The golden light slowly faded, dissolving into the night air and leaving behind a silence that pressed heavily against the narrow alley.
Eira's breathing steadied.
Soft. Even. Alive.
Kaera remained frozen beside her, as if afraid that even the slightest movement might shatter the fragile miracle that had just taken place.
"…She… she's okay?"
Her voice barely formed—a whisper that almost vanished before it could exist.
The hooded woman did not answer immediately. She lowered her hand, letting the last remnants of golden light disperse into nothingness.
"She will live."
Her voice was calm. Gentle.
Yet beneath it… something ancient lingered.
Kaera exhaled, a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding this entire time. Her shoulders dropped, weak—but filled with overwhelming relief.
"…Thank you."
It wasn't formal. It wasn't composed.
Just something raw. Honest.
The woman rose to her feet with quiet elegance. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The night wind slipped through the alley, carrying dust and the fading scent of blood.
"…Who are you?" Kaera asked.
Silence.
"…Just someone passing by."
Kaera frowned slightly. That answer didn't feel real.
Before she could press further—
"You should leave this place."
Kaera's expression hardened. "…He's still alive, isn't he?"
No answer came.
But the silence said enough.
Her fist clenched.
"…Tch."
Of course he was.
A being like that wouldn't die so easily.
Her gaze dropped to Eira again—sleeping peacefully, unaware of everything that had just happened.
"…I'll come back for him," Kaera murmured. Not now. But one day.
"Don't."
Kaera looked up sharply.
The hooded woman was watching her directly now.
"For now… you are not his equal."
The words were blunt.
Cold.
But not insulting.
Just truth.
Kaera said nothing, but her jaw tightened.
"…Then I'll become stronger."
The woman studied her for a moment. Then, a faint smile formed beneath the shadow of her hood.
"Good."
Silence returned once more.
Then—
"You felt it, didn't you?"
Kaera frowned. "…What?"
"That power."
Her body tensed instantly.
"Something that nearly consumed you completely."
A pause.
"…Chaos."
Kaera's eyes narrowed. "…I never asked for it."
"I know."
The woman stepped closer, her movements steady and composed.
"But it chose you."
Kaera looked away. "…Feels more like a curse."
"…It is."
Kaera turned back.
"But—" the woman's voice softened slightly, "It can also be a path."
A long silence followed.
Kaera didn't argue.
Because deep down… she already knew.
"…If I lose control again," she said quietly, "I might kill the people around me."
"…Or protect them."
Kaera froze.
"It depends on who you truly are."
The wind shifted.
Those words lingered.
Her gaze dropped to her hands, still stained with dried blood.
"…Then tell me," she said, voice low, "how do I control it?"
For the first time—
The woman hesitated.
"…You don't."
Kaera frowned.
"You endure it. And shape it… before it shapes you."
The weight of those words settled heavily.
Kaera exhaled shortly. "…That's not helpful at all."
A soft laugh escaped the woman.
"Power like that does not belong to monsters alone…
It depends on who dares to wield it."
She turned to leave.
"Take her somewhere safe. She will need at least two days to fully recover."
Kaera tightened her grip on Eira slightly.
"…You're leaving already?"
"…My role here is done."
Kaera hesitated.
"…Will I see you again?"
The woman stopped.
Just for a moment.
"…If fate allows it… and when we meet again,
try not to lose yourself."
Then she stepped back.
Her figure did not fade.
It simply… ceased to exist.
As if reality itself had forgotten her.
Silence returned.
Kaera stared at the empty space for a few seconds.
"…What the hell was that…"
No answer came.
Only Eira's steady breathing beside her.
Kaera let out a quiet sigh before bending down, lifting Eira carefully into her arms once more.
"…Let's get you somewhere safe."
This time, her steps were steady.
---
The dim glow of wall lanterns guided her path as she moved through the quiet streets. Each step felt heavier—not from Eira's weight, but from the words echoing in her mind.
Chaos.
The name pulsed through her veins.
Then—
"Wait!"
Kaera spun instantly, her instincts snapping back into place.
A young girl ran toward them, breath uneven, as if she had sprinted across half the town. Her hair was messy, her face filled with concern.
Kaera watched her carefully before relaxing slightly.
"What is it? You okay?"
The girl stopped a few steps away, trying to steady herself.
"I… I should be asking you that."
Her gaze dropped to Eira—blood-soaked, unmoving in Kaera's arms.
"I heard someone calling for help… was that you?" she asked anxiously. "Do you need help? Your friend looks really bad!"
Kaera paused.
She looked at Eira.
Then back at the girl.
The concern… felt genuine.
"…Yeah," Kaera said simply. "I need a place for her to rest. Somewhere safe."
"Then come with me!"
No hesitation.
---
The house was small. Simple.
But safe.
Eira was laid gently onto a bed in a modest guest room. Kaera pulled a blanket over her, making sure her breathing remained stable before collapsing into a nearby chair.
"Thank you… uh…"
"Sierra," the girl replied, setting down a basin of warm water and clean cloth.
" I should be the one apologizing. I came late for …"
Kaera shook her head. "It's fine. She's safe now. Someone… helped us earlier."
Sierra stepped closer, examining Eira's condition.
Then—
She froze.
There should have been a wound.
A deep one.
But there was nothing.
Not even a scar.
Perfect skin.
Untouched.
Sierra slowly turned toward Kaera.
"…Are you hurt?"
"Hm? No. I'm fine."
But as Kaera glanced at her own arm—
She paused.
The wounds were gone.
No cuts.
No bruises.
Her body felt… refreshed.
Stronger.
'Is this… because of that transformation?'
A quiet unease crept into her chest.
Sierra seemed to understand something.
"…That person who helped you… a woman in black, right?"
Kaera nodded.
Sierra smiled softly.
"Then you were lucky."
"We call her… the Grace Witch."
Kaera blinked.
"The only savior that humanity has," Sierra continued. "She rarely appears… but whenever she does—miracles follow."
Kaera fell silent.
A savior…?
That woman…?
---
[ DEEP WITHIN THE FOREST]
"—Achoo!"
The hooded woman sneezed lightly beneath the towering trees.
She sighed, rubbing her nose.
"…Someone's talking about me."
With a flick of magic, her attire shifted—black robes transforming into an elegant dark dress lined with silver patterns.
She adjusted her slightly crooked witch hat.
Under the moonlight, her true appearance was revealed—long black hair flowing softly, and a pair of glowing violet eyes.
Her name—
Sorelle.
And suddenly—
Her entire demeanor broke.
"Aaah! I actually met Astaroth's daughter in person?!"
She covered her flushed cheeks, practically vibrating with excitement.
"She's… surprisingly cute. Especially earlier, when her eyes were all swollen like she was about to cry. And yet… she still had that bite."
A white owl landed on her shoulder, letting out a soft call as if delivering a report.
Sorelle immediately cleared her throat, straightening up.
"Ahem..alright."
Composure. Restored.
She turned her gaze toward Oakhaven in the distance.
"…Till we meet again, Kaera.."
A folding fan appeared in her hand—her special an only wand.
With a gentle motion, magical runes floating in the air and the space twisted open into a violet portal.
Without hesitation, she stepped through.
And vanished.
The forest returned to silence.
***