Chapter 7: Tamas [rewrite]

Angelika's POV

---

"Akrūra!" I beamed, clinging onto his arm. "Where were you? I wanted to play tag, but the others aren't as fun!"

Akrūra ruffled my hair with his free hand, his usual unreadable expression softening slightly. "We were at the church, Angelika."

"Why can't I go too?" I pouted, puffing out my cheeks like Sister Irene said I always did when I didn't get my way.

Sister Helene approached, smiling. "When you're a little older, Angelika."

I huffed. Why did I always have to wait to grow up? It wasn't fair! Everyone else got to go, even Karna and Noah! But I didn't argue. Instead, I turned toward Karna and Noah with my most serious face.

"Then you two play with me! And Mirai and Shigure and everyone else too!"

Karna crossed his arms, looking down at me with that serious face of his. "We just got back—"

I widened my eyes and made my best sad face.

Karna sighed in defeat. "Fine."

I grinned, bouncing in excitement as I grabbed his hand and tried to pull him toward the yard. He was way too heavy for me to move, but I knew I had already won.

Behind me, I heard Shigure chuckle. "She's got him wrapped around her little finger."

"She's got all of us wrapped around her little finger," Anneliese added, stepping beside us with Marie and Beatrice in tow.

Luciana, who had been leaning against the fence, raised an eyebrow. "Can't deny it."

Akrūra stood in the middle of the yard, watching us with that unreadable expression of his. His gaze flickered for a moment—hesitation, something lingering behind those shifting eyes of his.

I tilted my head. I liked Akrūra's eyes. They always changed colors like magic, sometimes blue, sometimes silver, sometimes even red. Sister Amelia said he had something called "Lilinious," but I didn't really understand what that meant.

After they returned from the church, I looked up at Akrūra. His silver-white hair, now shifting slightly in color under the morning sun and now his hair color is black and eyes are blue, which made him look like a prince or a princess from the fairy tales Sister Amelia told us.

"Are you really human, Akrūra?" I asked, staring at him with all the curiosity in my tiny body.

Akrūra blinked at me, startled, before something strange flashed in his eyes. It was gone in an instant, and he sighed, ruffling my hair again.

"Of course I am," he said, voice calm.

I pouted. "You don't act like it."

"That's because he's secretly an old man," Yuuka teased, stepping beside me.

Akrūra shot her a flat look. "I can hear you."

"Good." Yuuka grinned.

I giggled at their bickering before pulling on Karna's sleeve. "Come on! Let's play now!"

---

The Orphanage Yard

The yard was bathed in warm sunlight, and a gentle breeze rustled through the tall trees surrounding the orphanage. It was the perfect weather to play!

"Alright, rules are simple," Noah declared, stretching his arms. "No using weird tricks, no climbing the trees, and no biting!" He looked pointedly at Shigure and Yuuka.

Yuuka gasped dramatically. "Why would you look at me? I would never!"

"You did it last time," Karna reminded her, arms crossed.

"That was self-defense!"

Shigure covered her mouth to hide her laughter, but I could see her shoulders shaking.

"Fine, fine!" Yuuka huffed. "No biting. For now."

I giggled again, then pointed at Akrūra. "Akrūra should be It first!"

Akrūra's brows twitched slightly. "Why?"

"Because you look like you need to move more!" I said confidently, nodding to myself. "You always think too much!"

Karna smirked. "She's not wrong."

Akrūra sighed, but I could see a tiny, tiny smile at the corner of his lips. "Fine."

I cheered as everyone scattered. The game had begun!

---

Evening at the Orphanage

The sun had begun to set, painting the sky with streaks of orange, pink, and purple. After playing tag, we had all collapsed onto the soft grass, exhausted but happy.

"Angelika," Marie called from where she sat beside Beatrice and Anneliese, "come here for a second."

I pushed myself up and skipped over to them. "What is it?"

Marie smiled, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "You should go inside soon. It's getting chilly."

I puffed out my chest. "I'm not cold!"

"Of course you're not," Luciana mused, "but if you get sick, Sister Helene will worry."

I huffed, knowing they were right. I turned toward Akrūra, who was still lying on the grass, staring up at the sky. His eyes were their usual silver-blue now, reflecting the last rays of sunlight.

He always seemed to be thinking about something far away. Something I couldn't understand.

I walked over and plopped down beside him. "Akrūra."

He hummed in response.

"Will we always stay together?" I asked, looking up at the sky just like him.

Akrūra was quiet for a moment. Then, he reached over and lightly tapped my forehead with his fingers.

"As long as we can," he said simply.

I smiled. "Then that's enough for me."

The stars began to appear in the darkening sky, and for that moment, everything felt warm, safe, and unchanging.

But somewhere deep in my heart, a tiny voice whispered—

Nothing stays the same forever.

(Angelika's POV)

The evening air was crisp and cool, the sky a canvas of soft purples and golds as the last traces of daylight melted away. The orphanage yard, where we had just finished playing tag, had become the perfect stage for my next grand idea.

I clapped my hands together, beaming at everyone. "Okay, now let's play something even better!"

Karna groaned. "Angelika, we just played tag for hours—"

"But this is a special game!" I insisted, eyes shining with excitement. "It's a royal court! Noah is the prince, and I'm the princess!"

Noah blinked. "Wait, what?"

"You're my big brother, so you have to be the prince!" I declared confidently.

Noah sighed but smiled. "Alright, fine. What about everyone else?"

I grinned, turning dramatically to face the others. "Luciana, Estelle, Yuuka, Mirai, Marie, Anneliese, and Beatrice—you are all duchesses!"

Anneliese chuckled. "Oh? A duchess, am I?"

"Yes!" I nodded. "Very elegant and noble!"

Yuuka smirked. "Does that mean we get to boss people around?"

"No!" I pouted. "You have to be nice duchesses!"

Yuuka sighed, putting a hand over her heart. "A tragedy, truly."

Marie giggled. "I don't mind being a duchess. It sounds fun!"

I turned to Karna, who had his arms crossed, already looking like he was going to refuse. "Karna, you're a duke!"

Karna raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember agreeing to this."

"You don't have to," I said sweetly. "It's already decided."

Luciana smirked. "She's got you trapped, Karna."

He sighed. "Fine. But only for a little while."

I beamed before shifting my gaze to Shigure. "And Shigure—"

"I know," Shigure interrupted with a sly smile. "I'm the maid, right?"

I nodded eagerly. "Yes! Because you always like cleaning things and looking after everyone!"

Shigure laughed, placing a hand on her hip. "Well, at least I get a good role."

I turned to Tsukiko next, my eyes narrowing playfully. "And Tsukiko…"

Tsukiko frowned. "I don't like where this is going."

"You're also a maid!"

Tsukiko immediately shook her head. "Absolutely not."

"But Tsukiko!" I whined, tugging at her sleeve. "The princess commands it!"

"I refuse to be a maid," Tsukiko said firmly, arms crossed.

