Capítulo 14: The Villainess In Danger
tThe moment Khalil's eyes settled on the figure emerging below, he felt his pulse quicken with recognition. There was no doubt about it – the girl standing at the center of the hall was Sira.
'Sira Nightsong,' he thought, feeling a jolt of familiarity.
She was a character etched into his memory from the game. Not a heroine, not even an anti-hero, but a villainess. Well, that's how the game and his friends described her.
Yet, despite her infamous role, she had been the one character he'd felt a strange pull toward, not because of any attraction or romantic interest, but because, behind all the dark choices and tragic missteps, he had sensed a character painted with quiet sadness and mystery.
He shook his head, trying to refocus, reminding himself that this wasn't the game anymore – this was reality now, a reality he was a part of. As he steadied himself, he noticed the murmur spreading through the crowd around him. Subtle, hushed voices filled the air with judgment and disdain, casting a dark shadow over the girl in the hall.
"...the cursed tamer..."
"The mistake of the Nightsong family…"
Khalil strained his ears, catching fragments of their harsh whispers, which only deepened his curiosity. 'What kind of story is hidden behind that name?' he wondered.
But he fully ignored the rumors as he knew it was wrong to believe without knowing anything. Besides he hated gossiping.
He watched as she approached the portal at the hall's center with measured, resolute steps, her expression calm yet detached, seemingly unaffected by the whispers buzzing around her like a swarm of gnats.
She paused in front of the portal, took a breath, and stepped through, disappearing into its depths.
Khalil could still hear the quiet hum of the crowd's murmurs around him, but now a sense of quiet tension filled the space. People were watching, waiting for her to emerge. And a few moments later, she reappeared beside the portal – but not as he had expected.
Khalil's gaze sharpened as he took in the creature beside her.
A massive, sinuous form stretched along the floor, a sleek, scaled figure resembling a serpent but unlike any ordinary beast he'd ever seen.
Its black, shimmering scales absorbed the light, and its eyes were cold, calculating, and watchful. Sira lay atop the creature's back, her body relaxed yet alert, her hand resting lightly on the creature as if they shared some unspoken connection. It didn't take Khalil long to realize this must be her bond – her chosen beast, a creature as enigmatic and dark as she was.
Before he could fully process the sight, movement erupted from the surroundings.
Figures stirred to life, each of them accompanied by their own bonds, creatures of varying shapes and sizes, all radiating power and aggression. They stepped forward in a coordinated advance, their intent clear as they surrounded Sira and her serpent-like beast.
Khalil's eyes widened as the situation unfolded in an instant.
The air thickened with tension, his heart pounding as he watched, unable to tear his eyes away.
'They're...attacking her?' He could barely register the shock racing through him. 'Why?'
He hadn't seen anything like this before – not even during his own entrance.
The first strike came swift and unrestrained, one of the attackers lunging forward with a hound-like beast that moved in a blur. Its maw opened wide, sharp teeth gleaming, ready to strike.
But the black serpent reacted instantly, its body twisting with a fluid grace as it coiled around Sira in a protective stance. Its scales glistened under the hall's light, and a low, vibrating hiss escaped its mouth, a warning to any who dared come closer.
Khalil felt his heart twist as the serpent's coils tightened, encasing Sira within a barrier of muscle and scales, each movement defensive yet calculated. The creature bore a fierce determination, its eyes narrowed as it glared at their attackers, protecting its bond with an instinct that defied the cold hostility of those encircling it.
But the attackers showed no mercy.
Another bond, a bear-like beast with eyes glinting maliciously, charged forward, swiping a heavy claw toward the serpent. The serpent recoiled, barely evading the swipe, its screech echoing through the hall in a cry that sent a shiver down Khalil's spine.
Despite the odds, it didn't release its defensive position, coiling even tighter around Sira, its every movement guarding her with a relentless loyalty.
Khalil's fists clenched as he watched, feeling a wave of anger and helplessness. 'Why are they doing this?' he thought, struggling to understand the scene unfolding before him.
And the crowd around him – they weren't shocked or moved to stop it. In fact, many seemed indifferent, some even watching with satisfied smirks.
Without fully realizing it, Khalil took a step forward, his mind racing.
The sight of Sira, vulnerable yet defiant on the back of her serpent, stirred something within him, a strange mix of empathy and indignation. He didn't know what was driving him, but he knew one thing for certain – he couldn't stand by and do nothing.
"What are you doing?"
The principal's voice cut through the air, firm yet calm. Khalil froze mid-step, his pulse racing. His mind was already set – he couldn't ignore what was happening in front of him. He turned to face the principal, lifting his chin as he spoke with unguarded honesty.
"I'm going to stop them."
The principal's expression softened slightly, as though acknowledging his courage, yet a flicker of sadness lingered in his gaze. "I commend your bravery, Kalem," he said, "but you must understand… she has bonded with a Dark Beast."
Khalil felt his breath hitch as the principal's words sank in. A Dark Beast. It was a term he had only heard not long ago, they were enemies of this world. They weren't merely dangerous creatures; they were that supposedly embodied corruption itself.
The principal continued, his tone grave. "From the looks of it, she bonded willingly. Their connection is strong, nearly as deep as your own bond. That serpent isn't just her companion—it's bound to her on a level that is… unnatural."
"The only way to stop it is... to kill them both."
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder