Title: The Tormentor's Longing
"This is the end of this battle!"
I looked toward Adam. He stood tall, eyes fixed on the dark shadow and Elizabeth hovering above. There was not the slightest hint of fear in his gaze—not even the smallest trace of doubt or despair. He was different from me. Who was he, truly? All I knew was that he was the father of us all. But shouldn't he feel the same fear as I do? I still didn't understand his reason for being here.
"What's your plan, Jeanne?" he asked, still looking up at Elizabeth.
"I-I… I don't know," I stammered. I was on the brink of despair.
"Calm yourself," he said gently, taking my hand in his.
I managed a small smile and pulled my sword free from the ground. That's right. This fight isn't over yet. And I have no time to hesitate. All I can do now is stand and deflect every blow that comes our way.
"You two look like lovers! Disgusting! I'll torture you both until you beg for mercy on your knees!"
All of her torture weapons fell from the black sky like a thunderstorm.
I raised my sword high, preparing a final attack, even if it might cost me my life. It was the only way.
I drew a deep breath and lifted my blade to the heavens—just like I had once done in defense of my country.
"Oh, divine maiden, know that justice is the only truth enshrined in my soul.
God speaks through my ears, the devil tempts through my heart,
But it is my own spirit that guides me to holy devotion.
Now, let divine retribution fall upon the sinner. Burn to ashes!"
"ARFANAMA!!"
Flames burst from my sword, incinerating the torture weapons Elizabeth had summoned—but it still wasn't enough.
My body began to be pushed back. The force was too much for me alone. She continued to unleash her arsenal without pause.
I held my ground, burning away each attack, but I was nearing my limit.
"Is that all? How disappointing, Jeanne. Now—take my full strength!"
Her remaining weapons struck me at once. My body flew backward, crashing into a tree and splintering it into debris.
Blood covered her right hand and side, showing she was at her limit too—but I was far worse.
I collapsed. My sword was gone. My body refused to move.
Elizabeth stood above me, raising a spear for the killing blow.
"Thank you for the entertainment, Jeanne."
"It was a pleasure fighting you," she whispered, ready to strike.
"Now, Adam!!!" I shouted from the ground.
Elizabeth turned.
A crushing blow struck her bloodied face. Adam, with full force, had launched a devastating punch—strong enough to break the earth beneath him and split trees behind.
This was our plan: I'd draw her attention while Adam prepared his power.
His strength was like nothing I'd seen—an elegant mixture of nature, space, and time.
Watching his movements, the way he fought, the way he evaded... I realized he was truly different from either of us.
Elizabeth was thrown far away. Her dark aura vanished. The sky turned bright once more.
Adam picked me up and carried me gently to the school rooftop, laying me down.
As he was about to leave again, I grabbed his hand. He grasped mine back and gently set it down.
Then he descended to inspect Elizabeth's condition.
"Well? Are you satisfied now?" Adam asked, gazing at her broken, bloodied face.
"Damn you! That was your full power, wasn't it!? You held it all in and released it in one strike!"
"I guess so."
Elizabeth tried to raise her hand again—but her strength had faded.
A divine light began to envelop her.
"So... this is how it ends. I never expected it."
"Why did you choose that boy? I thought you said you didn't want to interfere, Father?"
Her voice faded.
"I don't know. I felt I had to act. I wanted to return all of you to your rightful places… myself included."
"And what about that woman?"
"The time will come. Maybe we'll fight. But for now… I still need her by my side."
"So that's the only reason you got involved in this chaos?"
"Reason? I don't need one to protect the people I cherish."
---
Elizabeth's Perspective
When Adam said that, I trembled. He was the image of a true father—someone willing to defy his own creation to protect his children.
I... I want to fight beside you again, Father.
Dusk draped itself over Castle Čachtice like a funeral veil. I sat on a swing in the garden, staring at the blood-red sky as it darkened.
"Lady Elizabeth, the Mistress is summoning you. It's time for dinner," the maid behind me announced.
"Alright, I'm coming."
"Wait, Lady Elizabeth! There's something on your shoulder!" she said, reaching to brush my dress.
CRACK!!
"What are you doing!? Who do you think you are, touching me!?"
The maid's head fell at my feet.
I suppose she wasn't that useful after all.
From childhood, I was taught politics, literature, and poisons. By the time I could walk, I had already killed nine servants appointed by my father.
"Do I look beautiful, Mother?"
"You're stunning, Elizabeth. Prince Ferenc Nádasdy will be enchanted by you."
"I hope so."
Is this the end of my life? Will this shadow haunt me forever?
A Hungarian girl grew into a stunning, deadly woman. But within her... the desire to kill burned far brighter than love.
My husband, Ferenc, died in war. I inherited the castle—and the torture devices he left me.
I thought... now is the time to embrace the urge I've hidden all these years.
An aching void within me birthed an obsession with eternal beauty.
---
"Today is so peaceful, don't you think, Fyr?"
"Yes, Lady Elizabeth. Would you like something to drink?"
"My hair feels messy today. Could you brush it for me?"
The maid stepped closer—unaware she was approaching her own death.
As I closed my eyes to enjoy the soft brushing, she tugged my hair.
"I-I'm sorry, milady, I didn't mean to!"
"No worries. Keep going," I replied, smiling faintly.
She couldn't escape.
"I think it's time to end this, Fyr."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll leave now—"
"Wait. Why don't you sit? Let's switch roles for once."
"Eh? Really? Is that okay?"
"Of course," I said, smiling.
She sat down, closed her eyes, enjoying the breeze through the window.
"How does it feel, Fyr? Nice, isn't it?"
"Yes! It's truly—"
Death came knocking.
"Lady Elizabeth!?" she cried, a blade stabbed through her hand.
"AAAAH!! Milady!! Please forgive me!"
"Calm down, Fyr. It's just a little entertainment."
"Let's have some fun," I whispered with a grin.
I tortured her for five hours—all for pulling my hair.
It wasted my time, sure. But the sensation... the thrill… it had long been missing.
So this is what freedom feels like!!!
My face was splattered with blood—not that it mattered.
Sometimes, I even bathed in this blood. Virgin blood. It nourished the skin.
Delicious.
---
But shadows cannot hide forever. The people spoke. Nobles grew suspicious. The king sent investigators.
And the ghost of torture stood on death's doorstep.
"Stop right there, Elizabeth!" yelled one of the men.
The crown had finally noticed my sins.
They captured me. Took me to court. I didn't resist.
I only imagined what their screams would sound like.
Oh... how I wanted to hear their wails. Bathe in their blood. Feast on their flesh.
But because noble blood ran through my veins, I was not executed.
Instead, they sealed me inside a small chamber of my own castle.
No windows. No light. Only rats... and the whispers of those I had broken.
What is this place? It's suffocating! Let me out!!
Pointless. No one would hear me.
In this damp and rotting dark, I heard only the squeak of rats—and the agonized screams in my head.
"Ahahahaha!!! This is fun!!!"
I clawed at my own scalp until it bled.
I ate my own eyeball—driven mad by hunger and isolation.
"Oh... is that You, God?"
A radiant light pierced my remaining eye.
I raised my bloodied hands in prayer, begging—if You truly exist...
"Oh Lord, punish me as I have punished those I loved."
In 1614, Elizabeth Bathory was found dead in her cell.
Her hands clawed into the stone walls.
Some said she went mad.
Others... said she was cursed.