Chapter 20: Land of the Dead

"This is my domain... Welcome to the Land of the Dead." Her lips arched as he met those ruby red eyes.

He doesn't know much about this woman, but his instincts clearly tell him how strong she is and how strong she can be. Having a cold shoulder wouldn't be the best option for now.

With that, the lad nodded politely, "May I know what a necromancer wants from me? And why did you bring us to this place?"

Bernadette held her chin, "Hmm... Let's just say, this is how I'm going to pay my debt to the Van Helsings. Since Anderson is already gone, you're the best option to receive the favor as I return it."

"You know my grandfather?"

A grin escaped her cherry red lips, "Oh my, what a curious young man. I know you're itching to know some more. But I'm afraid I cannot do that for now."

"What do you mean?" Rae pressed further.

"We don't have much time, Vampire King. Vincent will find us soon. If you want to defeat him, you have to pass this trial."

"Trial?" He echoed.

Bernadette waved her hand and then the door behind her slowly opened. But what's beyond is unseen. There's nothing but bright light.

"Most people think that my domain is a place of sadness, torture, and pain. Little did they know, this is also a place of healing." She glanced at Rae, "And it's time to face your regrets, Vampire King. That's the only way to win."

The lad remembered the things that happened inside the dome. The horrors and screams still linger that he can't help but frown.

"Wait a minute!" Damien rebutted, "I know you're going to ask him to enter that doorway. And you're telling us you're here to help. But how can we guarantee his safety once he took this trial thingy?"

"I understand, but I can't let more people in. As for the dead, some of them don't like the idea of having more visitors." Bernadette replied, "If you're that worried, I guess I can only allow one to go with him."

They exchange glances, they're also worried about what's been waiting for them once they took the trial. But much to their surprise, among them, took the first step forward and said,

"I'll go. If there's someone who should accompany him, that would be me." It was the huntress, looking straight into the witch's eyes."

"What?"

"I'm more worried if you go with him. Maybe you're taking this as a chance to end his life." Damien said.

But Aria answered him with a poker face, "I've got plenty of chances before to kill him but I didn't. What difference does this make?"

Damien was about to say something more when Rae spoke, "That's enough. Thank you for all your concern." He patted Damien's shoulder and smiled.

"I'll be fine. I trust Ms. Grosvenor. And I won't let anything happen to me."

"I trust you, Young Master." Rin said, "Have a safe trip!" They smiled at each other.

Then, the lad glanced at Isabella, "I swear I'll save Ciella. But I must pass this trial in order to do that."

"Make sure to keep your promise."

"I will."

Damien heaved a sigh, "Alright, alright. I don't wanna look like the bad guy here. Just be careful, okay?"

Rae chuckled, "I know."

And with that, they turned their backs and face the bright light ahead. But before he stepped forward, Rae glanced at Gray who's standing behind Bernadette. He nodded at him and he smiled back.

It was as if he, too, is wishing for his success. And even he has a lot of questions in mind, the fact that he trusts Gray made him trust the necromancer as well. They're friends after all.

'I'll just ask him for details later. For now, I must make it out alive.' He said to himself.

"Once you enter, the trial begins." Bernadette reminded, "Also, make sure not to enter the dark side of this domain if you want to come back to this world."

"Understood."

After that, they entered the doorway and they were slowly swallowed by the bright light.

When Rae fluttered his eyes open, he was greeted by the shining light of the sun as well as the green fields that surrounded him. The trees, grass, and flowers swaying from the gust of wind that brushes off his skin. Also, the sky is blue like the ones he's seeing back in the world of the living.

"Are we in the right place? This doesn't look like the land of the dead to me." The lad mumbled and when he turned around, the huntress was not with him.

"Ms. Grosvenor?" He called, "Ms. Grosvenor!" No one answered and there's not even a trace of her around.

'I could've sworn we stepped out at the same time. Where could she have gone?' He continued walking until he reached a small lake.

As he draws closer, he saw a figure of a man, wearing a hat while fishing on that lake. He was waiting patiently for some fish to take the bait from his pole.

"E-excuse me..." Rae called, "Have you seen a woman with lavender hair and a--"

He paused when the man glanced at him. That firm and fierce expression matched with those amber golden eyes and of course, that unforgettable grayish long hair got into him. He almost forgot he's inside another realm, the domain of the dead. He shouldn't be surprised to see this familiar face.

