Terasvari stood at the swamp's edge, behind the mansion, her keen eyes narrowing. She spotted two all-too-familiar figures. Just their presence was as revolting as the master they belonged to.
"What business do The Four have here?" Terasvari's voice rang out, sharp and demanding.
At once, the two subordinates shifted, having noticed her presence. But before they could move further, cracks split open across their bodies, and from within those fissures emerged arms and legs—another figure tearing her way into reality.
A woman Terasvari knew all too well. Her hair fell in inky black curls, with a single white streak cutting across her bangs. Her eyes gleamed a bloody crimson. She wore a striking scarlet dress, overlaid with a translucent black, web-like mantle. Crimson high heels clicked against the damp ground as she stepped forward.
"Hello… Terasvari."
"Seraphine…" Terasvari smirked darkly.
"You two, go check on Richo and Izek. I've lost contact with them."
"Yes, my lady," both answered before vanishing into the shadows.
Seraphine's smile widened, her voice sweet and mocking. "So then… what is it you want from me, my dear Tera?"
"Stop calling me that, damn you!" Terasvari roared, lunging forward with her fist aimed squarely at the woman's face.
But with a single raised finger, Seraphine halted the blow mid-air, mere inches from her cheek.
"Tsk tsk… sweet Tera, you never learn. You'll never be able to hit me."
A wave of force erupted from Seraphine's gesture, throwing Terasvari backward. She dug her heels into the earth, gouging deep grooves in the soil to steady herself.
"Seraphine! Tell me your true purpose here!"
"I only came to see my beloved Lumino with my own eyes," Seraphine purred, tilting her head. "I want to witness what he's become. After all, I can't help but be curious… he's important to me."
"I knew it. That boy is yours! You covered him in your scent. You wouldn't mark him like that unless he was yours."
Terasvari snarled, then feinted with her fist. Instead of striking Seraphine directly, she slammed her blow into the ground, sending up a choking cloud of dirt and smoke.
Using the cover, she darted to the side and struck—her fist crashing into Seraphine's figure and sending her sprawling.
Or so she thought.
The body dissolved into splinters of wood. Terasvari's eyes widened in alarm, and when she turned, Seraphine was already there—smiling inches away. With a casual flick, she launched Terasvari back, forcing a cough from her throat.
"That trick won't fool me, dear Tera," Seraphine said, her heels clicking ominously as she approached. "You know I have plenty of spells at my disposal. That was a substitution spell—I merely traded places with that tree over there."
She grinned, wicked and unhurriedly.
"Seraphine! You vile—"
"Still so foul-mouthed. Are you truly still hung up over something that happened centuries ago?" Seraphine rolled her eyes. "Come now. You still hold a grudge? And besides… it wasn't me who killed Lola—"
"Don't you dare speak her name!" Terasvari's roar shook with fury.
Seraphine sighed, bored, then lashed out with a vicious kick. Her heel smashed across Terasvari's face, snapping her head to the side.
"Pathetic. Maybe I should just kill you now."
A suffocating wave of killing intent radiated from her. Terasvari staggered to her feet, throwing another punch that erupted in a haze of gray dust, obscuring the swamp.
'Did I land it…?'
Her hopes shattered when she saw Seraphine casually roll her neck, smiling. "I've decided. I'm going to kill you."
Her grin widened, cruel and eager.
--------
Alira sprinted through the halls, her gaze fixed on the open tome in her hands. Her instincts screamed at her.
Earlier, she had deciphered the faint traces of the spell linking Kael and Lumino—the signature belonged to none other than Lady Seraphine.
"When Ronovan mentioned The Four, I had a hunch… and I was right!"
She raised her head, breath catching. "Lady Seraphine is really here in the vampire's nest!"
She could hardly believe it. Seraphine never directly participated in global conflicts throughout the century, not during her time with the Coven, and not even when the Cursed Witch Caroline gained power. For Seraphine to intervene personally now…
'Could it be? Am I finally going to meet her face to face?!'
The thought stirred a dangerous excitement within Alira. This was the woman she had studied her entire life—the one who conceived the very concept of "immortality" that Alira had devoted herself to researching. The figure she revered, whose works she cherished. And now, she was finally here.
But what she saw next left her trembling.
