Tears poured down my face as I cried, desperately trying to convince myself that what I saw wasn't real. Deep down, I knew the truth—those were just comforting lies. I wiped my face, steeling myself, and turned my attention toward the center of the stadium. Though it was shrouded in smoke and dust, the occasional bursts of flames and flashes of other colors lit the chaos within.
Something was wrong. I needed to act—I needed to ensure Elizabeth was safe. Clenching my fists, I started toward the stage. Before I could get far, Sophia stepped in front of me. Her face was stern, her tone dark as she spoke.
"I cannot allow you to go there, Master."
I stared at the ground, trying to control my emotions. "Sophia, step aside."
"I respectfully decline," she replied coldly. "Any further action would jeopardize my mission to protect you and put you at great risk. We cannot afford to lose the next head of the Kernes family."
I clenched my jaw, anger bubbling to the surface. "We can't afford to lose the next head of the family?" I shouted. "Don't give me that nonsense! Are you saying Elizabeth doesn't matter just as much? Move out of my way, Sophia!"
"And let you get yourself killed?!" she screamed back, her voice cracking as tears filled her eyes. "If you're attacked or kidnapped by one of those humans, then what? What would you do, Viktor?!"
Her words stung. I understood her perspective, but it didn't matter in that moment. Without thinking, I charged forward, shoving her aside. Before I could reach the stage, I felt a sharp pain at the back of my head. My vision blurred, and I collapsed to the ground, struggling to stay conscious.
"I'm so sorry it had to be this way, Lord Viktor," Sophia's soft voice echoed behind me.
As I slipped closer to unconsciousness, my father's final words replayed in my mind: I know you're watching this, my son… and I just want you to know that your mother and I love you dearly. Memories of my parents flashed through my mind—moments from both this life and the one before it. A surge of strength ignited within me, pushing back the darkness.
I felt Sophia's presence near me, her shadow approaching cautiously. Using the strength coursing through me, I grabbed her arm as she leaned closer and flipped her onto the ground. She stared at me, confused and shocked, clearly wondering if she had misjudged her strike. Tears streamed down my face, but I managed a small smile.
"There's so much you don't know about me, Sophia," I said, my voice trembling. "I've lost more than enough today, and I won't lose anyone else. Even if something happens to me, I trust you to protect me. I believe in you. Now it's time for you to believe in yourself."
Her eyes widened at my words. She looked away for a moment, clearly uncertain, but then she smiled back, a faint but genuine expression. "I'll do my best, Master," she said softly.
"Please, call me Viktor," I replied, extending a hand toward her.
Sophia hesitated before taking it. "Y-y-yes, V-V-Viktor," she stammered.
Together, we headed toward the stage. As we entered the swirling smoke and dust, I felt a familiar aura, one I couldn't quite place but knew I had encountered before. The ground was littered with bodies—human soldiers, all lifeless. We pushed deeper into the cloud until I spotted Elizabeth lying unconscious.
I rushed to her side while Sophia guarded me against approaching enemies. Dropping to my knees, I checked her breathing. It was faint, but she was alive. Relief washed over me, tempered by the sight of a deep, bleeding gash on her forehead.
"Sophia!" I called out. She quickly finished off her opponent and came to my side. "Do you have any first aid supplies or training?" I asked.
She shook her head, her face stricken. "I've never dealt with injuries this severe before. I… I don't know what to do."
I scanned the area, desperate for anything useful. Then an idea struck me. "The school's infirmary! There should be supplies there."
Sophia hesitated but eventually nodded, though she voiced her concerns about fighting at close quarters while protecting us. Regardless, she agreed to the plan and fought back every human soldier who attacked as I carried Elizabeth on my back.
We reached the infirmary and managed to patch Elizabeth up as best we could. I slumped against the wall, exhaustion overtaking me. My mind wandered to Emma—I couldn't help but wonder where she was and what had happened to her.
Sophia approached me, her voice tense. "We need to leave, Viktor. The human soldiers just keep coming. We're running out of time."
I nodded. We packed up what we could carry and moved toward the door, but it was too late. Troops surrounded us, their weapons gleaming white in the dim light.
Sophia chanted a spell to enhance her speed and began cutting a path through them. "Follow me!" she shouted. I didn't hesitate, following her lead as we made our way toward the main entrance.
But as we stepped outside, my heart sank. We were horribly outnumbered. Sophia turned to me with a sad smile.
"Master, my time has come. I'll clear a path for you. Please, no matter what, don't turn back. Keep going."
Her words filled me with dread, but I couldn't defy her. She charged at the commander of the human troops, her attacks swift and precise. But he dodged effortlessly, growing irritated. He grabbed her arm, dislocated it with a sickening snap, and drove his blade into her side. Her screams tore through the air, but I couldn't stop. Using the distraction she created, I ran with Elizabeth.
A white blade suddenly flew past me, embedding itself in the ground ahead. If I hadn't heightened my senses, I wouldn't have dodged it in time. Turning toward the source, I saw a soldier dragging Sophia by her hair, her body limp and bloodied.
"Hand Liz over," he said in a firm voice, "and I'll let you and the servant girl live."
Something about his voice and aura felt eerily familiar. As he removed his mask, the pieces fell into place. His long hair spilled out, and he tied it into a bun with a rubber band before flashing a wicked grin.
"Yo, Vik. Been a while, huh?"