SILASMy eye itched and burned, but I didn’t stop it. Magic surged from my body once again, and a dark mist filled the night."Quick, close the gates! It’s an order from the boss, close them now!""Dammit, what is this fog? I can’t see a thing! Alfred, Alfred…!""Don’t move, or you’ll fall into the pit—wait, I can’t see anything!""Aaahhh!"Amid the shouting and the grinding gears of the closing mechanism, the neigh of a horse echoed.It leaped just as the two massive wooden doors were about to shut.BAM!The heavy sound rang behind us as the De la Croix stronghold was sealed.Panting and sweating, every muscle in my body tensed as I lay completely over the back of the magnificent black horse, racing into the darkness and the safety of the forest.I kept using this magic to hide from the witches, despite the toll it was taking on my body.My veins, on the verge of bursting, pulsed and darkened like a spider’s web spreading under my skin.This feeling was familiar. I had pushed my powe

SIGRIDI emerged from beneath her feet, from the last remnants of the enchanted forest—Electra’s powerful illusion. She controlled everything in this terrain.I grabbed her hair from behind, exposing her neck. She crouched, trying to rise and strike back.The storms were gathering again, but my merciless hand drove straight to her throat, slicing from left to right. Deep and fatal.Blood splattered onto the fake body lying in front of Petra—the one I had created midair, using the hem of my dress as a decoy puppet.At the same time, taking advantage of the mist that had blinded them all, I hid beneath the bewitched ground, near the mannequin that mimicked my form—lying in wait, like a predator stalking its prey.She swallowed the illusion completely. Most of them did.I had to admit, this spell of Electra’s was truly twisted and brilliantly deceptive. I turned her body over—she was on her knees, trembling.I wanted to see her eyes. Now, she was truly panicked. Now, she felt real terror

SIGRIDThrough the animal’s eyes, I scanned the vastness of the forest, searching for a safe refuge—and soon enough, I found one.Nestled in the mountains, far from the mansion, possibly even outside their lands, I spotted a dark hole, half-hidden in the hillside.I landed softly at the entrance, shifting back into my human form, a fire spell glowing in my hands to light my way and fend off any threats.The cold drafts made my hair flutter as I glanced toward the horizon, at the night sky.For some reason, I felt restless and nervous; still, I took the risk of venturing into this wild cave, hoping I wouldn’t stumble upon any unpleasant surprises.Just in case, I placed a defensive spell at the entrance.At first, I walked through a narrow passage that gradually widened like a funnel.The damp, earthy smell welcomed me, but it didn’t feel like an animal’s den.I noticed two tunnels stretching deeper into the unknown, but what I needed to do could be done right here, in this small chamb

SIGRIDRenata felt the imminent danger crawl up the back of her neck, making every hair stand on end.Where was that demonic energy coming from?She spun around, driven by the heat of the moment and her own rage, blocking the strike of dark aura aimed straight at her body.The wave rippled through the forest, hatred clashing against hatred. Around her, the trees, the grass, the animals—everything that held life began to die, consumed by her powers.An elemental was the source? What kind of sick joke was this?A disfigured man, surrounded by suffocating darkness and black magic, lunged at her with two weapons in hand—daggers forged from his own energy."SILAS, NO! RUN, RUN!" Sigrid screamed, coughing up blood that splattered onto the withered leaves.It felt like the whole world was suddenly dying.Silas didn’t hear her. He charged at the woman who was about to kill his favorite person.When he had followed the trail of his lady’s magic and saw that scene, he didn’t think twice. He sur

NARRATORShe held him tightly against her, kneeling by his side, desperately kissing his face, not caring about his wounds or disfigurement."My lady… don’t cry, please, don’t cry…" The salty taste rolled over his cracked lips, the beat of that heart against his chest giving him strength, and her lips offering infinite warmth.Even so, Silas kept a wary eye on the Selenia nearby.He didn’t trust her; his lady should have escaped. He feared for her life.He wanted to push himself again; he couldn’t leave her unprotected."If you try to attack me again, your elemental body won’t withstand it," Renata warned, seeing right through his intentions."Silas, no, look at me. No, no, look at me, me." Sigrid cupped his cheeks, afraid she might hurt him.Renata had removed the poison from his veins and healed the fatal wounds, but he still needed care."Trust me. I’ll fix this, okay? Trust me, please." Sigrid leaned in to whisper against his broken face. More than fear or disgust, it pained her d