Chapter 122: Zylle Mordan Takes Action

In a secluded hideout nestled within the bustling city of Porthaven, Zylle Mordan reclined on a plush velvet chaise lounge. The room was tastefully decorated, a stark contrast to the rough and tumble taverns and back alleys that often served as meeting places for the Phantom Assembly. This particular hideout was one of Zylle’s personal favorites, a haven of comfort and tranquility amidst the chaos of her work.

Zylle, with her dark hair pulled back in a severe ponytail and piercing purple eyes, was a force to be reckoned with within the Phantom Assembly. She was in charge of all the day-to-day operations in this region of the Eloriath Kingdom. The management of the Phantom Assembly’s members, the acquisition of resources, the planning and execution of their various schemes – all fell under her purview.

She was currently enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, sipping a glass of fine wine and idly flipping through a stack of reports. The atmosphere was calm, the only sound the soft crackling of the fire in the hearth. It was a peaceful scene, a stark contrast to the chaos that was about to unfold.

Suddenly, a soft tapping at the window broke the silence. Zylle looked up, her purple eyes narrowing as she saw a dark owl perched on the windowsill. It was one of the messenger owls used by the Phantom Assembly, but there was something different about this one.

Zylle recognized a small, almost imperceptible mark on the owl’s leg. It was a mark that she herself had placed on a specific owl, the one she had entrusted to Alaric after he had joined the Phantom Assembly. It was a way for him to contact her directly, bypassing the usual channels.

’Alaric?’ she thought, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. ’What could he possibly be contacting me about?’ She had assigned him to Drustan and Kaelith’s group, a relatively low-risk assignment. She hadn’t expected to hear from him so soon.

She rose from the chaise lounge, approaching the window. The owl hooted softly, extending its leg. Zylle carefully untied the small scroll attached to it, offering the owl a small treat before it took flight once more.

She unrolled the scroll, her eyes scanning the contents. Her blood ran cold. The kingdom’s forces, including some of their elite units, were aware of the auction hall. They were launching an attack. Now.

’This is… disastrous,’ she thought, her mind racing. She immediately recalled that Brita Kuusk was one of the inner members managing the matters at the auction hall. Brita knew quite a bit about the Phantom Assembly’s operations. The kingdom could not get their hands on her.

A wave of relief washed over her as she recalled Alaric. ’Thank goodness I allowed him to join that group,’ she thought. ’If he hadn’t informed me of this, we would have been completely blindsided.’

She immediately reached for a small, intricately carved whistle that hung around her neck. She put it to her lips and blew, a sharp, piercing sound that echoed through the hideout. It was a signal, one that only her elite guard would recognize.

Within half an hour, a group of five figures had gathered in the main room of the hideout. They were all dressed in dark clothing, their faces hidden by hoods. They were Zylle’s most trusted subordinates, her elite fighting force.

“We have a situation,” Zylle announced, her voice cold and commanding. “The kingdom’s forces are attacking the auction hall. We need to reinforce our members there. Immediately.”

The figures nodded in unison, their expressions grim. They were all highly skilled warriors, trained in both martial arts and magic. They understood the gravity of the situation.

Zylle quickly explained the situation, detailing the information she had received from Alaric. She emphasized the importance of protecting Brita and preventing the kingdom from acquiring any information about the Phantom Assembly’s operations.

“We can’t let them capture any of our members,” she said, her voice hard. “And we certainly can’t let them get their hands on Brita. She knows too much.”

The group moved quickly, gathering their weapons and preparing for battle. Zylle led the way, her mind racing, planning their strategy. They had to reach the auction hall as quickly as possible.

They swiftly made their way through the back alleys of Porthaven, using their knowledge of the city’s hidden pathways to avoid detection. They moved with a practiced efficiency, their movements silent and swift.

They soon reached the Crooked Tankard, the unassuming pub that served as the entrance to the secret auction hall. As they approached, they saw a large contingent of kingdom soldiers pouring into the pub.

Zylle cursed under her breath. They were too late. The attack had already begun. She clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.

“Damn it,” she muttered, her voice low and furious. “They’re already inside. We need to move quickly.”

She turned to her subordinates, her eyes flashing with determination. “We have to use everything we have,” she said, her voice hard. “We can’t let them capture our people. Kill any kingdom soldiers that get in your way. But try to avoid making too much noise.”

The figures nodded, their expressions grim. They understood the stakes. This was a critical mission, one that could have serious repercussions for the Phantom Assembly.

