AI The air smelled like honeyed wine and something older—something that had been fermenting in the dark for centuries. Aurora Carter exhaled slowly, her breath fogging in the warm amber glow that bathed the landscape before her. She adjusted the strap of the satchel slung over her shoulder, her fingers brushing the cool metal of the Heartstone Pendant hidden beneath her shirt. It pulsed faintly, a warm throb against her skin, as if answering the call of this place .
Beside her, Nyx shifted, their form flickering like a candle flame caught in a draft. The Shade’s silhouette stretched and compressed, their violet eyes gleaming with an eerie, knowing light. "You’re certain this is the way?" Nyx’s voice was a whisper carried on the wind, slithering into Aurora’s ears like a secret.
Aurora nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure. The pendant had led them here—she could feel its pull, a deep, insistent hum in her chest. But the maps of Hel she’d stolen from the British Museum’s restricted archives had been cryptic at best. "The pendant’s reacting. And if Isolde’s right, this is the only way to reach Dymas before the solstice."
Isolde Varga’s voice echoed in her mind, though the Half-Fae seer wasn’t present. *The path is not a road, but a hunger . Feed it well, and it will take you home.*
Aurora swallowed hard. "Let’s just… move forward."
The ground beneath her feet was soft, yielding like damp earth, but not quite . It gave slightly under her boots, as if alive, as if it were breathing . The trees here were unlike anything she’d seen—towering vines coiled around gnarled trunks that seemed to pulse with a slow, rhythmic life . Their leaves weren’t green but a deep, bruised purple, and when the wind stirred, they shimmered with an inner light, casting fractured reflections of the amber sky onto the forest floor.
Aurora reached out, brushing her fingers against one of the vines. It was warm, almost hot, and when she touched it, a jolt of something—electric , sweet—shot up her arm. She jerked her hand back, frowning. "Did you feel that?"
Nyx tilted their head, the movement fluid, almost weightless. "The trees are hungry. They feed on the air, on the memories of those who pass through."
Aurora’s stomach twisted. "Great. So we’re basically walking through a living, sentient buffet."
A rustling came from ahead, and she turned just in time to see a figure emerge from between the trees. It was human-shaped, but its limbs were too long, its fingers too many—at least six on each hand. Its skin was the color of aged parchment, stretched tight over bones that seemed to glow faintly from within . It tilted its head, regarding them with eyes that were too large, too knowing.
Aurora’s hand instinctively went to the Fae-forged blade at her belt. The dagger was cold, its moonsilver edge humming with quiet energy. "Uh. Hello?"
The figure didn’t speak. Instead, it extended one of its many-fingered hands, palm up, as if offering a gift . From its fingers, tiny, glowing orbs drifted into the air, hovering just above its outstretched hand. They pulsed with a soft, golden light, like fireflies trapped in amber.
Aurora hesitated. "What are those?"
Nyx stepped forward, their form solidifying just enough to loom over the figure. "Offerings. The trees take them as tribute."
The figure’s lips—if they could be called lips—peeled back in something like a smile . The orbs flickered brighter, and then, one by one, they drifted toward the trees, dissolving into the air as they touched the vines.
Aurora exhaled sharply . "Right. So we’re supposed to… give them something?"
The figure didn’t answer. It simply waited, its many eyes fixed on her.
Aurora glanced at Nyx, who shrugged subtly. "They don’t take no for an answer."
She reached into her satchel and pulled out a small, silver flask. Inside was a dark liquid, thick and viscous, the remnants of a meal she’d stolen from Golden Empress the night before. She unscrewed the cap and poured a small amount onto her palm. The liquid glowed faintly in the amber light, shifting between deep crimson and black.
The figure’s eyes widened slightly , and then the orbs in its hand flared to life, brighter than before. It reached out, and Aurora pressed her palm into its grip. The moment the liquid touched its fingers, the orbs surged forward, rushing toward the trees in a swirling, golden mist. The vines seemed to drink it in, their leaves shimmering as the liquid seeped into the earth.
Aurora stepped back, her stomach lurching . "That was… intense."
Nyx chuckled, a sound like wind chimes in a storm. "They prefer the rich flavors. You did well."
