---
The man's footsteps echoed softly yet ominously, reverberating through the corridor lit only by the dim glow of torches. His name was still foreign to my ears, but the Valeria crest emblazoned on his chest was undeniable—this was the bloodline I had feared all my life.
Oren stood before me, dagger in hand, ready to protect.
"Stay away from Lady Seraphine!"
The man merely stared coldly at Oren.
"How tragic. Do you really think you can escape the blood of your own family?"
I bit my lip, trying to contain the unease crawling through my chest.
"Who are you? Why are you here now?"
---
He offered a faint smirk, his sharp features highlighted by the flickering light.
"My name is Lucian Valeria. Your mother's exiled brother—because of this curse."
"Lucian…" I echoed his name, my voice trembling. "You want this curse… but why now? Why only now do you appear?"
His sharp eyes glinted like the flash of a blade.
"Because this curse can only fully awaken when you die… and rise in a new body. Lady Seraphine's body is your destiny—and I must make sure you don't waste it."
---
Oren's grip on his dagger tightened.
"She is not yours! Lady Seraphine is not a tool for your ambitions!"
Lucian chuckled softly.
"Oh, how loyal you are. But this curse… it can only be controlled by Valeria blood. Only I—and she—have the right to it."
I locked eyes with Lucian, trying to read his thoughts.
"So you want to use me? Make me your pawn?"
He shook his head slowly.
"A pawn? No… you are the queen of this game, Seraphine. And I am the one who moves the pieces."
---
Oren stepped forward, ready to strike. But Lucian raised his hand, and the air around him vibrated. A faint red light glowed from his palm—the same curse that lurked in my veins.
I gasped.
"How can you…?"
Lucian smiled.
"I have studied this curse my entire life. I know how to awaken it… and how to kill anyone who stands in my way."
Oren shouted and lunged at him. But with a mere flick of Lucian's hand, a red gust of energy slammed into Oren, hurling him against the wall with brutal force.
"Oren!" I screamed, seeing him stagger, blood trickling down his forehead.
---
I clenched my fists, fury and fear warring in my chest.
"Lucian… if you want this curse, you'll have to go through me!"
He let out a soft laugh.
"Good… that's what I was hoping for. Unleash your curse, Seraphine. Feel your true power."
I drew a deep, trembling breath.
"No… I won't let this curse consume me."
Lucian stepped closer, his voice a venomous whisper.
"You have no choice. You already died once, and the curse rose with you. It is your destiny."
---
A searing heat flared in my veins. The curse churned within me, like a sea of blood ready to burst free.
In my mind, I heard its voice again—the whisper I had long feared. *"Let me out… set me free… I will protect you…"*
I shut my eyes, my breath ragged.
"No… I will stay in control. I decide… not you!"
When I opened my eyes, a thin red glow encircled me. My hands shook, but I stood firm.
Lucian's grin widened.
"Yes… that's it. That's what I wanted from you."
---
He stepped closer, his hand seizing my chin roughly.
"See how beautiful Valeria blood is… see how strong we are."
I writhed, shoving his hand away.
"I'm not your puppet, Lucian!"
Oren crawled back to his feet, blood dripping from his temple.
"Lady… you must run!"
Lucian turned his red gaze on him, his eyes gleaming.
"She will not leave. Tonight, the Valeria blood will unite… or you will die."
---
I stared at Lucian, my heart pounding.
"What do you mean… unite?"
Lucian's laugh was low and dark.
"You know this curse requires blood… family blood. You and I… only we can truly control it together."
I gasped, a chill crawling down my spine.
"You're insane."
His grip on my arm tightened, almost bruising.
"We are one, Seraphine. If you refuse… the curse will devour you alive."
---
Suddenly, the clash of steel shattered the tension. From the shadows, Aldric emerged, his sword slick with blood.
"Let her go," he snarled.
Lucian turned, raising an eyebrow.
"Aldric… the foolish knight who never knew his limits."
Aldric stepped forward, fury blazing in his eyes.
"If you touch her again… I'll send you straight to hell."
Lucian's laugh was quiet, mocking.
"Oh, Aldric… you have no idea what you're up against."
---
In an instant, Aldric lunged. His sword clashed against Lucian's crimson-tinged hand. Sparks of blood and curse erupted between them, the sound deafening.
I could only stand frozen, watching the two men push each other to the brink.
Oren reached for me, trying to pull me back.
"Lady… we must go!"
I shook my head.
"No… I can't leave Aldric."
---
Aldric roared as he parried Lucian's strike.
"Seraphine! Don't let the curse consume you!"
Lucian's grin widened.
"She can't run, Aldric. Neither can you."
I clenched my fists, trying to silence the whispers in my head.
*"Surrender to me… let me protect you… kill them all…"*
Tears streamed down my cheeks.
"I… I don't want to become a monster…"
---
Suddenly, Lucian unleashed a surge of red energy at Aldric. Aldric was thrown back, slamming against the stone wall and crumpling motionless.
I screamed.
"Aldric!"
Lucian turned to me, his crimson eyes blazing with hunger.
"Now, Seraphine… choose. The curse… or the death of everyone you love."
I stood there, trembling, trapped between the writhing power of the curse and the shattering of my heart—and I knew, there was no turning back.
---