by the individuals who had drawn their weapons and were ready to confront him. Instead, his attention was captivated by the paintings adorning the walls. They displayed a unique black and white style, featuring letters from a language he recognized. A sly smile curled on his lips as he muttered to himself, "Ha, at least now I know where you came from." He seemed more interested in the origin and meaning of the artwork than the imminent threat posed by the armed onlookers.

Ercale swiftly pivoted, his attention drawn to three individuals charging at him with an array of melee weapons. With lightning-fast reflexes, he unleashed a flurry of punches so rapid that the movements were a blur. The onlookers in the room could hardly comprehend what had transpired as their senses were left in awe. They witnessed only the echoes of impacts and the sound of bodies collapsing to the floor, the assailants swiftly incapacitated by Ercale's speed and precision.

Ercale's gaze swept across the remaining individuals in the room, a sense of superiority emanating from his demeanor. He addressed them with a cold and dismissive tone, his words carrying a veiled threat. "Consider yourselves fortunate that I have no interest in taking your lives. However, I make no promises for The Shadow Baron's fate. The rest of you are inconsequential." With an air of nonchalance, he proceeded to approach them.

Despite Ercale's warning, the remaining individuals in the room ignored his words and stubbornly charged at him. Ercale's expression shifted to annoyance as he faced the incoming assault. "Fine," he muttered under his breath, clearly displeased by their persistence.

As the first assailant swung a sword towards Ercale's head, he swiftly ducked under the blade and countered with a swift uppercut to the attacker's gut, sending them crashing into a nearby pillar. The impact reverberated through the stone, leaving the assailant dazed and gasping for breath.

Another opponent, armed with a steam-powered pistol, aimed a shot at Ercale's chest. With uncanny reflexes, Ercale sidestepped the projectile, the bullet whizzing harmlessly past him. In a seamless motion, he closed the distance between them, delivering a lightning-fast combination of strikes that targeted his adversary's vital points. A precise punch to the throat followed by a sweeping kick to the legs left the opponent incapacitated on the ground.

The fight continued in a similar fashion, with Ercale gracefully evading attacks and launching devastating counterattacks. A series of rapid strikes left one opponent disarmed, their weapon clattering to the ground, while another found themselves with a fractured arm from a powerful elbow strike.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Ercale remained composed and in complete control. His strikes landed with pinpoint accuracy, incapacitating his opponents with calculated efficiency. The fight unfolded in a symphony of precise strikes, each blow finding its mark and leaving a trail of defeated adversaries.

With every passing moment, the group's desperation grew as they realized their futile attempts to land a single meaningful hit on their elusive adversary. They could only watch in awe and terror as Ercale effortlessly dispatched each opponent, leaving them battered and defeated.

Azure's heart raced in his chest as he witnessed Ercale's swift and brutal takedown of the defenders. The sight filled him with a deep sense of dread and uncertainty. *Am I going to have to fight him?* he pondered, his mind racing with fear and anxiety.

Glancing over at the remaining figures in the room, Azure noticed that the elven man and the wolf demi-human seemed to be observing the fight rather than actively engaging in it. A sliver of hope flickered within Azure, knowing that he might not have to face the boy alone.

Frozen in place, Azure struggled to find his next course of action. The best option seemed to be finding an opportunity to escape and report the situation to someone who could handle it. He remained hidden behind the pillar, carefully weighing his options while keeping a watchful eye on Ercale and the remaining individuals in the room.

Ercale's eyes narrowed as he faced the defiant elven man and the growing wolf demi-human. He wiped the blood from his hands, seemingly unfazed by their presence. "What are you supposed to be, the elites or something?" he scoffed, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Sanev, the elven man, stood his ground, his expression unwavering. "Ha, don't think just because you beat them, you can run through everyone here," he retorted, a tinge of confidence in his voice. Wyett, the wolf-man, continued to transform, his body morphing into a more wolf-like form. His imposing figure loomed over the scene, radiating a sense of primal power. "Those guys were just halfwits, unlike us," he added, his voice deep and resonant.

Ercale's gaze flickered with intrigue as he surveyed Wyett's transformation. "Wow, you have some rare blood, don't you?" he remarked, a hint of curiosity coloring his words.

Unfazed by Ercale's comment, Sanev retrieved a steam-powered crossbow from his belt, positioning himself at a strategic distance. "This is where your assault ends," he declared, his voice steady and determined. With an air of confidence, he prepared to engage Ercale, ready to defend himself and his companion.

Ercale's eyes gleamed with confidence as he observed his opponents. With a casual flick of his wrist, he lunged forward, his movements a blur. Ercale's fist connected with Sanev's jaw, sending him reeling backward. The force of the impact shattered bone, causing an audible crack. Sanev crumpled to the ground, unconscious and broken. Meanwhile, Wyett lunged forward, attempting to catch Ercale off guard with his powerful claws. But Ercale effortlessly sidestepped the attack, his agility unmatched.

He quickly snatched Sanev's steam-powered crossbow, a wicked grin forming on his lips. "Well, this looks fun," he mused. Without missing a beat, Ercale turned towards Wyett, taking aim with the stolen weapon. A single shot struck Wyett's shoulder, causing him to stagger back in pain.

Ercale then moved with lightning speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. His fists blurred as he delivered a series of devastating blows. A precise strike landed on Wyett's arm, causing bone to shatter and the demi-human to howl in agony. Another strike, swift and calculated, connected with his chest, forcing the air from his lungs and leaving him gasping for breath.

Ercale effortlessly weaved through Wyett's attempts to retaliate, his movements fluid and almost dance-like. A powerful kick landed on Wyett's side, sending him crashing into the ground, pain reverberating through his body. Each strike Ercale unleashed had a purpose, targeting vulnerable points and inflicting damage that was impossible to ignore.

With a final, well-placed strike, Ercale incapacitated Wyett, rendering him unconscious. Both Sanev and Wyett lay battered and broken, their bodies bearing the unmistakable marks of Ercale's onslaught.

Ercale stood in the midst of the aftermath, his expression unchanged, as if he had merely swatted away insignificant pests.

As Azure witnessed what he could only describe as bullying, he thought to himself, *Wow, those guys did absolutely nothing.* He remained hidden, completely focused on concealing himself and no longer observing the ongoing events. His mind was consumed by thoughts of self-preservation, hoping that he would go unnoticed by the intruder. *Now all I have to do is stay hidden and pray to the goddess that he doesn't find me. I mean, he is after The Shadow Baron, someone like me doesn't matter at all, right?* Azure thought to himself.

Suddenly, a voice startled him from behind. "What in the hell are one of 'you' doing here?" Azure turned around to see the boy he had been trying to hide from standing right in front of him. Overwhelmed with fear, all he could manage to say was, "Ah, fuck."