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27 - Nowhere Else to Run
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
MAD END'S DECEPTION 28 - It's Your Turn Now
GILDEONThe crabman struck first, three massive arms slashing through the air. Adrenaline surged as he threw himself back, narrowly avoiding the pincers. Compared to the creatures he'd battled thousands of Earthland years ago, this creature was low-level. Still, with his power restrained, this fight wouldn't be easy.The creature’s arms moved in a deadly rhythm, advancing with a lumbering but relentless gait. Smaller crabs formed their legs, their joints clicking with precision. Each stride sent tremors through the sand.Gildeon cracked his neck, eyes locked on the creature’s grotesque clusters of tiny crab eyes. Could it see him? Or was it just driven by pure instinct? Its gaping maw, where a mortal mouth would be, was a horrifying mass of interlocking claws and mandibles.The crabman lunged to bite, but Gildeon evaded, shifting his focus to its master. The unprotected witch stood on a rock, eyes closed, arms spread, fingers rubbing together as she channeled power to her creature. He
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MAD END'S DECEPTION 29 - Red Speck of Light
GILDEONHis eyes fixed on the witch, who was tossing her disheveled black hair aside. One witch down. One more to go. After dealing with this problem, he’d have to hunt down all of Arah’s Clover Wish’s clients, making sure they wouldn’t invite more witches to the island.What he’d do to them, he still had to figure out.“Hey, handsome,” the witch said, her tone playful and shaky. She sounded desperate. “How about we try this again, huh?” She crawled toward him on all fours, a coy smile playing on her lips. Spray mist splashed on her back, and he could almost taste the salt in the air as he stopped before the rock she was on.“You can be my master, and I can be your servant witch,” she added, fluttering her eyes. “With benefits if you want.”With his mortal hand, he grabbed her by the neck and said coldly, “I already have a witch, and she’s way more competent than you.”She winced, feigning hurt. “Ouch. No need to insult me like that.”He contemplated whether to snap her neck or burn h
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MAD END'S DECEPTION 30 - Every Ounce of Strength
ARAHShe bolted back into the amusement park, shoving through the chaotic crowd. Her mind spiraled, unable to fully comprehend everything happening. What had she done to these people? Was it something from her past? Panic threatened to overtake her, but she knew she couldn't succumb to it. If she were to survive the night, she had to stay focused.Screams, frantic footsteps, and racing heartbeats filled the air, merging with her own. She couldn't tune out the noise—every shadow, every sudden movement could mean danger. She even started suspecting everyone who glanced her way. Lights flickered sporadically, mirroring her confusion.She overheard a staff member mention that the police were on their way. All she needed was a safe place to hide until then. Spotting a cap on the ground, she picked it up and tucked her blue hair under it, hoping it would help her blend in. There were no signs of the bald man or the bearded man so far, thank goodness. And the hooded stranger didn’t seem to b
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MAD END'S DECEPTION 31 - Nightmare Wasn't Over Yet
ARAHShe let out a shaky breath, relieved to have finally put some distance between herself and the brutish men. But she knew it wouldn't be long before they found her again—assuming they really did have some weird way to track her. She needed a good hiding spot, and fast. The Horror Maze was still surprisingly up and running, even though there was no one else around anymore. She couldn't tell if the flickering lights were from the chaos or just part of the maze's effects.She stumbled through the hallways, feeling dizzy and out of breath until she found herself in a catacomb-like chamber. Fake skulls lined the walls, and she squeezed into a small cave-like nook. It wasn't the safest spot, but her muscles were screaming for a break. If she didn't stop and rest, she was sure she'd collapse.Her flip-flops had already given out, so she tossed them aside. Dirt, blood, and something yellow—she didn’t want to know what—smeared the teal fabric of her dress. Torn in places, it was a miracle
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MAD END'S DECEPTION 32 - Like an Awakened Memory
ARAHShe tried to pry the axe free from the bearded man's head, but her hands were slick with blood and shaking too hard to get a grip.“Go. Move. Come on,” she whispered angrily to herself, clenching her hands.She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, then snapped them open, forcing her feet to move.‘You gotta survive this,’ she thought.Abandoning the axe, she rushed out of the room. She ran nonstop until she found herself in a chamber fashioned as a haunted shipwreck on a foggy, dark island. It was surrounded by a pool of water that looked to be about hip or waist-deep. The air was colder here, making her shiver. Ropes, nets, and nautical props filled the space, and mannequins dressed as zombified ship's crew members stood eerily on the deck.An idea sparked. Quickly, she climbed the wooden ladder and hopped onto the ship. Stripping off her jacket, she draped it over a mannequin and positioned it in a shadowy corner to make it look like she was crouching there. The dim lighting ca
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MAD END'S DECEPTION 33 - You're a Disappointment
