"Sometimes, darkness opens our deepest wounds, but it is only in that darkness that we realize how precious light truly is."
The smell of mold and rust permeated the air, suffocating every breath. Rusted chains hung from the ceiling, bound to two arms in a wounded state. The head hung low. His legs could barely hold him. The whip marks on his back and the magical seals engraved into his body... He had undergone numerous tortures, spells, and rituals. The rusty door creaked open, and behind it, with the face spoken of by the gods, his brother Tobias entered quickly, walking with hurried steps. "ERHARD!" The young man managed to lift his head as much as his strength allowed and looked at the one before him. Tobias spoke with a face full of concern. "What have they done to you...?" Hesitant, he touched the wounds. The seals carved into his body with a knife, the burns from the ritual. "Do they hurt?" His lips parted with difficulty. "They don't hurt anymore." Tobias pulled his hands back and spoke again. "I figured as much. After losing consciousness, Seraph's chosen one must have come and poured Zephyra on your wounds." Erhard's eyes suddenly shifted to his brother. "The one with white hair?" "Yes..." Erhard lowered his gaze once more and thought about it. The elegance, the beauty, the moment they met in the forest. "Zühra..." Tobias raised one eyebrow and looked at his brother's face. "Pardon?" A growl escaped Tobias as he pulled back. He looked at his brother's abdomen and, feeling pity, glanced at him before stepping out.
Tobias returned with a tray in his hands, placed it on the ground, and pulled out a key from his pocket to unlock the cuffs. As he propped his brother against the wall, he realized how damp and cold the stone was. He placed his hand on the wall, drying it, and leaned his brother against it. He draped his coat over him and began feeding him from the tray he had placed on the floor. "They aren't giving you food, are they..." Erhard didn't feel the need to answer. The answer was obvious. He hadn't slept or eaten for days. "I'll speak to Father. He needs to get you out of here." Erhard closed his lips and looked at his brother. "Do you think he will?" Tobias looked at him with a determined expression. "Yes! I promise, you will be freed from here."
Adeline sat motionless in the garden, her arms crossed as she stared at the grass. "Adeline!" She jumped suddenly, having not noticed Elora. "What's wrong? I've been calling you for at least ten minutes." Adeline moved aside, gestured for Elora to sit down beside her. Obeying her, Elora sat down next to Adeline and looked at her face. "Is something wrong? Are you ill?" She placed her hand on Adeline's forehead. "You don't have a fever..." Adeline parted her lips and spoke. "I'm fine health-wise, but it's about Hohenberg... It's been on my mind." Elora raised her eyebrows and replied, "It's been almost two weeks since the ritual. Don't worry, he's probably healed by now." Adeline shook her head. "I don't think so. The burns were too severe." "Don't worry, Zephyra must have healed those burns!" Adeline looked at Johann with surprised eyes. "Johann? When did you get here?" Johann smiled and answered, "I've been here for about an hour, rabbit lady... Please continue your rest." "I've been trying to tell you he was here since this morning, but you've been too distracted." "I understand." Adeline looked back at the grass, the image of Erhard's state still haunting her mind. "Johann, what good will it do me to be paired with the Rabbit?" Johann stared at Adeline in confusion. "Rabbit? That's your spirit, the 'Guardian of Pure Emotion,' Seraph! You need to realize your new status. You can even stand before the King now." Adeline locked her gaze on Johann's face. Seeing that Johann didn't understand, she asked, "What?" Adeline replied, "If my status has truly risen, then prepare yourself. We're going to the Hohenberg estate." Elora and Johann both shouted in unison, "WHAT?!" "You heard me. Has anyone else been involved in a ritual like the young master's before, Johann?" Johann shook his head negatively. "That's exactly why it's been on my mind. That's why we need to visit him. At least, we'll try our luck." Johann and Elora, without offering any other suggestions, reluctantly agreed. "Alright, let's go."
Johann and Elora sat side by side, while Adeline sat opposite them in the carriage, heading towards the Hohenberg estate. No one spoke; everyone just stared out the windows. Adeline tried to predict what might happen, making her own plans in her mind. "What if my status isn't high enough?" She thought to herself. "Do you think it's not enough?" A voice suddenly asked. She looked around, but couldn't see anyone, feeling a slight chill. Johann asked, "Is something wrong?" Adeline, with a look of fear in her eyes, stared at Johann. "Did you hear that voice?" Johann asked, curious, "What voice?" Adeline continued, "I was making plans in my head, thinking about whether my status is high enough, and then I heard a girl's voice." Johann and Elora exchanged worried looks and then turned back to her. Elora reached up to touch her head, checking her temperature once more. "I'm fine, Elora, really." Johann pulled Elora's hand down and spoke, "She's fine, Elora. Better than ever." Not understanding what he meant, Elora and Adeline exchanged a glance. "That voice you heard was Seraph's voice." Elora's eyes widened in shock. "Does the Sacred Rabbit speak?" She asked in disbelief. "All the spirit animals can talk." Elora, without missing a beat, shouted, "WHY DOESN'T MINE TALK THEN?!" Johann smirked and replied, "Guess you're not quite there yet..." As the two continued to argue, the carriage slowly came to a stop. Adeline peered outside and saw the magnificent building in front of her, with its large and grand garden. They had arrived at the Hohenberg estate. As she stepped down from the carriage, Johann paid the driver, then came over to join them. Admiring the estate, the guard in front of them cleared his throat. "Who are you?" Elora stepped forward and spoke, "We need to speak with Erhard von Hohenberg." The guard raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Who exactly are we speaking to? Three lower-class people? No one just walks into this estate. Leave now!" Johann grabbed Elora's shoulder and pulled her back, speaking, "Even if you don't respect us, you must respect Seraph's chosen one." He then pointed at Adeline. The guard let out a mocking laugh. "Seraph's chosen one, huh? I'm also Golden's chosen one. Nice to meet you." He laughed again. "Don't make it so obvious that you didn't attend the ceremony. Anyone inside will easily recognize that she's Seraph's chosen one. Feel free to notify them and try..." The guard raised his eyebrows in displeasure, gesturing with his head for the other guard to go inside. After about ten minutes, the other guard returned and said they could enter. The first guard, looking surprised, looked back at us. He opened the door and let them in. Johann gave the guard a sideways glance and entered.