The figure bowed its head slightly , and then it was gone , melting back into the trees as if it had never been there.
Aurora wiped her palm on her jeans, her mind racing . "Okay. So we’re in Hel. And the trees are, like, sentient and hungry. Got it."
Nyx’s form flickered , shifting between solid and shadow. "And we’re not alone."
Aurora followed their gaze. The forest floor was changing. The ground that had been soft and yielding was now giving way to something harder, more solid. Paving stones, worn smooth by centuries of use, emerged from beneath the earth, forming a path that wound deeper into the trees.
And then she saw the first of the feasts.
A clearing opened up ahead, bathed in the warm amber light of Dymas. Tables laden with food stretched as far as the eye could see—plates of roasted meats, steaming bowls of stews, platters of fruits so ripe they seemed to glow. But the food wasn’t just for the living. Figures moved among the tables, their forms half-human, half-something else. Their skin was stretched too tight over their bones, their eyes hollow and dark. They ate with greedy hands, their movements jerky, their expressions a mix of ecstasy and despair.
Aurora’s breath caught in her throat. "Helbound souls."
Nyx’s voice was grim. "And they’re not the only ones here."
Aurora turned her head slowly , scanning the clearing. At the far end, beneath a canopy of trees whose branches twisted into grotesque shapes, a figure stood. Tall, regal, with a crown of twisted vines upon his head. His skin was the color of aged gold, his eyes burning like embers. Prince Belphegor.
He raised a hand, and the feasting stopped. The Helbound souls turned their heads, their eyes locking onto Aurora and Nyx with a sudden, predatory focus.
Aurora’s pulse hammered in her ears. She gripped the Fae-forged blade tighter. "Well. This is going to be fun."
Belphegor’s lips curled into a smile, his teeth too sharp, too white. "Ah. The mortal and the shade. How… *delicious *."
The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the trees around them groaned, their leaves rustling like a storm on the horizon. Aurora took a step forward, her mind racing . She had to get to the prince. She had to understand what he wanted. And she had to do it before the solstice, when the Veil would be at its weakest.
Because if Isolde was right, this was their only chance.
Nyx moved beside her, their form solidifying fully, their violet eyes burning with intensity . "We follow the path. We don’t look back."
Aurora nodded, her grip on the dagger never wavering . "Let’s go."
The first step onto the stone path was like crossing a threshold. The air grew heavier, thick with the scent of spices and something darker—something like blood and decay . The feasting continued around them, the Helbound souls oblivious to their presence, their focus locked on the prince. But Aurora could feel their eyes on her, their hunger a palpable thing.
She kept walking.
The path twisted and turned, leading deeper into the heart of Dymas. The trees grew taller, their branches twisting into shapes that seemed to mimic the shapes of the feasting souls. The ground beneath her feet was no longer just stone—it was embedded with fragments of bone, polished smooth by time. She could feel the weight of centuries pressing down on her, the history of this place like a living thing.
And then she saw the first ward.
A circle of standing stones, carved with symbols that made her skin prickle. The air around them hummed with energy, a low, vibrating pulse that made her teeth ache. Nyx stepped forward, their form flickering as they tested the wards. "Magical. Strong."
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. "Great. Just what we need."
Nyx reached out, their hand passing through the stones as if they weren’t there. "The wards are tied to the prince’s will. They’ll only hold if he commands them to."
Aurora swallowed. "So if we can get close enough, we can break through?"
Nyx nodded. "But we have to be quick. The wards shift when he moves."
Aurora exhaled sharply . "Let’s hope he doesn’t move too fast."
The path continued, winding deeper into the heart of Dymas. The feasts grew more elaborate, the food more extravagant. She saw platters of caviar the size of her head, roasted birds with feathers still attached, dishes of wine that seemed to bubble with an inner light .
And then she saw the first of the contracts.
A Helbound soul, its skin stretched too tight over its bones, was chained to a table. Its mouth was bound , its eyes wide with terror. A plate of food was placed before it, and the prince’s voice echoed through the air, a command that made her stomach clench.
"*Eat.*"
The soul’s body convulsed, its limbs jerking as it was forced to consume the food. The air around it crackled with dark energy, and Aurora could feel the hunger, the desperation, radiating from it in waves.