I pouted. "Not even for me?"

Tsukiko hesitated, looking at my best pleading expression, and I knew I had won.

"Fine," she muttered. "But I'm not wearing anything weird."

"Of course not!" I chirped. "Only a proper maid dress!"

Tsukiko groaned as Shigure giggled beside her.

Finally, my eyes landed on Akrūra.

He had been standing quietly at the edge of the group, watching everything unfold with his usual unreadable gaze. But when I turned toward him, he blinked, realizing that he, too, was about to be dragged into my grand royal fantasy.

"And Akrūra," I declared, standing proudly before him. "You shall be my butler!"

Akrūra blinked again. "Why?"

"Because you already act like one!" I pointed out. "You always look serious, you never complain, and you take care of everyone even when you pretend not to!"

Shigure snickered. "She's got a point."

Yuuka smirked. "Akrūra as a butler, huh? I like it."

Akrūra sighed. "Do I have a choice?"

"Nope!" I grinned.

He closed his eyes briefly, as if contemplating his entire life's decisions, then let out another sigh. "Fine."

I cheered. "Okay, everyone! Now, let's go get ready!"

---

The Grand Court of Angelika

Sometime later, with the help of Sister Helene, we managed to find costumes to match our roles.

Luciana, Estelle, Yuuka, Mirai, Marie, Anneliese, and Beatrice wore beautiful dresses (even though they grumbled about how itchy they were). Karna had a formal jacket that made him look very important, and Noah wore a small golden sash that I decided made him look more princely.

But the best part?

Shigure and Tsukiko in maid outfits.

Shigure twirled gracefully in her's, looking completely unfazed. "Not bad," she admitted. "I kind of like it."

Tsukiko, on the other hand, stood stiffly in hers, arms crossed, face completely blank. "I hate this," she muttered.

"It looks good on you!" I beamed.

"I will never forgive you for this," she said flatly.

And then there was Akrūra.

He wore a long black coat with silver buttons, a crisp white shirt underneath, and a pair of elegant gloves. He looked exactly like a butler from the fancy storybooks Sister Amelia read to us.

I clapped my hands in delight. "Perfect! You all look amazing!"

Akrūra adjusted his gloves with a sigh completely defeated. "Are we done yet?"

"No! We have to act it out properly!"

---

The Royal Play Begins

I sat on my "throne" (which actually was just an old chair from the orphanage) with Noah beside me.

Shigure and Tsukiko stood off to the side, pretending to hold trays of invisible tea.

The duchesses—Luciana, Estelle, Yuuka, Mirai, Marie, Anneliese, and Beatrice—stood elegantly in a line, looking both regal and amused.

Karna, the "duke," sat nearby, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Akrūra, the butler, stood behind me, arms crossed. "What exactly is the goal of this game?"

"The kingdom must be peaceful!" I said proudly. "And you all must serve and protect the princess—me!"

Yuuka grinned. "That's a lot of responsibility."

"You can handle it!" I beamed.

Shigure chuckled. "Yes, of course, Your Highness."

Tsukiko mumbled something under her breath that I was sure was not very princess-appropriate.

I stood up suddenly. "Oh no! An evil dragon is attacking the castle!"

Noah sighed, playing along. "What shall we do, Princess?"

I pointed dramatically at Karna. "Duke Karna, you must lead the knights into battle!"

Karna pinched the bridge of his nose. "Angelika—"

"Do it for the princess!" I pouted.

He groaned. "Fine. But just this once."

I grinned in victory.

Then I turned to Akrūra. "And you, my butler—you must protect me at all costs!"

Akrūra sighed, but I could see the smallest twitch of amusement at the corner of his lips. "As you command, Princess."

I giggled, twirling in my dress. "This is the best game ever!"

And in that moment, under the dimming evening sky, with everyone laughing and playing along, I felt truly happy.

Even if things changed one day, even if we all grew up and left this place, I wanted to remember this.

This perfect moment.

Where we were all together.

Where we were all happy.

The laughter of my "royal court" echoed through the orphanage yard as we continued our grand game. Even the usual seriousness of Akrūra and Karna seemed to fade, if only slightly. The others, though reluctant at first, had fully embraced their roles—though Tsukiko still refused to smile in her maid outfit.

I cleared my throat dramatically, standing tall in front of everyone. "Now that the evil dragon has been vanquished—"

"Wait, when did that happen?" Noah interrupted.

I rolled my eyes. "Obviously, Duke Karna led the knights into battle, and my brave butler Akrūra protected me while the duchesses provided magical support!"

"Magical support?" Estelle raised an eyebrow.

"Of course!" I beamed. "You're all powerful duchesses, after all!"

Yuuka smirked. "Well, if I'm a powerful duchess, I demand a castle of my own."

"You already have one!" I said, waving my hands. "It's right next to my palace!"

Mirai giggled. "I think she means a real one."

I huffed. "That's impossible. But in our game, you have the grandest castle ever!"

Yuuka seemed satisfied with that answer, though Luciana was watching me with an amused expression.

Akrūra, as expected, had remained silent through most of this, only speaking when absolutely necessary. But I could tell he was listening—his sharp gaze never truly left any of us.

I turned to him. "Butler, serve us tea!"

Akrūra blinked. "We have no tea."

I put my hands on my hips. "You're supposed to pretend!"

A moment of silence.

Then, without changing his expression, Akrūra slightly bowed and said in a perfectly formal tone, "As you wish, Princess."

I gasped in surprised. "You're actually playing along?!"

A few chuckles rippled through the group as Akrūra simply nodded and mimed pouring an invisible cup of tea.

Marie pretended to take a sip. "Ah, the finest tea I've ever had!"

"Exquisite," Anneliese added, holding an invisible teacup with perfect elegance.

Karna sighed. "This is ridiculous."

"But fun," Beatrice grinned.

Tsukiko, despite her earlier resistance, sighed and finally gave in. "Fine. If we're doing this, I'll make sure the tea is served properly."

She straightened her posture, imitating Shigure's movements, and pretended to hand me a delicate cup. "Your tea, Princess."

I beamed. "Thank you, Tsukiko! See? You're a great maid!"

Tsukiko muttered something I didn't catch, but I chose to ignore it.

---

An Unexpected Visitor

As we continued playing, a gentle voice called out from the entrance of the orphanage.

"Angelika!"

We all turned to see Sister Amelia standing there, watching us with a warm smile.

"Sister Amelia!" I waved excitedly.

She stepped closer, observing our little royal court with an amused expression. "And what exactly is happening here?"

"I'm a princess! Noah's a prince! And everyone else is nobles, maids, and butlers!" I declared proudly.

Sister Amelia chuckled. "I see. And who decided all of this?"

"Me!" I grinned.

She glanced at the others, her kind eyes twinkling with amusement. "And you all agreed?"

"Not exactly," Karna muttered.

"But it was easier to just go along with it," Luciana added with a smirk.

