Deviant: No Longer Human

Illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, the ancient ivy-clad stonework of the castle seemed almost alive, whispering secrets of the ages to the silent night.

The imposing arched gateway, inscribed with tales of old, cast long shadows across the cobblestone path that led to the fortress.

A hauntingly beautiful stone fountain, overseen by the figure of a naked winged angel, lay still, the water within reflecting the flickering light of stars overhead.

The wild embrace of the surrounding forest reached out to the castle walls, as if nature itself yearned to be part of the mystique of this place.

Elara, stationed at the gateway, appeared as a figure woven from the very threads of night.

Her attire, a striking contrast of deep crimson and shadowy black, hugged her form, melding the allure of the East with a provocatively modern design.

The fabric was cut away at the shoulders, leaving her arms bare and showcasing the strength in them, while a necklace with a ruby pendant lay against her collarbone, a vivid contrast to her pale skin.

The elaborate golden tiara, resembling laurel leaves, crowned her head, signifying her regal bearing. Her pointed ears peeked from beneath her flowing, raven-black hair, hinting at her unique lineage.

Her eyes, sharp as the blades of warriors past, pierced through the darkness, fixating on the two approaching silhouettes.

They moved with intent along the cobblestone, their arrival sending ripples through the stillness of the night.

As two figures finally emerged out of the forest, making their way toward the castle, Elara\'s expression grew taut, a mix of anticipation and wariness coloring her features.

As the moonlit shadows danced around her, Elara\'s face drained of color, each feature of the newcomers etching itself into her memory.

Before her stood a woman of ethereal beauty, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall under starlight, and eyes that held the cold brilliance of sapphire ice.

But it was the man who captured Elara\'s attention utterly—a ghost from her past, perhaps?

His eyes were like embers in the dark, glowing with an intense crimson light, while his attire—a meld of black and red—whispered of ancient times.

A tremor of recognition ran through Elara, her voice escaping in a breath, "The Eighth Prince...!" Her eyes stretched wide with shock, her footing nearly betrayed her.

"You are...?" Wang Xiao halted, an eyebrow raised in question at the pale figure rooted by the gate, as though she were both guardian and statue.

He noted her bewildered silence, puzzling. A glance towards Aurora found her with a subtle arch of surprise in her gaze, suggesting an unexpected recognition.

It seemed Elara had been anticipating someone, but not them—certainly not him.

The riddle deepened—Elara knew of him, but not of Aurora, who in turn seemed to know Elara.

What was this tangled web of familiarity?

Wang Xiao took a step forward, his movement cut short by Aurora\'s sudden grip. Her voice was urgent, a warning bell in the night. "Wait, don\'t go near her. She is a poison maiden. Merely touching her would be lethal."

!!

Elara stumbled back, her shock mirrored in her voice, "You know of my curse...?" A glimmer of vulnerability flashed before she steeled herself, her eyes alighting with a supernatural silver fire, her gaze sharp as daggers. "Where is Lord Asmodeus!?" she demanded, her fierce gaze fixated on Wang Xiao, her posture now one of offense rather than defense.

\'Lord Asmodeous?\' Wang Xiao echoed, a flicker of amusement crossing his features as the name seemed to conjure an inside joke only he was privy to. "Were you standing guard all this time for Asmodeous\'s return?"

Elara\'s confidence wavered at his grin, her stance rigid with trepidation. "W-Where is Lord Asmodeous? Eighth Prince, heed my warning—you tread upon forbidden grounds. Take your companion and depart at once," her voice cracked like thin ice underfoot.

Wang Xiao\'s amusement faded into a frown, her insistence piquing his interest. "Haven\'t you heard? Asmodeous is no more," he challenged, searching her face for a hint of acknowledgment.

"That\'s a lie!" The words burst from Elara, her fists tightening as if grasping at the fragments of her shattered reality.

But then, Wang Xiao did the unthinkable. With a swift motion that betrayed his earlier calm, he reached out and seized Elara by the neck. The act was so sudden, so brash, that it jarred the night itself.

"What!?" The disbelief in Elara\'s eyes mirrored the shock that rippled through Aurora. "Wang Xiao!" she cried out, a note of distress coloring her usually composed voice. But Wang Xiao was undeterred, his eyes locked on Elara\'s, his grip firm. "A touch of poison never killed anyone," he retorted, his voice laced with a dangerous calm.

"Argh—release me!" Elara\'s voice, filled with disbelief ragged as she gasped for air, her body contorting desperately against the vice-like grip of Wang Xiao. Her feet kicked out into the void, seeking purchase where there was none.

Wang Xiao\'s gaze was unyielding, his voice cold and merciless as it sliced through the tension, "Your lord has fallen. Summon everyone from within the castle, or I swear I\'ll this place into dust myself!"

!!

Elara\'s struggle ceased abruptly, her survival instinct taking over.

Her eyes, once full of defiance, now flickered with the realization of her dangerous situation. "You... you wouldn\'t dare," she breathed, her voice a mix of fear and disbelief. "The Eighth Prince wouldn\'t lay waste to the legacy of Asmodeous without cause."

"...Would you wage war on a ghost, or can we parley like the civilized beings we purport to be?" Her oice steadied as she sought to appeal to any shred of reason left in the man who held her fate between his fingers.

Wang Xiao\'s grip loosened imperceptibly, his features softening but a fraction. "Talk, then," he commanded, his tone still firm.

Elara, gasping, regained her composure as she felt the crushing pressure around her neck abate. "Lord Asmodeous\'s absence has left a power vacuum that threatens the balance of... our entire existence.

If you truly possess might, aid me in locating the Lord, and I assure you, any grievances between you shall be brought to the table for negotiation!" she offered, her voice a mix of desperation and hope.

She observed Wang Xiao\'s features, searching for a sign of agreement, but his expression grew increasingly grim.

\'Have I not offered enough?\' she questioned inwardly, her mind reeling for more leverage.