ARAH“Take,” he rasped.“Take… me?” she blurted, gripping the mannequin tighter. “Kidnap me? Is that it?” Her eyes narrowed as it dawned on her. “Did someone hire you? My family? Gildeon’s family?”“Take.”Frustration welled in her chest. She wouldn't get any real answers from him. She shuffled her feet, moving away from the bald man who had completely stopped thrashing. But his gaze stayed locked on her, watching her every move, waiting.She sat on one of the barrels, trying to calm her chest, unable to even think about running again. She tuned in to the noise outside. People were still crying and shouting, but there were no police sirens yet. What was taking so long?Her thoughts were miles away when the sudden sound of the bald man breaking free from the net and ropes jolted her back to reality.“Kill!” he growled through the fog, rattling her. Did he mean to kill her now? What changed?No time to think. She scrambled to her feet, raising the mannequin in a defensive stance. But he
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MAD END'S DECEPTION 34 - Planning a War
GILDEONHis fingers clenched around his phone, the continuous ringing clawing at his gut.“Damn it, Arah,” he muttered, tossing the phone onto the dashboard. The loud clack made Ghulik jump in the seat next to him.Arah going off alone to an amusement park wasn’t part of tonight’s plan. Given her stubbornness, he might have to lock her up from now on.He unfastened the top buttons of his shirt as if to help him breathe, and he reflected further on the situation. The witches wouldn’t kill Arah. Not right away, at least. They’d take her somewhere to drain her power, slowly and painfully. The thought made his knuckles turn white as he gripped the wheel tighter.The amusement park wasn’t far. Chaos greeted him: headlights cutting through the darkness, people fleeing, some on foot. Uniformed staff—at least he assumed they were—struggled to maintain order by the gates. No way he could drive through this mess. He parked by the side of the road, put on his glasses, and hopped out. He weaved th
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MAD END'S DECEPTION 35 - Will You Interfere
GILDEONHe couldn’t tell if the cloaked witch was surprised to hear he knew about the coming war. No immediate response, no visible reaction. Even the teenagers remained silent and still.Gildeon put his hands behind him. He was spent—couldn't muster another lethal flame tonight. He could probably still conjure a small fire, just enough to create a distraction.As he prepared to shift a finger, the boy spoke up. “If that time comes, we need to know what you will do, salamander.”“Is this why we’re talking instead of fighting?” Gildeon asked, buying time, aiming to catch the witch off guard. He needed a way to strike without harming the teenagers. They were victims too, and he wasn’t about to use them as collateral damage. Involving innocent lower mortals would only complicate things for him.“Will you interfere?” the girl asked, her voice heavy with the gravity of the situation. Gildeon realized this wasn't a random discussion.This was a warning.“You want me to back off.” It wasn’t
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
Latest chapter
MAD END'S DECEPTION 160 - Own Free Will
ARAHAll she wanted was to escape to another memory. The thought of staying, of witnessing what she feared might happen, made her stomach churn. She wasn’t sure she had the strength to watch if her worst guess came true.“What are we going to do, Rose?” Lily whispered, her body trembling next to her sister.“We’ll run. Like Mama taught us,” Rose replied in a hushed tone.The girls turned and bolted, their breaths sharp and panicked. For a moment, Arah felt a flicker of relief, hopeful they had escaped, but it quickly vanished as the men closed the distance with alarming speed. One grabbed Rose by her hair, yanking her backward. She let out a choked scream, her hands clawing at his grip. Lily turned, only to meet the same fate, her shriek piercing the night as another man snagged her by her locks.“Let us go!” Lily shouted.“You devil children shouldn’t live,”
MAD END'S DECEPTION 159 - Taste of Freedom
ARAHShe was standing on a farm. The morning air was sharp and cool, carrying the smell of damp earth and manure. In the distance, a herd of cows grazed lazily, tearing into the grass, their low, rumbling moos punctuating the quiet.A man stood a few yards away, working with a pitchfork to gather loose hay into neat rows. His faded plaid shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, stretched across his broad back as he leaned into each motion. His hat—an old, fraying straw thing—was pulled low, concealing most of his face.From the modest farmhouse, a beautiful woman emerged. Her blonde hair was tucked under a scarf tied neatly at her chin. Her skirt was simple and practical, reminding Arah of the countryside outfits she’d seen in old movies. She cradled a woven basket in one arm.The man straightened, looking up from his work, and smiled. Arah could tell by the warmth in their gazes that they were a happily married couple.“I’ve already f
MAD END'S DECEPTION 158 - Another Memory
ARAHGildeon was finally here. Her heart thudded wildly in her chest—a chaotic mix of joy at his arrival and relief at escaping the harrowing void. She felt as though she’d been reborn—only for a wave of dread to crash over her at the thought of how close she had likely come to death mere seconds ago.“Lokius, come with me,” Drusden commanded, a crazed smile spreading across his lips. His lack of concern set Arah on edge. “We’ll handle the salamander. You two,” he said, gesturing to Vienna and Alaunus, “stay here. The gate has been opened. Continue the ritual.”Arah’s gaze flicked to the hovering fog spiral. Was that what he meant by the gate? It had tried to lure her in and shatter her sanity. Did this mean she was still compromised?Drusden brushed the back of his hand against the side of her face. She whimpered, shrinking away from his touch.Smirking, Drusden sai
