Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 222: Embers of Twilight

Chapter 222: Embers of Twilight

The distant echoes of what sounded like a busy city drilled into Natasha’s ears rousing her from her slumber.

Her eyes flickering opening, she found herself staring at an all too familiar ceiling, one she had contented herself looking at for quite a few years.

But for some reason, it didn’t seem right.

It felt... out of place.

Blinking repeatedly, she soon glanced to the side and a moment later sat up in bed to better view her current location.

Everything was just as she remembered... from the window placed at one side to the wooden table placed at another and even the tiny wardrobe that held a limited number of attires that were mostly male-oriented.

This place... no, this room was once where she’d lived before... Natasha frowned.

Before what?

And why ’once’?

She didn’t know why but despite the familiarity of the location, she couldn’t bring down the vigilance she felt.

At the same time, a gnawing feeling that something was wrong ate at her.

Pursing her lips, she sought to seek out the origin of this feeling only for her attention to be drawn to the door as she sensed someone’s approach.

At the same time, a knock was heard.

"Who’s there?"

"It’s me, Ambrose." A voice came from the other end. One that was just as familiar as the room she was in.

For reasons unknown, she felt relieved.

Quickly rising to her feet, she walked to the door and opened it.

On the other side, a dark-haired middle-aged man wearing a brown trench coat and a white shirt alongside khaki trousers and a pair of shoes stood with a casual expression on his face.

"Hey, Ambrose." Natasha greeted.

"Mn. Still sleeping in?" Ambrose commented as he noted her attire before promptly letting himself in.

"Yeah." Natasha nodded as she didn’t bother harping on his brusque attitude.

Massaging her forehead, she continued. "I feel..."

"That’s unlike you." Ambrose casually cut her off as his eyes danced about the entirety of her apartment.

It was separated into three portions; a bedroom, kitchen, and toilet.

Barely a place suitable for one of Natasha’s standing but it was one she was happy with.

Natasha watched him scrutinize the room, unable to get rid of the feeling that Ambrose was... different.

Like something had changed.

What it was, she couldn’t place her finger.

After a moment of introspection, she inquired. "Is there a reason you are here?"

"Hmm?" Ambrose glanced at her, seemingly snapping out of his daze. "Ah yes, I came to check on you and we got a call from the cathedral."

"Thanks... wait, the Cathedral?" Natasha raised a brow in confusion.

"Is there a problem?"

"That... What is the cathedral?" Natasha asked.

Ambrose regarded her, his jaws opened before he massaged his temples to gain some reprieve from the momentary shock.

Natasha couldn’t help but wonder why he reacted so.

"You ask me what the cathedral is when it is precisely because of it that you came to BoneHaven. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"But..."

"But nothing. I had to pull a lot of strings before the Cathedral decided to take you in. You better not try to embarrass me." Ambrose warned, forcing Natasha to hold her tongue.

She intended to ask what the D.O.D. in her mind meant but facing Ambrose’s stern words, she decided against it.

Sighing helplessly, Ambrose continued. "Get dressed. We leave in 10 minutes."

Leaving those words behind, he quickly stepped out leaving Natasha confused.

After thinking with no answers to her numerous questions, she decided to put it aside for now and quickly made her way into the bathroom to freshen up.

Perhaps, she would feel better after bathing.

***

It was unending.

The shadow warriors, despite killing many, still emerged to stop Alex from progressing any further.

They were decidedly hard to kill and not at all lacking in skills, causing Alex and by extension, Charlotte to be hard-pressed as they fought to keep them at bay.

However, Alex knew he couldn’t continue like this.

Though his Pneuma was in no danger of being assimilated, he was still human and so could get exhausted.

Judging that he still had other engagements after this, he couldn’t allow himself to be drained here.

But unfortunately, the shadow warriors were quite special with very few methods available to take them down.

Pursing his lips, he stepped away from the battle for a moment to consider his options.

He needed a long-lasting way to ensure the Shadow warriors stayed down long enough for him to navigate the Labyrinth.

Rune could erase them but couldn’t deal permanent damage as they would end up reforming, leading him to ponder other options.

Soon, a plan began to bear fruit in his mind.

As he considered it, the more it made sense and by the time the Shadows had broken past Charlotte, Alex had figured out the rudimentary aspects.

Taking a deep breath, he snapped his fingers just in time to teleport away from danger before turning to face the horde of Shadows hounding him.

He regarded them briefly as Charlotte rushed to his side only to snap his fingers.

At the tips, a peculiar flame erupted, its black and white colors melding to form an enchanting glow.

Then he muttered. "I will name this one... Embers of Twilight."

A moment later, the black and white flames increased until it became an inferno devouring everything in sight.

***

Natasha stepped out of her apartment in a black leather suit.

Looking down at her attire, she felt as though something was missing.

Two familiar weapons meant to be hanging at her hips.

Instead of those weapons, however, what she had were instead effigies of what looked like a humanoid with wings.

It seemed ominous but since it had been part of her attire, she thought it right to take them along.

Taking a deep breath to calm her tumultuous thoughts, she slowly made her way down the hall where Ambrose stood waiting for her.