Dante took a deep breath, still lying down, feeling the pain slowly fade. But his mind continued to race, knowing he needed more information. The war with the werewolves was a serious issue, and he had been out of action for too long. "Valentina..." he called out before she could fully leave the room.
She stopped, turning to face him again, one eyebrow raised. "What now? Hasn't your head exploded enough already?"
He let out a weak sigh, struggling to sit up on the bed. "I need to know... what's the situation with the werewolves? I've been out for a while. The war didn't just stop because I passed out, right?"
Valentina crossed her arms again, but this time her expression was more serious, almost cold. "No, the war didn't stop. If that's what you want to know... things are complicated, but we're holding the line. While you were out, we had to make some tough decisions. The Valkyries split into three groups to attack the werewolves' outposts in strategic regions."
Dante frowned. "Three groups? Isn't that risky? They're strong, but dividing the forces like that..."
"Yes, it's risky," Valentina interrupted him, "but we didn't have many options. Velkan's werewolves were pushing forward, trying to reclaim territory, and if we didn't stop them, they would've cut off our supply lines. They isolated those who follow Siren, so things got complicated. We had to take the initiative." She let out a frustrated sigh, her fingers drumming against her arms. "We split the Valkyries and Siren's Wolves to lead attacks on three different outposts: Sverog's outpost, Svarsk's fort, and Gornak's supply camp. Each of these places is crucial for their control in the region."
Dante stared at her, processing the information. The strategy made sense, but it was dangerous. "And how are they doing?"
"So far, we're holding up well. But the losses... Some of our werewolves have died," Valentina bit her lower lip, a rare moment of vulnerability showing. "We lost a few. The Valkyries are strong, but the werewolves are more organized than we expected. And they've got new allies, some old, dark magic we haven't seen before."
That caught Dante's attention. "Dark magic? What kind?"
Valentina shook her head. "We're not sure yet. I asked Morgana to take a look, she's investigating, but it seems to be corrupting the very nature around them, almost like... well, like that thing you absorbed. The dark energy is all over the outposts, and the werewolves seem to be drawing strength from it."
"Morgana's here? Ah, never mind, she can take care of herself." Dante felt a knot form in his stomach. He knew his decision to consume that energy had been reckless, but now it was clear something bigger was at play. Something connected. "Do you think they're related somehow? This energy... and the magic the werewolves are using?"
"Maybe," Valentina said cautiously. "We're still trying to piece it together. But if it's true, things could get much worse before they get better. We need every resource we can to break this magic, and frankly, we need you, Dante."
He nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her words. "I'll recover quickly," he promised. "And when I'm ready, we'll take back those outposts and end this dark magic. I'm not letting these werewolves win."
"I hope so," Valentina said, her voice hard but with a hint of hope. "But while you were out, a lot has changed. Things are getting uglier, and the werewolves aren't the only problem anymore. There are rumors... of something even bigger behind them. Something we haven't been able to identify yet."
Dante frowned. "Rumors? What do you mean?"
From the smoke and dust, a tall and imposing silhouette started to take shape. It was a man, shrouded in a black aura that seemed to devour the very light around him. His eyes glowed a fierce crimson, and in his hands, he held a large blade, as dark as the void surrounding him.
"That's... no werewolf," Kaaelani whispered, her eyes widening in shock. She slowly rose to her feet, her twin blades at the ready.
"No, it's much worse," Saelaara added, her features hardening. "That energy... it's similar to what Dante absorbed. This is not normal."
The figure advanced slowly, each step echoing in the silence that had settled. The werewolves around seemed to retreat, as if sensing the devastating power emanating from him. He finally stopped, his blade pointed at the Valkyries. When he spoke, his voice was deep, laden with a supernatural presence.
"You fight in vain," he declared. "Velkan has already won. And you... will be sacrificed to the true power."
Aaela stepped forward, her gaze defiant. "Who are you? A servant of Velkan?"
The figure smiled darkly, his red eyes glinting with malice. "A servant? No. I am the true master of these lands. And you... are about to experience true chaos."
*What the hell is this guy talking about? He's not with Velkan, but he says Velkan has already won?* Saelaara thought.
Before the Valkyries could react, the figure raised his free hand, and a wave of darkness spread toward them. The black energy surged like a storm, engulfing everything in its path. Aaela, Kaaelani, and Saelaara braced for impact, weapons in hand, but they knew this was something beyond any werewolf they had ever faced.
The darkness hit them with force, a suffocating sense of despair and agony flooding their bodies. It felt as if every positive thought, every drop of hope, was being siphoned away by that black energy.
Aaela struggled to keep her feet on the ground, her spear glowing with the little magical energy she had left. "We need to... resist..." she murmured, her words barely audible amid the storm.
Yet, deep within her mind, a small part of her knew they were on the brink of something far greater and more dangerous than any battle against werewolves.
Aaela, clutching something in her hand... "M-Mother... We're dying..." she said, shattering the sphere...
In the blink of an eye... 0.2 seconds to be precise...
"Who dared to lay a finger on my daughters?" The red-haired woman appeared on the battlefield in an instant.