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Chapter 397: Please fall....

The battlefield was chaos incarnate, a swirling vortex of violence and desperation as the Kraken's monstrous tentacles continued their relentless assault. Adventurers and mercenaries fought valiantly, their blades flashing and spells crackling against the overwhelming force of the beast. The air was thick with the mingled roars of the sea monster, the cries of the wounded, and the crashing of waves.

From her vantage point, Aeliana gripped the armrest of her chair, her knuckles white as her veil fluttered in the breeze. Her eyes darted across the projection, taking in the sheer scale of the carnage. The platforms were crumbling one by one, the ships barely managing to stay afloat amidst the monster's onslaught. The smaller sea creatures had returned in droves, attacking in coordinated waves that made it impossible for the adventurers to focus solely on the Kraken.

"This isn't a battle," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "It's a massacre."

Madeleina, standing by her side, nodded grimly. "The knights have engaged, my lady. But even with their intervention, this… thing is beyond anything we prepared for."

In the projection, Aeliana could see the knights joining the fray, their gleaming armor catching the dim light as they charged onto the platforms. Their formations were tight, their movements disciplined, but it was clear they were outmatched. Even the most seasoned warriors were struggling to withstand the Kraken's devastating blows.

"Push it back!" Captain Eryndor's voice rang out, his command cutting through the chaos. "Hold the line! Protect the mages!"

The knights rallied under his orders, their shields locking together as they formed a defensive wall. Behind them, the mages unleashed their most powerful spells, bolts of fire and arcs of lightning streaking toward the Kraken. The beast roared in response, its massive tentacles lashing out with renewed fury, sending knights and adventurers flying like ragdolls.

Aeliana's heart clenched as she watched the futile struggle. For every blow they landed, the Kraken retaliated with a force that seemed insurmountable.

"This isn't working," Madeleina said quietly, her voice laced with tension. "They can't hold out much longer."

Aeliana nodded, her gaze still fixed on the projection. "The expedition wasn't prepared for this," she said, her tone cold and matter-of-fact. "This monster… it's beyond anything they anticipated. They need to retreat."

As if in response to her words, a signal flare shot into the sky from one of the ships. The bright red light illuminated the battlefield briefly, cutting through the oppressive darkness.

"That's the retreat signal," Madeleina said, her voice steady despite the chaos. "They're pulling back."

The mages began retracting the platforms, their spells faltering under the strain of the battle. Adventurers scrambled to retreat, their movements frantic as they fought to board the remaining ships. The Kraken's tentacles slammed into the water, creating massive waves that threatened to capsize the vessels.

"Fall back!" Captain Eryndor's voice boomed across the battlefield. "All units, retreat to the ships! We can't hold this position!"

The knights moved with practiced efficiency, covering the retreat as best they could. Mages cast barriers to deflect the Kraken's attacks, their faces pale with exhaustion. The adventurers clambered aboard the ships, their weapons bloodied and their armor battered.

THUMP!

Just then, right at that exact moment, the chaotic scene unfolding on the projection blurred for Aeliana as a sudden, searing pain shot through her chest. Her breath hitched, her lungs burning as though they were being compressed by an invisible force. The edges of her vision darkened, a pulsating haze creeping inward as the room tilted around her.

Her hands instinctively reached out, grasping the armrest of her chair for stability. Her skin began to tingle, then burn, the sensation spreading like wildfire through her veins. It was as though the very mana in the air had turned against her, reacting violently to something unseen.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips, and her veil fluttered as her breathing grew ragged and shallow. "M-Madeleina…" she managed, her voice trembling.

"My lady!" Madeleina was at her side in an instant, her steady hands gripping Aeliana's shoulders. The attendant's calm demeanor faltered as she took in her mistress's state—pale, trembling, and visibly in pain.

Aeliana leaned into Madeleina's support, her body heavy and unsteady. "It's… happening again," she whispered hoarsely, her fingers clawing at her veil as though it were suffocating her. The sensation of her skin burning beneath the fabric was unbearable, yet exposing herself was out of the question.

