The snake woman let out a shrill laugh, and from both of her eyes burst waves of blue shocklight.
Splash! Splash!
The shockwaves slammed into Fatheema's body. She felt completely locked in place, her entire body tingling as if every single cell in her body was about to come apart.
Her heart pounded violently, as if it were being pulled out of her chest.
In front of her stood the snake-woman monster, blue light still radiating from her eyes.
The small black snakes growing from the woman's head stretched toward her, ready to strike.
And from the snake woman's back, two massive red serpents emerged, slithering toward her with loud hissing sounds, ready to sink their fangs into their prey.
But—
the moment that blue light touched her eyes, a cool sensation filled them. Her once brown irises slowly turned deep red, emitting a soft purplish glow.
The strange sensation faded away. Her heartbeat returned to normal. Her body was no longer numb or frozen.
The two massive red snakes from the woman's back cracked and vanished, while the small black snakes on her head shrank back to their normal size.
"What? This girl… she's still alive?" the snake woman muttered in surprise.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
"Hm… she actually withstood my attack."
"Her eyes are glowing purple… I've never seen anything like this. How fascinating."
"Hundreds—no, thousands of creatures I've turned into stone, devouring their souls… even large and powerful beings meant nothing to me."
"And yet… this child… completely unaffected. My illusion means nothing to her."
"Is this a sign?"
"Has the time finally come?"
"Why a weak little girl like her?"
"But… very well."
The snake woman smirked and slowly moved closer.
"Sweet girl… hmm, what is your name?" she asked, lowering her head until they were at eye level.
"M-me? Umm… Fatheema… Fatheema Quraisin," the girl answered hesitantly.
This snake woman… she suddenly sounds gentle… and she's asking my name?
Is she not angry anymore? What does she actually want?
"Fatheema Quraisin? Hmm… What a cute name."
"Well then, Fatheema, what brings you to my domain?"
"I… I accidentally fell from a bridge up there and got trapped here."
"I didn't mean to disturb you, Miss Snake. Please let me go. I'm looking for my friends."
"Your friends? Are they like you? Are you human? Why would a human be in this place?"
"Yes, Miss… I'm human. We were kidnapped by a demon named Hanako."
"Kidnapped… by a demon? Hanako?"
"I don't know much about what's happening up there."
"But let me tell you—this world is not a place where humans belong."
"This is a forgotten world. The world of Oblivion. A place where creatures of darkness live—filled with monsters and wandering souls."
"You want to save your friends? You'd be better off forgetting them."
"They've most likely already been devoured by something. You should focus on how to escape this dark world yourself," the snake woman said with a sly smile.
"Alright, Miss… then I'll excuse myself. Sorry for disturbing you."
Fatheema quickly turned and hurried away, wanting to leave as fast as possible.
"Wait, sweet girl…
Perhaps I could help you, or—"
"No need! Thank you, Miss, there's no need to trouble yourself!" Fatheema cut her off quickly. She had no intention of getting involved with such a terrifying creature.
I need to get out of here. A monster like that shouldn't be trusted. What if she's tricking me? That would be dangerous… I don't know what she wants.
"Sweet girl, I'm not troubled at all. Don't be afraid. I'm not an evil creature, and I can help you. I'll come with you," the snake woman said as she approached.
"Hi hi hi!" she laughed cheerfully—though it still sounded eerie.
"No… no need!" Fatheema began half-running.
But suddenly—the snake woman was already in front of her, as if she had teleported.
"I insist… little girl."
"Hi hi hi!"
"Fatheema Quraisin… Soul Bonding!"
In an instant, her right hand shot forward and pressed against Fatheema's arm. Fatheema was startled and couldn't react in time.
At the point of contact, a circular formation with strange symbols appeared, glowing gold.
And then—
on Fatheema's arm, a golden circular mark formed, shaped like a serpent, with two Gorgon-like eyes at its center.
The snake woman began floating in the air, her body flickering with bluish light.
Then—she rapidly shrank and vanished from sight.
"Hey! What—?!" the girl cried out in shock.
"Don't tell me… that snake woman entered my body?!"
She frantically touched her arms, trying to feel if anything was wrong.
What does that evil woman want? She almost killed me earlier, then spoke gently, and now she's inside me?
Soul Bonding? What does that even mean? Oh no… did she bind my soul?
I don't want anything to do with a strange creature—especially a creepy snake woman like that!
What should I do now?
She hesitated, unsure of what to do.
Suddenly—a voice echoed in her ear.
"Little girl, I am not an evil woman… hi hi hi!"
"Not evil? You kidding me? You almost killed me and every creature turned into stone statues" she shouted in her mind.
"My name is Medusa Rosalinda. I want to come with you. I've grown bored staying in this cave."
"So there really is someone compatible with my eyes…"
"Hi hi hi!"
"No, Miss! I'm not interested at all. You should find someone else more fun!" Fatheema said, clearly uneasy.
"Aah… you must be afraid or reluctant, hmm? Hi hi. I'll give you a wonderful gift and help you escape this dreadful dark world. Hi hi hi!"
Whoosh!
Suddenly, from the serpent symbol on her arm, a blue shadow emerged. The snake woman appeared again, floating in the air, then pressed her palm against the ground.
Woosh!
Blue light spread throughout the entire cave like a fast-moving web, covering every corner.
Then—on one of the walls, a bluish-white vortex appeared, about the size of a door.
"Go in, sweet girl. This is my secret chamber. You can rest there—no one will be able to disturb you. I've locked and hidden it from the outside world. Hi hi."
Medusa floated and shrank to the size of a small bird, then perched on Fatheema's shoulder.
The girl slowly approached the vortex. She still felt hesitant and uneasy.
If this is a trap… I'm done for.
But I don't have many choices. I have to take every opportunity.
It's probably been more than a day since I've been here… my parents must be panicking, looking for me at school.
What about my friends? What happened to them? Ms. Yuyun… did she make it, or was she captured by that demon Hanako?
"Alright… I'll try."
Fatheema stepped into the vortex. A cold sensation enveloped her as she passed through it.
Moments later, she arrived on the other side.
As soon as she saw the room, her eyes widened in disbelief.
It was a vast, open space filled with lush green plants, fruits hanging from their branches.
In one corner, there was a clear spring pool.
She couldn't believe it—inside a pitch-dark cave, there existed a place like this… like a hidden garden from the outside world.
Slowly, she walked toward the small pool.
***