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Out of the shadows stepped a mighty figure.
Just like my uncle, he was shirtless — but now, the tattoos covering his body had changed, shifting and writhing as if alive.
His flawless physique was tempting, drawing the mind into sinful imaginations. His face, though pale, made no effort to hide his breathtaking beauty. His burning eyes radiated danger, while his oppressive aura weighed heavily on the air.
His long white hair fell across his broad chest, and I stared at the man before me, unable to tear my eyes away.
No wonder they called him the Deceiver.
Then, he turned his piercing gaze toward me, and his sharp eyes tore through the last of my defenses.
My whole body went numb. I instinctively lowered my head to avoid his stare, but I could still feel the heavy weight of his attention on me.
I shuddered at the thought.
Suddenly, cold fingers gripped my chin, forcing me to look up into his face.
"Welcome," he said, his voice husky and deep, sinking into my ears like a drug.
"I'm sure you've heard of me... from your father."
His hot breath brushed across my face, sending chills down my spine.
My heart pounded violently in my chest.
A playful smirk curved his pale lips, and I caught sight of long, sharp fangs hidden behind that cold smile.
"As expected of Zuriel's daughter," he murmured.
"I have time. I'll find your weakness."
His chilling words rooted themselves deep in my mind, leaving me wondering with horror what he intended.
"Get away from her!"
Azreal's voice rang out, sharp and desperate.
No!
I gasped under my breath, panic rising inside me.
"He shouldn't be here," my self-conscious mind screamed.
"Ha! Found it," Lucifer said smugly, turning his gaze away from me toward Azreal.
Azreal staggered slightly, his complexion pale, his eyes darker than usual. His posture slumped — not firm and proud like before.
Pain twisted my heart at the sight of him.
"Azreal! I'm fine, please — go back home!
This is my fate. I don't want you to get involved!"
I screamed with all my strength, even as it felt like my throat was being stabbed with a thousand knives.
I had to protect him — I had to.
"Erica, I warned you not to talk like that," he said through gritted teeth, his furious gaze fixed on Lucifer.
"Oh, this will be interesting," Lucifer chuckled darkly.
"I'm sure Azreal remembers me. Finally... I am back."
Lucifer's voice echoed around the hall like a curse.
"Enjoy your stay while it lasts," Azreal growled, drawing a strange, dark sword from his back.
It looked similar to my father's sword — yet everything about it radiated darkness.
The aura it released was terrifying.
Could it be...?
My mind raced with dread.
From a distance, I caught Asher's smirk falter. Hunger flashed in his eyes.
Beside him — my father's sword rested, gleaming faintly.
I could feel it calling out to me — screaming in my soul.
I couldn't control it.
The pull grew stronger, tearing me apart from the inside.
I didn't want to cry or show weakness — but the pain was unbearable.
My insides burned. My head throbbed as if splitting open.
Pressure crushed me, suffocating every breath.
My lungs screamed for air. My throat bled.
"ARRHHHHH!"
I screamed as agony ripped through me.
"Let her go!"
Azreal shouted, trying to rush toward me — but Lucifer appeared instantly before him, blocking the way.
My vision blurred with tears.
I couldn't see — only the chaos and violence surrounding me.
"You know," Azreal said hoarsely, "we stand on equal footing. You have no power over me."
"I know," Lucifer's voice was a menacing purr.
"And that... is a flaw I intend to correct."
A sudden, deafening roar shook the hall.
The sounds of battle exploded around me — clashing swords, screams, the clash of forces I couldn't name.
Then — the pain inside me vanished.
The chains binding me shattered.
I collapsed onto the cold ground — and warm, slender hands caught mine.
A soft pat on my chest, and a familiar voice:
"Erica, wake up. It's time for us to leave."
I opened my tear-soaked eyes — and met Eve's enchanting gaze.
"Thank you," I whispered weakly, struggling to stand with her help.
I lifted my head and saw the battlefield stretching before me.
Blood and broken bodies littered the ground.
The stench of death choked the air.
Two forces clashed brutally, a tide of steel, fire, and fury.
Then — Azreal.
I remembered.
Panic gripped me.
I searched the battlefield frantically, but I couldn't find him.
My heart twisted in agony.
"Where is Azreal?" I asked Eve, coming to a sudden halt.
She hesitated.
Her grip on me tightened painfully.
"He said... I should get you out of here — no matter what," she said softly, avoiding my eyes.
The words stabbed into me.
A sharp, tearing pain broke inside my chest.
"I can't leave him behind," I whispered, my soul trembling.
"I won't leave without him."
I pulled away from Eve's grasp.
The battle raged around us, but I heard nothing except the frantic beating of my own heart.
A hand caught mine again.
I turned — and saw Eve's teary eyes.
"Erica... please," she begged, her voice breaking.
"Don't make this harder. We need to go."
I cupped her trembling hands and wiped away her tears.
"I can't have peace if Azreal dies for me," I said, my voice cracking, tears flowing freely.
"I'd rather die than let that happen. This is my fault. Please — let me fix my mistakes."
Eve bit her lip, then nodded with trembling resolve.
"Fine. Let's go find him," she whispered.
We gripped each other's hands tightly and slipped away through the chaos, weaving between soldiers and monsters.
Somehow — we found ourselves crossing into another place entirely.
The ground was cracked and thirsty for blood.
The skies wept and mourned.
The sun hung in the heavens like a merciless, burning eye.
Life here seemed faded, almost dead.
I gasped, realizing — this was the place I had seen in my dreams all along.
"Ladies!"
A voice rang out.
We turned — and saw Asher standing there, alone amidst the desolation.
His eyes glinted with dark calculation.
A mischievous smile played at the edge of his lips.
He was waiting for us.
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