But at that very moment— Snehwal pulled Lily's hand back with all his strength. The sword stopped just inches away from their necks. The wind from the blade jolted their hair— But the strike did not land.
Silence spread across the room. Lily's breathing had become rapid. Her fist was still tightly gripping the sword. "Why…?" she asked in a low but dangerous voice.
This question was not only for Snehwal—
It was for the decision… That was now about to change their future.
Then— in frustration, Lily stomped her foot on the ground so hard that even the stone floor trembled with faint cracks. The flames of anger were still blazing in her eyes. She looked at Snehwal with irritation… and immediately turned her face away, as if even listening to him was unacceptable to her.
Snehwal let out a soft sigh of regret. He slowly shook his head— as if some heavy decision inside him was hurting him as well. Then he stepped forward… and gently held Lily's hand. Lily did not resist— but her body was still filled with tension.
The very next moment— Snehwal pulled her toward himself… and embraced her firmly.
"I… don't want to kill them like this," he said in a slow but clear voice, "even if they have committed sins…"
For a brief moment, Lily's body froze within that embrace. Her grip tightened unconsciously— as if the pain inside her was struggling to come out. Resting her face against Snehwal's shoulder, she said with a heavy breath— "Why…?"
Her voice trembled— but the fire in it still remained. "In the last battle… Jury killed my sister…" Her fingers tightened even more. "She destroyed my entire clan… all because of her…"
Now the pain in her voice was fully audible— the pain that had been buried inside for years.
"Don't stop me…"
she almost whispered— "Let me kill them…"
Snehwal gently stroked her back and said in a calm voice— "No… with time, everything will be set right…"
He pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. "Blood in exchange for blood… never ends enmity, Lily…"
There was no preaching in his tone— only truth.
At that very moment— a faint… mocking laugh was heard from behind.
Jury.
She was still bound within the spiritual vines— but a sarcastic smile had spread across her lips. The laugh was small… but filled with poison. That alone— was enough. The fire in Lily's eyes ignited again.
She turned with lightning speed— and without wasting a single moment— drove her fist with full force into Jury's chest.
Thud!!!
The impact was so terrifying that Jury's body jerked backward violently. Blood immediately burst out from her mouth in a violent cough. Her breath halted— her eyes widened in pain.
For a moment— a dreadful silence filled the room. But Lily did not stop there— she was about to move forward again— when Snehwal ran forward and grabbed her hand from behind.
"Enough!" he said firmly.
He turned Lily toward himself— holding her shoulders with both hands. "Look at me…"
Lily's breathing was rapid— her chest rising and falling— tears and anger both shining in her eyes. "Calm down…" Snehwal said in a slow but deep voice.
There was such steady assurance in his voice— like a mountain standing in the middle of a storm. And in that moment— only two heartbeats could be heard in the room.
One— burning with rage. The other— trying to hold it back.
Then— Lily took a deep breath, as if forcefully controlling the storm rising within her. She slowly raised her hand… and made a slight gesture in the air.
In the very next moment— the mouths of both Jury and Lith sealed on their own. Small shining locks of spiritual energy appeared over their lips— as if an invisible power had imprisoned their voices.
They wanted to speak… wanted to scream… but now not even a single sound could escape from their throats. Lily cast one final cold glance toward them— then turned to Snehwal.
There was still a trace of anger in her voice—
"Fine… I leave them to you. Do whatever you want with them."
There was less trust in her words… and more responsibility.
Snehwal looked at her for a few moments— then slowly stepped forward and held her hand. He cupped Lily's palm gently with both of his hands— as if it were something fragile.
"I… will fix everything one day," he said in a slow but sincere voice. There was firm belief in his eyes— but behind that belief, the shadow of an uncertain future was also hidden. Lily looked at him— and the very next moment brushed the matter aside with a faint laugh. "I also have to fight in the competition tomorrow," she said, trying to sound normal,
"so… I should prepare for tomorrow."
She gently freed her hand— and turned to walk away. But even as she left— there was a slight restlessness in her steps. And Snehwal stood there, watching her go— The room still held two bound Yakshinis… And an unfinished justice remained.