-----
Still under the influence of his brainwashed state, Mark struggled to resist. He grabbed Elayne's shoulders, pushed her away, and swung his claw, scorching her with its heat.
Elayne clenched her teeth and began weaving threads of her ghostly soul and consciousness into Mark's own. He struck her body with a punch, but she pressed on. Gardenia ensured Elayne remained healed—just enough to survive.
"Mark...! MARK!"
Elayne's voice echoed through an endless inferno.
Mark's soul.
After ten years of torment, it had become a purgatory in itself. No matter how hard she searched, Elayne couldn't find him.
"Mark...! No...! Please...!"
She gripped her needle and pierced his soul. Using Shade's technique, she began unraveling the Curse Runes. One by one, they fell apart. The pain and agony bound to them slowly faded, yet the purgatory lingered.
"Mark..."
