"Ah… what a scene," Appolyth whispered, her voice trembling between mockery and delight. Reina's small, lifeless body dangled from her blackened fingers. "Humans truly are something. No wonder the gods are so fascinated with them. Such… intense emotions."
Her smile faltered. Her nose wrinkled. "But this red liquid…" She lifted her blood-soaked hand and sniffed at it, frowning. "It smells… bland."
Without hesitation, she shoved her fingers deeper through Reina's limp form, tearing through the delicate chest cavity. With a flick of her arm, she tossed the broken body to the ground.
She crouched low, her shadow crawling over the floor like living tar. Lemuel stood beside her—his face blank, his eyes obsidian voids. Appolyth wiped her bloody hand across his face, smearing crimson over his hollow stare.
"Yes… my perfect child," she crooned. "You feel lonely, don't you? But don't worry." Her smile widened, twisted and sharp. "We can bring your siblings back. A family should never be apart."
The room fell silent. Then—
Thump.
Leon's body twitched. His neck cracked at an unnatural angle as his limbs jerked like a broken puppet. Slowly, shakily, he rose. The boy's face was torn, one eye gone and replaced with a hollow hole that leaked darkness.
Reina's corpse stirred next. Her small frame sat upright, her chest gaping open with nothing inside. Her head rolled slightly before snapping upright, and her eyes opened—gleaming with pure black, reflecting nothing but void.
Appolyth stood over them, her tattered wings unfurling through Reheil's body that she occupied. Her voice was soft, almost tender, but twisted with delight.
"Yes… now you are my true children." She spread her arms wide, a mockery of embrace. "Worthy of me."
The three abominations stood before her—blood, void, and silence filling the air.