Thump.
Inside Baron Winters's mansion, Rachel carefully crept down the wooden staircase.
Each step was slow and deliberate as she scanned the surroundings with cautious eyes. She wore dark clothes and a deep purple hood that cast a shadow over her small face, giving her an almost ghostlike presence in the dim house.
Only when she reached the bottom floor without anyone noticing did she finally release the breath she had been holding.
"Phew."
Relief filled her small face as she placed a hand on her chest.
Her plan was simple. Leave Baron Winters's mansion and go find her brother.
What she feared most was the sudden appearance of that strange, goateed magician. The man's magic unsettled her deeply. Even though she did not like him at all, the power he possessed made her wary.
Rachel had only taken two quiet steps when she froze.
Merlin was lying on the floor, staring directly at her.
The animal's eyes were wide and alert as if he had been watching her the entire time.
"Woof, woof."
Rachel immediately pressed a finger against her lips.
"Shh. Quiet, Merlin."
The dog tilted his head, looking confused in an almost human way.
Rachel knelt down slightly and whispered to him.
"I have to go save my brother, so I need to leave. We're friends, right? You can't tell the Baron."
She had already seen the news earlier that day. Her brother had stepped forward to stop the aliens from attacking humanity. To prevent war, Adrian had surrendered himself and allowed the aliens to take him captive.
Rachel cared about Adrian more than anyone else in the world.
There was no way she could stay here while he was in danger.
Even if she was only a tiny child right now.
Merlin watched her silently for a moment, then lowered his head and gave a soft whine.
If he could speak, he would probably tell her that he wanted to go outside too.
But unfortunately, he could not talk.
Rachel smiled slightly and stood up.
After dealing with Merlin, determination flashed in her eyes.
"Brother, wait for me."
She clenched her small fist and pumped it downward before quietly opening the door and stepping into the hallway.
The hallway was long and dim, lit only by faint lamps mounted along the wooden walls. Several portraits and landscape paintings hung in neat rows.
Rachel did not recognize the people in the portraits, but she studied the landscape paintings as she walked.
They were colorful and bright.
Too bright.
She frowned.
They were nothing like the paintings she liked to make.
Her paintings were darker, deeper, and full of shadow.
Still, she continued walking forward while lost in thought.
After several minutes, she suddenly slowed down.
Something was wrong.
Rachel looked around in confusion.
She was back where she started.
Her small brows furrowed.
Was she lost?
Determined not to give up, she turned and walked the hallway again. Then she walked it again. And again.
Every time, she ended up right back at the starting point.
Pant. Pant.
Rachel leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
Her body was exhausted. No matter how powerful her magic might be, physically she was still just a two year old child.
But her stubborn spirit refused to quit.
Even while tired, she forced her legs to move forward again.
Meanwhile, inside his study, Baron Winters watched everything through a magical window.
His expression was serious.
Earlier, he had placed a magical barrier throughout the hallway. Unless he personally removed it, Rachel would never be able to leave that corridor.
He had made a promise to Adrian.
Because of that promise, he could not allow Rachel to leave.
"Woof."
Merlin quietly slipped into the study and curled up nearby.
Baron Winters glanced at the animal and sighed.
"Do you think I am being too harsh, Merlin?"
Merlin gave a soft whimper and rested his head on the floor.
The unimpressed look in his eyes made his opinion fairly obvious.
Baron Winters sighed again.
"Yes, I know she is only a child. But if I do not do this, she will never give up."
He watched Rachel continue running through the hallway.
"There is tremendous magic within her. I can feel it clearly. The potential inside that child is extraordinary. But her soul is deeply connected to emotion. She bonds herself to others, and that bond will become both her strength and her burden."
At that moment, Rachel once again returned to the starting point.
She collapsed onto the floor with a small thud.
Her chest rose and fell as she gasped for breath.
Despite the magical power within her, her body was completely drained.
Sitting there on the floor, Rachel imagined the danger Adrian might be facing right now.
Sweat formed on her forehead.
"No... Adrian was taken by aliens. I... I can't just sit here."
She forced herself back onto her feet.
Her legs trembled with exhaustion, yet she continued forward step by step.
Even Baron Winters felt moved by her determination.
Just as he began to hesitate, Rachel reached the starting point again.
This time she dropped to the floor, her face filled with deep disappointment.
Then something changed.
The magic inside her began to surge.
Rachel blamed herself for being helpless while Adrian was in danger.
That overwhelming guilt and pain erupted from her heart.
Dark shadows suddenly spilled from her body.
They swirled around her like a storm of black birds.
A powerful wind burst outward, whipping through the hallway.
The paintings rattled violently against the walls.
Rachel slowly raised her head.
Her eyes had turned completely black.
Dark energy leaked from her pupils, carrying a terrifying aura.
Black marks spread across the skin around her eyes, giving her the appearance of someone who had not slept in days.
Even from inside his study, Baron Winters felt the terrifying magic filling the hallway.
His expression changed immediately.
Rachel was about to lose control.
He took a deep breath and quickly removed the magical barrier.
He never wanted Rachel to leave.
But he also could not allow her powers to spiral out of control.
As the barrier vanished, the hallway door leading outside suddenly appeared before her.
Rachel paused.
The darkness in her eyes began to fade.
The swirling shadows slowly returned to her body.
Whoosh.
She dashed through the doorway instantly.
She ran so quickly that her hood slipped off her head, revealing soft black hair and slightly red ears.
Baron Winters blinked.
Something felt wrong.
Had she not been losing control just moments ago?
Why was she suddenly running away so quickly?
Then realization struck him.
He had been tricked.
Rachel had not actually lost control. She had forced her magic to flare up just enough to scare him into removing the barrier.
The little girl had deliberately fooled him.
Baron Winters tapped his staff on the floor.
"Merlin."
The dog immediately stood.
"Follow her and protect her. Do not let her notice you."
Merlin barked softly and dashed out of the study, racing after Rachel.
Baron Winters walked to the window and looked out at the dark night.
He sighed quietly.
Meanwhile, aboard the Kryptonian spaceship orbiting Earth, General Zod spoke to one of his scientists.
"What is the situation?"
The bald scientist hesitated slightly before answering.
"We have regained partial control of the ship. However, the individual holding the master key is not directly fighting us for command. Instead, he continues attempting to infiltrate multiple systems within the ship."
Zod narrowed his eyes.
"His intentions do not matter. Prevent him from approaching the core systems by any means necessary."
He stepped forward, staring out through the ship's viewing chamber.
"By tomorrow at the latest, the World Engine will be activated. Earth will begin its transformation into Krypton."
Under the radiation of Earth's yellow sun, Zod had begun adapting to his enhanced senses. His Kryptonian abilities were slowly awakening.
"No one will stop me from rebuilding our home."
He turned to his officers.
"Notify the deputy commander. Begin operations against the Earth government. I will not allow these primitive humans to interfere with the rebirth of Krypton."