The throne room trembled with an unnatural chill. Storm clouds loomed overhead though the sky had been clear moments ago. Magic pulsed through the air—thick, heavy, and cold like death itself.
The Empress stood before her generals, her veil discarded.
For the first time in seven years… they saw her face.
Pale. Ethereal. Too beautiful to be human—but her beauty was a lie. Her eyes were hollow, corrupted by dark magic that had consumed her humanity. The once-celebrated Empress now stood as a symbol of tyranny and fear.
"Seraphina dares challenge me," she said quietly, dangerously.
One general dared to speak, "She's gaining support. Even the eastern nobles—"
Boom! The Empress's power lashed out, slamming the man against the wall. Blood spilled. The rest fell to their knees.
"I built this kingdom," she hissed. "Brick by brick. Heart by heart. I won't let a girl with borrowed power undo me."
A shadowy figure stepped forward—her spymaster. "But Seraphina now has the divine beast. And the people whisper her name like a prayer."
The Empress smiled darkly. "Then let them pray… and let them burn."
---
Elsewhere – Seraphina's Secret Hideout
Seraphina sat before a glowing map of the empire. Her newly found allies surrounded her: the assassin, the former knight captain stripped of honor, and her loyal beast companion. She'd also rescued Vale—once the Empress's commander—who had turned against his mistress after learning the truth.
"We don't have time," said Vale. "The Empress is preparing a purge. She's planning to destroy the eastern duchy first—your only stronghold."
Seraphina leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Then we attack first. No more hiding. No more surviving. We strike."
The assassin grinned. "I've been waiting to kill her."
"Not yet," Seraphina said, holding up a scroll. "I found something in the old records. A relic. The Flame Mirror—it can reveal truths, break illusions. It was said to be the only thing the Empress ever feared."
"But it was destroyed during the rebellion," Vale said.
Seraphina met his gaze. "That's what the book said. But books lie."
---
Later – In the Forest of Broken Souls
The group moved quickly. The forest was haunted—cursed ground where spirits of those who died unjustly roamed freely. As they crossed the misty path, ghostly whispers trailed behind them. The divine beast growled low, alert.
Suddenly, an attack.
Black tendrils shot from the shadows, aiming straight for Seraphina. The assassin leapt forward, slicing them midair. They were followed by a figure cloaked in red.
A voice echoed, "She doesn't want you to reach the mirror."
Seraphina raised her hand, summoning her power. "Then she should've sent someone stronger."
---
End of Chapter 22