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Chapter 219 - VOL 3, Chapter 14: the Fall of the Serpent and Lion

Elena and Niegal reached the temple just before midnight.

Carved into the bones of the mountain itself, the structure rose from the earth like a buried god's tomb. Mana torches flickered along its perimeter, casting a cold, unnatural glow across the ceremonial guards. Their robes were tightly wrapped at shoulder and hip, glowing blades at the ready- useless.

The divine couple wasted no time.

Like a flash of lightning, they struck. Quick, efficient, and wrathful. No words. No sound but the thud of bodies falling.

Niegal moved as the beast, his form shifting just enough to invoke the lion's dread. His eyes burned silver under the mana firelight, claws slipping from his fingertips. Elena's eyes glinted violet. Her braid whipped in the wind that coiled around her, her blade Boinyanel hissing with hunger.

Above them, thunder cracked, dry and sharp. No clouds gathered.

Yet.

They slipped inside the temple, deeper and deeper, ducking under doorframes etched with runes, moving past meditating acolytes and sleeping guards. The deeper they went, the stronger the pull. Elena felt it in her gut, like a magnetic pulse. Their daughter was here. Somewhere.

Then, they saw him.

A boy.

Sitting slumped before a heavy carved door.

Juan Ernesto. The one who took their girl.

He was crying.

Niegal didn't hesitate. With a snap of wind and speed, he pinned him to the stone, one arm over his mouth, the tip of Marohu glimmering just beneath his throat. His fangs snarled mere inches from the boy's face.

"Where is she?" He growled, the words thick with mana. "Past that door?"

The boy's eyes went wide, tears streaking freely. He nodded.

Elena paused beside them, her breathing heavy, violet eyes narrowing into serpentine slits. But then she looked, really looked, at Juan.

A trembling, terrified teenager. A child tangled in a web spun far above his head.

"He's just a boy," Elena murmured, the storm within quiet for a breath.

Her hand touched Niegal's shoulder. Gently.

He exhaled through his nose, fury still radiating off his skin… but he released Juan.

He crumpled to the ground, gasping.

Elena knelt beside him, voice low, thunderous. "If you want to be free of this… come with us."

Niegal said nothing. He simply raised his hand toward the carved door. His fingers glowed.

With a flick, the seals shattered like brittle bone.

Inside, the air was heavy. Thick with static. Rage. Fear.

The room had been torn apart- curtains scorched, cushions shredded, walls cracked from where magic had lashed out. And in the center of it all, Esperanza.

She lay curled on the stone floor, her tiny body unmoving save for the soft rise and fall of her breath. Her curls were tangled, cheeks hollow, her fists still clenched. The storm had passed… but she had weathered it alone.

Elena rushed to her.

"Mi amor," she whispered, gathering her daughter against her chest.

The girl whimpered, instinctively burying her face in her mother's neck, just like she used to do as a baby.

Elena kissed her crown, rocking her. "We're here. We've got you. We're going home."

She looked down, heart twisting. Her daughter was too thin. Her little lips were chapped. When had she last eaten? Damn these food strikes, she thought, biting her tongue to keep from scolding.

Juan, meanwhile, had dropped to his knees before Niegal.

"I'm sorry," he choked. "I followed her orders- my mother. The High Priestess. I didn't know it would be this. I didn't- please…"

Niegal glanced at Elena, at the child in her arms. Then he nodded once.

"Get us out of here."

Juan led them back the way they came, past the sleeping guards and torchlit corridors. The weight of divine power followed in their wake like a tide preparing to crash.

When they stepped out into the moonlight-

They were surrounded.

A full circle of warriors stood with blades raised, glowing arrows drawn. Their eyes were wide with fear, but their hands did not shake.

Elena shifted Esperanza in her arms, one hand on Boinyanel. Niegal stepped forward, Marohu already in his grip, his eyes glowing like silver fire. Juan froze beside them, torn.

Then, the High Priestess arrived.

She moved like silk. Her smile was a crescent moon. Sharp and deceptive.

"Our beloved Storm and Lion," she purred. "How lovely of you to return for your child. What a divine surprise."

Neither parent spoke.

Azura circled overhead.

Good.

The High Priestess stepped to Juan, patting his shoulder. "You've done well, mijo."

Juan stepped back. "No. I didn't. This is wrong-"

Crack.

She slapped him across the face, hard enough to send him sprawling.

Niegal's roar shook the ground. He surged forward, but faltered.

A crushing pressure dropped on them both like lead. Divine suppression. Magic twisted through the air like chains.

Elena gasped, knees buckling. Her arm tightened around Esperanza as she was forced to the ground. Niegal fell to one knee beside her, claws digging into the stone, snarling.

The lion and the serpent raged. But they were bound.

"Prepare the ritual," the High Priestess said, voice humming with joy. "It's time."

Azura turned and vanished into the night sky.

Reinforcements. Hurry.

The guards moved in. Elena hissed, magic sparking around her. The first who touched her was shocked so violently he flew backward with a scream.

Then-

Thwip.

A blow dart struck her neck.

Her body slackened.

She fell, arms loosening just enough for Esperanza to slip from her grasp.

"No-"

Niegal howled, lunging, but he too was struck. The dart pierced his shoulder.

His vision swam. He reached for Elena's hand- her eyes, wide and pleading, met his.

Magic sparked between them. Violet and gold. Lion and serpent.

Then…

Darkness.

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