When Serafina turned around, the pupils of her eyes flared into a vivid crimson, matching the color of her wings. An invisible barrier formed around her—no one could touch her. That red aura was not just the core of her power; it was a final declaration of her invincibility.
Seeing Serafina in that destructive form, Damian realized that such limitless power was too much for her human body to endure. Her body trembled under the heat, as if engulfed in flames. Damian knew that if this power was not controlled immediately, Serafina would burn herself to ashes.
The Calming Flow of Magic
Damian stretched out both his hands. From his fingertips emerged a cold, bluish-silver light. As he began to chant an incantation, that icy glow wrapped itself around Serafina's blazing red aura from all sides. Slowly, the fierce heat of the fire began to subside.
Union of Power:
At Damian's magical touch, Serafina's fiery wings gradually turned translucent and dissolved into the air.
Silence:
The roaring of the cavern ceased, and a profound stillness descended.
Serafina's Collapse and Damian's Transformation
Exhausted by the massive clash of power, Serafina lost consciousness. As her body began to fall toward the ground, Damian rushed forward and caught her in his arms.
At that very moment, Damian's own transformations began to fade:
The supernatural glow in his eyes dimmed, returning to their normal gray.
The black mist and magical aura surrounding his body vanished.
He became an ordinary man once more—one whose eyes now held nothing but deep concern for Serafina.
The Final Scene
Damian lifted Serafina into his arms. Her face was pale, but her breathing was steady. The fiery red aura was gone, leaving behind a calm, quiet atmosphere.
In a low voice, Damian whispered,
"Everything will be fine, Serafina. I won't lose you again."
As Damian walked down the corridor carrying the unconscious Serafina, a strange sight unfolded. The maids and bodyguards who had been trembling in fear moments ago were now exchanging peculiar smiles. Instead of terror, there was a twisted sense of amusement in their eyes.
The Mysterious Smiles
As Damian passed through the corridor, he noticed the maids covering their mouths as they laughed, and the bodyguards whispering among themselves with mocking grins. Their behavior filled Damian with fury. He stopped abruptly.
Damian's Roar
In a cold, commanding voice, Damian asked,
"Why are you laughing?"
The authority in his tone plunged the corridor into instant silence. But one bodyguard gathered the courage to speak in a scornful voice,
"My lord, are you truly wasting your power on this cursed girl? A woman who grows wings of fire is nothing but a witch! Seeing you carry her in your arms—it's laughable."
Damian's Ruthless Reply
Damian tightened his hold on Serafina. His gaze sharpened, and in a calm yet bone-chilling voice, he said:
"The one you call a witch—when she spread her wings, your faces turned pale with fear. Now that she is calm, you dare to laugh? Remember this: even a single spark from her flames would have been enough to turn you all to ash. And I carry her because she is mine. The laughter of cowards like you only sharpens the edge of my sword."
The smiles vanished instantly from the faces of the maids and guards. They understood—though Damian had returned to his human form, the lion within him was still very much awake. Lowering their heads, they quickly retreated.
The Secret Chamber
Damian carried Serafina into the most secure and secret chamber of his palace—a place no one but him was allowed to enter. The room glowed with an eerie, magical light, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of sandalwood.
He gently laid Serafina down on the velvet-soft bed. Though her wings had vanished, her body temperature was still slightly higher than normal.
A Romantic Moment
Sitting beside the bed, Damian gazed silently at Serafina's pale face. Moments ago, she had been a symbol of destruction with wings of fire—now she looked so peaceful, so vulnerable.
A Tender Touch:
With trembling fingers, Damian brushed a stray lock of hair away from her forehead. His touch was filled with quiet affection.
Damian's Vow:
In a whisper, he murmured,
"You don't know, Serafina, how lonely this power makes you. But as long as I'm here, no one will ever touch you—not the world outside, and not the fire within you."
A New Turn of Mystery
Suddenly, Damian noticed a small golden locket near Serafina's neck pulsing with light. It glowed and faded just like her fiery wings had. The moment he touched it, a sharp electric jolt coursed through his body.
He realized:
The source of Serafina's power was not only within her—it was deeply connected to this locket.
Someone was trying to control Serafina from afar through it.
