Ivanka fainted, and Asma’s tension began to rise gradually. Her throat and lips grew dry, sweat trickled down her forehead and cheeks…
She struggled to gather her scattered thoughts, forcing herself to take the initiative. She moved toward the mirror, but when she saw it remain still once more, she ignored its mysterious riddle entirely and turned her gaze back to Ivanka. With a sigh, she removed her veil, wrapped it securely around Ivanka’s body, tying her to her back. Gripping Ivanka’s legs tightly, she began to walk in the opposite direction of the corridor, determined to reach the window again.

The moment Asma moved away from the mirror, her glowing reflection vanished… and darkness spread once more.
Desperate, she tried to find the window, or any way out… any way at all… even if it meant calling upon Shadow!
She waved the inheritance pendant in the air when escape became impossible and chanted, “By Shadow’s Trust! … By… Shadow’s Trust!”

Asma collapsed to the floor in a pitiful state, on the brink of losing her last strength. Just as she fell, Shadow suddenly appeared, mounted upon the griffin beside her. He lifted Asma and Ivanka, placing them on the griffin’s back. Soon Asma found herself surrounded by clouds in the open sky, breathing freely once again. As consciousness returned, she cried out:
“Ivanka! Ivanka! Wake up!”

Shadow let out a muffled laugh. Asma glared at him furiously.

“How can you laugh? Ivanka is not well! What is your heart made of?”

“Calm down! Is this how you thank the one who saved you?”

“Saved me?! It was my desperate attempt to call you inside… Maybe it was just your curiosity that drove you to enter and check. I had hoped you wouldn’t succeed in coming in… and that you’d be harmed like the griffin!”

Shadow paused briefly, then broke the silence mockingly:

“Ah yes… thank you for your stupid invitation!”

          He laughed wickedly—so unbefitting of his dignity.
                Asma stared at him, stunned and flustered.

“You’re suspicious!”

“Suspicious?”

“Yes! And insane!”

“…My queen insults me? Such indecency requires punishment.”

Asma’s eyes trembled, yet she did not avert her gaze. Instead of turning away, she glared back at him with fiery defiance!

His shameless laughter grew louder, making her heart quiver in fear. But even as her heartbeat quickened, she did not retreat, nor did she let her fear show.
She reached out to touch Ivanka’s head, and Shadow chuckled darkly:

“Ivanka is awake, you fool!”

Asma spun around quickly to Ivanka—only to find her peeking with one eye open, pretending to be unconscious in the king’s presence.

Asma scoffed at her:

“Since when have you been awake?”

“Forgive me, my lady!” Ivanka cried out, almost in tears.

The entire ride back, Ivanka hung her head in shame, trembling in fear of the king. Shadow, however, showed no interest in her presence. He led them to the main throne hall, where Prince Ivan awaited.

As soon as they arrived, Ivan bowed respectfully:

“My King! How was your journey?” he asked with a warm smile.

“Troublesome,” Shadow replied with chilling coldness.

“The griffin is in good condition!” Ivan added quickly.

Shadow sat upon the throne, absently stroking the griffin beside him, which soon drifted to sleep.
Asma was exhausted, and so was Ivanka, whose face betrayed disappointment and frustration as her eyes lingered on Ivan.
Ivan caught her glance from the corner of his eye, then returned his attention to Shadow.

“Lady Asma,” Shadow spoke, his voice now soft and solemn, “I ask that you never approach the tower again.”

Asma straightened her posture, lifting her chin with dignity as she replied in her most refined tone:

“My King! I do not know what dangers you conceal within that tower, but I trust it serves the greater good. I only wish to know… how did you and the griffin enter?”

Listening with care, Shadow answered after nodding slightly:

“You invited me there. Do not you remember?”

“Yes, but how could you know? The distance between us was immense. I am certain—”

“My senses,” he interrupted, “my senses alone allow me to hear anything across vast distances.”

“And the griffin?”

“Ah, that… Once the pendant’s owner enters, they may invite whomever they choose inside. It is a permanent authorization. That means I may now enter whenever I please. As for the griffin—it is your companion. It can accompany you without invitation.”

“You can enter whenever you want?”
Shadow smirked slyly:

“Indeed. Thank you for the invitation. You may leave now…” he gestured toward the door.

Asma didn’t argue much and walked toward the exit, worry etched across her face.
Once she had left, Shadow turned his piercing, sinister gaze upon Ivanka:

                           “You obey only your master. That is the only reason I will spare you this time…”

Ivan interjected, raising his voice:

                                   “My King! Leave her be! I am the one who dragged her into this mess…”

                       Ivanka tensed even more, but remained silent.
             Ivan continued:

“My King! I devised the plan! I stole the pendant from your chamber… because it is the rightful inheritance of the queen! Alethea’s Tower won’t benefit Asma alone—it will benefit us all!”

Shadow’s eyes darkened with reproach as he glared at Ivan:

“You are rushing us toward destruction! Once the queen realizes she is the last surviving light fairy… she will bring ruin upon Norton! Just as she did upon the people of Getophos!”

“My King! Asma would never do that! She won’t kill our people over some ancient feud. And besides, she has no army… no followers.”

“And yet you aid her all the same, do not you?”

“...My King, I want to end this enmity! Please! She is the only one left of her kind. And if we provoke her, she could call upon Prince Alistair—the sole wielder of Agartha’s Light! We cannot stand against him. He could annihilate Norton in the blink of an eye!”

“And do you think Alistair does not already know of her existence? What do you suppose? I was entrusted with protecting the people of darkness—even if it means killing her, and freeing myself from the chains of servitude so that the power of Agartha’s Darkness may stabilize once more.”

          Ivan shouted in fury:

“She is your wife, Shadow!”

         Shadow sighed and slowly closed his eyes.
        Ivan’s rage softened into sorrow.

“She doesn’t even know of the marriage that was destined since her childhood… but you know. She has been your bride since then.”

Shadow chuckled lightly:

“How could I be drawn to a child? That is not my way…”

“She is a woman now.”

“And what of it? She is not my type,” he answered mockingly.

“Perhaps you should try again! She truly is remarkable… And besides, how can you be certain of your freedom if she dies? Perhaps that would not release you, and you would lose the master of your contract forever!”

Shadow tilted his head, resting it against his hand. Ivan realized Shadow might actually be reconsidering his plan. He pressed on:

“There is still time to undo your mistake in trying to kill her. All you must do is apologize, and—”

Shadow burst into harsh, wicked laughter:

“I deceived her into walking like a beggar into a road full of cars, nearly to her death… I risked the lives of those dearest to me, binding them with a foolish contract so they could never reveal the truth to her. And now you tell me to welcome my enemy with open arms? Enough, Ivan. That is a terrible joke!”

“Asma is not an enemy!”

“And you are no different! Perhaps this is not truly a war of enemies… Perhaps it is a war of friends. And only the one with the stronger logic shall prevail.”

“So… no turning back, my friend?”
Shadow answered with a cold smile, his blue eyes gleaming cruelly in the dark:

“No! … No turning back. Let us kill each other, that Norton may live on in glory!”

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