Just then, the door opened with a faint echo, and Morgana strode back into the room. She was followed by three Orc women, their faces drained of colour, shoulders tight with fear, eyes darting between the floor and Mary as if waiting for some invisible axe to fall.
"Tell her the truth," Morgana commanded.
The three Orc women exchanged a desperate look before stepping forward, voices trembling as they began to explain their situation to Mary.
Mary listened in silence, her eyes sharp, humming now and then, the tilt of her head betraying nothing. When they finished, she asked, "So itâs all just a coincidence?" Her gaze flickered as her eyes glowed dangerously.
Suddenly, the three women seemed to lose what little strength remained; the life faded from their eyes.
They nodded quickly, repeating the same explanation, again and again...
Mary regarded them for a moment. Finally, she nodded and waved her hand in a curt gesture. The three Orc women bowed and hurriedly left the room, relief and terror mixing in every step.
Victor let out a low, self-assured chuckle. "See... everything is just a coincidence."
Mary hummed softly.
Morgana cut in sharply, "What about checking her?" She pointed straight at Nightfire.
Nightfireâs heart pounded. If they used charm on her, everything she knew would spill out.
They fucked up!
Victor just said, "Do you really think I would let you do as you wish?" His eyes burned. "She is my woman. If you dare to manipulate herâif you even tryâI promise, you will witness the wrath of the dragons. And this time... itâs you whoâll bring war to your own door."
Mary and Morgana exchanged a glance.
"Still... why did she get past the guards?" Morgana pressed, "What reason could she possibly have to risk everything just to get through? What was strong enough to drive her?" She stared at Nightfire.
Victor looked at Mary as he asked, "What would you do if you saw a squadron of armed soldiers guarding a path, acting like theyâre hiding something important?"
Mary blinked, "Me? Obviously, Iâd kill them and push past. I want to know what secrets theyâre keeping." She grinned, fierce and proud, as if daring anyone to challenge her. "Why even ask?"
Victor nodded, giving Morgana a sidelong glance. She glared back at her older sister.
Victorâs lips curled into a faint, "Well then, if thatâs all, Iâll take my leave." He rose from his chair, straightening his jacket.
Just then, Mary slid a thick parchment across the table.
Victor frowned, picking it up and scanning the contents. His eyes widened at what he read.
"Do you honestly think I would not honour my word? I am the Dragon Emperor." His voice was low, edged with surprise. He hadnât expected them to formalise the deal in writing, let alone sign it in the names of both Arcaen and Mother.
It seemed excessive, even absurd!!
"I believe in agreements," Mary replied.
Victor shrugged, then signed the document. In one swift motion, Mary tossed Nightfireâs Origin Card across the table to her.
"From this moment on, you are not a citizen of my Empire any longer," she declared.
Nightfire flinched, forced a thin, awkward smile, her fingers trembling as she picked up the card.
Victorâs gaze lingered on Mary.
"What? I cannot have anything connected to you, right~?" she teased, voice edged with sly amusement, one eyebrow arched as if she already knew the answer.
Victor shook his head, "What about the Blooddawn?" he asked, "Sheâll need it when that time comes."
Morganaâs lips curled, about to hurl a harsh rejection, but Mary raised her hand, "As long as you inform me personallyâand you pay the price I demandâI will allow her to stay for the duration," she said.
Victor hummed, nodding slowly, "Very well, then. Weâll meet again," he said, already turning away.
With barely a backward glance, he strode from the chamber, following Nightfireâwho had darted from the room the instant she seized her Origin Card, not waiting for permission or farewell.
Mary and Morgana watched him disappear. The door had barely shut before Morgana clenched her fists, eyes narrowed in fury. "Fuck that bastard! I know that bitch was spying on us! Big sister, why did you let him go? And that little traitor who tricked her way into our secret place!"
Maryâs eyes cooled to an icy calm, "Staying one step ahead in this game means more than punishing a single trespass. Victory goes to those who plan, not those who react."
Morgana glared, breath heavy, then let out a long sigh and shook her head. "Did you get anything out of him at least? Any slip?"
Mary instantly dropped her composure, pouting as if the answer wounded her pride.
"Heâs impossible! Always on guard, never dropping his mask." She groaned, pulling a recording orb from her lap.
She had been recording their conversation, but he was always on guard so that she wouldnât get what she wanted.
Morgana clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Meanwhile,
Victor and Nightfire made their way through the winding halls outside the cabin,
Nightfire frowned, "Does she know who youâ" she started, but Victorâs glare stopped her cold. Nightfire shrank back, "W-What did I say?"
"Donât ever speak about me in front of her," he said quietly, each word a warning. He flicked his wrist, and a recording orb shimmered into his palm.
