***

– HARAHEL – The Angel of Intellectual Wealth.

***

At the thought of what is about to happen, my body freezes.

– We must evacuate quickly. Follow me and stay right behind me, he orders.

We nod and line up behind him.

– As soon as I open the door, whatever you do, don't make a sound, he continues.

He spreads his powerful wings and slowly opens the door, advancing step by step. We follow him silently, noticing the eerie silence in the castle and seeing no other angels.

Halfway along our route, we stop abruptly, finding drawings on the walls that remind me of those I had discovered in my living room.

Hailey seems to be seeing them for the first time in her life.

– Hayden, what are these? she whispers.

– They've managed to infiltrate this far, he replies in the same hushed tone. We'd better hurry to reach the Guard Hall.

– They? You mean the demons?

– Unfortunately.

Despite being a powerful angeless, she shudders at the thought that demons are here.

I didn't say a word the entire time, walking through the corridors terrified of encountering a demon. We finally reached the underground hall, guarded by several combat angels in the castle's west wing, without any difficulty. Good.

– Enter. You'll be safe inside, he continues whispering.

– What about you? Aren't you coming? she asks, worried.

– No, I can't. You know that, Hailey.

Once inside the room, accompanied by several others, a hand rests on my shoulder. Turning around, I see Elise's face, filled with fear at the events unfolding.

I take her hand to support and comfort her. The three of us sit against a wall, seeking some semblance of safety as we observe this unsettling place.

The walls are made of rough stone, and stone columns support the vaulted ceiling. The air is cool and slightly damp, creating the sensation of being outdoors. The room is lit by hundreds of candles placed on wrought-iron holders, their flickering flames casting dancing shadows on the walls.

– Elise, where is Ambre? Hailey asks, calmer now.

– I don't know.

– Do you think she's okay?

– Yes, Ambre doesn't give up easily. Don't worry about her.

– Marie... Marie...

She calls my name, and I realize I've been lost in my thoughts, unwilling to confront what's happening. This is all my fault.

– Uh... yes, I finally respond.

– What are you thinking about? she asks. You haven't said a word, and you seem distant.

– Oh... nothing, I reply with an embarrassed smile.

– Are you sure you...

I sit there, perplexed, watching Hailey abruptly stop mid-sentence as groans echo around me. Everyone seems overwhelmed by this strange sensation—except me. I remain completely unaffected.

It's just like that time they had a fit in Hayden's room. No, this time it seems like she's in real pain.

– What's going on, Hailey... Elise... I call out, frightened.

They don't seem to hear me, completely consumed by whatever they're feeling, leaving me powerless and worried for them.

What's happening now?

Without warning, they faint. Looking up, I see complete chaos as everyone collapses one after the other like dominoes.

– Hey! Get up! Hailey...

No response. I'm frozen with fear, completely alone. I get up, pacing the room, desperately trying to wake someone, but it's no use. I sit in a corner, waiting for someone to wake up, but no one moves. They're all still and silent, like statues.

I have to get out of here!

Opening the wooden door, I find two angelic soldiers lying on the ground. Without hesitation, I drag them by their legs into the room to keep them safe, hoping to offer them some form of protection.

They're heavier than I thought with their wings, I think, panting from the effort.

I climb the stairs slowly, trying to catch my breath, but I stop abruptly to think more clearly.

If even the soldiers have fainted... then... oh no! Hayden.

I dash up the stairs, hearing footsteps dragging on the ground. I quickly hide behind a wall to avoid being seen and hold my breath, repeating the same phrase over and over in my mind:

Don't make a sound, don't make a sound, don't make a sound.

The sound of footsteps fades away. Relieved, I exhale.

I peek out before heading toward the exit, noticing all those symbols, one in particular catching my eye. Finally outside, I run to the combat angels' quarters, trying to avoid getting soaked by the rain. I hope to find him there. On my way, I see no one, relieved not to find any unconscious angels left exposed to danger.

When I reach his room, my eyes widen. The door is wide open with bloody handprints on it. Just as I'm about to step through, a hand suddenly covers my mouth.

