Kiara stepped out of the bath, her thoughts already shifting to the training ahead. Maidservant Tae followed closely behind, carrying a neatly folded training robe. Kiara donned it without a word, her focus sharp as she made her way to the waiting carriage.The ride to Lake Gayank was uneventful . The sprawling lake came into view, its shimmering waters reflecting the soft morning light. As the carriage came to a halt, two familiar figures awaited her: Asher, with his mischievous grin, and Ryder, ever the picture of stern authority."Where's Lucius?" Kiara asked, stepping out of the carriage.Asher was the first to answer, his grin widening. "Busy with kingly duties, Your Majesty. He sends his regards, though."Ryder nodded curtly. "Until then, we'll oversee your training."Kiara frowned but didn't argue. She knew better than to waste time questioning Lucius's absence when her own skills were what mattered now.Asher led her to the center of the open field by the lake's edge. Ryder fo
Lucius's sharp gaze bored into mine the moment we were alone in the carriage. His arms were crossed, his jaw set tightly, and his presence filled the small space with a tension I couldn't ignore."You shouldn't have let Veryon train you," he said, his voice low but laced with frustration.I sighed, knowing this was coming. "Lucius, I didn't have a choice. He showed up and insisted. What was I supposed to do?""You were supposed to refuse," he snapped, leaning forward. "I'm your trainer, Kiara. No one else. It's my responsibility to ensure you're prepared."I frowned, the intensity of his words pressing against me. "Lucius, you can't always be there. If someone else can help me improve, why is that a problem?"His eyes darkened, and he clenched his fists. "Because it's not just about training. Veryon has ulterior motives. He's manipulative, and he'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. I can't trust him with you.""You think I trust him?" I shot back. "I don't, Lucius. But I'm n
The world around me felt like it was spinning, a dull throb pounding behind my eyes. My stomach churned violently, and I stumbled forward, clutching my abdomen. For the first time in my life, I was drunk, and it felt terrible. Was it because the alcohol had mixed with the exhaustion from my intense training? Or perhaps because I'd been coerced into drinking far more than I could handle?The murmurs of the crowd blurred together as my vision swam. I barely registered the looks of concern—or was it judgment?—from the people of Decresh gathered around me. My body betrayed me as a sudden, uncontrollable sensation overtook me, and I began to stool uncontrollably. The humiliation hit me like a tidal wave as the crowd shifted uncomfortably, their gazes turning to looks of pity or disgust."Elena!" I managed to croak, seeing her approach through the haze. She rushed to my side, her expression caught somewhere between panic and irritation. Chiara trailed behind her, her face scrunched in disco
The meeting room was suffocating, the tension palpable as I sat at the head of the table. My generals Asher, Kael, Michael, and Ryder stood before me, their faces lined with apprehension. Their unease was warranted; I wasn't in the mood for excuses."Asher, Ryder," I said, my tone cold and unforgiving, "you were supposed to enforce my commands, yet you allowed Veryon to train Kiara without my authorization."Ryder shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. Asher stepped forward, his voice low and apologetic. "Your Majesty, Veryon is a prince. His rank demanded our compliance. We had no choice but to obey."I clenched my jaw, the sharp edge of my anger threatening to spill over. "From this moment on," I said, my voice like steel, "you will obey no one but me. I don't care if it's Veryon, a prince, or even a god himself my word is law in Decresh."They nodded, murmuring their agreement, but I could see the tension in their eyes. They knew I wouldn't tolerate insubordination again.Before
The moment Veryon's smug grin appeared, I snapped. Rage burned through me like wildfire, and before I could think, my fist connected with his jaw. The force sent him stumbling backward, but his grin only widened, blood smearing his lips."That all you've got, brother?" he sneered.I didn't answer. Instead, I charged, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him into the wall. The impact cracked the plaster, but Veryon retaliated quickly, shoving me off with a grunt. His fist came flying, grazing my cheek and igniting my fury further."You think you can claim her?" I growled, barreling into him again, my shoulder hitting his chest. We crashed into a nearby table, the wood shattering beneath our weight."She's not yours to protect," Veryon spat as he scrambled to his feet. His hand grabbed a vase, and he hurled it toward me. I ducked just in time, the porcelain shattering against the wall behind me."You don't get to decide that!" I roared, grabbing him by the waist and throwing him into
Back to the spirits arc.The spirits stood together in a tense, darkened room, their forms a swirling mass of shadows, frustration simmering beneath their ethereal surfaces. They had just killed their third victim, but satisfaction quickly turned to frustration."God-damned," Wrath growled, his voice filled with anger. "This is the third person we've killed! We're not going to get ahead with our plans at this rate."Envy paced near the wall, his movements restless. "The thing is," he muttered, his tone edged with irritation, "we're wasting time. We've killed four people already, and we're still no closer to what we need. We need the perfect form to move forward. We can't go there in these shadowy spirit forms."Greed folded his arms, nodding. "A vessel. A perfect human body to hold," he said grimly.The spirits exchanged determined glances before dissolving into flickers of darkness, scattering in search of their goal. After an hour of relentless searching like dogs looking for bones.
