The Vampire Summoner: Lord of Shadows

Chapter 16: The Gathering Storm

The silence after the battle felt heavier than any noise. Draven stood amidst the ruins of the clash, his summoned shadows dissipating into the air like smoke caught in the wind. The ground was littered with the faint scorch marks of dark magic, reminders of the confrontation that had just taken place.

Selene sheathed her blade, walking up beside him. Her piercing silver eyes studied his face. "Malakar wasn't bluffing, was he? The Sovereigns are real."

Draven nodded, his gaze distant. "They are. And they're not just coming for me. They'll come for everything."

Selene frowned. "What do you mean?"

Draven clenched his fists, the remnants of shadow energy flickering around his fingertips. "The Sovereigns aren't just after me for my power. They want to maintain their control over the world's balance—or, rather, their twisted version of it. I've upset that balance by claiming the Abyssal Depths' power. To them, I'm a threat, an anomaly that needs to be erased."

Selene crossed her arms, her voice tinged with frustration. "And they'll use every means they have to crush us before we can rise further."

Draven looked to her, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the fading light. "That's why we need allies. I can't fight this war alone. And neither can you."

Selene tilted her head. "You think we can trust anyone in this world? The kingdoms are full of self-serving rulers and corrupt nobles. Even those who claim to stand for justice might betray us if it suits them."

Draven smirked faintly, though there was no humor in it. "Trust is a luxury we can't afford. But power respects power. If we can rally others—mages, warriors, even those outcast by society—we'll have a force capable of standing against the Sovereigns."

Selene sighed. "It's a dangerous gamble, Draven. But you're right. We don't have a choice."

Before they could say more, a voice interrupted.

"If it's allies you're seeking, you might already have one."

Both turned sharply, weapons half-drawn, as a figure stepped from the shadows of the trees. A tall woman with pale skin and raven-black hair stood before them, draped in a dark, flowing cloak embroidered with runic patterns. Her sharp green eyes gleamed with intelligence and cunning.

Selene stepped forward, her hand on her hilt. "Who are you? How long have you been watching us?"

The woman raised her hands in a gesture of peace, though her smile was anything but comforting. "Relax. My name is Aria. Let's just say I have… an interest in your cause. And as for how long I've been watching, let's just say I know enough."

Draven's eyes narrowed. "Interest? Why would someone like you care about what we're doing?"

Aria's smile grew sharper. "Because I know the Sovereigns, and I know what they're capable of. I've been hunted by them before, and I've survived—barely. If you're planning to stand against them, then you'll need someone with knowledge. Someone who understands their magic, their strategies. Someone like me."

Selene glanced at Draven, her expression skeptical. "She could be a spy, sent to lure us into a trap."

Aria raised an eyebrow, looking more amused than offended. "If I were a spy, do you think I'd approach you alone? The Sovereigns don't deal in subtlety—they send armies and envoys like Malakar. Besides, if I wanted you dead, I would have let him finish the job."

Draven studied her closely, his instincts warning him to tread carefully. But there was something in her eyes—something genuine, even if veiled by layers of cunning and secrecy. "Why now?" he asked. "Why come to us after the battle instead of during it?"

Aria's smile faded slightly. "Because I needed to see if you were worth the risk. You passed. Barely."

Selene bristled at the comment, but Draven held up a hand to silence her. "Fine. If you're as knowledgeable as you claim, prove it. What do you know about the Sovereigns' next move?"

Aria's expression grew serious, and she stepped closer, her voice low. "They'll come at you in waves, testing your strength, your resolve. But their true power lies in their emissaries—each one a fragment of their will, imbued with ancient magic. Malakar was just the first. The others will be stronger, smarter, and far less forgiving. And if you think you can face them with just the two of you, you're already dead."

Draven's jaw tightened. "Then where do we start?"

Aria gestured toward the distant mountains. "There's a city hidden in the shadows of those peaks. A haven for those who've been cast out by the kingdoms—mercenaries, rogue mages, thieves. If you want allies, that's where you'll find them. But be warned, they don't follow anyone without proof of strength. You'll have to earn their loyalty."

Selene looked uneasy. "Mercenaries and rogues? That doesn't exactly inspire confidence."

Aria smirked. "Confidence isn't what you need right now. Numbers are. And trust me, these people may not be noble, but they're survivors. And in a war like this, survivors are exactly what you need."

Draven turned toward the mountains, his resolve hardening. The path ahead was clear, but far from easy. If they were going to stand against the Sovereigns, they would need to gather as much power and support as they could.

"Let's go," he said, his voice firm. "If the Sovereigns want a war, we'll give them one."

With Aria leading the way, Draven and Selene set off toward the Sable Mountains, unaware of the trials and betrayals that awaited them in the shadows.