Good morning, readers! As I said last time, this chapter was going to get a bit intense. Are you ready? Just a minor discretion, there is a gory bit coming up rather quickly in this chapter, so please be advised. At any rate, please enjoy as always!


Within the temple, Viktor lit some incense, the string of smoke dancing upon the air. He filled a bowl with water, taking some into his hands and washing his face with it, listening as the drops made contact with the bowl beneath him. He closed his eyes, breathing evenly for a moment.

"I need guidance..." He said quietly. "This... sweet girl has come to us... she is so tormented by this curse... she truly doesn't deserve it. But the other human... he is cunning, dare I say evil... he won't give us the answer. Please... show me what I can do to help. Not only for her sake, but for my uncle's. He's depending on me. The Hulder depend on me." Just then, a coppery scent filled the air. Viktor opened his eyes, frowning a bit when he heard what sounded like a whisper within his own mind.

'Give her to us.'

Viktor gasped as he jumped to his feet. He suddenly heard a sound behind him, turning to see a girl standing by the right rectangular pool, her back to him as she faced the entrance to the temple. She had long, strawberry blonde hair, and wore a stained hospital gown as she trembled, her breathing shaky.

"M- Miss?" He called gently, but the girl did not answer him. He approached cautiously, frowning. He didn't recognize her as one of his own, and he wondered how she managed to enter the temple without being heard. "Are you… another human?" He bit his lip as he extended his hand, gently touching her shoulder. She turned slowly, and he saw she seemed to be a bit younger than Kapra, her expression worn as she cried quietly. "I- It's alright, I can help you. Has someone harmed you?"

"P- Please… I can't do it anymore… I can't do this anymore…"

"H- Here, I can fetch my uncle, he will know what to do-"

"Why does everyone keep hurting me…? I never asked for this. I just want to stop the pain. Please… you have to help me stop it." She cried, her lip trembling as she whimpered.

"I assure you, no one will harm you here. Was it the dark ones? Is that what you're trying to stop? Y- Yes, we are well aware of them. Please don't fear. Now allow me to-" Viktor blinked when she gasped suddenly, looking behind her as her eyes widened.

"He's coming. I have to do this now. I'm sorry, I have to do this now. I have to stop the pain."

"Who is- I don't understand what you mean, please tell me-" Viktor began to say, staggering back when the girl suddenly sent her fist at the air, which began to shatter like a mirror. The blood of her knuckles from the impact mixed with the shards that flew back into the pool behind her like a meteor shower, disturbing the tranquility of its water as they stained it red. Viktor could only watch in shocked awe as the girl held the final shard, looking at the large piece in her hand before looking back up at him, choking a sob.

"I'm sorry… I have to do this… he was supposed to run away with me… he said he loved me. They all lied… I can't do this anymore!"

Viktor gasped as the girl began to slice her throat with the shard without warning, covering his mouth as her cries grew. She shut her eyes tightly, choking as blood began to spill from the deep cut she inflicted upon herself. Once she made it all the way across, the shard clattered to the ground as she collapsed, Viktor diving out to catch her. His brows furrowed deeply as the girl could no longer speak, blood pouring from her throat and mouth as the life began to fade from her eyes. He scooped her up in a panic, about to head towards the door when he felt something shove him into the right pool, gasping for air upon surfacing. As he looked around, he noticed the girl was nowhere in sight. "M- Miss?!" He cried, pulling himself out of the pool. When he looked over, he saw that the bowl on the altar was toppled over, and that there was not water spilling from it, but blood. He tensed up, beginning to tremble. As he was about to run to the door again, he gasped when he was shoved by an unseen assailant into the other pool this time, hearing an echoing laughter as it faded. He looked around him, trying to see if something was near as he waded a bit in the water.

Was he imagining all this? Was this a trick?

As he asked himself this question, he did not see something rising from the water behind him. The ominous apparition was silent, her long, almost black hair obscuring her face as she kept her head bowed, also wearing a hospital gown. It was drenched in blood, staining the water around her as it spread. In her right hand, she held an axe, water cascading down her skin as Viktor remained unaware of her presence- at least, for a few moments.


