I started to shiver as his laughter echoed through the room — deep, hollow, and wrong in every possible way. Something about it unsettled me. The way he laughed. The way he looked at me. The way he enjoyed this.
Then, just as suddenly, he stopped. Silence fell, thick and suffocating. He stared at me — eyes gleaming with something I couldn't name. Amusement? Malice? Madness?
"Well then… my lovely guest," he said, rising slowly to his feet. "We'll continue this later."
He turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the distance. I didn't move. I couldn't. My body wouldn't stop trembling.
What's going on?
Who was he?
Why was I here?
No no no… I have to get out of here, I thought, hugging my knees tighter to my chest. My breath trembled as I buried my face against them, trying to ground myself, trying to stop my mind from spiraling.
"I have to leave this place," I whispered. "I have to escape this nightmare…"
[Mountains – Ciel's POV]
I've been flying for what feels like hours, wind screaming past my ears, but there's nothing. No trace. Not even a flicker of spiritual pressure.
Damn it.
Where are you?
I hovered mid-air, scanning the endless peaks below. Nothing. Not a sign of her.
Lucien… damn him. He was right. I can't find her without him.
But I won't rely on him.
I gritted my teeth. No. I'll keep searching. I have to.
"I will find you, Serena," I muttered under my breath. My voice cracked with raw determination. "No matter where they've hidden you. I swear… I'll bring you home."
Meanwhile, in the Castle — Lucien's POV
"Careful with my wings," I hissed as Jason shoved me forward again.
"Shut up and keep walking," he barked, pushing me harder this time.
I clenched my fists. "Ah, you little—" I turned, but stopped myself when I felt the heavy chains drag against my arms.
Jason smirked. "Don't try anything, Lucien. You know the position you're in. Those chains suppress your powers, remember?" He sneered, clearly enjoying this.
Tch. He was right. I hated to admit it, but I was powerless like this. I had no choice but to behave—for now.
He led me to a dark, narrow corridor in the left wing of the castle. The air was damp. Cold. The room he opened wasn't really a room at all—it was a cage.
A single bed. No windows. One dim light flickering like it might go out any moment.
"What the hell is this?" I spat.
"Your new room." Jason chuckled darkly.
"You call this a room? Am I a prisoner now?"
"That's exactly what you are. What, did you think we'd roll out a red carpet? Maybe give you a golden throne and a king-size bed? Don't make me laugh."
He shoved me hard and I fell to the cold stone floor.
"You should be glad you get a room at all," he added with a crooked smile. "You've got a lot to answer for, Lucien."
"Don't forget your place," he said coldly as he left and the heavy door creaked behind him and then I was alone.
Darkness swallowed the room once more.
"Damn it!" I slammed my fists to the floor, chains rattling. "That bastard… if I ever get out of here, I swear I'll kill him."
Meanwhile, in the Mountains — Ciel's POV
I've been flying for hours—mountains, valleys, canyons—nothing. Not a single trace of spiritual energy. Just endless wind and frustration.
"Shit," I muttered under my breath. "This is pointless…"
As much as I hated to admit it… Lucien was right.
I needed him to find her.
I turned around and flew back toward the castle with fury burning in my chest.
Back at the Castle
I stormed into the halls.
"Jason!" I barked.
He appeared quickly. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Where is he?"
"Left wing. Prison room."
I didn't wait another second. I marched straight to the cell, flung the door open with force, and shouted:
"Lucien!"
He jolted upright, startled, then stared. "Ciel…"
I grabbed his collar and yanked him up. "I searched everywhere—the mountains, hills, canyons! There's nothing out there!"
"I—I told you," he stammered. "You won't find it without me."
I shoved him back.
"I know that," I snapped. "But she's alone somewhere—trapped, scared—while we waste time. I have to find her."
He looked at me, eyes flickering with something unreadable. "You think I don't want to get Clara back too? I do. I swear I'll help once my wings heal."
I stared him down. "You just want to use her."
His expression changed—wounded, but silent.
"After this is over," I growled, "I'll make sure you never see Serena again."
I turned to leave.
"Get your damn wings healed fast," I added as I slammed the door shut behind me.
Later in Ciel's Study
"Jason!" I called.
He entered with haste. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Send out demons to scan the areas Lucien described. Mountains, canyons—anything that might match."
"At once."
He turned to leave, but I stopped him.
"And Jason… any news about the spy?"
He paused. "I believe I've found a lead."
"Good. You're dismissed."
Once alone, I slumped back in my chair and stared up at the ceiling.
Serena…
Her image haunted me—trembling, lost, hurt.
The thought of her suffering made something twist painfully inside me.
Please… be safe. Don't be scared. I'm coming for you.
And when I find out who's behind this…
I'll tear them apart.
Clara's POV
I was still shivering in the cold cell, my arms wrapped tightly around my knees. My thoughts raced, scrambling for a way to escape. My heart wouldn't stop pounding.
Then—I heard footsteps. Not his.
A new set. Heavy, deliberate.
I looked up just as the door creaked open. Another creature stepped in—this one with the same monstrous dark wings as the one that kidnapped me, the same piercing, soulless eyes.
"Let's go," he growled.
Before I could react, he grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet. I fought him—I kicked, scratched, slammed my fists against his chest—but it was like hitting stone. He didn't even flinch. Instead, he clamped both my wrists in one of his massive hands like I was a rag doll.
"Stop being so pesky," he snapped, dragging me through the dim corridor.
I screamed. I kept kicking. I didn't care if it was useless—I had to fight.
But then, we reached it.
An enormous chamber, lit by a haunting red glow. There were hundreds—no, thousands—of them. All with wings, all with faces twisted in unnatural smiles or emotionless masks. They stood in organized rows, staring straight ahead like soldiers awaiting command.
And at the end of the hall… was him.
That insane man from before—the one who laughed like the world was burning.
He stood from a throne made of twisted black stone and approached me like I was a prize.
"Oh, you're here… my lovely guest," he said, smiling wide as he reached for me.
I jerked away. "Who are you people? What do you want from me? What's going on?" My voice cracked.
He chuckled, the sound low and full of poison. "So many questions… But I suppose I can give you a few answers."
He raised his arms dramatically. "We are fallen angels."
Fallen… angels?
No.
My mind reeled. That couldn't be right. Weren't those just myths? Stories?
"And you, Clara," he continued, "are the key."
"The key to what?" I asked he had mentioned that before, what did he mean I thought as panic rose in my throat.
"Like I said the key to everything clara both Heaven and hell and what's going on now is the revival ritual," he said.
My stomach dropped and my body froze. "What… what does that mean?" I asked.
He laughed again, that awful sound that made my bones feel like ice. "Revived, of course. Brought back to your true form. For you to be of any use to us… you have to remember what you were."
I shook my head. "No—no, I don't understand. What are you saying?!"
He leaned in closer, eyes gleaming. "Oh, but you will."
I tried to run, but the creature behind me held me tight. My eyes scanned the room—there was no escape. They were everywhere.
I was trapped.
Hopelessness crashed into me like a wave. His laughter echoed in my ears, louder and louder, until it filled my whole mind.
I wanted to go home.
I wanted to wake up.
I wanted this nightmare to end.
Tears burned in my eyes as I clenched them shut, curling into myself, searching for any corner of darkness where I could hide.
A scream rose in my throat, but I swallowed it.
All I could do was fade into the silence and pray that someone—anyone—would save me.