---
When the spell was finished, the entire area within the barrier was utterly destroyed.
But somehow, she survived the devastation.
Later, I learned the truth — her husband had used an ancient elvish magic, burning out his own life force to protect her.
He sacrificed everything so she could live.
She was devastated. And in her grief, she sought revenge against the Paisley family.
But the elders and the patriarch moved quickly. They erected barriers at every key location, setting up protections around their strongholds.
It was a terrifying time for the Paisley. She showed no hesitation in slaughtering anyone connected to them — not just the men, but women, the elderly, even children.
No one escaped her wrath.
At that time, I was still among the Paisley, hiding in plain sight.
But the damned patriarch discovered who I truly was — that I was an impostor.
One day, he summoned me to his office, where I was ambushed by the Hunting Dogs of the Paisley.
I had no choice but to abandon my body and flee.
The orb's voice trembled as it spoke nonstop.
"In my haste to escape, I inevitably crossed one of the forbidden barriers... where she captured me.
I was nothing but a mere shell of my former self, powerless.
I had no choice but to work for her while secretly planning my escape.
I told her about the Fragmented Heart of the Goddess after she had spent a full century trying — and failing — to revive her late husband.
In the end, she failed miserably.
Because I had secretly stolen his soul, preventing him from crossing the river into the next realm."
The orb pulsed faintly before continuing.
"When the Orb of Revealance was stolen from the Ancient City, I felt the tremors.
I informed her of the abilities of the Fragmented Heart.
And that led to everything you see today," the orb concluded.
"Do whatever you must," it said with a hollow voice.
"I know what happens to those who escape their prison."
"There are no exceptions for the vile," Edith said coldly.
With a swift gesture, she summoned a bolt of lightning, evaporating the orb in an instant.
When the execution was over, both Ouranus and Kaija turned to Dracula.
"We need your help," Ouranus spoke urgently.
"We are bound to this island. If we venture too far beyond its borders, we lose our powers.
Please — help us recover the Fragmented Heart from that woman."
Dracula remained silent for a long moment, weighing their words.
"If the orb is broken," Ouranus warned, "the seal of the Evil Lord will weaken.
All manner of darkness will rise again."
"...Let's see what I can do," Dracula finally said, locking eyes with them.
"I'll be truly grateful if you do," Ouranus said eagerly. "I'll repay your good deeds a thousand times over."
---
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of a moonlit forest, a woman hovered just above the ground.
Slowly, she floated through the misty trees until she came to a stop near a mound.
She dropped to the earth and embraced the mound tightly.
"It's time for you to come back to me," she whispered.
From her bosom, she withdrew a shard — a bluish-purple crystal shaped like a heart.
With a crushing motion, she ground it into dust.
Black smoke rose from her hand.
"Come to me... your new master," she commanded.
The smoke twisted and curled, sensing her call.
It enveloped her right hand, slithering up her arm, and entered her body through her nostrils.
She gasped for air as the smoke spread through her.
Above her, the skies darkened — heavy clouds gathering unnaturally.
Rumble... rumble...
Thunder roared across the heavens.
The woman rose higher, her body a dark silhouette against the churning sky.
The air grew heavy.
The lightning flashing above turned black as night.
Zaaap!
A massive black bolt struck her.
In an instant, all the smoke and clouds vanished, leaving behind a single enormous crater.
From it, the woman emerged, transformed.
She floated above the earth, cloaked in darkness, a black veil cascading from her arms, defying gravity itself.
"Come out, my love!" she cried.
She raised her right fist, gathering darkness into it, and slammed it down onto the mound.
Silence.
She waited.
Moments turned to minutes.
Minutes stretched into an hour.
Still, no response.
Desperation rising, she prepared to strike again—
"Cease your actions, Valerina!" a voice rang out from the trees.
A beautiful, commanding voice.
"He doesn't approve of what you're doing. You know that," the voice said.
"Stay out of my affairs!" Valerina screamed back, her voice cracking with grief.
"If he disapproves, he can come out and stop me himself!"
"You know how much he hated the killing of innocents," the voice pleaded.
"Don't let it go any further."
Valerina stood frozen for a moment, trembling.
Then, without warning, she hurled a fireball toward the voice.
Thwack!
A silver arrow pierced the fireball midair, extinguishing it.
"Let me calm your anger," the voice said, stepping out from the trees.
It was a breathtaking elf woman.
Valerina stared at her, recognizing the familiar face — sharp and striking, with a flawless complexion, high cheekbones, and violet eyes both fierce and sorrowful.
Her silver hair was tied back, her armor gleaming under the moonlight. A purple gem adorned her chest, pulsing with gentle energy.
She wore a sleek green tunic beneath silver-plated armor, a flowing blue cape trailing behind her, and wielded an elegant glowing energy bow.
"Long time no see, Liya," Valerina said bitterly, shifting into a battle stance.
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