Seraphina's smile returned, sounding gentle. "Don't say that, sweetie. I'm the one who failed you. I must've done something wrong… for your mother to turn out this way."
She looked straight into Zoey's tear-soaked eyes.
"You can't give up now. You have so much to live for. So much to achieve. You're strong, sweetie. You've always been strong. I may not be here for long… but you still have a chance."
Every syllable stabbed into Zoey's chest. Why was it looking like Seraphina was speaking her last words?
Then Seraphina continued, "I don't care how powerful the Spirit King is. What matters is, it's your body, Zoey. Never stop fighting."
Suddenly, the kneeling crowd began to glow, pulses of purple light rising from their bodies with each second.
The pressure in the air thickened. Zoey felt the Spirit King's presence intensify, pressing down harder on her soul.
'Yield.'
'Yield.'
'Yield.'
The word repeated in her ears, sending tremors through her bones.
