Chapter 39

  Leo and Melody stood in front of the grand structure of the Castle of the Hell Star. A huge black-painted structure loomed before the duo.

  “Melody, I can see it—something ominous. The mana is gathered at the left wing of the castle, underground,” Leo said.

  “Let’s get going,” Melody replied.

  The duo walked forward to face whatever uncertainty awaited them.

  The castle, unlike what Melody had said yesterday, was empty. Not one being stood there.

  “Melody, something is wrong. Let’s go inside,” Leo said.

  Melody nodded and followed him.

  Leo walked down the empty corridor filled with grand armors and majestic portraits. But the place, despite its grandeur, was lifeless. The only sound was the echo of the duo’s footsteps.

  Melody spoke, “Leo, the mana here… it’s weird.”

  “I can sense that. Let’s go forward,” Leo replied.

  Following the scent of bloody mana, they reached a grand door. The air became murky, heavy with the scent of blood.

  “Be on guard, Melody,” Leo said.

  He placed his hands on the door and pushed it with all the mana he had. It was a huge, mana-sealed metal door.

  Melody placed her hands on Leo’s shoulder, supplying him with mana.

  Leo opened his eyes. As his hands moved, the mana in the air danced to his will. The seal dissolved, broke down, and the door unsealed itself. With a final push, the huge door opened.

  Neither of them was ready for what lay beyond.

  As the door swung open, the air filled with the smell of rotten meat. A gruesome scene unfolded—hundreds upon hundreds of corpses lying in pools of rotting blood.

  Melody was shaken by the sight. She turned away.

  Leo wrapped his arms around her, shielding her.

  After a moment, Melody spoke, “It’s alright.”

  Leo released her.

  She continued, “This is the path I must walk if I want to walk with you.”

  Leo said nothing. His face was filled with pride.

  The duo entered the swamp of corpses. Melody covered her nose with her kerchief. Leo moved toward the center.

  “Melody, it’s in the center—the source of the mana disturbance. Wait here,” Leo said.

  “Okay,” Melody replied.

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  As he stepped forward, she held his hand.

  Leo turned back and smiled. “Don’t worry. It will be alright.”

  With concern in her eyes, she said, “Don’t get hurt, Leo.”

  Leo shook his head. She let him go.

  Leo stepped forward, standing atop the rotting corpses. The cursed mana called out to him.

  As he moved closer to the center, the mana gathered into a green hue with a unique allure.

  Leo stepped forward.

  The mana formed into the shape of a woman—one of great beauty and allure. Even the beauties of the Moonlight Pavilion paled in comparison.

  Leo stood still.

  The woman walked toward him, placed her hands on his chest, sliding them upward, holding his chin. Leo looked into her emerald eyes, mesmerized.

  Her other hand wrapped around his waist. Her face drew closer.

  Then—

  A sound broke the bone-chilling silence.

  A soft hum grew louder.

  “Leo… Leo… wake up…”

  A fat, round, shirtless figure with wings appeared before him.

  Leo’s eyes blinked for the first time since the cursed mana gathered.

  Where the beauty once stood was now a rotting corpse, mouth wide open, hands around his neck, choking him.

  In the background, Melody screamed, “Leo! Leo!”

  As Leo stood at death’s door, he moved his still mana.

  The crimson blade at his waist lit up. With a deafening roar, he drew it and sliced the corpse’s neck apart.

  The green mana dispersed—then gathered again, forming a sharp sphere that flew at Leo faster than his eyes could react.

  “Mana, come,” Leo spoke.

  Like a mother rushing to her child’s call, mana gathered before him. A blue hue solidified into a grand defensive mana circle.

  The sphere crashed into the shield and shattered. The shield broke moments later.

  Melody rushed forward.

  Leo floated in the air, falling.

  Melody formed a mana net, catching him gently and lowering him to the ground.

  He lay beside her, gasping.

  She hugged him, tears filling her eyes.

  “You fool… I… I thought I lost you,” she cried.

  Leo, shaking, hugged her back. “I’m alright,” he said.

  The green mana gathered again.

  Melody raised her wand, ready to fight.

  “Sto—p…” Leo tried to speak, still unable to stand.

  “Leo, as long as I breathe, nothing will happen to you,” Melody said, gripping her staff tightly. Her hands were cold, but her eyes burned with resolve.

  This time, the mana formed into the shape of a man in a long robe. Unlike before, his eyes held life.

  He approached and whispered,

  “A demon willing to give her life to protect another… another capable of resisting the allure of cursed mana… a child of mana. The last twenty years of waiting were not in vain. I can entrust this to you.”

  He turned to Melody.

  “Head to the Totem of Life. End the curse of generations. Liberate the demons of this land.”

  He drove his hand into his chest, removed a green emerald sphere, and handed it to Melody.

  “Who are you?” Melody asked.

  Leo struck his sword into the ground and stood, balancing himself.

  “A sinner, child,” the old man replied. “One who failed to keep his word. There is no time. Now leave.”

  As he faded, he gathered the remaining cursed mana and poured it into Leo, healing him.

  Seeing the crimson sword, he whispered,

  “My old friend… maybe this is how it was always meant to be.”

  He vanished into oblivion.

  Melody looked at Leo. “What now?”

  Leo stood, fully healed. “We go back. Find Lara, Ryan, and the child. Then we decide. Perhaps then we will find answers.”

  At the same time, Ryan and Lara followed the child to the far eastern side of the city—the graveyard where the demons of the Hell Star’s domain rested.

  Ryan’s badge glowed.

  “Ryan, can you hear me?” Leo asked through the badge.

  Ryan whispered, “Leo… thank God.”

  “Where are you? What happened?” Leo asked.

  “Leo, we followed that damn child to the graveyard. A huge army of knights arrived. We hid in the bushes. They were performing some ritual around a tall wooden idol.”

  “The Totem of Life,” Leo said.

  “Yes. That’s what the grey-hooded demons called it. Don’t interrupt,” Ryan whispered.

  “Sorry. Continue,” Leo said.

  “They were planning something called the Blood Ritual. Before we could hear more, the child chased a butterfly deep into the forest. The leader followed him. The noise alerted the knights. They disappeared into the forest.”

  “Where are you now?” Leo asked.

  “Hanging upside down in a tree, hiding from the knights,” Ryan replied.

  “We’re coming. Just wait,” Leo said.

  “Please come soon, Captain,” Ryan whispered.

  What awaits the trio?

  What is the curse?

  Will it finally be broken?

  Wait and find out.