Arsenik and Kapra had continued speaking when suddenly, a Hulder came into the room in a panic. "Sir, your nephew was found in the temple, he is very hysterical and he is not responding to us."

Arsenik's spine stiffened then. "What-"

"One of the others found him, he is- I believe he may have seen a terrifying vision." He said.

"Oh shit…" Kapra swore under her breath, about to dash towards the door.

"Please, stay here, miss Kapra, I shall handle-"

"No. I'm going. I need to know what's happening to him." Kapra cut him off, hurrying through the door. Arsenik snapped out of his surprise as they made their way to the temple. A few Hulder were gathered as Viktor cried and clutched his head as Lylith tried to hold him still. When the three arrived, she pointed at Kapra.

"Demon! See how you have cursed him with your dark magic!" She shouted.

"Lylith, hold your tongue and give me my nephew." Arsenik snapped at her, bending down to help sit him up, placing the other hand on his forehead. He looked up in surprise when Ambrosia arrived, one of the Hulder having gone after her to call her back to the keep.

"Sir Arsenik, I know what to do... do you have an extraction potion?"

"Yes. Lylith, be useful and get the extraction bottle, quickly." Arsenik said to her.

Lylith hopped up, hurrying to a potion closet and grabbing a small, dark bottle and uncapping it, handing it to Ambrosia. She held it close to Viktor's lips, a dark smoke being slowly drawn from them as it flowed into the bottle. Once it was filled, Viktor gasped for air, this lasting for a few moments before he steadied his breath. Arsenik sighed with relief as she capped and pocketed the bottle.

"Ambrosia, if you could help my nephew to his chambers, I would be most grateful. The rest of you, disperse." He said, not even looking at Kapra as He began to stride down the hall.

"Arsenik?" Kapra called, frowning as he hesitated to give her attention. "I… I'm sorry."

"I will speak to you once I ensure my nephew is settled. Please excuse me." Arsenik said, barely glancing over his shoulder before continuing onward.

As Kapra swore under her breath, frowning deeply, she looked over as Lylith approached her, wearing a scowl.

"Your bind twirled around his finger unraveled the moment you brought harm to his nephew, wretch." She spat, turning on her heel and storming down the corridor.

Once she was left alone, Kapra clenched her teeth, closing her eyes for a moment. When they opened, her pupils dilated a bit, turning to look over her shoulder as she began to feel her demeanor change.

Pyramus hummed to himself lightly, licking his lips as he chuckled to himself. He watched from under his blanket as a Hulder woman he had just made out with through the bars headed out, swaying a bit as if dizzy. Shortly after, he heard the door to the small prison fly open, Kapra storming up to the bars.

"Tell me what the hell you did." She threatened lowly.

He blinked for a moment, a bit surprised by her entrance. "I do not know what you mean, mon amour, but I can tell you what you did to me…" Pyramus chuckled.

"I'm not playing around, tell me what you did to Viktor!" Kapra screamed. "Something happened to him in the temple and you either had something to do with it or at least know what happened!"

"Viktor? I did nothing to him… oh my… did something terrible befall him?"

"They're probably going to give me the boot because of this, so I don't care what I have to do to get the answer out of you now. You can tell me, or I'm finding a way in there so I can beat the piss out of you."

"My… how passionate. Tell me love, what can I do for you to do such things for me?"

Kapra began to see spots, her anger boiling over as she felt her control slipping away. She shot her arm in between the bars as Pyramus laughed lowly at the fact that she was obviously unable to reach him from where she was.

That's when it happened.

Her pupils dilated again, the light coming from surrounding lanterns flickering for a moment. Deep down, Kapra knew what was happening to her, and that she couldn't snap out of it now. Suddenly, Pyramus' blanket came flying off of him, soaring across the cell as Kapra snatched it. She stared at it a moment, looking between it and Pyramus. For the first time, his arrogance faded, replaced instead with a very uncomfortable expression as he also realized what was happening to her then.

"Kapra, dear… I would kindly appreciate if you gave that back to me." He got to his feet, making his way across the cell, stopping when Kapra backed away from the bars.