Seraphine toyed with Terasvari as if she were nothing. Not a scratch marked her body, not even a bead of sweat graced her brow. Her hair remained flawlessly in place as she summoned magic circles faster than the eye could follow.
One circle slammed Terasvari into the dirt. Vines erupted from below to bind her limbs. When Terasvari shattered them and lunged, Seraphine vanished, reappearing behind her. Another circle pinned her motionless. With a snap of her fingers, a massive boulder materialized in the sky and crashed down, burying Terasvari beneath it.
'She's being completely overwhelmed…'
Alira's breath caught, her awe tinged with terror. Just how strong was Lady Seraphine?
And then—light.
A searing crimson radiance burst from the mansion, so bright that Alira shielded her eyes. Even from here, the surge of power made her skin crawl.
'What is that? From the mansion…?'
While Alira recoiled in fear, Seraphine's face flushed red with delight. She hugged herself, shivering with ecstasy.
"At last… at long last, the Orb is complete," she whispered, moaning with rapture. "The Orb Eternum… fully awakened…"
But then, the light dimmed. Something faltered.
Seraphine froze, her expression twisting from bliss to a storm of rage.
"The Orb… it's inactive? Why?! No… NO! DAMN IT!!!" Her scream shook the air.
Two shadows stirred, and from them emerged two of The Four.
"My lady," said Orches, kneeling, "we bring grave news. The vessel is dead."
"What?"
"The activation had already reached one hundred percent," Orches continued, "so I believe… it may not be over yet."
"You mean the Orb itself still remains intact?"
"I doubt it," Thartonus interjected, his voice laced with pessimism. "The Orb likely met the same fate. Kael, that boy, pierced Lumino's heart, and I knew involving him would bring only disaster. Now, re-activation may be impossible."
"What did you say?"
Alira realized too late that she had stepped from her hiding place, her body trembling as Seraphine's gaze fell upon her.
"Lumino… Fenrir drained him… and yet he survived, only to die again—at Kael's hand—"
Her stomach lurched. Alira collapsed to the ground and vomited, her emotions breaking apart.
'Why? Why am I always left behind? Why didn't I know anything?'
She struck the ground with her fist, tears blurring her vision. She had always been an outsider—never truly part of them. And now, she wondered… was she even worthy to call herself their friend?
'I… am I really their friend?'
Wiping her tears, Alira pushed herself to her feet—only to see two of The Four advancing on her, blades raised.
"Stop," Seraphine commanded sharply. They froze mid-stride.
"Alira Lefki, isn't it?" Seraphine's tone softened, almost sweet, as she closed the distance between them.
"You… know me?" Alira's voice wavered.
"Of course. I always recognize gifted seeds when I see them." Seraphine cupped Alira's chin. "Tell me, would you like to join me?"
Alira blinked, stunned, unable to process her words.
"Don't you want to know my secret? How I achieved immortality? Isn't that what you've dedicated your life to?"
"…"
"Besides," Seraphine cooed, "I need your help, darling. You are a talented alchemist. If my plans succeed, you could become so much more. Why, you might even revive your Coven—Penny, Lylith, the ones you lost…"
Alira's eyes widened. "What?"
"You know I never speak without reason. And don't you want Lumino back? He isn't gone yet. That's why I need you. All you must do is place this crimson gem inside him."
Alira stared at the stone glittering in Seraphine's palm. "What is that?"
"You'll understand once it's inside him. I've never lied. I was just as disappointed by the outcome as you. Isn't it unfair? Lumino dying in a war between vampires and werewolves—a war that had nothing to do with any of you, yet dragged you all into it?"
Her voice lilted like a melody, soothing, persuasive. Alira felt herself wavering.
'Why must it always be us—Kael, Lumino, and me—who pay the price?'
Seraphine stroked her jaw, smiling tenderly.
Alira grasped her wrist tightly. "Can you truly bring Lumino back?"
Seraphine's eyes gleamed with feverish light. "Of course, darling… if you agree to help me."
"…Don't listen to her, Alira. That woman is Hellspawn," Terasvari croaked weakly from behind.
"Alright."
Seraphine's pupils dilated, her entire face blooming with ecstasy.
"I'll cooperate with you."
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