Maya's Point of View
Seraphine II pauses for a moment, as if listening to a distant voice. She begins murmuring to herself in the corner. Then she stops and turns toward Maya.
Seraphine – She has ordered your end. Unfortunately, you will not leave this place alive.
A smile curls across her lips as she conjures a Dark Nexus. Maya finds herself engulfed in a thick black mist that coils around her, gripping her violently.
Seraphine – It's almost funny how far you went. Annora gave you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Very few in this world have ever had that chance. And still… she looked at you and saw potential. What a waste!!!
Maya clenches her fists in resistance. Part of the mist begins to dissolve.
Maya – It's easy to talk about destiny when yours wasn't stolen from you.
Then she hears Beatrice's voice.
Beatrice – Maya… now you can use it. Use your true power.
At that moment, Maya feels something unfamiliar—an emptiness. As if all the voices she had heard her entire life were suddenly gone. Silence. Total silence. For the first time, only her own inner voice remains.
On instinct, she opens her hands. They begin to glow with a pale blue light.
Maya – Spectral Aegis.
The mist around her vanishes completely. She stands free.
Seraphine recoils in shock.
Seraphine – That's impossible! Annora said you were incapable of using magic—and now she's helping you?
Maya – I would never ask that lunatic for help.
Enraged by the insult, Seraphine raises both hands.
Seraphine – Spectral Tempest!
Black lightning bursts from her palms, slashing across Maya's body again and again. Maya feels the strikes—but wherever the lightning touches her, faint pale-blue sparks flare in defense.
Maya – I'll make you pay. You and Annora, that wretched witch.
Amid the assault, Maya raises her hand and chants:
Maya – Chains of the Black Veil.
Two dark chains coil around her arms, wrapping past her hands. She grips them like weapons.
Seraphine – That power belongs exclusively to Annora… Why is she helping you?
Maya lashes the chains like whips. They carve shallow cuts across Seraphine's skin—small, almost harmless wounds.
Seraphine laughs.
Seraphine – All this for a cheap imitation of her power? Pathetic. Useless.
She snaps her fingers. A dense mist floods the room.
Seraphine – Now you'll feel true pain.
Maya feels her vitality draining, as if something inside her is dying. Or perhaps… it is her. A crushing, unbearable agony overtakes her. This is the pain of death. This is the fear of death.
She collapses, unconscious.
---
Gregor's Point of View
Gregor and the others sprint toward the hideout, driven by a fierce instinct to protect—to prevent a terrible injustice. At the front runs Kalai, Alicia's father, still a stranger in many ways.
Kalai clears the path effortlessly, defeating every Blood Crows clan member who dares to stand before him.
They approach an abandoned structure hidden deep within the forest, beside a vast lake. Kalai stops.
Kalai – Your friend is inside. I can't interfere further. But I'm certain you have what it takes to overcome whatever awaits you in there.
He tips his white cap slightly, his gaze serious. Gregor understands without needing words. Something greater than anything they have ever faced is unfolding.
Gregor turns to the group, determination blazing in his eyes.
Gregor – Kalai entrusted us with Maya's life. He believes in us. And so do I. Valeria and Violet do too. We're doing this for them. For Maya. For every person this cursed sect kidnapped, tortured—or worse.
He extends his fist into the center.
Gregor – Let's liberate KeySands.
One by one, they stack their fists atop his.
All – FOR MAYA!!
---
Maya's Point of View
Seraphine raises her hand.
Seraphine – Lux Vitalis.
She approaches Maya's unconscious body with a pleased smile.
Seraphine – It was inevitable. I still don't know how you managed to use Annora's power. But as she always says… it doesn't matter. She will win regardless.
She summons the Dark Nexus once more. Black mist coils around Maya's body and lifts her into the air.
Seraphine – I wish you were awake to see the light fade from your eyes.
Suddenly, distant sounds of battle echo through the chamber. Seraphine pauses.
Seraphine – Oh? It seems we have company. I didn't invite anyone to our little party. Are these your guests? How delightful it would be for your friends to watch you die.
A side door bursts open. Gregor charges in and sees Maya suspended midair.
Seraphine – Hello, darling.
Gregor – Put her down. Now!
He turns instinctively.
Gregor – She's here!
Seraphine – It's rude to enter someone else's home without greeting the host.
She unleashes Spectral Tempest at Gregor. Black lightning tears into his dark skin.
Mandy vaults over him, brass knuckles gleaming. She lands a powerful punch squarely on Seraphine's face. The impact is real—pain flashes across Seraphine's expression. The spell holding Maya shatters, and Maya falls.
Seraphine glares at Mandy with pure hatred.
Seraphine – COW! As I said, it's rude to enter without introducing yourself. And now you've made a terrible first impression.
She snaps her fingers. Mist engulfs Mandy, who screams in agony.