Sister Amelia smiled. "Well, it looks like you're all having fun. But the sun is setting—you should all come inside soon."

I pouted. "Just a little longer?"

She hesitated before finally nodding. "Alright. But not too long, okay?"

"Okay!" I promised.

With that, she walked back toward the orphanage, leaving us to our

The excitement eventually began to settle as the sky darkened. The others had started to relax, sitting on the grass rather than standing in their "royal" positions. The air had grown cooler, and a peaceful stillness had fallen over us.

I sat beside Noah, leaning against him as we gazed at the deepening night sky.

"Do you think we'll always be together like this?" I asked softly.

Noah glanced down at me. "Of course."

"But… what if something happens?"

Noah was quiet for a moment before he ruffled my hair. "No matter what, we'll always be together in some way."

His words made me feel warm inside, even if I wasn't sure I fully believed them.

The others had started talking in smaller groups—Shigure and Tsukiko quietly chatting about something near the fence, while Mirai and Estelle whispered among themselves. Karna was sitting with Luciana, arms crossed, deep in thought.

And Akrūra…

He was standing a little further away, gazing up at the sky, his silver-white hair glowing softly under the moonlight.

I tilted my head. "Akrūra?"

He glanced at me. "What?"

"What are you thinking about?"

He paused for a moment before he finally said, "Nothing important."

I pouted. "You always say that."

But Akrūra just looked back at the sky, his expression unreadable as always.

And for a brief moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes—something distant, something unknown.

Something… mysterious.

But before I could ask, Sister Helene's voice called from the orphanage.

"It's time to come inside, children!"

I sighed. "I guess our royal court is over for today."

Shigure stretched. "It was fun while it lasted."

Tsukiko immediately removed the maid apron she had been forced to wear. "Never again."

Akrūra, without a word, turned toward the orphanage and began walking back.

I watched him go, that strange feeling still lingering in my chest.

Who was Akrūra, really?

He was our friend, our family… but sometimes, I felt like there was something beyond that.

Something none of us truly understood yet.

And as we all returned inside, I had the smallest, quietest thought—one that I didn't fully understand.

Would our royal court always stay together?

Or was this happiness something that could slip away?

I shook my head.

No. We would always be together.

Right….?

At night.

(Mirai's POV)

The night had fallen over the orphanage, casting long shadows across the wooden floors and stone walls. The once lively echoes of our laughter in the yard had faded into silence, instead it was replaced by the soft creaks of the building and the rhythmic breaths of the other children.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to put myself to sleep. The blankets felt too heavy, the air too still. Even with Beatrice sleeping peacefully beside me, I couldn't shake the uneasiness curling in my stomach.

Something felt wrong.

I turned on my side, facing the window. The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light spilling into the room like an uninvited guest. But the longer I stared at it, the more I felt its light wasn't just entering—it was watching.

I swallowed hard. That's ridiculous.

And yet…

A shadow moved outside among the trees.

My breath caught. My fingers clutched the blanket tighter. It was probably just the wind shifting the trees, or maybe one of the older children getting water. But my heart wouldn't stop hammering against my ribs.

You're imagining things, Mirai. Just go to sleep.

I tried to shut my eyes tightly.

But the moment I did, a voice—soft, almost a whisper—brushed against my ear like the wind.

"Do you feel it too?"

My body froze, muscles locking in place as my eyes flew open, wide with terror.

I wanted to scream, but the sound was trapped in my throat, strangled by overwhelming fear.

The air felt thick and suffocating, pressing down on me like an invisible weight. My thoughts tumbled over each other, frantic and disjointed, trying to make sense of what I had just heard. Was it a dream? A figment of my imagination? An illusion?

No, it was real.

I forced myself to turn, slow and deliberate, toward the source of the voice.

Nothing.

The bed beside me remained undisturbed.

Beatrice lay there, her breaths deep and even, completely unaware.

My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms. I wasn't imagining it. I knew what I had heard.

Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I sat up, my pulse hammering against my ribs. The room felt impossibly dark, the shadows swelling, stretching, closing in as if they were alive and watching me.

And then, the whisper came again.

"You know something is there, don't you?"

This time, I felt it—something brushing against my arm.

I choked back a gasp, yanking my hand away. My body felt frozen, every nerve screaming for me to run, but I couldn't.

I had to see what it was.

Slowly, painfully, I turned my gaze toward the darkness at the far end of the room.

A shape—tall, thin, and ominous figure —stood there, barely visible in the moonlight hidden in the corner of the room. Its gaze… It feels like it's piercing down every fiber of my body, staring down into my soul…

My breath hitched, heart pounding fast as my fingers dug into the mattress. It wasn't moving, it wasn't breathing. It was just there, watching my every move.

I wanted to call out for someone—Akrūra, Karna, anyone—but my voice was trapped in my throat.

Then, as if sensing my fear, it took a step forward.

The wooden floor didn't creak. The air didn't shift. It was silent, unnatural, like a shadow that had come to life.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

Silence is all that comes.

When I opened them again—

It was gone.

But the fear didn't leave.

My breathing was erratic, my hands trembling as I forced myself to move. I had to get out of this room.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed, with bare feet making no sound against the floor. Every step felt agonizingly slow as I reached for the door.

I hesitated for only a second before stepping into the hallway.

---

The Hallway

The orphanage at night was different. The walls, once familiar and warm, now seemed foreign and looming the sense of dread. The flickering candlelight barely illuminated the corridor, casting long, distorted shadows against the wooden floor.

I hugged myself, rubbing my arms for comfort as I walked toward the main hall. Maybe someone else was awake. Maybe I'd find Noah or Shigure, and they'd tell me I was just being silly.

But the moment I turned the corner, my breath caught again.

A figure stood at the end of the dark hallway.

My heart stopped for a second.

Unlike before, this one wasn't a shadow. It was a person.

And then, in the dim light, I saw the silver-white hair.

"Akrūra…?" My voice was barely a whisper.

He didn't respond at first, simply standing there, his back partially turned toward me. But there was something off about him. His posture, usually so composed, seemed tense.

"Akrūra, what are you doing there in the middle of the night…?" I asked in a whisper.

After some time passed finally, he spoke.

"You shouldn't be out here."

His voice was quiet, almost distant… Empty…

I swallowed. "I… I-I couldn't sleep."

He turned slightly, just enough for me to see his expression. His blue eyes—so piercing and sharp—looked unreadable in the dim light of the candles.

For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in them— then something cold.

"Go back to bed, Mirai," he said softly.

I hesitated. "Did you—" My voice caught. I didn't know how to ask it. "Did you see it too?"

Akrūra watched me carefully before shaking his head. "It's late. Whatever it is, it won't bother you anymore."

His words were meant to reassure me, but it only made me feel uneasy.

Still, I didn't argue. Something about the way he looked at me made me realize I wouldn't get any more answers tonight.

I nodded slowly. "Okay…"

I turned to leave, but before I could take another step, Akrūra spoke again.