The mana in the air seemed to thrum with a strange, chaotic energy, responding to the monstrous presence still dominating the battlefield. Aeliana could feel it coursing through her, amplifying the torment her illness had already inflicted.

Madeleina's voice was calm but firm. "You need to rest, my lady. This attack is worse than before. Lean on me; I'll help you."

Aeliana's grip tightened on Madeleina's arm as she struggled to stay upright. Her body felt as though it were fighting itself, the burning sensation intensifying with every passing moment. "The mana…" she murmured, her eyes fluttering shut for a brief moment before snapping open again. "It's reacting. It's… too much."

Madeleina guided her carefully, her movements deliberate and steady. "We need to get you to your chambers. You can't stay here in this state."

Aeliana clung to Madeleina's arm, her breaths coming in short, pained gasps. Each step was a battle against the violent mana surging within her, amplified by the chaos on the battlefield. Her vision blurred intermittently, the dark edges creeping in and threatening to consume her entirely.

The high vantage point offered an unobstructed view of the carnage below. Adventurers and knights fought desperately against the Kraken's onslaught, their efforts valiant but ultimately futile. The sea churned with the monster's fury, and in the distance, a whirlpool began to form, its pull threatening to engulf everything nearby.

"We need to retreat," Madeleina said firmly, her voice cutting through the chaos. "My lady, this position is no longer safe."

Aeliana nodded weakly, her grip tightening on Madeleina's arm. "I… know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Just… help me…"

But as they moved, something shifted. The steady, reassuring presence of Madeleina by her side felt different—colder, detached. Aeliana's foggy mind barely registered it until she felt the sudden, vise-like grip on her arm.

"Madeleina—" Aeliana began, but her words were cut off as her attendant's voice, quiet and chilling, pierced the air.

"Young Lady… please, just die silently, so that he can finally move on."

Aeliana's entire body stiffened, her heart pounding in disbelief. Her wide eyes darted to Madeleina's face, searching for any hint of familiarity, of the loyalty and care she had always known. But what she saw instead was an expression of cold resolve, devoid of the warmth that had once been so constant.

"W-what…?" Aeliana stammered, her voice trembling. "Madeleina… what are you…?"

Before she could finish, Madeleina shoved her with unexpected force. Aeliana's footing slipped, the ground beneath her tilting perilously as she teetered on the edge of the platform. The roar of the whirlpool below grew deafening, its pull threatening to drag her into the abyss.

Her body trembled, not just from the burning agony of her illness but from the shock of betrayal. She clawed at the railing, her hands scrambling for purchase as the world spun around her.

"Why?" Aeliana gasped, her voice breaking as she struggled to keep herself from falling. "Madeleina… why?"

Madeleina stepped back, her expression a mask of cold indifference. "You were never meant to survive this long," she said, her tone emotionless. "Your existence… it's a chain. For him. For everyone. You should have died years ago."

Aeliana's body trembled violently, her mind spiraling as Madeleina's words echoed in her ears. Each syllable struck like a hammer against her fragile resolve, the betrayal cutting deeper than the pain wracking her body.

The world around her spun faster, the rushing water below a cacophony that blended with the thundering in her chest. Her stomach churned, the nausea and dizziness overwhelming her senses. She gripped the railing desperately, her strength failing her as her fingers began to slip.

"Madeleina…" she whispered, her voice weak, her breath hitching as her vision blurred further. "You… were supposed to protect me."

But there was no response. Only the cold, unyielding expression of the woman she had trusted with her life. Aeliana's heart clenched painfully, her chest tightening as a hollow realization settled over her.

'This is what it feels like… to be truly abandoned.'

Her veil fluttered as the wind tore at her, slipping from her face as her balance gave way. The stark cold air brushed against her exposed skin, a cruel reminder of the vulnerability she had fought so hard to conceal.

