Chapter 50

Authoress's POV

Very early the next morning, one of the scouts banged the door, his breathing ragged.

They all rushed out to meet him.

“What is it?” Zackfronth asked. The scout paused for a while, an attempt to catch his breath.

“I don't know, something strange is happening. Strange markings are appearing on the people.” He explained.

Twila looked from the scouts to the Alphas and then to the elder. His expression read “I told you so.” Twila sighed.

“The marking has begun. What do we do about it?” She asked no one in particular.

“Nothing, dear child. We wait for the Reaping.” The elder replied and walked back into his room.

Azrael seemed really pissed by the elder's actions. “He acts like he doesn't care about the Kingdom. One would think he controls the Shadow slayers.” He said with a frown.

“He's just seen a lot of deaths. It's normal to him now.” Zackfronth explained.

“Yes. He has lost hope. Everyone in this Kingdom has. We just have to prove it wrong, we have to show them that there's always hope.” Orion said.

Twila didn't know when her lips stretched into a small smile. It was nice seeing the three of them work together.

“We should check on the people with the markings.” She suggested.

As they stepped outside, they noticed the three leaders of the Shadow slayers stretch forth their hands towards the Kingdom, pointing a finger in different directions. They were marking people, the people they would harvest.

“I can't wait to rip those creatures apart!” Twila said through gritted teeth.

“Why can't we just attack now.. you know, hit them before they hit us?” Azrael asked.

“It never occurred to me. Thinking of it now, it's a good idea.” Zackfronth replied.

“Is it safe?” Orion argued.

“Is it safe to let them in first?” Azrael countered.

“What do you suggest we do?” Twila asked both Azrael and Zackfronth.

“I don't know, maybe some of us ride from front to distract them, while you and the others attack from behind and you can zap them with your light.” Azrael suggested.

“I was thinking the same.” Zackfronth seconded.

“Not bad, but how do we get behind them?” Twila asked.

“Look guys, I suggest we think this through. Let's head to the fortress, discuss with the others then make our decision before implementing any plan.” Orion suggested and they all agreed to it.

As they stepped into the fortress, the people ran to them. Cries and wailing filled the air. Mothers with marked babies, husband's with marked wives, wives with marked husbands, children with marked parents. The whole lot of them.

“You said you'd save us, why is this happening?” A little boy asked, eager eyes looking up at Zackfronth.

Zackfronth felt bad. He couldn't find the right words to say. Was he to promise the child that he'll fix it or just tell the child the truth that he wasn't sure if he could save them?

He had raised the people's hope, it would be wicked to shatter it just like that. But what could he do when he was losing hope himself?

After a not so successful attempt to calm the people, they gathered at the situation-created war table. They discussed the issue at hand. No one from the other Kingdoms was marked, but a lot of the people from the Eastern Kingdom had been marked. Saving them would require caution.

Zackfronth brought up Azrael's suggestion once again, then they began discussing the topic. They brought into consideration the pros and cons if they were to take such a step. A lot of things were put into consideration and by noon, they had finally come up with a plan.

Orion and Azrael would ride up with some warriors to distract the Shadow slayers and when they least expect it, Twila and Zackfronth would strike from behind.

First, they had to ride around the hill to come from behind. They would send a signal into the sky as a cue for Orion and Azrael.

It was settled.

Twila and Zackfronth walked back to the elder's house to get the needed things before proceeding round the hill.

As they stepped into the house, Tara, the elder's granddaughter ran to Zackfronth.

“Don't be scared Alpha. I know you can do this. I believe in you.” She said, Zackfronth smiled and kissed her forehead before she ran off.

“She seems to like you a lot.” Twila commented.

“Jealous?” Zackfronth teased.

“You wish..” Twila rolled her eyes and he laughed. “I'm just saying, I see the way she warms up to you. She likes having you around.”

“Well, it goes both ways.” Zackfronth said. “Tara is like a little sister to me. She was the first one to call me Alpha ever since the entire Kingdom scorned my family. I doubt she even knows my name, I can bet she believes my name is Alpha.” He paused with a smile, his eyes gazing at nothing.