"What… this ratty thing?" She smirked darkly, acting very unlike herself. "Maybe I don't want to." She shrugged. "Maybe I should make you do something for it."

"Very well, tell me what I must do." Pyramus said, seeming dead serious.

"Tell me… what you did to Viktor." She said through clenched teeth.

"I swear, I did nothing to him." He said, continuing to eye the blanket anxiously.

"Hm… well, I guess that's it then." Kapra shrugged. "After all, I can't resist your charm, so I will believe every word you say… in fact, it's making me lose my balance-" As she pretended to sway, she made a small tear in the blanket. "Oops." She glared as Pyramus tensed up.

"N- No… Kapra, please do not do this. Just give it to me, please. I promise, I will do anything you say."

"Anything? Even if I told you to turn against the dark ones?"

"I… I cannot… Kapra, listen to me. This is not you. This has happened before, hasn't it? You must fight the darkness. You are stronger than I."

"That's a shame… I'm overcome with grief for you…" She tore the blanket a bit more, Pyramus clenching his teeth as he ran a hand through his messy hair.

"P- Please stop, I'll die!" He cried.

"Then do it." Kapra said, her eyes darkening more as the light began to fade from the lanterns.

"They're making you acting like this… please just give me the blanket. Please…" Pyramus begged.

Kapra curled her lip, slowly nearing the bars, holding the blanket out. "Fine. Go ahead, Pyramus. Take the blanket."

Pyramus hesitated a moment, biting his lip. When he shot his hand out to snatch it, Kapra kept a tight grip on it, yanking it back. The sound of a huge tear filled the air, Pyramus freezing. He held the blanket up, shaking his head slowly as he saw it had been torn nearly in half. He clutched it to his chest as he fell to his knees, tears rolling down his cheeks as he choked a sob. Kapra's pupils dilated more as she began to laugh, her shadow seeming to drape over Pyramus like a veil as he rocked back and forth. She hissed in a breath, about to say something when the door opened suddenly.

"Miss Kapra."

Arsenik stopped abruptly as he sensed the thick darkness in the room quickly dispelling with his arrival, the dimness of the lanterns fading as they came to light. Kapra's pupils shrunk as she swayed a bit. She furrowed her brows, turning to look at Arsenik for a moment before the sound of Pyramus' sobs snapped her attention to him, looking down at her hands.

"Oh shit, what did I do…?" She asked herself aloud, frowning.

"I must get you away from here, quickly. Come, make haste." Arsenik said, ushering her towards the stairs. As they went down the hall, she glanced over at him, but he did not return the gesture. When she slowed to a stop, Arsenik stopped when he realized she was no longer keeping up with him. "Miss Kapra, I need you to follow me."

Kapra felt her chest tighten as she turned, bowing her head and shutting her eyes. "I didn't mean it. I didn't mean any of it." She choked out.

Arsenik's expression changed from one of urgency, softening dramatically. He slowly approached her, gently taking her shoulders to turn her around. "Miss Kapra, I did not mean to push you to tears. Please forgive me."

"Well, what do you expect?" Kapra asked, her tears beginning to blur her vision. "You're getting rid of me, aren't you?" At this, Arsenik furrowed a brow. "Aren't you?!" She stepped back. "Look, I get it. I'm the cause of all this... and now it hurt Viktor." She ran a hand through her hair. "I wound never want something bad to happen to him. I just wish that... for once in my life..." Her voice faded as she shook her head. She was about to turn away when Arsenik stopped her.

To her shock, he took her hands, making her freeze as he bent down a bit, holding them close as he kissed them softly. Kapra could only watch in silence as he slowly drew her into a hug, feeling one of his hands petting her head.

"I'm so sorry. Let me assure you, I do not feel you are at fault for what has happened to Viktor." Kapra looked up at him as he said this. "You misunderstand me completely… I wished to make haste so that we could hopefully make sense of the vision I extracted from him. I neglected to make myself aware of your current emotional state, miss Kapra. I am already so accustomed to you being so strong... but you have already endured so much. I did not mean to cause such distress. You need not ever fear your place here." As she glanced away, he took a step back to look at her. "You are afraid. You have had your trust betrayed many times before… haven't you…?"

