The creatures crawled along the walls, sprouted from the ground, fell from the ceiling—each reflecting the chaos that seethed within her. The more Sapphire's mind spiraled with rage, grief, and sorrow, the more the Abyss responded, writhing as if made of her own soul.
And they grew stronger.
More grotesque.
More voracious.
Each demon formed with too many teeth, too many eyes, too much energy—as if darkness itself were trying to match the level of power overflowing from Sapphire's body.
Her blood evaporated into the hot, metallic air.
Her wings throbbed.
Her heart pounded like a contained thunderclap.
And the rage… the rage was a constant burning sun behind her eyes.
But, more than anything—it was the pain that made her power surge uncontrollably.
Sapphire tried to shut her mind, tried to lose herself in the carnage, but… it was no use. Katharina's words came like repeated blades:
"I don't want a mother like that."
Her throat tightened.
