"What are these people?" Jericho whispered as he leaned closer to the hearing device linked to the hidden mic in the patient's room. The conversation he'd just overheard wasn't just strange—it was otherworldly. With a sharp twist of his wrist, he yanked the handbrake and accelerated down the road. "I need to get the CCTV footage. Now."
A blood-curdling scream pierced the silence, jolting Xyon from unconsciousness. His vision was blurred, the throb on the side of his head a reminder of the blow he had taken earlier. He blinked slowly, trying to process his surroundings.
The air was thick with smoke. Shadows danced in the flickering light of a bonfire. The place was eerie—almost dreamlike—but the pain anchoring him to reality was all too real.
"Where… is this place?" he muttered, still disoriented.
Looking down, he realized both his hands and feet were tightly bound. The ropes glowed faintly, as if alive, pulsing with an unnatural energy. Behind him, a girl's screams echoed into the void.
"Hey!" he called out, trying to turn his head. "What are you doing to her?!"
From the darkness stepped a familiar yet twisted face—Arnoux. He smirked like someone who enjoyed watching people squirm.
"So, you're awake," Arnoux said, his tone casual yet threatening. "Don't worry. You'll get your turn."
"Stop fighting, Sushie," said a voice that sent a chill down Xyon's spine. "You're only hurting yourself."
It was Xiao… or someone who looked like her.
"Shut up!" Sushie yelled defiantly from behind Xyon.
"Xiao…?" Xyon breathed. "Is that… really you?"
"She's not Xiao anymore," Sushie spat through clenched teeth. "She's someone… something else."
"What are you talking about? Why are we tied up like this? What crime did you commit?"
"Such a nuisance. Will you shut your mortal mouth?!" Arnoux growled.
"Mortal?" Xyon scoffed. "So, what are you then? An alien? A demon?"
"Silence!" Xiao snapped. "Let me concentrate."
She gripped Sushie's head with both hands, her eyes glowing faintly. Sushie screamed again, resisting whatever Xiao was trying to do.
"Stop trying!" Sushie shouted. "You'll never unlock its power!"
"Don't underestimate me," Xiao hissed.
Xyon struggled against his restraints, muscles straining. The ropes burned against his skin, magical in nature. He could feel it—no normal weapon would free him.
"Don't bother," Arnoux sneered. "A mortal like you can't break that. Not even steel can cut through it."
Sushie's body slumped suddenly, unconscious from the torment.
"Stop…" Xyon growled. "Don't touch her."
Hearing her name—Shiya—sparked something inside him. His anger surged.
"Don't you dare go near her!"
Arnoux laughed. "You can't even stand, yet you threaten us? How noble."
"So, you do know her," Xiao said as she knelt in front of him, her gaze piercing. "Interesting."
"Xiao… if you have any hatred towards Sushie or Shiya, don't do this," Xyon pleaded. "Whatever it is you want, I'll give it to you. Just don't stoop to this. This… this is evil."
Xiao stared at him for a moment—then burst into a soft giggle.
"You really don't understand, do you? You can't give me what I want. And I'm not Xiao. She already gave me her soul… and this body."
Xyon's heart dropped. "What…?"
Eriland…
Shiya's gaze followed Yon Zue across the training field. Ever since that kiss, he'd avoided eye contact, sidestepping conversations, and keeping his distance. Her heart clenched with every glance he stole but refused to hold.
"Yon Zue…" she whispered in her mind. "Why are you acting like this?"
"Sushie, it's my turn to train with you!" Trina said cheerfully, approaching with a wide grin. But Shiya wasn't paying attention.
Following Shiya's eyes, Trina spotted Yon Zue across the field. He noticed—and quickly approached, pretending nothing was wrong.
"Aren't you going to start the training?" he asked casually.
"I'm on it… but…" Trina looked between him and Shiya. Something was clearly off.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Shiya asked suddenly. Her voice cracked slightly, but her gaze was firm. It caught everyone's attention.
Yon Zue froze. Whispers swirled around them.
"Are they… lovers?" Jaya whispered to Sofia.
"I'm not sure… but it seems like it," Sofia replied.
"I'm not avoiding you," Yon Zue finally said with a forced smile. "I've just been busy. Do you need something?"
"Why did you kiss me?"
Silence.
"Why are you acting like it didn't happen?"
Yon Zue cleared his throat, eyes darting around.
"It was… nothing. A mistake. I'm sorry."
Shiya's heart shattered. She looked away, blinking back the tears. She nodded, smiled faintly, and stepped past him.
"I just wanted an answer. And don't do it again."
"Shiya…" he began, but she didn't wait.
"Trina, let's start."
Shiya wiped a tear quickly, then turned to Trina with new resolve.
"Don't mind me. Just give it all you've got."
"O…okay," Trina stammered.
Shin Fairy watched them from the side, concern in her eyes.
"You're a terrible liar," she said to Yon Zue.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"What's stopping you?"
"I can't involve myself with them."
"Them?"
"Prince Liu… and Sushie. They're engaged."
Shin Fairy's eyes widened. "What?!"
"It's political. A union between kingdoms. Sushie being in the castle, engaged to the prince—it's what the Queen wants."
"But are they… lovers?"
Yon Zue didn't answer.
"Don't let them marry," Shin Fairy said suddenly, surprising even herself.
"Why?" Yon Zue asked, puzzled.
"I need to talk to the Queen. Just… don't let them fall in love."
"Sushie!" Trina cried out.
Everyone turned toward the scream.
"You're bleeding… why didn't you dodge that?! I'm sorry!"
A spear arrow had struck Shiya in the side of her belly. She stumbled, blood soaking her tunic. Her vision blurred. Why was she bleeding? This wasn't supposed to happen. She was supposed to vanish back to the mortal realm before damage became real.
Yon Zue ran to help, but she pushed him away.
"I can do it… myself. You don't need to help me."
"Will you stop being stubborn?!" he shouted, frustration and fear in his voice.
Tears fell from her eyes as she tried to stand. She glanced at her hand—her body was beginning to fade again, piece by piece.
"I'm returning to the mortal world… but why am I bleeding this time?"
Xiao stared down at the unconscious girl—Shiya—lying motionless.
"Why can't I read you?" she whispered. "Why won't you wake up?"
She gritted her teeth, the stone glinting in her hand.
"The stone is already in my possession… but its power… I can't feel it."
She leaned closer, eyes cold. "Wake up and tell me what you did—or you'll die."