Kiara's POVThe morning sunlight spilled softly through the curtains, rousing me from a restless sleep. My body felt heavy, weighed down by the memories of the day before. The pain of what Veryon had done still lingered, a fresh wound that refused to close.There was a knock on the door. "Come in," I called, my voice hoarse.Maidservant Tae entered, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She bowed slightly before speaking. "My lady, it's time to prepare for your training."I nodded and sat up, allowing her to guide me through my morning routine. Tae worked diligently, brushing out my long hair and securing it into a simple braid. Her hands moved deftly as she fastened the ties of my training robes."Thank you, Tae," I murmured, trying to muster a smile, though my heart wasn't in it."Of course, my lady," she replied softly, her gaze filled with quiet understanding.When I stepped out of my chambers and made my way to meet Lucius, my stomach churned. The silence between us was palpab
As soon as we returned to the palace, I rushed to my room without a backward glance. I didn't wait for Lucius to say anything, nor did I bother calling for Maidservant Tae to attend to me. My only goal was to shut myself away from everything—and everyone.But as I slammed the door shut, a sharp pang of unease settled in my chest. Tae wasn't there. She usually greeted me the moment I came back, fussing over me like a mother hen, asking about training, or bringing me something warm to drink. Her absence felt... odd.Still, I didn't have the energy to dwell on it. My mind was a mess, and if I let myself spiral down yet another rabbit hole, I'd never pull myself out. Instead, I went straight to the small stash I'd hidden behind the wardrobe—some leftover beer from Elena's party.I grabbed a bottle, popped it open, and made my way to the rooftop. The night air hit my skin like a balm, cool and bracing, but it did little to soothe the storm raging inside me.As I sat there, feet dangling ov
The tomb seemed to pulse with a chilling, oppressive energy, the air thick with the spirits' dark magic. Kiara, still in Nihil's unyielding grasp, struggled against the suffocating force. Her body was battered, her energy almost depleted, but there was something deep within her—a spark—flickering with the strength of the goddess she once was."Let me go," Kiara rasped, her voice barely a whisper, but the words carried a strength beyond her physical form.Nihil’s grip tightened. "You can’t escape, Kiara. You are nothing but a mortal now—nothing more than a pawn in this game."The spirits of sin circled around, as if waiting for the final blow, but Kiara was slipping into a trance. The world around her began to blur, the echoes of Nihil’s voice growing distant.Suddenly, the weight of the moment hit her like a tidal wave. She had been here before. This wasn’t just a fight against Nihil—it was a battle she had fought countless times in her past, in a time long forgotten.The memories sur
The air felt thick with tension as the group ventured deep into the heart of the forsaken woods. The search for Leon, the last surviving witch, had consumed their every waking moment. His anger was palpable—frustration burning within him as he sought revenge for the death of his race, his kin. But there was something deeper behind that fury. The promise of resurrection, of vengeance. He was more dangerous than ever now.The moon hung low, casting eerie shadows on the dark forest floor as the group approached an old, crumbling ruin. Elena’s heart raced as she felt the magic stirring around them—powerful, ancient, and alive. It was here that they would find him.With each step, Elena’s grip on her own power tightened. She was no longer just a bystander; she was a force to be reckoned with. Esther—her true self—burned within her, guiding her actions and her thoughts. But she also felt a familiar presence. Leon. He was close.“Are you sure this is where he is?” Kiara asked, her eyes darti
Kiara's POVThe invisible force held me in place, pressing down on my limbs, making it impossible to move. The blond man's grin widened as he stepped closer, his fingers twitching with power."Nice try, gorgeous," he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement. "But you're not going anywhere."I struggled, my body trembling as I tried to break free, but the magic was too strong, wrapping around me like a serpent tightening its grip.Then—a sudden crack.The blond man's smirk vanished, his body jerking forward as something slammed against the back of his head with a sickening thud.His eyes rolled back, and before he could react, he crashed onto the floor, unconscious.I gasped.A familiar voice rang out, light and teasing."Hello, gorgeous."My eyes snapped up.Elena.She stood behind him, a wooden club in her hand, her lips curved into a smirk. Her dark eyes shimmered with mischief, and a lock of her hair fell over her face as she tilted her head at me."Miss me?" she said, tossing t
