ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 119 A NASTY BAD LUCK

As Kaelen and his companions sat down, breathing heavily after their grueling battle with the Dark Griffin, they began to slowly recuperate. The cliffside was eerily quiet now, the only sound being the distant crash of waves below. Exhaustion weighed heavily on all of them, but there was a small sense of victory in the air.

"I still can't believe we killed it," Morris said, leaning back against a rock, his multicolored mana finally dissipating. "A Dark Griffin... we made history today."

Kaelen nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "We need to rest. We're not out of danger yet."

Guinevere, sitting a few feet away, was staring at the horizon. "We should stay on guard, just in case."

Before anyone could respond, the wind shifted. There was a sudden, unnatural stillness in the air, and the subtle sound of footsteps could be heard—faint, but drawing closer.

Kaelen's instincts flared, but it was too late.

"Ambush!" he yelled, jumping to his feet, sword already in hand.

But before they could react, a hail of chains and nets came flying out of the shadows. Warriors clad in dark armor emerged from the nearby rocks and trees, surrounding them with overwhelming numbers. They moved with brutal efficiency, quickly binding Guinevere, Sofia, Morris, and Ethan before any of them could fight back.

"Damn it!" Eldric hissed as he summoned his lightning, but a sharp spearhead was pressed to his throat by one of the ambushers, forcing him to stay still.

Kaelen slashed at the nearest chain with his sword, but there were too many of them. They wrapped around his arms and legs, pulling him down to the ground. He struggled, trying to summon his Sacred Light, but the weight of the chains was too much.

"Hold still, hero," a gruff voice said.

Kaelen looked up and saw the leader of the ambush, a tall warrior in gleaming silver armor, with a cold, calculating gaze. The crest on his chest was unmistakable—it was the insignia of SuperNova Town.

"We know who you are," the leader said, his voice smooth yet menacing. "Kaelen, the victor of the Rookie Tournament. And these must be your... companions. You've caused quite a stir, killing a Dark Griffin. But you've drawn the wrong kind of attention."

"What do you want with us?" Kaelen spat, still struggling against the chains.

"The Town of SuperNova has an interest in you. Doran sent word about your little adventure here," the leader replied with a smirk. "You've crossed some powerful people, boy. We're taking you in. And you'd better hope they show you mercy."

Kaelen glanced around desperately, but his friends were similarly bound. Guinevere was seething with anger, her hands sparking with mana but unable to cast a spell. Morris and Ethan were subdued, and even Eldric, normally brimming with lightning magic, was forced into submission.

"Take them," the leader commanded.

Without another word, the warriors from SuperNova Town hoisted Kaelen and his companions to their feet, roughly shoving them toward a waiting group of horses and carts. The ropes bit into Kaelen's wrists as he stumbled forward, anger boiling in his chest.

"Welcome to SuperNova," the leader of the warriors sneered as he turned to face them. "You'll be guests of honor at our most esteemed facility—the holding cells."

Kaelen's jaw clenched as he and his companions were pushed forward into the building. His mind raced, already plotting their escape. But for now, they were outnumbered and outmatched. As the heavy iron doors slammed shut behind them, he realized their journey had taken a darker turn.

SuperNova Town was no mere stop on their quest—it was a dangerous pit, and they were right at its heart.

As the iron doors of the cell clanged shut behind Kaelen and his companions, the dim torchlight in the damp stone dungeon barely illuminated the room. Kaelen could feel the weight of their situation pressing down on him. They were trapped, far from help, and whatever awaited them in SuperNova Town was shrouded in mystery.

Morris paced back and forth, his hands clenched into fists. "We need to get out of here. There's something off about this place."

Guinevere leaned against the cold wall, her arms crossed. "I agree. We can't sit here and wait for whatever fate they have planned for us."

Kaelen nodded, but before he could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the dungeon corridor. It wasn't the usual sound of guards making their rounds. This was different—ominous, purposeful. The group tensed, their eyes narrowing as they listened.

Outside, in the heart of SuperNova Town, Doran had just arrived. His expression was as dark as the storm clouds that had begun to gather above the town. Flanked by two of his most trusted henchmen, he strode toward the town's central hall with an air of determination and malice. His usually composed demeanor was replaced by a simmering rage, barely contained beneath the surface.

As he entered the hall, the captain of the SuperNova warriors greeted him with a respectful nod. "Lord Doran, I assume you're here for the prisoners?"

Doran's cold eyes gleamed. "Indeed. I have a score to settle with one of them, Kaelen. He's more dangerous than he appears."

The captain raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous? He and his companions hardly put up a fight when we captured them. What's the real story here?"

Doran sneered, his voice low and venomous. "it seems like that boy Kaelen may not know it, but he's connected to the High Order—an organization that stands in the way of my... ambitions. I don't need him knowing anything more. By the time he realizes why he's truly a target, it will be too late. I want him and his friends dead."

One of Doran's henchmen, a burly man with a scarred face, stepped forward. "How do you want it done, boss?"

Doran paused for a moment, thinking. "We'll strike when they least expect it. Make it look like an accident during their so-called 'trial' that's planned for tomorrow. No loose ends, understood?"

The other henchman nodded. "Understood, sir. We'll make sure none of them leave alive."

Doran smirked. "Good. Kaelen and his little band have been a pain in the ass for the last time. He may not know about his connection to the High Order yet, but it's better to kill him now before he ever gets the chance to understand."

As the plot against Kaelen was set in motion, Kaelen himself remained unaware of the danger closing in on him. Back in the dungeon, he sat with his companions, his mind racing. He could feel something dark looming over them, but he had no idea just how close to death they truly were.

Little did they know, their captors had far more than a simple trial in store for them.