The Crimson Blades fled for their lives, snatching up as many valuables as they could while escaping the caged beast. Their bodies ached, their armor barely holding together, but they pushed forward, making their way back to the city.

  Upon arriving at the guild hall, they stepped inside, drawing the attention of nearly everyone in the room. Conversations hushed as adventurers turned to stare, their expressions shifting from curiosity to mild shock.

  The four of them were in rough shape—armor missing in places, gashes and bruises marking their skin, and the twins' tops hanging by threads. Despite it all, they kept up forced smiles, moving straight to the reception desk.

  The receptionist’s eyes widened in alarm. “What on earth happened to you four?!” she asked, stamping the quest as completed but unable to hide her concern.

  Nova rubbed the back of her head, forcing a chuckle. “It... was a rough quest. The bandit leader felt like he used to be a royal knight or something. He was a tough one to beat.”

  “Nearly took our heads off...” Nebula muttered, sighing.

  Severus exhaled sharply. “If it wasn’t for Nova pulling those stalagmites down, I don’t think we would’ve won that fight.”

  The receptionist frowned, flipping through her notes. “That doesn’t sound right… The one who issued the quest said the bandits were barely above rookies—like you lot.”

  Nova scoffed, crossing her arms. “Whoever gave that report needs to get their eyes checked, because those guys were no damn rookies.”

  She paused, her tone growing serious. “And that wasn’t the worst part. We found something else in their hideout.”

  “What do you mean? There were no reports of prisoners being held by them, so what else did you find?” The receptionist asked, already scribbling notes.

  Nebula turned to Everah. “What did you call that thing again?”

  Everah hesitated for a moment before muttering, “An Umbrawolf.”

  The receptionist blinked. “A... what?”

  Everah sighed and spoke louder. “An Umbrawolf. You know, one of those beasts that can level entire cities on its own?”

  The receptionist froze, her quill hovering mid-air. “...And you made it back alive?” Her voice was laced with concern—borderline disbelief.

  Nova crossed her arms. “She told me she had no interest in hunting us. Apparently, the only reason she was even there in the first place was because she was… bored.”

  The receptionist's lips parted slightly, struggling to process that statement. “You… you realize how hard that is to believe, right?”

  “We know,” Severus said firmly. “But we swear by the gods, we’re telling the truth. There’s an Umbrawolf out there, roaming freely.”

  The receptionist exhaled slowly, rubbing her temples. “I’ll have to inform the guildmaster about this immediately. If what you’re saying is true, we need to prepare ourselves—or at least keep track of its whereabouts.” She shook her head, sighing. “For now, here’s your reward. You four need to get some rest… and some new gear.”

  The four of them agreed and headed back to the inn they had been staying at, deciding to take a couple of days to rest and relax. They had been taking on back-to-back quests for a while now, and the exhaustion was starting to set in.

  After settling in, Nova and Nebula ventured out to a nearby clearing in the forest.

  "Alright, I’ve been meaning to try summoning something ever since Sarah showed us summoning magic," Nebula said, stretching her arms.

  Nova giggled. "It’s kind of hilarious that we were so excited about it, and now we’re just getting to it."

  "I know, right?" Nebula smirked before setting her bag down and rummaging through it. "You got the book with the ritual summoning?"

  Nova nodded. "Yeah. So first, it says to draw the arcane sigils in bone dust, set five lit candles in a star shape, and then repeat the Invocation after offering something. Once the summoning terms are agreed upon, both summoner and familiar must speak the Oath of Accord."

  Nebula took the book from her sister. "Alright, hand it over, and I’ll get started."

  Nova watched as Nebula carefully drew the sigils, set up the candles, and began reading the Invocation aloud.

  "Let the veils part and the realms tremble,

  By fire, by shadow, by whispered name.

  I call thee forth, from the void beyond,

  To heed my will and stand in my stead."

  As she spoke, Nebula held out her hand, using magic to cut her palm, offering a few drops of blood to the glowing sigil. She then poured a portion of her mana into the summoning circle.

  The air carried the crisp scent of summer grass and sunlit earth. As the final words left her lips, the wind shifted—not with an ominous chill, but with a playful swirl, tossing dust and petals into the air like a child’s laughter.

  A flicker of gold sparked within the circle—small, no bigger than a candle’s flame. It wavered, then flared brighter, expanding outward in a spiraling burst of warm light.

  From its center, a tiny figure tumbled forward, landing ungracefully in a puff of golden embers.

  The creature—a fox small enough to fit in cupped hands—shook itself off, sending harmless sparks flickering from its bright orange fur. Two fluffy tails wavered behind her, their tips crackling softly like glowing embers. She blinked up at Nebula with wide, amber eyes, her nose twitching with curiosity.

