Velt, Rurhy, Rosa, Luke, Dash, and Jack moved through the castle corridors while, in the distance, the echoes of the battle raging outside reached their ears.

  —Rurhy, I’m throwing him to you! —Velt shouted as he struck a guard and slammed him into the wall.

  —Got him! —Rurhy replied, driving two arrows into the enemy’s chest before he could react.

  —They just keep coming… —Dash muttered, exhausted, as he pulled his sword free from another guard’s body.

  —I’m still sleepy… —Luke complained while retrieving some of his daggers from among the corpses.

  —You’re still sleepy? —Jack asked in disbelief.

  —Velt told us to sleep, but after the attack I couldn’t close my eyes —Luke replied with a shrug.

  —Stop complaining already —Dash said.

  —But I didn’t complain —Luke shot back.

  —Does anyone need healing? —Rosa asked, looking at the group with concern.

  —I’m fine —Jack replied.

  —No serious wounds, just a few scratches —Rurhy said. —Nothing important.

  —Same here, nothing major —Luke added.

  —I’ve got a cut on my hand. Can you treat it? —Dash said, showing his bloodied palm.

  —God, you’re bleeding a lot! —Rosa exclaimed, panicking as she immediately began healing the wound.

  —Idiot, you should be more careful —Jack scolded him.

  —In my defense, I didn’t notice it at the time —Dash replied.

  —Enough. Rosa, heal him quickly. More guards could show up —Velt ordered.

  After several minutes pushing deeper into the castle and defeating every guard who crossed their path, the group finally reached a massive door.

  —Is this it? —Velt asked, looking at Rosa.

  —Yes. This is the room where Eivan handled everything —she answered.

  —Alright… are you ready? —Velt asked.

  Everyone nodded.

  When the great door opened, an enormous hall spread out before them, with a solitary throne at the far end.

  —This place is huge —Dash commented.

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  —I never understood the need for a hall this big —Jack added.

  —Sometimes it was used for parties, that’s why —Rosa explained.

  Suddenly, Velt caught an arrow in midair, stopping it just before it could hit Rurhy.

  —Wow, he caught it… and here I was hoping to get rid of that elf —a voice said from the throne.

  They turned to see Sarha, sitting with her legs crossed, watching them with a twisted smile.

  —Sarha… what are you doing in Father’s place? —Rosa asked.

  —This is my place now, little sister. Father left it to me —Sarha replied calmly.

  —That can’t be true. There was no ceremony, and Father wouldn’t give you power just because you asked —Rosa shot back.

  —Sister, you came here for Father’s position, didn’t you? —Sarha said. —I’ll confess something to you. Father had chosen you as his successor. The people liked you more.

  —What…? —Rosa murmured, stunned.

  —Yes, exactly. Between the two of us, you were the favorite. That’s why he was going to give you his seat. But I couldn’t stand the idea of a filthy concubine’s daughter holding power. It disgusted me.

  —Enough! I want to speak with Father. Where is he? —Rosa demanded.

  —You want to talk to him? Very well —Sarha said with an unsettling smile. —Go on… talk to him.

  A man emerged from the shadows. He wore armor and moved in an unnatural way.

  —Father… —Rosa whispered.

  —Something’s not right here —Jack said cautiously.

  —Zero —Velt thought.

  —Complete analysis. Confirmed: the subject Eivan Tairan shows no signs of life —Zero reported.

  —I’m sorry, Rosa, but that is no longer your father —Velt said firmly.

  —I-I know… I understand. He’s a zombie —Rosa said, clenching her fists. —How could you do this to our father?

  —He never listened to me —Sarha replied. —Even when I told him you wanted to leave the village, he said he would respect your decision. That enraged me… so I made sure he could never disobey me again.

  —You’re sick —Dash spat.

  —Pathetic, betraying the one who gave you life —Jack added.

  —Hey, I didn’t get along with my father either, but you went way too far —Luke said.

  —I don’t need your words. I can do whatever I want —Sarha said. —Go on, Daddy… kill them.

  Eivan began advancing toward the group with clear murderous intent.

  —Spread out! —Velt ordered.

  Everyone obeyed, scattering across the hall.

  Rurhy attacked first, but his arrows didn’t seem to have any effect.

  —Great, another one with tough skin —Luke growled.

  —Take this! —Dash shouted, leaping forward to pierce Eivan’s head, but Eivan stopped the sword with his bare hand and hurled Dash into the wall.

  —This feels familiar… —Dash muttered before collapsing.

  Velt was about to give another order.

  —Zero, transform me into—

  He stopped when he saw Eivan heading straight for Rosa.

  —I-I have to attack… but he’s my father… no, he isn’t anymore… I have to be strong —she stammered, trembling.

  —What’s wrong, little sister? Can’t hit Daddy? —Sarha mocked.

  —Maybe she can’t… but I can —Velt said, stepping in front of her.

  Without hesitation, he struck Eivan in the face, forcing him back several steps.

  —Rosa, listen —Velt said. —I know this is hard. I won’t ask you to forget the good memories you have of your father, but you’re the healer. We need you to keep fighting. Be strong… just this once. If you want to cry afterward, no one will stop you. I’ll stay with you, even if I don’t understand anything about your family. I already told you: I accepted you as my partner, and I’ll do everything I can to make you happy. Even if I fail, I’ll try again and again until I see you smile.

  —Velt… —Rosa murmured, blushing.

  —What a touching speech —Sarha clapped lazily. —But none of you are leaving here alive. Daddy, kill them now.

  —I’ll handle him —Velt said.

  —Wait, I want to help you —Rosa said.

  —No. I need you to help the others. You all go after your sister —Velt ordered.

  —But— —Rosa tried to protest.

  —I’m going to transform and force the evolution —he cut her off. —I don’t want to hurt you by accident. Stop your sister.

  —I-I understand… but be careful. If you get badly hurt, I’ll never forgive you —Rosa said before running toward the others.

  —Alright… let’s get this started —Velt said.