Chaar! Skin burning in hot fire.

Jingle! Accessories tinkled, filling in the air.

In the night sky, shaded with red crimson, a red witch and her toy hung far above. The cold wind brushed against their skin. Her toy struggled to find a way free, but an invisible hand grasped his neck tightly. With each struggle, his wounds grew larger and deeper, released a foul odor from burned flesh. The light crystal on his chest mirrored his despair.

“Witch! Let me go,” he tried to catch the invisible hands, but his efforts were futile. He only caught the cold air.

Faye tilted her head, revealing her beautiful lace glove. Her fingers flickered, the light sparkling on her ring. In harmony with her playful tone. “I haven’t chained you. Feel free to go wherever you like. This land is yours, this sky is yours. How can a lowly witch from the distant north control you?”

His eyes were bloodshot. “Wicked Witch. All of us in the Holy Order will hunt you.”

Her eyes gleamed. “Your words are vicious.” She lifted her hand, pinched her finger, and red mana emitted between her fingers. She rotated her finger slightly, creating tiny fire needles. “I can help you seal it, or would you prefer me to teach you a language other than your father’s, Mundi?”

“Hex old woman, do not speak my name!” Warmund shouted, his veins bulging in his neck.

“Ah, so you choose the language lesson,” she said, pointing her finger forward.

Swoosh! The fire needle flew towards Warmund.

“Space Burst!” Warmund shouted.

Vizz! The fire needle cracked and dissipated into mana particles.

Faye didn’t care that her spell shattered. Instead, she touched the hem of her skirt and lifted it slightly as she nodded in a proper manner. “I truly appreciate that you are a young, healthy kid. And be grateful that you have chosen me as your language teacher.” Faye’s eyes transformed into star shapes as she pointed at him. Gradually, hundreds of fire needles materialized from thin air. They circled behind her back, emitting a red glow and the sound of burning. “I will give you three pieces of advice that will help you become a real gentleman.” Her eyes turned crimson.

Warmund’s blood turned into a red steam, causing his skin to crack and emit a burning smell. “What are you doing…” his voice sounded as dry as sand.

“Lesson one, please listen carefully to lady speaking.” Faye said, her skirt billowing as she commanded a swarm of fire needles towards him.

The fire needles reflected in his eyes. Not knowing what to do, his brain went on high alert, while his body tensed up, preparing itself for the pain.

Shoowm, Shoowm, Shoowm, Shoowm, Shoowm, Shoowm… Endless pins struck his body, causing him to dance around like a crazed porcupine.

His brain estimated the pain wrongly. It’s beyond, it’s agony. It felt as if scalding lava was scorching his entire existence, burning every single cell in a fierce inferno, akin to the fires of hell.

“Arrrrrggggghhhhhh!” He howled in misery.

However, Faye’s torment of mercy continued. Her Gentry clasped her hands together, red lightning sparking between her palms. Slowly, she separated her hands to create a ball of red lightning. Electricity sparked across her, but harmlessly, only her skirt billowed fiercely.

The red steam flowed into Warmund’s porcupine-like body. His eyes turned black as he stared at her, repeatedly muttering, “kill, kill, kill, kill…” like a deranged individual.

“I don’t hate that look in your eyes, but it’s also part of the lesson.” Faye said, sweeping her hand out. “Lesson two, don’t use your eyes to threaten women.” Her voice dripped with venomous intent.

Buzzzzz! The red lightning ball flew towards him, cutting through the air with a powerful force.

“Ugh!” It hit him without fail, but the real pain came when it pierced his skin through the fire needles. It felt like every inch of his skin was being ripped off by a parasite. His anguished cries filled the sky.

“Arrrrrggggghhhhhh!” His body crazily twitched.

Fayed gazed at him with a pitiful expression, as if he were a pest. “And this will be our final lesson,” she said slowly, extending her hand in front of her as if she were grabbing something from thin air.

An invisible hand suddenly reached into his shirt and pulled something out. It was a black glossy cube stone with purple blood veins swirling inside. It was the black codex stone. Swiftly, it flew towards Faye’s hand.

Warmund’s eyes widened in shock and he instinctively reached out to grab it back. “M-Mine!” he exclaimed.

