Chapter 11 – A Wound That Cannot Be Erased
The humans who surrendered themselves to the astral beings—those with horse heads and human bodies—were no longer whole. They were fragile souls, drowned in the unbearable void of existence. Souls who had given up on living. And Zephyr, under the will of the astral force, selected only those whose hearts had already surrendered.
Even Enver couldn't save them. They—along with the inhabitants of Prufen—were beyond reach.
Half an hour passed. Enver released Spank from within the glass—the protective spell had faded.
"Tell me who did this to you?"
Spank looked at him, eyes glistening.
"He… he's like you. But cruel to weak beings like us. One of us vanished—just to help you find your wife."
Enver clenched his fists. His jaw tightened.
"The mark on your body will react in the presence of someone like me. And I know the owner. It's the same mark that killed my parents."
Meanwhile, in Prufen, a new announcement appeared: the Hellseer trials and the mission to seal the portal would be led by Enver Eraly and Roland.
In Jassel's chamber, the night had yet to end. Jassel and Thadric—or more precisely, Zephyr—still stood in the same unchanging tension.
"You're such an obedient dog," mocked Zephyr, lounging on the sofa. Jassel stood still.
"You have to promise me you'll protect me," he said, fearful of Roland—the man who killed both Enver and Zephyr's parents.
Zephyr, once considered weak, had overheard Roland's confession when he was thirteen. He secretly investigated while Enver was busy healing those consumed by astral entities—victims of human sins.
Enver had been strong since the age of eleven, inheriting his parents' powers. Zephyr was weak, but clever. Enver was powerful and compassionate. Two opposing forces.
Zephyr gave a cynical smile at Jassel's plea.
"I've done everything you asked," said Jassel.
"You talk too much," Zephyr replied flatly.
Footsteps approached. Zephyr vanished. Thadric regained control of his body.
Roland entered, followed by his followers. Ice clung to their robes.
"I have to work with that kid?" Roland barked.
Jassel tried to stay composed. "If not, this world might end. Including us."
"You support my plan?"
"Yes. I want your dream to come true."
Roland narrowed his eyes.
"What do you know about the portal?"
Jassel knew more than Roland thought. And within Thadric's body, Zephyr smiled. He had finally discovered Roland's true name—a name he'd long searched for.
"Everything will vanish, except for those who possess equivalent power," said Jassel.
"You won't disappear… you and that boy share the same strength," Roland sneered.
"Don't compare me to the child of the people I despise," Roland muttered angrily.
"You already killed them. Isn't that enough?"
"As long as their bloodline survives… I'll wipe it out—down to the root."
Their past was tangled. Roland, Jassel, Moren, and Wirlly were once friends. But Roland's unrequited love for Moren festered into hatred.
Roland raised the dead. He controlled their bodies—stripped of their souls.
"I kidnapped his wife. The Blue Dragon. The one who was supposed to be mine. Now… she is."
Roland craved immortality and wealth. Jassel, who once aided him, had begun to see the ritual's corruption.
"Blue Dragon?" Jassel murmured.
"She was hard to conquer. But the heavens gave me a chance. Now… she's mine."
Roland pointed to the burning glyphs on Jassel's hands and forehead—identical to Spank's.
"If that damned portal ruins my plan… I'll eliminate every traitor."
He vanished. His cold laughter echoed behind him.
Thadric wanted to chase him, but Jassel stopped him.
"You're no father, no leader. You're just a coward who'd trade anyone to survive," Thadric hissed.
"Master Jassel, do you think you can choose who deserves to be saved?"
"The person I hated… turned out not to be so bad."
Zephyr regained control. They headed to Roland's Prufen. The door opened easily.
Zephyr scoffed.
"My brother is a fool. He watched his parents die in front of him… and stayed silent."
They passed through twenty-five enchanted doors. Zephyr opened them effortlessly.
He knew the human world would soon no longer be his. But in the astral realm, he could absorb life energy. There, he found a slumbering astral being: the Demon King Maxcen, aged 9,929 years.
At the twentieth door, they were greeted by the undead. One of them was his own mother.
Zephyr trembled. But not out of fear—out of longing.
"Mother…"
He received every blow from her corpse. Didn't resist. Just stared.
"Are you insane?!" Thadric shouted.
"That's not my mother… just a body without a soul. We need to find the source of this spell."
"You sure it's not Roland?"
"It's not just him. When he entered your father's chamber, he seemed in a hurry. Ask him."
Suddenly, someone flashed above them—and disappeared instantly.
Zephyr smirked.
He summoned an astral hound. Whispered to it, and it darted away.
"Food for the hungry beast," he muttered coldly.
The battle intensified. The next door cracked—and an elf with a flaming arrow appeared.
The elven leader, imprisoned with Huria, opened his eyes. Bound, wounded, he whimpered.
"Stop… stop it…"
Huria felt that pain. She drew light from within Marva—blue light flared and entered her body.