"I never expect to see you here, kid. Fate really has its mysterious ways."

"Mister... Ashford..." The lad mumbled.

The vampire with grayish hair gazed at him from head to toe.

"You're not yet dead. Are you here looking for your friend?" He gazed back at the lake.

"Uhh.. sort of..." Rae gently rubbed his nape, "I was sent here by a necromancer to pass the trial. My friend went with me but soon as we got in, I couldn't find her anywhere."

The lad heard him chuckled as he was explaining.

"What's wrong?"

Ash shook his head, "Funny. Even I can feel the change inside, you're still the same naive kid I've met in the world of the living. You trust me way too much for giving information. Have you forgotten I'm an Alucard?" He flashed a sinister grin at him.

But Rae didn't even flinch nor change his expression. Instead, he was gazing at him with such sad eyes.

"To me, you're more than an Alucard..." He said, "You are also my teacher." He smiled gently.

The lad gazed at the lake, "You've taught me how to handle my strength, to accept my other half, and you also taught me how to survive. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have the desire to get stronger."

Then, he gazed back at him, "I've been meaning to tell you, thank you, for everything." He bowed his head politely.

Ash didn't say anything, he was just looking down the whole time.

"I would also like to apologize," Rae added, "I've said something harsh to you. I'm so sorry, Mr. Ashford."

"Don't sweat it, kid. I tricked and used you. I reaped what I sow and died. We're just even." Ash scoffed, "You shouldn't look too highly of me. I'm the worst there is. Your mother probably thinks the same that's why she was fed upon me."

"That's not true." The lad shook his head, "Mom was controlled back then. She didn't also mean those things she did and said to you. It tears her inside whenever she was reminded of you, Mr. Ashford. After all, she treated you as her dear friend."

The vampire made a small laugh, "Astrid... You must've noticed how much I love her, right?"

The lad nodded as he gently sat beside him.

"Since we were young, we're betrothed. And Astrid is an exceptional vampire you could ever have. She's a beauty, kindhearted, sincere, honest, and passionate. It's impossible not to fall for her. But right from the start, she's opposed to our engagement. It kills me deep inside that the more she refuses our marriage, the more she rejects me." He glanced at the lake with those sad eyes, as if watching all those lonely memories on the water.

"When she disappeared, I thought I was going mad. I looked at every town, every cranny of the Bleak Grave Hollows but still failed to retrieve even a single strand of her hair. I was just surprised one day, she returned, and I've witnessed a totally different side of her. I was terrified, of course. I would be lying if I said I didn't."

"But my love is stronger, that's why I decided to betray my family blood and help her. I was... misunderstood, she thought I was acting as a spy for the Alucards. Her animosity towards my clan is much greater, in that she has already forgotten our friendship."

Rae couldn't say a thing. For some reason, he can feel this vampire's pain as if they were his emotions as well.

"After the war, rumors start spreading of her pregnancy. The way the whole vampire clan was shocked at the news, left a bigger impression on me. Until that fateful night came when I met you." Ash gazed at the lad, "I could easily tell you're her son. You two look so much alike. The hair, the naive look on your face, your passion and determination -- all of it, no doubt, you got from her. And I was mad, I wanted to see her badly but you're the one who appeared before me. You who came from the man she chose even I'm the one who's been by her side all along." He smiled bitterly, holding himself not to cry.

But seems like his tears got over him and started to fall from his eyes.

"I'm sorry, kid. It was never your fault. I used you to vent out my frustrations and planned for you to end the life of my father for me. But I died before it happened. This is the price I must pay for my schemes."

"Before I couldn't understand everything and I don't want to fight as much as possible. But right now, I realized, there are some things that must be put to an end long ago." Rae seriously gazed at him, "Mr. Ashford, I have decided to bring King Alucard down. That's why I must pass this trial."

Ash chuckled, "Now I see... If that would be the case, shouldn't you show me how you're going to do it?"

"Pardon?"

The vampire wiped the tears from his eyes, stood up, and walked on the fields. The lad followed him afterward.

"I mean, it's my father we're talking about here. He'll use any opportunity he can to win. Show the slightest hint of weakness and you're done. That's why none of us has ever won against him. But if it's you..." Ash gazed at him and positioned for battle, "Show me how strong you've become over the years, kid. I'll be the judge if you're strength is enough to defeat him."