Kiara’s POVThe invisible force held me in place, pressing down on my limbs, making it impossible to move. The blond man’s grin widened as he stepped closer, his fingers twitching with power.“Nice try, gorgeous,” he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement. “But you’re not going anywhere.”I struggled, my body trembling as I tried to break free, but the magic was too strong, wrapping around me like a serpent tightening its grip.Then—a sudden crack.The blond man’s smirk vanished, his body jerking forward as something slammed against the back of his head with a sickening thud.His eyes rolled back, and before he could react, he crashed onto the floor, unconscious.I gasped.A familiar voice rang out, light and teasing.“Hello, gorgeous.”My eyes snapped up.Elena.She stood behind him, a wooden club in her hand, her lips curved into a smirk. Her dark eyes shimmered with mischief, and a lock of her hair fell over her face as she tilted her head at me.“Miss me?” she said, tossing t
Kiara’s POVThe old man with silver-striped hair continued his rant, his voice firm, his gaze sharp. His presence was suffocating, overwhelming me as he spoke about things I couldn't understand.“You don’t even know who you are anymore,” he murmured, his voice tinged with pain.I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. This was madness.Before I could speak, the woman returned, holding the little girl in her arms. They stepped closer, and I felt the weight of all their stares pressing down on me.The woman’s eyes shimmered with something—relief? Grief? Desperation?Then she stepped forward, her expression softening.“I’m very sorry, my dear.”Her hand reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. It was such an intimate, motherly gesture, and for a split second, my heart ached for something I didn’t understand.“I’ve lost my daughter once,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I won’t do it again.”I stepped back, panic rising in my chest. “No. No, this isn’t ri
Kael, Ryder, and Asher were already circling the area, their movements synchronized as they continued the search.But I could feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. Every minute that passed felt like an eternity.“Lucius, she’s out there,” Elena said, her voice surprisingly softer than usual. “We’ll find her. We have to.”I nodded, but inside, the storm raged on. Every second felt like we were losing ground.“Keep looking!” I barked, more forcefully than I meant to. But it didn’t matter. We needed answers. And if I had to tear apart the entire forest to get them, then I would.The moonlight barely reached through the thick canopy above us as we pushed deeper into the woods. Time was running out, and I couldn’t afford to fail her.As we ventured further, the weight of the silence around us seemed to press in harder, almost as if the forest itself were holding its breath. Every step felt more like a descent into the unknown, and the air around us grew colder. The unease in my gut
Lucius’s POVToday marks the second day since Kiara went missing. The frustration bubbling inside me was barely contained, my patience wearing thinner with each passing second. I had ordered my generals to investigate the Dukes of Decresh, especially Grewald. That bastard had the audacity to threaten me about Kiara before. If anyone had a hand in her disappearance, I was willing to wager it was him.Right now, my men were working on forcing the truth out of him in the palace’s underground torture chamber. The room reeked of sweat, fear, and blood. Dim torches lined the walls, casting long, flickering shadows over the instruments of pain. Grewald was tied to an iron chair, his clothes torn and stained with blood. His once-proud expression was now twisted with pain, but despite it all, he still refused to talk.“Where is she?” My voice was eerily calm as I took slow steps towards him, my boots echoing in the cold chamber.Grewald groaned, his breath ragged. “I… I don’t know what you’re
Kiara's POV – The Truth UnfoldsThe room was silent, thick with an eerie familiarity I couldn't explain. My breath hitched as I took a small step back, my gaze darting between the four people before me. Their eyes held something I couldn't decipher—pain? Longing? Recognition?But how?My chest rose and fell rapidly. They had called me Athena. And now, this woman, with trembling hands and tear-filled eyes, had just called herself my mother.I shook my head. "No… No, that's not possible." My voice cracked.The woman's fingers tightened around my arm, her touch warm yet desperate. "We can't lose you again. We lost Athena once, and we will not lose you again."Her words made my blood freeze. My throat felt dry, and a dull ringing filled my ears.Again?"You came back home." Her voice was barely a whisper, yet it slammed into me like a tidal wave. "Can't you see? You can't even recognize your own mother?"Mother.I blinked rapidly, my mind screaming at me to make sense of this. "No," I bre
Kiara's POVMy lungs burned. My legs ached. But I didn't stop running.The trees loomed around me, their shadows twisting in the moonlight, casting eerie figures in the dark. The forest air was thick with damp earth and the sharp scent of pine, but beneath it all, I could feel them.Glutton and Envy were still behind me.I could hear Glutton's heavy footfalls—crushing everything in his path—the snap of twigs, the crunch of dead leaves. He wasn't trying to be quiet. He didn't need to be.Envy, on the other hand, was silent. Too silent. That was the part that terrified me.A low, cruel chuckle slithered through the trees.> "You're fast," Envy's voice came from somewhere behind me. "But not fast enough."Panic surged through me.I pushed forward, my body screaming in protest. My throat was dry, my breath ragged, but I knew what would happen if I stopped. They'd take me. And I didn't even want to think about what that meant.Then—Pain.A force slammed into my side, knocking me off my fe