  Then, without hesitation, she pounced—landing in Nebula’s arms, her tails flicking excitedly.

  Nebula took a second to process what had just happened, then smiled warmly.

  "Are you willing to form a contract with me?" she asked softly.

  The fox gave a small nod, her tails curling around Nebula’s wrist.

  Together, they recited the Oath of Accord to seal the bond:

  "By the warmth of the sun and the flicker of flame,

  I call upon the ember that dances free.

  Not as master, nor as ruler,

  But as friend, as kindred, as family.

  With open hands and an honest heart,

  I promise to walk beside you,

  To share in light, in laughter, and in fire’s embrace.

  To protect, to trust, and to never let our flame fade.

  As your strength grows, so shall our bond,

  Together, we rise. Together, we burn bright."

  As the final words were spoken, the ritual sigil pulsed with golden light before fading into the ground, sealing the summoning contract between them.

  Nova clapped her hands in congratulations. "You did it! What’s her name?"

  Nebula grinned, looking down at the tiny fox in her arms. "She said her name is Solari.

  “That’s so adorable.” Nova smiled, walking over to her and giving Solari a small pat on the head. “Wonder what will appear when I try to summon something.”

  “Well, we still have some bone dust and candles so go ahead and give it a go.” Nebula smiled at her, handing her the book.

  Nova flipped through the summoning tome, skimming the ritual instructions. She knelt in the dirt, carefully drawing the sigils using a small pouch of bone dust, making sure each line was precise. The five candles were placed in a star formation, their flames flickering softly in the dimming light.

  She let a single drop of blood seep into the arcane markings, feeling the familiar pull of mana as the ritual activated.

  She inhaled, steadying herself, and began the Invocation.

  "Let the veils part and the realms tremble,

  By fire, by shadow, by whispered name.

  I call thee forth, from the void beyond,

  To heed my will and stand in my stead."

  The sigil pulsed faintly, a soft hum of magic thrumming through the air.

  Then, nothing.

  The glow of the sigil flickered… and died.

  The candles went out all at once, as if snuffed by an unseen force.

  The air in the clearing felt... off.

  Nova frowned. "Uh… what?"

  Nebula blinked. "Did you mess up?"

  Nova scowled. "No, I did everything right." She glanced down at the sigil, now looking completely inert, untouched. Like it had never even been activated.

  Her jaw tightened. “I’ll try again.”

  She cut her palm again, let the blood drip into the etched symbols, and repeated the Invocation.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Nothing.

  The sigil didn’t even attempt to glow. The candles remained unlit, the magic… gone.

  A strange unease settled in her gut.

  Nebula rubbed her chin. “Maybe you just suck at summoning?”

  Nova’s eye twitched. “I do not suck at summoning.”

  She could feel the magic responding at first, but then… It was like something had cut it off.

  Her fingers curled into fists. That didn’t make sense.

  Magic didn’t just stop like that.

  Did she miscalculate something? Was she too drained from earlier fights? No, that wouldn’t explain why it activated at first but then vanished.

  Nebula watched her for a moment, then shrugged. "Well… sucks to suck, I guess. Maybe summoning just isn’t your thing."

  Nova exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through her hair. "Maybe I’m just tired. I’ll try again tomorrow."

  She had no way of knowing that somewhere—hidden beyond her senses—something had been watching.

  Something that had no intention of letting her summon anything else.

  With anger still simmering in her chest, Nova stormed through the crowded streets of the city alongside Nebula. The sting of her earlier failure still clung to her, but she refused to dwell on it—not when they had things to do. They had planned to spend the rest of the evening stocking up on supplies, checking out new equipment, and grabbing food rations before calling it a night.

  They’d planned to stock up on supplies—new equipment, food rations, anything they needed before setting out on their next job.

  But their plans were cut short.

  Nebula stiffened, subtly nudging Nova’s shoulder.

  “Look over there.”

  Nova followed her gaze toward a narrow alleyway wedged between two buildings. At first, it looked like nothing—just another shadowed space in the maze of city streets. But when she focused, she saw them.

  A group of thugs.

  Three men loomed over a young woman, cornering her against the wall. She clutched a worn leather bag, her hands trembling.

  “Please,” the woman begged, “I don’t have anything else—”

  One of the men snatched the bag from her grasp, rifling through it as he sneered. “Oh, I think you do.”

  Nova’s blood boiled.

  Without thinking, she marched toward them.

  "Hey! Leave her alone!" she snapped.

  “Yeah, unless you’re looking to get your asses kicked,” Nebula added, stepping up beside her.

