As they navigated through the dense forest, Elsa seemed as carefree as ever, her red hair swaying with each step. She glanced back at Grey with a playful smile. "By the way, it's Elsa. Thought you should know the name of the person who saved your life."
Grey scoffed, not bothering to hide his skepticism. "Saved me? From who... you?"
Elsa giggled softly, clearly enjoying his reaction, but didn't bother responding with words. Instead, she just flashed him a knowing smile and continued walking.
Grey raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more. The idea of being "saved" by Elsa was about as believable as her claim to being the most beautiful person alive—which, incidentally, she had just declared a few moments earlier. Still, he let the comment hang in the air, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a proper retort.
The path ahead narrowed as the trees closed in around them, shadows creeping along the forest floor. Elsa seemed completely unfazed, her teasing demeanor never faltering, while Grey kept his gaze ahead, pretending her jabs hadn't gotten to him.
The silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the forest. Elsa glanced back occasionally, trying to gauge Grey's mood, but he remained as stoic as ever.
The silence grew more palpable, filling the space between them. Grey, enjoying the rare moment of quiet, walked slowly behind Elsa. Despite his earlier injuries, he now appeared perfectly fine, a testament to the unexpected efficacy of the treatment he'd received. In his previous life, he had seen how crucial timely medical care could be in battle. The thought of soldiers dying from wounds that could have been easily treated soured his mood, dragging his thoughts back to the high costs of war.
Elsa, however, was less than thrilled. Normally, when people met her, they either became enamored or fell over themselves trying to win her favor. It wasn't just her beauty that captivated them, though she certainly had that in spades. It was her authority—an aura so compelling that even the most intelligent monsters would hesitate before challenging her.
So, Elsa found herself intrigued by Grey, who seemed unusually resistant to her usual charms. When they first met, his reaction had been typical—eyes wide with admiration, unable to look away from her beauty. However, as their conversation continued, she noticed something odd. The more they talked, the more his gaze seemed to lose its initial haze, as if he were gradually developing a resistance to her allure.
It was a completely new experience for Elsa. She was accustomed to people being mesmerized by her presence from the very start, but Grey's apparent ability to maintain his composure and growing indifference were baffling. To make matters worse, he wasn't even trying to communicate properly, which only fueled her irritation.
She gritted her teeth and thought, This guy… he's like a walking emotionless shell. All he does is nod or grunt—like a doll or something. And he's not even trying to communicate! Doesn't he have anything more interesting to say?
Grey, lost in his own thoughts, remained oblivious to Elsa's growing frustration. For him, the silence was a welcome reprieve, while Elsa's curiosity and irritation simmered just beneath the surface.
Elsa glanced back at Grey with a playful grin. "For someone who's supposed to be the 'trash' of Ravenwood, you're surprisingly… not dead yet. Honestly, I'm impressed."
She looked at him expectantly, but as the silence stretched on, she found herself grasping for something—anything—to keep the conversation going. She continued, stumbling over her words in an attempt to keep the conversation alive. "I mean, after everything you've done and how your family values their reputation, I thought they'd have dealt with you by now."
Elsa's voice faltered as she added, "Still, disowning you was something I didn't expect. I mean, who would do that to their own child, Ah—"
"..."
Realizing how badly she'd put her foot in her mouth, she glanced at Grey, half-expecting him to be fuming or glaring. But instead, he remained as stoic and unresponsive as ever, walking with an untroubled expression.
Her attempt to keep the conversation flowing only made things more awkward, as she struggled to find the right words. Her forced cheerfulness only deepened the silence.
After a moment of awkward silence, Elsa cleared her throat and added, "Umm, sorry. I didn't mean it like that. You know, I didn't mean to—"
Grey glanced at Elsa, who had just moments ago seemed like the embodiment of a demon god. Now, she was acting all shy and cute, like a little girl. He found it difficult to determine which version of her was genuine. But honestly, he didn't care about her personality or why she was behaving this way. All he needed to know was what she wanted from him.
His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her, countless possibilities running through his mind. Elsa, walking ahead with her fingers restlessly fidgeting with her hair, turned her head as if to say something. The moment their eyes locked, she spoke with a hint of irritation. "You know, it's kind of annoying."
She sounded as if she were pouting, her earlier playfulness replaced with a touch of frustration.
Grey raised an eyebrow. "What's annoying?"
Elsa sighed dramatically. "That attitude of yours—acting all serious and mysterious. You don't have to be so intense. It's true that I need you, but it's not like it's anything bad for you. On the contrary, it might be an opportunity for you to become stronger."
Grey continued to observe her, his expression unreadable. Elsa's sudden shift in demeanor only added to the complexity of their interaction.
Elsa tried to continue the conversation, her voice softer as she spoke about how he might find some benefit in the situation. "I mean, it's not every day you get a chance like this. Even if it seems like I'm dragging you into danger, it could be a chance for growth. Think of it as... a unique opportunity."
Grey remained stoic, his eyes fixed on her. He wasn't sure if he should trust her or if this was just another part of her game. But before he could say anything, Elsa's demeanor shifted again as they approached the ancient altar.
It was the same altar he had seen before. Finally, the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together in his mind. Realization dawned. Elsa had seen him near the altar and, to keep it secret from others, had attempted to kill him. But why was he still alive? Before he could ponder an answer, the intensity of their gaze and the weight of the moment clouded his mind.
Elsa's voice took on a sweet and coaxing tone. "So, this is where the real fun begins. I hope you're ready for a bit of excitement."
Grey's curiosity was piqued as Elsa reached the altar. She placed a small black orb on its surface and, with a ritualistic air, pricked her finger, letting a few drops of her blood fall onto the stone.
The moment the blood touched the altar, it began to glow with an eerie light. A swirling black hole opened up beneath it, drawing in the surrounding shadows. Elsa's smile grew wider, and she looked at Grey with a predatory gleam in her eyes.
Grey's saw the black hole appearing out of no where and was curious what it is. He turned to ask Elsa about the mysterious portal, but before he could speak, she suddenly pushed him towards the gaping hole. He reached out instinctively, trying to grab onto something—anything—to stop his fall, but it was too late.
As he tumbled into the abyss, he heard Elsa's mocking laughter echo around him. "What a fool. Did you really believe me?" Her voice was laced with a sinister edge. "Hehe, now you'll be the food for the monsters inside!"
"Kekekeke!"
Her laughter grew more intense, a chilling sound that reverberated like the cackle of a demon.
Grey fell through the darkness, his heart racing as he tried to process what had just happened. The last thing he heard was Elsa's cruel laughter fading away, leaving him with nothing but the cold, relentless pull of the black hole.