I opened my eyes, groggy and disoriented. The sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a soft glow on the room. My body ached everywhere, wrapped tightly in layers of bandages.


    When I glanced to my side, I saw Lucy sitting beside me, her head resting on the bed. Her own bandages and faint scars told me she hadn’t been spared in the chaos.


    “Lucy…” I croaked out.


    She stirred, her eyes snapping open. Relief washed over her face as she saw me awake.


    “Alex! You’re awake!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.


    “Where… where am I?” I muttered, trying to piece together the events.


    But then, like a lightning bolt, the memories crashed back.


    “Nyxis!” I screamed, sitting upright, pain shooting through my entire body. “I have to find her!”


    Ignoring the stabbing pain, I swung my legs over the bed, trying to stand. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.


    “Alex!” Lucy cried, rushing to my side.


    I tried to push her away, desperate to get moving. “I can’t just sit here, Lucy! She’s out there with them! Who knows what that demon is doing to her right now?! I—”


    My words caught in my throat as images of Nyxis flashed in my mind—her small, unconscious body trapped in that accursed orb.


    “I have to go!” I shouted, my voice cracking.


    “How?!” Lucy snapped, her voice louder than I’d ever heard before. She grabbed my shoulders and forced me to meet her gaze.


    “Look at yourself, Alex!” she said, her voice trembling with both anger and despair. “You’re barely holding together! Your body is covered in cracks and wounds. You think you can save her like this?!”


    “I don’t care!” I shouted back, tears streaming down my face. “I’ll crawl if I have to! I have to save her, Lucy!”


    “And what happens if you die out there?!” she yelled, her own tears now falling freely. “You think Nyxis wants that? You think she wants to lose you forever?! If you go now, you’ll just be throwing your life away!”


    Her words cut deep. My resolve wavered as the weight of her argument settled in.


    “But… but she’s my daughter,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “She’s all I have left. I can’t just sit here while she suffers.”


    Lucy knelt down, wrapping her arms around me. Her embrace was firm yet gentle, and I could feel her trembling.


    “I know, Alex,” she said softly, her voice filled with pain. “I know how much she means to you. She means the world to me too. But you’re no good to her if you rush off and die.”


    Her tears soaked into my bandages as she whispered, “I can’t lose you too.”


    Her words finally broke me. My body slumped as the fight drained out of me, leaving only a deep, aching sorrow.


    Lucy helped me back into bed, her movements careful but firm. She adjusted the covers over me, her hands trembling slightly.


    As I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, guilt and frustration clawed at me.


    “Lucy…” I started, but she silenced me by placing a finger on my lips.


    “Rest, Alex,” she said softly. “You’ll need your strength to save her. For now, let me take care of you.”


    She began humming a lullaby, her voice soothing and melodic. The song carried a bittersweet emotion, filling the room with a sense of calm.


    My eyelids grew heavy, my body succumbing to the comfort of her voice.


    The last thing I saw before drifting off was Lucy’s tear-streaked face, filled with determination.


    “I’ll stand by you, Alex,” she whispered, her voice steady. “We’ll get her back. Together.”


    I woke up to the sound of raised voices, sharp and tense. My vision was blurry at first, but as it cleared, the unmistakable sound of Lucy arguing reached my ears.


    “…you dare show your face here after what you’ve done?!” she yelled, her voice shaking with fury.


    I forced myself to sit up, ignoring the sharp pain shooting through my body. My head throbbed, but my anger overpowered everything else. When I looked towards the doorway, I saw him.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Chief Asher.


    The sight of him made my blood boil instantly.


    “TRAITOR!” I roared, my voice reverberating through the room. My body screamed in protest as I stumbled out of bed, but I didn’t care. I was moving, limping, but every step fueled by rage.


    Asher turned to face me, his arm in a sling from the beating I had given him before. Behind him stood Edward, who looked equally worn but avoided meeting my gaze.


    “WHY?!” I shouted, each word laced with venom. “Why did you do this?!”


    Asher didn’t answer immediately, lowering his head in what I could only describe as shame.


    “Alex…” he began, his voice hoarse. “I… I’m sorry.”