  The thugs turned, their expressions shifting slightly when they noticed the twins. Their eyes flicked over them—unarmed, unarmored, but standing tall.

  Nova expected hesitation.

  She didn’t get it.

  Instead, the man holding the bag smirked, exchanging a glance with his companions.

  "Hah. You two lost or something?"

  His voice was too casual.

  Too amused.

  A prickle of unease crept up Nova’s spine.

  The woman they’d been trying to help turned toward them, her teary expression vanishing in an instant—replaced with a slow, wicked smile.

  Something cold settled in Nova’s gut.

  This was wrong.

  “What the—”

  A sharp whistle rang out.

  Before either sister could react, a sudden grip clamped around Nova’s arms, yanking them roughly behind her back. She barely had time to thrash in protest before she felt something pressed against her mouth and nose.

  A cloth.

  Sickly sweet. Cloying.

  Shit.

  She held her breath, twisting violently, trying to ignite a burst of fire, but her vision was already swimming.

  Beside her, Nebula let out a furious, muffled shout, struggling against her own captor.

  Nova’s heart pounded. Too fast. Too unsteady.

  She couldn’t breathe—

  Through the haze, she caught one last glimpse of the woman—watching with a smirk, arms crossed, completely at ease.

  This wasn’t a robbery.

  It was a setup.

  And Nova had walked right into it.

  Her limbs went weak.

  Her thoughts blurred.

  The last thing she heard before darkness dragged her under was Nebula cursing, still fighting—then silence.

  When the two finally opened their eyes, the cold, damp air of the dungeon pressed against their skin. Their arms were bound tightly to a thick wooden pole, heavy iron chains clamping around their wrists and ankles. The walls were rough-hewn stone, the air thick with the scent of mildew, sweat, and something else—something foul.

  Nova and Nebula instinctively pulled at their bindings, testing for any weakness, but the chains held firm, digging into their skin.

  Then they tried to summon their magic—only for a strange glow to pulse from the metal cuffs locked around their wrists.

  A dull, draining sensation spread through them as their mana was snuffed out entirely.

  The sisters' eyes snapped to each other.

  “What in the hell?” Nebula muttered, still shaking off her grogginess.

  Nova clenched her jaw. “I don’t know, but I can’t use magic. What about you?”

  “Nothing.” Nebula huffed, frustration flashing across her face. “I’m gonna state the obvious, but I think we’ve been kidnapped.”

  Nova scoffed. “No shit.” She gave the chains another rough yank, but they barely rattled. “And considering these things can hold against our strength, I’d say this was planned.”

  “Couldn’t fool me,” Nebula deadpanned. “If the chains aren’t budging and magic isn’t an option, we should save our strength for when we get an opening.”

  Nova exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders against the pole. “Agreed. We wait.”

  And so they did.

  Hours seem to have passed.

  Their ears twitched at the sound of approaching footsteps, the distant click of boots against stone.

  Then came voices, their heightened senses picking up the conversation before the figures even stepped into view.

  “It’s about time you got them. What took so long?” A smooth yet irritated voice questioned.

  “Time and preparation. You have them now, don’t you? That’s what matters.” A second voice, rougher, less patient. “We want our payment.”

  The first man sighed—the kind of sigh that practically came with an eye-roll. “Yes, yes. You know where the safe is. Take what’s inside and we’ll call it even.”

  A pause.

  “If it’s not enough, you know I’ll still come for the rest,” the second voice warned. “Wolf-kin are rare commodities. Best not let the public see them in your… bed chambers.”

  The first man chuckled as he stepped into view.

  Lucas.

  His long, golden hair was neatly combed back, not a strand out of place, as if he hadn’t a single care in the world. His face was sharp and elegant, his jawline clean, his pale blue eyes gleaming with cold amusement.

  He was tall, his frame draped in dark navy silks, a crimson sash tied at his waist, and a gloved hand idly resting on the hilt of a slender rapier. The air around him practically oozed authority, yet there was something unsettling in the way he carried himself—like a man who had never heard the word ‘no’ in his life.

  His lips curled into a smirk as he surveyed the sisters, as if they were expensive artwork displayed for his personal amusement.

  “Then I suppose I’ll just have to bring my comforts down here for a while.” His voice was silken, laced with amusement—but beneath it, there was something else. Something vile.

  Nebula’s ears flattened, her lips curling in disgust. “Go to hell.”

  Lucas merely chuckled at that, unbothered.

  The second man, the one wearing a hood and mask, turned toward him. “I checked them, as requested. Their hymens are intact. That will require an additional payment.”

  Lucas let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “If all you’re going to do is whine about payment, then just go grab it already. And if it’s not enough, have my head butler cover the rest. Gods, must I do everything myself?”

