Varyn's fangs were buried deep in John's neck.
Blood spilled freely, warm and dark, running down John's collar as his body convulsed. A strangled groan escaped his throat, his hands weakly pushing against Varyn's shoulders—but it was useless. His strength was gone, drained by the forbidden spell, by blood loss, by despair that had long since hollowed him out.
As Varyn fed, his form shifted.
The grotesque distortion receded, bones cracking softly as his body reshaped itself. In moments, he appeared closer to a teenager—tall, lean, unnervingly beautiful. Golden eyes gleamed in the dark, calm and predatory.
Kael froze for half a heartbeat.
Then he moved.
Without hesitation, Kael swung his blade toward Varyn, mana surging instinctively through his arm.
"Stop it!" Kael shouted. "He's already dying!"
Varyn twisted effortlessly, dragging John's limp body along the ground like an animal hauling its prey. Kael's strike cut only air, the force splitting the stone behind them.
John coughed violently, blood spraying from his lips. He clawed weakly at Varyn again, every movement slower than the last.
"Gh—stop…" John rasped.
Varyn did not even acknowledge him.
Elric, who had been forced to watch helplessly until now, leapt forward. Her bow snapped up, and an arrow streaked toward Varyn with lethal precision.
It missed.
No—Varyn had already moved.
"Elric—!" Kael raised his hand sharply. "Stop! You'll hit John!"
Elric gritted her teeth and halted mid-motion, fury and fear burning in her eyes.
Varyn finally pulled his fangs free.
Blood dripped from his lips as he blinked slowly—then smiled.
"Oh?" His voice was light, almost amused. "So… you knew my mother."
John collapsed to the ground, gasping. Varyn shoved him aside carelessly, as if discarding spoiled meat.
Kael's blood ran cold.
Varyn laughed softly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "How interesting. Very interesting." His golden eyes gleamed. "Yes… of course. You were there. You were one of the last survivors from that place."
He stepped forward and sat casually atop John's body, pressing him into the ground. One hand propped up his chin as he looked down at him with detached curiosity.
"So," Varyn continued lazily, "you wanted revenge for your dead friend—no…" He tilted his head. "My mother."
John's eyes widened in horror.
"You found the one responsible." Varyn smiled brightly. "Me."
Kael and Elric stiffened, unable to move closer. The air around Varyn felt wrong—thick, heavy, suffocating.
"I ate her," Varyn continued calmly. "Even while I was still inside her womb. Slowly."
He brought both hands to his face, smearing John's blood across his chin and fingers.
"Ahh…" Varyn sighed in satisfaction. "Her blood was the most delicious thing I've ever tasted in this world."
His smile was eerily serene.
Something inside John snapped.
Rage surged through his hollow body, shaking him violently. His fists trembled as he tried to rise.
"Fuck…" he choked. "You—"
His words dissolved into another violent coughing fit. Blood poured from his mouth as his body convulsed uncontrollably, limbs shaking as if no longer obeying him.
Kael's breath caught.
"John—!"
He took a step forward.
Varyn's eyes snapped toward him, sharp and warning.
Kael stopped.
John's skin began to darken around the bite wound. Black veins spread outward from the fang marks, creeping beneath his skin like living shadows.
Kael recognized it instantly.
Poison.
The same poison that had once coursed through his own body.
"I added my blood to yours," Varyn said lightly, watching John writhe. "Consider it punishment… for stealing my scroll."
He smirked, eyes flicking back to Kael.
"You know how poisonous it is, don't you?"
Kael clenched his teeth.
The pain in his back—where John's earlier attack had struck—still burned fiercely. His muscles screamed in protest as he tightened his grip on his sword, knuckles whitening.
His heart pounded violently.
He wanted to save John.
Even now.
Even knowing what John had done.
Even knowing it might be impossible.
Kael steadied his stance, eyes locked onto Varyn—fully aware that the next moment would decide whether John lived… or died.
Varyn's fingers tightened in John's hair, forcing his head up.
Golden eyes met trembling ones.