"Mirai."

I stopped.

"Fear is a strange thing," he murmured. "It makes us see things that aren't there. But sometimes…" His voice lowered.

"Sometimes, it shows us the truth."

A shiver crawled down my spine, cold and unrelenting.

I couldn't bring myself to turn around, couldn't face him.

Instead, I forced my feet to move, retreating silently to my room. I slid beneath the blankets, pulling them tight around me as if they could shield me from the unease gnawing at my chest.

I focused on my breathing—slow, steady, controlled—desperately trying to calm the storm inside.

But sleep was elusive.

And when it finally came, the whispers followed, weaving into my dreams, turning them into something darker.

The next morning.

The sun had barely risen when the sounds of footsteps and the soft murmur of the other children slowly started to fill the orphanage halls. Morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a golden hue over the stone floors, chasing away the shadows that had lingered since last night.

I woke up feeling strangely light, the heaviness of the previous night's events forgotten in the daylight. For some reason, I had slept well. The kind of sleep where you felt both restored and uneasy—like a deep, unshakable peace that held something just beyond your reach.

"Mirai?" Beatrice's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I blinked up at her, seeing the same unease in her eyes that I knew mirrored mine. But neither of us mentioned it. The strange events of last night hung in the air, but for now, there was no need to speak of them.

The children slowly gathered in the dining hall, eagerly waiting for breakfast. The aroma of warm porridge and freshly baked bread filled the room, comforting the sleepy group. The atmosphere was light, casual, but a quiet tension lingered between us, an undercurrent of unease left by the strange happenings that none of us were willing to address.

Akrūra, as always, sat at the far end of the table, his expression unreadable as he ate his portion making it impossible to guess what was going through his mind. Karna sat beside him, chatting lightly with Noah, though his eyes kept darting toward Akrūra every so often, as if silently checking on him.

As usual, Angelika bounced into the room with an energy that seemed to light up the entire place. Her eyes were wide and excited, as if the world had endless possibilities for adventure. She didn't seem bothered by anything.

"Good morning, everyone!" she chirped, her voice high and innocent. "Let's play today! I want to run around with all of you!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and before I knew it, I found myself smiling despite the lingering doubts and thoughts in my mind.

The meal passed in a blur of chatter and laughter, the worries of the previous night temporarily set aside. And when we finished, everyone rushed to gather their things, eager for the day ahead. Because today, we would be free to explore the town.

---

Roaming the Town

By noon, we had all made our way into the heart of the town. The cobblestone streets were alive with people—vendors selling their goods, children playing, and families strolling with baskets in hand. The market square was vibrant, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds. The sun beat down warmly on our backs, and the air smelled faintly of fresh bread, flowers, and woodsmoke.

It was the kind of day that made everything feel ordinary and magical at the same time, yet beneath it all, something ominous is creeping closer with every passing moment.

We wandered the streets in small groups, laughing and playing with the other children who had gathered around. Angelika led the charge, pulling the younger kids along as she insisted on a game of tag, while Karna, Noah, and Akrūra lingered behind, sharing quiet conversations that none of us could quite hear.

As we walked further into the town, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at how different the world outside the orphanage was. The streets were alive with energy, bustling with life and activity that felt like it had existed for centuries, long before any of us had arrived.

"Let's go to the fountain!" Angelika called out, pointing to the large marble fountain at the center of the square, water splashing high into the air. Her eyes shone with excitement as she tugged on my sleeve, pulling me along. "Come on, everyone!"

The fountain was a beautiful sight. Water sparkled in the sunlight, cascading down in shimmering sheets. The air was cool and fresh by the fountain, and we spent hours splashing in the water, laughing as the cold droplets sprayed our faces.

I found myself laughing with them, feeling the weight of the world slip away for a moment. The worries that had clung to me so tightly were momentarily forgotten as we splashed around, making memories that felt as light and carefree as the summer breeze.

"Race me to the top!" Angelika challenged, her tiny legs moving faster than I could keep up with.

I grinned, chasing after her, the sound of my laughter mingling with hers as we darted around the fountain's edge. Endless laughter and happiness, that's all I can feel at this moment. I wish this moment could last forever, but everyone knows it never does last forever.

---

A Quiet Moment

As the afternoon wore on, the children slowly began to get tired. Some of the younger ones went to sit on the stone benches by the fountain, while others joined us at the nearby bakery for a quick snack. A warm loaf of bread and some fruit seemed to energize us all, even as the sun began to dip lower in the sky.

I found a quiet corner of the market square, away from the others, where I could sit and think. The evening light bathed the town in golden warmth, casting long shadows that stretched across the cobblestones.

Akrūra had followed me here, though he didn't speak. He stood a little distance away, his silver-white hair shimmering in the fading light. For a long time, we simply stood there, watching the people pass by, listening to the murmur of the town. There was something peaceful about it, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was still off.

Was it just my imagination?

"You look troubled," Akrūra said softly, breaking the silence between us.

I blinked, surprised to hear his voice.

"Something's wrong," I said quietly, not even sure why I had said it. "I can feel it. Like there's something we're missing, something feels off."

Akrūra didn't respond immediately. Instead, he gazed out at the town, his eyes distant. "It's easy to let our guard down here," he murmured. "But sometimes, that's when things slip past us."

I nodded, not entirely understanding, yet something in his words resonated deep within me. We were safe—or so it seemed. But a quiet unease tugged at the edges of my thoughts, a shadowy feeling I couldn't quite put my finger on.

---

The Day Ends

As the day wore on, we began to make our way back to the orphanage. The sun was setting, casting a fiery glow over the horizon. It had been a long day of play and laughter, and even though I felt the weariness creeping into my body, I didn't want it to end.

Tomorrow was the first day of school.

I glanced over at Akrūra, who was still walking silently beside me. His gaze was directed ahead, as if lost in thought. The others were chatting around us, excited for the new chapter that was about to begin.

I couldn't help but wonder—what would the next day bring? What would our new school be like? What has fate planned for us? What has she planned for us?

As the orphanage came into view, I felt a strange mixture of excitement and apprehension. We had spent so many years in this place, and yet, it felt as though we were on the cusp of something far greater.

I wasn't sure if I was ready, but I knew that no matter what happened, we would face it together, and for the first time in a long time, that thought gave me a sense of calm, peace inside me.

In the evening.

The evening had arrived quietly enough, the stars appearing slowly in the sky above as the sun dipped below the horizon. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of earth and wood from the surrounding forest. It seemed like any other evening in the town of Drachenheim. But tonight, something was different. Something was waiting… Something's coming…

I felt it first in the air—an unnatural stillness. The wind had stopped moving, leaving the trees silent, their branches frozen in place. It was as though the world itself was holding its breath. The sky, which had been a calm gradient of fading pinks and purples, shifted as a deep crimson hue began to spread, staining the blue night sky.

Red. The moon... is red. It's a blood moon.

