Light tore through the fog like a blade.
The specters froze in place, then dissolved—as if brushed away by an unseen wind.
Panting, I lifted my gaze.
From within the mist, a black horse-drawn carriage slowly emerged.
A soft yellow glow flickered from its lantern. The wheels were worn and cracked, the iron frame rusted with age, and seated at the front was a strange figure wrapped head to toe in a torn, tattered cloak. Its head remained lowered; only its long, sharp-clawed hands were visible.
Its body was thin like dried wood, and within the dim light, two green eyes burned faintly. Not human. Not quite a beast either. Something goblin-like, perhaps—but impossible to be certain.
The carriage halted, and the door swung open.
Standing in the doorway was her.
"Get in. If you stay here, you'll die."
Her skin was pale white. Her eyes were large and deep-set, framed by shadows as if she hadn't slept in countless nights. Her lips were painted a dark crimson. The black clothing she wore clung perfectly to her shoulders and figure, velvet-smooth fabric swaying gently with the air.
The moment I saw her, my chest tightened.
She was… terrifyingly beautiful.
I couldn't speak. Without realizing it, I stepped into the carriage.
She sat directly across from me, folding her hands together calmly.
"My name is Melissa."
Her deep eyes never left mine. A pearl necklace hung loosely around her neck, resting against her chest. I looked away instinctively, embarrassed by my own gaze. She noticed—and smiled. A small smile. Sweet. Dangerous.
"You're so scared you don't even know where to look," she teased.
My throat dry, I replied, "N-no… I mean… thank you."
I lowered my head, feeling an unfamiliar heat of shame. There was fear in her beauty—and an inexplicable pull within that fear.
The goblin-like driver whistled sharply, and the carriage lurched forward.
Melissa stared out into the darkness beyond the window.
I whispered, "Who is he?"
"His name is Gorak," she replied calmly. "Not human… but he protects humans from things far worse. That's enough."
Without lifting his head, Gorak muttered in a gravelly voice, "They're coming again. Hold on."
The horses suddenly leapt forward, the carriage racing ahead at a terrifying speed. It swayed violently as shadows moved within the thick fog outside.
"What are those things?" I asked.
Melissa fell silent for a moment, then exhaled deeply.
"They were once human. Just like us. A mad physician named Dr. Morgana Vale tried to conquer death."
I stared at her. "Conquer… death?"
"Yes. He believed that if dark energy could be injected into a corpse, a human could be made to move again."
My throat tightened. "That black glow inside them…"
"They have no soul. No mind. Only hunger, driven by the scent of blood." A flicker of sorrow crossed her eyes. "None of them chose this fate."
Hissing sounds from the undead echoed outside the carriage.
"And the Headless Horseman… what is his true story?" I asked.
Melissa leaned closer, whispering.
"The shadow rider you encountered… he is the Headless Horseman."
A chill ran down my spine.
"Why doesn't he have a head?"
Her gaze lowered, fear and sorrow intertwined in her eyes.
"He was once a guardian. The kingdom's greatest knight. Fiercely loyal to his king. In battle, his head was severed—but his vengeance was so powerful that even death could not claim him."
I listened, breath held."Dr. Morgana found his body and used it for his resurrection experiments. Without a head, he exists only as a shadow of revenge."
So everything led back to Dr. Morgana Vale.
Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently.
Melissa fell into my lap. Her face was inches from mine. Our eyes locked—and I was completely paralyzed.
"Hold on!" Gorak shouted. "They're too close!"
Melissa grabbed my hand, pulling me toward her. Her grip was cold—but firm.
And there I was, trapped beside a mysterious woman.
"Who… are you really?" I asked, breathless. The towering rock walls around us felt like they were closing in, swallowing the darkness whole. "Did you cast some kind of spell… something that made the undead flee?"
Melissa hesitated, as if unwilling to reveal her identity.
Before she could answer, the carriage came to an abrupt halt.
"We've arrived, ma'am," Gorak said.
Melissa began stepping down.
"Where are we?" I asked.
And then I saw it.
The sight made my heart stop.
Melissa stepped forward and spoke softly—
"Welcome… to The Ashen Thronehold."