Damian looked out the window. The moon in the sky was blood-red. He knew the danger was far from over—the true battle was only beginning.
When Serafina Awoke
When Serafina regained consciousness, soft dawn light was filtering through the window. Damian was still seated beside the bed, his eyes heavy with exhaustion and worry from the sleepless night.
Serafina slowly opened her eyes—but the familiar playfulness, the deep love she once held for Damian, seemed to be gone. Her gaze was empty.
A Painful Moment
As she tried to sit up, Damian reached out to help her. But Serafina recoiled in fear.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Why am I here? And why are you touching me?"
Damian's hand froze midair. His heart shattered. The woman he loved most no longer recognized him.
The Veil of Memory
Calmly, Damian said,
"Serafina, it's me—Damian. Don't you remember anything? What happened last night… your wings…"
Serafina clutched her head, writhing in pain.
"No! I don't know anything! Wings? What wings? I know my name is Serafina, but who are you? Why are you keeping me here?"
Damian understood—the overwhelming surge of power had placed immense strain on her mind. Either her memories were buried, or that mysterious locket had stolen them away.
Silently, he vowed:
"Even if you've forgotten me, I'll make you fall in love with me all over again."
Standing up, he said in his regal tone,
"Don't be afraid. I'm not your enemy. You were ill. Rest now—I'll arrange some food for you."
He left the room without looking back, unwilling to let her see his tears.
The Maid's Deceit
Not long after Damian left, a maid entered the room—the same one who had mocked them earlier. She carried a bowl of hot soup and some fruit.
Seeing Serafina's confusion, the maid smiled inwardly. This was her chance.
With false sympathy, she said,
"Oh dear… you've forgotten everything? Did our great lord Damian tell you why he's keeping you locked here?"
"Locked?" Serafina whispered. "He said I was sick."
Lowering her voice, the maid replied,
"Sick? No, my dear. You're his prisoner. He fears your strange powers, so he keeps you locked away in this magical room. There are many people outside waiting for you—but Damian won't let anyone near."
Seeds of doubt took root in Serafina's heart.
The Truth on the Walls
As Serafina moved deeper into the room, she froze in astonishment.
One entire wall was covered with paintings.
Every single one of them was of her.
In some she was smiling, in others standing beside forest streams, or sleeping peacefully. Each painting was crafted with such devotion that it was clear—the artist loved her deeply.
In one corner, a large canvas lay half-covered. When she pulled the cloth away, her cheeks flushed crimson. It depicted an intimate moment—Damian gently kissing her forehead.
Her heart trembled.
"Could a man who imprisons me paint me with such love?"
Standing before the mirror, she noticed the elegant dresses Damian had prepared for her—like garments for a queen.
Just then, a shadow appeared at the doorway.
Damian had returned.
The Truth Revealed
Damian asked softly,
"Do the paintings help you remember anything, Serafina?"
Suddenly, she burst into laughter—mischief dancing in her eyes.
"Oh please!" she laughed. "Did you really think I forgot you? I was just teasing!"
Damian stood frozen—then exhaled in immense relief.
She added angrily,
"And that stupid maid! She tried to poison my mind, saying you imprisoned me. How dare she!"
Damian's eyes darkened.
"So someone inside my palace is trying to turn you against me?"
Serafina rested her head on his shoulder.
"Forget her. But you—you painted all those pictures of me in secret?"
Smiling shyly, Damian replied,
"When you're not beside me, those paintings are what keep me alive."
Then he grew serious.
"But your wings… your power—can you control it?"
Serafina touched her glowing locket.
"The battle may have just begun. But with you beside me, I can face anything."
Her smile faded into quiet determination.
She looked into Damian's eyes
And the story moves forward…Serafina's smile faded completely. The playful glint in her eyes vanished, replaced by a sharp, wounded resolve. She pulled her hand away from Damian's grasp.
Her voice was calm—but edged with restrained fire.
"Damian… love does not mean hiding the truth."
Damian stiffened.
She took a step back, placing a hand over the glowing locket at her throat.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" she continued. "This locket is not just an ornament. Someone is watching me through it. Someone is pulling the strings."
Damian's jaw tightened.