  The masked man rolled his eyes. “Right then.” Without another word, he turned and strode out, leaving the three of them alone.

  As the heavy door clanked shut, Lucas turned his attention back to the twins, his lips curling into a slow, predatory smile. He rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming with sick amusement.

  “Now then, how about we get comfortable before the fun begins?”

  Nova’s stomach churned, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she glared, her voice dripping with venom as she spat at him. “Don’t come near us, you disgusting creep.”

  Lucas barely flinched as the spit landed just shy of his boot. If anything, the challenge in her voice only amused him further.

  “Oh, don’t you worry,” he chuckled, “they all say the same thing at first.” He took a slow step forward, his icy blue gaze drinking them in. “A few days of resistance, some stubborn glares, maybe even a few threats… but in the end?” He smirked, tilting his head slightly. “They always break. They always beg. And then they can’t get enough of me.”

  Nebula jerked at her restraints, her sharp teeth bared in fury. “The only thing I’ll beg for is your throat in my teeth, you sick bastard.”

  Lucas simply sighed, shaking his head as if scolding an unruly pet. “You wolf-kin do love to fight. That’s what makes taming you all the more satisfying.”

  His gloved fingers trailed lazily over the hilt of his rapier, his confidence unshaken, his posture relaxed—because in his mind, he had already won.

  “Struggle all you want,” he mused, his smirk widening. “You’re at my mercy until I decide otherwise.”

  Lucas grinned, watching them struggle before finally stepping away.

  With a snap of his fingers, the door swung open, and a pair of silent, well-dressed butlers entered, carrying an elegantly carved bedframe draped in dark crimson sheets. The contrast between the luxurious bedding and the damp, filth-ridden dungeon only made the whole scene more grotesque.

  The air grew heavier as the men set up the bed, placing it in the center of the room as if it belonged in a noble’s chamber rather than a stone-walled prison. The moment their task was finished, they exited as silently as they had come.

  Then Lucas returned.

  He had shed his usual lavish coat, now wearing only a robe, its silk barely fastened at his waist. His blonde hair gleamed in the dim torchlight, his icy blue eyes glittering with cruel amusement as he stepped toward them.

  “Now, let's get these clothes off, shall we?” He slowly ran his hands over Nova's legs before beginning to remove her pants and underwear, despite her attempts to kick him away.

  Next, he removed her shirt and bra, then moved on to Nebula, stripping her bare as well. Standing back to admire his captives, he could see the anger burning in their eyes.

  “Now, who should I have first? Let's flip a coin.” He took out a coin and tossed it into the air. “Heads, you. Tails, you.”

  He looked from Nebula to Nova. The coin landed on heads, and he turned to Nebula.

  “No way, just start with me,” Nova growled.

  “What's the point in going first, little lass? She's going to get it just the same,” Lucas retorted, grinning.

  “Yeah, well, the longer you stay away from her, the better you—” Nova was interrupted by a sharp slap to the face.

  "You'll speak only when addressed," Lucas sneered, "but since you're so eager to talk, I guess I'll have my way with you first." With a grin, he parted her legs.

  "You vile bastard, once we escape, I'll have your head!" Nova's face flushed with anger and humiliation.

  "Don't worry, I'll make sure that doesn't happen," he smirked at her.

  Before anything more could occur, an unfamiliar soft sigh echoed in the room. Lucas, bewildered, scanned his surroundings. There was nothing, just them in the room. Confused, he backed away from the girls and picked up a weapon nearby. "Who's there?" Lucas demanded. Silence followed, as if they had all sensed a ghost or something.

  "Must've been the wind..." Lucas muttered as he cautiously set the weapon down and returned to the girls.

  Upon reaching them, Lucas found the twins completely unconscious. His brow furrowed, irritation flickering across his face.

  “What the hell?” he muttered.

  Then—

  A voice.

  It didn’t shout. It didn’t snarl. It simply spoke, low and venomous, slithering into the air like a whispered death sentence.

  “Your fun ends here.”

  The room itself seemed to recoil, the very walls pressing in, suffocating, as if even the dungeon feared what had just entered.

  “I guess I have to step in after all.”

  It was the absence of sound that followed—no footsteps, no rustle of movement. Just silence.

  Lucas turned sharply, his heart hammering against his ribs. Nothing. No source. No shadow. Nothing.

  Then—he felt it.

  A cold caress against his throat, a sensation so light it could have been a breeze.

  But it wasn’t.

  His world collapsed into nothingness—not darkness, not even pain. Just a sheer, devouring emptiness.

  By the time his head hit the floor, his body had yet to realize it was dead.