(Warning: the following scene contains graphic violence: Gore.)
The eternal sky above was always night, adorned with cold stars that seemed to watch from great heights. Before them stood a magnificent black castle with towering spires, surrounded by a vast garden filled with exotic flowers that glowed faintly in the dark.
Rows of Dark Angels stood guard along the gate, their black wings spread stiffly, holding spears of darkness. Their presence radiated intimidation.
The castle courtyard was equally vast, the grass and flowers perfectly manicured, creating an eerie, beautiful landscape.
A man knocked on the door. His name was Zengolus Van Dammon, with long flowing hair, white and lustrous, its tips glowing faintly purple. His eyes were also violet.
"Come in."
Zengolus pushed open the door. Inside, Karen Van Dammon sat on a tall chair adorned with silver ornaments, an old thick book open in her hands. Her long white hair was tied in a ponytail, her eyes the same deep shade of violet.
"Yo, Sis," Zengolus greeted. "You look gloomy. Something wrong?"
Karen slowly closed the book. "An envoy from the Divine Realm came, asking for information about Yunia's son." She sighed, tapping the table with her finger.
Zengolus raised an eyebrow. "Why would they suddenly want something from Sis Yunia and her son?"
"Yunia was abandoned by her father when she was still a baby, simply because she was a girl and couldn't be an heir. Then our father took her in and raised her with me and Chloe. In short, we were childhood friends."
"Ah, Sis Chloe," he lowered his head. "Too bad she had to perish with that bastard father!"
He clenched his fist. "Sis, I'm still curious. Who was the one who placed Father's Soul Core into Sis Yunia's son's body? Because of that, we're being dragged into another mess with them."
"I don't know either. But how did they even find out that Yunia had a son?" Karen bit her fingernail.
"Why are you so worried about that?"
"The Van Dammons will inevitably get involved in this mess between the Divine Realm and Yunia. If we side with the Divine Realm, Yunia will destroy us first, especially if her eldest daughter truly sides with her."
Zengolus changed his tone. "And if we side with Sis Yunia, then the Divine Realm will destroy us first, right? Even if we try to remain neutral."
Karen nodded. "You're right. The decision we make will depend on what happens next."
A Dark Angel knocked on the door. "Come in!"
"Your Highness, Goddess Yunia has arrived!"
Karen and Zengolus exchanged looks. Karen rubbed her forehead.
"Fine, tell that annoying woman to come in!"
Yunia stepped inside. "Who are you calling annoying, Karen?"
Karen sighed. "Sit wherever you like," she said, her lips curving into a faint, trembling smile.
They all sat together on the sofa surrounding the table. Lucifer and Zengolus exchanged glances, each subtly preparing for whatever might happen. Karen's gaze landed on Enatur; her eyes softened slightly.
Karen sipped her tea. "Did you come here to ask the same question, bloody hair?"
Yunia crossed her arms. "This time's different, granny hair." Karen's eyebrow twitched.
Karen closed her eyes for a moment. "Then what brings you here?"
"Do you know that Chloe's spiritual body is still wandering freely?"
The teacup in Karen's hand froze midway. Her breath caught. Zengolus stiffened, his eyes widening. "What do you mean... Chloe is still... alive?" Her face turned pale.
Yunia nodded. "I got the information from Hera. She probably asked Hermes to dig it up."
The room fell silent. Karen rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. Yunia waited patiently for her reaction.
"If you're lucky enough to find Chloe, she's far more skilled at refining medicine than I am. Especially medicine for Soul Core curses. She's on a completely different level."
Karen looked at Enatur once more. Her gaze carried meaning that Enatur couldn't quite decipher. He grew uneasy under her eyes.
Yunia slammed the table, smiling yet the veins of anger pulsed along her face. "Karen, you're not after my son, are you?"
"Ah, I was thinking of taking his virginity," Karen teased.
"I'll kill you!"
"Tch! That calm face of his truly resembles his father, doesn't it, Yunia?" Karen smirked.
"My father?" Enatur was startled. His eyes darted toward Yunia. She fell silent, unable to return his gaze.
"So, how far have you progressed in breaking the Soul Core curse?" Karen asked.
"At the moment, we're moving into stage two. The Chain of Soul Binding now connects his spiritual soul with the Master's spiritual soul."
Karen narrowed her eyes.
Yunia changed her tone. "That's why I came to ask—do you know any way to control the Soul Core curse, Karen?"