But Faye silenced him with a flick of her hand. “Quiet!” she commanded. “And listen.”

Space hand tightened its grip around Warmund’s neck, causing blood to trickle from his mouth and his eyes to bulge. His black eyes were stained with blood.

“Finally, and most importantly, don’t even consider to stealing a lady’s treasure.” Fayed said in a dark, menacing voice, her eyes shining brightly as she clenched her hand tightly.

Link Space Distortion

“Ahhhhhhhhh,” a high-pitched scream filled the air.

The scream, strangely, should have come from the porcupine man in front of her, but it was audible from the far distant burning town.

Fayed swiftly glanced downwards, her eyes fixing on a small dot in the distance. She could clearly see a man with black hair holding a woman with black hair, both of them engulfed in flames and covered in wounds. However, the man’s eyes were not focused on the woman in his arms. Instead, he focused his bright, sky-blue eyes on Fayed. His lips moved, and ethereal words echoed in Fayed’s mind. “That garbage has stolen her abilities.”

A red, bright thread seemed to tighten inside her mind.

All the spells on Warmund’s body vanished, and he grinned wickedly, his body slowly regenerating.

Fayed stared at him grimly, her hair fluttering in the wind. “Isn’t she your family? Even monsters show love for their family, whereas you should feel ashamed of using that stone on her.” She asked, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and accusation.

Little by little. Its fiber on the red thread frayed apart.

“What have you done to her? Has she been discarded like a wastrel after being used?” Fayed’s voice monotone, but it pierced deep into the heart.

Warmund paid no attention to her words and showed no fear of her threats. “I’m coming back to kill you and your henchman and reclaim what’s mine. Feel free to fight with another member of The Holy Order. The light will bring punishment to you, Hex Witch.” He said as showing a threatening finger at the front.

Space Teleport. His body disappeared into thin air.

Suddenly, The Red Thread torn into pieces.

The wind played with her hair as her ornaments softly echoed a mournful sound.

Faye lifted her skirt and bowed slightly. “Have a good time in hell, garbage.” Crimson flashed her eyes. She untied the pin from her bun, allowing her hair to cascade down.

Jingle Her hair floated in the air. Several gemstones rotated around her, while the crystals on her rings and wand shimmered one by one.

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Jingle gemstones and amulets on her body chimed in the sky.

A series of jingles echoed as numerous magic circles appeared in the sky. Fire arrows, red smoke, and sparks of mana were emitted from the arrows, illuminating the dark sky with a red glow. Faye turned her head towards the mountain in the west and pointed her finger, causing all the arrows to change direction. “Do you think that you can flee?”

Swoosh! She flicked her magic wand forward.

Swoooooooooooooooooome! All the fire arrows shot forward rapidly.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Thurm! The mountain burst into flames, turning the snow into ashes.

“Ran! Dross! Ran!” Faye shouted, her voice echoing through the sky. “I heard you call him the devil. Well, here I am, the real devil standing right in front of you. Why are you running and hiding like a scared insect?”

Infuriated, Faye’s hand moved swiftly from left to right, releasing hot white smoke onto her white skin.

The fire arrows continued to bombard without pausing.

The fire’s reflection on the mountain danced in her eyes while she kept unleashing the fire arrows. Her anger showed no signs of diminishing. Suddenly, a voice from the sky nearby spoke to her.

“Miss Fire Dragon, please be gentle, okay? That mountain will be sad and crying, you know?” a sweet and familiar voice spoke in her ear.

Faye’s eyes widened as her senses returned. Her eyes turned back into vertical lines and changed back into red rubies. She swiftly lowered her hand and turned her head, saying, “Darling—”

But a little sadness filled her mind, as the man in front of her was not the one she expected to see.

The blazing red ring on his feet seemed to radiate warmth, while the flames from her were blazing red hell. But their both flame of her and his turned the silence of the night into a scream of furious fire.

Faye lowered her brows and said in a monotonous tone, “Bird. Do not use his voice.” Her voice carried a threatening blade.

Rave bowed and apologized, changing his voice tone back. “Sorry, Miss Faye,” he said. “I have a mission to become your friend and talk with you.”

