"Until I say you can lower your hands, you're not allowed to drop them," Kael's voice targeted Clementine, who was currently sitting down, as someone ordered her to reflect on her actions. She admitted that without the mana cuffs Kael held, it would've been nearly impossible to beat him.
"You're the one who defeated Caroline, after all. I still have some common sense. That's why I gave up."
Even so, Kael had made her sit and think about what she'd done. He was already planning to look for Lumino after this.
"Where is Lumino?" Kael asked while pointing his sword at Clementine.
"I'll tell you, but… could you maybe lower your sword first?" Clementine tried to bargain.
"You wouldn't kill me, would you?" she added, blinking at him in an attempt to coax him.
Kael didn't flinch. Instead, he glared sharply at her. "Are you serious still trying to play games?"
"Sorry," Clementine shut her mouth immediately. She felt that if she provoked Kael any further, this time she really would lose her head.
"I told Agusta to take him to the underground prison."
"Where exactly is that? Lead me there. Now." Kael gestured for her to get up. "If you try to trick me, you know what'll happen, don't you?"
Clementine nodded in resignation. She stood and walked ahead, while Kael kept his sword aimed at her back.
"Let's go," Kael urged.
"Yeah, yeah, keep your hair on," Clementine muttered under her breath. They began walking through the underground corridor, silence settling over them.
"Thinking back on your behavior earlier really pisses me off," Kael muttered.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! To make it up to you, I'll tell you something useful."
"Oh? Planning another little trick, are you?" Kael's tone was pure sarcasm. Right now, he was unwilling to trust her words.
"Rosaria said earlier that she's found Alira. She told me Alira is with her."
Hearing that, Kael let out a breath of relief. Of course, he had been worried about Alira too. But since he was already in the underground area and much closer to the prison Clementine mentioned, he decided to go there first.
'It's not like I'm prioritizing Lumino or anything…' Kael muttered inwardly.
"We're here. Turn this way and you'll see the prison," Clementine said as she led them toward it. "I'll notify Agusta first."
They entered the prison calmly, yet chaos had already erupted within. Agusta lay sprawled on the cold stone floor, blood staining her dress. Clementine screamed, her voice echoing, and knelt beside her. A faint, shallow breath was the only sound confirming life. Then, a wave of heat washed over them, and a blinding light erupted from behind, making Clementine's heart race.
"Clementine..." A voice called her name with fury.
"L-Lumino," Kael blurted out as he saw Lumino descend from above, seething with anger.
Upon hearing his voice, Lumino quickly suppressed the glowing light radiating from his body and dashed toward Kael.
"Kael!"
His angry expression softened the moment he reached him. Clementine let out a silent breath of relief.
Lumino grabbed Kael's arm.
"You're okay, right? She didn't do anything to you, did she?" he asked quickly. "Wait, Kael, I'm going to make Clementine pay for this. She had no right to separate us… again."
Kael hadn't expected Lumino to react this way. True, what had happened earlier was awful, but Lumino seemed far more temperamental than before. Even though the Orb Thread still connected them, it no longer pulled them toward one another like it once did.
"Calm down, Lumino," Kael said gently, stepping between him and Clementine. "I already punished her earlier. There's no need to hit her again."
Hearing that, Lumino retracted the light from his hand. "Alright then," he said, stepping back. Clementine exhaled in deep relief, though she felt like crying.
Kael glanced at Clementine's battered state and then at the fallen Agusta beside her. He sighed and placed a hand on Lumino's shoulder.
"First, let's heal her."
--
Just moments before Kael and Clementine arrived…
Lumino and Bandi were still in conversation when a large, muscular woman suddenly stepped into their path. Her face twisted with fury as she demanded, "How the hell did you two escape the cells?!"
"Were you the one who brought me here?" Lumino asked, his expression hardening.
Bandi had already gone pale. "Bro… don't fight her," he whispered. "That's Agusta. She's top-tier among them. You can't win."
Lumino looked mildly annoyed. "If you want to talk, could you maybe move your hand away from your nose first?"
"Sorry, I can't stand the smell."
Bandi's nose crinkled, referring once again to the lingering scent of Lady Seraphine on Lumino.
Lumino's brow twitched in irritation. "You're still on about the smell?"
Agusta's eyes narrowed. "Even B12 has broken out. Hey, inmate L90, was it you who released him?!"
"My name is Lumino," he replied, stepping forward to place himself between Agusta and Bandi.
"Bro Lumino, I want no part of this!" Bandi quickly backpedaled two steps before bolting in the opposite direction.
"Hey—" Lumino started, but before he could finish, Agusta had already leapt at him, her punch landing with a deafening impact that sent dust and debris flying.
Agusta grinned, the glint of victory in her eyes. She expected Lumino to be reeling, but then, a sickening crack echoed as he turned his head, spraying crimson. He hadn't budged. The fading purple bruise on his cheek was a stark contrast to the air that grew thick, heavy, and red.
