Can't Let Go

Chills arose from the depths of Gu Luoxin's heart as an inexplicable dread washed over him. 

Unbidden, images of Noir's pale complexion and skeletal hands flashed through his mind, igniting a surge of protectiveness he had no idea existed in him. Before his brain could fully process the situation, his body – or to be more precise, the kingkong's body – sprang into action with lighting speed!

Several things happened all at once.

With an ominous rumble, the last glass slipper statue in the town finally shattered, breaking the seal that had confined the Queen to the palace and causing a tidal wave of malevolent force to surge forth! 

Outside, thunder boomed and thick clouds swirled in a menacing dance as the dark shadows formed a pillar that stretched toward the heavens, before twisting and coalescing into a gigantic raven with bloody-red eyes, its wings huge enough to span over the entire town.