Each member of Zylle’s elite guard prepared themselves for battle. Some channeled their Black Aura, enhancing their physical abilities to superhuman levels. Others prepared to unleash their dark magic, ready to unleash devastating spells.

One of the martial artists, a hulking man with a shaved head, began to circulate his Black Aura, his body becoming surrounded by a dark, ominous energy. He focused his aura into his fists, preparing to unleash his signature technique, ’Crushing Mountain Strike’.

Another martial artist, a lithe woman with long, braided hair, focused her Black Aura into her legs, preparing to use her lightning-fast ’Shadow Step’ technique.

The mages among the group began to chant in low voices, preparing their spells. One mage, a gaunt man with pale skin, prepared to cast ’Silent Darts’, invisible projectiles that could pierce through armor with ease. Another mage, a woman with fiery red hair, prepared to cast ’Shadow Bind’, a spell that could immobilize their enemies in a web of dark energy.

Zylle herself prepared to engage, her speed of casting spells as a mage was far too quick. She focused her magical energy, preparing a series of quick, practical spells. She wouldn’t be using any flashy, attention-grabbing magic. She needed to be swift, silent, and deadly. She prepared ’Shadow Step’ for quick movement, ’Silent Blade’ to instantly kill any soldier in her way, and ’Muffle’ to create a small sound barrier around her to ensure that her movements and spell casting were completely silent.

Zylle took the lead, rushing into the Crooked Tankard. Her movements were swift and fluid, almost like a shadow. She used ’Shadow Step’ to quickly close the distance between herself and the nearest group of soldiers, appearing behind them as if from thin air. She then unleashed ’Silent Blade’, her hand moving in a swift, precise motion. A thin, invisible blade of dark energy sliced through the air, instantly killing two soldiers before they even knew what had happened.

The other members of her team followed close behind, engaging the soldiers in a brutal, silent battle. The martial artists used their enhanced strength and speed to take down their opponents with swift, brutal strikes. The mages unleashed their dark magic, silently dispatching the soldiers with their deadly spells.

The fighting within the Crooked Tankard was fierce and brutal, but it was also quick and efficient. Zylle’s team moved with a practiced precision, taking down the soldiers one by one. They were careful to avoid making too much noise, ensuring that no alarms were raised.

Zylle herself moved through the pub like a phantom, her movements swift and silent. She used ’Shadow Step’ to teleport from one group of soldiers to another, dispatching them with swift, deadly strikes. She used ’Muffle’ to ensure that her movements and spellcasting were completely silent, making her an almost invisible threat.

She was a whirlwind of dark energy and deadly precision, cutting down any soldier that dared to stand in her way. Her speed as a mage was truly remarkable, casting spells with such speed that even experienced mages would have struggled to keep up.

~~

A few minutes of brutal, silent efficiency passed outside the Crooked Tankard. Zylle and her team had swiftly dispatched the initial wave of kingdom soldiers, leaving a trail of silent corpses in their wake. But Zylle was growing impatient. This skirmish was a waste of precious time. She could subtly sense that the main force of the kingdom’s soldiers had already breached the auction hall, likely through the teleportation circle on the second floor.

’Damn it,’ she thought, her purple eyes flashing with frustration. ’This is taking too long. We need to get inside, now.’

She turned to her subordinates, her voice sharp and commanding. “Enough of this fodder,” she ordered. “Our priority is securing Brita. Move!”

With renewed urgency, Zylle and her team stormed into the Crooked Tankard, heading straight for the staircase leading to the second floor. The bar was now deserted, the only signs of the previous chaos the overturned tables and chairs, and the faint smell of spilled ale.

They reached the second floor, finding the teleportation circle still active, humming with residual magical energy. Without hesitation, Zylle stepped through, her team following close behind. Fortunately, the kingdom’s forces, led by Drustan and Kaelith, had already entered the auction hall and didn’t guard this teleportation circle.

The scene that greeted them on the other side was one of utter chaos. The once-opulent auction hall was now a battlefield, a chaotic mess of clashing steel and flashing magic. Kingdom knights and soldiers were engaged in fierce combat with the Phantom Assembly members, the air thick with the smell of blood and ozone.

Zylle’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected such a fierce resistance. The kingdom’s forces were clearly well-organized and well-equipped. The Phantom Assembly members were losing, and losing badly.

’This is… not good,’ she thought, her brow furrowing. ’We need to turn the tide, quickly.’

She immediately focused her senses, searching for the strongest concentrations of magical energy. Her eyes landed on two figures engaged in fierce combat near the center of the hall. They were clearly the leaders of the kingdom’s forces.

