Married To The Villain
Chapter 90: Lirian Gets Kidnapped

Chapter 90: Lirian Gets Kidnapped

Chapter 90: Lirian Gets Kidnapped

The night was oppressive, shrouded in thick mist that clung to their skin like damp cloth.

The group moved in tight formation, their breaths seemed measured.

Lirian stayed in the center as Raphael had instructed, her heart pounding in rhythm with the march of boots around her.

Pedro perched on her shoulder, unusually quiet, his small body was also vibrating with tension.

The bird’s earlier warning repeated in her mind, refusing to let her calm down.

Ahead, Gabriel held his sword ready, constantly scanning the treeline.

To her left, Raphael was gripping the hilt of his blade as though it were an extension of himself.

The air was so still it felt like a trap.

No wind stirred the branches, no creatures scurried in the underbrush.

Even the stars seemed to hold their breath.

Lirian’s fingers brushed the ring on her finger.

She hoped it would be enough to control her mana in case it slips again.

Gabriel fell back a step, his shoulder almost brushing hers.

His voice was low.

"You’re awfully quiet again. What’s running through that head of yours?"

She glanced at him, the corner of her lips lifted in a strained smile.

"Just trying not to think about how easily this could all go wrong."

His mouth twitched upward, but his eyes were serious.

"That’s my job. Yours is to stay alive."

"Noted," she murmured, though the role felt being forced heavily on her chest.

From the front of the group, Kael’s voice broke through the silence.

"Path ahead splits. Looks like we’ll have to take the ridge."

Raphael frowned,looking at the narrowing trail.

The ridge was treacherous, its edges crumbled into a steep ravine below.

"We don’t have a choice," Raphael said. "Stay close, and watch your footing."

The group shifted, tightening formation as they began the climb.

The path was uneven, littered with loose stones that skittered away underfoot.

Lirian concentrated on each step, her breathing was faster as she kept her balance.

"You’re doing fine," Gabriel said softly, cutting through her mounting anxiety.

She nodded, gripping the straps of her pack tighter.

"What about you? You always seem so calm."

He glanced at her.

"Years of practice. Doesn’t mean I don’t feel it."

Pedro shifted on her shoulder, muttering under his breath. "Danger... always danger... humans never learn."

"Pedro, not helping," she whispered.

The bird ruffled his feathers. "Fine. Just trying to keep you calmer."

A sharp crack echoed through the night, freezing them in their tracks.

Gabriel’s hand shot out, motioning for silence.

Everyone crouched low, weapons drawn as they stared at the darkness.

"What was that?" Kael whispered.

"Could be nothing," Raphael replied, though his tone had no conviction.

Lirian’s heart raced as she peered into the void, her ears straining.

The forest seemed to close in around them, the mist grew thicker, heavier.

"Stay ready," Gabriel murmured, his knuckles white on his sword.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours before Raphael gestured for them to move again.

The atmosphere was suffocating.

Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves felt like a coming disaster.

They had just cleared the ridge when Pedro’s feathers bristled.

"Stop," the bird hissed, his beady eyes darted through the mist. "Something’s coming."

Gabriel stiffened, his body coiled like a spring. "Where?"

"Everywhere," Pedro croaked, his voice started trembling.

Before anyone could respond, a low growl rumbled from the shadows.

Shapes came from the mist—dozens of them, glowing like embers.

The creatures were weird, their forms resembled wolves but without limbs and massive teeth that dripped with saliva.

"Ambush!" Raphael shouted, raising his blade.

The mess started.

The creatures lunged, their howls split the air.

Lirian’s stomach dropped as Gabriel stepped in front of her, slashing through the first attacker.

Blood sprayed, dark and viscous, as the beast collapsed.

"Stay behind me!" Gabriel yelled with authority.

Lirian’s hands trembled as she fumbled for her dagger.

She’d trained for this, but nothing could prepare her for the raw savagery of the battle.

A creature lunged at her, its claws outstretched.

She barely had time to react, stabbing upward with all her strength.

The beast let out a strangled cry, collapsing at her feet.

"Good!" Pedro squawked. "Now do it again!"

Kael fought nearby, his blade moved with practice.

"Lirian, keep moving! Don’t stop!"

She stumbled forward, her eyes darted between the writhing mass of bodies.

Raphael’s voice rang out, barking orders that cut through the mist.

But the creatures kept coming.

A roar shook the ground, and Lirian’s heart froze.

