Night wrapped the kingdom in a suffocating silence. Far from the chaos being prepared in Aldric's throne room, two shadows descended upon Eryndra's mansion—Kaelith the Pale Flame, cold fire licking at his feet, and Selene Blackgrave, moving like a grin given flesh. Their task was simple:
Find Mei. Break her.
Inside the massive hall, Aldric stood before them, his voice as sharp and commanding as steel.
"You two will start," he said. "Find the woman. Break her."
Selene's lips curled upward in wicked delight.
"The mother? Oh, I'll enjoy every moment."
Kaelith's pale blue flame flickered along his fingertips.
"And if she runs?"
Aldric answered without hesitation.
"Then burn everything around her. Leave nothing but ash."
Kaelith smirked, bowing mockingly.
"As you wish, my king."
Selene flashed a fang-like grin.
"I'll bring you her screams."
And then they vanished into the night.
---
Mei sat quietly on the mansion's balcony, feeling the cold night breeze against her skin. She stared down at the letter between her fingers—the letter Reider's mother had left behind, the only clue to a truth none of them yet understood.
If only I understood what this means…
Why they're after him… and us…
Inside the mansion, Vael and Eryndra were drinking tea, unaware of the storm creeping closer.
Eryndra smirked over her cup.
"So you really think he'll be fine? After Juno basically turned him into a corpse?"
Vael kept her arms crossed, trying—and failing—to hide her worry.
"Reider always recovers. But his body… it's not ready for what he keeps doing."
Back outside, Mei stood suddenly, clutching the letter tighter. She slipped out of the balcony and quietly made her way through the mansion's gates.
I can't let Reider fight all of this alone.
I need answers. Even if I have to find them myself.
Her footsteps faded down the cobblestone street…
…and into a waiting fog.
Two shadows materialized behind her. Selene and Kaelith. Hunting.
Selene's grin spread like a knife slit.
"There she is. The fragile little bird. All on her own."
Kaelith's cold smile widened.
"She won't get far. Shall we?"
"Ladies first," Selene purred.
---
Mei walked through the empty streets, the mist thickening around her. She sensed something wrong—something watching—but pushed forward.
A flicker of pale flame cut through the fog.
Kaelith stepped into view, blocking her path.
"Going somewhere, little bird?" he asked, voice calm, cruel, and soft like winter frost.
Mei froze, stepping back instinctively.
"Who… who are you?"
Selene's whisper slithered behind her, close enough to touch her hair.
"Someone who's been dying to meet you."
Mei's eyes narrowed with a spark of defiance.
"If you're from Aldric or Lucian—you'll regret touching me."
Kaelith's grin turned vicious.
"Regret? No. Watching you squirm will be the highlight of my night."
Selene circled her like a vulture hungry for meat.
"You think Reider can save you? He can't even save himself."
"You don't know him," Mei said sharply.
Selene laughed softly, wickedly.
"Oh, but we will. After we break you, we'll break him."
Kaelith lifted fire in his palm, pale and deadly.
"Shall we begin?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Selene said.
---
Far away, Reider lay unconscious in bed. His fingers twitched—once, twice—as if some part of him felt her fear.
Vael noticed, frowning slightly, feeling something strange crackle in the air.
"You better wake up soon, kid," she murmured.
Eryndra smirked.
"What? Worried about your little husband?"
Vael flushed faintly.
"Shut up."
---
Back in the fog-covered street, Mei braced herself.
Kaelith lunged in a burst of white flame.
"Let's see how long you last."
Mei dodged, dagger flashing as she parried the flames—just barely.
"I won't go down that easily!"
Selene flipped through the air with dancer-like grace and threw shadow-forged daggers straight at Mei.
"Cute. Dodge this."
Mei spun, slicing the daggers with desperate accuracy, each one narrowly missing her.
They're stronger than I thought…
But I can't stop now.
Kaelith appeared behind her in a white blaze, his flaming fist exploding toward her spine. She twisted—blocked with her dagger—but the impact sent her sliding backward, boots digging trenches in the ground.
Selene laughed softly, delighted.
"Aw, don't give up now. You were just getting interesting."
Mei gritted her teeth.
"You'll regret underestimating me!"
She dashed forward, slashing at Kaelith with surprising speed and fury.
Kaelith caught her wrist mid-swing.
"Nice try."
Selene grabbed her hair, yanking her backward.
"You're weaker than I thought," she whispered in Mei's ear.
"Guess this will be fun."
Mei slammed her forehead back, headbutting Selene and breaking free.
Selene stumbled, touching her lip as blood trickled. Her grin only widened.
"Oh, I like her. She bites."
Mei panted.
"I won't let you hurt them… Reider… I promised."
Kaelith lifted a massive flame in his palm.
"Shame you won't live to keep that promise."
Selene licked the blood from her lip.
"Maybe we'll visit him after. Tell him how beautifully you screamed."
Rage flared through Mei. She charged again—faster, more precise.
For a split second, both of them were caught off guard.
Her blade cut Kaelith's cheek.
He touched the blood, eyes narrowing.
"You little—"
Selene grabbed Mei from behind, pinning her arms.
"Got you," she breathed.
Then Kaelith punched Mei in the stomach. Hard.
Flames exploded from the impact.
The air left her lungs in a choked gasp. Blood dripped from her lips.
Kaelith leaned close.
"Any last words before we tear you apart?"
Mei coughed, choked, then whispered through pain—
"Reider… will come for me."
Selene laughed softly.
"Oh honey, we're counting on it."
Mei struggled weakly, strength fading.
"Look at you now," Selene mocked. "Shaking. Not so brave anymore."
Mei's voice trembled, but she forced out—
"I believe in him… He'll find me…"
Kaelith lifted his burning hand for a killing blow.
"Say goodnight," Selene whispered.
Mei closed her eyes, tears mixing with blood.
"Reider…"
Kaelith's fist came down—
Flames roared—
Light swallowed the street—
Everything snapped into darkness.
Only Mei's whisper remained, echoing through the void:
"Reider…"