The Rise of the Legendary Puppet Mage!

Chapter 3

The shadowy figure tried to take a form like Raina. However, It flickered as it lost its connection with Xavier after Xavier escaped from its enchantment. Without any way out, the unknown being decided to use its enchanting magic once again as it advanced toward Xavier while a strange scent invaded Xavier’s nostril.

“Xavier… I am your mom.” The voice persisted, but Xavier shook his head, his eyes fierce with determination.

“No, she calls me Xavi, and she would never harm me.” Xavier looked at the shadow with confidence. He noticed he was outside the city wall. He turned around and started walking back to his cottage, where the last traces of his mother remained.

“I see. You are no fun, little human. Let's cut to the chase and let me kill you!”

The shadow leaped and reverted to its true form. It looked human, but it wasn't. It had long, dark hair, uncommon in Eldoria except for Xavier. Its eyes glowed red with the desire to drink blood, and two long canines protruded from its mouth. Its crimson tongue licked its blood-red lips maliciously. Its skin was so pale that it seemed transparent, lacking blood. It aimed its claw at Xavier's heart.

Xavier tried to dodge but couldn't move, as if his legs had grown roots and stuck to the ground. At the last moment, his bracelet glowed blue, and a transparent shield appeared out of nowhere. It looked like a blue transparent paper. However, the creature couldn't cut the paper with its shiny claw. It became impatient and screeched with a voice that could make anyone lose their hearing.

Xavier started to bleed from his nose and ear. The strange creature looked at Xavier with surprise. It clicked its tongue and looked at him with interest.

“I see. You little human. You're interesting. Let's play a bit more, okay?” The creature stepped back, its dark robe enveloping it like the night sky, hiding every bit of its skin.

“Who are you? You don't seem human.” Xavier stepped back and looked at the unknown cautiously. “What do you want from me?”

The creature laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Xavier's spine. “I am a Netherkin, a servant of the void. Someone wants you dead, but your blood… oh, it’s different, isn’t it?” The Netherkin licked its lips, its eyes glinting with predatory hunger. “You reek of new energy. It is intoxicating! I wish I could keep you as my blood pet. It is a pity I can’t.”

Desperation filled Xavier as he scrambled to his feet. “Why me? What did I do?”

The Netherkin merely grinned, its sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. “Questions, questions. But no answers for you, little human.”

“Let me drink your blood.” It started to be impatient, moving closer to Xavier slowly. “Your blood has a delicious scent, little human. I will suck you dry and take back what belongs to us.” It looked greedily at the inconspicuous bracelet on Xavier’s hand.

Just as it was about to touch Xavier, a white flame appeared out of nowhere and engulfed the creature. It screamed in pain, laughing maniacally. “It’s not over, little lamb. You will die sooner or later. Be ready for your death.” It couldn't complete its sentence before it burned to ashes.

Xavier looked up and saw a mage floating above the city barrier in a dark robe with a golden five-star pattern. His face was hidden under his golden hood. However, Xavier knew this mage was no ordinary mage. In this world, only ten mages had reached the five-star level. They were the Archmages who controlled the mages of the whole world of Eclipseria. They created ‘The Order of the Magi,’ and ten Archmages were the heads of the five elements. Eldoria had Master Orion and Master Yvonne, each controlling fire elements. One wielded white fire, and the other had dark fire.

So, he must be Master Orion. Xavier bowed to the supreme Archmage, feeling his powerful gaze.

“Xavier Raymond pays respect to Master Orion. Thank you for saving me, Master Orion.” Xavier said it respectfully.

“It’s okay. I would have done it even if it wasn't you.” An indifferent voice sounded as Archmage Orion disappeared, taking a last look at the teenager, who looked just like Raina.

Left alone once more, Xavier stood amidst the remnants of the encounter, the night around him eerily still. The white flames had faded, leaving only a charred circle where the creature had been. Relief mingled with apprehension as Xavier’s mind raced with unanswered questions.

Returning to his cottage, Xavier’s steps were restless. The encounter with the Netherkin had unsettled him, igniting a fierce curiosity about his own identity and the strange powers drawn to him. His gaze fell on the bracelet on his wrist, its surface faintly shimmering in the dim candlelight.

Sitting at his mother’s desk, he traced the intricate patterns etched into the bracelet. It emitted a faint hum, resonating with the rhythm of his heartbeat. Memories of his mother surged through his mind—the warmth of her embrace, the strength in her gaze, and the mysteries she had left behind.

“Why did that creature want my blood? What secrets did Mom hide?” he pondered aloud, feeling the weight of these questions. The bracelet seemed to pulse in response, urging him to uncover the truth hidden within.

A sudden, eerie chill swept through the room, extinguishing the candlelight. Xavier’s breath caught as a shadow fell across the wall. He turned slowly, eyes wide with fear.

In the doorway stood a figure cloaked in tattered black robes, its face hidden in shadow except for two piercing, glowing eyes.

“Did you think it was over?” the figure whispered. “The game has only just begun.”

Xavier’s heart raced as the figure approached, the darkness around it thickening. The bracelet on his wrist began to pulse violently, and the room filled with an ominous energy.

“What do you want?” Xavier’s voice trembled, his mind searching for answers.

The figure’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “You’re about to find out. But first, you must make a choice…”

He paused, his chuckle echoing in the darkness, sending shivers down Xavier’s spine.

“Do you dare?”

The stranger’s words echoed relentlessly in Xavier’s mind, each repetition deepening the sense of foreboding. The room spun around him, the bracelet's pulsing light growing fainter as he struggled to maintain consciousness.

Before Xavier could respond, darkness enveloped him, and he collapsed into unconsciousness, his mind haunted by the chilling encounter and the unanswered questions that now loomed over him like a looming storm.