Neve and Jessie exchanged a glance as Vanessa's boots crunched over the fractured stone. The endless night of Vrasnia pressed in around them, the purple moon glaring down like it had been watching the whole fight.
Neve stepped forward, hands half-raised in a placating gesture."Vanessa, wait— I was monitoring it. It was under control. Jessie and I were supervising—"
"Shut it."
The words cracked through the night like a whip. Vanessa's gaze cut into her, cold and unblinking."These ruins are off-limits. This is where Kazimir first collapsed, and the entire site is pulsing with Imaginary Essence. That means two things—one, it's dangerous. Two, Vrasnia is a peaceful place. You interrupt that peace again, and I'll personally throw you back to Earth to settle your little grudges there."
Her voice was a blade—precise, unyielding."And third—you said you were monitoring it? Look at Lihanna. Really look. She's bleeding and holding her ribs. That's your idea of 'under control'?"
Neve's mouth opened, but no words came.
Behind them, Gendai staggered to her feet, blood dripping from her lip. Her voice was raw."Get out of my way!"
Vanessa's head turned, her focus locking onto her like a predator scenting prey."Do you know who you're talking to?" Her tone was low but laced with venom. "Don't think you can address me like we're friends—like I'll just tuck my tail between my legs. You disgusting succubus."
Gendai's teeth bared. "You bitch—!"
The green energy began to gather in her palm, wrapping around her fist like living fire. She roared, stepping in with a killing blow—
—but Vanessa moved first.
One step, a blur of motion, and her boot slammed into the side of Gendai's skull. The sound was sickening, final. Gendai dropped like a marionette with its strings cut, hitting the dirt face-first.
Tyrone's breath caught. Kamaki swore under his breath. Even Raijin—usually unreadable—stared, wide-eyed.
Neve took an instinctive step toward Gendai's fallen form.
Vanessa's head tilted just enough for one purple eye to cut toward her, a glare sharp enough to freeze blood."Do you want to be next?"
Her eyes darkened into a deep, abyssal violet—Kazimir's Maw of the End gaze staring out from her own face. Every step she took left behind rippling, black void-like footprints that devoured the faint light.
The air turned heavy. Everyone felt it—like standing on the edge of a cliff in a storm, knowing one wrong step meant death.
She stopped a breath away from Neve."Vandors have no power here. And even if we were on Earth, that wouldn't change. So sit down, close your mouth, and understand—this world isn't yours to shape."
Her gaze slid to Jessie."And you. You should know better than to pitch an idea like this. Vrasnia's peace is earned, and its lands are beautiful. We have a low population—every loss cuts deep. And you?" Her lip curled. "You brought danger to our doorstep."
Vanessa turned on her heel, her coat flaring as she walked toward the vehicle. Without looking back, she called out,"You. Boy."
Raijin looked at Kamaki, bewildered. "Yo, bro… is she talking to me?"
Kamaki shrugged. "Sh— I don't know, gang, she lookin' at you though."
"Yes, I'm talking to you," Vanessa's voice cut through. "Pick that girl up. Bring her to the vehicle. I'm not finished with her yet."
Raijin obeyed, lifting Gendai's limp form.
Vanessa approached Lihanna, who was clutching her side while Tyrone held her steady."Don't move," Vanessa ordered.
Her power rose like a tide—black abyssal currents wrapping around Lihanna, lifting her gently from Tyrone's grip. The wounds looked ugly in the moonlight, but Vanessa carried her as if she weighed nothing.
Raijin and Kamaki exchanged a glance.
"She could've done that to Gendai too," Kamaki muttered.
"Maybe 'cause Gendai swung first," Raijin said, shifting Gendai's weight over his shoulder. "Or maybe… Vanessa's got her eye on Lihanna."
The Capital
The journey back to the capital was silent, the hum of the transport the only sound. When they arrived, the obsidian gates opened and the pale silver light of the palace spilled across the courtyard.
Vanessa led them inside. As the great doors opened, her voice carried through the vast hall:"We've returned."
Kazimir and Riah both turned from the dais. Without hesitation, Riah crossed the floor, her white flames blooming like ghostly petals in her palms. She laid her hands over Lihanna's and Gendai's wounds, the light seeping into torn flesh and cracked bone until the worst of the damage faded.
Gendai remained unconscious.
Vanessa's voice was calm but unyielding as she called to the guards."Take her. I have unfinished business with her."
Kazimir met her eyes. He said nothing.
The guards lifted Gendai and carried her out. The heavy doors closed behind them, leaving the hall in stillness, the purple moonlight bleeding through the high windows.