MasukManolya’s POV Arete laughed heartily. “If you drop it, you lose.” She circled around me and whispered into my ear, “It’s your fear. What do you think it does?” Her nail scraped lightly across my skin. “Whoops,” she added as she nudged me just enough to nearly make me lose my balance. “I am not as crazy as you think I am.” Her velvety voice cooed. I stood alone on the tiny platform above the void. My arms begged to fall. Every muscle trembled and screamed at me to let go. My balance wavered, threatening to tip me into the darkness below. “If you throw it away, you will also fail,” she taunted coldly. I gripped the sphere tighter. My muscles were already shaking uncontrollably. My palms began to blister, the skin hissing under the heat. She leaned closer, her voice so chillingly gentle. “And if you let it consume you, you fail as well, sweetheart as you will be engulfed in flames.” “Look deeper,” Arete said, smiling. “It’s hot, it hurts!” I groaned, the pain burning through
Manolya’s POV Adlee scrambled to catch him, barely managing to stay on his feet as Adem landed in his arms with a loud, graceless thud. Both of them toppled over, rolling down the last few steps before coming to a heap at the bottom. “Adem!” I hissed, glaring at him. “Stay put! Don’t make this worse! Are you alright?” I was worried sick but the Sentry had an iron grip around my wrist. I could not move! Uncle Eren grabbed both boys by the scruffs of their necks and hauled them upright. “Easy now, lads,” he muttered, though his voice shook slightly. “Don’t go getting yourselves killed before the real danger even starts.” Adlee groaned, rubbing his elbow. “Manolya’s such a cheater. It’s supposed to be men first! We’re the ones who are supposed to check for danger!” “Really?” I shot back with a fake laugh, trying not to let my worry seep through. “You think now’s the time for chivalry? Sit down and stay out of trouble!” Pelin knelt beside them, her face pale with worry.
Manolya’s POV My heart raced as I stared at the four statues of virtues beautifully carved figures of women with smooth, polished skin and elegant, draped dresses. And then, just as the earth stopped trembling, their eyes snapped open, glowing with an eerie light. This was my fault. I had dragged everyone here, convinced that the Library of Celsus held the answer to finding the elusive Moonbird. I had been so sure and stubborn. “I didn’t mean to, I swear by Allah!” Adlee yelped. He grabbed my arm and hauled me backward down the stairs. We had just tried to sprint toward the entrance. Now we were retreating, step by step. “Oh great, Adlee. Always playing the hero. Now look what you’ve done!” Adem hissed at his twin, his eyes wide and furious. “I was just trying to help! Shut up!” Adlee shot back, stumbling as he dragged me another step down. One of the statues moved. Stone scraped against stone. Their heads tilted in unison, glowing eyes locking onto us. The
Manolya’s POV My eyes flicked to Uncle Eren, wondering if he had any insight into the matter. He stood tall, his expression thoughtful, as always. “We already triggered a crazy demoness statue that the Artemis cult had cursed…” I said, my voice steady but wary. “So, we might tread with caution on this one too, as we don’t know what kind of traps they have set out for us.” Adem and Adlee, however, seemed undeterred by my caution. They were a little wild, always eager to jump headfirst into whatever danger awaited us. “We don’t care! Right, we’ll protect you guys!” they chorused, with their enthusiasm. “Thanks, boys,” I said with a small smile, “I know you always have our backs.” Uncle Eren looked over at us, his expression turning more serious. “Let’s go to the library now then and conduct a search to see what we can find. We’ll pair up—two and two. Nobody walks alone. Understood?” I nodded, a shiver running down my spine despite the warmth in the air. “Okay.” I grabb
Manolya’s POV The second we stepped into the car, Adem turned toward Pelin, his expression was of frustration and concern. “Hey, sis, why didn’t you tell us you were out on a quest?” he asked, his voice visibly annoyed. “I’m sorry,” I interjected quickly, feeling the weight of his words. “It was me who wasn’t ready. I’m sorry, I couldn’t face anyone so I told Pelin not to tell.” Adem’s face softened for a moment. “It’s okay, Manolya. We understand. Right, Adlee?” he said, glancing at his twin brother. “Sure, sure!” Adlee grumbled, still half asleep after eating too much breakfast and the previous long car ride, his eyes barely open. “He wasn’t really paying attention, still a little sleep-drunk.” “Manolya,” Adem continued, his tone now gentler, “you know we really missed you. We never thought in a million years we’d spend our summer this way… it’s been weeks of suffering and torture.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We’re just glad you’re okay. We love you, y
Manolya’s POV Bang. Bang. Bang. Three loud knocks rattled the door. “Manolya, the door!” Pelin groaned beside me in the wide bed, her voice muffled by the pillow. I slowly opened my eyes, still half lost in sleep. “Pelin… I think I slept like a dead person.” She snickered and shoved me with her foot. “You always do. And you snore.” “I do not!” I protested, laughing as I rolled away from her kick. “Go answer the door before Eren and the twins break it down,” she muttered, burying her face deeper into the sheets. “Alright, alright! Just a minute!” I shouted toward the door. I dragged myself out of bed and pulled on my black combat attire, the fabric clinging to my skin as I adjusted it into place. My body still felt heavy, muscles stiff from yesterday’s chaos. I stumbled across the dark wooden floors, barely steady on my feet. The whitewashed walls and cool sandstone brushed against my palm as I caught myself from falling. Another knock echoed through the suite.
Tethys’s POV The void was deliciously quiet. It was not the silence of peace but the silence of suffocation, where even thought echoed back empty. I breathed it in the sweet stench of death, savoring the way it pressed against me. Her soul trembled in the corner of the void, a pale shape flicke
Manolya’s POV The room smelled of antiseptic. I really hated that strong smell. The overhead lights buzzed softly, their glow harsh against the pale blue curtains and the steel rails of the hospital bed. Beyond the thin walls I could hear muffled footsteps, the rolling of trolleys, a distant phon
Emre’s POV The corridor smelled of bleach and disinfectant, sharp enough to sting my nose. White tiles gleamed under the fluorescent lights, polished so clean I could see my reflection in them—hollow eyes, sweat on my temples, a man who barely recognized himself anymore. Detective Kenan Karga had
Manolya’s POV I sat on the cold stone floor of the underground city of Kapadokya, my mind was a blur. The sirens echoed off the walls. I couldn’t feel the chill. I couldn’t feel anything. Where had my soul gone? Two policemen approached. One of them crouched in front of me, speaking in a low







