Second Sacrifice

That very same night, there was no laughter between them.

No stolen kisses under lamplight.

No whispered I love yous to chase away the ache.

Only the cold scratch of quill against parchment, the soft rustle of yellowing maps, and Cecilion's voice—low, obsessive—murmuring calculations and fragmented thoughts as he cross-referenced lunar cycles with alchemical charts.

Zixuan sat curled in the far corner of the room, swallowed in her robe, knees hugged close to her chest. Her skin still carried the scent of the forest—of moss, blood, and fear. Her eyes were hollow, unfocused, trapped somewhere between the past and the unfolding horror of their present.

She hadn't said much.

Not since she saw Cecilion grin like that.

Not since Yannis fell.

Not since that inhuman light filled his eyes.

But backing out wasn't an option.

Not anymore.

They were too far gone.

Too stained.

Too bound.