The grand double doors of the lavish chamber burst open, and silence swept the hall. From within stepped an old woman—slender, her body weakened by years, yet her eyes glowed with a sharp, almost otherworldly fire. Her very presence seemed to bend the air, commanding respect from all who looked upon her.
Rafael (hurrying forward, alarmed): "Granny… why have you come out? You're too weak. Please, return to your chamber, Granny Ava. The cold air isn't good for you."
Ava (her voice ringing with steel): "Weak? Do you call me weak, boy? Do not be fooled by this body. I am still the head of this family, and my word carries more weight than your swords and titles. And now—what is this disgrace before me? Who dared to strike my heir, the blood of my blood?"
Her gaze pierced through the hall, sharp as a blade, and all shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny.
Ballerina (hesitant, almost defensive): "Mother, please… do not raise your voice. Your strength is fading—you have but a few days left. Shouting will only shorten the time you have with us."
Ava's cane struck the marble floor with a resounding crack, and a faint shimmer of silver sparks rippled outward, unsettling even the guards.
Ava (furious, voice shaking with raw power): "You dare speak of my death while I yet breathe? I carried you ten months within me, endured every agony, and now you would bury me with words? Foolish girl. I am not fading—I am waiting. There is power still in these veins, older than you can comprehend. If only your father were here, he would remind you what bloodline you belong to…"
Her voice wavered, and for a moment, tears slipped down her wrinkled face. Yet even in her grief, the aura of her presence held strong—like a storm held barely in check.
Cedrick (stepping forward with a smile, trying to ease the heaviness): "My beautiful Granny is as young as a freshly bloomed flower. Right, Granny?"
Ava's lips twitched into a crooked smile, her sharpness softening for just a heartbeat.
Ava (mocking, yet full of warmth): "My dear puff… who dared lay hands on these plump cheeks, the very cheeks I kissed a thousand times? Show me, and I will lay a curse on them so heavy, they'll beg for the grave."
Cedrick flushed scarlet, embarrassed as laughter flickered in the hall—but everyone could sense it: beneath Ava's jest was no idle threat.
Then Alpha stepped forward, his voice heavy with both concern and suspicion.
Alpha (sternly): "Mother, you should be resting. You vanished to search for my brother's whereabouts. Tell me—did you sneak back through that cursed window again, or…" (he hesitated, eyes narrowing) "…have you regained your old powers of teleportation?"
The hall fell silent, every ear straining for her reply.
Ava's lips curled into a knowing smile, her eyes glimmering with secrets too dangerous to speak aloud.
Ava (quietly, but with a force that sent chills down their spines): "Some powers never die, my son. They merely wait… for the right time to awaken."
And with that, the hall seemed to grow colder, as though her very words had drawn the shadows closer.