Heavy breathing perated the cathedral hall as Emily struggled to stay calm.
Considering the torture she’d just undergone, it was a miracle that she still had it in her to persist.
Her pristine white gown was stained with her blood, while a protrusion from her belly was now visible for all to see.
Though she found it difficult to stay conscious, she could tell that the cathedral was now empty with only her as the sole occupant.
"I’m sorry."
She stiffened, her mind racing as she wondered who had spoken.
But then, as though coming to a realization, she slowly looked above only to find that the face of the man on the stake had his eyes staring directly at her.
"You... you can talk?" She muttered in a hoarse tone.
The man’s eyes dropped as he replied. "Unfortunately."
Silence followed as Emily found herself drifting between a conscious and unconscious state.
The man above watched her, a saddened expression painting his face.
"What... Do they want with us?" Emily inquired, finally able to stay conscious for longer than a second.
The man grimaced. "I don’t know. They speak of salvation and how you are a vessel for the Savior."
"The Savior?" Emily muttered softly. "What are they saving us from?"
"... I don’t know."
"..." Emily went silent again, blinking a few tis while staring at a corner of the cathedral where shadows congregated.
It almost seed alive causing her to wonder if she was hallucinating.
Seconds passed before she spoke again. "You said you were sorry..."
"I didn’t think you heard ." The man replied softly before adding. "But indeed, I am sorry."
"....Why?"
The man closed his eyes as he let out a sigh. "If not for , none of this would have happened."
"...I... don’t understand."
"I’m the reason you are here right now. If not for the trees, they wouldn’t have been able to lock onto you. So I apologize even though I know it’s not going to change anything."
As lancholy washed over the man, leaving him distraught and confused, he intoned. "Now you are going to die along with ."
"No." Emily suddenly replied as she struggled to fight back the dizziness assaulting her senses.
"What no?... We are deep within enemy territory, chained and serving as vessels to monstrosities from another realm, yet you say no?"
"Yes, because I know that Douglas will co and he will save ."
"Douglas?"
"He is my elder brother and he has magical powers too," Emily replied with a hint of pride, her lips curling slightly at the edges.
The man above scoffed. "No one will co... no one."
Emily remained adamant as she said. "He will surely co and then when he cos... I’ll ask him to save you as well."
"Stop dreaming."
"... It’s not a dream." Emily corrected as her head tilted to the side, her voice noticeably lower. "It’s hope... because he has always been there. And so... I know he will co."
"Delusional." The man intoned. "Just give up."
Expecting a response, it never ca as alas, Emily had succumbed to the dizziness.
***
The journey through the Spirit World was supposed to be a walk in the park like last ti.
And during the first half of the journey, it was.
But now, faced with a giant horned serpent with a body length that didn’t seem to have an end, Alex was forced to wonder just how much the Will of the World wanted to frustrate him.
As he prepared himself for an inevitable fight, Victoria intoned. "Will you not show yourself?"
Furrowing his brows, Alex glanced at her, wondering who she was referring to only to pause as he sensed sothing.
He glanced in a certain direction, watching as the fog that obscured most of the Spirit World, dispersed, revealing an old man with pale skin, pointed ears, and crimson eyes.
"It is an honor to et you finally." The man muttered with Alex raising a brow.
"Who are you?"
"A humble man that has waited for several years for your arrival. To think that I would be lucky enough to see you before passing on."
"I asked a question."
"Forgive , Dark Lord, where are my manners?" The old man intoned before proceeding to drop to one knee. "I am Vorigan Ravette, a humble vampire that has awaited your return like a bride awaits her spouse."
"Vorigan Ravette?... Head of the Ravette family?" Victoria showed a hint of apprehension owing to her experiences during her first few years as a Vampire.
"That is indeed one of the responsibilities I carry out," Vorigan admitted, his head bowed.
Alex raised a brow. "So you are a Monarch?"
"Indeed, but I do not dare to use such a title in your presence, Dark Lord."
"Why are you here?" Alex inquired. "Did you anticipate my arrival?"
Vorigan shook his head. "Not at all. Alas, the situation with the other Monarchs has forced my hand to seek refuge here in the Spirit World. When she," pointing at the humongous snake, "sensed your presence, I rushed over as quickly as I could."
Alex glanced at the serpent, though not daring to et its eyes directly after Victoria advised him against it.
It gave off a similar aura to the Witch of Fables which ant that both entities were at a similar power level.
Taking a mont to manage his thoughts, Alex intoned. "Since you are here, that ans you must want sothing from . What is it?"
"I am ashad to say that the first ti I am before your presence, is for a request but please, do not misunderstand, Dark Lord. I didn’t have a choice. If I could do it alone, I would, but I am unable to do what needs to be done."
"Hmm." Alex furrowed his brows but Vorigan soldiered on regardless as he remarked.
"Please, save us, Dark Lord, save us before it is too late."
Alex grimaced. "Save you from what?"
"From the corruption, Dark Lord, from the corruption threatening to destroy us all."
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