Aaron's sudden intervention sent a shockwave through the hall, freezing the atmosphere in an instant. Damian seethed with fury at his older brother's insolence, but against Aaron's overwhelming power, he stood helpless.
A Strange Affection and Damian's Defeat
An Unexpected Caress: Keeping a protective arm around Seraphina's friend, Aaron reached out with his other hand and gently tilted Seraphina's chin. He looked into her eyes with a mesmerizing smile and placed a soft, careful kiss on her cheek. He whispered, "You are a good girl, Seraphina. The courage you showed for your friend is truly admirable. I am ashamed of what my brother has done to you."
Damian's Blazing Jealousy: Seeing his own brother praise and caress the woman he claimed as his property made Damian's heart erupt with envy. "Brother! You are crossing the line! She is my possession!" he roared. Aaron cast a look of utter disdain at him. "Not a possession, Damian. She was worthy of being your Queen, but you treated her like a slave. Remember, if I can take responsibility for this girl (the friend), it will take me no time at all to snatch Seraphina from your grasp as well."
A New Hope: In Aaron's touch and words, Seraphina found the refuge of an older brother for the first time in this palace. She watched as Aaron refused to set her friend down, holding her close to his heartbeat with profound tenderness. Wrapped in the shadow of Aaron's great power, the friend finally felt safe and ceased her weeping. Before leaving, Aaron addressed Seraphina: "Take care of yourself. From today, I give you the right to call upon your elder brother whenever you are in need."
Aaron retreated toward his own dark quarters with the friend. Damian and Seraphina were left alone in the hall. Damian began to claw at the walls in a blind rage, realizing that his absolute dominion over the palace had come to an end.
The Mocking Laugh and Damian's Instability
As Damian boiled with humiliation, a mocking smile touched Seraphina's lips. For the first time in three years, she didn't shrink in fear; instead, she looked him in the eye and laughed from her soul. That laughter was a direct strike to Damian's pride.
Seraphina's Courage: Damian pinned her against the wall, growling, "You laugh? You dare! My brother kisses you and you enjoy it? Do you forget who you belong to?" Seraphina replied through her laughter, "I am laughing at your helplessness, Damian. You thought you were almighty, but today you saw—there is someone greater who considers you insignificant. Your brother's single kiss turned your arrogance to dust."
Damian's Obsession: Unable to bear it, Damian screamed, "Laugh then! Laugh more! I will erase that smile forever!" He began to rub his rough hand over her cheek, trying to scrub away the spot Aaron had kissed. He was frantic, muttering, "You are mine! Only mine! I won't let his shadow or anyone else's fall upon you!"
The Shift in Power: Seraphina jerked his hand away. "Aaron gave me and my friend the respect you never learned. From now on, I am not the puppet you think I am. Now, I have Aaron's protection." Damian realized that the more he tried to intimidate her, the further she slipped from his grasp. Aaron's brief show of affection had shattered the chains of her spirit. While Damian smashed the furniture in a fit of rage, Seraphina stood calmly, savoring the sight.
The Dark Occult and the Game of Death
Seeing that physical torment was no longer enough to break her, Damian decided to resort to his ancient and horrific occult powers. He realized he could no longer rule her body alone; he had to subjugate her soul.
The Circle of Blood: Damian dragged Seraphina to a secret subterranean chamber. A massive circle made of human skulls and black candles lay on the floor. He placed her in the center and began tracing ancient sigils in the air, releasing a thick, violet smoke.
The Illusion of Betrayal: Using his tantric powers, Damian cast a mirage into Seraphina's mind. She saw Aaron—the man she thought was her savior—brutally killing her friend. It was a lie designed to break her trust in Aaron and bring her crawling back to Damian. He laughed, "See, Seraphina! Aaron is no angel. He will use your friend and discard her. Only I will keep you forever, even if it is through pain."The Life-Binding Ritual: Damian pulled out a black thread and tied his wrist to Seraphina's. This was a death game of the occult. He declared their lives intertwined—if he felt pain, so would she. If she ever thought of leaving him, her heart would burst with agony. Seraphina screamed in the center of the circle, feeling as if a thousand needles were piercing her brain. Damian grabbed her hair, pulling her close. "Laugh now, Seraphina! Your laughter is now a prisoner to my magic."
The Divine Intervention and Final Confrontation
Just as Seraphina was about to succumb to the darkness, a violent earthquake shook the palace. The heavy iron doors of the chamber were crushed like paper by an invisible force. Aaron stood at the entrance, a brilliant golden aura radiating from him, absorbing the foul violet smoke.
Shattering the Circle: Aaron struck his scepter against the ground. A thunderous "CRACK!" echoed as the ritual circle and black candles exploded into flames. The illusion shattered, and Seraphina breathed freely again.
Brother Against Brother: Damian was thrown against the wall. Aaron stepped forward and severed the mystical thread. "Damian, you sought to rule the darkness, but you have become its slave. Occultism cannot win a heart; it only creates a thrall. Your game ends here."
The Unexpected Choice: Aaron reached out to rescue Seraphina, expecting her to take his hand. But to everyone's shock, Seraphina pulled away and walked toward the wounded Damian. She took Damian's bloodied hand in hers. "No, Aaron. I will not go with you. You sought to free me, and for that, I am grateful. But do not forget—this man has mixed his blood with mine. He may be a tyrant, he may be a demon, but he is my Husband."
She looked at Aaron with tearful but firm eyes. "The blood bond is absolute. If he suffers, I suffer. I cannot leave him in this state to live in a golden palace. As his wife, it is my duty to bring him back from this madness."
The Birth of the Dark Queen
Damian, moved by her mercy, felt a flicker of remorse in his stone heart. But as he recovered, his demonic nature surged back, even stronger. He felt insulted by his defeat and sought to reassert his dominance. He dragged her to the bathroom once more, not with magic this time, but with raw, primal force. He bit into the cheek Aaron had kissed, marking her deeply. "I will leave no mark but mine on this body! You call me your husband? Then endure a husband's true form!"
Seraphina didn't cry. Instead, she dug her claws—now sharp and obsidian—deep into Damian's back. "If you are a demonic husband, remember—I am no longer an ordinary woman. I am the Dark Queen born from your own blood!"
The struggle moved to the palace roof. Seraphina unfurled a pair of shadowy, black wings and soared into the sky. They clashed like thunderclouds, their powers colliding above the convoy of twenty cars. Finally, Seraphina pinned Damian to the roof, her dagger pressed against his heart.
Damian lay bleeding, laughing even in defeat. "Kill me, Seraphina! But if I die, the power within you dies too. you will become a mere human again." Seraphina pressed the blade harder, her tears mixing with his blood.