The Soul Auctioneer

The air in Ramelan House had shifted again, but this time, it wasn't just magic that vibrated through the walls.

It was something darker — and far more dangerous.

Tia hadn't felt this level of tension since the day she first stepped into the house.Now, with her newfound powers as the Heart Keeper, she knew there was something even more sinister lurking just beyond the horizon.

They had barely begun to breathe easy when a knock at the front door shattered the calm.

Tia's heart skipped."Who in the world…?"

She walked cautiously to the door, the weight of the house's power now resonating in her every step.Ba'zaroth, watching from the living room, narrowed his eyes."Don't open it."

But Tia wasn't about to let a little fear stop her now.

She turned the doorknob.

Outside stood a man dressed in dark, elegant robes.He had an aura about him — a coldness that radiated like frost.But his eyes… those were the first thing that caught her attention.

They were deep violet, almost glowing with an unnatural light.

He gave a slight bow.

"Ah, the Heart Keeper herself. How lovely." His voice was smooth, but something in it made Tia's skin crawl."I am known as the Soul Auctioneer. And I have come to make you an offer."

Tia took a step back, the door halfway closed now."Offer? What do you mean?"

The Soul Auctioneer's smile was thin, like a blade.

"I've heard whispers of your new… abilities. And I have to admit, I'm quite intrigued. You see, there are certain individuals out there who pay handsomely for what you have. The powers of a Heart Keeper — rare, beautiful, and valuable."

Tia's stomach twisted."I don't know who you think you are, but you're not taking anything from me."

The Soul Auctioneer chuckled, his laugh cold as ice."Oh, I'm not here to take anything. I'm here to offer you a deal, my dear. You see, the world is full of lost souls, souls that have no home, no place to belong. I can give them that. And in return… I'll offer you something more precious than even this house can give you." He stepped closer, his eyes glittering."A power that will make your Heart Keeper abilities look like child's play."

Tia felt the pressure of his words, as though the walls themselves were closing in on her.But then, her mind snapped back to reality.

"No deal. And I'll say it again:Get. Off. My. Property."

The Soul Auctioneer's smile faltered for just a moment."Oh, I had hoped you would be more reasonable, Heart Keeper. But it seems… we'll need to do this the hard way."

With a snap of his fingers, the world around them seemed to darken.Tia felt a cold wind whip through the doorway — and suddenly, the shadows on the ground twisted into figures.

Dozens of them.Dark figures that hovered and writhed, taking shape in the dim light.

They were souls — lost, angry souls.And they were all bound to the Soul Auctioneer.

Tia stepped back."Get back inside, NOW."

But before anyone could react, the door slammed open fully, and the soul-bound creatures surged forward, eyes glowing with hunger.Tia raised her hand instinctively, calling on the house.

"Protect me."

The walls answered, the floors buckling as furniture leapt to life, turning into makeshift barricades.Tables, chairs, even the couch rushed toward the intruders, slamming into the souls like a tidal wave.

Ba'zaroth growled and leapt into action, claws slashing through the air to disrupt the creatures.Deadbeat swung his ghost-scythe, cutting through shadows with a sharp whoosh.

But for every soul they destroyed, two more appeared from the dark rift at the Soul Auctioneer's feet.

"Enough!" the Soul Auctioneer barked, snapping his fingers again.

The souls froze, their bodies stiffening like marionettes with their strings pulled taut.The creatures hovered, suspended in place, their glowing eyes following Tia.

"You've only seen the tip of the iceberg, Heart Keeper.I've spent centuries gathering souls like these, and they are mine to control.You can't fight that.You can't even begin to understand what I can offer."

Tia's heart raced.This was bad. Worse than anything she had faced before.But she wasn't going to give up now.

"Ba'zaroth, Deadbeat, get ready," Tia ordered, her voice steady despite the chaos around her.

Ba'zaroth gave her a nod, his massive form already shifting into battle stance.Deadbeat smirked, twirling his scythe.

"Time to show this soul trader what happens when you mess with the wrong house."

Tia stepped forward, raising her hand to the ceiling.

The house responded — the walls shuddered as a surge of golden energy shot through the floor, wrapping around her.

The souls screamed in unison, their glowing eyes widening in horror.

The Soul Auctioneer's smile vanished.

"Impossible…" he hissed.

With a loud CRACK, the very air around Tia distorted, and the walls of Ramelan House seemed to tear open.

Tia felt it — the power surging through her.She was the Heart Keeper.And this house… was her weapon.

The shadows lunged, but they were met with a wall of pure light, blinding them in an instant.Tia's power was undeniable.The house was with her.

The soul-bound creatures were torn apart, disintegrating into shimmering dust.Their cries echoed before they vanished completely.

The Soul Auctioneer staggered back, his face twisted with fury.

"No… this isn't how it was supposed to go…" he hissed.

Tia held her ground."You don't know what you're messing with.Ramelan House is mine.And I protect what's mine."

With a final, furious scream, the Soul Auctioneer vanished, the rift closing with a violent snap.

Tia exhaled sharply, her muscles tense.The house around her settled again, the eerie stillness returning.The golden light from her powers faded, and she collapsed against the doorframe, breathing heavily.

Ba'zaroth stepped forward, giving her a proud nod."Nice. Real nice. You're learning fast, Heart Keeper."

Deadbeat laughed."Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."

But Tia wasn't smiling.She was already thinking ahead.

This Soul Auctioneer…Wasn't the last of them.And they would be back.