That night in the forest was not like any other night. There was a strange heaviness in the air, as if the atmosphere itself was holding its breath, waiting for some impending disaster. The shadows of the trees had lengthened unnaturally, and a slight tremor could be felt from within the earth. Seraph held Elena's hand tightly, but his own fingers had gone cold. He had realized that the moment he had been afraid of had arrived.
Suddenly the earth began to crack. Black and golden light emerged from under the soil at the same time, and in the next moment the earth was filled with snakes. Black snakes, whose eyes shone in a poisonous green light, and golden snakes, whose bodies shone like the sun, were crawling around each other, entwined. A terrible rustling spread across the ground, a sound that went straight to the heart. Elena's very soul trembled. Her steps froze there, her breath caught in her chest. She had never seen such a scene in her life.
Elena looked at the Seraph with trembling eyes. For so many days she had been with him, under his love, under his protection, but today for the first time she realized how dangerous the world she was living in was. A single thought was running through her mind: what if the Seraph was not really who he seemed? Her fear multiplied when she saw the ground covered in snakes. Her heart began to beat violently, as if it would burst out of her ribs.
At that moment, the air split. From the clouds of black smoke, the Seraph Prince, Xyran Novar, appeared. His body was wounded, but the hatred burning in his eyes was alive. Behind him, thousands of black snakes stood with their heads raised, as if waiting for his command. His voice echoed, deep and terrifying, "Finally… this refuge of love has also been found."
A scream escaped Elena's lips involuntarily. She hid behind the Seraph, but her legs were trembling. He felt as if his fear was reaching the snakes. Seraph followed him, but his heart began to break. He knew that today was the day when he would have to show Elena the truth, and what he feared most was that she would see him for who he really was and lose him.
The atmosphere changed once again with the Serpent Prince. Zareen appeared between the streaks of red light. Her hair was scattered in the air, her eyes were burning with madness and jealousy. When she saw Elena, a poisonous smile came to her lips. "So this is the person you sacrificed everything for, Seraph?" There was venom in her voice.
Elena's heart sank. She realized that this woman was not just an enemy, but someone who had once held a place in Seraph's heart. His fear was no longer just of snakes, but of losing him as well.
Then, suddenly, a golden light tore through the darkness. A circle formed on the ground, and from the center of it appeared the same old wizard that Seraph had seen before. His beard shone like silver, and golden snakes circled around him like guards. His presence eased the tremors of the earth, but the fear did not disappear. "Today, this battle is not just about power, but also about truth," he said in a resounding voice.
The Serpent Prince growled and ordered his snakes. The black snakes attacked together, the earth becoming a living sea. Seraph held Elena tightly, and at that moment, blue and golden light began to envelop his body. His eyes sparkled. His true form slowly began to emerge—he was not just a human, but the heir to ancient magic.
Seeing this scene, a wave of intense fear surged through Elena's heart. She had never seen Seraph in this state. His being was full of power, but there was also a horror in that power. For a moment, it occurred to him that perhaps he was not part of this world. His lips trembled, tears welled up in his eyes. "Seraph…?" His voice broke. Seraph turned back and looked at her. His eyes held the same love that had always been there, but now there was pain with it. "I am the same, Elena," he said, "but today you are seeing my true nature."
The battle erupted. The golden and black snakes clashed. The ground began to echo with flames and magic. Zarin cast dark spells, circles of fire formed in the air, while the old wizard created walls of golden light. Seraph turned his power towards the Serpent Prince, but his attention kept returning to Elena. He was afraid every moment that he might abandon her after seeing all this.
Elena knelt on the ground. There was rustling, screaming, and the echo of magic in her ears. Her heart wanted to close its eyes, but she couldn't help but look at the Seraph. She saw how he was risking his life to save her. In that moment, she realised that her love was greater than fear.
As the Seraph struck for the last time, the Seraph gathered all her strength. The ground shook, the light cracked, and the black snakes shrieked back. Zarin's scream echoed in the darkness, and the Seraph fell back, wounded.
In the midst of it all, Elena stood. Her fear was still there, but more than that, her heart was filled with faith. She took a step toward the Seraph, trembling, but not stopping. The Seraph took her in his arms. In that moment, even in the noise of battle, their hearts were locked in a single beat.
This night was the greatest test of their love—and it wasn't over yet.
The noise of the battle had not yet stopped when another change was felt in the atmosphere. The powers hidden under the earth had awakened, and the clouds in the sky were clashing with each other as if two worlds were at war with each other. Elena was still in Seraph's arms, her heart was beating fast, but her eyes were now filled with fear as well as wonder. She was seeing it all, that power, that light, that form… and she was realising that today Seraph was standing in front of her not for the first time, but for the second time, with his true being.
Blue, golden and black light were circulating around Seraph's body at the same time. His eyes were no longer just human eyes; they had the depth of ancient magic in them, the same depth that had witnessed centuries of wars and sacrifices. A shadow emerged behind him, as if another being was awakening within him. Elena's lips trembled. He called out the Seraph's name fearfully, but this time there was not only fear in his voice, but also a shattering conviction. He was afraid that this truth would drive him away from the Seraph.
At that moment, the old wizard took a step forward. His golden staff hit the ground, and the golden snakes standing around him suddenly raised their heads and began to form a circle. Those snakes were not ordinary; they were guardians, from an ancient era, whom only a wizard could summon who had divine permission. The old wizard said in a deep voice, "Now is the time to stop hiding the truth."
