Chapter 36

The trio of Xain, Zee, and Larkin walked through the bustling streets of Moonveil, their hands bound in fake chains. As planned, they were being escorted to Eirisse's office, posing as meals  for the two vampires. 

Lennix led the way, and to their surprise, Clarissa followed closely behind them. Lennix had explained, "We're going to need all the help we can get to confront my sister," a sentiment that resonated with everyone, even Ercale, given what they knew about Eirisse.

As they made their way through the streets of Moonveil, the group attracted a mixture of reactions from the townsfolk. Some people pointed and whispered with genuine emotion, while others, under Eirisse's control, merely mimicked the expected responses.

During this tense journey, Xain engaged Ercale in a mental conversation, seeking answers. He asked through their internal connection, *What exactly is the power of the artifact that Eirisse has?*

Ercale provided his insights, *While I was essentially blasted away before I could learn much, from what I could gather and feel, the artifact possesses the exact abilities of Violet Absaar, mirroring her powers precisely as she possessed them when she was alive.*

With the weight of Ercale's revelations settling in, Xain couldn't help but gulp. He posed another question, *How powerful was Violet? Because, given what you've told me, I know not to trust books.*

Ercale responded, his words emphasizing the magnitude of Violet's abilities, *Violet was overwhelmingly destructive. Among Winter's companions, she undeniably wielded the most devastating powers. Her eyes possessed the capacity to incinerate, liquefy, freeze, pulverize, disembowel, and more, all with pinpoint precision on her chosen targets.*

Hearing this, Xain's doubts grew, casting a bigger shadow of uncertainty over their ability to confront Eirisse.

As they continued walking through the town, Larkin couldn't help but notice the doubt clouding Xain's expression. He leaned in quietly from behind and reassured, "Xain, I can tell you're having doubts about whether we can win, but you need to stop worrying because I'm certain we will."

Turning slightly to face Larkin while still walking, Xain asked, "How can you be so sure?" 

Larkin responded confidently, "Well, when you reach my age and have been through what I have, sometimes you just know. Besides, we have a vampire, an elf, and a sorcerer with us."

Xain raised a valid point, countering, "But you do realize that Cain already lost once, right?"

Before Ercale could interject with an explanation, Larkin quickly defended Cain, saying, "I'm sure he was just caught off guard. Trust me, from what I've witnessed him do, I highly doubt he's someone anyone can easily defeat."

Xain, observant as ever, couldn't help but notice that Larkin hadn't mentioned either himself or Clarissa when listing the strengths of their group. Curiosity piqued, he questioned Larkin, "What about you or Clarissa?"

Larkin sighed, then explained, "As for me, like Lennix mentioned, and although I don't particularly appreciate how he put it, I'm not going to be exceptionally useful in this fight. I can't sustain power enhancements for extended periods because of my limited mana. And as for Clarissa, well, I can't really vouch for her. I don't know her capabilities, so I didn't mention her."

While saying this, Larkin couldn't help but ponder the fact that Xain had also omitted himself from the discussion. Larkin knew that Lennix had suggested Xain might be stronger than an elf, something that should have been biologically impossible without the aid of magic.

As Larkin continued to talk, Xain's thoughts were preoccupied with his role in the upcoming confrontation. He couldn't help but wonder about what he could contribute to the fight. His magical abilities were only possible because of Ercale, and they had previously decided that they would split up upon reaching Eirisse, to give her as many targets as possible.

Lennix had over a hundred years of battle experience as a vampire, Zee was an elven thief with innate biological advantages in agility and strength, and Larkin was a seasoned fighter who could augment his abilities with magic to reach superhuman levels. In comparison, Xain was just a 16-year-old human thief who had been honing his skills since the age of 9. The odds seemed stacked against him, and he couldn't help but wonder: What could he possibly contribute to this battle?

As Xain grappled with his doubts and his sense of inadequacy in the upcoming battle, there was something he knew he could do, something he had done before, but it was a path he hesitated to tread. He couldn't deny the reality that he had broken the promise he had made to two people in his past. That promise, once sacrosanct, now lay in ruins. He remembered that time with Lennix, how he had lost control, and how he had been saved only by the presence of Zee.

In the depths of his mind, a voice, his own voice, echoed with accusation and self-loathing. *Broken*, it repeated, a reminder of his transgression. *You broke it*, it taunted him, and he had to agree with the voice. It was a relentless self-condemnation, and Xain clenched his fists in frustration. *How could you break it?* the voice demanded, but Xain couldn't answer, for he was asking himself the same question, unable to fathom how he had allowed himself to shatter something so important.

Xain's mind swirled in a turbulent sea of contemplation. The Hatred that coursed through him was an enigma, its target and origin shrouded in obscurity. Did it loathe his life, the world itself, or perhaps it harbored a deep-seated resentment for humanity? These questions danced through his thoughts, and the Hatred's mysterious potency both fascinated and unsettled him. He grappled with its nature, unsure of how to harness its raw power. It surged unpredictably, beyond his grasp.

In the midst of this internal turmoil, Zee's voice rang out like a beacon. She called to him, interrupting the relentless churn of his thoughts. "Xain, are you okay?" Her concern was evident in her tone. In response, he attempted to dispel the heavy atmosphere with a touch of humor. "I wasn't," Xain admitted, his gaze softening as it settled on Zee. Her presence had a calming effect. "But now that you've asked, I am, thanks to your cuteness," he quipped, drawing a blush from Zee.

Taken aback by the unexpected compliment, Zee shyly asked, "Where did that come from?" Her query lingered, unanswered, until Lennix interjected with a wry remark. "If you two are done flirting," he teased, "we're here." Xain's focus shifted, revealing their arrival at the doorstep of Eirisse's office, the vampire mayor of Moonveil.