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Sapphire and Hyun-Ki stood at the grand entrance of the Prime Minister’s residence. The ornate doors swung open, revealing Kael-Hyun flanked by stern-faced advisers. His eyes flicked between Sapphire and the small girl at her side with a frown.

“What is the meaning of this?” His voice echoed through the marble hall.

Sapphire took a deep breath, steadying herself. “I found Hyun-Ki alone in one of your so-called ‘outbreak zones.’ I’d like to know why a child was left to fend for herself amidst such danger.”

Kael’s eyes widened ever so slightly before narrowing. “You ventured into the restricted areas?” His gaze shifted briefly to his advisors before returning to Sapphire. “Those zones are quarantined for the safety of our people. Her town… suffered from a contagious virus. We feared she might also show symptoms.”

Sapphire bit her lip. She could sense the deception. “Please, Prime Minister, spare me the lies. I deserve the truth.”

One of the advisers stepped forward, but Kael raised a hand to stop him. His expression hardened. “Raven of Death, with all due respect, this is an internal matter.”

“Internal?” Sapphire’s voice rose. “You left a helpless child alone after her entire family succumbed to Khione’s Lament. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

Kael’s composure faltered momentarily. “We did what was necessary to contain the spread. Difficult decisions must be made for the greater good.”

She took a step forward. “Did you know she shows signs of Necronfi mastery?”

The advisers exchanged uneasy glances. Kael hesitated before replying, “We were aware.”

“Then why abandon her?” Sapphire demanded, squeezing Hyun-Ki’s hand reassuringly. “She’s a citizen of Chuun, a child of your nation. How could you leave her to die alone?”

Kael’s lips pressed together. “A Cryolite who cannot master Cryonfi is considered a deviation from Khione. An unfortunate consequence of impure lineage. Such Gaian citizens are not—”

“Impure lineage?” Sapphire interrupted as her eyes narrowed and markings flared. “The only reason she hasn’t fallen victim to Khione’s Lament is because she doesn’t possess Cryonfi.”

Kael took a deep breath. “Careful, Lady Secrofantazia. You tread on thin ice.”

“Someone has to,” she shot back. “You’re so blinded by your outdated doctrines that you’d sacrifice an innocent child rather than admit your failings.”

He scoffed. “And your goddess intervened, did she not? The Necronfi within the girl spared her. In the end, she was saved by the Necronfi Ascendant. So why is this a problem?”

Sapphire’s hands balled into fists at her sides. “Because you chose ignorance over compassion! Necronfi or Cryonfi, she’s a living being deserving of protection.”

Kael stepped forward. “You speak of compassion, yet Necronfi thrives on death, does it not? In your lands, children are subjected to torturous practices under the guise of ‘Resilience and Amplification Training.’ Tell me, Lady Secrofantazia, is that your definition of compassion?”

Sapphire’s eyes widened, a surge of rage coursing through her veins. “You know nothing of our ways,” she retorted sharply.

Kael smirked. “Oh, but I do. I’ve heard the whispers of how you treat your own—how you break them to harness the power of death itself. And yet, you stand here, judging us?”

Just as she was about to unleash her fury, a calm voice joined in.

“Prime Minister,” Argentum interjected smoothly, stepping into the room. “Perhaps this conversation is veering off course.”

Kael’s gaze shifted to Argentum. “Guardian. I wasn’t aware you were present.”

“I’ve been nearby,” Argentum replied steadily.

Kael straightened. “Then you understand the hypocrisy in your sister’s accusations.”

Argentum’s expression remained neutral. “What I understand is that Khione’s Lament is ravaging your nation, and you’ve kept this hidden from your allies. If the other supernations were to learn of this deceit, trade routes would cease immediately. Chuun would find itself isolated.”

Kael’s composure faltered for a moment. “Is that a threat?”

“A statement of fact,” Argentum replied coolly.

Sapphire stepped forward with a firm voice. “Moreover, if the Eternal Regents discover that Chuun has been abandoning children—potential followers of Xenovia—to die slow, lonely deaths due to your prejudices, the consequences will be severe.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “What is it that you want?”

Argentum exchanged a glance with Sapphire before responding. “Firstly, we require an increase in goods from Chuun. Knowing what we now do about Khione’s Lament, maintaining our alliance will be challenging. In return, we offer our assistance in supporting the virus’s victims.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

“Secondly,” Sapphire continued, “we need full access to all records concerning the previous Cryonfi Ascendants. We’re conducting research into certain mysteries involving a specific woman.”

“Thirdly,” Argentum added, “we demand to know why you refuse to appoint another Cryonfi Ascendant.”

Kael studied them both, weighing his options. “Your demands are substantial.”

“They are necessary,” Sapphire insisted.