"… Yeah." She wiped her eyes, taking in a deep breath. "… I have."

"I promise you here and now that I shall not do as fools in the past have done. You have proven yourself more than worthy of my friendship, my companionship." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Arsenik… I don't want to see any of you die." She shook her head. "I can't let that happen."

"It won't." Arsenik placed a gentle arm around her shoulders. "We shall inspect the vision at a later time. You need a quiet space now."

"I want to see Viktor." Kapra said, looking up at him. "I want to see that he's okay."

Arsenik hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I shall take you to him." They went up to Viktor's chambers as Ambrosia tended to him, looking up as they entered. He was unconscious, but recovering. Kapra slowly approached, sitting by his side as she bit her lip worriedly. Arsenik observed this, the light from the doorway casting his shadow over them. "Miss Ambrosia… the day is beginning to wane. I offer my eternal gratitude for tending to my nephew so compassionately. I will take it upon myself to escort you back to your village so as to offer protection lest you are pursued once again."

"Thank you, sir Arsenik… I would have been devastated if something happened to sir Viktor and lady Kapra and I was not here to help." She replied.

"We owe you nothing short of our lives. Come. I shall walk with you, my dear." He extended his hand, taking hers as Kapra said a quiet goodbye to her. As Arsenik and Ambrosia left the keep, Lylith watched them from one of the windows, raising a brow to herself.


Deciding to lay low, Wind and Chase made places for themselves underneath some larger trees as they began to settle down for the night. As Chase made a fire, Wind stared out past the impact clearing into the horizon, his gaze somewhat distant.

"Wind? You want some grub? It's still pretty good." Chase offered, holding up some meat he had managed to take with him.

"I'm not eating that." Wind replied. "I like mine roasted like normal people."

"Aww come on, this isn't so bad... it's juicier." Chase chuckled as he tore off a piece to eat. "So what's the plan?"

"Stay here for a bit. Last thing we need is to go back up north and run into those blood worshippers again." Wind replied. "If you don't annoy me, you can stick around."

"Okay. I'll try my best!" Chase smiled.

"And stop being so loud. You're going to wake up the whole island at the rate you're going."

"Hey, it's not THAT dark yet... the sky's barely asleep." Chase motioned to the sunset as it neared completion. "But you're right... those girls won't be able to do anything to us from here."

"But maybe we can."

Chase hopped to his feet at the sudden voice near him, Night drawing his sword and pointing it at him. Wind growled as he whirled around, about to lunge at Night when a second sword was pointed at the young Trold.

"I wouldn't do that, Imugi. Remember... we could easily employ you at the palace if you act like that." King Barium said as he approached, moving his arm to point his sword at Wind instead. "There's no need for violence... we came here to discuss something with you."

"Well maybe I'm not in the mood for talking." Wind growled.

"Look... we've journeyed a long way here. I never thought I'd see the day where I would witness a Trold and an Imugi working together, but here it is. However, there are questions that need answering. Lives must be protected from a potential threat making its way to the island. If there's something you know, and I'm SURE there's something you know, then I ask for your cooperation."

"Your majesty, look at this..." Night said as he approached the clearing, furrowing a brow. Barium approached to stand alongside him, inspecting the area. "Perhaps you could both explain what this means? Was this from that storm that I've been hearing about?"

"I don't know what you think, but that was no storm. These things fell from the sky. You said there is a threat COMING to Virgo Island, but guess what? It's already here. They're hiding in the shadows, in the ground, maybe even all around you in plain sight. That's what's making the air sour." Wind said as Barium nodded slowly, spotting the roses on the ground and crouching down to take a closer look at them.

"And this? A sign from our unwelcome visitors?"

"Maybe. No idea." Wind spat. "Alright, I talked. Are we dismissed, your highness?"

"Not quite!"

Barium groaned, getting up and turning to see Alexandrite approaching upon a horse. "Alexandrite, you just can't help but involve yourself in my business, can you?"

