The Deadly Charm

Part 64 : The Threshold of Shadows

Beyond the border lies the final reckoning.

Kritin stood at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, the jungle thick around him. A soft breeze rustled through the towering trees, yet the atmosphere was oppressively still—too quiet, as though nature itself sensed the war that was about to unfold.

Beside him stood Sora, the divine spirit in the form of a young boy, his solemn expression mirroring the gravity of the moment. His large black wings curled slightly around him, ready to shield Kritin from whatever danger lay ahead.

Trailing behind them was Aria, Akira's guardian deity—but she was no ordinary protector. Where Sora radiated light, Aria was darkness incarnate. Her eyes glowed with hunger, her expression carved from steel. Though born of destruction, she had always been Akira's shield in moments of peril—and now, Kritin's blade.

"There's something approaching," Aria said coldly, a wicked smile tugging at her lips.

Kritin scanned the dense forest ahead—deep within these woods dwelled Yong San, the Khmer sorcerer steeped in dark magic and shrouded in mystery. The air was thick with unnatural energy, pressing down on any who dared step into this cursed ground. Each step closer to the source made Kritin's instincts sharpen—he knew the enemy was waiting.

"Do you feel that, Sora?" he asked quietly, never taking his eyes off the path ahead.

Sora smirked, licking his lips.

"Oh, I've been waiting for this."

Aria's crimson eyes flared with glee.

"Finally. Something worth destroying."

Kritin allowed himself a small smile. This was no mere battle—it was a clash of darkness and resolve. Yong San wasn't just powerful; he was a master of spirit-binding, surrounded by malevolent souls twisted into weapons.

But Kritin wasn't afraid.

With confidence, he stepped forward, Sora close behind, Aria strolling like a wolf savoring the scent of blood.

The deeper they went, the heavier the atmosphere grew. Each footstep echoed too clearly in the suffocating silence, as though the entire forest was holding its breath.

"He's waiting for us," Aria whispered with a gleam in her eye.

"Be ready," Kritin murmured.
"The fight begins now."

Elsewhere, the morning sun filtered softly through pale curtains, waking Akira with a start.

The bed beside her was empty.

Her heart skipped a beat. She sat up abruptly, the lingering warmth beside her gone. Panic surged in her chest.

She called his name, searched the room. Silence.

No Kritin.
No Aria.

He was gone.

Her breath caught in her throat. Deep down, she knew. He had already left—gone to confront the Khmer sorcerer on his own.

"Krit..." she whispered, clenching her jaw as her eyes trembled.

He had made his choice.

Even though he had comforted her the night before, she had known it in her bones—he never intended to bring her with him. He wanted to protect her. But...

"Don't worry," a small voice chimed.

She turned to see Lloyd, the little divine spirit Kritin had tasked with guarding her, smiling sweetly.

"I'll stay with you until he comes back."

Akira stared at him for a moment, then forced a smile.

"Okay. Want to go get some ice cream?"

"Yes!" Lloyd beamed.

Back in the dark jungles of Cambodia, the battlefield had begun to stir.

Kritin, Sora, and Aria found themselves surrounded by wailing spirits—the first wave of Yong San's assault. These spirits, tainted with dark energy, howled and lashed out in a chaotic swarm.

Kritin drew his holy blade, its runes glowing faintly in the shadowed gloom. The moment it touched the energy around them, the air shimmered with resistance.

His eyes narrowed, calm but locked in focus.

Sora stepped closer, spreading his great wings to shield them. The light within him flared, causing the spirits to recoil—momentarily—but more continued to swarm.

Aria laughed, her face alight with cruel delight. These minor spirits were nothing to her. She stretched out a hand, and a pulse of dark energy surged forward, obliterating several in a single wave.

"They're weak," she sneered.

"That coward really thought this would slow us down?"

Kritin's eyes flicked to her. He understood—these were merely pawns. Yong San was testing them.

"This is only the beginning."

In the distance, a deeper shadow stirred in the trees. The true threat waited ahead, watching.

"We're getting close," Sora muttered.

"I can feel it," Aria added, her smile feral, red eyes burning.

"I can't wait to tear him apart."

✨ Next Chapter: "The Heart of the Curse"
One step closer to the source. One step deeper into the dark.