NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: The Hunt Begins
Chapter 3: The Hunt Begins
Trapped in Solmara
The air grew tense as the Flame Hunters surrounded Riven. Their Onyx Flames flickered, shadows twisting unnaturally around them. These assassins were elites, trained in deadly arts and known for never leaving survivors.
Riven gritted his teeth. His body ached from the fight with Rael, and the Azure Flames within him were still unstable.
"I can't fight them all head-on… I need an opening."
The leader of the Flame Hunters, a tall figure with a silver mask, stepped forward. His voice was low, almost amused.
"Riven Kaelstrade, you've been declared an enemy of the Order." His Onyx Flames flared, casting an eerie glow in the darkness. "Your exile is permanent. Surrender, and we will grant you a swift death."
Riven exhaled slowly.
"Like hell I will."
The Flame Hunters moved instantly.
Two assassins rushed forward, their blades coated in black fire.
CLANG!
Riven barely dodged, pivoting to avoid the first strike while blocking the second with his Azure-coated arm. Sparks flew as the Onyx Flames clashed against his own.
But the moment he blocked—
A third assassin struck from behind.
Riven's instincts screamed, and he barely ducked in time as a black dagger whizzed past his neck.
"They fight in perfect coordination—!"
Before he could counter, another assassin appeared at his side, thrusting a spear of solid shadow.
BOOM!
Riven unleashed an Azure Burst, sending out a shockwave of blue fire. The assassins were forced to leap back, but their movements were flawless—like they had expected his counter.
The leader tilted his head. "Your control over Azure Flames is improving. But you're still outnumbered."
The assassins raised their hands. Chains of Onyx Fire shot toward Riven, moving like snakes in the air.
He dodged the first, but the second wrapped around his wrist.
"Damn it!"
The moment it touched him, his flames weakened—the Onyx Flames were draining his power!
"I can't get caught—!"
Riven gritted his teeth and yanked forward, using his raw strength to pull the assassin off balance. He twisted mid-air, slamming a flaming kick into the enemy's chest.
CRACK!
The assassin crashed into the wall, but another took his place immediately.
"They won't let me breathe!"
Riven barely raised his arm in time to block another blade strike, but the force sent him skidding backward.
Rael stood on the sidelines, watching silently.
"Damn you, Rael!" Riven thought. "You planned this!"
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Power Explanation: Onyx Flames
Unlike Azure and Crimson Flames, Onyx Flames are a forbidden power used exclusively by the Flame Hunters.
Shadow Bind – Onyx chains that weaken the target's flames on contact.
Void Step – A technique that lets the user move in and out of shadows for rapid attacks.
Abyssal Pierce – A dagger technique that erases the wound from existence, preventing healing.
The Onyx Flame doesn't just burn—it corrupts.
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Desperate Escape
Riven's mind raced. He couldn't beat them all. He needed to flee.
His eyes darted toward the temple roof—his only possible escape route.
"If I can reach the rooftops, I can lose them in the city!"
But the leader seemed to read his thoughts.
"Seal the exits."
Two assassins raised their hands, and black flames surged, forming walls of fire around the courtyard.
Riven's heart sank.
"They're cutting off my escape…"
BOOM!
The leader vanished—reappearing in front of Riven in an instant. His palm glowed with dark energy.
"Abyssal Palm."
Riven had no time to dodge.
CRACK!
The attack slammed into his chest, and a sharp pain exploded through his body.
But something was wrong.
There was no wound.
Yet—Riven felt like a piece of his soul had been struck.
"What… what was that?"
He stumbled back, his vision blurring. His flames flickered weakly.
"No… if I fall here—it's over!"
The assassins closed in for the kill.
But then—
A new voice echoed through the courtyard.
"That's enough."
A figure descended from the rooftop, landing gracefully between Riven and the assassins.
The Onyx Flames flickered as the Flame Hunters hesitated.
Even Rael's eyes narrowed in recognition.
Riven looked up, stunned.
"You…!"
The newcomer smirked, adjusting his silver gauntlets. His cloak billowed as he turned to face the assassins.
"Did you really think I'd let you kill my little brother?"
Lorien Kaelstrade—The Exiled Phantom—had arrived.
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End of Chapter 3