"I understand." Rae bit his finger, preparing to turn his blood into a weapon.

"That's right. Come at me!"

The crystal blades formed on his arm as he charged towards Ash. The vampire blocked it using his arm.

"Oho, looks like those bloody crystals become stronger. It doesn't break easily the way it did before." Ash praised.

"I'm not the same as yesterday, Mr. Ashford."

He smirked, "Not so fast, kid." Iron claws grew from his nails and swung his other arm.

Ash was successful in inflicting wounds on the lad but seems like it didn't bother him at all. When Ash realized that, it's already too late. There are red strings wrapped around his claws. They're all connected to his wounds. And when Rae pulled those strings, Ash's iron claws were torn to pieces.

He smirked, "Not bad. You're not afraid of the pain now, huh..." Suddenly, his whole skin was covered in silver that it turned gray, "But everything is just getting started."

Rae smirked, "That's my teacher." Before his wounds close, he already took some amount and turned them into small beads floating around him.

'I wonder what new tricks he has on his sleeves. I wouldn't find out unless I make a move.' Ash thought and rushed towards the lad in such speed.

Instead of panicking, Rae closed his eyes.

Thinking he's up to something, Ash quickly changed direction and appeared behind him. He was about to deliver a punch when one of the beads charged towards him and blocked his iron fist.

Soon as it did, the bead exploded and some liquid splashed on his arm. Smoke smoldered from it as he felt a pang of pain.

"A-acid?!" That's when he realized what those beads are for.

Rae smirked, "Checkmate, teacher." At his command, the other beads attacked and more acids were thrown at him. As his iron armor slowly melts, the lad took this opportunity and rushed towards him with a sharp bloody crystal on his arm. Since his weak spot is on the tummy, he knows Rae is aiming at that part.

'I have no choice but to use that!'

In a blink of an eye, a loud clanging sound echoed as the tip of his crystal blade flew from the other side.

Much to his surprise, Ash's body turned black, and it slowly spreads all over his skin.

"Glad I made it in time." He chuckled and swung his arm. Rae blocked his attack but he flew in such a strong and heavy impact.

'What's this? I've never seen this technique on him before.' The lad pondered.

"I know you're surprised. It's written all over your face." Ash said, "I've been avoiding using this before, but since it's you I'm facing, I think it would be worth it."

In a blink of an eye, Ash appeared before him and threw several punches. Rae managed to block them using his arms but in every punch, it left a heavy impact and bad bruise on him. The ground on his back keeps making some craking sounds as he kept on blocking those punches. And since he can't use his limbs, Rae bit his lip and used his blood to throw some needles right on his eye.

Unfortunately, it didn't reach him when Ash quickly protected his eyes with that black iron armor. But this became the lad's chance to create a distance between them and use his blood to make some orbs. And using his chains, he restrained Ash from his place before throwing those orbs at him. Loud explosions can be heard but not a single scratch was seen on Ash's body.

"What..?!"

"Is that it, kid?" Ash destroyed those chains in a single blow.

"I'm not done yet!" Rae threw some acid beads at him again but this time, the acid loses its effect on him. They're just like ordinary water being splashed on his body.

'How can this be? My orbs and acids didn't even scratch him. Think, Rae. Think!'

"If you're done, I'm going to attack next." Ash walked towards him.

And the lad prevented him from getting closer by enclosing him on a crystal dome.

"You still don't get it, don't you? This technique is nothing to me." In a single punch, Ash managed to shatter the dome to pieces.

Rae flew in such a strong impact from a single blow. His back hit the tree and fell from the ground.

'What should I do? None of my attacks affect him. Would I fail this trial? Is there really... no other way?'

"Checkmate, kid." Ash grinned and charged towards him.

By this moment, everything happened in slow motion.

'I can't even use my blood-control, it's useless on the dead. Is this... how's it's going to end?'

As he was observing Ash who's charging towards him, some things flashed in his mind as recalled his memories.

'Wait... This is the land of the dead, that means...'

Ash jumped, ready to attack in the final blow.

"It's my win, kid!"

A strong impact occurred as he landed on the lad's position. But his black iron fist didn't even reach his face.

'W-what's going on!? I-I can't move my body!' Ash tries his hardest but failed to move any part of his limbs. It was as if there's an invisible force that's been preventing him to move a single muscle.

When he glanced at Rae, he was having this victorious grin.