The realization hit me like a physical blow, and the cold dread that gripped my heart intensified. I looked around at the others, but no one seemed to have noticed yet. They were still in their usual evening routines, talking quietly or preparing for bed. But I knew something terrible was coming. Everything feels too quiet… way too quiet

Suddenly Father Alfred's voice rang out sharply from across the room, cutting through the quiet chatter. "Everyone, inside! Close the doors and lock them!" His commanding tone brooked no argument, and his eyes were sharp with urgency as he turned toward Sister Helene, Sister Irene, and Sister Amelia. "Quickly, now. Seal the windows. And Close the shutters!"

The sisters jumped to obey, their expressions filled with a mixture of confusion and fear. Sister Amelia was the first to speak, her voice trembling as she hurried to the window. "Father, what's happening? What is happening, why is the moon crimson red?"

Father Alfred's jaw tightened as he cast a glance out the window, his eyes narrowing. "It's the Curse of Arliva." His voice was grave filled with dread, as though the words themselves carried a weight of horror that no one had dared speak aloud for years.

"The Curse of Arliva?" I whispered, though I already knew the answer. The stories had been whispered among the townsfolk in hushed tones—legends of a blood-red moon, of creatures that roamed the earth when the curse was upon the land. Creatures of the dark arise from the depth of the earth, invading the entire town causing a lot of death and loss. Based on the stories that have been told, it's said one of the deities of this word cast upon this curse to punish mankind. Or did they?

Father Alfred ignored that question and instead, he moved swiftly toward the door, his steps heavy with purpose. "Help the sisters lock up everything. We must fortify the orphanage immediately. There is no time to waste!"

I turned to the others, my heart racing in my chest. "It's true then. The curse…"

Karna's expression was unreadable as always, but even he seemed uneasy. He didn't speak, but his eyes darted toward the window where the moon's crimson light bathed the room in an eerie red glow.

Father Alfred's voice can be heard in the distance, his voice filled with determination and purpose. "Move it! Use that table and couch to block the doors!" he said with a serious and high voice. "Lock every single door and block them, we can't take any risk."

Shigure and Tsukiko can be seen boarding up the window together really fast, they manage to board up at least five windows in one minute. They work with such speed and precision, Tsukiko hammers the board on while Shigure carries the wooden planks.

One of the sisters helped Angelika to calm down and secure her in the main area with the other sisters.

Sister Helene and Sister Irene were already busy securing the doorways, but Sister Amelia, her face pale, stood frozen by the window, staring out into the night. The crimson red skies, the blood moon, it emits the feeling of dread… It's coming and it won't stop at all.

Then, slicing through the silence like a jagged blade, came a scream—raw, guttural, and filled with pure terror.

It was a shrill, inhuman scream that echoed across the orphanage, cutting through the silence of the night like a sharp blade. I froze, my blood running cold at the sound. It was unmistakable—people were screaming. Their voices, filled with terror, were quickly drowned out by more sounds—louder, more gut wrenching. The creature's inhuman growls covered the streets of a once peaceful town, echoes of cries and screams can be also heard.

I rushed to the window, my heart thudding in my chest, and peered out into the darkened streets through the boarded window. What I saw made my breath catch in my throat, and it sent shivers down my spine.

Shadows moved in the distance—no, not shadows. Figures, hunched and twisted, moving swiftly through the streets. Their limbs were contorted in unnatural angles, and their eyes glowed red like burning embers. Ghoulish, monstrous creatures with twisted features, tearing human flesh through the town, leaving chaos and destruction in their wake. They moved with an unnatural speed, their howls filling the night air. Some tried to hide while being quiet, but only to be found by the ghouls. Blood, human remains, and the flame covered the streets of the town as the ghouls feast upon their prey.

Sister Amelia gasped from beside me, and I could hear her muffled sob as she clutched her hands to her chest . "What are they?"

Father Alfred's voice cut through the panic. "They are the spawn of the curse, Ghouls. Twisted creatures of the night. They come when the moon turns crimson red. We are not safe until the night ends. Being inside doesn't mean we are fully safe, it only increases our chance of survival."

The air outside seemed to grow heavier with each passing second. I could feel the dread seeping into my bones as the screams grew louder, closer. In the distance, buildings were being set aflame, the faint orange glow of fire casting long shadows across the streets.

Unfortunately one of the ghouls noticed the light from the inside of the orphanage. It growls before making its way to the orphanage, two other ghouls also follow soon after.

"Close the doors! And bar them!" Father Alfred shouted again, moving to the center of the room, his voice steady despite the chaos unfolding outside. "We will protect the orphanage. All of us must stay inside and wait for dawn."

His words were firm, but there was a sense of fear in his eyes that I hadn't seen before. He was doing his best to maintain control, but the truth was clear: we were at the mercy of whatever was coming for us.

I helped the others barricade the doors, my hands trembling as I pushed a heavy wooden chair against the entrance. We heard the distant sounds of shuffling footsteps, the scrape of claws against stone, and it's getting closer. I couldn't help but glance nervously at the windows, but the sisters had already covered them with thick curtains, hiding us from the creatures outside.

"Everyone, gather in the dining room. We'll take shelter there," Father Alfred commanded, his voice heavy with urgency and unspoken dread. "Angelika and the other sisters are waiting there," he said.

All of us comply and head to the dining room, after all of us enter Father Alfred then locks the door shut. Unknown to us Tsukiko, nowhere to be seen inside the dining room.

Father Alfred moved to the center of the room, his hands raised in a quiet prayer. "O Lady Lirineus, grant us your protection. Shield us from the evil that walks this night. Let your holy light guide us through these dark times."

His voice was a soft murmur now, but I could hear the strength in his words, the force of his faith. He was using holy magic, I realized and remembered that prayer, calling upon the blessings of their goddess to protect us. The other sisters soon also follows repeating the prayer, hoping that the blessing is enough to protect all of us.

I turned to look at Akrūra. He was standing by the far corner of the room, his silver-white hair shining faintly in the dim light. His yellowish eyes which have turned into gray eyes were narrowed, his expression unreadable as always. But there was something in his stance—something that told me he was ready for whatever was coming.

The world outside had descended into chaos. We could hear the desperate screams of the Townsfolk as they tried to flee, but the ghouls were everywhere. Their relentless hunger for blood and flesh was evident in the way they tore through anything in their path. There were no more sounds of battle, no cries for help. Just the screams, cries, and the ghouls growls.

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. The curse had descended upon us, and there was no way out. The night would stretch on, each moment longer than the last, making the feeling it's endless.The ghouls would keep coming, and we could only hope that Father Alfred's magic would hold.

The red moon hung high above, bathing the town in an eerie crimson light. Its blood-red hue seemed to mock us, a reminder that we were trapped in this endless nightmare with no hope or savior.

Outside, a howl split the night air. It was deafening. Another scream. And then—silence.

Father Alfred's voice broke through. "Stay strong. The dawn will come. Hold your faith."