    “Sorry?” My voice was a low growl, trembling with barely contained fury. “Do you think your sorry will bring her back? Do you think it will undo what you’ve done?!”


    I lunged forward, my fist ready to connect with his face, but the village guards grabbed me, holding me back. I struggled against their grip, snarling like a caged beast.


    Asher and Edward bowed deeply.


    “Forgive me,” Asher whispered, his voice breaking.


    “FORGIVE YOU?!” I screamed, my voice cracking with emotion. “Do you think I’ll ever forgive you for betraying me? For handing over Nyxis?! You’ve committed the greatest sin, Asher. The kind that has no redemption.”


    I paused, breathing heavily, my fury barely contained.


    “I am Alexander Solheart,” I spat, my voice steady but cold. “And I swear on my name and my blood, I will never forgive you.”


    As they turned to leave, my rage overflowed.


    “Get out of my sight!” I bellowed. “Before I do something unforgivable!”


    They hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked away, their heads low.


    The moment they stepped out the door, I let it all out.


    “Curse you!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. “Curse this entire village! Curse you, Asher! Curse you, Edward! May you suffer! May this village burn to the ground, and may you all die screaming in agony!”


    My voice echoed through the house, my chest heaving as I poured out every ounce of my hatred.


    “Alex!” Lucy’s voice rang out as she ran to me, grabbing my arm. “Stop! You’re going to hurt yourself even more!”


    I turned to her, tears streaming down my face.


    “Lucy,” I whispered hoarsely. “I… I cursed the village. The place you were born. The place you love.”


    She shook her head firmly, her hands gripping mine.


    “No, Alex,” she said, her voice steady despite the tears glistening in her eyes. “You’re not wrong. Being betrayed by the people you risked your life to protect is the worst sin of all. They deserve your anger.”


    I stared at her, my anger giving way to despair.


    “Why, Lucy?” I murmured. “Why did Asher do this? Why would he betray us? Do you… do you know why?”


    Lucy’s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing.


    “I don’t know, Alex,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “But whatever his reasons, they don’t justify what he did. Not to you. Not to Nyxis.”


    We sat in silence for a while, the weight of the night pressing down on us. Eventually, Lucy stood, her movements slow and deliberate.


    “I’ll sleep in the other room tonight,” she said softly. “You need some peace.”


    I nodded, unable to speak. As she left, the room felt colder, emptier.


    I lay back down, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts raced, each one darker than the last.


    “I’ll get you back, Nyxis,” I whispered into the silence. “No matter what it takes.”


    And with that, I closed my eyes, the darkness pulling me into restless sleep.


    The soft creak of the door snapped me out of my restless sleep. My instincts flared, sharp as a blade. Someone was in the room. I stayed still, my breaths shallow, until I heard the light sound of footsteps.


    A figure sat beside me, her silhouette outlined by the faint moonlight streaming through the window.


    I slowly opened my eyes, my voice low and guarded.


    “Who are you?”


    The woman turned to face me, her expression calm but firm.


    “I am Elara,” she said.


    “Elara who?” I asked, my tone biting.


    She smiled faintly, an air of melancholy in her demeanor.


    “I was part of Wrathian... Asher’s old party.”


    Hearing that name again sent a jolt of rage through my body. My fists clenched under the blanket.


    “What do you want from me now?” I hissed. “Are you here to finish the job? To kill me? To steal more from me after you took my daughter?!”


    Elara shook her head quickly, her voice soft but firm.


    “No… I don’t mean you harm. I’m not here for that. I’m… a healer.”


    I scoffed. “A healer from Wrathian? Forgive me if I find that hard to believe. Asher and his friends are nothing but liars and traitors.”


    Her expression didn’t waver, though there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes.


    “I didn’t know what Asher planned,” she said quietly. “And if I had… I would have stopped him.”


    “Words,” I spat. “Nothing but useless words. They don’t bring back Nyxis.”


    Elara hesitated before speaking again.


    “I never imagined Alexander Solheart, the infamous problem child of the kingdom, would end up bonded to a Skyrend.”


    My anger flared at her words.


    “Got a problem with that?” I snapped, my voice like ice.


