INTERRUPTED ESCAPE

Just as Velma was about to step through the portal, a chilling wave of power surged from behind. The portal flickered violently—and then snapped shut. The sudden silence was deafening.

Lucian turned around swiftly, his heart sinking as he saw them.

Azarath and Zamiel.

Azarath stood poised and confident, her dark cloak swaying in the underworld's low breeze, while Zamiel leaned against a column with a smug look on his face.

"Where do you two think you're going?" Azarath's voice was like ice.

She stepped closer, her eyes locked onto Velma's. "I've told the King everything," she said with a satisfied smile. "And he's on his way here. Don't you want to see him one last time, Velma. Isn't that what you came here for in the first place?"

Zamiel chuckled and glanced at Azarath. "We can't leave you two alone for a single night without you making a mess."

Zamiel held Velma's hand, "I can let you go for a night,all your beauty can't go in vain",he said and smirked. Velma jerked her arm away from Zamiel's reach. Lucian remained silent, his fists clenched at his side.

Azarath tilted her head at Velma. "The King knows now. He knows what you are. A human. You don't belong here. And do you know what that means?" She stepped closer until she was nearly face to face with Velma. "It means… you must be killed."

Velma opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say a word, the sound of heavy hooves and wheels echoed in the distance.

A dark, ornate carriage pulled up beside the group. From within, the King emerged—Azarel himself.

His expression was unreadable as he stepped onto the cobbled stone. He looked first at Velma, then Lucian, and finally to Azarath and Zamiel.

"So," the King said, voice low and measured, "you are human. And yet you moved so freely among us. Your scent… I knew it was unfamiliar."

Velma's heart thundered in her chest. She took a hesitant step forward.

"Yes, I am human," she said, her voice shaking. "But you're not just Azarel. You're Daniel. Don't you remember?"

She looked into his eyes, searching for something—some flicker of the man she had loved.

Azarath snapped, "Enough!" and grabbed Velma roughly by the wrist. "She's said enough. Come on. Let's end this."

Velma struggled but the grip was too strong. She turned her head one last time, eyes locking with Azarel's.

But the King… did nothing.

He watched. Silent. Cold.

Lucian stepped forward, but one look from Azarel kept him frozen. Whatever part of Daniel still existed—it wasn't strong enough to speak. Not yet.

The night air thickened as the future twisted in silence.

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