Chapter 12: The Call of the Night

"As Creo and his group make their way back through the forest, the mood is nothing but a sense of determination." The Narrator said.

"However the mood quickly changes as the presence of silence sets an uneasy feeling inside of them as they begin to feel that they are being watched over by an ominous." The Narrator said in a suspenseful manner.

"Stay alert everyone, I don't like the feeling of the situation right now." Creo said as he glanced around the surroundings, sensing that something is wrong.

"Do you think that CHESS might be tracking us right now?" Athena said nervously, wandering around with the rest of them.

"It could be possible. We need to move faster everyone!" Zion said as he was scanning the area.

"Suddenly, the air starts to grow cold, and shadows begin to lengthen unnaturally around them. A chilling voice begins to echo through the trees." The Narrator said in shock.

"You think you are able to escape just so easily, Dream Preservers?" The mysterious voice said, mocking and calling them out.

"From the shadows steps a dark, hooded figure with eyes glowing with malevolent aura, the figure was wearing an elite operatives uniform belonging to none other than the CHESS organization." The Narrator said, explaining every single detail.

"It was none other than the elite CHESS operative, Nightshade. A man notorious for his dark magic and ruthless tactics." The Narrator continued.

"All of you can be considered as my prey and I am your predator, Nightshade." Nightshade smirked at them.

"We're not afraid of you Nightshade, and we're not afraid to fight you right here, right now!" Creo said, standing firmly.

"So be it." Nightshade laughed darkly.

"Nightshade raises his hands and the shadows come to life, wrapping around the group trying to pull them apart. The companions are now separated, with each of them forced to face their own challenges in the enveloping darkness." The Narrator said.

"Stay strong everyone! Don't let him break you!" Creo exclaimed as he was struggling to escape the clutches of the shadows.

"I'm with you Creo!" Athena said as she was fending off the shadows.

"His magic is powerful, I'll give him that. I need some time to break it." The Bookkeeper said, as he was attempting to cast a counter-spell.

"As each member of the Dream Preservers were battling the encroaching darkness, Nightshade focuses his attention towards Creo, as he proceeded to conjure shadowy-like blades as he went to attack him with relentless precision." The Narrator exclaimed.

"You're losing your touch boy, this is why we took the crystal from you." Nightshade stated.

"I'll prove you wrong." Creo said as he deflected the shadow blades.

"Despite Creo's determination, Nightshade begins to overwhelm him, as the shadows start to tighten, his strength begins to wane." The Narrator said.

"Feel the power of despair, young king. Your resistance is futile." Nightshade said, taunting him in his weak state.

"Just as Creo was about to succumb towards Nightshade's power, a sudden burst of light pierced the darkness. The Bookkeeper, having managed to gather his strength, unleashes a powerful spell that temporarily dispels the shadows of Nightshade." The Narrator said in awe.

"We won't let you take him!" The Bookkeeper said ferociously, wielding his book on his right while casting the spell.

"Nightshade recoils from the light, his form flickering. But he quickly regains his composure and begins to smirk, as he gestures towards the others, still entangled by the others." The Narrator said.

"You may have delayed the inevitable, but your friends are still at my mercy." Nightshade said taunting both The Bookkeeper and Creo.

"We need to break them free from his control. Athena, Zion, focus on disrupting his magic." Creo said while gritting his teeth.

"Athena and Zion, despite their struggle, manage to launch coordinated attacks on Nightshade, forcing him to split his focus. The shadows begin to weaken afterwards." The Narrator said

"You'll regret this!" Nightshade said in frustration.

"This is not over. CHESS will rise, and you will fall." Nightshade said.

"With a malicious laugh, Nightshade manages to get away from Creo and his group's clutches. The forest returns back to an eerie calm, leaving the group battered." The Narrator said.

"Damn it, he got away!" Creo said, picking himself up and had anger and determination in his eyes.

"Don't sweat it Creo, we will get even with them eventually. We will just need to come up with a new plan to counter them." Athena said as she was helping Zion to his feet.

"We underestimated them yet again, but we won't make the same mistake again twice." The Bookkeeper said as he sighed after feeling exhausted from the fight against Nightshade.

"The group though shaken stands back up together. Their loss for the second time has caused a turn of events in the story but it also strengthens their resolve to continue their fight against CHESS and reclaim what is rightfully theirs." The Narrator uttered.

"This isn't over Nightshade, this isn't over Rook. We will find you and we will make sure that CHESS will never rise!" Creo said as he clenched his fists.

"As dawn begins to break, casting light on their weary faces, the group sets off with renewed determination, ready to face whatever dark challenges lie ahead." The Narrator said.

"Meanwhile Nightshade retreated and ended up on a steampunk warship where Bishop and Knight are operating on." The Narrator said.

"So how did it go, Nightshade?"  Bishop said, as he was drinking tea.

"It ended pretty badly. I see now why Rook doesn't underestimate them so easily." Nightshade said as he scoffs but not before reaching a cup of tea.

"It must have been quite the challenge." Knight replied as he was holding his cup of tea.

"This is why you should not have gone there by yourself so recklessly, although I understand that you have your reasons." Bishop said, as he drank his tea.

"Yeah yeah, whatever, so what's our next objective, Bishop?" Nightshade asked Bishop while holding his cup of tea.

"Our next plan is simple, we locate where King Creo and his friends are, we outnumber him just like what Rook did from before and capture them and present them before the King and Queen themselves." Bishop said, as he finishes his cup of tea.

"It's settled then, it's quite the good plan you have, Bishop." Knight replied.

"Definitely?" Nightshade thought to himself.

"Definitely." Nightshade continued.

"And so, Bishop, Knight and Nightshade are on the move locating the whereabouts of the heroes, while the heroes remain persevere in continuing their quest to get the crystal back." The Narrator said.

"Who will end up as the ultimate victor. Stay tuned to find out as things will start to get very messy." The Narrator said as he smiled mischievously.