— Third Person —
While sorting through the documents, he was trying to suppress his excitement. The chosen one of Seraph had arrived at their mansion, but the guards had refused to let them in. He continued to wait, embarrassed by the situation. When the door knocked, he lifted his head and gathered the papers. "You may come in." When the door opened, Johann entered first. Tobias stood up and clasped his hands behind his back. After Elora stepped inside, Adeline followed. The flush on Tobias's cheeks was unmistakable. Johann noticed this and, with a smug grin, stepped aside and looked at him. Elora and Adeline made reference by holding their skirts. Tobias did the same with one hand on his chest and the other on his back. "What brings you here, noble chosen one of Seraph?" Adeline kept her head high and responded, "We have come to inquire about Lord Erhard's condition. Is there a chance we could see him?" Tobias's face briefly fell, but he quickly composed himself. "It honors us that you are concerned about my dear brother's condition, noble chosen one of Seraph." Adeline raised her hand in refusal. "Please, simply calling me by my name will suffice." Tobias continued to smile at Adeline, but the silence dragged on awkwardly. "Could you tell us your name, please?" Elora's eyes widened for a moment, and in a whisper to Johann, she said, "Does he not know her name?" Johann replied, "It's quite normal, Adeline is from the common folk." Adeline placed her hand over her heart and said, "Adeline." Tobias couldn't hide his emotions. He was visibly moved. "Nice to meet you, Adeline. Your name sounds lovely." Adeline nodded in reference as a thank you. Tobias spoke again. "As for my brother, I regret to inform you that his condition is not good." Adeline asked, "Can we see him?" Tobias nodded and continued, "I can take you to him, but he is being held in a cell. Adeline, putting aside any hopes, said, "We still wish to see him." Tobias silently moved to the side and gestured toward the door. "Please, we can't refuse you." As Adeline walked toward Tobias, the others followed behind.
The long, majestic corridor left Adeline so mesmerized that she couldn't take her eyes off it. Walking slowly alongside Tobias, Johann and Elora followed behind them. Tobias kept stealing glances at Adeline's face, his admiration so obvious that Johann immediately noticed it. Johann couldn't suppress the grin that formed on his face as they walked. When they reached the stairs, Tobias gestured. "This way." They continued down the stairs in the same formation. As the atmosphere grew darker, Elora began to tense up. Johann, seeing Elora's anxiety, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, giving her a wink and a smile. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they stood at the end of a long, eerie corridor, staring at the frightening cell. Adeline swallowed and straightened her gaze, taking a step forward. In their usual formation, they reached the front of the cell. As she placed her hand on the lock, she closed her eyes for a brief moment and stopped. Tobias turned around and said, "Adeline, if it's okay with them, your friends can wait here. It would be better if you came alone." Adeline hesitated, turning to her friends. With Johann's approval, she closed her eyes and nodded to Tobias. Tobias raised his hand and gently took Adeline's hand. He opened the door and they entered the dark cell. As they walked in, Adeline wrinkled her face for a moment. The atmosphere was heavy. The dark energy filled the space. Someone with a sacred soul connected to light shouldn't be in a cell so suffused with darkness. Before her stood a man, his arms bound, his body covered in blood and bruises. It was Erhard von Hohenberg... Hanging by his wrists, he stood there, bleeding. The wounds on his body were still fresh. Adeline covered her mouth with her hand and looked at Erhard's face. His eyes were closed. "Why is he in this state?" she asked Tobias. "Ever since we discovered that his soul's essence is that of Ridas, the Dark Lord, my father has kept him here. I only just found out this morning," Tobias answered. Adeline continued speaking without taking her eyes off Erhard. "Is there no way to take him out?" Tobias replied, still looking at Erhard. "I am trying…" He looked at Adeline with warm, reassuring eyes. "I promise." Adeline took a step closer to Erhard. As she reached him, she began to inspect his wounds. The burn marks had healed, but there were fresh cuts. As his long, disheveled black hair fell across his face, Erhard's eyes met Adeline's. The moment he saw her open eyes, Adeline shivered for a moment but quickly composed herself. "I promise you, Lord Erhard, we will get you out." All they could see was his smile.
When the servant appeared, breathless at the door, Tobias signaled for him to wait. "Erhard, I must leave now. I will visit you again." Tobias pulled his hand from Erhard's shoulder and stood up. Adeline gazed at Erhard with a sad expression as she left the cell with the others.
The servant appeared breathless, his voice trembling with fear. He approached Tobias and whispered into his ear. What he said made Tobias's graceful face twist in horror. The others noticed his change in expression. After the servant left, Tobias pointed down the long corridor, though he couldn't maintain his composure. "This way." Though Adeline was curious, she remained silent and followed his lead.
When they reached the building's entrance, Adeline couldn't hold herself back and asked, "Forgive my curiosity, but what did the servant just tell you?" Tobias's face grew even more grim. "My brother... Erhard. A death sentence has been passed." None of them could hide their shock. As Adeline's eyes began to well up, she stared at the ground. Tobias tried to prevent her from crying.