Heaven: A Maiden's Curse

24 - Their Last Embrace

The room fell into a tense, stunned silence as Hyacinth's headless body crumpled to the floor. Her blood pooled around her neck, her once-mighty form reduced to nothing more than a decapitated corpse. The sight was horrifying, but none of us-Freya, Heaven, or I-knew how to react. Was it really over?

Despite everything, Heaven's expression faltered. It was impossible to ignore the weight of the moment. The evil that Hyacinth had inflicted upon the world, the torment she had caused-yet still, Heaven felt a deep sadness. Even monsters had their moments of tenderness, and Hyacinth, in her twisted way, had been a mother figure to Heaven. She had cared for her, even while manipulating her.

Heaven slowly approached Hyacinth's severed head. She seemed frozen, speechless. She reached out, gently cradling Hyacinth's head beside her body. The tears she had held back now streamed freely. She had hoped Hyacinth's death would bring an end to the curse, but it was clear it hadn't.

But then, miraculously, Hyacinth's head began to speak, a low rasping voice cutting through the quiet. It was weak but unmistakable.

"You..." Hyacinth's voice sounded pained, yet almost familiar. "Your face..." She turned her gaze toward the mysterious figure who had been the one to strike the final blow. "You remind me of someone..."

The man didn't respond, remaining stoic, distant as ever.

"Are you... the son of Vladimour?"

At this, Heaven's eyes widened in disbelief. Even Freya and I exchanged confused glances. We had no idea who Vladimour was, but the mention of his name seemed to stir something in Hyacinth. She continued, almost as though recalling a forgotten memory.

"I remember him... Vladimour. He was the Dragon-Shadow King. I held you once. You were just a child, in your father's arms..." She stopped, her voice faltering as she pieced the truth together. "Vlad..." Her eyes narrowed, realization dawning on her. "It's you, isn't it?"

He didn't say a word. But his presence spoke volumes- powerful, silent, unyielding.

Freya and I exchanged confused words, asking Heaven what this Dragon-Shadow King and Vladimour were. Who were they, and why did it matter now?

Before Heaven could speak, Hyacinth's gaze lingered on her, and she offered a final, somber apology. "I... I used you... for power. I'm sorry. I never cared about you the way you thought I did."

Heaven, unable to contain her sorrow, let the tears fall freely. Even now, as she saw the monstrous woman who had manipulated her and tormented so many, she couldn't help but mourn. It was a pain that went beyond the physical, deep and aching in her chest. She whispered, "You used me, but I loved you..."

Despite her severed body, Hyacinth's arms twitched. In one final act of twisted affection, she reached out and wrapped her arms around Heaven in a loose, trembling hug.

But Heaven could barely breathe. She felt suffocated, the weight of the pain and regret too much to bear. Her heart ached, torn between grief for what Hyacinth had become and the small part of her that had loved the woman once.

Hyacinth then spoke again, her voice quiet but resolute. "Take the journal. It's the only way. You'll need it to stop the curse... to revive everyone. But it's not complete. It's only half."

Heaven's sobs grew louder as Hyacinth continued, her words chilling, revealing a dangerous path ahead.

"You must find the other half of the journal. Then, gather the Fragments-the Moon Fragment, the Sun Fragment, the Hell Fragment, and the Heaven Fragment. Only then can you complete the Reversed Ritual and return everything to normal." Hyacinth's voice weakened as she added, "Perhaps... Vlad can help you."

Heaven wiped her eyes, but she could barely speak through her tears. "No... I don't want this anymore. I don't want to live without you." She collapsed beside Hyacinth, her heart torn.

With a final, trembling smile, Hyacinth's body began to fade. As she vanished, a glimmer of light appeared. The half of the original journal, once hidden from view, now lay before us, its pages pulsing faintly in the dim light.

And then, with a tearful gaze, Heaven whispered, "I'm sorry... It's over now."