"And for good reason, brother." Alexandrite replied. "Fear not, Onyx is in charge during my short absence. I sped here after our scout brought back word of your course of action to venture south. If it's true that the Trold and the Imugi here are withholding something from the Vi that means to harm us, it is treason. Knowing your heart is softer than mine, Barium, I came to remind you of this."

"You came all the way here just to say that to me? Tell me, Alexandrite, is it so hard to find a hobby or something?" Barium asked flatly.

"I have come to bring the Trold and Imugi to the palace for questioning. If they refuse to submit or are found to be guilty of treason, we should have them executed so any who may consider protecting this new threat against us will have more of an incentive to come forward. Now... are you going to do the sensible thing, or will you let them loose and miss on an opportunity to set this island straight?"

Barium shook his head slowly. "Look, you're going to do what you want anyway... sometimes I wish you were the elder of us so you could just do that WITHOUT bothering me about it all the time and lecturing me. You can question them, but no execution is happening without my say so, you understand?"

"Very well. Seize them!" Alexandrite shouted.

Chase bit his lip, moving to speed off into the trees when Night whipped out a bow and arrow, shooting it as it soared through the air, embedding in Chase's back and bringing him down. Wind bore his teeth, snarling as he went to attack Night. Alexandrite hopped off his horse, storming over with a spikeless mace to bludgeon him with, knocking Wind out cold.

"Filthy animals, no wonder they've formed an alliance." He spat. "Take them both back and throw them in the dungeon. They can settle into their new home until tomorrow morning."

As he remounted his horse, Barium did the same, shaking his head. "You are going to start another war, Alexandrite. I don't want that on my head."

"No, Barium. We're going to eliminate the traitors once and for all. See, the clans are only 'loyal' to us because they have no choice. This newcomer that was spoken of... it could unravel everything you've worked for. There is no doubt that there are clans which would jump upon any opportunity to usurp you. You must remember, brother. We swore to uphold our oath to protect the Phoenix clan. We must never break that oath." Alexandrite said.

"I know this already." Barium sighed. "We'll question them tomorrow, BOTH of us. We'll see what they have to say and then move on, understand?"

"Very well." Alexandrite answered, the group making their way along the main path towards their territory.


The next morning, Kapra was up early, quietly making her way through the corridors. She paused outside of Viktor's room, sighing lightly. There was something she had to do.

Down in the dungeon, Pyramus was curled up by the bars, clutching his torn blanket to his chest as he slept. Kapra stared for a few moments. His hair hung about his face, and as she crouched down, she bit her lip as she gingerly pried the blanket from his hands through the bars. She looked at it, glancing at him for a moment before heading out. When the clan was more awake, the sun higher in the sky, she wandered until she found what she was looking for.

"Excuse me? Hi, sorry to bother you, m'am… I was wondering if you could help me with something."

Later on, Kapra took the neatened, folded blanket, going back down into the dungeon. She noticed Pyramus was still curled up in the same spot, crouching down to slip the blanket through the bars. She bit her lip as she reached for one of his wrists, lifting it gently to tuck the blanket under his forearm. She watched him for a moment, slowly rising before turning to head out.

"Take my hand again, my darling."

"Holy sh-" Kapra nearly jumped out of her skin, holding a hand over her racing heart as she whirled around. Pyramus slowly sat up, looking down as he unfolded the blanket.

It was sewn together where it had been torn.

Pyramus smiled genuinely, chuckling lightly. "Now… this is truly you, mon amour." He slowly came to stand, wrapping himself in the blanket.

Kapra sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. "Look… I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me last night, but I was so-"

"But I do. It was their influence, my darling. But this..." He motioned to the blanket. "... was far more than I would have expected. How can you do something so kind to someone you clearly hate, hm? It seems the more I want you to love me, the more the opposite happens."

"Because you- you can't force someone to love you. But... what I did was shitty. For whatever reason, that blanket is important to you, so… I can at least give you that much. Maybe you'll decide to do what's right."

"I wish I could. More and more I see you are the better choice… but it was not you that was promised to me. I need a guarantee that I will not spend my life alone, forgotten anymore. Perhaps… when the time is right, you will learn why I treasure this blanket so. Seems silly, doesn't it? To treasure a simple object. It is not the object itself I treasure… but what it means to me."

