Lory raised her Trinity staff and conjured an ancient spell in response. A gust of wind swirled around her. The more she chanted the more the wind moved. Lory hit the ground with her staff once she finished with the spell and everything, including her Trinity staff exploded.

She panted hard after losing her power and fell on her knees. Cracks slowly began forming on the statute as it broke off and revealed black scales from within. The scales moved slowly and a black serpent emerged from it.

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"Freeee…at lassssttt…" It hissed in an eerie voice.

It was at that moment that Lory realized the seriousness of her action. She secretly placed a spell on herself using her remaining power as she waited. The serpent was too busy celebrating his freedom to notice her action. Lory sighed to herself in relief, this meant she would be the only one who would take the fall.

"Let me introduce myself… I'm Lazarus, the Serpent King. I'll be at your service, Your Highness…" His words were filled with malice and blood lust.

Lory ignored his mockery and said calmly, "Our deal…Lazarus."

Lazarus snickered as the water started to ripple as if something was about to emerge from its depths. Lory looked behind her and felt a chill ran down her spine. Countless normal-sized black snakes appeared from the water and slithered on the floor, covering the surface. The snakes hissed as they moved towards her. The hair behind Lory's neck stood as they got closer. They went up her feet and slowly slithered over her thighs, waist, and up to her chest. Lory tried her best not to gag in disgust as they covered her.

"Now…princess. Let's start the deal…" Lazarus hissed viciously at her.

A snaked slithered round her neck, bared its fangs, and bit her nape. Lory grimaced in pain. She couldn't move as her body was wrapped tightly by the black snakes. The snakes then penetrated her skin. The excruciating pain made her want to scream but she held off the urge. She couldn't show weakness in front of a creature that would love to see her torture.

Lory soon felt something move beneath her skin. She felt indescribable pain and disgust as her consciousness drifted slowly.

Lazarus' sneer turned into a triumphant smile, "You are mine. The mark is the bond between us. Everything you have will be mine from now and forever."

Unexpectedly, there was a thunderous squawk sound. Lory abruptly woke as she heard the familiar sound. The loud squawks repelled the snakes from her as they swiftly slithered away. Her limp legs couldn't hold her as she fell on her knees once the snakes released her.

"What do you want Grimareus?" Lazarus yelled at the new arrival.

"I won't let you take her!"

"You are too late. The deal is complete," Lazarus gave a triumphant laugh.

Lory's body started to change. Black scales appeared on her skin and her purple pupils changed to yellow crescents like those of a snake.

"There is still time…" Girsha transformed into white orbs and pierced into her. Lory screamed in agony as two powers collided inside her. She felt like something was stabbing her heart.

"Don't give up, little girl!" Lory could hear Girsha's voice.

"How will you save Lucas if you let him control you?" He reminded her. Her yellow eyes transformed to her original purple. 'Lucas', she remembered him. She clenched her fist as she remembered she needed to save him. She couldn't die now, not before she saved him.

She screamed as wings growing on her back changed from white to black as night. Lazarus was enraged by this, he had been so close to claiming her soul. Lazarus had lied to her before as he hid a few details from her.

Although Lazarus could only claim her soul after she died, it didn't mean he couldn't control her while she was still alive. Girsha's appearance ruined his plans.

"You can protect her now but she will be mine once she dies. She's mine!" Lazarus laughed like a maniac.

Lory lost consciousness and fell weakly on the ground.

She couldn't tell how long she had been out. Her eyelashes fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes. She looked around and realized she was alone. There were no snakes, Lazarus, or Girsha... Wait. Girsha!

Lory forced herself to sit up. She touched her chest. She could still feel her connection with Girsha but it was faint. So faint like it was fading.

"Girsha…" She called but no one answered. Something was wrong. No matter how far they were from each other they could always call each other telepathically.

"Girsha, where are you?" She tried again but there was no answer.

Lory bit her lips. She was utterly petrified, "Girsha, don't joke around! Where are you... GIRSHA!"

Lory's eyes became moist as her body shook, "Please don't do this. Girsha, where are you? I'm scared!"

Black wings emerged from her back and wrapped themselves around her. Lory was shocked to see the black wings. She soon realized what happened. Girsha sacrificed himself to protect her soul. Lory cursed her stupidity. She should've known. She easily trusted without question. Why would the serpent easily lend her a hand?

"Girsha, what have you done?" Tears fell down her cheeks.

"What have I done...?"

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Lory woke with tears streaming down her face. She blinked a few times before she wiped off her tears with her sleeve.

She looked beside her and saw a small white bird sleeping comfortably on the soft pillow. Lory's smile grew wider as got a sense of relief. She pulled the pillow closer to her and stroked the white bird head with a finger. The bird fidgeted a little at her caress. Lory smiled once again and closed her eyes. She hoped the next dream would be a sweet one.

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Arthea walked through the bare ruins. Lazarus was gone and so was the princess. She looked down and saw the Trinity staff broken into seven fragments. She lifted her hands and the fragments floated into the air. They glowed brightly before they disappeared into thin air.

"This is what you wanted, isn't it? Marcus....?"