’Those two,’ she thought, her purple eyes narrowing. ’They’re the biggest threat.’

She turned to her subordinates, issuing quick orders. “One of you, find Brita,” she commanded. “The rest of you, provide support. I’ll handle the leaders.”

One of the hooded figures, a nimble woman with quick reflexes, immediately darted off, disappearing into the chaos. The other four positioned themselves strategically, preparing to engage the elite kingdom soldiers.

Zylle herself moved towards the two figures she had identified as the leaders. She moved with a swift, purposeful stride, her expression grim. This was the first time she had seen Drustan and Kaelith. She could sense their power, their determination. They were formidable opponents, but she was confident in her own abilities.

Drustan and Kaelith, engaged in a fierce duel with several Phantom Assembly members, were suddenly alerted to Zylle’s presence. They turned to face her, their eyes widening in surprise. They had never seen this woman before, but they could sense the immense power radiating from her.

’She’s… powerful,’ Drustan thought, his brow furrowing. ’A high-ranking member of the Phantom Assembly, no doubt.’

Kaelith grunted in agreement, his hand tightening on his staff. He could feel the dark energy swirling around her, a palpable aura of menace.

Zylle didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. She immediately launched into an attack, unleashing a barrage of dark magic spells. ’Shadow Bolts’ shot towards Drustan and Kaelith, followed by ’Dark Tendrils’ that snaked across the floor, attempting to ensnare their legs.

Drustan, reacting quickly, raised his hands, conjuring a ’Stone Wall’ to intercept the ’Shadow Bolts’. The dark projectiles slammed into the wall of earth, creating a small explosion of dust and debris.

Kaelith, meanwhile, unleashed a barrage of ’Flame Spears’ at the ’Dark Tendrils’, incinerating them before they could reach their target.

Zylle was surprised by their coordinated defense. They moved with a seamless synergy, anticipating each other’s moves, effectively countering her attacks.

’They work well together,’ she thought, a hint of respect entering her voice. ’Their combined power is greater than the sum of their individual abilities.’

She decided to increase the intensity of her attacks, combining her dark magic with her signature ’Black Lightning’ spells. She unleashed a ’Black Lightning Strike’ at Drustan, a bolt of crackling dark energy that moved with blinding speed.

Drustan, reacting quickly, conjured a ’Earth Shield’ to protect himself. The ’Black Lightning Strike’ slammed into the shield, creating a powerful shockwave that sent tremors through the stage.

Kaelith, taking advantage of the distraction, unleashed a barrage of ’Flame Storm’ at Zylle. The air filled with swirling flames, engulfing her in a fiery inferno.

Zylle, however, simply teleported away using ’Shadow Step’, reappearing behind Kaelith. She then unleashed a ’Dark Blast’ at his back, a powerful explosion of dark energy.

Kaelith, sensing the attack, quickly turned and conjured a ’Flame Wall’ to protect himself. The ’Dark Blast’ slammed into the wall of fire, creating a massive explosion of smoke and embers.

The battle raged on, the three mages exchanging a flurry of spells, the air crackling with magical energy. Zylle, despite being outnumbered, was holding her own, her powerful magic and lightning-fast casting speed keeping Drustan and Kaelith on the defensive.

The clash of magic and steel echoed through the auction hall, a cacophony of destruction and chaos. While Zylle engaged Drustan and Kaelith in a fierce magical duel, her elite subordinates were locked in brutal combat with the kingdom’s elite knights and soldiers.

The kingdom’s forces, with their superior numbers and disciplined tactics, were slowly but surely gaining the upper hand. The Phantom Assembly members, though skilled and ruthless, were being pushed back, their lines starting to break.

One of Zylle’s subordinates, the hulking martial artist with the shaved head, was engaged in a fierce duel with two heavily armored knights. The man’s Black Aura crackled around him, enhancing his strength and speed, but the knights were skilled and experienced, their movements precise and coordinated.

The hulking man unleashed his ’Crushing Mountain Strike’, his fist slamming into one of the knight’s shields. The impact sent tremors through the knight’s arm, but the shield held firm. The other knight took advantage of the opening, swinging his greatsword in a wide arc.

The hulking man barely managed to dodge the blow, the blade whistling past his head. He retaliated with a swift kick to the knight’s leg, but the knight’s heavy armor absorbed most of the impact.

’These knights are tough,’ the hulking man thought, gritting his teeth. ’Their armor is like a walking fortress.’

