"Like hell, I will!" Nishkca exclaimed, wanting to inform the rest of his contingent about the intruders.
Ashton's crimson eyes followed Nishkca as the Xyran tried to flee the room, his heart pounding with fear and desperation. But the zompirewolf was not one to let his prey escape so easily.
"This fucker... why do they always try to delay the inevitable?"
[Try snapping like the purple guy, he said he was inevitable too.]
"What purple guy?"
[Nothing... focus on catching the bastard!]
"Keep talking shit, and you'll become a lady magnet... to repel them."
[Bitch-]
"Shh... let me focus."
With a swift gesture, he summoned Sven and Atlas, his shadowy summons, to intercept Nishkca.
Sven emerged from the darkness, his tall and imposing figure casting an eerie silhouette against the dim light of the mist-filled room. He moved with inhuman speed, blocking Nishkca's path with his massive form.
At the same time, Atlas emerged from the shadows behind Nishkca, his ethereal presence sending shivers down the Xyran's spine.
"Nowhere to run, Xyran," Ashton's voice echoed through the room.
Hearing those words, Sven and Atlas moved swiftly, surrounding Nishkca and ensuring he had nowhere to run. But he was not about to give up without a fight.
In his fear, he swung his fist at the dark creature, hoping to inflict some damage on the being that had stopped him. But his efforts were in vain.
With effortless ease, Atlas caught Nishkca's fist mid-air, his grip like an unyielding vice. The Xyran's eyes widened in disbelief as he struggled futilely against the strength of the shadowy summon.
"Is this what's become of the proud Xyrans?" Atlas scoffed. "No pureblooded Xyran has the right to be this weak."
Nishkca's face flushed with embarrassment and frustration as he hung helplessly in Atlas's grip. He had always prided himself on being a powerful Xyran, someone to be feared and respected. But in the presence of Ashton's summons, he felt like nothing more than a powerless insect.
With a dismissive flick of his wrist, Atlas flung Nishkca away like a discarded ragdoll. The Xyran crashed onto the floor, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He groaned in pain as he struggled to get back on his feet; his pride shattered.
Ashton watched the scene with an inscrutable expression, his crimson eyes studying Nishkca intently. He had seen many individuals try to challenge his summons before, and most of them had met a similar fate – defeated and humiliated.
"You see," Ashton said calmly, "the power I wield goes far beyond what you can comprehend. My summons reflect that power, and they will not tolerate any form of insolence or weakness... especially from our enemies."
With nothing left to say, Ashton waved his hand, and Sven brought out his blade. Sven stabbed Nishkca in the throat, not sparing even a second, ending his reign. But even in death, the expression on Nishkca's face was that of rage and disbelief.
"What a funny look he has..."
[You're thinking about it, aren't you?]
"Of course I am. I still need two more summons to fulfil the ascension quest."
Ashton stood tall before the defeated Nishkca, his eyes locked onto the once proud Xyran's now lifeless form. With a wave of his hand, Ashton channelled the dark energies of necromancy, and an eerie glow enveloped Nishkca's body.
The very essence of life seemed to drain from him, replaced by an unnatural and malevolent force.
As the transformation progressed, Nishkca's body contorted and twisted, his once golden skin now taking on a sickly, pale hue. Once filled with determination, his eyes were empty and hollow, reflecting only the dark influence of Ashton's magic.
The process was unsettling to witness, the air crackling with energy as Nishkca's life force was bound to Ashton's will. Sven and Atlas watched with impassive eyes, knowing that their new recruit was undergoing a profound change.
Once the transformation was complete, Nishkca stood before them as an undead being, a mere shadow of his former self. His movements were stiff and mechanical, and his eyes lacked any trace of emotion or consciousness.
"W-What is this?" Nishkca mumbled, looking around and touching himself to see whether he was dreaming. "I... You killed me then..."
"From now on, you will serve me," Ashton declared, his voice firm and commanding. "Your life is now bound to mine, and you will obey my every command without question."
"You... you defiled me! I'll kill you!"
Ashton's gaze shifted to Sven and Atlas, and with a simple gesture, he ordered them to teach their new recruit a lesson in obedience. Without hesitation, the shadowy summons lunged at Nishkca's new form, delivering powerful blows that sent him falling to his knees.
Even in his undead state, Nishkca remained defiant, his eyes burning with anger and resentment. But Sven and Atlas were relentless, striking him over and over, each blow draining his strength and breaking his will.
"You will learn to obey, whether you like it or not," Ashton said calmly, his voice carrying a hint of warning. "There is no room for defiance in my ranks."
The beating continued, and slowly, Nishkca's defiance waned away, but not completely. Ashton still didn't appreciate his expression whenever Nishkca glanced at him.
"Looks like this will take some time," Ashton yawned. "Take him to Valhalla and let the rest of the summons teach him the importance of obedience."
"As you wish, master." Sven and Atlas bowed before turning their attention towards Nishkca.
Ashton watched as Sven and Atlas took hold of Nishkca's battered form, dragging him away towards Valhalla. The once defiant Xyran now looked broken and subdued, a stark contrast to his earlier arrogance.
[>> Create and Tame 10 summons. Currently have: 9/10 summons]
"One down, one more to go," Ashton muttered, acknowledging that there was still much to be done.
With a snap, the mist around the library dispersed, and Ashton walked out only to see four hooded figures waiting for him.
"I'm impressed," Lycaon smiled. "I didn't think you could fulfil Master Vulcan's challenge so easily."
"I agree," Frank chimed in.
"What can I say? I got two great Masters to teach me," Ashton replied, nodding towards Vulcan and Flintmace. "Where to next?"
"Where else? To the mines." Vulcan scoffed. "That's where the rest of the Xyrans should be."
"Roger that," Ashton mumbled as a pair of black wings emerged behind him. "I'll see you guys there."