The young nighthunter, Nik Ryder was sleeping soundly. His bare chest slowly rising and falling as his breathing was soft and calm. He was clearly deeply asleep, until a strange sound suddenly reached his ears, interrupting his peaceful slumber. He groaned softly, shifting slightly and lifting his head from his pillow to listen closely. Still half asleep, he suddenly heard a familiar sweet voice echoing in his mind. It was his girlfriend, Alexis, calling out to him through the telepathy link they shared. A gifted bound by The Fate. Despite his groggy state, a small smile played across his lips. He closed his eyes, focusing on the connection, and responded telepathically.
"Alex? Is that you, sweetheart?"
Then he tensed up as he picked up the sensations coming from Alex. He could feel the chill and darkness. Panic surged through him.
"Alex?! What's going on? Where are you? Are you alright?"
"Nik, I don't remember, I'm beeing held captured in... Uggh, my head..."
The young nighthunter tried to focus his mind, using the telepathy connection to sense her location, the scene and gather as much information as possible. According to her state, she wasn't able to tell where she was, but he still had to find her somehow. And fast. With a deep breath, he sent a strong mental message aimed at Alex, filled with concern and urgency.
"Alex, stay calm. I'm coming for you. Just tell me one thing. Are you hurt?"
"Nik, I..."
She stopped speaking as their connection broke, and she fainted.
Nik's entire body tensed with urgency, his instincts kicking in. He swiftly rolled off the bed, grabbed his clothes and weapons. He quickly pulled on his gray shirt, put his black pants on, adjusted his long brown leather jacket and grabbed his black boots. Every second counted now as he prepared to set out.
"Alex, hang in there. I'm coming, rook."
With the Holy Light Crossbow slung across his back and the Blightblades strapped to his belt, the man dashed without hesitation. Whatever stood between him and Alex, it wouldn't survive long enough to regret it.
♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
"Let me go! I will never marry you.", Nik's girlfriend, Alex shouted at the kidnapper.
"You will marry me, so I will become the ruler of Lamrian. And then, I'll get rid of you, dear.", the figure hissed while playing with the magical handcuffs she was forced into. They made sure that no fae magic could break them. She was a prisoner.
"No, I won't let this happen."
"Stubborn, aren't we? My servants did a great job in arranging a last-minute wedding. By the way, you look pretty in your new wedding dress."
"Get your filthy hands off my girl!", a powerful voice echoed in the hall. It belonged to a muscular, blond-haired man with silvery-blue eyes who burst through the chapel doors with a crossbow drawn. He fired a warning shot that shattered a stained glass window.
"Nik! I knew you'd come! You finally found me, love.", Alex whispered.
Nik Ryder, nighthunter and Alex's boyfriend was flipping his blightblades in each hand with style while his eyes were locked on the villain.
"Nobody forces my Alex into anything. Let's settle this like men. Unless you'd rather run now?", he demanded before he gave Alex a quick wink.
"But... but the ceremony is already...", the villain stammered.
"Oh good, then we can skip to the fun part where I kick your ass.", the hero cut him off as he cracked his knuckles.
Then he noticed his girlfriend struggling with the heavy wedding dress. The sight was so beautiful, but with the wrong groom by her side.
"Here, let me..."
With a single precise slash of one of his blightblades, he cut exactly some of the heavy fabric away while keeping her completely safe. She gasped as the heavy fabric fell away, leaving her in a much lighter and more comfortable mini dress.
"You always know just what I need!"
The young man grinned while twirling his blade.
"Dresses are overrated anyway. Nice high heels by the way. Now...", he spoke, extended a hand toward her while keeping his crossbow trained on the villain with his other hand.
"Shall we dance our way out of here, sweetheart? Ready to escape this place, rook?"
"Lead the way, my nighthunter. With you by my side, I'm ready for anything."
Nik turned back to the villain while still keeping an eye on Alex.
"Last chance to surrender, pal."
"Never!!"
Nik swept Alex into a dramatic dip as the villain charged toward them.
"Hold on tight, love..."
And in one fluid motion, he covered her while firing his crossbow backward without looking and successfully pinned the villain's sleeve to the wall.
"Show-off!", Alex called, got up, and positioned herself next to him now.
"For you? Always, rook.", he answered while spinning her under his arm.
Suddenly, more attackers appeared from behind to stop the couple from escaping. Nik pulled out twin blightblades and his playful grin now turned deadly serious.