"I'll say it again... Checkmate, teacher." He poked Ash's forehead and suddenly, his body returned to normal.

"How did you do that?"

The lad awkwardly scratched his head, "I almost forgot that I have Damien's power. If I didn't realize it sooner, I might fail the trial."

"Damien's power?" Ash echoed, "You mean, the control over nonliving things?"

Rae nodded, "Yes, and that includes the dead." He glanced at him.

Ash sighed in defeat as he combed his hair using his fingers. Then, he made a small laugh.

"So it's my loss right from the start. You never fail to amaze me, kid." He patted his shoulder, "You've truly become stronger. Now I'm confident you can bring him down."

"Thank you... Uhm, can I call you Uncle?"

Ash raised an eyebrow but the thought alone made him blush.

"Do what you want. Just don't creep me out."

The lad chuckled and it feels like a thorn has finally been plucked out of his chest. And now, he can be at ease.

But the moment was just about to end when the ground suddenly shook.

"And here I thought there was some big trouble in this place..." A voice said and someone suddenly emerged from the ground.

Rae's eyes widened as he saw the familiar figure with that long black hair and sharp slit eyes. His heart leaped in the excitement that he couldn't believe who's been standing before him.

"R-Ren? Is that you?"

She grinned, "Yep, at your service, you--!"

She didn't get to finish her sentence when Rae suddenly hugged her tight.

"I've missed you. I've been longing to see you again... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Ren!" His voice trembled so is his body. Seems like she has made him cry. But she knows better than anyone where he is coming from.

"Looks like you guys need some privacy. I'll be going now." Ash said and left.

Gently, she patted his back, "All these years, it must've been hard for you, Young Master. You didn't forget me, much as I do. And I'm sorry for making you feel burdened."

Rae suddenly pulled away and held her shoulders, "That's not true! You're not a burden to me! You're my friend, and I will never forget you -- not in a million years!"

Ren made a small laugh, "Y'know how much I hated drama but I'm really grateful, Young master." She bashfully rubbed her cheek and a bit hesitant.

"Forgive my selfishness, young master, may I ask a request from you?"

Rae wiped his tears away, "A-anything, I'll do my best to fulfill it."

"Well then, young master... My request is..." she took a deep breath, "Please let me go." Ren gazed directly to his eyes, with no hint of jokes nor lies.

And as those words echoed his head, the only thing he could say is, "What..?"

***

"Wake up..." A faint voice called.

It feels like her mind is still drifting away. But the voice that's calling her keeps on getting closer and louder.

"Miss, wake up!"

She shot her eyes open and saw a child's face before her.

"Oh thank goodness! You're still alive!" She sighed in relief.

The girl has short curly hair with little braids swinging on both sides. She fixed her glasses which partially hides her freckles if you didn't look closely.

"I'm glad you're alright, miss." She gently scratched her cheek and made an awkward smile. The way she looks and the way she moves -- all of these made the lass's heart beat faster. It was as if she's still in a dream and can't believe what she's seeing.

And the girl noticed how she's being stared at.

"U-uhm... I-is there something wrong with my face, miss?" She nervously asked.

"Na... Is that you, Nathalie?" At last, she has managed to say.

"H-how did you know my name?" The girl blinked fast, "Wait! That lavender hair and golden amber eyes - could it be... A-Aria?!"

It feels like the world stopped soon as she confirmed everything. And upon realization, she noticed a tear was already streaming on her right eye as she slowly nodded.

Nathalie's tears also fell as she quickly hugged her in her short arms.

"I missed you so much! I've been in this place for such a long time!" She cried.

"I'm... sorry..." Aria mumbled as she caressed her friend's head.

It was just then when they have finally calmed down from their heartfelt reunion. Their eyes are hazy from all the crying but they're alright now.

"You've grown so much, Aria! I almost didn't recognize you." Nathalie smiled.

"But I'm still the same." She said with a straight face.

"Well, probably on the inside. But physically speaking, your figure has changed. Especially on that part." Nathalie narrowed her eyes on her breasts as she pouted, "I'll never get to have those." She sighed.

Aria stares at her breasts and blinks, "What about these? They're quite heavy and sometimes bothersome when I'm fighting."

"But it's still amazing, though." Nathalie sighed and lean her back on the green grasses, "I wonder how Griselda is. Does she look taller now as well?"

