«You know, kids, I believe practice is far more useful than theory. Jade Kyndrake, since you're so skeptical about the existence of Demon Crystals… I'll let you feel the power of one yourself! Demon Crystal Release: Valthorax, the Nightmares Devourer!»
His skin begins to bubble, as if something were about to break out from underneath. And then… an eye with violet irises bursts through the skin on his cheek. Another on his neck. On the palm of his hand. On his forearm. Everywhere.
And not only that—his entire body bloats like a balloon. His clothes rip apart under the pressure, and his skin fades into a shade between violet and dark gray. In just a single second, he changes from an ordinary human… into the terrifying creature that now rises before Selene's and my stunned, terrified eyes.
That monster no longer has anything human about it. Now it looks like a massive sphere of flesh, from which thick tentacles emerge, covered with hundreds upon hundreds of eyes scattered across its entire surface.
«J-Jade… do something, please… I'm scared…» Selene whispers, streams of tears running from her eyes wide in terror.
I squeeze her hand even tighter, to give her courage—or maybe to give myself some. I pull her close, pulling her behind me, shielding her from that indescribable monster.
«Vadim, this joke has gone on too long! Take us back to the inn immediately!» I try to command with a firm, steady voice—or at least, that's how I wanted it to sound. In truth, my voice trembles almost as much as the girl I'm supposed to protect.
«Weren't you eager to see the power of a Demon Crystal, Jade Kyndrake? Weren't they nothing more than old superstitions passed down by the elders? Morgana told me you suspect the girl who defeated Selene—the one who holds the Sacred Phoenix Crystal. You believe she also has a Demon Crystal. But now, Prince Kyndrake—now that you've seen with your own eyes the overwhelming, terrifying power of someone who wields a Demon Crystal, do you still doubt that girl possesses one?»
Vadim's voice doesn't come from his mouth but echoes all around us, as if the darkness itself were speaking.
Those eyes… those countless eyes darting in every direction, as if each acted on its own… it is the most revolting, horrifying sight I have ever seen. The vision paralyzes me—I can't move a single muscle. No, it's impossible that Rebecca Asheart possesses one of these terrifying crystals—the power I sensed in her has nothing to do with this.
«No, I have no more doubts. Thank you for clearing that up for me,» I reply—by now, every attempt to appear calm and confident is utterly pointless.
«What's wrong? You risked so much sneaking out of Astralea in the middle of the night to learn more about Demon Crystals, and now you're content just to watch? Morgana would be furious if she knew I treated my guests with such little regard, and believe me—even I feel terror before that woman when she's angry. I can't risk angering her. Jade Kyndrake… let me give you a taste of my power!»
I spring back—the massive sword with a scarlet blade materializes instantly in my right hand, while my left arm extends behind me to protect Selene. I feel her warm, ragged breath brushing against my neck.
I remain alert, watching for Vadim's next move—the blade aimed at him, wreathed in a whirlwind of crimson flames.
«J-Jade… let me fight alongside you…» Selene whispers—her voice a little calmer, a little steadier.
I give a nod, never taking my eyes off Vadim.
«Alchemical Invocation • Copper!»
Selene arms herself as well—the twin-pronged spear stretches out in her grasp, alive with arcs of lightning. She steps forward—no longer hidden behind me, but now at my side.
«It seems the bond that was so clear from the stands, and that the papers wrote about after Prince Kyndrake's last victory, wasn't just for show. It would be such a shame if someone… were to drive you apart!»
We don't even have time to react before a wind that seems to blow from every direction at once crashes into us. It hurls Selene one way and me the other. Any attempt to resist is useless—the dark gust is far too swift, far too strong, leaving us no chance to react.
In an instant, from being side by side, Selene and I are now separated by an endless void of darkness—she's barely within my field of vision.
«You pissed me off when you were human, and now that you look like a demon, you piss me off even more!» Selene snaps with newfound grit, leveling her weapon at Vadim. A sphere of electricity swells between the twin prongs of her copper weapon. «Elemental Invocation • Wind—»
SLASH!
No… no… NO! This can't be real…! Just a moment before Selene could cast her spell, a thin beam of violet energy erupted from one of Vadim's countless eyes, cleaving Selene cleanly in two.
And now… the two halves that just moments ago were her body drift motionless in the dark abyss, wrapped in a spiral of her own blood.