He exhaled slowly. “Very well. We will grant you access to the frozen tombs tomorrow. Considering your Necronfi, I’m sure you can find all the information on the previous Ascendants there. As for the trade agreements, we will comply, though it hardly seems compassionate to demand more from us in our time of need.”

“We’re offering assistance with Khione’s Lament,” Argentum reminded him.

“Yes,” Kael conceded reluctantly. “Regarding the matter of appointing another Ascendant… that is a decision for our people to make. The reasons are complex.”

Sapphire stepped forward. “Your people are dying. What could possibly justify withholding an Ascendant?”

Kael’s gaze hardened. “That is all I can say on the matter.”

Sapphire opened her mouth to argue further, but Argentum placed a gentle hand on her arm. “Let it be for now,” he whispered.

She shook him off, turning back to Kael. “One more thing. Hyun-Ki should be placed in a Necroshim church to be raised and educated by those who understand her abilities.”

Kael shook his head firmly. “The child is a Cryolite of Chuun. We will decide what is best for her.”

Now she is a Cryolite? Sapphire thought. “You’ve already failed her once,” she snapped. “I won’t allow you to abandon her again.”

Kael’s expression remained unmoved. “She will be cared for appropriately. That is all you need to know.”

Sapphire’s temper flared. “I don’t trust you.”

Argentum stepped between them with a placating tone. “Prime Minister Kael has agreed to our primary requests. We should respect his position regarding the child.”

She glared at her brother. “Are you serious? You’re siding with him?”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “We can’t overstep our bounds, Sister. It’s not our place to interfere in their internal affairs.”

She clenched her teeth. “She deserves better.”

“I understand,” he murmured. “But we’ve achieved what we came here for. Pushing further could jeopardize everything.”

Kael watched them silently before speaking. “I assure you, Raven—Hyun-Ki will receive the care she needs.”

Sapphire scoffed while shaking her head.

Argentum placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “We appreciate your cooperation, Prime Minister. We’ll take our leave now.”

Kael gave a curt nod. “Very well. My attendants will see you back to your quarters.”

As Sapphire and Argentum turned to leave the Prime Minister’s hall, Sapphire felt a tug on her hand. She looked down to see Hyun-Ki, her eyes wide and teary.

“Are we leaving now?” Hyun-Ki asked, her voice trembling.

Sapphire’s heart skipped. She knelt to meet the girl’s gaze. “Hyun-Ki… you’re going to stay here for a little while longer. They’ll take care of you.”

Hyun-Ki’s lip quivered, and she clung tighter to Sapphire’s hand. “But I want to go to the church. You said they’d help me.”

Sapphire blinked back the sudden sting of tears. “I promised, and they will, but you have to stay here for now.”

Before Sapphire could explain further, two attendants stepped forward with their hands outstretched to take Hyun-Ki. The little girl flinched, shrinking closer to Sapphire.

“No!” Hyun-Ki cried, her fingers gripping Sapphire’s sleeve. “Please don’t leave me here! I don’t want to go with them!”

Sapphire’s throat constricted as she tried to speak. “Hyun-Ki, listen—”

But the attendants firmly pried Hyun-Ki’s hands away from Sapphire, lifting her. The girl’s tear-filled eyes met Sapphire’s, and her tiny cries echoed through the hall.

“Please! Just take me back home then! I don’t want to stay here!” Hyun-Ki’s voice cracked as she was carried away, her arms reaching out desperately toward Sapphire.

Sapphire stood frozen, her entire body trembling as she watched the child being led away, her cries fading into the distance. She could still feel the warmth of Hyun-Ki’s small hands on her arm, the heartbreak in her voice echoing in her mind.

“She’ll be fine,” Argentum whispered beside her, though the hardness in his tone did nothing to soften the blow. “Let it go.”

Sapphire stared at the now-empty doorway. Her heart twisted painfully, knowing she couldn’t just walk away from this.

But for now, she had to.

Sapphire stormed down the hall, her footsteps echoing in the dim light as she and Argentum approached their room. Her frustration boiled over, and she pulled her arm from Argentum’s grip as soon as they reached the door. “How could you let him do this?” she demanded.

Argentum sighed, leaning against the doorframe. “We have to pick our battles. We’ve secured access to vital information and strengthened our position. We can’t risk it all over one child.”

“One child?” Sapphire’s voice trembled with anger and disbelief. “She’s not just ‘one child.’ She’s been abandoned, neglected, and now they’re going to—”

“They’re going to do what they will,” he interrupted gently. “It’s not our business.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “How can you be so cold?”

“I’m not cold,” he replied. “I’m being practical. We have a mission, Sapphire. Personal attachments can’t interfere.”

“Practical…” she mumbled bitterly. “Right.”

The moon hung low over Chuun’s icy landscape, casting a pale light on the balcony where Sapphire stood. She stared out, her breath forming small clouds in the air, watching the distant, jagged peaks of Mt. Cryospherix. The mountain seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. Everything in Chuun was so cold—unforgiving and harsh.

