The carriage ride was quiet. Too quiet. Outside, insects chirped in the night, and a gentle breeze slipped through the window.
"So… lovely night we have," Sinephilim offered stiffly, her voice forced.
"Not as lovely as you," replied the man beside her, all smiles and self-assured charm.
I regret purifying this man.
Duke Clive Bellanor.
Father help me, since he was purified. He was the most awkward man I'd met since arriving in this world. On the first day, he'd been showering me with gifts, poetry, declarations of love, and an alarming number of marriage proposals. I turned down all of it. Except for his invitation to the second prince's ball.
She rested her arm on the carriage window.
Rhenvar is still missing, and this ball was my best chance to find him. Darkness said we would be sent to this world's favorites. Yet no mention of Rhenvar was made.
She looked at Clive.
Despite this human's… tendencies, he had confirmed no man matching Rhenvar's description lived in the northern provinces. As jealous and obsessive as he was, he still helped.
"The palace should be in sight soon, my Goddess," Clive said with a smile that probably melted mortal hearts.
She bit the inside of her cheek.
Yes, I technically am the daughter of a Goddess or so Darkness says. Yet every time he called me that, I can't help but feel my soul withered a little.
She looked at him.
By human standards, Clive was stunning. Raven-black hair, crimson eyes, and a body like it was carved from stone.
He might only be a human-
She pushed the thought away.
No. I have a mission.
"Do you have a fever, my Goddess?" He asked, leaning closer.
"I'm fine." She said leaning away.
She exhaled slowly.
It was time to reestablish the boundary.
"Clive," her voice firm, "remember our arrangement. You promised."
"I just don't understand why you're chasing another man," he muttered, frowning. "I'm right here."
"Rhenvar isn't some romantic fantasy," She snapped looking out the window. "He's my partner. We're here to stop the end of your world."
"Yes, yes. 'Worldeaters.' What a thrilling myth," he said dryly. "But I wonder… can beauty lie as easily as a bard?"
She turned toward him, her gaze sharp. "You know I'm not from this world. Stop pretending otherwise."
Clive held her eyes for a moment, then gave her a small nod. "Of course." He looked out the window. "Ah we're here."
The carriage rolled to a stop. He stepped out first, then offered his hand. Sinephilim hesitated but took it.
Together, they entered the palace ballroom.
****
The Ballroom.
The entrance was elegant, but the inside was not. Broken chandeliers glittered above a sea of ruined silk. No signs of musicians playing that soft, courtly music.
The air was thick. Unnatural.
They overlooked the ballroom from the balcony. The floor and pillars were layered in blood. Sinephilim observed the carnage.
A red-hair girl was shielding another from-
Then she saw him.
She felt it.
The same feeling as the red stars. Rhenvar.
Mid-transformation into a creature. A monster with obsidian skin, his skull ripped through his face, blood red cracks bleeding from his skin. His shoulders cloaked in black flames.
Black spikes sprouted from the marble floor, rippling through the ballroom. Blood boiled in the air. And more crawling across his body as if alive.
"Demonic beast!" Clive roared, drawing his sword.
"Wait!" Sinephilim cried.
Too late.
He was already airborne. Jumping into battle like it was all he lived for.
Clive moved fast.
He snatched a sword off a dead guard and charged. The blessed steel arcing toward Rhenvar's exposed side.
The sound of blood and cracked bone echoed.
Rhenvar's arm was cleaved off the shoulder.
Or so it seemed.
Blood sprayed, then hung in the air like liquid threads. It shimmered. Twitched. Crawled back toward Rhenvar's body like it was alive.
Clive landed hard, eyes narrowed. "Does it regenerate? Impressive."
The blood reattached with a sickening snap. The limbs were reforming, bone stretching, veins stitching, and skin sealing.
Rhenvar's body shifted. Two more skulls appeared on his flesh but they didn't scream.
They laughed.
A haunting, inhuman laugh.
The black flames retreated.
This monster wanted a fight.
Clive barely raised his sword in time. The force of the clash blew marble tiles into the air. He was flung back, heels carving trenches in the ballroom floor as he skidded to a stop.
"What are you…?" Clive muttered.
Rhenvar didn't answer. Just cackled with laughter.
Faster this time.
Clive met him, blow for blow. Steel against flesh. Magic and blood. Each strike from Clive was a divine hammer, his speed blistering, his strength monstrous. His sword carved deep into Rhenvar's body. Cutting muscles, splitting bones.
And yet-
Each wound healed.
Each drop of blood returned. And Rhenvar kept laughing.
Clive's sword glowed with raw light. He slashed across Rhenvar's chest, deep enough to fell even the most powerful demonic beast.
But the wound smiled back.
From the torn flesh, blood spikes erupted aiming for Clive's neck.
He dodged.
Blood from the floor latched onto him, dragging him closer.
"Let. Me. GO!" Clive roared, swinging wildly, slashing the tentacles with every strike, freeing himself.
Clive engaged again, his blessing of power flaring from his sword.
But Rhenvar absorbed the hits. Sometimes it looked like Clive was cutting water. Other times, hitting rock.
With every second Clive fought, Rhenvar only grew stronger. His movements were sharper. His power was alive.
"Hunger. Devour."
"Thirst. Drink."
Those words rang in her mind. She barely noticed those weren't even her thoughts.
Then came the shift.
Clive charged again, faster this time, suit torn, eyes blazing. His blade glowed white-hot with divine fury.
He leapt.
Clive's sword came down and stopped.
It was stuck in Rhenvar's arm.
Rhenvar grabbed it and threw Clive into the wall with massive force.
Clive couldn't move. His magic was drained.
Sinephilim noticed the black spikes had their own aura.
A curse?
Silence filled the hall, save for Rhenvar's footsteps echoing toward him.
She stood frozen, hands trembling.
I must act.
I must try.
I can save him.
Rhenvar's head turned slowly toward her, eyes glowing like the red stars.
Again, it slithered into her mind, now she understood it was Rhenvar's voice-
"Feed."