He turned to Elena, and there was a strange softness in his eyes. "Daughter, the person you love is not just a human. The Seraph is from the lineage of the ancient guardians, those guardians who stood as a wall between humans and darkness. His true form is the source of his power, but he kept it hidden because he knew that this form could distance him from you."
Tears welled up in Elena's eyes. She remembered how Seraph always restrained himself, how he would sometimes suddenly become silent, as if controlling a storm within him.
The old wizard spoke again, "Who am I? I am the last golden guardian. The one who swore to protect Seraph when he was born. I was sent here by someone… by fate. Because if I hadn't come today, this war would have left only destruction."
Hearing this, the serpent prince Zairan Novara attacked with a growl. A wall of black snakes rushed towards Seraph, and Zairan cast dark spells together. The air screamed. Seraph struck with all his might, but at that moment, a dark energy emerged from Zairan and moved towards Elena.
Everything happened in an instant. Elena called out to Seraph, but her voice was drowned out by the noise. The energy hit her chest. A bright light flashed… and then silence.
Elena fell to the ground.
For Seraph, that moment was the end of time. He saw Elena fall, her body still, her eyes half closed, and her name on his lips. A scream, not human, came from Seraph. It was a scream of madness, a scream of pain and love.
Seraph knelt beside him. "Elena… no…" His voice was broken. He placed his hand on his heart, but the beating had slowed. At that moment, something inside Seraph broke. There was no longer light in his eyes, only fire.
He rose. Slowly, but the ground began to crack under his feet. His madness had fully awakened. He began to kill his enemies one by one. Black snakes began to turn to ash in his hands, Zarin's spells reversed and returned to him. The old wizard and his golden snakes stood as shields beside Seraph, giving way to his power, so that he would not lose himself completely.
When the Serpent Prince and the Tsarina saw this scene, fear filled their hearts for the first time. They understood that if this battle continued, they would not survive. Both of them began to retreat, wounded, hiding in the darkness. Hatred and defeat were written on their faces, but they escaped and escaped. When the noise of the battle stopped, the Seraph returned to Elena. His hands were shaking. The old wizard approached and said softly, "Now you must tell the truth that is most important at this time."
He placed his hand on Elena's chest. A faint light emerged. "Elena is not dying," he said, "she is at a limit. And this is possible because there is a magical power within her herself."
The Seraph was shocked.
The old wizard explained, "Elena's soul was not empty. She was given the magical power of life as a child, unknowingly. This power was given to her by your mother, Seraph. She chose a child in the world of humans, so that one day she could complete your light. Elena's power is connected to love. She cannot die, as long as someone who truly loves her is calling her."
Seraph held Elena's trembling hand. "Elena… come back…"
"Elena… please…" Seraph's voice was trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks and falling onto Elena's face. "Come back… I can't breathe without you… I've been through everything, just come back…" Her voice was no longer a plea; it was a cry of a broken heart. She pressed her forehead to Elena's, as if her warmth would draw her back. "If you don't come, I'll lose myself too… Are you listening?"
At that moment, across the darkness, where the border between life and death was, Elena heard his voice. It felt as if someone was calling her in a soft light. When she opened her eyes, there was fog everywhere, silent, colourless. There was no pain in her heart, just a strange sadness. Then she heard Seraph's voice again, broken, shattered. Elena's soul trembled.
"Seraph…" Her voice was soft, but it held the same love that was in life. Seraph suddenly stopped breathing. She said tremblingly, "Elena?"
She whispered from the darkness, "Waiting for me…" There were no tears in her voice, but the pain of separation. "I promise… I will definitely come back… to you… just don't give up…"
Tears began to flow from Seraph's eyes. "No… don't say that… I want to take you with me right now… right now…"
Elena's voice began to fade slowly now. "It wasn't my time, but my path has changed from here… I'm dying, Seraph…" Her words were heartbreaking. "But this is not the end… it's just a break… you stay alive… remember me…"
A whisper like a last breath came, "I will come back… in another life… just for you…"
And then… silence. Elena's body went completely still in Seraph's arms. At that moment, something inside Seraph broke forever. She let out a painful scream, a scream that felt like it was tearing through the sky. He began to rock Elena to his chest, like a broken child. "No… no… you said you'd come back… You can't go like this…"
The old wizard slowly approached. There was moisture in his eyes, too, even though he had seen countless deaths over the centuries. He placed his hand on Seraph's shoulder. "Son…" His voice was heavy, but full of conviction. "She's not gone."
Seraph looked at him blankly.
"What Elena said was true. She will return. Her soul is bound to yours. Such souls do not perish; they travel. She will take another birth… just for you."
For the first time, a faint glint appeared in the seraph's eyes amidst the pain. "When?" he whispered.
"When the time is complete," the sorcerer said. "You must wait. This is the greatest test. Of love, of patience, and of loyalty."
The seraph placed a final kiss on Elena's forehead. Her tears were still flowing, but she looked up at the sky and said softly, "I will wait… even if it takes centuries… I will wait for you, Elena…"
And in the air, somewhere far away, as if a promise had lingered.
Thank you for reading. If this chapter touched your heart, please add the story to your library and continue this journey with me. Your support keeps this world alive. 🐍✨📖