    “No,” she said, shaking her head. “Not at all. It’s… surprising, that’s all. When I was stationed in the capital, I saw you a few times. You were... different then. Reckless, unpredictable. But now, you’re... different.”


    “Different how?” I growled, still glaring at her.


    “You radiate something else now,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “It’s not chaos. It’s not rage. It’s… purpose.”


    I leaned forward, my body protesting with pain, but I ignored it.


    “So, what’s your point?” I asked coldly.


    Elara met my gaze, unflinching.


    “I came to help you,” she said simply.


    I laughed bitterly.


    “Help me? That’s rich. Where was your ‘help’ when Asher handed over my daughter to those demons? Where was it when I needed it the most?”


    Her face darkened.


    “You’re right,” she said softly. “I wasn’t there when it mattered. And I can’t undo what’s been done. But I can help you now.”


    “And why would I trust you?” I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.


    She hesitated, then spoke with quiet conviction.


    “Because, like you, I’ve seen what betrayal does. And I want to make it right.”


    I studied her for a long moment, my mind racing. She didn’t look like a liar, but then again, neither did Asher.


    Finally, I let out a bitter sigh.


    “Fine,” I said, my voice heavy. “Say what you need to say.”


    The woman’s voice wavered as she began to speak, her gaze averted.


    “I came here to apologize,” Elara said softly, her words heavy with guilt. “It was because of me that your daughter was taken away.”


    I felt my jaw tighten, my fists clenching beneath the covers. She continued, her voice trembling.


    “That foolish Asher… he came here searching for a cure—for me. During our quest in the demon lands, I was cursed. The others in our party… they all died. I begged him to leave me behind, to let me die too. But Asher…”


    She paused, her lips pressing into a thin line before she forced herself to continue.


    “Asher couldn’t bear the thought of losing me. We were lovers, and to him, saving me was worth any cost. Even this.”


    Her words only fueled the fire in my chest. My voice was low but seething with rage.


    “So… because of your curse, my daughter was ripped away from me. Because of your love story, my Nyxis was handed over to demons.”


    Elara’s head hung low, her hands trembling as she clasped them in her lap.


    “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t want anyone to suffer for me.”


    I glared at her, my voice cutting through the room like a blade.


    “Do you think sorry will bring her back?”


    “No… no, I don’t,” she admitted, her voice cracking. “But I can help you now. I can heal you—fully. And though it’s not much, I’ll give you my blessing so you have the strength to bring her back.”


    Elara stood and began to chant, her voice steady despite the weight of the moment.


    “[Healing Magic: Restora Lumina].”


    Warm light enveloped me, washing over my battered body. I could feel my wounds mending, the searing pain in my muscles easing, and the crushing exhaustion lifting. My breathing steadied, and for the first time since the battle, I felt whole again.


    When the spell faded, Elara dropped to her knees, her body trembling from the effort.


    “That’s all I could manage,” she said, her voice faint. “I’m sorry for the trouble I caused. I know you’ll never forgive us, but please… save her. This all started because of me.”


    She reached into her pocket and pulled out a rolled-up piece of parchment. Unfolding it, she handed it to me.


    “This map will lead you to Belphegor’s domain,” she explained, her hands shaking as she passed it over.


    I stared at the map, memorizing the route before glancing back at her. My voice was cold but resolute.


    “I won’t forgive you,” I said firmly, my eyes locking with hers. “But thank you… and tell Lucy I’ll come back. With Nyxis.”


    Elara nodded weakly, sweat streaming down her face as I stood, the strength returning to my legs.


    I stepped outside and cast my flight magic, the ground falling away as I soared into the sky. The cool evening wind whipped against my face as I unfurled the map, tracing the path to Belphegor’s lair.


    The journey would take until the next evening if I followed the route exactly. But that wasn’t good enough.


    “Nyxis…” I whispered, my voice swallowed by the rushing wind. My fists clenched at my sides as my magic surged, propelling me faster through the air. “I’m coming for you. Please… be safe.”


    I gritted my teeth and pushed harder, my determination burning brighter than ever. This wasn’t just a rescue—it was a promise.


    A promise to my daughter that I’d never let her go again.