Khawlah rushes in, sees Maya unconscious, Mandy screaming behind her. She kneels beside Maya and places a hand over her.
Khawlah – Ethereal Surgery.
Khawlah – She'll stabilize… I just need time.
Albert enters, flute in hand. A calm melody flows through the room, easing the miasma's grip.
Seraphine scoffs.
Seraphine – A soundtrack too? How charming.
Estela joins, playing her ocarina. Mandy begins resisting the mist.
Gregor grins and dashes forward, landing another punch in the exact same spot Mandy struck.
Gregor – Feel that?
Seraphine's expression darkens with genuine fury.
Seraphine – You are all insufferably ill-mannered. I've grown tired of you.
She removes a small white flower from her coat pocket, places it in her mouth, chews lightly.
Seraphine – Breath of the Void.
An immense weight crushes down on everyone.
She looks at Gregor.
Seraphine – Your turn.
She snaps her fingers. Mist engulfs him. He screams in unbearable pain.
Meanwhile, Khawlah casts Ethereal Surgery again.
Maya's eyes snap open instantly.
Maya – Khawlah? You? What are you doing here? You look exhausted…
Khawlah – We came to rescue you. All of us.
Maya looks around. Albert and Estela playing. Gregor and Mandy trapped in mist.
Maya – Thank you… my friends.
She rises and shouts:
Maya – Your fight is with me!
Seraphine looks at her in shock, then at Khawlah in disdain.
Seraphine – A healer.
Albert shifts to a lively, powerful melody. A golden aura envelops Maya. She smiles at him; he nods without missing a note.
Maya extends her hand, chanting incomprehensible words.
The mist surrounding Gregor and Mandy, along with the darkness filling the chamber, gathers beside her hand—condensing into a black sword.
Seraphine's face drains of color. Terror. The air grows heavier still, as if the blade itself bends gravity.
Maya steps forward. Seraphine does not move. She does not run.
With Estela's Sonata of Destiny echoing through the chamber, Maya swings.
Seraphine collapses unconscious.
Maya falls beside her.
All – MAYA!!!
---
Alicia's Point of View
Alicia – How will this ritual work?
Prof. Louis – It's harder to explain than it seems. But since I'm an exceptionally competent professor, I'll try another approach.
Think of Annora as an almost infinite power generator. You, Maya, Violet, and the others are smaller generators producing normal energy like anyone else. But as children, you were connected to Annora's network. That's why you developed enhanced attributes—near-endless energy. However, along with that power, she also sends traumatic memories. She might appear charming… but she is not.
They arrive at Valeria's house.
Valeria – Elliot?
Prof. Louis – Good to see you too, Valeria.
Valeria – Get inside. It's not safe out there.
Inside, the furniture has been pushed aside, leaving a wide empty space. Violet and Fionna lie unconscious on stretchers.
Prof. Louis – Did you get everything I asked for?
Valeria – Please. I always do.
Alicia – Why do you call Professor Louis "Elliot"?
Valeria – That's his name.
Prof. Louis – My full name is Louis Elliot Bryant. When I first met your parents and Valeria, I introduced myself as Elliot.
Valeria – Tell her why.
Prof. Louis – I thought everyone at KeySands was an imperial spy.
Valeria laughs.
Rebecca – Those were simpler times.
Jheysi approaches Violet.
Valeria stiffens, remembering what lies ahead.
Valeria – Let's get this over with.
She begins preparing herbs and vials. Louis assists her.
Rebecca approaches Alicia.
Rebecca – I wanted to catch up… but I don't even know where to begin.
Alicia notices her mother's exhaustion.
Alicia – A lot happened. Something reminded me of the past…
Rebecca – What?
Alicia – Remember when we lived with Grandpa and Grandma, and you loved making Semla?
Rebecca smiles.
Rebecca – You'd make such a mess kneading the dough.
Alicia – At the institute, I asked the cafeteria chef to make some.
Rebecca – The chefs at KeySands are gifted.
Alicia – But honestly? I prefer ours. They follow recipes perfectly. We made it our way.
Rebecca – Like when you tried to invent the Supreme Semla?
Alicia laughs. Rebecca hugs her tightly.
Rebecca – The first thing we'll do after this is visit your grandmother.
Alicia – And I'm bringing Violet.
Rebecca – She'll adore your friends.
Valeria – Elliot? Everything's ready.
Prof. Louis – Enough for four. I'll prepare one more for Maya—they should send her any moment now.
Ding… Dong… Ding… Dong…
The doorbell rings.
Valeria – I didn't invite anyone.
Prof. Louis – Everyone to the back. Take Fionna and Violet.
Valeria? Too old to fight—or still remember the academy?
Valeria – I'm thirty-one, you idiot. I can still knock you flat.
Prof. Louis – I'm counting on it.
Professor Louis walks slowly toward the door… and opens it.
[To be continued…]