Winner and Loser - IV

The beast's heart throbbed violently.

Seraphina felt an intense ache in her coccyx, the crown of her head, and throughout her entire skeleton. 

This peculiar sensation had occurred twice before: once during a confrontation with Evora in the Alchemy Association's workshop, and again when facing Tyrus's trial under a mountainous pressure. 

Both times, Seraphina had been on the brink of despair, facing insurmountable foes. In those moments… what filled her heart? 

A powerful self, capable of vanquishing and devouring her enemies.

Crack, crack, crack—

In the seventh second, Evora's spatial barrier resisting the empress's overwhelming blood flames was incinerated within three seconds. Amidst the empress's madness, indiscriminate destruction was imminent. 

Simultaneously, the blood flames scorching Seraphina had reached her head, burning half of her delicate face to bone-chilling white bone.