Upon hearing that name, Aria's expression has gone cold.

"Nathalie, how can you say that?"

"Huh? What do you mean? What's wrong?" The girl furrowed her brows as she noticed her friend's sudden change of mood.

"Nathalie... Don't you remember?" Aria frowned, "Griselda... she's the one who sent you here... She killed you..." She clenched her fist, recalling all those events still left a pang of pain in her chest.

"That's not true!" Nathalie exclaimed, "Griselda didn't kill me! She never would!"

"Nathalie, what do you mean? I saw it with my own eyes, she was holding you with blood spilling on her mouth as you lay pensive in her arms. You were bleeding as well." The lass explained, "Now tell me, how is it that she didn't kill you? Why are you covering for Griselda's sin?" Her face is filled with animosity by how coldly her eyes gazed at the girl.

"Please listen to me, Aria... I'm not covering anything, I'm telling the truth. Griselda didn't kill me, and I'm going to tell you what happened that night..."

As Nathalie stared at the ground, a dreadful memory came flashing back in her mind. That one fateful night changed everything and sent her stuck in time.

***

Soon as strange growlings echoed in the woods, her friend, Griselda, started to feel uneasy and uncomfortable. She kept on gazing from left to right with a terrified expression. It was as if someone's been watching her every movement.

"What's wrong, Griselda? You don't look so good. Are you sick again? Let's head back to the--"

"No." She firmly said, "Where's Aria?"

"Ms. Kayne asked her to fetch some water in the river. I think she'll be ba--" Nathalie was interrupted when the growling sounds grew louder and louder.

"Oh no..." Griselda suddenly grabbed her friend's shoulders, "We have to get out of here!"

"Wait, what? Why?"

"I don't have time to explain, just please trust me." Nathalie can feel how she trembled as bullets of sweat formed on her forehead. With this, she knew her friend's not messing around. She nodded as a response and she suddenly grabbed her hand as they ran as fast as they could.

"Griselda, wait! This isn't the way back to the camp!"

"The danger's coming from there, we can't go back anymore!"

"B-but how about Aria? We can't just leave her alone!"

"We'll come back for her, I swear!"

They kept running when all of a sudden, Griselda stopped and held her head, groaning in pain.

"Griselda? What's wrong?"

"K-keep on... running... Nathalie..."

"What are you saying? I won't leave you here!"

She was about to protest when they heard a voice coming nearby.

"There you are, my dear Griselda." A woman in a black dress appeared before them, "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"M-mother..?"

Most kids would be delighted to see their parents in the midst of such a scary place. But what Nathalie saw was the opposite. Her friend is shaking so hard like she has seen a ghost. And she can't blame her for that. Her mother's eyes were glowing in bright red, just like the moon behind her.

"Nathalie... Run!"

Her mother snapped her fingers and suddenly, dark creatures appeared and surrounded them. These creatures were growling as they heard earlier. They have those sharp red eyes as well as long sharp fangs.

"Mother please!" Griselda called, "Please release Nathalie, she has nothing to do with this!"

"Griselda, I told you, didn't I? You shouldn't hang around with meek humans."

"But mother, she's one of my precious friends. Please let her go. I'll do anything you ask."

"Anything, you say?" The woman smirked, "Even becoming a full vampire?"

'Vampire?' Nathalie echoed inside her head, 'Griselda is... one of these terrifying monsters?' She glanced at her friend who gave her a sad smile before nodding at her mother.

"Wonderful! I know you're my good girl, Griselda!" The woman grinned, "Now come to me, I need proof that you'll do as I say." She stretched her arm towards her daughter.

Finally having the grasp of the situation, Nathalie tightens her grip on her friend's hand, which means she doesn't want to let her go. But she smiled sadly and gently removed her hand as she slowly marched towards the woman.

"Griselda!" She called but she didn't stop.

"Now my child, drink my blood and become one of us." The woman wounded her palm and let her blood spilled on the girl's mouth, down to her throat.

After drinking, she coughed vigorously and groaned in pain as she clutched her chest. Her skin becomes paler as her ears become pointed. Nails grew longer and sharper, as well as her small fangs. Her eyes were now glowing in bright red just like the dark creatures looming around them.

Seeing these things before her, she should be running by now. She was indeed trembling but not because she's terrified. But because her friend changed for her sake and she can't do anything but cry.

