Chapter 3 - Blood and Masks
1019 Words
The courtyard reeked of blood.
Smoke curled from the corpses of the fallen, mixing with the thick fog that blanketed the night.
Elira stood frozen, her chest heaving, the taste of iron heavy on her tongue. In front of her, the masked hunters advanced—silent, precise, their weapons gleaming wet with fresh crimson.
“The new one dies tonight,” the leader repeated, voice muffled behind his silver mask.
Alejandro stepped between them, sword already raised. The red glow of his blade pulsed like a heartbeat.
“Touch her, and I’ll cut you head where you stand.”
The hunters struck first.
Steel clashed with steel, sparks flying as Alejandro met their assault. His movements were sharp, controlled, deadly. Each strike was precise, each block timed with perfection.
But there were too many.
Elira stumbled back as two hunters broke away, circling her like wolves. Her hands trembled, fire-shadow flickering faintly at her fingertips. She remembered the burning—how the power almost consumed her last time.
If I lose control again… I’ll die.
The first hunter lunged. Instinct took over. Elira thrust her hand forward, and a burst of black fire spiraled out, slamming him into the wall with a bone-crunching impact. He screamed once before falling silent, body charred.
The second hunter hesitated, but only for a moment. He swung his blade downward—only for Elira to catch it mid-swing with a shield of shadows erupting from her palm.
Her chest burned. Sweat dripped down her neck. But she pushed, forcing the hunter back.
“Stay away from me!” she shouted, her voice trembling yet fierce.
Meanwhile, Alejandro fought like a phantom. His blade carved arcs of crimson light through the fog, severing limbs, slicing throats. The hunters fell one by one, their masked faces splitting open as they hit the ground.
But for every one he killed, another seemed to appear.
“Tsk,” he muttered under his breath, deflecting a strike aimed at his heart. “They won’t stop until you’re dead.”
Elira gritted her teeth, forcing her power into another blast that sent a hunter sprawling. “Why me?!” she cried out, panic laced in her voice.
Alejandro cut another throat cleanly, blood spraying across his cheek. His answer was cold.
“Because you were chosen.”
Then, a sharp laugh sliced through the chaos.
Catalina : Pov
She stood on the fountain’s edge, untouched by the c*****e, her dress flowing like shadows themselves. Her crimson lips curved into a mocking smile.
“Qué espectáculo…” she purred, eyes glittering. “Blood, fire, betrayal. Crown University never disappoints me.”
Alejandro snapped his gaze toward her. “Is this your doing?”
Catalina pressed a hand to her chest, feigning innocence. “Me? Oh no, cariño. The Hunt is tradition. I’m just… enjoying the show.”
Her eyes slid toward Elira, hungry, wicked. “But I must admit—the new girl is more entertaining than I expected. Burning hunters alive on her first night? Impressive.”
Elira’s hands shook, the fire threatening to surge again. “Shut up!” she shouted, her voice cracking.
Catalina only laughed, the sound like glass breaking. “Fight harder, darling. Or you'll die faster.” she's laughing nonstop.
The hunters moved in again, faster, more ruthless.
Alejandro slashed through two at once, but the leader was stronger—his silver mask glowing faintly, his blade humming with strange energy. Their clash sent vibrations through the stones beneath their feet.
Elira tried to help, summoning another burst of fire-shadow, but it spiraled out of control, flames whipping dangerously close to Alejandro. He barely dodged, shooting her a sharp glare.
“Focus!” he barked. “Or you’ll kill me before them!”
Her chest clenched. “I—I’m trying!”
The leader of the hunters laughed darkly, his voice echoing behind the mask.
“She’s unstable. Weak. She’ll burn herself alive before we even touch her.”
But then it happened.
One hunter slipped past Alejandro’s guard and rushed at Elira. Too fast. Too close.
She screamed, raising her arms—
The fire erupted violently, but this time, something else came with it. Shadows twisted upward, forming the shape of wings behind her back—vast, black, feathered yet burning with crimson fire.
The hunter didn’t even have time to scream. He disintegrated into ash as the fiery wings swept through him.
Everyone froze.
Even Alejandro.
Even Catalina.
Elira stood trembling, her eyes glowing faintly red, the wings flickering behind her like a demon’s halo.
Alejandro whispered, almost to himself. “…So that’s why.”
Catalina’s lips parted, her wicked smile fading into something sharper. Interest. Hunger.
“Oh, darling…” she breathed. “Now I understand. You’re not just chosen. You’re cursed.”
Elira staggered, the wings fading, her knees threatening to give out. “Wh-what’s happening to me…?”
But before anyone could answer, the horn sounded again.
The hunters froze. Then, as if commanded, they vanished into the mist, leaving only corpses and blood behind.
The courtyard fell silent.
Only the toll of the bell remained.
Elira dropped to her knees, gasping, her body trembling violently. Alejandro sheathed his sword and crouched in front of her, his eyes searching hers.
“You need to learn control,” he said firmly. “Or this place will eat you alive.”
Tears burned her eyes, but she forced them back. “I don’t understand… Why me? Why bring me here?”
Alejandro’s jaw tightened. His answer was low, heavy.
“Because your blood isn’t ordinary. It carries something the University wants.”
Catalina stepped down from the fountain, her heels clicking softly against the stones. Her smile returned, sharp as a blade.
“And when they finally claim it, darling…” She leaned close, whispering near Elira’s ear.
“Not even Alejandro will be able to save you.”
High above, Marquesa Estrella De Alcaraz set down her goblet, a satisfied gleam in her eyes.
“The wings have awakened,” she murmured.
“At last, the game truly begins.”
- Writer