"You just made a mistake."
Sensing danger, Agusta leapt back instinctively. What the hell is this guy?
She threw another punch, fast and brutal.
But Lumino caught her fist.
She lashed out with her other hand. But he was gone.
Looking up, Agusta saw him hovering in midair above her, one palm aimed straight down.
"Light Shock."
A concussive wave burst downward, slamming Agusta to the ground. Lumino floated after her, his gaze steely as she struggled to rise.
"Where is Clementine?" he asked.
A whisper teased at his ear.
"That's it, my darling Lumino… Let your rage flow slowly…"
"I'll ask again." His voice cracked like thunder. "WHERE IS CLEMENTINE?!"
Agusta staggered to her feet, blood trickling down her temple. She raised her middle finger at him.
"Screw you."
She lunged forward again, punches fast and fierce. But Lumino danced around her effortlessly, each movement faster than the last. Her attacks couldn't touch him.
And still… something boiled in his blood. Something beyond rage.
"Damn it!!" Agusta cursed, slamming a fist into the ground, launching herself up with the rebound. Her crushing blow aimed for Lumino's chest, but suddenly, a glowing red barrier blocked it.
What the—? Agusta's eyes widened.
"Holy Radiance: Dominic Light."
A blinding beam of white light burst from Lumino's palm, piercing through Agusta's chest like a divine spear.
"CHAOS."
She flew backward like a ragdoll, crashing through stone and wall and metal, buried beneath falling debris. Silence.
She didn't move.
Lumino hovered in place, breath uneven, brows furrowed.
Since when… can I cast protective barriers?
His heartbeat pounded in his ears—then, that voice again, soft and poisonous.
"Well done, my sweet Lumino… You're improving. Soon… you'll be mine completely—"
Lumino clutched the side of his head as a sharp ache flared behind his eyes.
He swayed in midair, disoriented—until his gaze found Clementine stumbling toward Agusta's broken form.
Then—another voice cut through the fog in his mind, grounding him. A voice that he know shaking.
"L-Lumino…"
--
Alira frowned deeply as she opened the spell book she had picked up back in Flirmus—the one that once belonged to Caroline. She now sat in a quiet study lit by warm lanterns, surrounded by half-filled bookshelves. This was the room Rosaria had led her to earlier before excusing herself to check on Clementine and the others.
Sitting cross-legged, Alira rubbed her temples in frustration. The book reeked of malicious energy, enough to make her skin crawl. And yet, none of the spells inside seemed useful to her.
"They're all twisted," she muttered, flipping another page. "Brutal… but undeniably powerful."
Still, one detail caught her eye. The magic Caroline had used during the battle—it was from this very book. Alira shuddered as the memory resurfaced.
'If Lumino hadn't used that dark spell link to sacrifice himself—temporarily—I doubt anyone would've ever defeated Caroline…' Her hand trembled slightly as she closed the book, exhaling a shaky breath.
Despite the unease creeping in her chest, Alira wasn't ready to give up just yet. She had two goals: one, to find a way to restore the Orb Eternum, the one tied to Kael and Lumino—so it would function properly again. And two, she had promised Rosaria to help cure the strange illness plaguing their elder.
'Ugh, why am I doing this… I should've just run away… Should I run now? Right now?'
The door creaking open cut off her spiraling thoughts.
Rosaria returned—but something about her face felt… off. She looked ten times more terrifying than earlier.
"You're back?" Alira asked cautiously. Rosaria only nodded, eyes shifting elsewhere, almost… guilty?
"You told Kael and Lumino where I was, right? Just so they don't start worrying or something?" Alira added.
Rosaria stepped closer. Then, without warning, she reached out and placed her hand gently over Alira's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Alira."
The world blinked into darkness.
Alira jolted awake in a pitch-black room. Cold air wrapped around her, and her arms—tied.
"Rosaria?" she called out in panic. Her voice echoed against stone. "Rosaria, where—where are you?"
What the hell is happening?! Where am I? Did she drug me?! Is she gonna torture me?! Oh gods—I'm too young to die!
Her breath quickened. A door creaked open in the distance. Light spilled into the room—and in it stood Rosaria.
Or at least… she thought it was Rosaria.
"You woke up quicker than I expected," the woman said, tone chilling.
"What is going on? Rosaria—?!" Alira screamed, only to go stiff as the woman revved up a chainsaw.
No no no no no! I'm gonna die!! Someone—Kael!! Lumino!! Save me!!
"Don't worry," the woman said coldly. "I'll make it quick."
NOOO—!!!
"I—I don't understand! Why are you doing this?!" Alira sobbed. "I thought we were friends! You said we were friends!"
The growling chainsaw drew closer. Alira's voice trembled. "Please! If I did something wrong, just tell me! Don't—don't do this!"
