(He rushes back upstairs, heart pounding, and quietly unlocks Lily's door to wake her up.)
Max: Lily! Lily, wake up! There's someone—
(But just then, he hears footsteps approaching the room. Thinking quickly, he locks Lily's door from the outside to keep her safe, then hurries toward Duke's room.)
Max: Duke! (knocks on the door, but it slowly creaks open by itself)
(He steps inside, confused. The room is empty. Before he can react, the door slams shut behind him—and locks from the outside.)
Max: Duke?! Lily?! Somebody open the door!
(He senses a presence behind him. Slowly turning, he sees Duke—but something's off. Duke's face is blank, lifeless, and cold.)
Max: Duke? Thank god, it's you— (his smile fades) Wait... how did you get in here?
(Duke says nothing. Suddenly, he lunges at Max with the knife. Max dodges, terrified.)
Max: Are you insane?! Put that down! This isn't funny!
(Duke keeps attacking. Max knocks the knife away, but Duke grabs him and starts choking him. His face contorts with rage, eyes wide.)
Max: (thinking) I-I can't even move his hands... how is he this strong?!
(Duke suddenly lets out a terrifying scream—but it's not his voice. It's a woman's. His skin starts to peel and burn away, revealing the true form of the burning spirit. Max is paralyzed in fear as she burns him alive, collecting his ashes in a bottle.)
(She slowly turns her head.)