As Aeliana fell, time seemed to slow. The last thing she saw was Madeleina's face, her cold, detached expression etched into her mind. It was the same look she had seen countless times before, from the maids, the knights, the people who averted their gazes in disgust or pity.

'Ah,' she thought, her heart sinking as the familiar wave of despair washed over her. 'That face... I know it too well.'

The wind roared in her ears, her body weightless as she plummeted toward the churning abyss below. Her vision darkened at the edges, and the world blurred further until all she could see was the faint flicker of the distant horizon.

And then, there was nothing but silence.

Chapter 398: Please fall (2)

Lucavion felt the pull of the vortex tearing at him, a force so immense that it seemed to distort the very fabric of reality around him. The cold, oppressive energy of the churning abyss seeped into his body, dragging him downward into its chaotic depths. His mind was sharp, but his body felt like it was moving through molasses, the overwhelming pull robbing him of the effortless agility he was accustomed to.

For a moment, his thoughts rewound, replaying the scene that had brought him to this point.

He had been facing the Kraken's thrashing appendages, his blade cutting through the chaos with surgical precision, when he felt it—a sharp, inexplicable tingle in his senses. Turning his head sharply, he saw her. Elara.

She was barely holding herself upright, her frost-coated platform shattering beneath her feet as the vortex began to consume everything around it. Her drained body swayed dangerously close to the edge, her hands scrambling weakly for purchase.

There was no time to think, no time to plan.

He moved.

A single burst of mana surged through his legs, propelling him toward her with blinding speed. He reached her just as her balance gave way, his hand striking her shoulder and sending her sprawling backward, away from the vortex's pull.

But the force of his own momentum, combined with the relentless suction of the vortex, sealed his fate.

Now, as Lucavion fell, the dark currents twisting and churning around him, he felt a strange calm settle over his mind. His sharp instincts cataloged every detail—the way the vortex distorted light, the sickly blue glow that pulsed faintly at its center, the oppressive energy pressing against him like an unseen weight.

'This is dangerous,' he thought to himself, the faintest flicker of a smirk tugging at his lips, 'but not unexpected.'

Vitaliara's voice surged into his mind, sharp and laced with urgency. [Why did you do that?!]

Lucavion's smirk deepened slightly, even as his body twisted in the vortex's relentless grip. 'Do what?' he replied inwardly, his tone light despite the gravity of the situation.

[You know what!] Vitaliara snapped, her voice trembling with frustration. [Why did you risk your life for her?]

His smirk softened into something quieter, almost wistful. 'I wanted to save a certain daughter,' he said, his voice carrying an undertone of something unspoken. 'And besides, who said I'm risking my life?'

There was a pause, as though Vitaliara were searching for a response. Finally, she sighed, her tone heavy with exasperation and something that sounded suspiciously like affection. [You really are hopeless, Lucavion…]

He chuckled softly, his dark eyes narrowing as he focused on the distorted space around him. 'You've said that before,' he replied, his voice faintly teasing. 'I'm starting to think it's your way of saying you care.'

Before Vitaliara could retort, her voice began to buzz, the connection between them flickering like a weak signal. [Lucavion—] her voice wavered, [I can't—] and then it faded, her presence slipping away entirely.

Lucavion's expression shifted, his smirk fading into a contemplative frown. 'Spatial distortions…' he thought, his sharp mind piecing the situation together. 'The vortex isn't just pulling me down—it's pulling me somewhere else.'

The space around him rippled unnaturally, as though the very air were being bent and twisted by an unseen force. The currents weren't random; they carried a strange rhythm, a pulsation that mirrored the faint resonance of his [Devourer of Stars] core.

As the spatial distortions grew stronger, bending the world around him into an unrecognizable swirl of shadows and refracted light, Lucavion felt it—a strange, profound stillness. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the constant hum of Vitaliara's voice in his mind was absent. The warmth of her presence, the sharpness of her remarks, the quiet comfort of her company—it was all gone.