MAD END'S DECEPTION 157 - Before This Night Ends
ARAHShe tried to resist stepping closer to the stone bed for as long as she could, but Vienna’s bangle held her in an iron grip. Her hands gripped the edge of the bed, knuckles turning white as she pushed back. But it was a damn struggle. It was as though an invisible wall pressed against her from behind, threatening to crush her if she didn’t give in.“You’ll only hurt yourself if you keep fighting it, Mrs. Ayadi,” Drusden’s voice rang out from behind her. She glanced back, her eyes sweeping over the red hooded robe he wore. Noticing her stare, he glanced down at himself and smoothed his hands over the fabric. “Ah, this is just a formality,” he said with a shrug. “Not my usual style, but necessary.”“I won’t give you people what you want!” she protested, clinging hard to her resolve. Every second she could buy felt vital. Gildeon had to get here in time.&ldqu
MAD END'S DECEPTION 156 - How We React
ARAHShe woke in Alaunus’s infirmary, feeling both weak and oddly rejuvenated. Had they brought her back? Her head throbbed, memories swirling but refusing to take shape. The last thing she could recall was a force—something overwhelming, wrapping around her senses. Then, nothing but darkness.Sitting up, she looked down at herself. She was dressed in fresh clothes—one of her own dresses. Her Gorgon amulet was gone. Blood and dirt had been scrubbed away, leaving no trace of the battle she’d fought earlier. She froze as the realization hit her.Drusden’s coven...They had captured her.Arah tried to scramble out of bed, but every time she reached for the edge, her hand recoiled as though she were plunging it into ice-cold water.“You’re awake, Lady Arah.”She flinched, her gaze snapping to the door as Vienna entered, carrying a tray of food and drinks. The witch was all c
MAD END'S DECEPTION 155 - Needed Me Alive
GILDEONAnger and disappointment burned in his chest. “We had a plan for this, Roselia,” he growled, his gaze hardening on the witch. “What the fuck happened?”“Drusden set a trap in the fog, My Lord.” Roselia stared down at her trembling hands, caked with dirt and blood. “An efficient one… to capture Miss Arah.”“You were supposed to use your fog.”Her head snapped up. “If I used it as a barrier for Miss Arah, those witches would’ve taken me down right then and there.” She pointed to her chest. “They had their orders—I saw it plain in their eyes.” She shook her head and sucked in a shaky breath. “I made a choice.”His jaw clenched. “To give up Arah instead?”“My Lord, that barrier was never going to hold for long,” she said firmly. There was a subtle hint of hurt in her eyes that made Gi
MAD END'S DECEPTION 154 - Marked Bride
GILDEONThree strikes.He had only three moves left before his body would give out. He needed to conserve his remaining energy—to fight the enchanted poison coursing through him while ensuring he would still be alive for the next few hours.Gildeon had to bet everything on these final attacks.“Overconfident, are we, salamander?” Vergilius said, a wry smile curling his lips.Gildeon shrugged. “I just like my odds.”Vergilius looked composed, but the way his fingers brushed the brim of his hat told Gildeon that the elder vampire’s fight was nearing its end. Even so, Vergilius would certainly want to drag Gildeon down with him.‘He can only try,’ Gildeon thought.His chest heaved, hot steam slipping through his gritted teeth in a hiss. The battle haze enveloped him. Fire surged in his arms, crackling as it burned from within. Swiftly, he unleashed a torrent of flame
MAD END'S DECEPTION 153 - Three Strikes
GILDEONHe watched the next scene unfold. Young Vergilius, now a vampire, stood in the old priest’s depraved chamber. The sick bastard had gathered another group of young women, some already naked on his bed.The old man paused halfway through removing his robe and turned to the doorway. “Vergilius, is that you?” he exclaimed, narrowing his eyes. “Word reached me that you had escaped, you ingrate! Bold of you to show your face here after you nearly sent me to meet our Lord.”“Our Lord?” Young Vergilius scoffed, glancing at the naked girls. “You dare invoke His name while committing such a profane act, you old wretch.”Without waiting for a response, Young Vergilius launched himself at the old priest, hurling him across the room. His mouth latched onto the man’s neck, and the wet sound of blood being drawn filled the air as the girls around them screamed, too terrified to move.Gildeon watched as Young Vergilius nearly drained the p
MAD END'S DECEPTION 152 - Beyond Dangerous
GILDEONPresent Vergilius seethed beside him, dark eyes fixed on Father Jean. Young Vergilius stood frozen. Shock and confusion etched on his face, likely not expecting the old man to betray him, let alone accuse him of defiling the woman he loved.Young Vergilius tried to deny the accusation as guards dragged him away. But his word meant little against the ironically respected priest. There was clearly no way to save his skin. Charlotte’s father appeared, enraged. He beat Young Vergilius nearly to death.The scene shifted. Gildeon found himself in a dank prison cell. Young Vergilius slumped against a filthy wall, surrounded by rats, stripped of his robe and collar. Bruises marred his face and body, and each breath was visibly painful. His expression cycled between anger, despair, and frustration. He muttered a broken prayer, running his hands down his face before looking up, teeth gritted.“Why have you forsaken me, my Lord?&
