Hell Gates Arc has begun.

  **Before the confrontation between Souta and Tears in the village of Armoura.**

  **Kingdom of Beeatrix.**

  Days after the king’s funeral.

  **Capital Golden Hall.**

  The sky remained neutral, as if the world had forgotten how to feel. In the Hive Castle, the patrols returned to their posts. The guards resumed their routines. But the heart of the kingdom still pulsed in silence.

  **Stingara’s Room.**

  Cold.

  Dark.

  She, in tatters.

  Melisara was there, sitting at the edge of the bed, trying — for the last time — to break the silence.

  — Come on, Stingara… — she began, her voice empty, almost childlike. — It’s been two weeks since you left your room.

  She hesitated, then hardened.

  — Mother has already tried dialogue. Already shouted. Already commanded. You cannot remain weak like this.

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  Stingara did not respond. She remained lying down, eyes lost on the ceiling.

  Melisara stood up. Her gaze went dark.

  — It’s useless.

  She left the room without another word. Cold. Indifferent.

  Stingara remained motionless.

  Flashback

  She combed her hair before the mirror. Adolescent. Joyful.

  The king appeared at the door.

  — What do you want, old man? — she said, teasing.

  He smiled.

  — You’re becoming more beautiful every day. More and more like your mother. Only the personality is missing.

  Stingara frowned.

  — What’s wrong with my personality?

  The king laughed, but soon grew serious.

  — When I went to the workshop… I saw you with a boy. Intimate.

  The words cut like blades. Sweat trickled down. She tried to justify herself.

  He raised his hand.

  — Calm down. I won’t tell your mother. But she is astute. She will find out. And when she does… bad things will happen.

  Silence swallowed the room.

  — So tell me… who is this lucky one? — he said, breaking the tension with a smile.

  Stingara lit up.

  — His name is Sousa. He’s handsome, tall… has a radiant smile that I adore…

  She spoke like an enchanted child.

  Those days of joy seemed never to have existed.

  Now only remained:

  Pain.

  Sadness.

  Darkness.

  ### Back to the present

  Stingara still on the bed.

  The darkness of the room began to distort.

  A sinister sound tore through the air.

  **ZOOOSH.**

  From the shadows, Souta emerged.

  Piercing smile.

  Eyes glowing in crimson red.

  — I told you I would return.

  The tension was palpable.

  But…

  What were his intentions?