Completely alone.

The realization settled over him like a weight, yet it didn't crush him. Instead, it felt strange. Different.

'So this was what it's like,' he thought, his smirk fading into a contemplative line. 'No quips, no teasing, no Vitaliara pointing out how reckless I'm being. Just me and my thoughts. I almost forgot, how long has it been.'

The swirling chaos around him seemed to press closer, the distorted space wrapping him in its eerie embrace. The faint hum of his [Devourer of Stars] core pulsed in the silence, a steady rhythm that resonated deep in his chest. The vortex's energy churned like a living thing, alien and unrelenting, and yet Lucavion felt calm, even curious.

"Well," he muttered aloud, his voice swallowed by the twisting void, "this is kind of refreshing."

He let out a soft chuckle, the sound almost lost in the shifting cacophony around him. There was no one to hear it, no one to judge, no one to tease him for finding amusement in the most precarious of situations. Just the empty, distorted world and his own quiet musings.

'How long has it been since I've truly been alone?' he wondered, his dark eyes narrowing as the vortex's energy grew more erratic. Most of his recent days, his battles, his reflections—they had all been shared with Vitaliara. Her presence had become so ingrained in his mind that he had nearly forgotten what solitude felt like.

'Oddly enough,' he thought with a faint smile, 'it doesn't feel bad. No distractions. Just focus.'

The world around him rippled again, the distorted space warping into something darker, deeper, and more unstable. His smirk returned, faint but sharp, as the tug of the unknown pulled at him with increasing urgency.

"Heh…" he murmured, his voice low and tinged with anticipation. "It looks like the second act is about to begin."

Lucavion tightened his grip on his estoc, the faint glow of his [Flame of Equinox] sparking at its edge as though reacting to his rising energy. His [Devourer of Stars] core thrummed in unison with the vortex, a rhythmic beat that felt both alien and familiar, as though the two forces were speaking a language only they understood.

Whatever lay ahead, Lucavion was ready. Alone or not, this was part of the reason he had come here. To face the unknown. To challenge it. To conquer it.

And at the same time of course one another thing.

"Did you fall here this time as well, little Lady Aeliana?"

It was the time to save a certain daughter.

And as the vortex consumed him fully, its chaotic pull giving way to an overwhelming stillness, Lucavion's faint smile lingered.

"Let's see where this leads."

*******

On the other hand, inside another Vortex, the air ripped past her as Aeliana plummeted, the roar of the whirlpool growing deafening.

"You were never meant to survive this long. Your existence… it's a chain. For him. For everyone. You should have died years ago."

The same arms that had pushed her….

"Young Lady… please, just die silently, so that he can finally move on."

That scene…. a constant replay of getting pushed.

Her veil, torn loose by the wind, fluttered briefly above her before vanishing into the chaotic waters below. The icy spray stung her exposed skin, a sharp contrast to the burning sensation that coursed through her veins.

The currents churned violently, dragging her down as soon as her body struck the water.

The impact knocked the air from her lungs. Water rushed into her nose and mouth as she struggled instinctively, her limbs flailing against the crushing pull of the vortex. Her chest screamed for oxygen, but the corrupted mana in the water thrashed against her like a living force, intensifying the pain of her illness.

Her vision blurred, the swirling chaos around her a cacophony of shadows and light. Shattered wood, remnants of broken platforms, and the bodies of adventurers were caught in the whirlpool, spinning alongside her. Each wave-battered her fragile frame, and every surge of mana that collided with her felt like shards of glass slicing through her veins.

'Breathe.'

The thought was distant, drowned out by the deafening roar of water. Her chest heaved, but the crushing pressure of the depths made it impossible. Darkness encroached on the edges of her vision, the pain in her body threatening to consume her entirely.

'Does it even matter?'

And a thought occurred inside her heart.

A thought that is so dangerous that she knew it would churn her inside.

