While the battle raged inside, Asher and Miria arrived in front of the house. Everything seemed strangely calm.
"You see?" Asher said with a smile. "You were worried for nothing."
Miria frowned. Her violet eyes darkened even further, becoming almost black.
"Sorry to disappoint you… but this is all an illusion."
Asher, surprised:
"Are you sure?"
Miria didn't answer. She stepped forward with determination. Asher followed, all his senses on high alert. The moment they crossed the invisible threshold, the illusion shattered: they found themselves facing a massive gaping hole where the door had been, surrounded by hooded enemies ready to attack.
The opponents whirled around. Miria and Asher retaliated instantly. Miria, with overwhelming power, raised her hand and unleashed a wave of pure energy that slammed several enemies into the walls with devastating force. Asher fought beside her with precision, blending lightning-fast spells and deadly vampiric strikes.
In a room upstairs, Asher found himself momentarily alone after defeating several attackers. A familiar, mocking voice rang out behind him:
"Asher…"
He turned just in time to receive a violent kick that sent him crashing into the wall. Vareck stood there, a cruel smile on his lips.
"Asher… we meet again."
"Vareck…" Asher said as he got back up, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "Tell me, why are you still so obsessed with me? I understand your secret love, really. It's almost touching. But it's not mutual, big guy. You should really find someone else. I'm already taken."
Vareck growled, fists clenched.
"Shut up, Asher!"
"No, but seriously," Asher continued with a provocative smile, "you follow me everywhere, you attack my house every time… It's almost cute. Do you want me to hold your hand? Whisper sweet nothings in your ear? 'Vareck, my darling, stop being such a drama queen'?"
Vareck turned red with rage.
"I'm going to kill you!"
"Ah, unrequited love… Always so dramatic. You know, if you keep this up, I'm going to start believing you're in love with me. Do you want a hug? A kiss on the cheek maybe?"
Completely exasperated, Vareck roared and attacked with redoubled fury. The fight was extremely violent, the two men exchanging blows, spells, and provocations.
In another room, Diana, Katrina, and Léana were struggling to hold their ground. Léana fought in a strangely restrained manner. Suddenly, an enemy appeared and tried to stab Léana with a silver knife. Katrina reacted instinctively: she stepped in front of her to create a protective force field.
But the knife was faster.
It plunged deep into Katrina's chest.
"Katrina!" Klaus screamed as he arrived at the same moment, his voice torn with terror.
Katrina staggered, blood pouring abundantly from her mouth. Klaus rushed forward, catching her just before she hit the floor and desperately pulling her into his arms.
"No… no, Katrina… stay with me! Please… hold on! Don't leave me… not you…"
Burning tears streamed down his face. The pain was unbearable: watching the woman he loved die in his arms, this total helplessness, this emptiness crushing his heart as if his soul were being ripped out.
Katrina raised a trembling hand and tenderly caressed his cheek with a sad, resigned smile.
"Klaus… I… love you…"
Her hand fell limply. Her eyes closed gently. She passed away in his arms.
Klaus let out a howl of pain — a primal, heart-wrenching cry that echoed throughout the house. He clutched her lifeless body against him, sobbing uncontrollably, his heart shattered into a thousand pieces.
At the same moment, Asher, distracted by the agonizing scream, took a brutal hit from Vareck. The latter seized the opportunity to cast an illusion spell, taking on the appearance of the first Miria — black hair, brown eyes.
"Asher… my love…" the illusion whispered in a soft voice.
Asher hesitated, troubled:
"Miria…?"
Vareck approached slowly to finish him off. But Miria burst into the room and unleashed a phenomenally powerful attack. Vareck was violently hurled through the wall, crashed through the second-floor room, and slammed hard into the ground outside. Miria leaped from the second floor and landed gracefully right in front of Vareck, who was still lying on the ground, dazed. He immediately tried to get up and flee. Miria raised her hand and sent a wave of energy that violently pinned him to the ground.
"You're not going anywhere," she spat.
Vareck growled in rage and tried once more to stand, launching a blazing magical attack in her direction. Miria stopped the spell with a simple wave of her hand, as if it were an insignificant breeze. She immediately countered with another energy blast that sent Vareck rolling several meters across the ground.
Miria approached slowly, concentrating a massive amount of energy between her palms, her violet eyes glowing with a murderous light.
"This time… it's over, Vareck."
But the moment she launched the attack, the spell seemed to evaporate before reaching its target, gradually diminishing until it disappeared completely. Miria was surprised at first, then composed herself and tried again. Nothing.
Miria wanted to insist, but Asher's agonized voice, carried by her enhanced hearing, stopped her cold. She turned back reluctantly. Vareck took advantage to flee, staggering. The remaining minions also retreated.
Miria ran to Asher.
On the other side of the house, a heavy and oppressive silence had fallen. Everyone stood frozen, some weeping uncontrollably, others holding back their grief as they faced Katrina's lifeless body, still clutched in Klaus's trembling arms.