There was no turning back now.Lionel had crossed the line, defying his brother Sanathiel, and the consequences would be severe—marked forever on his cold, beautiful skin with scars as punishment.And yet, his mind couldn't stop replaying the image of Aisha, broken and humiliated, after being subjected to the cruel whims of his own brother.
"Aisha!" he shouted, running toward the cage.
To his surprise, Sanathiel appeared at the entrance, arms crossed, watching the scene with disdain.
"Will you dare help my prisoner in my presence, Lionel?"
Lionel glanced sideways at him, his eyes blazing with rage.
"What kind of leader allows this? Aren't you breaking your own rules, White Wolf?"
Sanathiel smirked.
"And what does that human mean now, Lionel? Tell me—what is this person to you?"
Lionel ignored the question. He followed his instincts.Taking a deep breath, he knew what he had to do.At the back door, bathed in moonlight, he unlocked the cage…
"You're free. Go—before I change my mind."
Aisha looked at him coldly, unmoving.
"Why?"
Lionel lowered his gaze. His hands trembled slightly.
"I won't justify my actions, Aisha… But I want to protect that memory."
She stepped back, her eyes full of distrust.
"There's nothing worth holding on to, Lionel."
He gently took her hand, his gaze pleading.
"Go. Live."
Aisha hesitated for a moment, then pulled away and ran into the woods, disappearing into the darkness.Lionel watched her until she vanished from sight.
Noah appeared at the threshold, wiping away a fake tear.
"You almost moved me, Lionel. Almost."
Before Lionel could react, he fell into Noah's trap.
The searing lights had half-blinded him. The smell of his own scorched skin still clung to his senses.He lay on the floor, gasping, body trembling, mind broken.
Then he heard the clatter of a tray hitting the ground. A short, dry sound. And then... the voice.
"By the time you hear this, it'll already be too late," came a mechanical recording, cold and clinical, mimicking Rodrigo's voice with cruel precision.
Forcing his eyes to focus, Lionel saw the small blinking device on the floor. The message played out word for word with surgical accuracy:
New Telegram:"This will serve as punishment for your rash decisions.By the time you see this message, a month will have passed, and the damage from such exposure to light will be irreversible—even my blood won't be enough to heal you.You're useless now.But I won't be merciless, dear brother.You'll still get my blood.You'll be free.And it's all thanks to the bait you delivered. That girl is enough to lure Solomon's attention.See you soon, Lionel."
The doors opened with a heavy click, and the lights finally went out.Lionel gasped, collapsing into the comforting shadows.
"Shadows… colored shadows… that's what my eyes see…" he muttered, his eyelids fluttering from the effort to stay open.
Noah emerged from the darkness with his usual elegance, holding a small plasma tube between his fingers.He dropped it on the floor with disgust.
"This is what you want? Lick it. Come on—like the dog you are."
Lionel didn't move.He just looked at him, with the dignity of a king stripped of his crown.
Noah approached, grabbed his hair, and forced his head down.
"Lick it," he hissed.
Lionel clenched his jaw. He wouldn't. Not in front of him.
"You're a plague," Noah growled, letting go violently."I don't understand why Rodrigo insists on keeping you around…But I guess even rats have their uses."
Before leaving, he threw another vial—this one filled with fresh, thick, bitter blood. A mockery.
"Pray for him next time," he muttered sarcastically.
Lionel closed his eyes, his body burning from within, but his spirit still holding on.
"You're a coward and a cynic, Noah…" he whispered.
Days later…
The tin door creaked open. A slim figure entered with determined steps.
"Get up," said a warm, resolute female voice.
Lionel barely looked up. The silhouette of Cristal stood against the light.She came closer, helped him up, and without another word, carried him to the car.
"Where… are we?" he murmured, disoriented.
"I don't know. But I won't leave you here," Cristal answered, accelerating through the darkness of the tunnel.
Moments later, parked somewhere safe, Cristal pulled out a mirror from the dashboard.
"Pull over… and give me the mirror?"
"It's not necessary, Lionel. You already know the answer."
But he needed to see it. He touched his face—rough texture, fresh blisters…Then, upon seeing his reflection, he let out a relieved sigh.
"I'm not as burned as I thought… At least my arm, face, leg, and left hand are intact."
Cristal said nothing, then handed him a small black mask, simple, reinforced fabric.
"Here. Wear this and see with your own eyes. Rip the fear away."
Lionel took it. He stared out the window.Far away, somewhere in the distance, Aisha was running… alive.
"Remember, Aisha…" he whispered, as if she could hear him—"Survive. Whatever happens, let this help not be in vain.Run without stopping, even if you don't know who I am…I want you to be free."
Final Scene
In the community of the Thirteen, the echo of piano notes rang out like an omen.Daesa approached Sanathiel from behind, her voice sweet and seductive.
"So… you've finally let go of the piano, Rodrigo.No one told me you were coming. Not even to greet me?"
Sanathiel didn't reply. His gaze was fixed on the glowing moon medallion around his neck.Its mark burned like red-hot iron.
"For my sister… you've become unstable.I fear this is no longer just about power."
Noah interrupted, his silhouette barely visible at the door.
"There's movement in Losaré. Large beasts. Familiar presences.Among them… Aisha."
Sanathiel turned slowly. His crimson eyes burned like embers.
"Fate always finds a way to entwine us.Lionel brought me to her…And now, I won't let her go."