But as the night stretched on, I couldn't help but wonder: how many more screams would we hear before the darkness was over? How much worse will it become?

*SHATTER

But suddenly, a loud glass shattering cut through the silence like a sharp blade. All the candles suddenly blew out, enveloping the entire room in eerie crimson red light. This immediately alarmed everyone in the room. Everyone is now on their full guard, preparing themselves for the worst. Because the ghouls managed to get in using the window on the second floor.

"OH NO, THE GHOULS MANAGE TO GET IN!" One of the sisters said quietly but with a panicked voice. Father Alfred's eyes widened in fear, as his worst fear had happened. The ghouls had managed to break into the orphanage, but how much ghoul that broke in is unknown.

I looked around the dining room, while counting everyone making sure that everyone was here. But soon I noticed that one of us was missing and not in the dining room… Tsukiko… She is not here… She is in danger…

"Oh no… This is bad…" I said quietly and in a worried manner. Shigure noticed my worried expression and decided to comfort me.

"Mirai don't worry, we are safe under Father Alfred's holy magic." She said softly trying to comfort me. "We will survive through this nightmare, together and unharmed."

"It's not about that, Shigure" I speak quietly and worriedly. "What do you mean Mirai?" She asked quietly

"TSUKIKO IS NOT HERE, SHE'S STILL OUTSIDE THE DINING ROOM AND IN DANGER!" I said in a panicked low voice. The others look at me with surprise in their eyes.

"What do you mean she is NOT here?!" Sister Helene said in a panicked voice, while grabbing my shoulder. "Yeah, didn't Father Alfred tell all of us to go here?" Sister said in a panicked voice.

"Yes, Father Alfred told us to go to the dining room. I assume something caught her interest." I said quietly as a growl can be heard passing through the dining room. Everyone quickly shutted their mouth in order not to be detected by the passing ghoul.

The air feels heavy, each passing second it seems to get even heavier. An ominous feeling envelops the air, every second feels like an unending nightmare.

After the seemingly unending nightmare, the ghoul outside the dining room left to the other part of the orphanage. Everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief, managing to survive a ghoul's hunt.

"I am going to go find Tsukiko by myself" I said quietly to the others, but they quickly disagreed with my decisions.

"It's too dangerous for you to go alone Mirai, let me come with you" Yuuka said, as she worries about my safety. "Yeah, let Yuuka come with you. It's better to search with two people instead of one." Sister Helene said quietly.

I sigh in defeat as I quietly make my way to the dining room door with Yuuka right behind me. The search for Tsukiko now begins, as both of us exit the dining room and we both hear the door lock behind us again.

"Now where should we begin looking for Tsukiko?" Yuuka asked me in a quiet voice not wanting to attract the ghoul here. "Hmm, she's fond of staying in the library. Maybe we could find her there." I said quietly as both of us made our way to the library.

Tsukiko Pov

I felt a strange feeling that seems to be pulling me, but this particular feeling caught my interest. I started following it while the others followed what Father Alfred said about taking shelter in the dining room. I keep following it until it eventually leads me to my room????

Confused because of the strange feeling coming from my own bedroom, I decided to enter it slowly in order not to attract the ghoul that managed to get in. I close the door slowly as I look around my room trying to sense where the source of this strange feeling comes from. I closed my eyes and tried to sense the location of where this strange feeling was coming from.

Soon enough, I manage to locate the source of the strange feeling that I have been experiencing this entire time. I looked under the bed and found a strange box that I have never seen before. As I grab a hold of the box, I slowly pull it out from under the bed as I hold it in my hand I start to hear a voice inside of my head.

"Finally, after so long you have come to me. I have waited for so long for this moment." a mysterious voice said, startling me making the box I am holding almost fall. I look around confused where the voice comes from.

"Don't be afraid child, I won't harm you. I'll guide you unlocking your ability," the mysterious voice said in a comforting tone.

"W-who are you…?" I quietly spoke in a whisper with a hint of nervousness.

"You will meet me soon child, for now I'll help you activate your tarot cards." the voice said, with a comforting voice. "Put the Star, moon ,tower, sun, judgment, hanged man, Empress, and Temperance cards into the box."

I did what the voice asked me to do, placing the cards the voice said into the box. Soon enough the box glows before it opens up again revealing the cards I placed earlier. But something feels different, it doesn't feel like regular cards anymore.

"I activated the cards full ability, for now I only could activate these cards. To activate the other cards, the seal on them needs to be broken first." The voice explained to me softly.

I suddenly sense something bad is going to happen in the library. Pocketing the box and the cards back into my pocket I slowly make my way to the library quietly avoiding the patrolling ghouls.

Marie's POV

As I watched Mirai and Yuuka go out the door to find Tsukiko I just couldn't help but hope they will be ok. A few seconds later they closed the door quietly as I heard them whisper a few words.

When they finally left, none of us dared to even make a single noise so as to not be detected by the ghouls. The silence was deafening, the only sound being made was our slow and steady breathing, and the wind with the occasional screeches and growls of the ghouls outside.

Until Father Alfred spoke in a quiet voice. "Ok, let's move to the basement. It's safer there" The others nodded to Father Alfred except me and my friends.

"What about Mirai and Yuuka? We can't just leave them behind." I said quietly, gaining nods from my friends. We can't just leave our friends behind.

"It's much safer in the basement. Don't worry they will be fine, they won't take long. Trust them" Father Alfred said calmly but I can't just leave them behind. But Father Alfred is right. They will be fine, I just gotta trust them.

With a sigh I looked at Father Alfred and gave a nod. If we stay here much longer we would be in more danger rather than moving to the basement while we still can.

Eventually everyone agreed with Father Alfred and went to the basement. We could only trust and hope that they will come back safely.

We all stood up and slowly followed Father Alfred to the basement, careful not to make any noise.

Eventually we reached the basement door. Father Alfred went to the door and opened it slowly so as to not make as much noise as possible.

Fortunately the ghouls didn't detect the noise so we managed to get inside safely. Or so we thought.

As we walked down a flight of stairs leading to the basement. I just can't shake off this feeling that something bad is gonna happen.

Like a sense of looming dread but I figured that it was just the blood moon. But I just can't shake the feeling that something is gonna happen.

As we finally entered the basement with me entering last. As I closed the door everyone let out a sigh of relief thankful that they survived.

But, something is coming and we don't know what. The room had an eerie silence and no one dared to speak another unnecessary word.

Everyone started to relax, hoping to calm themselves down and trying to control their breathing. Until I noticed something in the dark corner of the room. Someone or something with a black hood covering the figure's face.

The figure didn't move, it was just standing there menacingly. Watching our every move. Like a predator stalking its prey.

My mouth opened up to speak but before I could the figure dashed towards me and my friends, Father Alfred noticing too late.

When the figure arrived we tried to use magic against him but before we could activate he gathered us together and put us into a chokehold

"Don't move or the children get it" The figure said threatening us while taking out injections.