"Stay behind me, beautiful. We're dancing our way home. One bloody waltz at a time."
In a blinding flash of holy light caused by his crossbow arrows, Nik effortlessly fended off numerous attackers without once looking in Alex's direction. The girl was awed by the display of his strength and power.
"Wow..."
As the dust settled, Nik turned to Alex with a playful smirk.
"Oh, I'm full of surprises.", he answered while scanning the area. He flicked blood off his blades and then began to break the enchanted handcuffs around her wrists.
"Still think bodyguarding is boring, rook?"
"I never said boring... Just a bit too dramatic?"
"Where's the fun in that? Besides... You're worth every bit of drama, rook.", he whispered, then stepped closer and tucked a loose strand of silvery-black hair behind her ear.
The young woman blushed as her savior and lover suddenly scooped her up bridal style. He grinned at her squeak of surprise.
"What? Thought we'd walk home after all that?"
With the wind rushing through their hair, Alex wrapped her arms around Nik's neck for support while the night skyline streaked by. He effortlessly landed rooftop to rooftop with each leap, never losing balance or breaking stride. Alex starts laughing uncontrollably.
"This is insane! You can't just... just... Woah!!!"
The man leaped into the air with a spin that ended with her dangling upside down, but before she could yell he caught her just in time so they're face to face. Holding her effortlessly, he gazed into her eyes with a teasing grin.
"Yes? Can't just what?"
She spluttered, flustered, as he righted her effortlessly.
"You can't just carry me around like a sack. It's... It's..."
"It's... what?"
"It's not fair. I want to show off too!"
"Okay, that's a fair point. Let's see you try, then."
He gently set her down, keeping a steadying hand on her waist.
"Fine, I'll show you. Watch this, Nik."
The woman took a couple of steps back, gathering speed, then leaped... only to trip just short of the next rooftop and fall flat on her face.
"Ow..."
He burst out laughing, tried hard to contain it as she dusted herself off. Her cheeks flushed from the embarrassing fall and his laughter.
"Damn, that... that was... You okay, rook?"
"You know, I actually meant to do that. And it worked."
"Uh-huh.... Riiiight. Sure you did."
Without warning, Nik suddenly scooped her up and tossed her into the air, only to catch her in a dramatic dip just before she hit the ground. His face inches away from hers while his blue eyes twinkled with mischief.
"That, rook. Now that was on purpose."
Alex's breath hitched as he pulled them both upright in one smooth motion. She playfully shoved his shoulder while still clinging to his leather jacket.
"You're ridiculous, Nik Ryder"
"And you're stuck with me, rook."
"But Nik, jokes aside. I'm... I'm so glad you saved me today. If you hadn't, then I..."
She turned serious, took his hand, and rested her head on his shoulder, hiding her worried look on his face.
"Alex, don't think about it. I'm here and you're safe now, that's what matters. I'll always be there for you.", he comforted her while stroking her hair.
There was no way anything or anyone would dare to harm her in his watch. Not with Nik Ryder.
Suddenly, unwanted guests appeared from the dark and surrounded the young couple on the roof of a building.
Immediately, Nik and Alex pressed their back against each other's and got into a defensive stance. Nik drew the crossbow from its holster and secretly gave her an extra dagger to use if she needed. The palms of his girlfriend, Alex started to buzz with fae magic. She wanted to fight beside him, but with her magic instead.
"We have visitors, Nik."
"They picked the wrong rooftop to crash our date night. Let's teach them a lesson. You ready?", he asked and grinned as he saw her magic flare up brighter.
"I'm ready, babe."
Back against the wall, the couple shot arrows, fought in combat, used magic, and more to fight off their opponents.
Nik just ducked a swinging blade and rolled to one knee, firing two rapid shots. Through the battle, he happened to move farther away from his partner. But they were winning.
"You holding up okay back there, rook?", he shouted before charging another shot.
"Nik, watch out!! Between us!"
The couple spun around in a perfect sync, daggers flashing as they carved through the enemy between them. The last foe dropped down.
"Up all night, got demons to fight. Remind me to take you somewhere less... stabby for our next date!"
"What date? But I'd love that, Nik. By the way, I really enjoyed our teamwork. I hate to be a damsel in distress sometimes, but I'm glad you always have my back."
"The way we move together... Almost like we were made to fight side by side.", the hunter remarked while wiping his blade clean on his jacket sleeve.
"If we were both the only ones in the world who could communicate through telepathy, then yes. We were always meant to be, Nik Ryder."