“I don't know why, but for some reason that little girl has always believed in me and this little encouragement of hers was all I needed.” He concluded. Twila patted his shoulder as the two headed out.

“Wait.” The elder stopped them. “ Whatever it is you're trying to do, I hope you've thought it through. Be careful.”

Twila and Zackfronth stared at each other, then back at the elder. “Thank you.” They said together.

“One more thing. When they lift up their banner with the blood moon sigil on the third day, the Reaping begins.” He said and they nodded before thanking him again.

“We won't let them live to see a third day.” Twila whispered.

Orion’s horse let out a sharp cry as he rode at the front, Azrael galloping beside him with a fierce glint in his eyes. Behind them, dozens of their finest warriors rode hard, their armor clinking with each powerful hoofbeat, dust rising beneath them as the sun glared above. The battlefield loomed ahead—an eerie stretch of charred land where the air grew heavier with every stride.

The three leaders of the Shadow Slayers stood like wraiths on a ridge, their hands still outstretched, fingers directing invisible lines of death into the Eastern Kingdom. Their faces were cloaked, unreadable, but the aura around them reeked of ancient darkness. As the warriors charged, the markings on the innocent began to glow brighter, branding them like cattle.

Azrael let out a furious roar and launched forward, slashing down the first shadow creature he met. But it didn't fall. It staggered… then lunged again.

“What the hell?” he barked.

“Keep going!” Orion shouted, slamming his sword through another. This one crumbled into ash, but only because his blade had struck its chest—its heart.

“They don’t die unless you pierce their hearts!” Orion called out. “Aim for the heart!”

Azrael nodded grimly and relayed the message. Still, it wasn’t easy. The creatures were swift, their forms slippery like smoke, their eyes glowing faintly blue as they twisted through the air and attacked with sharp claws and shrieking howls.

Despite their best efforts, the leaders of the Shadow Slayers didn’t flinch, didn’t fight back. They kept marking, their fingers painting invisible sigils in the air. That realization unsettled Orion deeply. They weren’t even phased. They didn’t care who died—as long as the Marking continued.

Then came the flare.

From the ridge behind the enemy’s ranks, a white streak shot into the sky like a comet.

“They’re in position,” Orion said through gritted teeth, dodging a claw swipe and plunging his sword into another shadow warrior’s chest.

Behind the slayers, Twila and Zackfronth charged, their warriors following closely. Twila’s hand glowed bright with light, and as she raised it, a wave of energy pulsed outward. A dozen shadow warriors disintegrated, hissing into ash. But for every one she destroyed, two more came. Her eyes narrowed, jaw clenched.

“Come on!” Zackfronth shouted, swinging his axe through one of the creatures. It barely flinched before reforming.

“I said the heart!” Twila snapped.

Zackfronth grunted and changed his approach, driving his blade into the next creature’s chest—it crumpled instantly.

They pushed forward, closing the distance between them and the leaders, but the numbers were overwhelming. The slayers twisted through the air like demons, attacking in coordinated swarms. Twila’s light began to flicker with exhaustion.

Then, it happened.

One of the shadow warriors caught Twila off guard. Its clawed hand slashed across her arm, sending her tumbling backward. She cried out, clutching her bleeding limb, eyes wide with pain.

“Twila!” Zackfronth growled, leaping to shield her. He drove his axe into three of them in quick succession, breath ragged.

On the other side of the field, Orion watched in horror as his men were falling, their weapons ineffective in the chaos. They were losing ground. Fast.

“Fall back!” he ordered. “We retreat now!”

Azrael hesitated. “We’re close—”

“We can’t lose everyone!” Orion snapped. “We regroup!”

Horns blared as the signal was given. The warriors began retreating, pulling their wounded along with them. Zackfronth carried Twila in his arms, blood soaking through her sleeve as she fought to stay conscious.

The Shadow Slayers did not chase. The leaders didn’t even move. They simply continued marking…

Marking the next souls to be harvested.