As Lycius stood before Vynessa's statue, admiring its flawless craftsmanship, something unseen stirred in the distance.
Far beyond the bustling kingdom, at the edge of the Dark Forest, a group of powerful figures made their way through the dense wilderness. Their auras were refined yet heavy, carrying the weight of authority. At the head of the party was a striking woman with piercing violet eyes—Xylara, the Succubus Queen.
Her expression was unreadable, yet the way her fingers twitched at her sides betrayed her urgency.
Behind her, members of the High Council walked in practiced silence, their sharp gazes scanning the ancient forest as if expecting it to retaliate at any moment.
Back in the kingdom, Lana and Elizabeth's eyes darkened for the briefest second as they sensed the intruders. Unlike Lycius and Vynessa, who were only aware of a presence, the two ancient dragons could see their faces, feel their emotions. They knew exactly who had stepped into their domain.
And yet, they said nothing.
Vynessa and Lycius both noticed the shift in their demeanor. The way their expressions remained eerily calm despite their clear awareness of something approaching.
Lycius's gaze narrowed. They're letting this happen.
He exchanged a glance with Vynessa, who gave a slight nod. They both decided it was best to see what these intruders wanted from the forest rather than act prematurely.
Deep in the Dark Forest, Xylara's group moved closer to the heart of the ancient land. The further they went, the quieter everything became—no creatures, no rustling leaves, only their measured footsteps.
Then, suddenly—
Vynessa's essence flickered and disappeared.
Not because of a skill or spell.
She had forgotten to conceal it.
Lycius turned to her, his voice flat. "You forgot to suppress your essence again."
Vynessa blinked. "I—" She immediately tried to retract it, but it was too late.
Elizabeth, standing a mere ten kilometers from their cabin, spread her arms and cast a vast searching skill. The pulse of magic shot outward in all directions, stretching across twenty kilometers of forest.
Xylara's eyes widened.
She had sensed it.
For a split second, Vynessa's aura had brushed against her senses—undeniable, distinct, and yet…
There was something different about it.
It was her daughter's, yet at the same time, it wasn't.
A frown marred her face as she dispelled her spell, confusion flickering in her violet eyes. She turned to her guards and issued a quiet command.
"Stay here. Guard this area. I will investigate alone."
Back in the kingdom, Lycius closed his eyes briefly, exhaling through his nose. His expression was unreadable, but a subtle frown took shape.
He knew.
He knew where the intruder was heading.
And though this situation was caused by Vynessa's failure to conceal her essence, he felt—no, knew—that it was his responsibility to clean up after her.
As if fate itself had bound him to always handle her messes.
He turned to his family.
"I'll handle this."
Before anyone could respond, his form blurred and vanished—his void manipulation carrying him away in an instant.
Lana and Elizabeth exchanged a glance, their lips curling into matching sinister smiles.
They knew how this would end.
And it was not going to be good for the intruder.
----
Xylara's figure blurred as she moved through the forest, her speed unhindered by the dense vegetation. The presence of her daughter's aura—however faint—had ignited something in her that had long been dormant.
Hope.
Her violet eyes locked onto a small, secluded cabin nestled among the towering trees. It was unassuming at first glance, yet it exuded an unnatural stillness.
With a cautious yet determined stride, she stepped onto the porch and pushed open the door.
The moment she entered—
Boom!
A crushing force descended upon her, an unseen weight slamming her to the ground with terrifying intensity.
Her knees struck the wooden floor. Her arms trembled as she tried to resist.
What—what is this?!
Her breath hitched. She wasn't just being restrained—she was being subjugated.
And the worst part?
The source of this oppressive force wasn't even here.
Somewhere far away, the one responsible had already decided that she was beneath him.
Lycius.
He had sensed her intrusion. And rather than personally dealing with her, he had casually subjected her to his will—without lifting a finger.
Yet, he was not heading toward the cabin.
No.
He had other matters to attend to first.
---
A gust of wind howled through the forest as Lycius materialized before the High Council members.
The ten powerful figures, draped in regal robes and adorned with enchanted ornaments, halted in shock.
Before them stood a child.
Not just any child.
A DragonBorn.
Their confusion turned to unease.
Why was a DragonBorn here? And why did he carry an aura that made their very souls tremble?
Lycius said nothing at first.
His piercing golden irises shimmered, activating his Draconic Eyes.
The world before him shifted—every fiber of the High Council members laid bare under his gaze. Their strengths, weaknesses, and potential flashed through his mind like an open book.
His disappointment was immediate.
None of them are worth keeping.
Just fancy robes hiding ordinary beings.
His expression darkened.
"Tch."
With a flick of his fingers—
Schlink!
A hundred ice-forged spears materialized midair, each tip gleaming with deadly precision.
Before the High Council could react, the frozen lances launched forward at a speed beyond their comprehension.
Their eyes widened.
Too slow.
The spears impaled them in an instant—piercing through their flesh and freezing their bodies from the inside out.
A beat of silence.
Then—
Crack!
Another flick of Lycius's fingers.
The frozen statues of the High Council exploded into glittering shards of ice, scattering into the wind like snowflakes.
Lycius stood amidst the carnage, his golden eyes reflecting the ice-strewn massacre.
His lips curled into a small smile.
And then, something unexpected happened.
Pleasure.
An unmeasurable pleasure surged through him.
He had only ever slain monsters before. Creatures of instinct. Beasts meant to be culled.
But this…
This was different.
This was new.
A thrill unlike any other coiled around his soul, wrapping him in intoxicating delight.
And somewhere far away, Vynessa felt it too.
She shuddered, a strange heat creeping through her veins.
For the first time in her life, she found herself jealous—not because of power, but because she wished she had been the one to kill them instead.
Lycius exhaled slowly, reveling in the lingering sensation.
His frown had vanished.
Now, on his lips, was a villainous smile.
And as he turned his attention toward the cabin…
He was very much looking forward to killing the woman inside.
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