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The night sky pressed heavily upon the earth, cloaking it in darkness that nearly swallowed every starlight. A damp wind swept across the wild grasses that lay between the ruins of the Astoria Temple and the surrounding forest.
I stood frozen at the edge of a steep cliff, staring at the silhouette of the temple drawing ever closer. My heart pounded, echoing Armand's warning: *"Three more nights, Seraphine… you will choose—or be defeated."*
But my mind drifted to one name: **Aldric**. Since that night in the Great Hall of the Old Astoria Palace, he had vanished without a trace. No word, no message. Oren had searched, but to no avail.
Tonight, I had to know. I had to find Aldric.
---
I walked slowly through the thick mist, the cold air biting against my skin. It was so quiet, broken only by the creak of leaves rustling in the wind. The moon's light was almost gone, leaving only shifting shadows.
Oren moved beside me, his face set in grim determination. "My lady, are you sure this is the way?"
I nodded faintly. "Aldric once said… this temple holds the answers to the curse. If he was right, he'll return here."
Oren clenched his fists. "Or he's in danger."
I looked at him, swallowing the fear burning in my chest. "Aldric isn't easily defeated. But… this curse—it's more than just magic. It's a nightmare."
---
Our steps halted as we spotted a faint glow between the trees. It pulsed softly, almost calling to us.
I took a deep breath. "We have to go there."
Oren nodded. "I'm right behind you, my lady."
We moved cautiously, approaching the light. The mist around us grew denser, chilling me to the bone. And within that mist, a figure stood, his back to us—dark hair, a long coat billowing, and an aura I almost recognized.
"Aldric…?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
He turned slowly. His face looked pale, his blue eyes dim in the darkness. But that smile… the faint smile that had always comforted me—now looked… empty.
"Seraphine," he murmured. "Why did you come?"
---
I held my breath and stepped closer. "You vanished without a word. You know what's happening—I had to see if you were safe."
He stared at me, his expression calm but devoid of warmth. "You should have stayed away. This… is not your place."
Oren stepped forward, his eyes sharp. "Aldric, what do you mean? Lady Seraphine is risking her life to break this curse!"
Aldric shifted his gaze to Oren, then back to me. "You don't understand, Seraphine. This isn't just about Valeria's curse—or Astoria's. This… is about our blood. About what was set in motion long ago."
I shook my head, my heart tearing apart. "Don't talk like that, Aldric. I know who you are—you won't let this curse consume you!"
---
He let out a soft, bitter laugh—one I had never heard before. "You've always seen me as your savior, haven't you? Someone who would protect you. But what if I told you… I'm the one who brought this curse upon you?"
My breath caught, my chest tightening. "What do you mean?"
Aldric stepped closer, his movements deliberate, his eyes dark. "The blood of Astoria flows in me too, Seraphine. I am part of the pact that created this curse. I… am the curse's guardian."
Oren's eyes widened. "That… can't be!"
Aldric held my gaze, his voice firm. "You think Lucian is your only enemy? No, Seraphine. I, too—I was created to ensure the bride of the curse never escapes."
---
I stumbled back a step, my fingers trembling. "Aldric, this is madness. I know you… I know your heart!"
"My heart?" He let out a low laugh. "My heart died long ago, Seraphine. I was born… for one purpose."
I reached for his hand, tears tightening my throat. "Don't say that. I believe in you—I've always believed in you!"
He closed his eyes, his voice a faint whisper. "And that is your sin, Seraphine. You believe in the man who will destroy you."
---
The mist around us suddenly twisted, forming a dark vortex that hissed in the air. I felt the curse's presence—ancient, seething. Oren took a step back, his eyes wide. "What are you doing, Aldric?!"
Aldric lifted his hand, and the vortex thickened. "This curse… it seeps into my flesh and bones. I can feel it—its pulse, its promise. I… am part of it."
I screamed, "Aldric! Stop!"
He opened his eyes, now glowing faintly red. "I can't. This is my legacy, Seraphine. And I won't deny it anymore."
---
I stepped forward, defying the fear that tried to paralyze me. "If you're part of this curse, then so am I. I won't leave you, Aldric. We can fight this… together."
He fell silent, his eyes softening for just a moment. "You don't understand. This curse—it's alive. And I… am its lifeblood."
I shook my head hard, my voice breaking. "No! I don't care who you are. All I know… is that I don't want to lose you!"
---
Suddenly, the dark vortex faltered, and Aldric staggered. He closed his eyes, breathing raggedly. "Seraphine… run. Now!"
I grasped his hand. "No! I'm not leaving without you!"
Aldric looked at me, a thin tear glinting at the corner of his eye. "If you stay… this curse will devour us both. You have to—"
"Enough!" I cried out. The white light of Valeria flared from my veins, cutting through the darkness around us.
The vortex shrieked, fracturing under the white glow. Voices of the curse hissed through the air, but I stood firm. I was determined: I would save Aldric.
---
Aldric collapsed to his knees, bowing his head before me. "Seraphine… you… that light…."
I gripped his shoulders tightly. "I don't care who you are or where this curse came from. All I know… is that I will always stand by your side."
He looked up at me, his face twisted with pain and despair. "And that… is what will destroy you, Seraphine. Because this curse—it's not just mine. It's… already bound to both of us."
---
A heavy voice echoed through the mist—and another figure emerged. I turned, startled to see Vivienne standing there, her cloak billowing, a sly smile playing at her lips.
"Beautiful," she murmured. "You two… the bride and the guardian of the curse, ensnared together. Just as it was meant to be."
Aldric rose to his feet, his face pale. "Vivienne… you won't take her."
Vivienne laughed softly. "Me? No, Aldric. The curse itself will claim her—if you won't, then the blood of Valeria and Astoria will demand it."
---
I clutched Aldric tightly. "We'll fight her… fight this curse. I won't give up."
Aldric bowed his head, his voice hoarse. "You're a fool, Seraphine. But… you're also the only thing that's ever made me… feel alive."
Vivienne lifted her hand, and the mist thickened, like the gaping maw of a beast ready to swallow us whole.
---
And within that suffocating mist, Lucian's voice suddenly rang out—deep and deadly.
Seraphine… this curse isn't just about you and Aldric. This… is your fate. And you will never escape it."*
I turned, shocked. Lucian's voice echoed in the air, though he was nowhere in sight.
Aldric cupped my cheek, his eyes brimming with sorrow. "Whatever happens… I will protect you. To the end."
I squeezed his hand, whispering my final vow: "To the end, Aldric."
And in that instant—the mist swallowed us whole.
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