Lilith found herself surrounded by five Chimeras.
They had blocked her path while she was walking through the town. Night had already fallen, and the streets were eerily deserted.
"What do you want from me?" Lilith asked cautiously.
She knew they could attack at any moment.
One of the Chimera stepped forward with a sinister grin.
"Haha... What luck. We found ourselves a vampire tonight. She'll make a delicious dinner, don't you think?"
The others burst into laughter.
Lilith instinctively took a step back.
She stood no chance against them. Unlike Yvess and the other vampire nobles, she possessed no extraordinary combat abilities.
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to lay a finger on the young lady."
A calm voice echoed through the darkness.
The Chimera immediately looked around.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" one of them shouted.
From the shadows, a young man slowly emerged.
Lilith's eyes widened.
"A... Shadow User..." she whispered.
As far as she knew, only one person possessed the power to manipulate shadows...
Lord Kan.
"Tsk. Stay out of this if you value your life!" one of the Chimera snarled.
"Oh? Is that so?" the young man replied with a carefree smile. "Sorry... but the lady belongs to me now."
Before anyone could react, he swiftly lifted Lilith into his arms.
The next instant, both of them melted into the shadows.
They reappeared in front of the palace gates.
Still cradled in his arms, Lilith couldn't take her eyes off the mysterious young man's face.
"W-Who are you?" she asked softly.
The young man smiled warmly before gently setting her back on her feet.
"I'm happy to see you again... Lady Lilith."
As soon as he finished speaking, his body dissolved into the darkness and vanished.
Lilith stood frozen.
"K-Kan...?" she whispered in disbelief.
.
.
Mist smiled to himself.
He had never imagined that one day he would finally meet one of his father's old friends.
.
.
.....
"Xylon... Xylon..."
A familiar voice echoed through the darkness.
"J-Jade?" Xylon called out.
"H-Help me..."
The desperate voice trembled.
"JADE!!"
Xylon bolted upright, breathing heavily.
He had dreamed of his wife once again.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Arden asked anxiously.
Xylon simply nodded.
"My wife..." he murmured. "She was calling for my help."
Arden's expression immediately changed. "Her Majesty... Perhaps your dream is trying to tell you something."
Xylon slowly closed his eyes.
"I don't know..." he whispered. "But I want to uncover the truth. What really happened to her? Why was she murdered? And who was the wretch who took her life?"
Arden gently supported the exhausted king.
"You should get some rest, Your Majesty. I'll inform the Dukes at once."
Xylon gave a faint nod before closing his eyes once more.
.
.
.....
The next morning...
"This is for you, Your Highness," a female student said shyly.
She handed Viel a neatly wrapped gift.
"Thank you," Viel replied politely.
The female student hurried away, blushing with excitement.
"Oho... looks like someone's got a secret admirer," Lucas teased.
"I think she's simply happy that I'm here. It doesn't mean anything, Lucas," Viel answered calmly.
"By the way," Akuma interrupted, "where's Mist? He didn't return to the dorm last night."
Viel shrugged.
"Mist?" Lucas asked, looking confused. "Who's Mist?"
"Me."
The sudden reply made everyone turn around.
Mist stood behind them with a smile.
Lucas stared at him in disbelief. "You're... Mist?"
.
.
.
Meanwhile...
Heberlin silently gazed at the old photograph of Sheryl.
Many years had passed...
Yet he still couldn't forget her.
"Those unforgettable days... the sweetest memories..."
Blake suddenly began singing dramatically.
"And always remember... there's no one I'll ever love but you~"
BAM!!
An instant later, Blake was sent flying straight into the wall.
"Oww! That actually hurt!" he complained while rubbing his head.
"You idiot!" Heberlin snapped. "Who told you that you could sing?"
"Hehe..." Blake quickly stood up and dusted off his clothes as though nothing had happened.
"So... what did you come here for?" Heberlin asked.
"Well..." Blake replied with a serious expression. "I need your help."
"For what?" Heberlin raised an eyebrow.
"I want us to open Zander's coffin," Blake said.
Heberlin's eyes widened. "What? Have you completely lost your mind?"
"You can break any kind of magical seal," Blake explained. "You're the only one who can help me wake him up."
Heberlin sighed deeply. "...Fine. But don't blame me if Zander punches you the moment he wakes up."
Blake's eyes sparkled. "So that's a yes?"
Heberlin gave a reluctant nod.
.
.
.....
A lone owl hooted somewhere within the witch's tower. In the shadows, lesser chimeras wetly tore into raw flesh. The sickening sound was cut short by the rhythmic click of high heels as the witch mistress marched into the chamber.
"Ji Park," Beatriz's voice echoed through the chamber.
"Mistress?" Ji Park quickly bowed.
"How goes your surveillance of the prince?" she asked.
"His power has finally awakened," Ji Park reported. "He possesses the ability to control fire."
A pleased smile spread across Beatriz's face. "Is that so? It seems he inherited his father's power."
She then turned toward one of the Chimera. "And what about the task I assigned you?"
The Chimera bowed. "Mistress... we still haven't found the Young Master."
"What?" Beatriz's expression darkened.
"However," the Chimera continued, "the bats have been spreading rumors about a masked young man wandering around the town. It's possible that he is the Young Master."
"Hmm..." Beatriz narrowed her eyes. "Keep watching that masked young man."
"Yes, Mistress."
Both Ji Park and the Chimera bowed before carrying out her orders.
.
.
.....
Standing by her chamber window, Lilith was gazing outside, remaining lost in her thoughts.
Who was that mysterious man?
...Could Kan really still be alive?