One of the knights, a seasoned veteran with a scarred face, unleashed his signature technique, ’Ironclad Onslaught’. He charged forward, his greatsword aimed at the hulking man’s chest.

The hulking man quickly channeled his Black Aura into his legs, using ’Shadow Dash’ to quickly dodge the incoming attack. He then retaliated with a ’Black Serpent Strike’, a swift, precise punch aimed at the knight’s exposed side.

The other knight quickly intercepted the blow, blocking it with his shield. The two knights then pressed their attack, their coordinated strikes forcing the hulking man onto the defensive.

Another one of Zylle’s subordinates, the lithe woman with the braided hair, was engaged in a fast-paced duel with a nimble kingdom scout. The woman’s ’Shadow Step’ technique allowed her to move with incredible speed, appearing and disappearing like a phantom.

The scout, however, was equally agile, his movements quick and unpredictable. He wielded two daggers with deadly precision, his strikes aimed at vital points.

The lithe woman used her ’Shadow Dance’ technique, a series of rapid movements and feints designed to confuse her opponent. She appeared behind the scout, aiming a swift kick at his back.

The scout reacted instantly, twisting his body and catching her leg mid-air. He then used his momentum to throw her to the ground.

The lithe woman quickly rolled to her feet, conjuring a ’Shadow Shuriken’, a small, dark projectile that she hurled at the scout.

The scout quickly dodged the projectile, retaliating with a flurry of dagger strikes. The lithe woman used her ’Shadow Veil’ technique, briefly cloaking herself in darkness to evade the attacks.

’This scout is quick,’ she thought, her breath coming in short gasps. ’I need to be careful.’

The kingdom’s mages were also proving to be a formidable force, their spells disrupting the Phantom Assembly’s ranks and creating openings for their knights and soldiers.

One of the kingdom’s mages, a young woman with fiery red hair, unleashed a ’Blazing Comet’ spell, a ball of fire that streaked across the hall, impacting a group of Phantom Assembly members.

Another mage, an older man with a long white beard, cast ’Earth Bind’, a spell that caused the ground to erupt, ensnaring several Phantom Assembly members.

The Phantom Assembly mages tried to counter, but the kingdom’s mages were well-coordinated, their spells complementing each other perfectly.

One of the Phantom Assembly mages, the gaunt man with pale skin, tried to cast ’Silent Darts’ at one of the kingdom’s knights. But a kingdom mage quickly intercepted the spell with a ’Wind Wall’, deflecting the invisible projectiles.

Another Phantom Assembly mage, the red-haired woman, tried to cast ’Shadow Bind’ at a group of soldiers, but a kingdom mage countered with ’Radiant Burst’, a spell that emitted a blinding flash of light, disrupting the dark magic.

The battle raged on, the tide slowly turning in favor of the kingdom’s forces. Zylle’s subordinates were struggling, their individual skills unable to overcome the kingdom’s superior numbers and coordinated tactics.

The knights and soldiers, emboldened by their success, pressed their attack, their swords and spears flashing in the dim light of the auction hall. The Phantom Assembly members were forced to retreat, their lines breaking under the relentless pressure.

One of the knights, a towering figure with a booming voice, unleashed his signature technique, ’Thunderous Charge’. He charged forward, his greatsword held high, smashing through the Phantom Assembly ranks like a battering ram.

Another knight, a swift and agile warrior, used his ’Whirlwind Strike’ technique, spinning his twin swords in a deadly dance, cutting down any Phantom Assembly member who dared to come close.

The kingdom’s soldiers, inspired by their knights’ bravery, fought with renewed vigor, their disciplined formations and coordinated attacks overwhelming the Phantom Assembly members.

The Phantom Assembly members were being pushed back further and further, their initial confidence crumbling under the relentless assault. They were starting to panic, their movements becoming erratic and disorganized.

The battle within the auction hall was turning into a rout. The kingdom’s forces were clearly winning, their superior numbers and tactical coordination overwhelming the Phantom Assembly members.

Zylle, still engaged in her duel with Drustan and Kaelith, could sense the shift in the battle. She could hear the cries of her subordinates, the clashing of steel, the explosions of magic.

’This is a disaster,’ she thought, her purple eyes flashing with anger. ’We’re losing. And losing badly.’

She knew she had to do something, and fast. But Drustan and Kaelith were proving to be formidable opponents, their combined power keeping her on the defensive.

The battle continued to rage, the auction hall becoming a scene of utter chaos and destruction. The kingdom’s forces were closing in, their victory seemingly inevitable.