Zanna's voice tore through the air within her private sound barrier.
"I'm going to kill you!!"
The castle's third floor echoed with the pounding steps of two determined intruders—Zanna's elite Hunters. Their target: Human mortal & Nyxara's chamber.
An armored figure stepped forward, unmoved. The Imperial Guardian of the Queen's Quarters.
"Halt. Lady Nyxara gave strict orders—no one is to approach her chambers."
Hunter 2 raised his hands, smiling calmly. "Understood, sir. We'll speak with her another time. Keep up the good work. Don't let your guard down."
The Guardian nodded. "I haven't blinked in ten hours."
As the two hunters stepped away, Hunter 1 exhaled. "Damn, we can't take him down—not without alerting the entire fortress."
Hunter 2 grit his teeth. "Then we should use those stones. No choice."
Hunter 1 grinned. "Heh. Finally, something fun. Been dying to see her curves…"
They activated the forbidden relics—[Stones of Concealed Presence] (TIER-7). Their forms shimmered, fading from all senses as they phased through the wall—only to be violently repelled by a hidden ward. They tumbled back, groaning.
Hunter 2 scowled. "This barrier… it's Nyxara's craftsmanship."
Hunter 1 brushed dust from his armor. "Don't pretend you don't want her too. You said it yourself—you want her on your laps."
Hunter 2 hissed, "Shut your damn mouth."
"Relax, I'm just saying—I'm in too, obviously." Hunter 1 grinned and pulled a sealed jar from his coat—[Liquid of Amplified Desire]. "Let's see what this does."
Before his partner could stop him, he uncorked it and splashed the shimmering violet liquid onto the barrier. The ward flickered, reacting strangely. But instead of weakening, another seal activated—trapping them both inside a newly formed containment sphere.
"You fools," a voice echoed coldly. Nyxara appeared at the edge of the barrier, her emerald gaze glowing.
"You've crossed a line," she continued, expression unreadable. "But I won't kill you… My Violet Void will."
With a wave of her hand and a twist of space, both hunters were engulfed in a churning mass of violet energy and disappeared into a dimension of unending torment.
Satisfied, Nyxara returned to her private chamber. The first barrier parted for her silently.
She stepped out of her armor piece by piece, enchantments dissolving with a shimmer of black and violet flame. Her pale skin glistened with the heat of battle and desire.
(Why… why am I feeling this?) she thought, standing before the sleeping Rio . (I thought these feelings were long dead. Why now? No one can do that to me—no one dares.)
Her fingers brushed her thighs, trailing upward. She clenched her jaw, trying to center herself.
Moments later, Rio stirred.
(Why am I still alive?) he thought groggily. (And why is she beside me?)
He opened his eyes—and there she was. Serene, deadly, draped beside him like a goddess carved from dusk.
Suddenly, a voice echoed inside his mind. Not Nyxara's.
> [Dense, Mysterious Voice]:
"You can't act yet… Not now. It would be a waste of awakening and your life..."
Rio's heart skipped. What was that?
"Who—who said that?" he asked aloud, scanning the dimly lit chamber. "Where are you?"