Inside the depths of the dark castle,
Thud!
Ophis collapsed hard onto the cold stone floor, her breath catching in her throat as her father's towering figure loomed above her. His crimson eyes glowed with an otherworldly rage, pulsing like embers ready to ignite.
Her throat tightened. Her heart pounded painfully inside her chest as she stared up at him.
Ophis gulped, once… twice… choking on the panic rising in her chest. He wasn't just angry. He was furious.
"F-Father, I-I didn't mean—"
"Shut up!"
His voice erupted through the chamber like a thunderclap. The very walls of the ancient castle trembled from the sheer force of his tone.
Ophis flinched, her legs trembling as she instinctively backed away on all fours. Her eyes shimmered with tears that welled up uncontrollably.
"Look at you… pathetic," he hissed, venom dripping from every word. "Crawling like a worthless insect..."