"There's an ancient method that describes it, but unfortunately, I no longer have that book. If Chloe truly is alive, she would definitely know where our ancestors' hidden knowledge is kept."
Lucifer's shoulders dropped. "So, we still have to find Miss Chloe, huh?"
Zengolus joined in. "There's a rumor I heard in the Orc Kingdom. They've been chasing a mysterious, immensely powerful figure. They couldn't even put up a fight. I'm certain that person is hiding somewhere."
"Orcs, huh. They're known for having vast information connections. They even use intel as legal trade currency," Lucifer remarked.
"In that case, we'll find Chloe, no matter what it takes." Yunia's eyes sharpened.
"Before that, come with me for a moment, Yunia. There's something I need to tell you."
---
The night wind brushed gently across the top of Van Dammon Tower. The sky above them stretched like a calm black sea. Yunia and Karen stood near the stone railing.
"What did you want to talk about?" Yunia asked curiously.
"The Divine Realm seems to have learned that you have a son."
Yunia's eyebrow twitched, stunned into silence. "How could they know?"
"I don't know where they got their information, but one thing's certain, you need to be careful. They'll likely keep watching you. There's a reason they're after your son."
Yunia exhaled deeply. "Perhaps they already have a son to inherit my father's throne. If your theory's right, then his Vermillion bloodline must be impure."
Karen was taken aback. "So that's it. It makes sense now why they're looking for you."
Yunia's eyes sharpened, reflecting the starlight. "I no longer have any ties to those who abandoned me as a baby. My current family is my only priority."
She turned around. "Then I'll take my leave. Thank you for the information, Karen."
Karen nodded. "Good luck, Yunia. Remember, your father's envoys will definitely investigate. We don't know what they'll do to your son."
Yunia only nodded. "Thank you for the warning, Karen," she said before walking away.
"You're still annoying... but I appreciate your honesty."
Karen watched her back until she disappeared down the stairs. For a moment, she stood still, letting the cold night breeze run through her hair.
"She's changed," she murmured softly. "Once, she was a shadow even gods feared to face."
---
They gathered in the front courtyard. Enatur stepped forward, facing Yunia.
"Mom, leave the rest to us. I and the others will finish our search." His eyes gleamed with resolve.
Yunia sighed. "Alright. I'll leave it to you. If anything happens, contact me immediately."
Yunia opened a portal and left the Van Dammon Castle.
Lucifer turned to Karen. "We'll be leaving too, Miss Karen, Lord Zengolus."
"Be careful, Lucifer," Karen replied.
Enatur opened a dimensional portal toward the Orc Kingdom. Once the portal closed, Karen and Zengolus both sighed.
"Sis, is that really the same Sis Yunia we used to know? She used to be cold, terrifying, and merciless to her enemies," said Zengolus.
Karen placed one hand on her hip. "Hm, I'm not surprised. She's been visiting often when you weren't around. She's changed ever since becoming a mother."
---
At the same time, in the Mortal Realm, Dark Fraction.
In the ruins of an abandoned village beneath a dark gray sky heavy with clouds, the roar of an Ogre monster echoed, then stopped abruptly.
A girl walked slowly across the blood-soaked earth, her long white hair swaying with every movement, its tips glowing faint purple, tied neatly in a half-twintail with black ribbons. Her crimson eyes gleamed in the dim light.
Her name was Elena Ruiz Van Dammon, fifteen-year-old.
In both hands, she wielded twin black swords etched with violet patterns, the Pentagram Swords.
With a swift motion, she sliced through the neck of an Ogre King standing three meters tall. The crack of bones echoed as the massive head hit the ground with a heavy thud.
One by one, the remaining Ogres tried to flee, but her blades danced faster than their steps. Flesh split, heads rolled, and massive bodies fell across the ruined village. The stench of blood thickened the air.
Then Elena knelt on one knee atop a corpse. With a calm motion, she tore open its chest, piercing through the bone, and reached for the still-beating organ.
She lifted the heart in her hand, and ate it.
The sound of tearing flesh and snapping tendons filled the air. Blood dripped down the corner of her mouth, but she swallowed it all without a flicker of emotion.
One… two… up to seventy-eight hearts she tore out and devoured raw. With every bite, the dark aura around her grew denser, spiraling like a storm of shadows.
When she licked the last traces of blood from her fingers, she grinned, as if savoring every piece of heart she had consumed.