Father Alfred, seeing this, spoke, "What are you going to do to them?" His tone quiet and calm but his facial expressions showed anger

The figure didn't respond, instead it injected each and every one of my friends with the weird injection. We tried to resist but to no avail the figure managed to inject all of us. And after injecting all of us the figure left as fast as he appeared, leaving no trail behind.

My consciousness was being dragged to the bottom of the abyss as I felt my body fall down. And after that, everything went black.

No POV

One by one Marie, and her friends fall down as the figure leaves a few seconds after. As soon as the coast was clear Father Alfred went to our side and checked if they were alive by putting his fingers on their pulse and letting out a sigh of relief.

"Are the kids okay?" Sister Helena asked quietly, worried for the safety of Marie and her friends in which Father Alfred nodded to her question to reassure her.

Sister Helena and the others breathed out a sigh of relief as they waited for the sun to rise.

Yuuka's POV

I followed Mirai to the library to search for Tsukiko slowly and quietly so as to not attract any lurking ghouls. Making sure to avoid any danger as we approached the library slowly, as the ghouls patrolled around the orphanage.

We moved cautiously down the dim corridor, each step swallowed by the suffocating silence. The flickering light overhead barely pierced the darkness, casting jagged shadows that seemed to twitch and shift on their own. The air was thick, damp, carrying the scent of old wood and something fouler—something rotten.

When we reached the library door, unease slithered up my spine.

I reached for the handle.

"Wait."

Mirai's voice was barely a whisper, her body suddenly rigid beside me. My fingers hovered just inches from the knob.

I turned to her, my pulse quickening. "What is it?"

She didn't answer. Instead, her eyes darted around, scanning the dim hallway like a cornered animal sensing a predator.

Something was wrong.

Ignoring the growing dread gnawing at my chest, I gripped the handle and twisted.

Locked.

"Mirai, the door's locked," I murmured, barely daring to breathe.

She exhaled sharply. "Are you kidding me? Piece of cooked tuna, where in the cooked fish are we supposed to—"

Then she stopped. Her eyes widened

Her breath hitched.

And in a voice barely above a breath, she whispered, "Shhh. I think I heard something..."

A deep, unnatural silence fell over us.

The kind that wasn't just quiet—it was hollow. Hungry.

The hallway stretched endlessly behind us, its corners swallowed in darkness. My skin prickled as I strained to listen, every muscle in my body locking in place.

Nothing.

Just the wind moaning through the cracks of the old mansion.

But the air had changed. It was heavier now..

And then—

A slow, deliberate tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Above us.

I didn't want to look.

I did not want to look.

But my body betrayed me, my head tilting back as my gaze dragged toward the ceiling.

Something clung there.

A ghoul.

Its body was contorted, limbs bending at grotesque angles, its head twisted upside down to stare directly at me. Its mouth curled into a gaping grin, jagged teeth glistening with something dark. Its hollow, soulless eyes bore into mine, unblinking.

My breath stopped.

Then, before I could react—

It dropped.

A blur of bone and decay lunged at Mirai, slamming her to the ground with a sickening thud.

Her scream ripped through the air, raw and choked with terror.

The ghoul's limbs twitched and spasmed as it pinned her down, its head cocking too far to one side with a wet snap. Its gnarled fingers clawed at her throat, lips peeling back in a grotesque, hungry snarl.

Mirai thrashed beneath it, her hands shoving against its rotting chest, but it was too strong—too fast.

I moved.

Adrenaline surged through me, my body acting on instinct. I reared back and kicked the creature square in the ribs. A sickening crack echoed as it flew off Mirai, skidding across the floor before slamming into the wall.

It shrieked—a sound that wasn't human. A sound that didn't belong in this world.

I didn't hesitate. I grabbed Mirai and yanked her up.

"Go! NOW!"

We bolted into the library.

I slammed my shoulder against the door, forcing it open as we tumbled inside. Just as the ghoul launched itself forward, we threw the door shut—BANG!

The door shook violently as the creature hurled itself against it. Bang. Bang. Bang.

Claws raked against the wood, an agonized shriek ripping through the air.

"Block it!" I gasped, throwing my weight against the door.

Mirai was already moving, dragging a massive oak table and chairs against the entrance. The ghoul howled from the other side, a grating, guttural wail that made my stomach turn.

Then—

Silence.

Our ragged breaths filled the stillness.

Something was wrong.

The ghoul had stopped.

It was waiting.

The hairs on my neck stood on end. The air had thickened, heavier than before.

And then—

A creaking floorboard.

Not from the door.

From inside the library.

My stomach dropped.

The crimson glow of the blood moon poured through the high windows, stretching long, warped shadows across the floor. And in those shadows—

Two more figures hiding in the shadows.

Motionless.

Watching.

Stalking their prey.

Their hollow eyes gleamed in the dim light, their lips twitching into unnatural grins.

One of them took a step forward.

The other crawled, its limbs skittering over the floor like a broken marionette. The blood moon outside seemed to sneer at us, painting the library in its hellish glow. We had nowhere left to run, all the exits were blocked.

"Mirai… What are we going to do…? We got nowhere to run" I said, fear evident in my voice, we got surrounded.

". . . Fricking run. We can't beat em let's just stall" Mirai said, preparing to run as fast as her legs can go. And suddenly taking a coin from her pocket and flipping it. With it landing on heads.

"You know that only delays our death right?" I said seemingly accepting my faith but I can't just die now.

"Better than being dead" Mirai responded focused as her breath became controlled

"Ok I will go left, you go right. We gotta split up. On my signal" Mirai said breathing calmly and taking out her hand and me nodding as a response.

"1" Mirai said, holding one finger while breathing, preparing to run.

"2" Mirai said, this time holding out two fingers her breathing became faster adrenaline fueling her. While I prepared to run as well facing left

"3" My breathing became faster, my pulse accelerating.

"Run!" As Mirai said that, the ghouls lunged towards us but missed as we ran away moving in different directions. After the ghouls recovered one ghoul chased Mirai and another chased me.

The ghoul lurched forward on all fours, its limbs bending in grotesque, unnatural angles, bones cracking with every movement. Its head hung too far to the side, its black, soulless eyes locked onto Mirai. A guttural, inhuman growl rumbled from deep within its throat before it launched after her, its fingers scraping against the wooden floor like claws.

"Run!" I shouted, already moving.

Mirai bolted, her breath coming in sharp, panicked gasps as she darted between towering bookshelves. I followed close behind, weaving through the labyrinth of dusty tomes and forgotten knowledge, my heartbeat thundering in my ears.

The ghoul was fast.

Too fast.

Its body twitched and spasmed as it pursued us, each movement jerky yet disturbingly fluid. It vaulted over fallen chairs, its twisted frame slamming into bookshelves as it skittered toward us, its grotesque limbs bending in ways that should be impossible.