"I... have done what you asked... mother... Please, let Nathalie go..." The girl panted as she felt her throat getting dry.

"I know, my dear daughter. But, aren't you feeling thirsty?"

When she heard it, Griselda flashed a horrified expression before her friend. She knows better than anyone what this means.

"Nathalie, run! Run as fast as you can!"

"B-but... I can't leave you..."

"You have to! Stay very far away from me!"

"No... Griselda, what are you saying?"

She was about to say more but the woman suddenly grabbed her shoulders.

"I know how painful it is, my daughter. No mother wanted their child to suffer." She whispered in her ear, "Now, I'm giving you the freedom to eat and drink."

"Please, don't do this mother..." Griselda cried.

"The prey is right in front of you, child..."

"She's not my prey... she's my friend..."

"Griselda, don't you dare disobey me now." Her firm and cold voice sent shivers to her spine. It was as if she has no other choice but to abide.

"We are vampires, Griselda. We don't need friends, humans are our food. So I'm telling you, drink that girl's blood."

The girl held her head and closed her eyes, "No, please mother! Anything but that!"

"Stop struggling and eat her now!"

In a snap of a finger, the girl remained pensive. Not moving a single inch.

"Griselda..?" Nathalie called in a small voice.

All of a sudden, two gleaming red eyes glared at her as her friend attacked and pinned her shoulders on the ground. She was making the same growling sounds just like the others.

"Griselda! What are you doing?! It's me, Nathalie!" But no matter how much she called, it seems like her friend has gone deaf. She kept on struggling but she grew stronger than her.

"Resistance is futile, human girl." The woman said, "Why don't you just give it up? After all, Griselda chose this path to set you free." She grinned devilishly.

Nathalie slowly glanced at her friend, "Griselda... I'm sorry... I turned you into this... It's all my fault..." She cried, "If I'm not weak, you wouldn't worry much about me. You wouldn't sacrifice your humanity just for me. I'm so sorry..."

She gently held her friend's cheek, "It's alright... This time, I'll save you." Nathalie hugged her friend tight. But soon as she did, Griselda pierced her fangs on her small neck. The pain is unbearable, but it slowly faded soon as she lost her consciousness.

'I hope... my blood will help you survive and be free from your mother...'

Those are the last things she said in her mind before everything went in pitch black.

***

After listening to the whole story, it feels like her heart has sunk. She has spent most of her childhood training to get stronger, to prepare for the day where she'll be able to avenge her friend by ending another friend's life. But what she saw on that dreadful night was nothing but pieces of the story. And looking at Nathalie, she's not the type who will lie on things like this.

"You might be wondering why I chose to sacrifice my life and not thinking about my family." Nathalie began to speak, "Truth be told, my mom was hospitalized and it was hard for her to work anymore and to feed me. So that time, I was thinking... If I'm gone, mom wouldn't worry about me anymore. There wouldn't be any burden in her life, plus, I'll be able to save Griselda with my blood."

She flashed a smile but tears kept on falling from her eyes.

"Nathalie..."

"I kinda regret it, Aria... I missed my mom so much, I wanted to see her but I can't anymore... I'm so stupid, am I?"

The lass gently held her friend's small hand, "Don't say that... You did what you thought was right and it wasn't an act of selfishness. You're truly a wonderful person, Nathalie."

The girl cried even more as she was touched by her friend's words. She hugged her tightly as her sobs can be heard around.

As she gently caressed her friend's back, suddenly, she felt an ominous aura heading towards them. When Aria looked behind, she saw a black mist in a figure of a woman with long hair and elongated limbs. A dark aura surrounds her as two glowing eyes are glaring at them. She was also making a strange cracking sound as the mist slowly crawls toward them.

"Give... them... back to me..."

***

She shot her eyes open soon as she felt such an unnerving feeling.

"Mistress, what's the matter?" Gray asked, noticing the seriousness on her face.

"Something's not quite right." Bernadette replied, "I have to go and see for myself." She stood from her seat and walked towards the door.

"What's wrong? Is it over?" Damien asked when they noticed her movements.

"It's almost over, but..."

"But? Did something happen to the Young Master?" Rin worriedly asked.

"There will be if I stay here."

"What do you mean?" Isabella asked.

And the witch flashed a cold expression, "Someone has stepped out of the boundary and I must stop her. This dangerous being will drag anyone into her despair."