Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 244: Douglas’s loss

Chapter 244: Douglas’s loss

Bang!

"Again!" Douglas bellowed as he got to his feet, his chest heaving as he glared at Victoria.

His body riddled with injuries stood in stark contrast to Victoria’s pristine appearance.

A mocking smile on her lips, she playfully swung the whip in her hand as she remarked. "This is your sixth defeat today, you keep on going and I may not be able to restrain myself any longer."

Douglas gritted his teeth as he hesitated in his response.

He was well aware of what could happen if Victoria used her full strength.

But he didn’t want to back down regardless of his worries.

Recalling how he abandoned Emily and was powerless to protect Alex left him distraught.

He cursed himself for being weak and he swore at the world for not allowing him some respite.

So, he wished to get stronger, perhaps it was because of his unwillingness to give up that he became what he was; a vampire-werewolf hybrid.

This was his opportunity to take back what the world had taken from him and so there was no way he’d give up so easily.

Glancing at Victoria, he recognized her as his first hurdle.

So even if it was dangerous... taking a deep breath with renewed vigor, he said. "Again!"

Victoria’s smile slowly died down as she noticed something at that moment.

"I understand your desire so for that reason, I won’t hold back." She remarked as she exerted her will on the world.

’Open sesame.’ she muttered under her breath.

A portal tore open and out of it, a cat with one eye at the center of its face emerged.

Douglas’s expression hardened but he didn’t step back, instead taking a provocative step forward.

Victoria noted this as she spoke up. "You..."

However, she didn’t finish her statement causing Douglas to raise a brow in confusion.

The next moment, Victoria’s eyes widened as her fighting spirit dwindled.

"..."

Seconds later, she took a deep breath and turned to leave with her head down.

Douglas furrowed his brows. "Did something happen?"

"... You can continue training, I have to make arrangements for a guest."

"Guest?"

"Indeed."

With that, Victoria quickly took her leave with the black cat following closely behind.

Meanwhile, Douglas remained in place, still wondering what had happened.

Even more so, he couldn’t push away the feeling that Victoria seemed... excited.

Shaking his head to get rid of the thought, he returned to his normal human appearance before making his way to the bathroom to freshen up.

***

Whoosh

The sound of the wind blowing in Alex’s ears left him deaf to most things but it didn’t matter much as he enjoyed the unique feeling he was experiencing at the moment.

He’d flown in a lot of things in his time back on Earth, from planes to helicopters and private jets but none of those could have prepared him for the experience of riding a dragon.

It was a surreal feeling that reminded him yet again that Eventide was a world completely different from Earth.

"Haha." He found himself chuckling softly as he reached out to feel the clouds about, a smile plastered on his visage.

Ana, in her dragon form, couldn’t help but excitedly inquire. "How is it?"

"It’s... incredible," Alex replied.

Grinning at the compliment, Ana remarked. "This is nothing. Hold on!"

"Wait..."

Whoosh

Alex could barely hold on as Ana began to rotate, carrying out crazy stunts mid-flight.

By the time she finished, Alex was hyperventilating with his hair a complete mess and his eyes wide open.

"Hehe."

"You..." Alex was just about to curse out the dragon when a red light in the distance caught his eyes, drawing his attention.

Using it as an excuse, Ana quickly asked. "Is that the beacon?"

"It would seem so. Onwards!"

"Yes!"

Whoosh

Ana plunged and headed toward the red light, only to come across a mountain peak that looked weird.

"Do you see anything?" Alex inquired.

Ana replied. "Apart from pointed rocks, no."

However, hardly had she finished when a strange sight appeared before their eyes.

Like a curtain, the image of the mountain peak seemed to vanish and in its place, an imposing castle with gothic architecture appeared.

"Amazing." Ana couldn’t help but mutter while Alex had a satisfied smile on his lips.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the castle with Ana landing softly before helping Alex get down after which she polymorphed into her human form.

Ahead, standing before the castle gates, Victoria stood with a sensual smile on her lips.

She was dressed in a corset and gown with an umbrella over her head, giving her a somewhat delicate appearance.

Seeing Alex approach with Ana walking closely behind, she curtsied. "I pay homage to the Dark Lord and the Last Dragon."

"Arise." Alex calmly said to which Victoria obliged.

Meeting her suggestive gaze, Alex remarked. "I assume you got my message."

"Yes, master and I am willing to serve you." Victoria quickly replied.

Alex was about to speak when Ana grabbed his shoulder and pulled him close to whisper into his ear.

"She’s weird."

’Look who’s talking!’

Restraining himself, Alex replied. "Don’t worry."

"... Alright." Albeit slightly uncomfortable with Victoria, Ana had no choice but to accept Alex’s decision.

"Do we leave now, master?" Victoria inquired, feigning ignorance of Ana’s comments.

"Not yet, I have to meet Douglas. Is he around?"

"Yes, he is currently in the bath."

"I see, then I’ll wait."

"... I don’t think it would be wise to wait, master."

"Why?"

"Well... please come with me."

Victoria turned and made her way into the castle.

Exchanging looks momentarily, Alex soon followed behind with Ana coming along.

***

The smell of burning flesh permeated the area Victoria led Alex to.

He made his way down the spiraling steps until he found himself in a large room with a hole at the center.

Glowing green liquid filled the hole and at the center of the liquid, Douglas sat and meditated.

The smoke emerging from his skin coupled with the sizzling sound helped Alex understand that it was Douglas that was being burnt.

He could hardly understand the pain the latter was experiencing.

"I didn’t think you were a masochist." Alex suddenly remarked, jolting Douglas from his meditative state.

He glanced in his direction, regarding Alex for a moment before he muttered cautiously. "Why are you here?"

"I came to see you."

"Why?"

"Should a brother need a reason to visit..."

"We aren’t brothers." Douglas curtly replied, trying his hardest not to sound rude.

Alex however didn’t seem to mind as he sat on the stairs.

Silence loomed in the ’bath’ before Alex spoke up. "What is that liquid?"

"... Wolfsbane mixed with garlic and some other chemicals."

"And you are in it because?"

"It helps me focus."

Alex pursed his lips. "And you feel pain is the best way to..."

"What would you have me do!?" Douglas intoned loudly.

Gritting his teeth, he continued. "I’ve lost everything!... All I have is the pain and memories. If I don’t do this..."

"Then you won’t be able to sleep at night." Alex casually finished leaving Douglas unable to speak for a moment.

Once again, silence reigned.