"You thought you could kill me with such a puny spell?" Varyn said coldly. His voice was sharp, precise, devoid of emotion. "You were wrong."
John's pupils shook violently as blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
"You are my prey," Varyn continued. "Did you truly believe betraying me would fulfill your revenge?" A soft laugh escaped him—mocking, empty. "You are so wrong."
That was it.
Kael couldn't endure it anymore.
Without hesitation, he pushed himself forward and charged. His injured body screamed in protest, but he ignored it, sprinting toward John and Varyn with his sword raised.
"Elric—!"
She flinched, then immediately understood. Elric stepped back and drew her bow, aiming steadily, ready to support Kael from behind.
Kael swung.
Before the blade could reach Varyn, a hand rose calmly into the air.
Clang.
Kael's sword struck an invisible barrier, the impact reverberating painfully through his arms.
Varyn glanced at him, expression utterly blank.
"What is the meaning of this, Kael?" Varyn asked coolly. "Didn't you say yourself that you wanted to help the villagers?" His gaze sharpened. "I am merely helping you."
Kael grit his teeth, pressing his blade harder against the unseen wall.
"Release him!" Kael shouted.
Varyn smirked faintly. "You're already weak, Kael. Even I can sense it."
The words struck deeper than the barrier.
Kael's eyes flickered to John—kneeling, trembling, barely conscious.
Then the barrier pulsed outward.
Kael was thrown back violently, his footing ripped away. He hit the ground hard, a strangled groan tearing from his throat.
"Elric—"
She rushed to him instantly, dropping beside him and supporting his weight before he could collapse fully. Her hands shook as she steadied him; she knew—Kael was already injured, poisoned, exhausted from shielding her earlier.
Varyn still hadn't let go of John's hair.
"I truly don't understand you, Kael," Varyn said, looking down at him. "Why do you still want to save him?" His tone carried faint curiosity. "Despite the fact that he has hurt so many people. Despite the fact that he even tried to kill you."
A pause.
"Are you an idiot?"
Kael lifted his head slowly.
Elric could feel his hand trembling violently in hers.
Kael's glare was sharp, unwavering. "Let him go," he said firmly. "He's a victim too."
Varyn tilted his head.
"I am ending the suffering of the villagers," he replied calmly. "And now you want to stop me?" He extended one hand toward Kael. "I'm helping you. And yet you resist."
Dark mana surged.
The same restraining force Varyn had used before—on Elric, on John—rushed toward Kael.
Nothing happened.
Kael blinked.
Varyn's eyes widened slightly.
"…Ah." A faint irritation slipped into his voice. "I forgot."
He withdrew his hand. "We are the same."
Varyn looked at Kael closely. "That's why my blood spell doesn't work on you."
Kael forced himself upright, every movement agonizing. His eyes never left John, who continued coughing violently, blood soaking the ground beneath him. Black veins now spread fully across his pale face, unmistakable.
John lifted his head weakly.
His vision was blurred, but he could still see Kael.
Even after everything—after hurting him, after trying to harm Elric—Kael was still trying to save him.
Tears slipped from John's eyes.
Guilt crushed him.
Varyn released his grip and tossed John aside like discarded refuse.
At that moment, Kael lunged forward again, desperate, reaching out to catch him—
But Varyn was faster.
His arm flashed forward.
Crunch.
Varyn's hand pierced straight through John's chest.
Kael and Elric's eyes widened in horror.
John gasped sharply, blood spraying from his lips as his body stiffened.
Time froze.
Varyn withdrew his arm slowly.
John collapsed to the ground, a gaping hole in his chest where his heart had been. Blood pooled beneath him, spreading silently across the shattered earth.
John's eyes found Kael one last time.
He smiled—small, faint, relieved.
Then his gaze went still.
Kael couldn't even scream.
Shock locked his throat as he stared at John's lifeless body.
Varyn stood calmly, John's heart held in his bare hand, blood dripping between his fingers.
He had killed him.
Effortlessly.
With his own hands.
And the battlefield fell silent once more.