The creatures lay dead at Xander's feet, their twisted bodies sprawled across the crimson-drenched ground. He stumbled forward, exhaustion crashing over him like a wave. Every swing of his shadow-fueled blade had drained his strength, leaving him gasping for breath.
The Shadowlands were relentless. For hours, he had fought creatures that seemed born of nightmares, their twisted forms too monstrous to describe. And yet, the desolate silence after the battle felt even worse.
Then, it came—a soft sound. The faint crunch of boots on the cracked ground.
"Impressive, for someone so… inexperienced."
The voice was smooth, sultry, and teasing, yet carried an undertone of danger that sent a chill down Xander's spine. He turned sharply, his guard rising instinctively.
What he saw made him freeze.
She stepped out of the shadows like she belonged to them, her figure bathed in the dim, blood-red light of the cursed sky. Her raven-black hair shimmered as it cascaded down her back in loose, silky waves. The soft curls framed her exquisite face perfectly, highlighting her striking emerald-green eyes that glowed faintly, as if lit from within. They held a sharp intelligence and a playful malice that made Xander uneasy.
Her full lips curved into a smirk, painted a deep, wine-red that seemed almost sinful. Her pale, flawless skin looked smooth as marble, as if untouched by the harshness of the Shadowlands. She wore a sleek, fitted black leather cloak that hugged her figure perfectly, clinging to her generous curves while giving her the air of a deadly huntress. The neckline dipped low, revealing just enough to distract without giving away too much. The slit along her legs revealed toned thighs, hinting at both elegance and lethal strength.
She was, without question, the most dangerously beautiful woman Xander had ever seen.
"Who… are you?" Xander asked, his voice rough from fatigue, though his eyes couldn't help but linger on her.
The woman chuckled softly, the sound like dark honey. "Aria," she said simply, twirling a silver dagger between her fingers. Her movements were fluid, almost hypnotic. "And you, stranger, are far from home."
Xander straightened, trying to mask his unease. "That doesn't answer my question."
Aria tilted her head, her emerald gaze sharp as it swept over him. "You're bold. I like that. But boldness alone won't keep you alive in the Shadowlands. You need power. Strength. And, lucky for you…" She stepped closer, her movements slow and deliberate. "…I know how to survive."
Xander tensed, unsure if he should trust her—or if he even could. But as she drew closer, her intoxicating scent filled the air, a blend of something darkly floral and sweetly forbidden. It was hard to focus, hard to think clearly with her standing so close.
"And what do you want in return?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Aria's smirk widened, and for a moment, she leaned in, close enough that he could feel her breath against his cheek. "Oh, don't worry, stranger. I'll let you know when the time comes."
Xander fought the urge to step back, his instincts screaming at him. But before he could respond, she turned sharply, her cloak billowing behind her. "Come," she said over her shoulder. "If you want to live, you'll follow me."
The journey was long, the barren terrain of the Shadowlands stretching endlessly before them. The crimson sky bled light over jagged mountains in the distance, and the air was thick with tension.
Xander couldn't help but watch Aria as they walked. The way she moved—graceful, confident, with just a hint of playful arrogance—made it impossible to look away. Her fitted cloak swayed with every step, accentuating her hourglass figure. Even in silence, her presence dominated the space around her.
But soon, something else caught his attention. A faint sound, distant at first, but growing louder with every step. It was hauntingly melodic, like the chime of distant bells, and it sent a chill through him.
"Do you hear that?" Xander asked, glancing at Aria.
She stopped abruptly, her expression darkening. "Stay close," she said sharply, her playful tone gone. "And no matter what happens, don't stop walking."
Xander hesitated but nodded. As the sound grew louder, a figure emerged from the ruins ahead.
She was breathtaking.
The woman who stepped out of the crumbling temple ruins was unlike anyone Xander had ever seen. Her long, golden-blonde hair shimmered like molten sunlight, cascading down her back in soft waves that seemed to glow faintly. Her delicate face was a masterpiece—high cheekbones, a perfectly sculpted jawline, and lips so full and pink they looked almost unreal.
But it was her eyes that captivated him the most. Sky-blue and impossibly bright, they seemed to hold an entire world within them. There was kindness there, but also a profound sadness that made Xander's chest tighten.
She wore a flowing gown of white and gold, the fabric so fine it looked like it had been spun from light itself. The dress hugged her slender frame perfectly, the neckline dipping low enough to reveal the soft curve of her chest, while the flowing skirt gave her the appearance of floating.
Xander felt his breath catch. Everything about her—her beauty, her aura, the warmth that seemed to radiate from her—made him want to reach out and touch her, to pull her into his arms and never let go.
"Celestia," Aria muttered under her breath, her emerald eyes narrowing.
The golden-haired woman stopped a few feet away, her gaze settling on Xander. Her expression was calm, but there was a weight to it, as though she carried the burden of a thousand lifetimes.
"You shouldn't be here," Celestia said softly, her voice like a melody that soothed and unsettled in equal measure.
"Who are you?" Xander asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Celestia," she replied, her gaze flicking briefly to Aria. "The Radiant Angel."
Aria stepped forward, her emerald eyes flashing. "We don't have time for your lectures, Celestia. Move aside."
The tension between the two women was palpable. Celestia's warmth clashed with Aria's sharpness, their opposing energies creating an almost visible charge in the air.
"You're leading him to ruin, Aria," Celestia said, her tone calm but firm.
"And you're wasting time," Aria snapped. "Step aside or—"
"Enough!" Xander barked, surprising even himself.
The two women turned to him, their gazes locking onto him with an intensity that made him want to shrink back. But he held his ground.
"I don't know what's going on between you two," he said, "but I don't have time for this. If you're going to help me, then help me. Otherwise, get out of my way."
Celestia's gaze softened, a faint smile touching her lips. "Very well," she said quietly. "But remember, Xander—every choice has a price."