Cedric stumbled back in shock as his breath ragged, his face drained of color. He hadn't even finished the ritual, yet Kael stood there, grinning like a beast that had already sunk its teeth in. His presence alone made the air feel suffocating.
"You…"
"Why are you here?"
"Just for fun," Kael smirked.
"No, how did you come here?"
"You shouldn't be here. Did the guards not stop you."
"Them…I just got rid of them," Kael laughed, making a cutthroat sign.
Cedric stammered, his fingers twitching toward the ritual.
The black symbols pulsed, feeding on his fear.
Kael tilted his head, cracking his neck with a slow, deliberate motion. "Oh? And what, you thought some shitty little curse was gonna take me out? Please, I've taken dumps scarier than this." He took a step forward, dragging his foot across the cursed symbols, smearing them like dirt under his boot.
