Back in the West Region…*
After dinner, Ani helped clear the plates alongside Mama Dories. The air felt warm, calm—too calm for the darkness lurking within her. As Mama Dories stepped out of the kitchen, humming a soft tune, Ani lingered behind, deep in thought.
*"The west palace …"* she whispered to herself, *"how do I get in without raising suspicion?"*
She dried her hands, then slowly followed Mama Dories to where her husband sat on the porch. The old man smiled gently as she approached—but behind Ani's innocent expression, the demon stirred.
*"papa Dories do you mind if we talk?"* she said sweetly, placing a hand on his shoulder. He nodded.
Without warning, Ani's fingers elongated, glowing faintly with dark magic. She gently touched the back of his neck. The man's eyes glazed over.
*"Tell me…"* Ani whispered, her voice laced with enchantment, *"how can one get into the Hive Palace?"*
The man stared forward. *"Only the King's personal guards can get close. No outsiders… no strangers."*
*"Then who gets close enough?"*
*"My friend, Edward. He supplies the royal wine. He's the only civilian allowed to interact directly with the guards."*
Ani's eyes narrowed, a smile curling at her lips.
"Then it seems you have outlived your usefulness."*
Without a shred of hesitation, she reached for the man's throat. A dark, fiery mist flowed from his mouth and eyes as she drained the life from him. His skin cracked and turned pale as ash. With a final gasp, his body collapsed—soulless and still.
Just then, Mama Dories returned, a cup of tea in her hand.
*"Dear, I brought—"* she froze.
Her cup fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
*"NO! What… what did you do?!"* she screamed.
Ani turned slowly, her voice flat. *"You were kind, Mama Dories. I didn't want to hurt you."*
Mama Dories tried to run—but Ani was faster. She caught her by the throat and looked into her eyes with regretless darkness.
*"But you've seen too much."*
With one final breath, Ani sucked the life out of her. The woman's body disintegrated into ash, scattering to the floor like dust caught in wind.
Ani stood alone in the house now, her eyes burning with ambition.
*"Edward… next street,"* she said, smiling coldly.
*"It's time to meet the wine man."*
Later that day
*At Edward's Residence – West Kingdom*
Edward sat comfortably in his modest home, sipping warm wine and flipping through an old book of trade records. The quiet evening was interrupted by a firm knock at the door.
*"Who's there?"* he called out, standing slowly.
A familiar voice answered—rough, aged. *"It's me, old friend. Papa Dories."*
Edward's face lit up. *"Ah! You old dog, what brings you here at this hour?"* He chuckled, walking toward the door.
But as he opened it, his smile froze. Standing at the threshold wasn't Papa Dories—but Ani, her eyes empty, cold.
*"Who are you—"* he began, but before he could finish, Ani's hand shot out, gripping his throat like a vice.
Her voice, now laced with a demonic whisper, hissed:
*"I can make you richer than you've ever imagined… but you must let me in."*
Edward struggled, but her grip tightened. Her eyes glowed faintly—dark magic seeping through her fingers. His body went limp as the demon inside Ani poured itself into him like black smoke, twisting through his mouth and nose, flooding his soul.
His eyes rolled back, then snapped forward—now glowing with a different light.
The demon had changed hosts.
Ani collapsed to her knees, now an empty vessel—pale, her breath shallow.
Edward stood taller, his voice now deeper, richer, soaked in corruption. He looked down at Ani's lifeless form and whispered:
*"Go back to the house. Lock yourself in. You'll be useful… later."*
Like a puppet on strings, Ani rose without a word and turned, walking away in silence.
The newly-possessed Edward stepped into the moonlight, a slow smile spreading across his face.
*"Now… time to visit the palace."*