'Wouldn't it be better if it ends?'

Chapter 399: Underneath

The water roared around her, consuming her completely. Her body spiraled uncontrollably in the vortex, and with each twist and pull, her chest tightened, her lungs burned, and her mind spiraled into a chaos even more violent than the currents dragging her down.

'This is it, isn't it?'

The thought cut through the cacophony of her surroundings, sharp and venomous. Her limbs felt heavy, her strength ebbing with each passing second as her body surrendered to the crushing pressure. But the pain—the searing, unrelenting pain—remained, a constant reminder of everything she despised.

'Why? Why was I even born like this? Broken, sick, useless.'

Aeliana's vision blurred further, the salt of the water stinging her eyes. Her thoughts churned like the whirlpool itself, a storm of resentment and self-loathing tearing through her mind.

'If I had been strong, they wouldn't have looked at me like that. If I hadn't been cursed with this illness, I wouldn't need to hide behind veils like some pathetic shadow.'

The memory of those pitying, disgusted glances surfaced unbidden. The maids who whispered behind her back. The knights who averted their eyes. The nobles who didn't bother to conceal their disdain.

'They all think I'm disgusting. I am disgusting, aren't I? They're right. Just some wretched, broken thing hidden behind layers of fabric and walls.'

Her body twisted violently as the currents pulled her deeper. She gasped instinctively, only for water to flood her lungs, sending her into another fit of desperate, thrashing motions. But even as her body fought to survive, her mind was drowning in a different way.

'Madeleina.'

Her name surfaced, bringing with it a tidal wave of betrayal and bitterness.

'She was supposed to be different. She pretended to care. All those times she stood by me, reassured me, promised me that I wasn't alone. And what was it worth? Lies. Just lies. She was no better than the rest of them. No better than the maids who looked at me like I was a monster. No better than the nobles who laughed behind my father's back because of me.'

The fury grew hotter, the hatred searing through her thoughts like wildfire.

'And Father. He wasn't protecting me. He never cared about me. He cared about the house, the family, the legacy. That's all I was to him—a pawn, a burden, a reminder of his own failures. He doesn't even see me. He only sees what he wants me to be.'

Her vision darkened further, the pain in her chest now joined by a deep ache in her heart.

'And Mother.'

The thought of her mother struck like a dagger, sharp and cruel.

'You left me. You just left. You were supposed to stay, weren't you? You were supposed to protect me, love me, show me how to live through this. But you didn't. You died. You left me to figure it out alone, left me to this endless void of pain and despair.'

A fresh wave of anger surged through her, mixing with her anguish until she couldn't distinguish one from the other.

'I hate you. I hate you all. I hate myself.'

Her body convulsed as another rush of water pressed down on her, the current spinning her around like a puppet on strings. Her limbs flailed weakly, her energy fading as her mind spiraled further into the abyss.

'I hate this illness. I hate this body. I hate the way it traps me, tortures me, makes me something people can't even look at without recoiling. I hate that no matter how much I try, I can't escape it. I can't be free of it. Of them. Of myself.'

The water pressed harder, the whirlpool narrowing as she sank deeper into its crushing depths. Her mind screamed, her thoughts a whirlwind of venom and despair.

'Why didn't I just die sooner? Why did I fight so hard to stay alive when this is all I've ever been? A wretch. A burden. A shadow. It doesn't even matter anymore.'

Her chest convulsed, a desperate attempt to take in air, but there was nothing. Her body was no longer her own, surrendering to the overwhelming force of the water.

Her thoughts faltered, her mind quieting for the first time. Only a single, raw whisper remained.

'I hate everything.'

Her eyes closed, the darkness consuming her completely as her body went limp. The whirlpool continued to churn, dragging her further into its depths, but Aeliana's mind was silent now. There was nothing left to feel. Nothing left to fight.

And for the first time, she embraced the stillness.

