Nyssara stepped toward Valroth, but the blazing sword was at her throat in an instant. She smirked, the once-innocent face of Aeris now dark and ominous. He had never seen her like this before. A dozen questions surged through his mind, but the dangerous aura before him allowed no distractions.
"While I slept, you deceived Aeris into signing a contract, making her your follower, your pet. But I am not her. As long as I exist within this body, you will never truly own it, nor its soul." Nyssara reached up, brushing the sword aside with her fingers. The flames burned her skin, but she remained unfazed. Instead, she took another step toward the man before her. "But I can feel it—Aeris likes you. She's too naive, so naive that even knowing you are using her, she still chooses to follow you. So you'd best treat her well. Stop your so-called training. When she jumped off that cliff, I was asleep. If you hadn't saved her, we would have drowned beneath the waterfall."
As she spoke, Valroth slowly lowered his sword. But just as he did, Nyssara struck, her fist flying toward his face. Before it could connect, her entire body suddenly collapsed to the ground.
Valroth had already moved, retreating several meters in the blink of an eye. He watched in confusion as Nyssara clutched her head, writhing in pain. Her pale fingers tangled in her long white hair, which was rapidly darkening, strand by strand. When it was completely black once more, she slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.
She lifted her head, dark eyes staring in confusion at Valroth, who remained poised for battle.
"Aeris?" Valroth called cautiously.
"Yes?" Aeris rubbed her head groggily, swaying as she stood, stumbling toward him. Valroth raised his sword again, forcing her to halt, puzzled.
"Kneel," he commanded.
Aeris's furrowed brows smoothed out instantly. Though confusion remained in her gaze, she obeyed the moment his words fell, dropping to her knees. Seeing her submission, so vastly different from the contemptuous expression moments ago, Valroth felt certain—this was Aeris.
He took a few steps forward and seized her throat, yanking her closer.
"What are you?" His voice, despite the lingering flames around him, was colder than the river's depths.
Aeris blinked, struggling to think of an answer. Her face reddened as his grip tightened, cutting off her air. Yet she made no attempt to resist.
"I... I am your pet..." she finally choked out.
Valroth's grip only tightened at her words.
"I can tell when you're lying."
Aeris's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, as if she truly believed he could see the truth within her. That she no longer had to strain her mind for an answer. Besides being your pet, what else am I?
Valroth knew—she was not lying. His gaze lingered on the white crescent mark behind her ear before he released her.
"Do you remember what happened?" he asked, his voice returning to its usual tone.
"I remember…" Aeris remained kneeling, frowning in thought. "I remember entering the cabin. The birds inside—they were terrifying. I screamed, and then…"
She hesitated. "Then I was here."
Valroth understood. "Wait outside the cabin with Ember."
With those words, he vanished into the cloud-covered sky.
He had decided to keep her. Despite the mysteries shrouding her existence, despite the presence of another within her, he could tell—she was merely human. She had no power to harm him. More importantly, Aeris was an exceptional pet. Given more time, she might truly help him achieve his goal—to obtain The Book.
The afternoon sun draped lazily over the grass. Feathers of vibrant hues, remnants of the battle, still littered the ground. Aeris lay beneath a great tree, fast asleep, while Ember darted through the field, chasing butterflies.
Valroth, having just returned, halted at the sight.
Then, in a flash, he was beside her.
"Wake up." He gently ran his fingers through her dark hair, murmuring her name. "Aeris."
Aeris cracked open her eyes, drowsily staring up at him, his form blocking out most of the sky. Ember leaped onto her lap, nuzzling against her excitedly. She giggled, hugging the small fox as she sat up.
"We're leaving." Valroth's hand remained in her hair as she leaned into his palm, savoring the warmth. "You are a very good girl. Even better than I expected."
Aeris's eyes widened, pure joy shining within them. His praise was what she desired most.
"Before we go, there is one final lesson." Valroth gestured for her to stand, then placed a spear in her hands.
"Kill it."
Aeris's smile froze. She stared at Valroth in disbelief, then looked down at Ember, still nestled in her arms. Valroth's finger pointed directly at the small fox.
"This is an order."
Aeris's eyes turned red with tears, large droplets falling freely. The spear trembled in her hands, as did her tear-drenched lashes.
"But… you gave him to me." Her voice broke as memories of Ember's companionship flooded her mind.
"I gave him to you for this moment." Valroth's tone was merciless. "Will you kill your beloved pet for your master?"
"Pass this test, and you will truly belong to me." He pulled something from his cloak—a black collar, adorned with dark red patterns. The clasp bore a metallic "V."
"Will you prove to your master that you deserve him?"
"And earn the gift your master made for you?"
"Will you still be my good girl?"
Aeris trembled violently. Her gaze never left Ember, who pawed at her legs, sensing the shift in the air.
Then, suddenly, Valroth noticed something had changed. Her shaking ceased. Her gaze turned cold. A golden light flickered in her eyes—but her hair remained black.
With a swift motion, the spear plunged forward.
A sickening sound filled the air as blood-stained Ember's pristine white fur—dyed in Valroth's color.
Aeris rose, her face devoid of emotion, her expression eerily hollow. Just like the first time he had found her.
A satisfied smirk curled Valroth's lips as he turned toward the wooden house. Aeris followed, her steps silent, mechanical.
With a wave of his hand, the cabin was engulfed in flames.
Then, he stepped toward Aeris, fastening the collar around her neck. For a fleeting moment, something flickered in her eyes—a spark of resistance, of life.
But it vanished, swallowed by the emptiness.