Chapter 43

  A while ago, before the twin suns set, in the forest into which the undead child escaped, the forest was silent. Twilight rays pierced through gaps in the veil of leaves, the air filled with nature’s blessing.

  Lara, her robe and mask still on, pushed her legs against the rough, grass-filled terrain, chasing after the agile undead child.

  “Stop…” she screamed as the chase continued.

  The child ran through the forest in curves and bends, as if something was calling out to him. Lara continued to follow. Finally, after a long chase, the sound of footsteps stopped.

  Lara slowed down.

  In front of her stood a huge wall made of vines.

  “Uraar,” the child muttered, as if calling her in.

  Lara stepped forward and placed her hands on the vines.

  At that moment, the forest vanished. Space twisted. In a blink, she was somewhere else.

  A large magic circle floated in the air.

  She stepped forward, her eyes steady, her steps steadier. The child stood near the magic circle.

  Their eyes met.

  The child raised his arms, waving for Lara to come closer. She approached the circle cautiously.

  “You just… where have you brought me?” Lara asked.

  The child smiled innocently, gently grabbing her hand and pulling her closer to the magic circle.

  “Slow down, let me come,” Lara said.

  The child nodded and let her go.

  In the middle of the circle was something similar to the shape of a humanoid palm.

  Lara observed it carefully.

  “This looks like a place to keep your hand.”

  Hearing this, the child grew excited and nodded his head in joy.

  “You want me to place my hand here?” Lara asked.

  The child nodded.

  Lara’s eyes filled with caution.

  “I don’t think I can do this. It’s better to get Melody to check this out before proceeding,” she said.

  She turned to the child. “Let’s go now. We will come back with the other sister.”

  Suddenly, the child grabbed her hand. Lara, even with all her strength, was unable to shake off the undead child’s grip.

  The child placed her hand on the magic circle.

  At that moment, something happened.

  Lara was back in the castle.

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  Back when she was still Lera.

  Leo—her younger brother—was playing with her.

  The scene shifted. The Demon King stood before her.

  One by one, her life played before her eyes—all her memories, all her decisions, all the consequences of those decisions, everything that led her to this moment.

  A whisper echoed in the back of her head.

  “You are a good demon. You are qualified.”

  Her vision blurred. The world darkened. Her limbs weakened.

  She collapsed.

  The scene shifted again.

  Lera lay on cold, hard stone. Her eyes slowly opened, still blurry.

  The child sat near her, as if guarding her.

  Her vision recovered.

  The world around her had changed. The forest was gone. In front of her were dark blue stone walls covering the sides and ceiling. A small opening above allowed the Blood Moon’s rays to illuminate the area.

  “Where am I now?” she asked.

  Her limbs still weak, she stood with the child’s support.

  After helping her up, the child pointed behind her.

  Lera slowly turned.

  In front of her stood a stone slab illuminated by the red moonlight. Resting upon it was an old staff, covered in moss, dirt, and vines.

  Unknowingly, she walked closer.

  Her steps were careful.

  She reached the staff. Her hands moved toward it. She removed the vines holding it down. The child helped uproot the thick weeds.

  As the vines were cleared, the staff naturally fell into her hands.

  “Just what is this?” she whispered.

  Something struck her leg. She stumbled, barely avoiding a fall.

  She looked down.

  A notebook lay there—ornate, its outer cover ravaged by time, yet still glowing faintly with gold lining.

  She bent down and picked it up.

  Opening it, she read:

  Journal of Gilbert Bloodstorm

  She whispered, “Bloodstorm… isn’t that the name of the Hell Star?”

  Her hands trembled as she turned the worn pages. Her pupils constricted. Sweat formed on her palms and brow.

  She reached the final entry.

  Unlike the others written in ink, this one was written in blood.

  Her breath caught as she read:

  I, Gilbert Bloodstorm, failed. I too was bitten. There is no hope for me. I leave behind this curse. But I made sure the ones who can enter here are those who carry duty in their hearts—those capable of bearing my burden. I leave behind hope. My lady luck, bless you.

  She closed the journal.

  “This…” she whispered. “I need to let them know.”

  She gripped the staff.

  “Gilbert,” she murmured.

  The child looked up.

  Lera leaned closer. “Gilbert… is that you?”

  The child looked away, confused.

  She smiled gently. “Don’t worry. I shall carry your duty as my own.”

  Hearing her words, the child smiled.

  “Now let’s go, Gilbert. My brother is in grave danger. He needs me.”

  The child nodded.

  They moved together.

  Lera exited in the opposite direction. The cave entrance appeared. She found herself back in the forest—this time, the vines were gone.

  She took out her badge.

  “Leo,” she tried to connect.

  The murky, cursed mana in the air disrupted communication. The badge shut off.

  But before it did, it showed a direction—toward the castle of the Hell Star.

  “I’m coming, guys. Just hang on.”

  Saying this, the two rushed toward the castle.

  Inside the Hell Star’s castle, outside his room, Goodwin stood waiting—face pale, eyes baggy.

  The doors opened.

  Leo stepped out.

  “Is Master alright, Prince?” Goodwin asked.

  “His mana pathways are severely damaged from bearing overwhelming mana,” Leo replied. “I have stabilized him. He may not use mana again, but he will live.”

  Goodwin’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Thank you, Prince. I owe you my life.”

  Leo stopped him. “We don’t have time. What’s the situation?”

  Goodwin wiped his tears, regaining his professional composure.

  “The knights from the south, east, and west have returned with Miss Melody and Master Ryan. Those from the north have yet to arrive.”

  They walked toward the entrance.

  A group of demons approached with two knights.

  “Where are the others?” Goodwin asked.

  The knights hesitated. “Some demons, frightened by the changes in the sky over the graveyard, hid deep within the northern forest. Miss Riley commanded us to escort the rest here. She went to retrieve them with four Hell Knights.”

  Another knight rushed in.

  “My Prince, the undead army has begun moving out of the graveyard.”

  “I’m going,” Leo said, stepping forward.

  Ryan and Melody arrived at that moment.

  “Stop,” Ryan said.

  Leo turned.

  “Captain,” Ryan continued, “you are the commander. Without you, there is no fight. You stay here.”

  “But Riley is out there,” Leo argued.

  Ryan placed his hands on Leo’s shoulders.

  “Brother, rest easy. You are needed here. Wait for me—I promise to bring Riley home safe.”

  Leo took a deep breath.

  “…Alright.”

  Ryan nodded and left alone.

  Leo turned to Goodwin.

  “Activate the barrier. Get the knights ready. Arm every able body. War is coming.”

  “Yes, sir,” Goodwin replied.