BXBX NOVEL Chapter 64: Your Checkmate? No. MY Checkmate!
A figure stepped inside, his dark robe billowing slightly with his movements. His face was partially obscured by the hood, but his Aura was on full blast, projecting a palpable sense of power and malice.
Ezra tilted his head, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "Welcome," he said, his voice dripping with mock courtesy.
The man laughed, a dark sound that echoed through the room. "I had to come," he replied, his tone conversational yet filled with menace. "I knew you'd become a pain in my ass sooner or later."
Ezra's eyes narrowed behind his mask, his stance remaining relaxed. "I think you've got me all wrong. I'm here to save you from all that trouble," he quipped. "Better to settle things now than let it get to later."
The robed vampire's eyes glinted with amusement. "You really think you can handle this, don't you?" he asked, his tone mocking. "Walking alone into enemy territory. What gives you such confidence?"
Ezra chuckled, shaking his head. "Who said I came alone?"
At that moment, the door behind the vampire burst open, and Olivia and Gen stormed in, their presence electrifying the room. The vampire leapt away, positioning himself between Ezra and the two women, his stance suddenly defensive.
Ezra's smile widened. "How do you feel about your odds now?" he asked, his voice cold. "Taking on three vampires?"
The vampire laughed again, his eyes darting between his three opponents. "This is my home ground," he said, his Aura and confidence unwavering. "I'm much more prepared than you think."
As if on cue, seven female vampires streamed into the room through the back door behind Ezra. They moved with eerie synchronicity, their eyes locked onto Ezra and his wives. Ezra leapt back, creating distance as he took in the new arrivals.
The robed vampire's laughter filled the room once more. "How do you feel now, Ezra? Taking on eight vampires?"
Touche. Ezra's eyes scanned the room, calculating his next move. He'd expected the vampire to bring reinforcement but seven? He glanced at his wives. Didn't you guys say that the biggest coven in First City has just four wives? The odds had definitely shifted dramatically, but he wasn't about to back down.
"Feeling pretty good," Ezra replied, his tone relaxed. "We've taken down worse."
The robed vampire's smile faded slightly, his eyes narrowing. "You underestimate my preparations," he said, his voice a low growl. "These aren't just any vampires. They're all third ring. Remind me, aren't you still first ring?"
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you tell me? Judging by the information you've gathered, you seem like the cautious type. Who will win? You or I?" he asked. "You may have the numbers.
But numbers don't always guarantee victory."
The tension in the room was palpable, each side sizing up the other. The robed vampire gestured subtly, and his guards fanned out, encircling Ezra. Olivia and Gen stepped towards the robed vampire, trusting Ezra with the women. Olivia's eyes flickered with a cold fire, while Gen's muscles tensed, ready for action.
Ezra shifted his stance, preparing for the fight. Yes. This is it. We don't even need to win. We just need to know who you are. "Come on!"
The robed vampire's eyes gleamed with a mix of anger and amusement. "I've been waiting for this moment, Ezra." He said. "You and your coven has disrupted my operations, causing confusion and spreading rumors. Let's see if you live up to the legend you've created for yourself."
The room erupted into chaos as Ezra launched himself at the robed vampire, his movements a blur of speed. The two collided with a thunderous impact, their fists exchanging blows that sent shockwaves through the air. The robed vampire's eyes widened in surprise as he grunted in pain from a few hits. At that moment, he realized that Ezra was not only keeping up with him but actually hurting him.
Around them, the seven female vampires moved to join the fray, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Olivia and Gen raced away from the main clash, intercepting the approaching women.
Olivia manifested her wings, taking to the air with a graceful leap. From above, she began showering the female vampires with a hail of razor-sharp feathers, forcing them to constantly dodge and weave to avoid being skewered.
Ezra and the robed vampire continued their brutal exchange, each strike echoing like thunder. The robed vampire's confidence wavered as he realized the intensity of Ezra's attacks. "You're strong," he spat, his voice filled with frustration.
"Stronger than you think," Ezra replied, grinning with his fangs on display. He weaved around a punch and stretched his hand to grab the vampire's hood, intending to reveal his face, but the vampire twisted away with a snarl.
Undeterred, Ezra summoned a tendril of shadow, which shot out and wrapped around the vampire's torso, dragging him back towards Ezra. With a furious roar, the robed vampire shattered the solid shadow with a single punch, the force dispersing the dark tendrils into nothingness.
The vampire leapt away, seeking to put distance between himself and Ezra. As he soared through the air, Ezra seized the moment and fired a cloud of darkness. The dark mist enveloped the vampire mid-air, sapping a bit of his vitality and transferring it to Ezra. The vampire stumbled as he landed, his energy momentarily drained.
"Retreat!" he called out, his voice tinged with anger. The female vampires hesitated, their movements faltering as they glanced toward their leader.
Not so fast. Ezra wasn't about to let him escape. He blanketed the entire room in darkness, a thick, impenetrable shroud that blinded everyone in the room. Luckily l, only he could see through it. The sudden plunge into darkness disoriented everyone and Ezra used the cover to dash towards the robed vampire, his footsteps silent.
Just as Ezra was about to reach him, a dark portal materialized behind the vampire.
What the hell?
A hand, pale and clawed, reached out from the portal, grabbing the robed vampire by the shoulder and yanking him through. The portal snapped shut with a sound like a thunderclap.