"Sheâs as guarded as I am. Everything we say could become a weapon." He clicked his tongue in frustration.
He had been recording their conversation, but she was always on guard!
Nightfire blinked, then stared at Victor, "You know... I think you two might be made for each other," she said suddenly, a sly smile pulling at her lips.
Victor frowned, caught off guard. "What?"
Nightfire laughed, "I mean, youâre both have your screws loose around~" She stuck her tongue out and darted ahead, giggling as she leapt forward down the hallway.
"You little troublemakerâ" Victor called after her, an amused grin spreading across his face. Just as he caught up, the two of them nearly collided with someone stepping from around the corner... Lia.
Liaâs eyes widened in surprise when she saw Victor. With a breathless grace, she bowed her head.
"Welcome, Dragon Emperor."
Victor gave her a curt nod.
Lia straightened, composing herself. "May I know what brings youâ" she began, but Victor had already taken Nightfire by the wrist and was ushering her away without explanation.
Lia watched them disappear, her cheeks colouring in embarrassment at the abruptness. "M-Maybe heâs just busy," she murmured, flustered, before gathering herself and heading toward her motherâs chambers.
Lia pushed open the door to Maryâs room, "Mom? What was he doing hereâ?"
"My darling!" Mary practically leapt from her chair, arms outstretched. She pulled her daughter into a fierce hug, nuzzling her cheeks and inhaling the familiar scent sheâd missed, even in the short time apart.
"Mom, stop! Youâre embarrassing me," Lia protested, but laughter spilled from her lips as Mary continued.
"You only left the house a few minutes ago, you know... ahaha..."
Morgana watched them, a faintly amused expression flickering across her face. She let her eyes drift back to the shimmering dome.
Meanwhile, Victor and Nightfire stood together before the dome, their faces tense as they watched the patrols thicken.
It was clear that Morgana doubled the outer patrols, raised new magical barriers.
Victorâs gaze remained locked on the dome, his eyes reflecting the swirling enchantments dancing across its surface.
"I am... sorry," Nightfire muttered, voice barely above a whisper and thick with guilt.
If only she had managed to slip into the dome quietly, she thought. If sheâd been stronger, if sheâd had just a little more power, everything would have gone smoothly.
Victor wouldnât have had to risk so much on her behalf.
Victor stood quietly. At last, he let out a small, quiet laugh and shook his head,
"No, Nightfire. You did everything you could. Iâll never demand more from you than youâre able to give," he said softly.
He leaned down, pressing a warm kiss to her forehead, his hand brushing the hair from her face. "Honestly, Iâm just grateful you called me when you did. If you hadnât, I canât even imagine what wouldâve happened. I donât ever want to lose you."
Nightfire managed a small, shaky smile, searching his face for any sign of disappointment. "So... youâre not angry at me?" she asked.
Victor grinned, "Of course Iâm not angry, you little fool. How could I ever be mad at you when you look this adorable~?" he teased.
Nightfire released a breath she didnât realise she was holding, a gentle smile returning to her lips. She glanced down, studying her trembling hands.
"Still... Iâm not strong like the others. I feel like Iâm always struggling just to keep up."
Victor watched her.... she nearly slipped away from the hordes of guards and even withstood Maryâs deadly punch.
âAre you really sure youâre not strong?â he wondered, an amused, proud glint in his eyes. He squeezed her hips suddenly, catching her by surpriseâNightfire gasped, blushing, but before she could react, Victorâs magic flared. Shadows coiled around them, the world twisting, and in the next instant, he teleported them both safely back to the heart of their Empire.
Meanwhile, back inside the dome, two guards stopped short at the sight of a cloaked figure slumped against the cold metal container.
"Hey, you! Wake up!" the first guard barked, but there was no response.
The second guard, face twisted in annoyance, kicked the body hard. "How dare this bastard lie around sleeping while all hellâs breaking loose out here!" he snapped, giving another forceful shove.
Gasp!
Both guards recoiled in horror as the cloak slipped away. Beneath the fabric was the shrivelled corpse of one of the inner dome guards.
The body was desiccated, skin drawn tight over bones, looking less like a man than a dried, hollow mummyâlike something had devoured him from within, leaving only a shell behind.
But the head... it was grotesquely swollen, bulging grotesquely as if the brain inside had grown and pushed against the bone. Veins pulsed beneath the stretched, nearly transparent skin, and thick, foul-smelling pus seeped from cracks around the skull.
The guardâs empty eyes gaped into nothingness. From one socket, something writhedâa slick, pale worm, twisting and crawling.
"Fuck!!" one of the guards screamed, stumbling back.
What could have done this?
He looked like a living nightmare!!