Chapter 134: The Hollow One’s Death

A scream ripped through the night.

The sky darkened.

The trees shook.

Bella threw her head back, her body convulsing, the blackened tendrils unraveling from her skin.

Dante held her tightly, his muscles locked, his blue eyes burning as he watched her fight.

And then—

The Hollow One detached.

The black ooze-like shape tore itself from her body, writhing, screaming, clawing.

It hovered in the air, twitching violently, its hollow eyes wide with rage.

Dante's snarl shook the earth.

"Burn it."

Sage appeared at the edge of the clearing, a torch in her hand, her face unreadable.

She didn't hesitate.

She threw the flames at the creature.

The Hollow One shrieks were deafening, its body collapsing into smoke and ash, twisting and burning, sinking into the earth like it had never existed.

And then—

It was gone.

The forest went silent.

Bella's body sagged, her breath escaping in a sharp, choked sob.

Dante caught her before she collapsed, cradling her to his chest.

His arms trembled as he held her.

"You did it," he whispered, his voice cracking.

Bella's fingers curled into his shirt.

She was back.

And Dante?

He wasn't letting her go.

Not now.

Not ever.