The night was thick with tension, the air alive with the weight of dread.
After a month of relentless cries echoing through the cursed village, the ghostly woman appeared once more.
This time, her terrifying presence was undeniable. Her towering figure loomed in the pale moonlight, black hair clinging to her disfigured face. The students froze, trembling as they clutched at one another, fear rippling through the group like a wave.
Mr. June stood at the front, his body shaking with terror.
His usual composed demeanor was gone, replaced by a pale, sweat-drenched face. With trembling hands, he slapped himself, trying to focus.
"Enough of this!" he muttered, summoning a ball of fire in his palm.
He hurled the magic at the spirit.
The flame soared toward her, illuminating her monstrous grin—but just as it was about to hit, she raised her clawed hand. A shimmering black barrier materialized, absorbing the fireball with ease.
Mr. June's face twisted in horror as the spirit began mumbling, her cracked voice like shattered glass.
"Give me my child…"
Her voice sent shivers down Theodore's spine, but he didn't flinch.
Through his shadow power, he could understand her words clearly, though he chose to stay silent. The others couldn't hear her meaning, but the malice in her tone was unmistakable.
Before anyone could react, the ghost charged forward, moving with a speed that defied logic.
Her claws gleamed in the moonlight as she swiped at Mr. June. The blow was devastating—he was sent flying across the courtyard, crashing into the ground with a sickening thud. His body went limp, unconscious from the impact.
"Mr. June!" Miss Lidia shouted, activating her golden aura. She unsheathed her blade and lunged at the ghost, her strikes swift and precise.
The two clashed in a deadly exchange of blows—steel against claws, golden light against dark energy.
"Miss Dalia! Take the students and go!" Miss Lidia yelled as she fought.
The students, panicked and disoriented, bolted for the dormitory.
Theodore hesitated, his mind racing. What's the point of this mission? Were we sent here to fight her or just to survive?
Before he could decide, Vincent scooped him up like a doll. "We're leaving!" he barked. Faith, Vincent's fiancée, followed close behind, her red hair glinting in the moonlight as she cast a light spell to illuminate their path.
They darted toward a hidden passage through the manor.
Theodore, irritated but resigned, stayed quiet. Running is pointless. She'll hunt us anyway, he thought, scowling.
The three of them reached a secluded section of the manor's basement. Dust and cobwebs clung to the ancient walls, and the sound of their heavy breathing filled the narrow space.
Vincent unsheathed his sword, readying it as they crouched in the shadows.
"This is ridiculous," Theodore muttered, glaring at Vincent. "I don't need your protection."
Vincent turned to him, his face flushed with anger.
"Why can't you just accept that I'm trying to help? I'm doing this for us—to make things right between us!"
Theodore stared at him, bewildered. "What are you even talking about?"
Before Vincent could answer, his voice echoed off the walls, the sound carrying far too loudly. Theodore's eyes widened. You idiot.
The door burst open, and the ghost's massive form filled the doorway, her glowing eyes blazing with fury. Faith reacted instantly, casting a blinding flash of light. The ghost shrieked, staggering back as her claws swiped wildly in the air.
"Run!" Faith yelled.
The three bolted from their hiding spot, but the ghost recovered quickly, her speed inhuman. Her claws raked the walls as she chased them, her wails echoing like a nightmarish symphony.
She was too fast. Just as her claws reached for Vincent, who was carrying Theodore, the young prince shouted, "Leave me! Take Faith and go!"
"Are you crazy?!" Vincent snapped, refusing to let him go.
The ghost lunged, snatching Faith in one swift motion. She let out a scream as her ankle twisted beneath her, leaving her unable to fight back.
"Faith!" Vincent shouted, setting Theodore down and rushing back toward her.
Theodore's crimson eyes glowed with determination. This is my chance, he thought, summoning his aura. Red energy crackled around him, fierce and wild.
Vincent froze mid-step, stunned. "You're an aura user?"
Theodore didn't answer. Instead, he charged at the ghost with his wooden sword, his aura flaring brighter. Images from countless books and memories surged through his mind, techniques he had never practiced but somehow knew. A smile tugged at his lips as he whispered, "Finally."
He channeled fire energy into his blade, flames roaring to life along its edge. With a sharp swing, he unleashed a technique he'd read about but never dared to use: Burning Slash.
The fiery blade struck the ghost's arm, the flames searing her flesh as the impact sent her reeling.
She let out an ear-piercing scream and retreated, vanishing into the shadows.
Vincent stared at Theodore in disbelief. "You… You've been hiding this the whole time? Who taught you that?"
Theodore shrugged, lying effortlessly. "A strange man on the street."
Vincent frowned, clearly unconvinced, but he didn't press further. Instead, he hoisted Faith onto his back, her ankle swollen from the sprain. "I'm proud of you," Vincent said softly.
Theodore didn't respond, his thoughts already racing. She'll be back. This isn't over.