In a world where justice is measured by the scale of power… mercy has no place.
There, where faces fade and memories vanish, a different kind of judgment is born… one that hears no pleas and sees no tears.
Every soul taken… leaves a mark.
And every power gained… takes something in return.
But what happens when the price is the self?
And what remains… when the faces begin to disappear?
Chapter 12: The Distorted Faces
When Alviran finished absorbing all the souls of the black market traders, a heavy silence fell over the place… a silence that didn't feel natural, as if the souls themselves were watching what had just happened.
Alviran stood among the bodies, her breathing unsteady, her chest rising and falling slowly, while the remnants of dark energy faded around her like faint smoke.
Beside her, Alindra watched with clear concern, but she said nothing.
After a few moments, they moved toward the cells.
Alviran reached the first cell… she placed her hand on the iron lock. It was cold and hard, then she gripped it tightly.
The lock broke.
The chains followed.
The sound of metal shattering echoed through the place, making the slaves inside step back in fear.
Their eyes were filled with terror… not of the chains, but of her.
They looked at Alviran as if they were seeing a monster from hell.
Yet… she treated them gently.
In a low voice, free of cruelty:
"You are free."
They couldn't believe it.
How could the same person they saw moments ago… pulling souls without mercy… now stand before them like this?
They continued freeing the rest of the cells.
One after another.
Until everything was done.
Suddenly…
Alviran collapsed to the ground.
Her body trembled, and she bent forward, coughing violently… a harsh, repeated cough, as if something was trying to escape from inside her.
"Cough… cough… cough…!"
Until…
She vomited blood.
Alindra froze for a second… then rushed toward her.
"Hold on, Alviran! Please, hold on!"
She supported her from behind, trying to steady her, but the coughing continued… painful and relentless… until it slowly weakened.
After it stopped, Alindra gave her some water.
Alviran held the cup with a trembling hand… and drank.
Slowly.
Then she raised her gaze toward Alindra…
And stopped.
She stared at her face.
For longer than necessary.
"What happened to your face?"
Alindra replied quickly:
"Nothing happened to my face."
At that moment…
A voice whispered into Alviran's ear.
Calm… yet terrifying.
"Didn't I tell you… power comes at a heavy price?"
Narifala.
Alviran's eyes widened slightly… then she whispered:
"Then… there is no escape."
They left the market.
Night had already fallen, and the city seemed quiet… as if nothing had happened.
They entered a small inn.
Alviran threw herself onto the bed immediately… her body completely exhausted, as if she hadn't slept for five continuous days.
She closed her eyes.
But sleep… was not peaceful.
It was restless.
Filled with shadows… and faces… fading before they could become clear.
She woke up shortly after.
She couldn't fall asleep again.
With the morning light, they went out again.
The air was cold, but Alviran didn't care.
She said calmly:
"The faces are starting to fade from my memory… be my eyes, Alindra, and guide me to the corrupt so I can absorb them."
Alindra stopped, looking at her in shock.
"Why are the faces fading from your memory?"
Alviran replied:
"It's because of absorbing the souls."
Tears gathered in Alindra's eyes… and fell.
"Then why are you continuing at the cost of yourself? You can leave the kingdom and live somewhere else."
Alviran was silent for a moment…
Then she said, in a steady tone:
"How can I leave the innocent to die while I do nothing? Do you want me to betray my justice… or betray my principles? Even if it means my death… I am determined to uproot the corruption from this kingdom."
Night fell again.
The voices faded.
The entire kingdom fell asleep…
But something else awakened.
Dark justice.
Alviran and Alindra stood before the house of the king's advisor.
A man… the second most corrupt after the king.
Alviran stepped forward.
She knocked on the door.
Once.
Twice.
No response.
Her expression changed.
Her patience began to fade.
She raised her hand…
And struck the door with force.
It shattered.
Inside, the advisor and his wife woke up from the noise.
They rushed down in fear and confusion…
Until they saw them.
He froze in place.
"A-Alviran?! Aren't you supposed to be dead?!"
She stepped forward.
"How can I die… without dragging you all to hell with me? I came to uproot you, heads of corruption."
His voice trembled:
"I have nothing to do with all of this! Everything was planned by the king!"
She replied coldly:
"Don't worry… the king will follow you to hell as well."
Black flowers began to appear behind her…
One… then another… then dozens.
They floated in the air slowly… as if they were alive.
A terrifying sight.
She waved her hand.
The flowers rushed forward… and seized him.
He screamed.
Behind him, his children were crying.
Running toward her.
"Please! Don't kill our father!"
She paused for a moment…
And looked at them.
A gaze…
Empty of mercy.
Cold.
"Your father does not deserve to live… because he is corrupt."
Then…
His soul was pulled out.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Until everything went silent.
Alindra said:
"Don't forget his wife too."
The wife collapsed to the ground, crawling toward her.
"Please! I didn't do anything! Please—"
A scream.
Short.
Then it ended.
The children were crying…
Their voices filled the place.
Alviran bent slightly…
Looked at them.
Then said:
"Justice shows no mercy."
She turned around.
Turned her back to them.
And walked away.
The crying was not enough…
And innocence was no shield to protect its owners.
That night, it wasn't only a family that died…
Something else faded, silently, within Alviran.
Something she did not scream for…
Something she did not even notice losing…
Another face…
She will never remember again.