Prevent.

It marked the beginning and end of a fitting ideal, as we continued with the treatments, including my eagerness to know what they saw and, more importantly, how the wounds were made.

“Sister, tell me what happened.”

“Your successor has been possessed,” she spoke fearfully, reaching for her sister’s arm. “He opened the southern gates and allowed the bringers of darkness to enter.” She exposed the side of her belly, showing the clearest proof. “The water, on the day of his appointment in the middle of the night, the water drowned him. What walks, what we thought we judged, is nothing more than a corpse being moved.” Before they could continue, they noticed how the darkness formed spikes on the outside and blood spurted out. “HAA.”

Before anyone could react, the small creature ran towards the door and disappeared, its speed was not something that could be predicted, but since the outside of the temple was poorly lit, they did not expect great advantages, beyond the remains of the angelé tear.

“Continue the treatment, I'll see what I do with that thing,” the eldest said.

“I’ll stay, Samanta. Try to help her.” She saw the nod of agreement from the playful girl, who was wearing the same white clothes as both of them.

“I’ll take care of it.”

Like a light, it went out and began to illuminate its path, as if it were a specter destined to keep the deceased company.

For her part, the eldest left shortly after with a dagger ready, while the last two treated the ailing ones, while the one on the right woke up.

“Where?” I looked, only to notice his wounds disappearing, and he was soon on his feet. “When?”

“Alba left us a little while ago, Sister.” He offered her his hand and hurriedly helped her stand up, while he assisted with the healing of the second person who had recently fainted. “We couldn't continue because of her absence.”

"You must desist from taking the boy as your successor." I walk to the small table and hastily take a sip from the grate, letting the liquid spill from the corner of my lips. "He must be excommunicated and executed, but we must be careful."

“He’s just possessed, we can exorcise the spirit and then guide him…” She left her healing incomplete, as her sister’s sudden pull lifted her to her height.

"He's made a pact with a demon, sworn loyalty to the darkness. If the Holy Faith finds out, the House of the Sun will fall into disgrace, and from what I know, it's part of his plan."

"What?" She looked at her sister in confusion, thinking what she'd heard sounded like madness. "No matter how possessed he was, demons are a myth..." She was going on the defensive as she forced herself free.

"Will you not listen?" I looked at the little saint of barely 121 rituals without a care and also considered her participation in the seer's downfall. "It doesn't matter." She calmly left the room, aware that Lasha was beyond help, and only when she saw the youngest of them all arrive with a piece of darkness trapped inside did she know things had gotten complicated.

“When everything is over, they leave, Lasha, she is already lost.”

"How?" I look at my older sister, by blood and faith, in bewilderment, but at the same time, I doubt her sanity, given recent events.

“You can stay and find out.” I walk on by, as if nothing else matters.

Her arrival at the castle only reaffirmed her will to save as much of Lasha as possible, but she still didn't like the decision, but she wasn't going to allow so many problems and after a short meeting with the king she sought rest in the castle, as the last place available, for the greeting to Alba all the military houses were hired and all the help that was brought in the last stay left with her towards Nume and towards the other Cathedrals, time was pressing and her pace was slow, too much for her liking.

—0—New Route to the Sunken Tribe—0—

Upon awakening, he found his vision still blurred, while the memory of his actions continued to weigh on his conscience and with the rush from the present to the future, he participated in his new plans, now that the influence of the real Vlad had disappeared, only Haruto remained.

He clutched his face tightly, as sadness overcame him again and tears came out, without crying or any kind of grimace or gesture, beyond squeezing hard, hoping to contain the tears better.

"Vlad, I apologize for taking your body for my new life, but I will not bear my name either. I am the product of both of us, and until the end, I must complete our plans." I spun around a bit, only to be pulled back by gravity and fall to the floor.

Arriving at the territory he saw it, the small settlement and the guard hired by the Celim family to escort products and after a while more of being detained at the entrance, he got off and presented himself before the guards, who recognized him instantly and let him in, wondering why he had that expression of sad joy, but considering what could have passed for such an exaggerated promise, it did not surprise anyone that there was more than one scolding in between.

The carriage arrived at the chief's house. When they left, they spoke calmly while the escort collected the remains of what had been consumed from the mine. This brought with it the contact with the family and a faint memory of the call made to his family the day before his temporary expulsion.

“Abaddon, boy, come and see,” called the chief of the tribe, while besieging the roof.

With a single leap, the water pushing gently against the soles of his feet, Abaddon managed to reach the surface, feeling short of breath in the process, only to feel pain in his chest and almost fall from being so close to the edge.

“Careful, kid.” The boss lifted him up and placed him to the side more calmly. “How did you jump so high?” He looked across the nearly three meters and soon, noticing him agitated, knew it wasn’t fear. He didn’t usually sweat like everyone thought, and seeing him pale, he was struck by the idea of ​​blessings, for the faith they possess. “Those blessings are very useful indeed.”

“Did you want me to see something, Chief of the Sunken Tribe?”

“Look, people are finally having fun. Some time ago, there were more complaints of hunger than anything else. Joining their house was the best choice I could have made. I just wanted you to see the results of your actions.”

“I understand, but I'm afraid my time is limited and my departure is a priority.”

“It’s a shame, we were planning a celebration for your return, but if it’s urgent, you can leave whenever you like.”

"Thank you." Near the edge, he stepped into the void, and the descent was calmed by the water, as it had been on his ascent. He felt the pain in his chest increase, and he reached the floor relatively calmly, the white vein extending to the same length as his pinky finger and a third of its thickness.

—0— Night, Ful Mining Tribe —0—

The carriage announced the young man's return and everyone who was awake went out to welcome him, while participating in an improvised celebration, meat and bread all laid out and Abaddon looked at the crack that was at the top of the mine the day after the celebration.

“Shall I call Abaddon?”

“Jūni.” I greeted them with the best possible sense of humor I already lacked. “Is there trouble with the mine?” The collapse would be coming soon, and saving them was my priority, and if possible, Ari too.

"No, sir. In fact, everything's going very well. The ore cars were shipped as ordered, and nothing seems out of the ordinary." For a moment, he wondered if something might have slipped past him without him noticing.

"Do you know why I came back early?" I tried the last trade permit and watched the messenger tear the sheet of paper in his hand.