The surrounding corridors pulsed like living veins, the stone walls emanating a menacing red heat. I stood in the middle of the cursed altar, the blazing crimson light devouring every shadow around me.
Lucian stepped closer, his voice soft and insistent. "Seraphine, Valeria's blood is the key. You know it. Stop resisting."
My heart thundered in my chest as I met his gaze. "I won't give myself up that easily."
--
The voice of the curse echoed in my mind. *"Merge… let me be your strength… or you will die here…"*
My body shook, breath coming in ragged gasps. I could feel the curse creeping beneath my skin—trying to shred my sanity.
"This isn't power… this is a prison," I whispered back to the voice.
Lucian drew even closer, his eyes gleaming. "It's not a prison, Seraphine. It's an inheritance. The destiny of Valeria."
---
Oren coughed harshly, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. He lay beside the altar, his pleading eyes locking with mine. "Milady… don't let him take you…"
I turned to Oren, my hands trembling. "I promise… I won't give in."
Lucian scoffed. "You're still too weak, Seraphine. This curse demands blood… and you're not ready."
He raised a short dagger, holding it between us. "Just a single drop… that's all I need."
---
I stepped back, my spine pressing against the cold stone of the altar. "Don't come any closer!"
Lucian's eyes glittered darkly. "You'll never be free. Even if you kill me… Valeria's blood still lives in your veins."
I swallowed, tasting the salt of my own blood in my mouth. "Then if I have to die again… I'll die fighting you."
---
Suddenly, a searing heat erupted in my veins. Crimson light blazed around me as the curse shrieked inside my mind. Voices whispered, demanding release.
Oren staggered upright, though he was pale and weak. "Milady… I trust you… finish this!"
I clenched my fists, letting the curse flare. "If this curse is mine… then I'll use it… to shatter these chains!"
---
The Battle Begins
Lucian let out a low laugh. "Finally… you begin to understand. But you're still too slow, Seraphine."
He raised his hands, and the red curse exploded outward, creating a vortex of energy between us. The altar's stones cracked, dust falling from the ceiling.
I lifted my own hands, fighting back against the curse's pull. "I will never be your puppet!"
Lucian grinned, eyes blazing with madness. "But you will be my queen…"
---
Our curses collided, red fire consuming the chamber, turning everything into an inferno. The wails of the curse rang in my ears.
Oren crawled closer, despite the gaping wound in his chest. "Milady! You must destroy the altar… it's the source of his power!"
I turned, staring at the altar as it shuddered and cracked. "If I destroy it… what will happen to me?"
Oren met my eyes, his own wet with tears. "I… I don't know. But it's the only way."
---
Lucian roared, his fury swallowing reason. "Don't you dare, Seraphine! That altar is my life… and yours!"
I gritted my teeth. "Then we'll fall together!"
With all the strength I could draw from the curse, I thrust my hand toward the altar. The crimson glow flared even brighter, cracks racing across the stone.
Lucian lunged for me, his hand outstretched to stop me. But I was faster.
---
With a final, desperate scream, the altar shattered, stone fragments flying. Crimson light exploded, hurling me backward. The wailing voices of the curse rose in agony… and then… silence.
Lucian staggered, his face pale with shock. "No… you… fool…"
I fell to my knees, gasping for breath. The voices of the curse had vanished… leaving only a heavy, aching quiet.
---
But my body felt cold, as if a black hole was devouring my life from within. I looked at my hand—faint red veins still pulsed beneath my skin.
Oren reached for me, his face etched with worry. "Milady… did you succeed?"
I met his gaze, my voice hoarse. "I… I don't know. I'm still alive… but the curse… it's not entirely gone."
---
Lucian knelt before the ruined altar, his voice a low snarl. "You've… destroyed everything, Seraphine…"
Slowly, I pushed myself to my feet, though my body trembled with the effort. "It's… over, Lucian. You'll never imprison anyone again."
He glared at me, hatred burning in his eyes. "This isn't over, Seraphine. The curse… still flows in your veins. You've only delayed it."
---
Oren tugged at my arm. "We have to go. Lucian's soldiers will be here soon."
I nodded, though unease still coiled in my chest. "Yes… we must leave this place."
We moved slowly, picking our way through the debris and dust of the broken corridor. Behind us, Lucian bowed his head—but his smoldering eyes promised that his thirst for vengeance was far from quenched.
---
Outside the corridor, the cold night air wrapped around me, carrying the scent of blood and damp earth.
I looked at my hand again. Even with the altar destroyed, a faint red glow still pulsed in my veins. This curse… it wasn't truly gone.
Oren's expression turned grave. "Milady… we must find a way to end this for good. Or he'll keep hunting you."
I drew a deep breath, gazing into the darkness ahead. "I know. And I won't run anymore."
---
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the shadows. A figure emerged, holding a torch that flickered in the cold night air. His face was unfamiliar, but there was a strange smile on his lips.
"You… Seraphine Valeria?" he asked in a menacing tone.
I stared at the stranger, feeling a new tension coil in my chest. Who was he? An ally… or another enemy?
I took a breath, bracing myself. I knew—this curse was far from over. And tonight was only the beginning of a greater war.
---