Worry not! I'm not dead, nor is the fiction dead. I was just struggling with some IRL difficulties that kept me busy for ~2 weeks, and because of that I didn't have much time to write but now I'm back in business, and the next chapter will be coming soon. 

Here is a ~600 word PoV that I've scrapped. It's still somewhat canon, but I won't include it in the main story. Its quality may be a bit lower since I didn't proofread it.

Spoiler: Phase

When I received the information that my daughter may be alive, I was skeptical at first. But after contacting some of my sources, I learned that a little blonde girl was seen with that vampire bitch Sely.

I had to check if the rumor was true. I would do anything to rectify my mistake from two months ago, even if costs me my life. I knew the chances that it's my daughter are very slim, but I had to try.

Getting through the town to the mansion wasn't hard. In fact, it was probably the easiest part of my plan. Surprisingly when I arrived at the gardens, I noticed that security seemed lax. Compared to the time when I stole the shadow gem, the number of guards was significantly lower. Nevertheless, I still didn't let my guard down, because fewer guards didn't necessarily mean it was easier to sneak in.

I carefully scanned my surroundings, before noticing two guards patrolling the garden. Keeping my distance, I secretly tailed them listening to their conversation.

"You heard that? Lady Abysu had brought herself an another girl to toy with." One of the guards said to the other.

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"Yeah, I even heard that the girl is supposedly a daughter of that thief Phase." The second one replied.

As if stirred by his voice, something inside me snapped. Without thinking much, I rushed towards the mansion. I didn't exactly know where they might have held the girl, but I had a hunch.

I closed in on a window of a particular room. It was the only room with bars instead of glass as a window. From what last time, the room was used as a cell for the children they've brought.

Reaching the bars, I've noticed a small girl who was reading a book, because of golden hair covering her face I wasn't able to see the girl's face.

"I-Ilya is it r-really you?" My voice was trembling.

She turned her head towards me. I was finally able to see her face with full clarity. She looked exactly like my daughter. No, she was my daughter!

"Stay there, I'm coming for you," I said, barely holding my tears.

I used the power of shadow gem to enter the room. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but it wasn't bad either. It just felt different. When I reformed, I noticed that something isn't right. A huge magic circle was surrounding us. I was caught in a trap.

"No!" I screamed, realizing my stupidity. I let my emotions cloud my mind, but unfortunately, it was already too late. A massive force pinned us to the ground. I was barely able to breathe, less much getting away. I could only look at my daughter, who didn't even resist the force.

I cursed myself and my stupidity. How could I do this? How could I doom my daughter and myself? Why did I let my emotions take over me?

I had to get us out of this situation, but unfortunately, it didn't take long for a familiar face to show up. Through the door, Vlad entered the room, with his signature smile painted on his face.

"I didn't think you would fall for such an obvious trap. You're getting old, Phase." The man said playfully, pissing me off in the process.

"Go fuck yourself, Vlad," I replied in anger.

"I wouldn't talk back if I were in your place. After all, in a fit of rage, I might vent my anger on you or THAT little girl. Hahaha!" He threatened me.

"What do you want?" I grit my teeth. I had to endure, at least until I find a way to save my daughter. I can't lose her again.