Skyler burst through the trees like a blue flash, the ground cracking beneath his steps.
There was only one thought in his mind: reaching them before it was too late.
A scream tore through the air.
His pupils constricted, and he pushed himself faster.
And when he arrived—he stopped abruptly.
Villiam lay sprawled on the ground.
Thick black blood poured from his chest, sticky and heavy with stench… as if death itself had been rotting inside him for ages.
Lilithia was beside him, her hands trembling as she pressed against the wound in vain.
Skyler's body shook.
"…Villiam."
He dropped to his knees, clutching Villiam's cold hand.
"Open your eyes… listen to me!"
No response.
But inside Villiam's body, something stirred.
Hidden whispers gnawed at his consciousness—dark commands crushing his mind.
Your body is mine… obey.
His eyes snapped open.
They fixed on Lilithia—and his tongue moved against his will.
"…She did this."
Then he went still.
Lilithia froze.
"No—! I didn't do anything! Villiam, please!"
But Skyler was already on his feet.
Rage exploded.
"Filthy demon…"
He gripped his sword, blue aura igniting along his veins.
"You killed him!"
He raised the blade.
Its edge drew close to her neck—close enough for her skin to feel its icy presence.
A voice thundered through the clearing.
"STOOOOOP."
Skyler froze instantly.
He turned—then bowed his head.
"Commander Daemon."
Daemon advanced with steady steps. His gaze passed over Lilithia, then settled on the body.
He crouched, dipped his fingers into the black blood, and smelled it.
"…Damn."
He fell silent for a moment.
Then he raised his head and addressed them both.
"This is neither demonic blood nor an ordinary wound. This… is control blood."
Skyler gasped.
"A sorcerer?"
"And of a higher rank than we usually face."
Lilithia looked between them, her voice breaking.
"What does that mean? Will… will he die?"
Daemon replied without lifting his gaze.
"The sorcerer implanted something inside his heart. He was trying to reach the stone."
Lilithia trembled.
She pulled the black stone from her pocket.
"This stone? But it doesn't even move—"
Skyler's eyes hardened.
"Silence! You don't understand anything!"
Daemon raised his hand.
"Enough."
Then he turned to Lilithia.
"You will come with us. The stone has chosen you, and that alone is enough to sentence you to death… unless we can prove your innocence."
She swallowed hard.
"Who… are you?" she whispered.
"We are the Drakhaens."
He paused.
"We are neither human nor demon. We are ancient beings, descendants of dragons… though we are not full dragons."
His gaze shifted to Villiam.
"And he… is one of us."
Skyler stepped forward.
"We are the guardians of humanity… against sorcerers who consume hearts."
"Hearts…?" Lilithia murmured.
Skyler answered coldly.
"Some humans are born with coins inside their hearts. Sorcerers hunt them… because those coins grant power."
Daemon pulled out a small green square.
"Each color… has its price."
Lilithia looked at Villiam.
She knelt beside him and whispered,
"I won't leave you… I swear."
Skyler let out a grim, mocking laugh.
"If we don't find him… you'll burn first."
Silence fell.
Except for the black stone its pulse quickened, as if something had awakened.
© 2026 Lobna. All rights reserved.
-To be continued...-