The days stretched out in silence.
Roy no longer spoke, and Aria avoided his gaze. Van, usually so cheerful, felt the heavy weight hanging in the air. Even the birdsong seemed hesitant.
One night, Aria couldn't take it anymore.
Her heart pounded with unspoken words. She went to see her grandmother, her face trembling.
— Grandmother… I don't know what to do anymore. It hurts when I think of him, hurts when I try to forget. And this silence with Roy... I'm losing myself.
The old woman placed her wrinkled hand over hers.
— Listen to your heart, Aria. If it calls you… go where it's waiting.
That night, while the house slept, Aria stepped out into the mist. Her steps led her to the clearing, where shadow and wind whispered her name.
And there… he was there.
Wilfred.
Standing distant, as still as a statue. He saw her. His eyes opened, surprised… then he quickly looked away.
— Why… do you run away? she whispered.
— Leave, Aria. It's too dangerous.
— No! I don't understand what's happening to me… I think of you constantly, I feel your pain, your loneliness… Why do you refuse this bond between us?
He turned sharply, eyes blazing.
— Because I don't want to destroy you!
She didn't step back. She reached out her hand.
— Then don't leave me alone in this night…
But he shouted, broken:
— Leave!!
From the rooftop of the house, Van, who had followed her out of worry, saw the scene. Panic seized him. He jumped down and ran to wake Roy.
— Roy! Aria is with him! With the cursed king!
Roy jumped up, not even putting on his boots. His heart was pounding wildly. He rushed out.
Meanwhile, Van screamed through the village streets:
— The cursed king wants to take Aria! Quick! Arm yourselves!
Anger and fear roared among the people. Torches were lit. Machetes and pitchforks raised.
In the clearing, suddenly, inhuman cries rang out.
Shadow beasts appeared.
Frozen, Aria screamed. But Roy grabbed her and threw himself aside, dodging a black claw.
He drew his sword.
— Step back! I'll handle this.
Wilfred suddenly stepped between them, a gust carrying him forward.
— Don't touch Aria!
Roy didn't understand at first. Driven by rage, he charged at Wilfred. The king pushed him away with one hand, gently, knocking him to the ground.
Then, without warning, he threw himself at the creatures. He slaughtered them with a cold fury, protecting Roy, protecting Aria.
— What is… whispered Roy. He's defending us?
But it was too late.
The villagers, arriving in droves, saw him in the midst of the carnage. They saw only his blood-covered figure, his red eyes, his fangs.
— KILL HIM!!!
They surrounded him, doused him with oil.
A fire ignited.
— No!!! Aria cried in despair. Stop!
But they no longer listened. A torch flew through the air. Flames devoured his dark cloak. Wilfred screamed.
Then, a guttural cry rose up. Inhuman. Terrifying.
The sky turned blood red.
The night beasts descended on the village, drawn by the king's agony.
Wilfred, burning and smoking, staggered.
— TAKE SHELTER!!! he yelled to the crowd. I… WILL HOLD THEM BACK!!
He threw himself toward the monsters, his body incandescent, like a sacred demon.
Roy, stunned, took Aria in his arms and ran with her. The battle lasted for hours.
And finally…
Wilfred fell to his knees.
His wings burned away, his eyes dull. In his last moments, he whispered, a song on his bloody lips:
---
🎵 Symphony of the Void 🎵
Verse 1
Behind my walls, a breath arises,
A burning wind, a ceaseless pain.
You come closer despite the flames,
To this mystery with shattered souls.
Chorus
Dance with the shadow, let it embrace you,
Each step fades into eternity,
A life of whispers, forgotten songs,
Symphony of the Void forevermore.
Verse 2
Beneath the stars, I lose my bearings,
Infinity calls with a bitter voice.
Echoes weep in a sky of ashes,
A silent cry that none can hear.
Verse 3
Chains break in a gentle breath,
A stolen moment, nothing can freeze.
I reach out to the fragile spark,
Everything dissolves in a past sigh.
Final Chorus
Dance with the shadow, let it embrace you,
Each step fades into eternity,
A life of whispers, forgotten songs,
Symphony of the Void forevermore.
---
Aria dropped to her knees, sobbing, holding him close.
— No… no! You can't… you mustn't…!
Wilfred, half-dead, opened his eyes.
— Bury me… in my castle… near the white roses…
Then, his body collapsed.
And the shadow slowly faded in the morning light.