The Shadow Nexus Online

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Chapter 30: The Vanishing Terror

The forest swallowed them whole.

A chilling silence enveloped Rio, Retina, and Iris as they moved deeper into the thick shadows of the twisted woods. The air grew heavy with an unsettling energy, and each step they took echoed softly, as though the ground itself was warning them to turn back.

"I don't like this…" Iris whispered, her silver eyes darting around as her ears twitched, picking up every slight disturbance.

"Stay close," Rio murmured, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. His instincts screamed danger, but there was no turning back now.

Retina's crimson eyes glowed faintly as she scanned the darkness. "Something… is watching us."

A low growl echoed from the depths of the forest, reverberating through the trees. The temperature dropped, and an eerie mist began to rise, obscuring their vision.

"Show yourself," Rio growled, his voice steady but his pulse quickening.

The growl turned into a chilling laugh—deep, sinister, and echoing all around them.

"Careful," Retina whispered, her fingers tracing ancient runes in the air as she prepared a defensive spell.

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A Sudden Attack

Without warning, a blur of darkness shot toward them from the shadows. Rio's reflexes kicked in as he swung his sword, barely blocking the razor-sharp claws that aimed for his throat. The force of the impact sent him skidding back.

"Fast!" Rio hissed, eyes narrowing as he finally saw their attacker.

A figure emerged from the mist—a tall, menacing being clad in tattered robes. Its skin was pale as death, and its glowing crimson eyes burned with hunger.

"A Dracula…" Retina's voice was barely above a whisper.

The creature bared its fangs, a wicked grin stretching across its face. "Ah… fresh blood."

"Not today," Rio snarled, his sword gleaming in the dim light.

The Dracula lunged.

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**The Battle Begins