A sharp hiss cut through the air as it swiped at Mirai, its claws missing her by inches. She yelped, nearly tripping over a fallen stack of books before twisting around a narrow corner.

Bang!

One of the ghouls slammed into a shelf behind us, sending a cascade of books tumbling to the floor. Dust exploded into the air, clouding my vision, but I kept running, my chest burning with exertion.

Mirai turned sharply down another aisle, her boots skidding against the polished wood. I followed—only for my stomach to drop.

Another ghoul crawled toward us from the other end of the aisle.

Its mouth gaped open unnaturally wide, drool dripping onto the floor as it scuttled forward, its elongated fingers reaching for us.

We were trapped.

"Left!" I gasped, yanking Mirai with me as we ducked into another row of bookshelves.

The first ghoul screeched, its claws raking the wooden shelves as it scrambled after us, knocking books to the ground in a chaotic flurry of paper and dust. My legs burned, my breath coming in ragged gasps, but I didn't stop—I couldn't stop.

We burst into an open reading area, dimly lit by the eerie glow of the blood moon filtering through the tall windows. The heavy silence of the library was shattered by the pounding of footsteps, the snarls of the pursuing creatures, and our own desperate breaths.

A shadow loomed—too close.

Mirai screamed as the ghoul lunged at her again.

She barely managed to duck under a massive, clawed hand as it swiped through the air where her head had been just seconds before. She spun and kept running, sweat slick on her face, terror widening her eyes.

We couldn't keep this up.

Losing our focus we accidentally crashed into each other in front of the other door of the library. The two ghouls keep approaching us from infront of us, preparing to lunge at both of us. We closed our eyes hoping for the worst, but it never came at all. We waited and waited but it never came….?

"Huh?" Mirai spoke first, confusion plastered on her voice, opening her eyes first confusion evident. I soon followed by opening my eyes as well, the sight I saw was shocking. Tsukiko is standing right infront of us and I see a glowing card in her left hand while facing the two ghouls. The ghouls… Something is happening to them…

They are chained down.

I noticed a couple of glowing purple chains coming out from the glowing circle underneath them, she saved us both. The ghouls growls in pain as the immense pressure of the chains pulls them down to the ground.

"Tsukiko? Is that. You?"

Tsukiko didn't turn immediately, her glowing card pulsing with a strange, eerie light. The chains wrapped around the ghouls tightened, the arcane symbols etched into them flaring brilliantly as the creatures thrashed against their restraints. Their grotesque bodies convulsed, jaws snapping wildly in defiance, but no matter how much they struggled, they couldn't break free.

I swallowed hard. The air felt thick, charged with energy.

Mirai, still breathless from our desperate escape, took a shaky step forward. "Tsukiko… what—"

A guttural screech ripped through the silence, cutting her off. The ghouls were changing. Their bodies contorted, their flesh shifting like writhing shadows, as if something inside them was desperately trying to escape. The chains burned brighter, almost searing white, forcing the creatures down harder.

Tsukiko exhaled softly and said something in a language I couldn't understand. Her voice was steady, yet distant.

"Zareth vel Ithar, Vaelis vel Thireth—Saren vel Aelira."

The moment she spoke, the sigils on the chains flared one final time before shattering like glass. The ghouls let out an ear-piercing shriek as their bodies rapidly disintegrated, dissolving into wisps of violet mist that were quickly swallowed by the glowing magic circle beneath them. Within seconds, they were gone.

The library fell into a deathly silence.

Tsukiko finally turned to face us, her expression unreadable, the card in her hand flickering before vanishing. Her heterochromatic eyes—one light blue, one deep crimson—shimmered in the dim moonlight, yet something was off. The usual spark in her gaze was gone, replaced by a dull emptiness, and her face held an unsettlingly emotionless

"Are you two alright?" she asked, her tone calm, almost casual, as if she hadn't just effortlessly obliterated two nightmarish creatures.

Mirai and I exchanged a look, still trying to process what had just happened. My heart was still pounding, my body screaming in exhaustion, but more than anything, I was in awe.

"You… you saved us," I said, finding my voice at last. "What was that?"

Tsukiko studied me for a moment before looking down at her own hand. "A sealing technique," she murmured. "A rather old one that Father Alfred taught me."

Mirai let out a nervous laugh, running a hand through her sweat-dampened hair. "Yeah? Well, whatever it was, I'm just glad you're here. That was insane."

Before Tsukiko could respond, a faint tremor ran through the ground beneath us. The bookshelves groaned as if something massive had just shifted deep within the library. A cold wind snaked through the aisles, and I felt an unnatural presence stir.

Tsukiko's gaze sharpened. "We're not done yet."

A heavy, oppressive force settled over us, thick enough to make my breath hitch. From the darkness beyond the ruined bookshelves, another shape emerged—much larger than the ghouls.

Its towering form loomed, clad in ragged blackened robes, its elongated skull-like face partially obscured beneath a tattered hood. Empty eye sockets burned with a violet glow, and in one skeletal hand, it clutched a long, rusted scythe.

Mirai went rigid. "Oh, come on," she breathed.

The creature's hollow gaze fixed on us.

And then it moved.

As the creature charged toward us, Father Alfred appeared out of nowhere and delivered a powerful kick, sending the creature flying into a nearby bookshelf. Without wasting any time, Father Alfred used light magic, which began to burn the creature. However, at the last moment, the creature escaped using shadow magic—a technique I had read about in a book.

As the creature vanished, Father Alfred let out a relieved sigh and said, "Thank goodness you are all safe."

Tsukiko, still catching her breath, asked Father Alfred about the creature. "Father Alfred, what was that creature?"

"That was a reaper—a being that comes to take souls. However, I've never heard of an incident where a reaper appeared during the Curse of Arliva. It's fortunate that I arrived in time; otherwise, something terrible might have happened to you. But now isn't the time for explanations. This place is unsafe, and there might be ghouls nearby. We need to head to the basement where the others are waiting."

Following his words, we ran toward Father Alfred's room, where a secret doorway led to the basement. The night was tense, and exhaustion weighed on our limbs. On our way, we encountered several ghouls, but Father Alfred easily dealt with them, allowing us to press on.

When we finally reached his room, we locked the door securely behind us. Father Alfred walked to a bookshelf, pulled a specific book, and we were instantly teleported to a warm, dimly lit room. Inside, we saw Angelika peacefully sleeping on a bed, while our friends rested on other beds, their faces calm despite the chaos outside. Sisters Helene, Amelia, and Irene were also present.

Sister Helene hurried toward us, wrapping the three of us in a comforting embrace. "Thank goodness you're safe," she whispered. "Now, get some sleep. You all need to rest."

I nodded wearily and walked to a bed near Noah's. My body ached for rest, and the soft mattress was a welcome relief. As I lay down, I felt a sense of security wash over me despite the lingering danger outside.

We all whispered goodnight to each other before closing our eyes, letting the pull of sleep carry us into a much-needed slumber

To be continued