"Yes," he admitted. "And that is exactly why I wanted to protect you."
Serafina laughed bitterly.
"Protection that turns into control is just another cage."
The air in the chamber shifted.
The locket pulsed brighter—once… twice…
A thin red line of light shot from it and spread across the walls like veins.
The Voice Beyond the Moon
A distorted voice echoed through the room—ancient, cold, and amused.
"Ah… so the flame still breathes."
Damian instantly stepped in front of Serafina, his body tensing.
"Show yourself," he commanded.
The voice chuckled.
"You cannot command me, mortal king.
She was mine long before she was yours."
Serafina clutched her head as fragments of memories exploded inside her mind wings of fire
blood-soaked rituals
a crimson moon
and a hand placing the locket around her neck
She screamed.
Damian caught her as her knees buckled.
The Truth Unsealed
Through clenched teeth, Serafina whispered,
"I remember now…"
She looked up at Damian, tears streaming down her face.
"I was chosen. Not by fate—by him.
This power was never a gift.
It was a leash."
The voice laughed again.
"When the blood moon rises fully, she will return to me.
Willingly… or burning."
The light vanished.
The room fell silent.
Damian's Oath of War
Damian held Serafina's face between his hands, his forehead resting against hers.
"Then I will break the leash," he said softly.
"I will tear down gods, demons, and destiny itself if I have to."
Serafina met his gaze—fear still there, but now something else burned brighter.
Trust.
"Then teach me," she said.
"Teach me to control the fire… before it controls me."
Outside, thunder rolled.
The blood moon climbed higher.
And somewhere far away, the true enemy smiled.The First Night of Training
That night, the palace did not sleep.
In the hidden chamber, candles burned with blue flames as Damian drew ancient sigils across the stone floor. Serafina stood barefoot at the center, the locket resting heavily against her chest.
"Do not fight the fire," Damian instructed.
"Fire grows wild when it's feared."
Serafina closed her eyes.
At first—nothing.
Then the heat returned.
A soft crimson glow crept along her veins, lighting her skin from within. Phantom wings shimmered behind her—no longer violent, but unstable.
She gasped.
"I can feel it… it's alive."
Damian stepped closer, placing his hand over her heart.
"Because it answers emotion," he said.
"And right now, you are afraid."
She looked up at him.
"Then don't leave," she whispered.
He didn't.
A Bond Forged in Flame
As Damian's magic flowed into her, the fire changed.
The red softened—blending with silver.
For the first time, the flames did not burn.
They listened.
Serafina's wings fully manifested—no longer monstrous, but majestic. Feathers of molten light folded gently behind her.
She laughed, breathless.
"I'm not losing myself…"
Damian smiled faintly.
"You never were."
But the locket pulsed again—angrier this time.
Cracks of light split across its surface.
The Betrayer Revealed
Far below the palace, in the servants' quarters, the same maid knelt before a mirror filled with black mist.
"My lord," she whispered. "She's awakening."
A figure formed within the glass—faceless, crowned with horns of shadow.
"Good," the entity replied.
"Delay them."
The maid smiled.
"Yes… Master."
The Poisoned Gift
The next morning, the maid returned—this time with a tray of herbs and tea.
"For Lady Serafina," she said sweetly.
"To help her rest."
Damian hesitated.
Serafina met his eyes—and shook her head slightly.
She took the cup anyway.
The moment the liquid touched her lips, the locket screamed.
Flames erupted.
The maid was thrown across the room, slamming into the wall.
Her disguise burned away—revealing sigils carved into her skin.
"She is not yours," the creature's voice echoed through her mouth.
Serafina Awakens
Serafina floated above the floor, eyes glowing—not red…
gold.
The wings spread wide.
"This ends now," she said—her voice layered with power.
The chains snapped.
The mirror shattered.
The connection broke.
Serafina collapsed—into Damian's arms.
Aftermath
Later, as dawn painted the sky pale silver, Serafina lay resting.
The locket was cracked—but not destroyed.
Damian stared at it grimly.
"He will come himself next time," he said.
Serafina opened her eyes, calm and resolute.
"Then let him," she replied.
"I'm no longer running."
Outside, the blood moon finally set.
But war had already chosen its queen.