"I guess I get that. Kind of like Linus. It's a security blanket. Makes you feel safe." Kapra said.

"Linus…? Oh… yes, that comic strip… Peanuts, yes? Hm… Linus… he believed in that pumpkin man despite it never coming Halloween night… but still, he kept believing, hoping. I was like that once. I always believed in the light. I wish I still did. But how can you believe in something you have lost and never hope to get back, hm?" Pyramus chuckled. "You have experienced this too, Kapra. I know you have. I can see it in your eyes. But… there is still so much hope, light left in you. Never lose it. Don't become a lost soul as I have."

Kapra's expression softened, staring at him a moment. He wasn't being arrogant or nasty, his voice quieter as he spoke.

It felt real.

She was about to say something when she heard footsteps, turning to see Arsenik approaching her. "Miss Kapra. It would be unwise to engage the prisoner. I do not wish for him to cause you more harm than he already has."

"He… isn't. I… had his blanket fixed this morning. He didn't ask me to, either. I took it while he was sleeping. He should at least have that if it comforts him." Kapra said.

Arsenik raised a brow in surprise, glancing between the two for a moment. "I see. You never grace over an opportunity to show kindness, even to those who aren't particularly worthy of it. It's interesting… at times you actually make me feel ashamed."

"I'm certain she makes you feel more than that, mon ami." Pyramus smirked, Kapra sighing lightly. The arrogance was back.

"I am in no mood to verbally spar with you. Come, miss Kapra. There is something I need your assistance with." Arsenik said, placing a gentle hand on her back as he escorted her out of the dungeon, leaving Pyramus to simply smile to himself. He hugged the blanket more around himself, slowly closing his eyes.

Kapra looked up at Arsenik for a moment before they stopped. "Is Viktor feeling better?" She asked, returning to her previous thoughts before the occurrence with Pyramus.

"He is recovering, yes." Arsenik replied. "Again, do not blame yourself for what happened, miss Kapra. There are a few preparations I must make in the temple. Please help yourself to whatever you need in the meantime. I must inspect the vision I was able to extract from Viktor yesterday, and I wish to have you present when I do. I hope if anything, it helps in your cause."

Kapra nodded. "Sure. Um… yeah, I guess I'll see you later then?"

"Indeed." Kapra was about to head off when she stopped at Arsenik taking her hand, placing a brief kiss upon it. She didn't know why, but when he looked up at her, her heart skipped a beat.

It was if he had just looked right through her.

By the time she snapped out of it, straightening her spine a bit from the chill, Arsenik had already wisked himself around the corner of the corridor. She bit her lip, something coming back to her.

'Those Hulder… they kill, trust me. But it's slower, quieter. And they don't just kill with weapons or hands, either. I heard even their words, their whispers, sometimes even one look from them can kill.'

Kapra shook her head. No… she knew why Chase felt that way, his clan and the Hulder were enemies. He wasn't wrong for feeling that way, but… did his words hold truth? No, Arsenik wouldn't do such a thing. But then, how could she be so sure? She realized then that she had almost forgotten about Chase… she hoped that wherever he was, whatever he was doing, that he was well, he was safe. Kapra rubbed her head as it began to spin. Sure, some of the Hulder had been nasty to her, but she couldn't judge them all based on that. Besides, Arsenik had already scolded a few for mistreatment towards her.

And then, there was Viktor.

Shy, timid, sweet. It almost seemed as if he didn't belong at times, he wasn't as stern as his uncle. At any rate, when he wasn't stumbling over his words, he was nice to talk to.

As she proceeded down to the dining hall, she had no idea that Chase and Wind were currently in a very unfavorable situation, both of their lives on the line as their mercy was left to the royal brothers of the Vi.


Alright, we made it! So, who was the girl that Viktor saw in the temple? Will Pyramus ultimately change his mind as to whose side he's on? Will Wind and Chase find a way to escape from the palace? I'm sure this chapter left you with more questions than answers, but fear not, there is more to come! Thanks again for reading, and see you next time!