The Curse

The garden of the Silva mansion was immersed in an oppressive silence as Acier internally struggled with the terrible choice that had been imposed on him by Vanica. She looked at her children, who were at the mercy of the demonic Vanica. The pain of seeing them in danger was unbearable.

Vanica, with a cruel smile on her lips, kept her blood claws ready to do the unthinkable. She waited expectantly for Acier's reaction, as if she was delighting in her agony.

But before anyone knew it, a tremor ran through the ground.

Vanica felt a shiver run down her spine, and it was too late when her instincts reacted, warning her that something was wrong. Her maniacal smile quickly faded when she realized that Acier's gaze was boring into her, like a thousand piercing needles.

In the blink of an eye, Acier, with speed that defied logic, was upon Vanica. Her eyes exuded deadly determination, and she looked like an awakened force of nature.

Vanica felt deep fear for the first time since the battle began. She reacted too late when she realized that her stomach had been pierced by a steel blade, held tightly in Acier's hands.

Blood began to ooze from the mortal wound, and Vanica staggered back, clutching her stomach in desperation.

It was then that something extraordinary happened. Acier, bathed in a mysterious aura, began to undergo a transformation. Her body emitted an intense and powerful energy, which seemed to surround her like armor.

Vanica, still stunned by the sudden attack, watched in bewilderment as a new page appeared in Acier's grimoire. A page that emanated incredible power.

It was then that Acier revealed the next phase of his magic...

"Steel Creation Magic: Valkyrie's Fury"

Acier emerged draped in a stunning gown of sparkling steel, adorned with a pair of majestic wings that rose gracefully from her hips. Her hair shone like the moon, and her new form radiated an aura of grandeur that would draw the attention of everyone around her.

This transformation revealed itself as a direct manifestation of her deep need to protect her children.

Vanica, although hurt and momentarily surprised by Acier's transformation, quickly regained her signature sadism. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she realized that the fight was about to get even more interesting. This was what she wanted from the beginning: an opponent as good as she was could test her new demonic powers.

"That's interesting, very interesting!" Vanica exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Are you ready to keep playing, Acier-chan?" Vanica taunted by releasing 20% ​​of her demonic powers, healing her injuries and improving her attributes. 20% was the maximum she could currently access.

In response, Acier remained with her murderous gaze fixed on Vanica, then she said with a voice full of determination. "I guarantee you won't enjoy this fight. You will bitterly regret ever touching my children."

Vanica, however, was far from intimidated. On the contrary, her expression lit up with even more enthusiasm. Seriously, there seemed to be something very wrong with this woman's mind.

So, as if to fulfill his promise. Acier flapped his wings and launched himself at Vanica, with a speed that defied logic. She then unleashed a series of attacks so fast that they could barely be seen with the naked eye. His steel blade shined like lightning, cutting the space between them.

Vanica tried to retaliate using both blood and curse magic, but Acier was too quick. She dodged attacks with grace and efficiency, her movements were a deadly dance that Vanica couldn't follow.

Acier's attacks seemed to improve with each attack, leaving no room for Vanica to counterattack. However, the more Vanica was hit, the more her smile seemed to widen. She laughed as if she was enjoying the pain.

"That's amazing, Acier!" Vanica screamed, her voice full of ecstasy. "I haven't felt something like this in a long time! Keep going, keep going!"

Acier was uncomfortable with this reaction. Vanica's insanity was beyond what she could comprehend. Every blow she landed seemed to only fuel Vanica's desire to fight.

Still, she continued attacking with her burning fury. The fight was one-sided, with Vanica's 20% proving ineffective. But that was only because Acier's agility proved superior; if she failed to dodge, she would suffer severe damage.

The battlefield was filled with tension as Acier continued to press his advantage over Vanica.

At the height of the battle, Vanica, using her curse magic, managed a successful attack on Acier. Vanica's curse magic enveloped Acier, causing deep wounds and marking her skin. Vanica laughed madly as she watched the blood flow.

Acier felt the pain, but didn't let it shake her. With relentless determination, she brandished her steel blade and concentrated an incredible amount of magical power into it. Her eyes glowed with a fiery intensity as she prepared her final attack.

"No more games" Acier declared in a firm voice. "This fight ends now."

She advanced with surprising speed, her steel blade slicing through the air in a majestic arc. The force behind the blow was powerful, and the killing intent was unquestionable. It was an attack designed to end the fight once and for all.

