Yuyan nodded and continued softly, "Yes… vampires are descendants of the devils. They carry a trace of that dark fire in their blood."
Mei leaned forward, eyes wide. "What about witches then?" she asked, eager to understand.
"The witches," Yuyan said, "were once human. But some were possessed by demons who bewitched their hearts. Through them, the devil found a way to live among men, to spread corruption and lead people astray."
Mei nodded slowly, thinking deeply. "So… the devil and his followers, both demons and the humans who obey them, will go to hell, right?"
Yuyan smiled gently. "Just as there are disbelievers among humans, there are also among vampires and witches. The difference is that all beings, human, witch, or vampire have the power to choose between good and evil."
Mei sighed and nodded again, her heart heavy. "Do your soul also leave your body when you sleep?" she asked softly.
"No," Yuyan said truthfully. "I have control over my power. I can go where I wish when I wish."
Mei lowered her head, her voice trembling. "What about Leng Yue…?"
Before Yuyan could answer, a dry, mocking laugh echoed through the forest.
"Well, well, well," a voice sneered, "look who we have here, the witch princess herself. You look as beautiful as they said."
Yuyan turned sharply. Three women stood not far from them, their eyes glowing faintly red. Instinctively, Yuyan stepped in front of Mei, shielding her.
These are not born witches, Yuyan thought. They're possessed.
But something was wrong. Possessed witches were supposed to be powerless during the day, yet she could feel the heat of their dark energy. Ji Woo… she realized. She's found a way to make witches who can fight me even under sunlight.
"May you live long, our princess," one of them said, bowing mockingly.
Yuyan smirked. "Ji Woo really knows how to keep herself busy."
Before she could finish, a flash of lightning burst from the witch's hand. Yuyan reacted instantly, raising her palm, her spell barrier flared and blocked the strike. The air shook with power.
The witches spread out, chanting dark words. The trees bent as shadows rose from the ground like smoke. Mei gasped and clung to a tree, her heart pounding.
"Stay back!" Yuyan warned.
She lifted her hand, the earth trembled, golden runes glowing beneath her feet. The witches attacked together, sending waves of dark energy at her. Yuyan's light magic met theirs with a blinding clash of gold and black.
One witch tried to circle behind her. Yuyan spun gracefully and struck her chest with a burst of pure flame, the woman screamed as her body turned to ash.
The second witch lunged forward, summoning spears of darkness. Yuyan raised both hands, summoning a wall of fire that swallowed the attack and then the witch herself. Her shriek echoed before vanishing into smoke.
The last witch hesitated, fear flickering in her eyes. "You can't kill all of us—Ji Woo will—"
"Then let her come," Yuyan said coldly, her eyes glowing like molten gold.
She drew a symbol in the air, and a beam of light shot forward, piercing the witch's chest. The woman let out a final cry before dissolving into dust, leaving the scent of burnt air behind.
The forest was still again. Only the sound of burning leaves whispered through the air. Ash floated down like black snow, settling on Yuyan's hair and shoulders.
Mei stood frozen, her wide eyes fixed on the place where the witches had vanished into nothing. "Yuyan…" she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. "You...killed them."
Yuyan lowered her hand slowly, the last spark fading from her fingertips. "They left me no choice," she said softly, her tone calm but her heart still racing beneath her chest. "If I had spared them, they would have hunted us again."
Mei said nothing. Her hands were shaking as she tried to steady herself. "I've never seen… something like that before," she murmured. "You… you looked like a goddess."
Yuyan gave a small, tired smile. "And yet even a goddess bleeds when cut," she said quietly, turning to lead the way back. "Let's go home before night falls."
---
By the time they returned to Yuyan's palace, the sky was fading into gold and purple. Servants greeted them at the gate, but one look from Yuyan told them to remain silent. She led Mei to her room, ordered tea, and dismissed everyone else.
"Sit," Yuyan said gently.
Mei obeyed, though her face was pale. Her arms trembled as she tried to lift the cup of tea. Yuyan noticed it, and the faint black line curling around Mei's wrist.
"Mei," she said slowly, "what happened to your arm?"
Mei blinked, confused. "My arm?" She looked down, and gasped. A faint mark, dark as smoke, had appeared just above her wrist, pulsing faintly with light like a heartbeat.
"I–I don't know!" she stammered. "It wasn't there before. Maybe it's from the fight, or—"
But Yuyan's face had already gone still. "No," she said, her voice low. "That's no wound."
She reached forward and gently took Mei's hand. The moment her fingers touched the mark, Yuyan felt it, a dark pulse, alive and cold. It sent a shock through her arm.
Mei winced. "Yuyan, what's happening to me?"
Yuyan's brows furrowed. "One of the witches touched you. That's not an injury, it's a curse."
Mei's eyes widened. "A curse? No… no, please…"
Her breathing quickened. She clutched her arm as if she could pull the darkness out herself. "Am I going to become like them?" she cried.
Yuyan shook her head firmly and cupped her face. "Look at me. You won't. I won't let that happen."
Tears welled in Mei's eyes. "But it hurts," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It feels like something's crawling under my skin…"
The dark mark spread slightly, creeping up her arm like ink. Yuyan's heart clenched.
She whispered an ancient spell, her hands glowing with golden light. But when she pressed her palm against the mark, the light flickered and dimmed. The curse resisted her.
"It's Ji Woo's blood," Yuyan muttered in disbelief. "She's bound her magic to it. I can't break it alone."
Mei's eyes filled with tears. "Then… who can?"
Yuyan hesitated. Her lips parted, but no sound came. Finally, she whispered the only name that came to mind.
"Leng Yue."
Mei froze. "Leng Yue?"
Yuyan nodded slowly. "Only his blood can counter Ji Woo's magic. But…" She looked away, her eyes heavy with worry. "He travelled. I don't know where he actually travelled to"
Mei's tears fell silently. "Then I'm… doomed?"
Yuyan pulled her close, holding her tightly. "Never say that," she whispered. "As long as I breathe, I'll find him, and I'll save you."