******

Aeliana's consciousness flickered, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths as she slowly awakened. The sensation of dry, solid ground beneath her was the first thing she registered. It was warm, rough, and unmoving—a stark contrast to the chaotic pull of the whirlpool that had swallowed her whole.

She coughed weakly, her body trembling from the exertion. Each gasp of air felt strange. It was cool, fresh, and oddly soothing, devoid of the salty tang of the sea. Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, as the dull gray sky above came into view. Shafts of light filtered down through a cavernous space, though the ceiling remained obscured by a mist that clung stubbornly to the upper reaches.

'What…?'

Her fingers curled against the ground beneath her. It felt solid, yet patches of something soft and damp—almost spongy—brushed against her palms. She forced herself upright, her arms trembling as pain lanced through her body. The corrupted mana that had burned like fire through her veins was still there, simmering faintly, but it felt… dampened.

The world around her came into focus.

Figures dotted the strange expanse. At first, they were indistinct blurs, but as her vision sharpened, Aeliana realized she wasn't alone. Mercenaries, adventurers, and soldiers were scattered across the area, their expressions a mixture of confusion and wariness.

Some lay unconscious, their bodies still as if lifeless. Others stirred weakly, groaning as they attempted to rise. A few were on their feet, their movements cautious as they scanned their surroundings or checked on the injured.

The murmurs of conversation reached her ears, low and tense.

"Where… are we?" one mercenary muttered, his armor dented and scratched from the battle above.

"This isn't the sea," another soldier said, his voice hushed. His grip tightened around his sword as he eyed the space warily.

Aeliana's gaze swept over the basin. The ground was jagged, uneven, with rocks jutting out at odd angles. Patches of vibrant moss grew along the surface, glowing faintly in hues of green and blue, casting an otherworldly light over the scene.

The air felt calm and breathable, yet it carried a strange weight, as though the space itself wasn't entirely stable. Small motes of light hovered in the air, pulsating softly like tiny fireflies. They shimmered briefly before fading, only to reappear elsewhere, creating a subtle ripple effect.

The stillness was unnerving.

Aeliana squinted at the air, noticing faint ripples—like heatwaves distorting the landscape. The very fabric of space seemed to shimmer and bend, as if the ground and sky were reflections in a warped mirror.

She raised a trembling hand, reaching toward one of the hovering motes of light. It flitted away, vanishing before her fingertips could graze it.

'This place….what is even this place?'

The thought lingered, unwelcome and unsettling.

Her body felt heavy, her limbs aching as though she'd been battered repeatedly—no doubt from the whirlpool's relentless currents. She clutched her chest, where the familiar burning of corrupted mana still lingered, though muted now.

'Why am I alive? I should be dead. I should've drowned. This… this doesn't make sense.'

Her breaths quickened as fragmented memories surged: the whirlpool's crushing depths, Madeleina's cold words, the suffocating weight of betrayal. Her hands clenched against the ground as her thoughts spiraled.

'Why am I here? What is this place? And… Madeleina…'

Her chest tightened as her attendant's face flashed in her mind, the mask of indifference etched into her memory.

Aeliana forced herself to sit up fully, her veil torn and askew but still clinging to her face. She adjusted it with trembling hands, ensuring her skin remained hidden.

She turned her attention to the scattered figures nearby. Mercenaries were tending to one another, using strips of cloth as makeshift bandages to staunch bleeding or bind sprains.

A group of soldiers huddled together, weapons drawn, their stances defensive as they warily eyed the surrounding terrain.

Despite their shared predicament, the atmosphere was thick with unease. The whispers she overheard carried tension.

"We're all going to die down here," one adventurer muttered, his voice trembling.

"Shut up," another snapped. "We need to figure out what this place is first."

Aeliana observed them silently, her thoughts still a maelstrom. She didn't trust them—any of them. But then again, trust had always been a luxury she couldn't afford.

'This place....'

She thought, her gaze shifting back to the strange ripples in the air.

'It is my last place, is it not?'

