Jared remembered Varek‘s warning, Venom Valley had aided the slaughter of the Flaxseed clan. Now, to his grim satisfaction, the dying woman before them proved the rumor true.
Flaxseed seized Seraphina by the hair and dragged across shattered masonry as though hauling a carcass. He disappeared into a side hall.
For several hours, the palace echoed with screams, then pleas, then faint whimpers, until silence reigned. Flaxseed finally emerged, clothes drenched crimson yet smiling with savage peace.
“It’s done,” announced. “The demoness has paid in full for my kin!”
Jared inclined his head. “The Crimson Coil Sect lies in ashes. Now we wait for Varek’s next message.”
The trio quit Serpentcoil Mountain and found a secluded ravine. Inside the Pentacarna Tower, they mended their wounds.
Days of relentless combat had drained their spiritual energy reserves.
Kishor joined Flaxseed in celebratory drinking, mugs clashing beneath starlight.
Jared, however, sat cross-legged apart, channeling quiet streams of power through his meridians. Beyond level five awaited trials far harsher, his strength had to rise before faced them.
***
Three days slipped by like mist at dawn.
Rejuvenated, Jared, Flaxseed, and Kishor descended upon Blackshade Demon Palace once more. Yet the massive iron gates yawned unattended, torches guttered out, and not a single guard patrolled the courtyard.
An unsettling hush pressed against their ears, as though the fortress itself were holding its breath. Jared paused at the foot of the palace steps, a deep crease cutting across his brow.
“Something’s wrong,” muttered. “Hear that silence?”
Flaxseed felt it too. He strode forward and kicked the massive doors. The impact boomed, then roiled away into an eerie stillness.
“Varek Underwood!” bellowed. “I’m here, Show your face!”
The echo died without an answer. Inside, the throne hall lay hollow. Dried blood stained the marble, and cobwebs draped the corners like funeral veils, as though no living breath had stirred here for ages.
“Where is everybody?” Flaxseed scratched his scalp. “Did the rat bolt while we were on the road?”
Jared drifted deeper, fingertips grazing an altar stripped bare. Scrolls were gone, jewels vanished, every trace of value had been carried off with methodical care.
“We’ve been played!” The realization drained the color from his face. “Varek never planned to gather intelligence for us-he ran days ago.”
“What?!” Flaxseed’s roar shook dust from the rafters.
“That treacherous coffin-dodger! I‘ll flay when I catch him!” He stormed around the hall, cursing until his whole body trembled.
Kishor’s expression darkened to iron. “So the elusive Varek thinks can toy with us…”
Jared drew a slow breath. “Rage helps no one. He’s gone, and the intel’s gone with him. That means we march into level five on our own.”
“Exactly!” Flaxseed growled, jaw tight.
“We head for level five, find Malevolent Path Hall’s outpost, and pry the souls of my kin from their cages.” His teeth clicked with fury.
Kishor nodded once. “Level five is richer than level four, better resources, better chances to strengthen ourselves en route.”
The decision crystallized between them in an instant.
Kishor raked open the fabric of the sky, and the three plunged into the silver fissure.
One heartbeat later they spilled out above level five. Here, the air was dense with energy, several times richer than level four, sharp enough to sharpen every sense. Mountains rose like titans, and the heavens painted a faint violet haze.
Jared inclined his head. “First, shelter. Then we sniff out Malevolent Path Hail.”
***
While they searched for lodging in level five, deep within Celestial King Palace, the leader of the Fourth Hail stood motionless at an open window.
She wore a plain white gown, black hair poured down back like midnight water. Her face was quietly radiant, yet gaze carried a gravity far older than years.