She turned away, her stomach churning . "This is worse than I imagined."
Nyx’s voice was grim. "This is Hel, Aurora. It’s never going to be pretty."
Aurora nodded, her grip on the dagger tightening. "Then we’d better get to the prince before he notices us."
The path led them to a clearing, where the prince stood beneath a tree whose branches twisted into the shape of a crown. The air around him was thick with power, a dark energy that seemed to seep into her bones . He turned his head slowly , his ember eyes locking onto her.
Aurora froze.
Belphegor’s lips curled into a smile. "Ah. The mortal. I was wondering when you’d arrive."
Aurora swallowed hard, her mind racing . She had to play this carefully . "Prince Belphegor. I’m here about the Heartstone Pendant. I need to understand what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "The pendant. How… *interesting *. It’s a key, you see. A key to the heart of Dymas."
Aurora’s pulse hammered in her ears. "And what’s in the heart of Dymas?"
Belphegor’s smile widened. "Power. Endless power. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world in my image."
Aurora’s mind raced . She had to stall. She had to buy time. "And why would you give me that power?"
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "Because you’re the key, mortal. The pendant is a guide, but you—you’re the lock."
Aurora’s breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?"
Belphegor stepped forward, his voice a low growl. "You’re the one who can open the door. The one who can bring the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. "And what’s that purpose?"
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Aurora’s mind raced . She had to get out of here. She had to find a way to break the wards. She had to—
A sound cut through the air—a sharp, metallic *clink *, like steel on stone.
Aurora turned just in time to see Nyx stepping forward, their form flickering as they drew a blade of pure shadow from the void. "Enough."
Belphegor’s eyes narrowed . "A shade. How… *predictable *."
Nyx’s voice was a whisper carried on the wind. "You’re not getting her. Not today."
Belphegor’s lips curled into a snarl. "Then you’ll die with her."
The ground trembled , and the wards around them flared to life, a dark energy crackling in the air. Aurora’s teeth ached, her vision swimming. She could feel the prince’s power, a dark tide threatening to swallow her whole.
And then she saw it—a flicker of movement in the shadows. A figure, half-hidden by the trees, watching them with pale lavender eyes.
Isolde.
Aurora’s heart leapt. "Isolde!"
The Half-Fae seer stepped forward, her silver hair shimmering in the amber light. "The path is not a road, but a hunger . Feed it well, and it will take you home."
Belphegor’s eyes widened . "Isolde. You shouldn’t be here."
Isolde’s voice was a whisper , a riddle. "The Veil weakens. The time is now."
Aurora’s mind raced . She had to act. She had to—
The wards flared brighter, the dark energy threatening to consume them. Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to do something. She had to—
A thought struck her, sharp and clear. The pendant. The Heartstone Pendant.
She reached into her shirt, pulling it free. The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "Very well. But remember—every game has a cost."
Aurora nodded, her grip on the pendant tightening. "I understand."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*Enough.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "Very well. But remember—every game has a cost."
Aurora nodded, her grip on the pendant tightening. "I understand."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."
The prince raised a hand, and the wards around them flickered , their power wavering . Nyx stepped forward, their blade of shadow flashing as they struck at the prince once more. Belphegor snarled, his power surging as he raised a hand, a dark command echoing through the air.
"*No.*"
The wards held. Nyx staggered back, their form flickering as they were pushed back by the prince’s power.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the Fae-forged blade. She had to act. She had to—
The pendant pulsed in her hand, a warm throb of energy. She raised it, her voice steady. "Belphegor. I need your help."
The prince’s eyes narrowed . "What do you want, mortal?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I want to understand the pendant. I want to know what it does."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "And why should I help you?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "Because I can give you what you want. The power to command the Helbound souls. The power to reshape the world."
Belphegor’s eyes darkened. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Aurora’s voice was firm. "By opening the door. By bringing the Helbound souls to their true purpose."
Belphegor’s eyes burned with a dark, hungry light. "And what is that purpose?"
Aurora’s voice was steady. "A new world. A world where the strong rule and the weak serve."
Belphegor’s eyes gleamed with amusement. "You’re playing a dangerous game, mortal."
Aurora’s voice was firm. "I know. But I think you’re going to let me win."