After all, she could feel it.

Her illness….

It was churning too much.

Chapter 400: Underneath (2)

The murmur of voices rose steadily in the cavern, fractured by the palpable tension between groups of survivors. As Aeliana leaned against the jagged wall of the basin, her breaths shallow and uneven, she watched as the survivors began to form their factions.

The mercenaries were the first to pull together, their rough, pragmatic demeanor evident in the way they spoke in clipped sentences and sized up their surroundings. They didn't waste time with sympathy, instead prioritizing survival. One of them, a broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his cheek, barked orders to the others.

"Stay sharp," he growled. "This place isn't safe. Could be more traps, or worse."

The soldiers, clad in battered uniforms, formed a tight, disciplined group. Their weapons were drawn, their postures defensive. They huddled together, their eyes scanning the area for threats. Despite their training, they exuded unease, their discipline barely masking their fear.

Meanwhile, the adventurers were scattered and disorganized. Some clung to one another, their voices panicked and trembling, while others wandered off aimlessly, driven by a mix of curiosity and desperation. A few argued loudly about whether to explore or wait for rescue.

In contrast to the rising commotion, Aeliana remained a solitary figure, her frail form and veiled face casting her as an afterthought in the chaos. Her trembling body was both a blessing and a curse—it made her seem insignificant, yet it also marked her as vulnerable prey.

She kept her head down, leaning heavily on the rock wall behind her as she tried to steady her breathing. The air here might have been calm, but her body was still wracked with the residual strain of her ordeal. The dampened corruption within her gnawed at her resolve, forcing her to focus on staying upright.

But she couldn't remain unnoticed forever.

Two mercenaries, a burly man with a shaved head and a wiry woman with a dagger strapped to her thigh, noticed her. They exchanged a glance before approaching, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

The man crossed his arms as he loomed over her. "You don't look like you belong here," he said bluntly, his voice rough like gravel. "Where's your weapon?"

The woman tilted her head, her sharp eyes narrowing. "What's with the veil?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion. "You hiding something?"

Aeliana's fingers curled into fists beneath her sleeves, her nails biting into her palms. She straightened as much as her body would allow, forcing herself to meet their gazes.

"I survived the same whirlpools you did," she said, her voice low but steady. "That's all you need to know."

Her tone carried an edge of quiet determination that caught the pair off guard. The man raised an eyebrow, while the woman's lips twitched into a faint sneer.

"Feisty, huh?" the man muttered, scratching his chin. "Not worth the trouble," the woman replied, her gaze lingering on Aeliana for a moment longer before she turned away.

They walked off, their murmurs fading into the general din of the cavern. Aeliana exhaled shakily, the tension in her chest easing slightly.

The survivors began cautiously moving through the cavern, curiosity and necessity driving them to investigate their surroundings. As they ventured deeper, they discovered ancient ruins embedded in the rocky walls.

The ruins were adorned with intricate symbols, their designs spiraling and interlocking in mesmerizing patterns. The symbols pulsed faintly with a soft, otherworldly glow that seemed to resonate with the strange distortions in the air.

"Look at this," a soldier murmured, running his gloved hand over the carvings. "These symbols… they're old. Older than anything I've seen."

"They're tied to the distortions," another soldier speculated. "This place isn't natural. It feels… wrong."

Aeliana, despite her physical weakness, felt her mind sharpen as she studied the ruins from a distance. The pulsing symbols drew her attention, their faint fluctuations oddly familiar.

'These patterns… they're like mana flows,' she thought, her sharp mind instinctively analyzing their rhythm. The way the symbols pulsed reminded her of the erratic patterns of the corrupted mana within her own body.

She pushed herself forward, the strain in her limbs forgotten for a moment as curiosity overtook her fear. 'Could this place… be tied to my illness?'

Her gaze lingered on the glowing ruins, her thoughts racing. If the distortions in this place were connected to the ancient carvings, perhaps they held answers.

