The ruined office was quiet, with only the sound of broken glass crunching beneath his boots.
Shadows clung to the corners, jagged beams of moonlight filtering through shattered windows.
The stench of smoke and something far fouler, demonic mana, hung heavy in the air.
A distorted voice broke the silence.
"...I thought I was hiding it well."
The voice was Rael's, or at least something close to it. But there was no mistaking the twisted cadence. It wasn't Rael. It was the thing wearing his skin.
The figure spun his scythe lazily, the blade glinting red before deepening into a blackish crimson.
Demonic energy poured off him in waves, thick enough to make most mages collapse to their knees.
But the hooded woman standing in front of him didn't move. Didn't even blink.
His voice turned colder, mocking.
"Since you've uncovered me…"
His lips stretched into a grin that wasn't human.
"…you can die here."
