Auri edged out from Ethan's side.
She crept up to the rag doll, reached out one finger, and gently poked it on the head.
No reaction.
Auri poked it again.
The doll still lay there.
Auri didn't dare linger. She spun around and sprinted back to Ethan at top speed, hugging his leg and peeking out with only her eyes.
A wisp of gray fog suddenly seeped up from the ground.
Then more mist rose from cracks in the soil, spreading slowly across the forest floor around their feet.
It thickened fast.
In Seraphina's palm, Primordial Death Energy immediately churned.
Deep red slipped through her fingers, and the temperature and light around them dropped along with it.
Still daring to come back?
This fog clearly hadn't learned a thing.
Seraphina was about to strike again when Ethan coughed lightly.
"Ahem."
Not loud—just enough.
She stopped.
Ethan shook his head at her, a clear warning not to casually use Primordial Death Energy again.
Seraphina sighed and pulled the power back.