Faye was a little amazed. “Darling gave you a task? Why didn’t he come himself?” Her eyes changed back to crimson.

Cold sweat appeared on Rave’s forehead. “Yes, Big Brother Rain sent me to talk with you,” he explained. The ring of fire on his legs flickered slightly. “And to answer your second question, it’s because Miss Faye is too high up and my brother is only a little child. His hands are too short.”

Faye touched her face, and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. “Bird, you have learned well from your brother. You are good at talking.” Faye flicked her hand, causing one fire ring on his leg to disappear. “But your fears have filled you, making you a little soppy.”

Red Rave lost his balance, but he quickly regained his balance with one leg. “Thank you for your compliment—”

Swoosh! A fire arrow flew by, cutting through his hair.

Red Rave’s eyebrows lowered, and the gem on his shirt turned red. He squeezed his fists. “You—”

“That fire arrow was for your lie to me,” Faye said in a monotonous tone. “Don’t thank you me if you didn’t feel it.” She flicked her hand again.

Swoosh! Another fire arrow flew and cut his cheek, splashing blood and burning some of his hair.

Rave’s eyes widened in shock. He gnashed his teeth, a low growl rumbling in his chest.

“And that’s for you using his voice. You misled me into thinking you were him. With that precious second and a half time. His talking time and memory of his short life are lost because of your infringement mouth. I don’t want to remember that. If you do that again, swear on the Initial Fire of Truth, I will burn you back to cinders and burn you again and again until your reviving feathers are empty,” she said in a threatening tone. But suddenly, her expression shifted, and she smiled sweetly, tilting her head a little. She grabbed the tip of her skirt and lifted it slightly. “May I be your pretty, Mr. Ravie Sun Feather?” she said, with a sweet, heavenly tone.

Rave’s eyebrows lowered close to his eyes. His nails bit into his own hand. The light on his chest turned randomly as he exclaimed, “Hell no!”

Faye smiled and then bowed her head a little. “I wish you a good time when talking with me, Mr. Ravie.”

“What is this Rockman? How can you speak with this maniac witch?” he let his thoughts out loud.

Faye looked back at the mountain, her hand continuing to wave her magic wand. The fire continued to rage, but the damage was precise and accurate. She smiled as she spoke. “Because he’s special, Mr. Ravie. He talks to me like he talks to a precious old friend. Every word he says is filled with care. He teases me like I’m a little girl. His hands and his heart are so warm. Every touch from him treats me like a little child.”

Rave was startled. “That’s impossible! How can he pass through your death aura?” he said, his voice clouded with smoke.

She turned her head to look at him, a genuine smile in her ruby eyes. “That’s impossible, right?” she said with her sweet sound.

Rave was silent, just looking at her.

As the two Reds conversed, a raging fire consumed the mountain on the opposite side. Warmund, the Space Follower, sat behind the Earth Wall, gripping his head. The wounds that had previously healed were now reopening, causing hundreds of threads to blister and burn again.

“Why? Why? Why? She knows my teleport position,” he said, his voice trembling.

The two-meter follower pressed his hand against the floor, his face turning grim. The incoming attack was fierce, his hands covered in blood, and his mouth also leaking blood. The Earth was dusted and burnt, with fire and earth scattered everywhere. Breathing was a struggle, but Calder insisted on seeking the truth. “What is this, little Warmund? Why are you challenging the Sage of the North?”

Warmund looked at his brother and replied, “That Red Witch is a Devil. We have to kill her.”

“Stop acting like an idiot, Mundi! We have already agreed with the North Continent,” Calder said.

“She is the Demon Lord of the North. Why is no one doing anything? Why is no one helping me like this?” Warmund questioned.

Bam, bam, the fire arrows grew fiercer, and the Earth wall started melting and turning into burned stone.

Calder’s eyebrows furrowed. “We are all helping you! Always helping you, no matter the karma you accumulate with our father and mother. We stand together, Mundi!” Calder exclaimed.

“Do not speak of us as family. My father and mother are not the same as yours. You are adopted!” Warmund retorted.

Calder’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re already forgetting all mother’s grace…” His expression turned grim. “Follower Warmund Rexton. What are you doing? What have you done wrong?” His tone became threatening.

