Chapter 7 -3-

---

Under the heavy shade of an old tree, Nujah dropped to his knees.

He clasped his hands, voice trembling with something more than pain—fear.

> "Mother... I know what I did. I know how disgraceful it was.

But if you don't help me now, I'll become him.

The one we never name.

I can't survive in this body much longer. Not like this... Please..."

The silence stretched.

Then—

A sudden shift in the air. A pulse. A coldness.

Naraka appeared behind him, arms folded casually.

> "If you had left last night, you would've caught Mitra.

She had the key. You know that… don't you?"

Nujah stood slowly, fists clenched.

> "You brought me back just to toy with me, didn't you?

To drag me into your games?

Why not just take my power and leave?"

Naraka tilted his head with mock amusement.

> "Keep your ego in check, child.

You, of all people, should know the rules.

And yet—

You bonded with humans. You let it mark you.

That symbol… it's already burned into your soul."

Nujah's lips tightened. He looked away—ashamed.

> "Instead of retrieving what you needed,

you played house. You laughed. You brought ruin to Vercurius…

even though you knew your purpose."

He couldn't answer. He didn't even try.

Naraka yawned, stretching lazily.

> "By the way… Mitra's not going to be happy to see you.

She's pissed. Hurt.

If her blade touches you, don't expect me to save your core.

I might not be able to."

She raised a finger.

> "If you're about to die, scream my name. Loud."

Nujah took a breath, steeling himself—

but before Naraka vanished, he spoke again.

> "One last thing…

Children and townsfolk are going missing.

I don't want to waste time if Mitra isn't behind it.

Can you… handle it?"

Naraka's smile vanished. His gaze darkened.

> "Fine."

With a flick of his finger—

the world pulsed.

> "Everyone involved…

every last creature who touched a child in this forest or city—

they're gone."

Nujah bowed deeply.

> "Thank you. Truly."

Naraka stared at him with rare gentleness, then gave a bittersweet smile.

> "Just don't die. That's all I ask of you, son."

He vanished with a soft hum of power.

---

Nujah stood, flexing his fingers.

He rolled his shoulders, cracked his neck—

and smiled faintly.

A moment later, his form shifted.

Feathers burst from his shoulders. His body condensed and sharpened—

he became a crow once more.

Without hesitation, he launched into the air.

The wind howled beneath him as he soared toward her.

Toward Mitra.

---

After what felt like hours, he landed just outside a familiar, ruined structure.

The ground was cracked. The walls bled mist.

This was it.

He conjured a small mirror from shadow, pulling it from the ground like water.

He examined his face. Fixed his collar. Adjusted the strands of white in his hair.

He was terrified. But he knew—

He had to speak to her.

Whether it ended in peace… or pain.

---