LOGINHeaven had never had to think before. It simply had to make decisions. This was the first time, in all the ages since its birth, that it set aside its absolute authority. It had never allowed a single word of dissent. But for the first time, it genuinely asked itself whether the order it upheld so rigidly was the foundation holding the world together—or the wall keeping it shut out from every living thing in it. Countless eons of memories surfaced. There were many beings who fell to their knees in their darkest moments, screaming at heaven and begging to know why things were so unfair. The loyal ones were framed and ruined, while the good ones were dragged through suffering they didn't deserve. Eventually, their eyes had turned cold, hollow, and hopeless. It remembered the ages when corruption ran unchecked, when the cruel held power, and the world was drowning in grief and fury. Heaven had treated all those emotions and cries like nothing. It never cared. But now, spoken thr
The concern in Sam's eyes melted Aria's heart on the spot. She turned her head with effort and gave him a gentle smile. She then said softly, "I'm fine." Sam nodded hard, his shoulders trembling as he sobbed. His fingers were still clenched tight around the edge of her blanket. "As long as you're okay, Boss! You scared me half to death." Outside the room, Zane felt his heart jump when he heard the noise. He walked quickly to the door and peered through the glass window. When he saw Aria with her eyes open, talking to Landon and Sam, the anxiety he'd been carrying for two solid days was finally gone. He turned and gave a firm nod to the Special Missions Unit members waiting at the end of the hallway. But he kept his voice barely above a whisper. "Boss is awake." Those few words hit every one of them at once. Tears welled up in their eyes, and they swallowed back their cheers. With fists clenched tight, their faces were full of joy and relief. Their boss—Aria, who always charged
The steady beep of the heart monitor broke the silence in the room, and for Landon, it was the only sound that brought him any peace. He sat with a straight back in the lone leather chair beside the bed. In fact, he sat so still that the chair itself might as well have been rooted to the floor. It was as though he and the cold hospital room had become one and the same. His eyes never left Aria's face. That gaze was deep and impossibly still, the kind that only came from living far too long. And buried somewhere behind it was a tenderness no one was ever meant to see. His gaze drifted slowly across her brow, tracing the furrow that lingered there even in unconsciousness. Even now, she carried a tension she couldn't let go of. It was as if some part of her was still standing on the battlefield in Soul Lock Grove, facing Nunzio down and shielding everyone behind her. As he raised his hand, his fingertip hovered just slightly above the crease between her brows. He was so careful it
Sam crouched down and squeezed Aria's hands tightly. Burying his face against her clothes, he murmured, "Boss, you have to be okay. Please get better soon so you can take me out for good food again." Landon glanced down at him but didn't say anything. Right now, Aria could use someone whispering in her ear. Less than two minutes later, the roar of an engine came from somewhere down the road. A modified black SUV arrived at the entrance of the grove almost immediately. The tires shrieked against the ground as it braked hard and came to a dead stop in front of them. The driver jumped out immediately and yanked the rear door open. He spoke in a rushed breath. "The car's ready!" Landon didn't waste another second. He scooped Aria up against his chest and slid into the back seat in one fluid motion. He was quick but careful, as though even the slightest jolt might hurt her. Sam scrambled in right behind him and planted himself next to Aria's hand. He locked his fingers around hers
As Nunzio crossed the turbulent Slaining Demon River, every demon and spirit along the way shrank back into their nests. Sensing his millennia-old demonic power and the malice radiating from him, they didn't dare make a sound. Exhaustion mounted with every step. Nunzio felt darkness creeping at the edges of his vision, and his soul root throbbed with sharp, tearing pain. It was an unmistakable sign of the severe injury inflicted by Aria.He clenched his teeth, pressing the tip of his tongue against them. The metallic-sweet taste of blood filled his mouth. Sylas' warning echoed relentlessly in his mind. "If you can't succeed, withdraw immediately. Never linger in battle. Never put yourself in danger. Come to me. I will handle everything else."Only by reaching the place Sylas had specified could he finally lower his defenses and begin healing his fatal internal injuries.Nunzio ran for some time before finally reaching a mist-shrouded mountaintop. A secluded courtyard lay nestl
Nunzio understood what was happening at a glance. He slowly lifted his head, his dark eyes sweeping over Landon before settling on the hand pressed against Sam's shoulder, and finally resting on Aria. A half-smile, half-smirk curved his lips as he studied the scene in amusement."So that's how it is," Nunzio remarked softly. His voice was smooth and pleasant, yet it carried a chill that seeped into one's bones. He raised his hand and curled a finger toward Landon. A subtle wave of inky energy drifted toward him, brushing against his spirit barrier before settling on his shoulder.Landon froze. A ripple flashed through his eyes, and the dark mist surrounding him thickened severalfold. He grunted and took a sharp step back.Aria's chest tightened. Just as she was about to move forward, Nunzio raised his hand to stop her. "There's no rush. I'm not interested in either of you," Nunzio said lazily, glancing at her. When his gaze returned to Landon, a trace of caution flickered in h
Philip chuckled. "No! I just saw a lot of negative news about you online. Aria has been getting a lot of attention too. You two should take care of yourselves and watch out for those around you—especially—Oh, I'm going through a tunnel now. I'll get cut off. Bye!"Leon furrowed his brow as Philip abr
Barty came from a small town and was celebrated as the top graduate of his county's high school. His parents and the entire village pooled their resources, hoping that his university education would bring prosperity to their community.However, once Barty started studying under Dylan, he realized how
Ivan didn't dare speak his thoughts, even if he had guessed the truth. Landon's power and presence were undeniable, and his very appearance said it all.Owen, after all, was supposed to be Landon's father-in-law. Yet Landon showed him no mercy.Ivan shivered at the thought. He vividly recalled Owen's
Aria looked up calmly. "I didn't want to take it this far, but Mr. Soller, I think it's time your credentials are questioned." Dylan's face twisted in fury. "What do you mean by that?"Aria flashed a sly grin. "Exactly what I said."Mindy quickly tried to de-escalate the situation. "Aria, we're filmin







