Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Chapter 290 Protect

The sun had not yet risen over the horizon when a single cart approached the main entrance to the cave outside of Seteste. It was cold enough for the traveling cart's driver to see their breath. He was wrapped in a warm cloak, but still trembled occasionally.

Outside the cave entrance, a handful of elves stood watch and slowly approached the cart as it came to a stop. A gentle sprinkle of water started to fall from the sky, and the clouds began to darken. It seemed like a rainstorm was beginning.

"What business do you have, stranger?"

The driver pulled down the hood of his cloak. "I am here to make a delivery at the request of Lady Voltara al Famyn. She says that a man by the name of Itorin would accept this prisoner transfer?"

The guards looked at one another carefully before looking at the back of the cart. There was a man in torn clothes with shaggy black hair. His eyes were different colors, and he glared at them with pure hatred. A few of them subconsciously stepped back despite him being completely bound and gagged.

One of the guards whispered to another, who then vanished into the cave entrance. A few minutes later, another man emerged with a few people whom the carriage driver assumed to be Master Rankers. Whoever this 'Itorin' was, he seemed important.

"I hear you have a package for me. Is that true? Who have you brought on behalf of Lady al Famyn?" The man assumed to be Itorin asked.

"She said that this man caused a lot of trouble in the capital of Aedrider and Arcadios. The Five Kings Union view him as a problem and so she wished to be rid of him." The carriage driver answered.

"His name?"

"Lucius Kane, otherwise known as Titan of Eroa."

'Attack' The words appeared in her mind, forcing Snow to cradle her head momentarily as if stifling a powerful headache.

'Kill' ... 'Defend' ... 'Avenge!'

These ideas came one after another, each bringing with it another wave of pain. Snow's very body felt like her enemy as she had to force herself to stand still, to let them carry Lucius away. Corva had requested she assist Lucius Kane in the mission to rescue his friend, but even from the beginning, she was opposed to her own involvement.

The darkness surrounding him only grew in size and scope. The call from within her soul to follow it only grew stronger, and this time, she did not have her sister, Yue, to pull her out of it. No light crystals could chase this darkness away, but Corva did not listen.

"Dammit all! What is that man..." Snow whispered while cradling herself.

Yue sensed something different about him from what Snow saw. The rabbit girl had told her that a fading light surrounded Lucius Kane. However, there was no possible way for any kind of light could be within that man. If there was, Snow could not see it.

She even tried to explain what she felt to Yue, but all her sister could do was smile weakly and hug her. Her touch chased away the call of the mark, but the effect faded over time.

'Protect!'

Snow gasped. Before, everything her mark whispered had been a feeling or an idea. However, for the first time, a voice echoed in her mind. It was more powerful than any sensation she had felt before.

Snow's eyes glossed over for a moment. "Protect." She whispered before vanishing into the darkness, leaving behind only a wisp of black smoke.