Warmund shook his head. “It’s not my fault!” he protested, revealing his red blinking holy book. “We have to identify that Devily Follower. He has cursed all of us. It’s all happening because of his fault. That Follower is a devil in disguise…”

Bam, crack, crack. The rocks turned red, even his hand that pressed on the floor created a charred voice, and his finger blazed red.

“What are you talking about?” He looked at him with unbelieving eyes. “You pointed the book at Miss Raccoon and evaluated his sin! ARE YOUR FOOL, MUNDI!?” he said in a thunderous voice.

Thump! The rock mountain lifted up, blocking all incoming fire arrows, making his two-meter body seem tiny. Both of them hid under the shadow of the rock, with only light shining on their eyes and their red crystal light.

“Big Brother…” Warmund spoke in a weak voice, his insides churning.

“Do not call me brother,” Calder said as he stood up. “Follower Warmund. You are not just a fool but also blind.” Red light reflected on his face. “Have you really not seen? He is the same as our mother, loved by all spirits. It’s a pure love, like the love that our mother gave you.” He walked closer to Warmund, each step as heavy as a mountain.

Warmund used his arms to move back. “What are you talking about?”

“Like our mother, he is a Linker, a Storyteller.” Calder said, grabbing Warmund’s follower badge. His brown eyes shone. “He has a duty to balance the world.”

“That’s just an old fake fairy tale!” He shook his head aggressively. “And our mother’s skills are already mine. I’m the only Linker on this continent!” Warmund said, pushing Calder’s hands away, but his strong hand didn’t budge an inch.

“Fool,” Calder said, pulling the badge necklace out from his neck. “On behalf of the Leader of Rexton, I hereby order you to be removed from the family.” On his back, a pentagram with a radiant sun shone.

“What… you’re not even a direct blood,” he bit his own lip, and black blood rushed out. “That silly old man gave you a regalia and made you his successor—”

“Go, run as far as possible! This is our last wish,” Calder said.

Eyes widen, fist clenched. “I will return and take back all that is mine,” he said as he waved his hand. “Space Teleport.” He disappeared into thin air, leaving only dark particles behind.

Crack! Calder clutched his badge, turning it into scrap as red blood dripped down, staining the snow a deep crimson. “I’m sorry, mother… I can only help this far…”

Bam, bam! A barrage of fire arrows suddenly ceased as a terrifying screech split the night in two.

“Run, you worthless dross! Run! Fear, you pathetic trash! Fear! Hide with your tail between your legs, trembling in your dread. If I ever see your ugly face again, I will turn you into cinder!” The Red Witch’s voice boomed, echoing through the sky.

Not far away, the snow glistened.

Wink! Thud! A rugged follower emerged from a dimensional door, his body covered in burned wounds. He dragged his legs forward, his bloodshot eyes turning black. The crystal light on his chest flickered randomly. With a battered face, he declared, “I will seek revenge for all of you.”

His gaze shifted to the fire mountain, now resembling a blazing torch, reflecting his hatred for his own town. “I’ll take down that devil and all of you fools. It’s all that devil’s fault. This sacred place is corrupted, and only I can purify it!”

“Even that arrogant golden princess gave me the item and tricked me into becoming stronger. But when the situation worsened, you acted as if you knew nothing and moved to live with the devil’s side.” His demeanor shifted, his brown eyes changing to violet.

A cold wind brushed against his neck, making his body tense. He swiftly turned back.

There was nothing but endless blackness, with snowflakes dancing in the air. But something seemed off. There was a small blue dot shining like marbles with souls suspended in the air.

Flop, flop! Warmund instinctively took a step back. “What are you?” he asked, though he didn’t really want an answer.

Wink, wink. The blue eyes in the darkness rotated in a circular motion, as if flipping its head.

A complete black line suddenly appeared on Warmund’s neck, and in an instant, his view in front of him flipped. He tried to scream, but his lungs and body wouldn’t respond, like as it separated. Only blood gushed out of his mouth. “Gruggg, gulggger…”

There was no reflection or last moment of consciousness, only the visions of a White Wolf and Winter etched into his fading sight.