Seraphina’s heart was pounding as she ventured deeper into the forest. The silence that surrounded her seemed to press in on all sides, suffocating her thoughts. She had been searching for hours, calling out for Gideon, but there had been no sign of him. The others were nowhere to be seen either.As she moved, her boots crunching on the forest floor, a sudden noise made her freeze in her tracks. The sound was faint at first, like a whisper carried on the wind. But then it grew louder, more distinct. It was a voice, one she recognized.“Seraphina…”Her breath caught in her throat. She turned slowly, her eyes scanning the trees around her. There, standing under a tall oak tree, was a figure she had not seen in years. Her father.“Father?” she whispered, taking a hesitant step toward him.He stood tall, his arms crossed over his chest, a disappointed look on his face. “I can’t believe you chose this path,” he said, his voice cold. “The Knights, Seraphina? You were meant for more than thi

Gideon walked along a narrow, lonely path, the silence pressing down on him like a heavy weight. His breath came in slow, steady puffs as he scanned his surroundings. The air was thick with mist, curling low against the damp earth. The trees on either side stretched high into the sky, their twisted branches forming eerie, jagged shapes in the darkness.Then—A movement.Gideon’s heart stilled for a fraction of a second.There, just ahead, an image stood at the edge of the path.The girl.The same girl he had seen before.Her long white dress swayed slightly, even though there was no wind. Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, partially covering her face.Gideon’s pulse quickened.Without thinking, he took a step forward. Then another.She turned.And ran.“No! Wait!” Gideon called, breaking into a sprint.His boots pounded against the ground as he chased after her. The trees blurred past him, the mist swirling around his legs. She moved like a whisper, always just out of reach, h

The floors began to crack beneath their feet with every thunderous step the creature took. Each sound was like the groan of the earth itself, echoing through the ancient chamber. Dust drifted down from the ceilings as hairline fractures spread across the stone floor, splitting wider with each heavy stride. The air was thick, cold, damp, and filled with the metallic scent of decay.The creature’s face was dark like a shadow, its features lost beneath a veil of swirling mist. In its enormous hand it gripped a massive, blackened arm-blade fused to its flesh, jagged at the edges and dripping with what looked like molten tar. Its shoulders were broad and uneven, as though carved from cracked stone, and faint streams of ash rose from its back like smoke from a dying fire. Its eyes, if they could be called that glowed faintly red beneath the shifting darkness that cloaked it, like embers that refused to die. Each time it breathed, the air trembled with a low, guttural growl that made the hai

The air lay still and heavy, the kind of silence that pressed against the ears until every breath felt loud. A calmness filled the chamber, yet it carried with it a horrible smell that drifted like a curse damp stone, burned ash, and the sour tang of death. The ghosts’ fire gave off no warmth; its light only deepened the shadows. Gideon could barely breathe beneath the weight of it. The command of Lord Sylas still rang in his head, cruel and echoing.Before he could even digest the words, the creature barked again, his voice like thunder cracking through fog. “Do it! Kill her!”The echo rolled along the walls until it died in the corners of the hall. Gideon’s stomach tightened. His fingers slipped against the hilt of his sword, slick with sweat. Then, as if something inside him snapped, he threw out the Dragon Sword and staggered toward Seraphina. His steps were uneven, his body trembling. Pain crossed his face as though every movement tore at his chest.“Stop it!” Jareth shouted sud

The aroma of roasted meat and honeyed wine drifted through the grand dining hall, mingling with the soft crackle of torches mounted along the polished stone walls. Servants stood quietly by the corners, their hands folded neatly in front of them, waiting for a call or signal. Laughter echoed faintly from the nearby corridors, and the gleam of gold and crystal shimmered beneath the amber light.By the door stood two golden vases, each blooming with Ghost Orchids pale, delicate flowers with petals like wisps of smoke. They were rare and difficult to grow, yet often found in the homes of nobles and kings. Their faint perfume carried through the air, blending with the savoury scent of food that filled the palace.Gideon paused at the doorway, his eyes adjusting to the glow of chandeliers. This was the first time he had left his chamber without the Dragon Sword. He had chosen to leave it behind, resting it across the stand by his bed. The weight of the blade had begun to feel like part of