But just as panic reached its peak—click.
The bindings around her wrists dropped away.
Alira blinked. She was… fine? The light above brightened, revealing Rosaria—the real Rosaria.
"Rosaria…?" she whispered.
"Yes. I'm sorry, Alira," she said with genuine remorse. "But we don't have much time. We have to leave now."
"What? You're helping me escape?" Alira asked in disbelief.
Before Rosaria could answer, a voice called out from behind them.
"So, you're breaking her out?"
A woman stepped into the room—her face identical to Rosaria's.
"Rosalina…" Rosaria muttered under her breath.
"You know Clementine's orders. We turn the man named Kael into a vampire first. Then it's her turn," Rosalina pointed at Alira.
Wait—WHAT?! Vampire?! ME?!
"Return her, Rosaria," Rosalina commanded. "Tie her back down. Or I'll use force."
"No," Rosaria said firmly. "I won't turn Alira. I made her a promise. And she can help the elder."
"You let yourself be fooled by a silver-tongued white witch alchemist," Rosalina spat.
Hey! I'm not silver-tongued! I barely talk!
"She's more useful to us as a vampire," Rosalina insisted, stepping forward. "Be reasonable."
"I said no." Rosaria raised her chainsaw again, this time in full defiance. Her stance was steady. Ready.
"Tch. Such a foolish little sister."
Rosalina's face contorted into something monstrous. Far worse than before.
Please… someone save me from this hellish vampire drama, Alira silently cried.
"How about we talk things out first… no need to fight."
It was Alira's voice that finally broke the tension. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Why don't you tell me what's really going on first? Are you… evil? And what did you do to Kael and Lumino?"
Please work... let my words be enough, Alira silently begged.
"You? Still have the nerve to speak?" Rosalina's chilling tone made her shrink back a little.
Don't waver.
"You seem to forget who I am. I was once a member of the Coven—highly revered in my time. Alira Lefki. Do you really think you can oppose me with just your little sister Rosaria? Are you sure you can win?"
Alira's expression turned firm, her voice laced with subtle threats in every word. Rosalina hesitated, considering the situation. And in that silence, Alira seized the chance to push further.
"Why don't we just talk first?"
Rosalina finally lowered her hostility, then exhaled slowly. "Fine. What do you want to talk about?"
Yatta… it worked.
"Why do you want to turn us into vampires?"
Rosalina went quiet at the question, then glanced toward Rosaria. "Sigh… Honestly, it was Clementine's idea. If we could turn two powerful humans to our side, we'd stand a better chance of winning."
Winning what...?
Alira quickly strung together another question. "Winning? What are you even fighting for?"
"You mean you don't know? It's war—vampires versus werewolves."
Great. Now I'm caught in an actual war.
Seeing Alira's pale face and gaping mouth, Rosaria gently chimed in, trying to calm her, "Don't worry. I won't involve you or your friends in this."
"We have to involve them!" Rosalina snapped. "Thanks to the conflict led by Ozrik, some of our own people have sided with the werewolves! We need outside help—strong allies if possible."
"I won't allow it," Rosaria growled, her face dark with anger.
"Let's just calm down… So you want me and Kael to be turned into vampires?" Alira asked quietly.
"Only you and Kael. The one called Lumino will be sacrificed. He reeks of the Red Witch's scent. He's unworthy of becoming one of us."
Sacrificed? Red Witch scent? Lumino… I don't even have the strength to react anymore. I don't understand anything anymore… Huhuhu...
"Sacrificed? What do you mean?"
"They will use him and one other in a ritual to awaken our strongest knight—Fenrir."
I know that cursed name…
Who wouldn't? Fenrir—the most feared vampire, long dead and turned to ash. A creature that once terrorized entire civilizations. And now they want to bring him back?
We just barely defeated the Cursed Witch Caroline... and now this? To be honest, this isn't look good
"What exactly are you fighting for? Why not just make peace?" Alira sighed, face weary.
"Our elders would never allow vampires to kneel before werewolves. Never. Are you trying to insult our pride?" Rosalina snarled.
Pride my ass. I just don't want to deal with another powerful being again.
"What good will this war bring? You're the last few species left in this ruined world."
"That's none of your business. You're just a human," Rosalina replied coldly.
"Then how about this? Stop this war. I'll help cure your elder. In exchange, release me, Kael, and Lumino."
"And who says you're in any position to bargain?"
"If I say I can, then I can. I keep my word."
Rosalina fell silent. Rosaria, for some reason, looked proud.
"You really think you can?" Rosalina finally gave in, her voice hesitant, but less hostile.
Alira nodded. Rosalina agreed, and they began making their way toward the elder's chamber.
What matters is getting out of here. Whether I can actually do it or not... I'll figure that out later, Alira thought to herself, forcing a confident smile.