Jade's death lingered in my mind, not as a wound, but as a reminder of the brutality of the world we were fighting to change. I hadn't known Jade well, but the demon princess's ruthless execution had been harsh, even by our grim standards. It didn't change our mission.
The castle was a labyrinth of shadows and despair, each corridor twisting into the next, a maze designed to disorient and trap. We pressed on, driven by a purpose stronger than the darkness that surrounded us. Jade's death had been brutal, but we couldn't afford to dwell on it. I barely knew her. It was harsh, yes, but in this realm, harshness was a necessity.
"We need to move faster," Aurelia said, her voice edged with urgency. "I can feel the demon killer's presence. It's getting stronger."
I nodded, always the tactical one. "We should stick together, but we can't afford any more delays."
