Chapter 20: Checkmate
Lord Ravus Noctis Duskhollow – POV
The past few decades had been the most brutal in my family’s long history. Ever since the Rift appeared, it had been nothing but a curse upon these lands.
Time and time again, beasts and creatures of all kinds invaded—slowly chipping away at our strength.
Two decades ago, I lost my sons to the Rift. A decade ago, my entire household was nearly wiped out. And today, I stood alone at the gates of what used to be my home... now occupied by humans bold enough to torture my lady.
The emotional toll of watching my last loyal subordinates give their lives to protect this territory had left me numb. So numb, I couldn’t even summon the rage I should’ve felt.
Right now, all I wanted was to take my lady and my treasures and leave.
This place was no longer a home—it was a ruin filled with rats.
But even that simple wish had been denied.
Two humans stood in my way—a man and a young girl. And despite her childish appearance, the girl’s presence was deeply unsettling.
I looked past them toward the keep. I could hear the heartbeats of the vermin inside. Smell their foul stench. They were like rodents, allowed to fester for too long. They were organizing, preparing to fight.
But it didn’t matter.