Her eyes lingered on the snow-covered ground far below—guards stationed nearby breaking the silence. Sapphire’s hand hovered near the edge of the railing, fingers twitching. Her mind raced, instincts screaming at her to stay still, to not ruin everything she and Argentum had worked so hard for.

But then, the voices floated up. Muffled but distinct enough to tear through her thoughts.

“Remove the impurity by dawn. We need to prove that Ascendant wrong.”

The words jolted her, snapping her out of her numb trance. She froze, heart pounding against her chest as her mind pieced together what she had heard.

Her breath caught in her throat. Argentum’s words replayed in her head: “We can’t risk it all over one child.” She clenched the railing tighter. Every instinct told her to stay, to let it go—this wasn’t her fight. But her heart told her otherwise.

Her eyes darted to the guards below; their eyes briefly turned away. The Raven’s shadow flickered beside her, its dark wings blending into the night. The plan formed quickly.

Without hesitation, she summoned the Raven of Death, sending it out into the night. As soon as she saw the guards relax again, she switched places with it, her body disappearing from the balcony in a blur of shadow and wings.

She landed silently, her breath shallow and her heart racing. The moment her boots touched the ground, a sharp voice in her mind screamed for her to turn back, to stop this madness. She wasn’t supposed to be here. This wasn’t part of the plan.

But it didn’t matter. She moved forward, her steps quick and light, weaving between the shadows of the buildings. Hyun-Ki’s innocent face flashed in her mind. Her soft voice. The hope in her eyes.

She couldn’t let this happen. Not again.

Sapphire followed the guards through the narrow, dimly lit tunnel, her breath shallow as she crept behind them.

Their voices were low as they muttered, “… Forced Benediction. It’s the only way before her hair turns fully black,” one of the guards said.

“She’s already showing signs of Necronfi mastery,” another replied, his tone grim. “If we wait any longer, she’ll be lost to it completely.”

Sapphire’s stomach twisted. Forced Benediction was a delicate ritual meant for babies or toddlers, but Hyun-Ki was well past that age. Forcing Cryonfi into her now, after she had already started bonding with Necronfi, would be dangerous—possibly fatal.

Her heart pounded as she pieced together the cruel reality. They were going to destroy her. The thought sickened her, but she couldn’t afford to lose focus. She had to stay calm and keep her emotions in check, even as her instincts screamed at her to stop this madness.

“It’s better to die trying than let her fall to Necronfi,” one of the guards said.

Sapphire’s breath quickened. She knew the world despised Necronfi, but to this extent?

As she finally saw the room ahead, her breath died at the sight.

Hyun-Ki was strapped onto a raised vertical platform, her small, naked body spread out in a crucifixion pose. Her arms and legs were bound tightly, and her head hung forward as if she had already resigned herself to whatever fate awaited her. Around her, elders versed in Cryonfi stood in a circle, their hands glowing with the faint cyan light of Cryonfi, ready to begin.

Sapphire’s lips quivered, her rage boiling beneath her skin. How could they do this?! The thought consumed her as she prepared to storm forward and stop them.

But then, one of the elders raised his hand, and the ritual began.

Hyun-Ki’s screams pierced the air as blue flames seared across her body. Sapphire’s breath caught in her throat, her fury stalling as the pain of those screams echoed in her mind. Her vision blurred. No, no! Not now!

Her body locked in place as Hyun-Ki’s screams grew louder, drowning out everything else. The sound clawed at Sapphire’s heart, a shrill, desperate plea for help—just like hers had been years ago. Sapphire clutched her head, fingernails digging into her scalp as a memory crashed over her.

The Chamber of Echoes. She could still hear the agonizing sound of her own cries from within its cold walls. The searing pain of Necronfi burned into her skin as her body writhed under the torment. She had begged for her mother, for anyone, but no one had come to save her.

Her hands trembled as she forced herself to crawl forward. Her vision wavered as Hyun-Ki’s screams grew more desperate.

“Mom! Dad!” Hyun-Ki’s voice was hoarse and broken, the same desperate tone Sapphire had once used. “Help me! Please!”

Her whole body shook, every nerve igniting with the trauma of the past. She could feel the searing pain on her skin, the memories blurring with the present until she didn’t know if it was Hyun-Ki or herself being tortured.

She wanted to run and scream to make it all stop, but Hyun-Ki’s voice echoed louder, tearing through her defenses.

Tears streamed down her face as she crawled closer, her body pushing against her memories. This isn’t about you, she reminded herself, gasping for breath. You’re not that little girl anymore.

But as Hyun-Ki screamed again, Sapphire’s vision swam with the image of her own younger self, helpless and alone in the Chamber of Echoes.