Heaven: A Maiden's Curse

14 - Ally Or Assassin?

The air grew heavier with each step deeper into Hyacinth's lair. The flickering torches lining the walls illuminated carvings that writhed like living things, their grotesque forms etched into the stone. Every shadow cast seemed alive, shifting unnaturally when we turned away.

"This place... it feels wrong," I muttered, gripping my weapon tighter.

The woman nodded, her face grim. "We're close. I can feel her presence. It's... overwhelming."

The oppressive energy thickened as we pushed forward. Soon, we entered an expansive hall, the stench of decay and sulfur nearly unbearable.

A guttural roar tore through the stillness. From the darkness, a new wave of Hyacinth's monstrous minions poured in—twisted, nightmarish forms wielding crude weapons, their empty eyes glowing with malice.

I barely had time to react before the first creature lunged at me. My blade clashed against its jagged claws, sparks flying as the force of the blow pushed me back. I swung, severing its arm, but another immediately replaced it, its crooked dagger aimed for my chest.

"Behind you!" the woman shouted.

I spun just in time to parry another strike, but the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming. Every kill only seemed to summon more of them. Their inhuman screeches filled the air, a chorus of chaos.

The woman moved like a whirlwind beside me, her blade a blur as she took down two creatures in quick succession. "We can't keep this up!" she yelled, breathless.

"I know!" I replied, feeling the burn in my arms and legs. My strikes were slower now, my strength waning with every swing.

Another massive wave of minions surged forward, their weapons gleaming in the torchlight. Their relentless march forced us back toward the crumbling walls.

"This isn't going to end," she said, panting. Her voice was low, almost resigned. "They're stronger here. It's the lair—it's feeding them."

My grip on my weapon faltered for a moment as the hopelessness of our situation sank in.

Just as the creatures closed in for what seemed like the final blow, a sudden gust of wind swept through the hall. It wasn't natural; it was sharp, cold, and accompanied by an eerie silence.

Then it happened.

One by one, the minions fell—heads severed, limbs torn clean off, their bodies collapsing as if struck by an invisible force. Blood splattered across the stone floor, pooling beneath the lifeless remains.

I froze, unable to comprehend the sheer speed and precision of the attack. Beside me, the woman stood equally stunned, her weapon lowered as she scanned the carnage.

There, at the center of the massacre, stood a lone figure cloaked in shadow. My stomach dropped when I recognized him—the same man I had seen in the library, the one who had left without explanation.

"You..." I whispered, my voice barely audible over the crackling torches.

The woman's voice was sharper. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The man's cold eyes shifted to her, then to me, with an air of indifference. His blade gleamed, untouched by the blood that painted the room.

"Don't get the wrong idea," he said, his voice cutting through the tension like ice. "I didn't do this for you."

My breath caught as his words registered, and my confusion deepened. Why was he here?

He sheathed his weapon with a fluid motion, his expression unreadable. "If you want to survive," he continued, his tone laced with disdain, "try not to get in my way."

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the gate, which now stood open as though welcoming us to our doom. The massive guards who had been stationed there lay in heaps, their blood still warm and their bodies unnaturally mangled.

The woman glanced at me, her face pale and strained. "This doesn't make sense. Who is he?"

"I... don't know," I admitted, though the weight of the answer hung heavily in my chest.

We stood in silence, staring at the open gate. The darkened corridor beyond seemed to mock our exhaustion, daring us to take the next step.

Hyacinth's presence loomed stronger than ever, her mocking laughter echoing faintly in my ears.