I struggle, but my assailant's strength is overwhelming. This is it.

– Shh, don't make a sound, he whispers.

He keeps his hand over my mouth and pushes me inside. That voice. I relax, letting him lead me. He shuts the door behind him with his foot, waiting a few seconds before letting me move freely. Surprised and relieved, I see him awake and alive.

– Are you okay, Hayden? I ask, placing a hand on his face.

– Yes. How is it that you're here? Why didn't you listen and stay with the others? he begins, seemingly angry.

– Don't you know?

– Know what?

– They all fainted after having an unknown fit.

– All of them?

– Yes. Didn't you feel anything? Like headaches, stomach pains, or a desire to pass out?

– No, none of that.

– So it's just the two of us, then.

– And Hailey? Is she okay?

– Yes, don't worry about her.

He stands and searches through his belongings, trying to remain as quiet as possible. From his closet, he pulls out a massive book. Another one?

– Ah, here it is, he says.

– What's in it?

– The solutions to this mess. Luckily, this one you didn't steal, he jokes sarcastically.

– Hilarious! I reply in the same tone.

He flips through the pages, searching for a specific passage. Once he finds it, he runs his finger along the lines as he reads, then slams the book shut. He stands still for a few seconds, then throws the book violently, clutching his head with both hands. He's furious.

– What's wrong? I ask, though I immediately regret it upon seeing his anger.

Hearing my voice, he lunges at me, grabbing my throat in the blink of an eye, squeezing tightly as he looks directly into my eyes and says:

– This is your fault. Why did you touch what wasn't yours?

Unable to respond, he lets go furiously, and a cough tears through my lungs. He takes a deep breath and speaks more calmly:

– The solution to this mess was in the damn book you took and lost.

I feel guilty because he's right. I shouldn't have meddled in someone else's belongings, something I never do. But that book drew me in, and I wanted to learn more about this world.

– ...Sorry, I say, still gasping and coughing.

– Your apologies are useless.

He thinks for a moment.

– There must be another way, he mutters during his reflection.

I feel ashamed.

– You said they all fainted? he asks.

– Yes.

I swallow hard.

– Tell me everything, in detail.

– I... they started feeling pain in their heads, and it became more and more intense.

– All at the same time?

– Uh... yes.

– And then?

– That's when... they all lost consciousness.

– I see...

I have to help him and fix my mistake.

– What do you think it is? I ask.

– I'm not sure... let's go to the library. I need to check something.

He grabs my wrist, takes his sword from beside his bed, and leads me out with him.

***

Hayden climbs to the upper level of the library and starts searching through the shelves while I watch him silently.

– It's been a while now. Don't you want to take a break?

He ignores me and continues his search. I decide to head downstairs to refresh myself at a small water fountain located at the base of the staircase. Reaching the bottom, I glance back over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of Hayden, still engrossed in his work.

As I turn to continue my walk, I suddenly come face-to-face with a monstrous creature.

My heart stops. I want to scream with all my might, but my body refuses to move. Even my breathing has seized.

How did it get in? And without making a sound?

Standing before this creature, a chilling sensation courses through me. Its gaunt appearance, with parts of its body stripped to the bone, and its skin as pale as the moon, sends shivers down my spine. Its lifeless, glassy eyes bore into me. Every fiber of my being screams at me to run, but I remain frozen.

My hands grow clammy as adrenaline rushes through my veins. My mind is consumed by sheer terror. Slowly, one foot manages to peel off the floor, taking a small step backward. My eyes, wide open in horror, start to dry out, yet I can't seem to blink, as if my eyelids are glued open.

The demon, on the other hand, doesn't move, giving me the illusion that it hasn't noticed me. I cautiously raise a hand, waving it slowly in front of its eyes. It doesn't react, convincing me that it truly can't see. Its eyes are void of vision.

Still, out of caution, I continue stepping backward. But my foot catches the edge of the staircase, and I stumble.

The sound echoes.

The demon moves suddenly, snapping its head in all directions, trying to locate the source of the noise.

As it takes a step toward me, my heart begins to race wildly.

I don't want to die.

Hayden... save me.