The eyes hovered above the half-elf’s sleeping form, their inky slits widening with predatory anticipation. The essence radiating from him was so intoxicating that it could barely hold back.
The eyes contracted sharply.
This close, the truth was undeniable: the half-elf before it wasn’t flesh and blood, but a phantom, a mirror of its own ephemeral nature.
Something was deeply wrong.
But before the entity could react, the sleeping figure’s eyes snapped open.
And then, he grinned.
The eyes recoiled, instinct screaming at them to flee. But before they could so much as twitch—
Silver-blue flames erupted from within the entity itself.
Pure, searing agony lanced through its form, a pain it had never known possible. The fire burned not flesh, not matter, but its very existence. It writhed, a silent scream tearing through its essence as the flames consumed it in seconds.
Five heartbeats passed.
The eyes contorted, their pupils flickering wildly. No scream could escape a creature with no mouth, but the walls themselves seemed to shudder with its silent agony. Then-
Like a candle snuffed by an unseen hand, the entity vanished. No ash. No wisp of mist. Only the faint scent of phantom ozone lingered in the air.
The phantom Lumin turned toward the room’s shadowed corner where the real Lumin leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"Well," the phantom chuckled, brushing non-existent dust off its sleeve. "That worked out exactly as you thought."
"I know." The real Lumin pushed off the wall, his left eye still glowing faintly with the aftereffects of his ability. "And I can sleep peacefully now."
"Alright, call me if you need help again." The phantom gave a mocking salute before dissolving into motes of blue light.
Alone again, Lumin sat heavily on the bed. He extended his perception through the castle’s obsidian bones, past the groaning storm outside, beyond the unconscious soldiers below.
The monster was dead - this part of it, at least. The real body still lurked beyond these walls, its consciousness fractured but not yet fully destroyed.
But now it was vulnerable.
A grim satisfaction settled over him. The creature had taken the bait, drawn to his deliberately exposed presence. If it had lingered among the others, hunting indiscriminately, taking care of it would have been far harder.
Thankfully, luck and the surprise factor had been on his side tonight.
Yet this wasn’t over; it was merely a prelude.
Lumin’s fingers flexed.
The real hunt would begin tomorrow, and this time, the prey would also be a predator - a role he was intimately familiar with, having often turned the tables on those who sought him.
The next morning, the dining hall was dimly lit by flickering lanterns, the obsidian-reinforced windows sealing away any hint of light. The blizzard’s muffled howl pressed against the walls, a constant reminder of the danger beyond.
Aeron, Lumin, and Zephyr sat at the table, picking at their breakfast—warm porridge, dried fruits, and spiced tea. The baron entered shortly after, his posture rigid but his expression composed. He took his seat at the head of the table, pouring himself a cup of tea before nodding to them in greeting.
Silence stretched for a long moment before Zephyr set his spoon down. His silver eyes flicked to the baron.
"What are we going to do now?" he asked, voice low but clear. "How do we defeat that thing?"
The baron took a slow sip of his tea before setting the cup back on the table with deliberate calm.
"We wait," he said. "The defenses are holding. Nothing is gonna get inside. And once the blizzard passes, those creatures will disappear with it. So, we just need to endure a few more days. You will also be able to leave then."
Zephyr studied him for a beat, then nodded once and returned to his meal.
The baron watched him for a moment before adding, his tone firm but not unkind, "There’s no need to put ourselves in danger again. Surviving is enough."
Another nod from Zephyr.
He understood the baron’s meaning perfectly - they couldn’t defeat that monstrous entity anyway, so why risk their lives unnecessarily? The castle’s defenses were holding, and everyone was safe for now.
But he still couldn’t help wonder if all that was true. And, there was only one way to find out: talk with a certain someone who might know a few things.
But it seems like his plan will have to wait a little longer, as after breakfast, the baron gestured to Lumin. "Come with me. I’d like you to check on my wife’s condition once more."
"You two can return to your rooms or go to the library; maids will show you the way," Baron said and led the way himself.
The two men walked through the torch-lit corridors, their footsteps echoing against the obsidian walls. The muted thrum of the castle’s defenses against the blizzard was a constant, low growl.
Nusayel’s gaze kept drifting to Lumin, a thoughtful, almost appraising look in his storm-gray eyes. He knew this young man had played a pivotal role in defending the keep, and had personally attended to Selvienne after her ordeal. Gratitude was strong, but so was a lord’s duty—especially when faced with such an inexplicably calm and competent individual who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Beyond that, a flicker of familiarity tugged at the edge of Nusayel’s mind, like a half-forgotten dream. The way Lumin carried himself, perhaps, or the unusual glint in his eyes. Or the fact that he also didn’t like carrots.
He couldn’t quite place it. It could simply be exhaustion, or the residual shock from yesterday’s events making him overthink, but he needed to confirm.
Halfway to Lady Luthaire’s chambers, the baron finally spoke, his voice carefully neutral. "Sir Lumin, forgive my bluntness, but my duties compel me to ask."
He paused, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. "What are you truly doing here? You’re not from the academy—that much is obvious. So, how did you end up in my home? And, if I may be so bold, what are your real intentions?"
Lumin’s lips curved into a faint smile. He kept his gaze forward as they walked. "I’m nothing more than a wandering healer, Lord Nusayel. While traveling through Orlan Kingdom, I heard tales of the Hollowlands and its corruption cases. The phenomenon interested me." He adjusted his monocle absently. "As for my presence here..."
"...It’s purely a coincidence."