As Aeliana moved closer to the ruins, a faint light caught her attention. It flickered in the distance, different from the glow of the moss or the symbols. The light was softer, almost ethereal, shimmering with a subtle brilliance that reminded her of starlight.

She paused, her breath hitching. The glow was faint, but it seemed to ripple through the air, creating a path that led deeper into the cavern.

'What is that?'

Her body ached, her illness still gnawing at her resolve, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the distant glow. The air seemed to hum faintly, resonating with something deep within her.

Aeliana took a hesitant step forward, her curiosity outweighing her fear. Whatever that light was, it felt like it was calling to her.

Aeliana's gaze remained fixed on the distant glow, the soft, ethereal light flickering like starlight against the muted gray of the cavern. It called to her, pulling her forward despite the ache in her body and the unease that gnawed at the edges of her thoughts. Each step felt heavier than the last, but she pressed on, her curiosity overriding her fear.

The air around her seemed to hum faintly, the strange energy of the place resonating with her corrupted mana. Her breaths were shallow, her body trembling as she drew closer to the glowing ruins.

But then, a presence nearby broke her focus.

From the corner of her vision, Aeliana noticed movement. Two figures emerged from the shadows of the jagged rocks, their footsteps heavy and deliberate. Her heart sank as she recognized them—their faces were familiar, though not significant enough to recall in detail.

They were adventurers she'd seen fighting on the Fourth Station.

Her mind flashed back briefly to the battle. While her attention had been on another—Luca—their faces had passed through her periphery. They had been skilled, she supposed, but nothing about them had held her interest.

Now, however, their presence felt different.

The two adventurers stopped a few paces away, their gazes locking onto her like predators sizing up prey.

"Little missy," the taller of the two drawled, his tone sickeningly casual. His grin was sharp and predatory, his eyes trailing over her trembling figure with an intent that sent a chill down her spine.

The other man, shorter and wiry, tilted his head as his lips twisted into a smirk. "What are you hiding under that veil?" he asked, his voice laced with mock curiosity.

Aeliana's fingers clenched tightly around her sleeves. It had been a long time since she'd encountered such overt lust, but the memory of similar gazes flashed in her mind like a searing brand. The disgust, the pity, the derision—it all felt the same.

Her heart pounded, but she kept her voice steady. "Nothing that concerns you," she said sharply, taking a step back.

The taller man chuckled darkly, exchanging a glance with his companion. "Oh, I think it does," he said, stepping closer. "A frail little thing like you wandering around here? What could you be hiding?"

The wiry man reached out, his fingers aiming for the edge of her veil.

Aeliana's reaction was immediate and instinctual. Her hand shot up, slapping his hand away with more force than she thought she could muster.

"Don't touch me," she hissed, her voice low and venomous.

The man stumbled back a step, momentarily caught off guard by her sharpness. His smirk faded into a scowl as he rubbed his hand where she'd struck him.

"Well, now," the taller man said, his tone darkening. "You've got some fire, don't you? I like that."

Aeliana's chest heaved as her anger flared, pushing back the weakness in her body. Her hands trembled, but she forced herself to straighten, meeting their leering gazes head-on.

"I said," she repeated, her voice ice-cold, "don't touch me."

The two men exchanged glances, their amusement replaced with something more dangerous. The tension in the air grew thick, and Aeliana could feel the weight of their intent pressing down on her.

The wiry man's smirk twisted into a snarl, his pride clearly stung. "Bitch," he spat, his voice low and venomous.

Before Aeliana could react, he moved.

His speed was blinding, the kind of agility only an Awakened could muster. In an instant, his hand darted forward, the distance between them vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Aeliana barely had time to gasp before his fingers grasped the edge of her veil.

"No—" she started, her voice sharp with panic. But it was too late.

With a single, fluid motion, he ripped the veil away, the delicate fabric fluttering to the ground like a discarded leaf.

And she saw it.

The usual reaction.