The mansion had changed.
The hallways felt alive, each wall pulsing with shadow and whisper.
The golden mark on Rhea's wrist burned steadily now, a heartbeat echoing in sync with her own.
She could feel the mansion's presence pressing against her soul—but she was no longer afraid.
Adrian stood beside her, eyes sharp, hands gripping hers.
"Stage Three has begun," he said quietly.
"You need to stay focused. Don't let Lilith isolate you. She will try to feed on fear."
Rhea nodded.
"I'm ready. I know what she fears now."
A cold wind swept through the corridor.
The candles exploded, flames dancing wildly as darkness gathered.
Lilith appeared—fully formed this time, her ghostly figure glimmering with rage.
"Little bride," she hissed, her voice slicing like ice.
"You think you've learned enough to survive me?"
Rhea planted her feet, refusing to move.
"I know I can," she said, her voice steady.
"I know you can't control me."
Lilith laughed—a cruel, piercing sound that rattled the walls.
"I'll see how long that lasts!"
She lunged forward.
Rhea felt the pull—the mansion trying to drag her into the shadows.
Adrian shouted, grabbing her arm.
"Focus on me! On us! Don't let her take your mind!"
Rhea closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She pictured the brides' memories—how they had failed, how they had given in to fear.
But she did the opposite.
She anchored herself in courage.
In Adrian.
In the knowledge that she was not alone.
The shadows twisted violently around her, and Lilith's scream filled the air.
"You dare resist me!"
Rhea opened her eyes.
The mark on her wrist flared bright and golden, and the shadows recoiled.
She reached out toward Lilith—not with fear, but with certainty.
"You have no power over me!" she shouted.
"I am not yours to control!"
Lilith shrieked, backing away.
The mansion itself seemed to pulse with resistance—walls shaking, ceilings groaning.
Adrian stepped beside Rhea, holding her hands firmly.
"Together," he said.
"Remember, together."
Rhea nodded.
She could feel the bond between them—stronger than any curse, stronger than fear.
She focused on that bond, letting it fill her chest, her mind, and her very soul.
Lilith screamed again, a sound of rage and disbelief.
Her form flickered, unstable, wavering like mist in the wind.
"You… you cannot defeat me!"
Rhea took a step forward.
"Watch me."
She felt the mansion respond to her will.
The shadows recoiled, the whispers ceased, and the golden light of her mark spread like fire, illuminating the corridor.
Lilith tried to attack again, but Rhea raised her hand.
A wave of energy pulsed from the mark, and the ghostly figure was thrown back against the wall, screaming.
Adrian pulled her close.
"You did it," he whispered, awe in his voice.
"You resisted Stage Three. You controlled it."
Rhea's chest heaved.
She felt the mansion's presence still pressing, still watching—but it no longer terrified her.
She had survived.
She had fought.
And she had won her first victory against Lilith.
The ghost shrieked one last time, fading into the walls.
"You may have survived this time, little bride… but the mansion always hungers!"
Rhea turned to Adrian.
"I'm ready for whatever comes next," she said, determination blazing in her eyes.
Adrian smiled, a mix of relief and pride.
"And I'll be with you every step."
The mansion was silent for the first time since she arrived.
But Rhea knew it was only a pause.
Lilith would return.
The mansion would challenge her again.
But now… Rhea was no longer just the chosen bride.
She was the bride who fought back.