Chapter 32 : the crystal fang

The villagers dragged Ryo through the village, their hands rough, their faces twisted in fear and anger. He didn’t resist—not at first. His eyes, once sharp, flickered with an unnatural bluish glow.

The mob threw him at Mira’s feet. She stood tall at the center of a circle, wrapped in flowing robes stitched with shards of mana crystal. In her hands, she held a strange weapon—a spear of polished obsidian, its tip made of jagged azure crystal that pulsed with energy.

“This is the Crystal Fang. Forged from the heart of the mountain’s mana veins. It pierces corruption, even that of the beasts.”

Ryo pushed himself up, wiping blood from his lip, a smirk cutting across his feverish face.

“So… are you going to cure me or execute me”

Mira’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on the weapon.

“You’re already lost. The infection has taken root. If I don’t stop you here, you’ll devour everyone.”

The beast inside Ryo roared to life, his body convulsing, his nails lengthened into claws, and his jaw trembled as if a second voice wanted to break free.

“Try me.”

The air cracked as he lunged. His movements were unnaturally fast, powered by the beast. Mira spun her spear, slamming the butt into the ground. Crystalline energy erupted in a barrier of light, forcing Ryo back. He struck against it with his claws, sparks flying as his corrupted mana clashed with the crystal’s purity.

“Your body is a cage, Ryo. But your beast wants freedom!”

She thrust forward. The Crystal Fang pierced his shoulder, burning his flesh with raw mana. Ryo howled, grabbing the shaft with one hand and slamming his forehead into hers, breaking the lock.

Blood trickled down Mira’s brow, but her stance didn’t falter.

Ryo’s voice warped, overlapping with the guttural snarl of the beast.

“YOU THINK YOUR CRYSTALS CAN CAGE ME?” 

He slashed in a frenzy, tearing at the earth, smashing stone with every strike. Villagers scattered, screaming, as the circle became a battlefield. Mira weaved between his blows, her spear flashing with light, carving lines of searing blue across his skin.

But Ryo didn’t stop. His eyes shone brighter, his breath coming out in guttural growls. He grabbed Mira by the arm, lifting her like a rag doll, and slammed her into the ground.

She coughed blood, but as he raised his claw for the killing strike, her hand shot up.

“Crystal Fang—Shatter Seal!” she shouted.

The spear exploded in radiant shards, embedding themselves into Ryo’s chest right where the mark is. Each shard pulsed, locking the beast’s power inside him. Ryo staggered, choking, his body jerking violently as if torn between two masters.

He collapsed to one knee, blood pouring from his mouth, the golden glow in his eyes dimming.

For a moment, he looked at her—not as a beast, but as Ryo. His voice came weak, fragile.

“…Was this… your plan all along?”

Mira, bloodied but standing, leveled the broken haft of her weapon at him.

“No. This is mercy.”

Ryo fell forward, unconscious, his chest still glowing faintly with the sealing crystals. The villagers whispered in fear, unsure if the boy before them was saved… or merely caged.

---

The last echo of Ryo’s scream faded into silence. Smoke and dust hung in the air, glittering with fading traces of crystal light. Mira stood over his broken body, blood streaking her robes, one arm hanging limp, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

The villagers had crept back in—silent, wide-eyed. No one dared approach. No one knew what they’d just witnessed.

Then—hooves.

Distant at first.

Then louder.

The rhythmic clatter of fine-bred horses broke the silence. A caravan of dark banners crested the hill overlooking the village square. Polished armor. Emblems of mana-forged gold. A noble house.

Mira’s eyes narrowed.

She knew those colors: House Azurevein. Rich, powerful. They didn’t come to villages like this.

And yet—here they were.

The lead rider dismounted. Lord Auren Azurevein himself. Tall, sharp-eyed, dressed in silver and blue, not a speck of dirt on him. Behind him trailed guards, attendants, and an ornate palanquin.

“So this is the beast everyone’s whispering about.”

He approached Ryo’s unconscious form, still twitching under the glowing shards, and nudged him with his boot. Disdain curled his lip.

“Fascinating. It reeks of uncontrolled bloodlines.”

Mira stepped between them, spear broken in her hand, blood still dripping.

“He’s not yours.” she groaned.

“He’s no one’s. And your seal won’t last.”

The air shifted—something else was coming.

A voice, soft, awkward, behind the procession:

“Uncle don’t.” Vix screamed.

Vix was there, tired, choked, his messy blue hair. He looked out of place among the polished, perfect figures around him. His steps were hesitant. His eyes, however—were sharp.

“Vix, the now called 'useless heir' A noble child had been quietly cast aside”

Now, here he was, approaching the battlefield—toward Ryo.

Lara appeared too Kael behind her, Mira smiled to Kael but the young man ignored her.

Mira froze.

Lara next to Ryo, worry in her gold eyes.

Ryo stop moving.

Mira stepped forward.

“What are you doing?”

“Don't stop her” Kael said coldly.

There was a pause.

“Kael, how dare you !? I am your mother” Mira whispered.

Then—

“He’s not gone. And he’s not lost. But if you sealed the beast… you sealed him, too.”

Kael was ignoring her.

He then looked up at Mira, expression calm but resolute.

“you are not my mother, and Kael isn't even my name, it's the name of my brother.”

A flicker passed through Mira’s eyes—uncertainty, then…sadness.

Behind them, Auren turned away in disgust, waving to his guards.

“Dear Vix, I will tell your family that you like to play with monsters.” he then laughed before mounting his horse.

“he is dead anyway” he added.

They rode off.

Snow swallowed the circle again.

Lara stayed kneeling, hand near Ryo’s chest, purple and black magic circle under her hand, black butterflies flying around them.

Ryo's heartbeat starts again.

“What are you?” Mira asked quietly.

“a Necromancer ” Kael answered.

Ryo opened his eyes.