Vanica, not willing to back down, raised her curse magic with the intention of counterattacking, but it was too late. Acier's steel blade hit Vanica squarely, cutting through her body with the ferocity of a beast.

Vanica was thrown backwards with incredible force, her body colliding with the ground and creating a deep crater.

As the dust dissipated. Acier was standing, breathing heavily. New form of her starting to gradually disappear. Her gaze was fixed on Vanica, unconscious and mortally wounded.

Then Acier advanced towards Vanica, hoping to have completely defeated her. She intended to use her steel magic to create chains that would bind Vanica, ensuring she could no longer pose a threat.

However, at the exact moment Acier approached and started reciting her magic, something terrible happened. A dark, sinister aura began to manifest around Vanica, enveloping her like a black shadow.

Megicula, the demonic entity that had granted Vanica powers, suddenly emerged, taking advantage of Vanica's unconsciousness to take over her body. A sinister smile appeared on Megicula's lips as she began to cast cruel curse magic.

The target of this magic was clear: Acier.

Acier stepped back instantly, her expression changing to one of surprise and apprehension. She realized something was very wrong.

With her transformation coming to an end, Acier was unable to react in time. Megicula's curse magic hit her hard, causing excruciating pain that seemed to burn her soul. She fell to her knees, her body weakened by the evil magic.

As she struggled to resist the pain, Megicula slowly approached Acier, with no intention of causing her any further harm. She just gave a satisfied smile, as if her goal had been accomplished.

"You are a strong woman, your soul possesses the radiance I seek," said Megicula with a touch of admiration in her voice. "I eagerly await the day when you will be one of my beautiful sacrifices." After saying that, Megicula disappeared the same way he appeared.

Then Vanica gradually regained consciousness, feeling her body sore and weakened. However, as soon as she realized that she was back in control, she couldn't help but jokingly scold Megicula.

"Seriously, Megicula, couldn't you let me have some more fun?" She said, with a slight smile on her face even though she was seriously injured.

Megicula responded with her hissing voice, also maintaining a playful tone: "Sorry, Vanica. I couldn't resist, this human seemed like a lot of fun."

Vanica laughed weakly, appreciating Megicula's comment, "Well, at least tell me we did a good job there"

In Vanica's mind, Megicula bowed as if she was taking a theatrical bow. "You were magnificent, Vanica. Your fury and insanity truly brought fun to the day. And yes my dear, the job was done."

Vanica marveled a little, accepting the compliment with pride. However, Megicula soon changed her tone, reminding her of the situation they were in.

"But now it's time to leave," Megicula said, his voice becoming more serious. "Your injuries need tending, and our goals here have already been accomplished anyway."

"You're right," she agreed, albeit reluctantly. "Let's go." Vanica sighed, giving in to Megicula's logic. She knew that she could not continue to fight in her current state.

As she walked away, Vanica couldn't help but notice the presence of Nozel, who was nearby, watching with a mix of fear and anxiety. She couldn't resist the temptation to get closer to him.

Nozel was clearly intimidated by Vanica's figure, and her desire to run to her mother, Acier, was evident in her eyes. But he remained still, watching warily.

Vanica, noticing the tension going on in Nozel, approached him, her manic smile returning. She looked like a predator closing in on his prey, so she said to a terrified Nozel.

"You don't need to be so scared, boy," she said in an insane tone. "I was just joking when I said I was going to kill him."

Nozel swallowed, still cautious but relieved by his words. He wanted to believe that Vanica was serious, but he wasn't sure.

However, Vanica's tone changed abruptly. Her gaze turned icy, and a sense of danger hung in the air as she whispered to Nozel, almost like a dark secret.

"But remember, boy, don't tell anyone what happened here. Don't reveal anything you saw or experienced. Or... You will suffer the consequences."

As she spoke, Vanica reached out and touched Nozel's forehead. A cold feeling ran through him, as if something was being implanted deep into her mind. It was then that a dark mark appeared around Nozel's neck.

"A small token to ensure you comply with my demands," she said, with a cruel smile as she left a curse on little Nozel.

Nozel felt paralyzed, unable to resist Vanica's magic. He knew he was under her influence, and the threat was clear.

Vanica slowly pulled away from Nozel, leaving him in a state of shock. Then, she turned to Acier, who was still unconscious, and whispered what sounded like a goodbye.

"Goodbye, Acier. You were as amazing as the rumors say."

With one last look at the destroyed place, Vanica took off, disappearing into the horizon.