Ray paused.
Then suddenly, his back began to shake.
"What in the world…?" Elena muttered under her breath as he began to laugh.
Not a light chuckle.
Full laughter.
She stared at him, completely cross. What exactly was so funny about her speech?
Ray wiped at his eyes before looking at her.
"I love your courage," he said, still fighting down laughter. "But I'm not going to allow you to go on a suicide mission."
"It is not a suicide mission!" Elena shot back immediately. "I strongly believe I can save Amber—"
"Strongly?" Ray asked, raising one eyebrow.
Elena hesitated.
"Okay… moderately."
Ray continued staring at her.
She exhaled dramatically.
"Fine. There might be a slim chance I can save Amber."
His amusement faded slightly.
"I'm not going to stand by and watch you get yourself killed, kid. I'm sorry. Please leave."
"No! I'm not leaving!" Elena exclaimed, almost jumping from her seat.
Ray's expression hardened.
"Look," she quickly added, lowering her voice. "I have something to tell you."
He studied her face, intrigued by the sudden shift in tone.
"Go on," he said slowly. "I'm listening."
Elena adjusted herself in the wooden chair, sitting straighter.
"Haven't any of you thought about curing the people who have been Marked?"
Ray's jaw tightened.
"You and I both know that is impossible."
He sighed heavily.
"It's hard enough to reason with them in their mad state. Their minds are twisted beyond recognition. They don't see anything except the goals they've set for themselves. They'll do whatever it takes to achieve them — disregarding human life entirely."
"Maybe if we could talk to them calmly—"
"You're forgetting that they are extremely prone to violence," Ray cut in sharply.
His voice grew colder.
"Please leave. There is no use having this conversation."
"Hold on!" Elena said hurriedly. "I just want you to see things from my point of view."
She leaned forward.
"Just listen one more time. After that, I'll leave."
Ray rubbed his temples before nodding reluctantly.
"Fine."
Elena drew in a slow breath.
"We need to start with their origin if we're going to stand a chance against this curse."
She paused, her gaze drifting toward the window.
A gentle breeze slipped through the slight opening, swaying the leaves outside. The night felt calm. Peaceful.
"Look outside," she said softly. "See how quiet and calm the wind is?"
Ray glanced toward the window, uncertain.
"During a storm, have you noticed how violent the wind becomes? It tears through houses. It destroys crops. It feels merciless."
Ray gave a small nod.
"Does that make you hate the wind?"
He paused, genuinely considering the question.
"I'll admit," he said slowly, "I would feel resentful. Especially if it destroyed my home or my harvest. But after a while… the resentment fades. And I'd appreciate it again on a hot night when its gentle rhythm cools my skin."
Elena's lips curved faintly.
"Exactly."
She turned back to him fully.
"Most of the Marked are being influenced by a pure evil entity — something that feeds on strong emotions. Injustice. Guilt. Revenge. Pain."
Her voice lowered.
"I may not know how the curse started in Valdemor. I may not understand everything about it. But there's one thing I'm sure of."
Ray watched her carefully.
"And what is that?"
"If they were Marked because of negative emotions… then there might be a way to make them see the wrong in their actions. Most of them aren't inherently evil. They're hurting."
Her hands clenched tightly in her lap as a memory surfaced.
"I remember when Amber went berserk," she whispered. "She knocked me down with her wind magic… but even then, I saw it. The regret in her eyes."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"The real Amber is still there. I can feel it. She was being controlled."
Ray hummed thoughtfully.
He stood from the bed and walked toward the window. The breeze tousled his hair as he stared at the crescent moon.
"You make a fine point, kid…"
"It's not 'kid.' My name is Elena," she corrected firmly.
Ray turned around.
For the first time since she entered the room, he looked her directly in the eye.
"Well then, Elena," he said slowly, "you've managed to catch my attention."
Her heart skipped.
"I'm going to help you. But you should know — this won't be easy."
Relief flooded her.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to save my friend."
Ray nodded.
"There's no point discussing this with only you. The young man from earlier — he came seeking the same thing. He wants to find your red-haired friend."
Elena's eyes widened.
Dante?
He came here for Amber too?
After everything she had said to him?
Her eyes glistened in the warm lamplight, and despite herself, a small smile appeared.
Ray noticed immediately.
"Are you two acquaintances?" he asked, lifting a brow.
"Um… yeah. H-he…" She hesitated, searching for a word.
Then she stopped pretending.
"He's my friend."
Ray chuckled.
"Your friendships are impressive. It's rare to find someone willing to risk everything for another."
Elena nodded, trying desperately to suppress her smile.
Ray's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"You might as well make a move on him. The guy is really handsome. It would be a shame if he got swept into the arms of another girl."
Elena's face flushed bright red.
"That's ridiculous! I don't care who Dante ends up with!" she snapped, flipping her hair in exaggerated defiance.
"Besides, he's an annoying jerk. I doubt any girl would willingly deal with that."
"Sure," Ray replied smoothly. "We'll go with that."
Elena groaned and smacked her palm against her forehead as they exited the room.
The atmosphere outside was… tense.
Ray's younger brother stood several steps away, visibly frightened of Lena.
Lena stood to the side, stealing cautious glances at Dante. Her eyes carried both curiosity and unease.
And Dante…
Dante was simply being Dante.
Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking effortlessly composed.
Like he hadn't moved an inch.
"No, Elena… stop saying nonsense," she muttered under her breath, trying to calm herself.
"Elena!! I'm so glad you're back!" Lena exclaimed, rushing toward her and wrapping her arms tightly around her neck.
Her movement was so quick it almost seemed distorted — like a ripple through space itself.
No one noticed.
No one except—
Dante.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He watched Lena carefully.
Behind him, the lone shadow on the wall shifted.
Not with the flicker of candlelight.
Not with movement.
But on its own.
Slowly.
Unnaturally.
****
A/N
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