From the mist appeared a larger figure, its hulking form dwarfing the others.

Its eyes burned brighter, and its claws gleamed like polished steel.

"Meylo’s pet," Raphael spat, his face looked grim. "Take it down, or we’re finished."

Gabriel didn’t hesitate.

He charged the beast, his sword flashed as he aimed for its throat.

The creature met him head-on, swiping with claws that narrowly missed his chest.

The force of the clash sent vibrations through the ground.

Lirian’s pulse thundered as she watched, her body was paralysed for a second.

Pedro squawked urgently, snapping her out of her trance.

"Do something!" the bird shrieked. "Use the butterflies!"

Her hand flew to her ring, the cool gold warmed under her touch.

She closed her eyes, focusing on the energy within.

A surge of heat coursed through her veins, and when she opened her eyes, they glowed faintly with an otherworldly light.

The ring flared, casting a brilliant light that pierced the mist.

So many golden butterflies rushed from her chest, attacking the monster with their blade-like-wings.

The monster faltered, its glowing eyes narrowed as it turned toward her.

Gabriel seized the opening, driving his sword deep into its chest.

"Uuuuuhgaaaaaaah...." The creature let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing.

Silence fell, broken only by the labored breathing of the group.

Lirian let out a long sigh because energy from her chest left her drained.

Gabriel was at her side in an instant, his hands helped her to not fall.

"Are you okay?" he asked, looking concerned.

She nodded weakly, her legs were shaky. "I... I think so."

Pedro fluttered onto Gabriel’s shoulder.

"That was close. Too close."

"No kidding," Kael muttered, wiping blood from his blade.

Raphael looked around the battlefield. "We can’t stay here. If Meylo knows we’re coming, there will be more of them."

Lirian’s chest tightened.

The battle had been brutal, and it was only the beginning.

But as she looked at Gabriel, his face didn’t even look tired, but more motivated.

"We’ll make it," he said, confidently. "We have to."

She nodded, holding the removed ring tightly.

Their mission had only just begun.

"Let’s keep moving," Raphael ordered.

The group barely managed to move forward after the battle...

Lirian felt her drained energy tugging at her limbs, steps were becoming harder to take.

Gabriel stayed close to her, protecting.... Pedro perched uneasily on her shoulder, his feathers twitched from time to time.

"I don’t like this," Pedro muttered. "Something’s wrong."

"Keep your voice down," Raphael ordered in a sharp whisper, his grip tightensd on his blade.

"We’re not out of danger yet."

Kael nodded grimly, "They’re watching us. I can feel it."

Lirian clutched the ring in her hand, wishing she had more strength left.

The golden butterflies had drained her, and without them, she felt exposed.

Gabriel moved closer to her side.

"Stay close," he murmured. "If something happens, don’t try to fight alone."

Before she could respond, Pedro let out a shrill squawk. "They’re here! Behind us!"

The group spun around.

Shadows burst from the mist, more of the monstrous creatures rushed forward.

"Defensive line!" Raphael barked. "Lirian, stay in the center!"

Lirian obeyed, Gabriel and Kael surged forward, their blades flashed as they met the attackers head-on.

"Pedro, fly!" Lirian shouted, but the bird stayed stubbornly on her shoulder.

"I’m not leaving you!" Pedro screeched. "But you need to run!"

"Lirian, move! Get to higher ground!" Raphael shouted.

"I can’t leave—" she began, but before she could finish, a massive shape burst through the mist.

"Lirian!" Gabriel shouted, desperate as he tried to fight his way to her.

The creature lunged, faster than she could react.

Claws raked across her side, knocking her to the ground.

Pain exploded through her body as she hit the earth, the wind knocked from her lungs.

"No!" Pedro screamed, flapping his wings in a frenzy.

He dove at the creature’s face, clawing and pecking, but it swatted him away like a ragdoll.

Gabriel was almost there, his blade raised, but another creature slammed into him, forcing him back.

"Lirian, hold on!" he roared.

The larger beast grabbed her, its claws dug into her arms as it hoisted her into the air.

Lirian screamed, struggling against its iron grip. "Gabriel! Help!"

"Lirian!" Gabriel’s voice was raw and cracking, but he couldn’t break free from the smaller beasts swarming him.

Pedro, injured but relentless, fluttered weakly.

"I’ll find you!" he croaked as the creature disappeared into the mist with Lirian in its grasp.