Ravaz vanished in the blink of an eye, reappearing in "Azaveria"... specifically, within the Dimension of Loss. It was not a place unknown to him, yet it was never a place one visited by choice. It was a place where one was cast away.
A prison.
A world without beginning or end, perpetually repeating as a closed loop of chaos. Ravaz stood amidst the burning desert; the sands beneath his feet shifted slowly, as if seeking to swallow anyone who dared tread upon them. He looked up slightly and said calmly:
"Nothing has changed..."
But the echo did not return his words as they were.
"...has changed... changed... changed..."
He paused for a few seconds, then continued walking. He wasn't searching with his eyes, but with something deeper—a sensation he knew all too well.
"A prisoner of Loptha..." he whispered to himself.
Long moments passed. The silence was unnatural; it felt heavy, as if it were watching him. Then—a faint whistling sound. Ravaz stopped instantly. He didn't turn around. He simply said:
"Eros."
The voice came from behind him, interrupted by a jarring whistle:
"Prince of Azaveria..." A soft chuckle followed. "Rarely do I see one come here of their own volition."
Ravaz turned slowly. Eros stood there, his frame thin and hunched, his yellow eyes watching him with sharp interest. He took a step closer.
"Have you lost your way...?"
Ravaz replied coldly: "I do not get lost."
Eros smiled, tilting his head slightly. "Then... you came searching." He paused for a moment before adding, "For me."
Ravaz did not deny it. "Yes."
Eros's expression shifted. His smile didn't vanish, but it grew quieter.
"How intriguing..." He began to circle Ravaz slowly, inspecting him from every angle. "A Prince... entering a prison... to request something of a prisoner." He stopped directly in front of him. "Tell me... what could I possibly offer you that your world cannot?"
Ravaz answered without hesitation: "Your ability."
Silence.
For a moment, even the sound vanished. Even the desert seemed to go still. Then Eros laughed—a low, whistling laugh.
"Straightforward... just as I expected." He sat upon the sand, as if finding the situation amusing. "Speak."
Ravaz said: "There is a child." Eros's expression remained unchanged, but he did not interrupt. "She bears marks... that must not stay with her. They must be sealed."
At this, Eros's gaze changed. He leaned forward.
"Marks..." he repeated the word slowly. "What kind of marks?"
Ravaz didn't offer much explanation. He simply said: "Engravings of Fate."
A brief silence followed. Then, Eros smiled. But this time, it wasn't a smirk of mockery; it was genuine interest.
"You are not asking for something simple." He rose slowly. "Engravings of Fate are not removed... they are wrenched out."
Ravaz said steadily: "Do it."
Eros stepped closer, his eyes locked onto Ravaz. "And why should I?"
Ravaz replied: "Because you can."
Eros smiled thinly. "That is no reason."
Silence hung between them. Then Ravaz spoke:
"I will free you."
Eros's features froze—only for a second, but it was enough.
"You would return me... to the outside?"
"Yes," Ravaz affirmed.
Eros stared at him for a long time, as if measuring his sincerity. Then he said slowly: "And why should I trust you?"
Ravaz answered: "Our covenants are eternal."
Eros fell silent, then laughed, though his voice was lower now. "So... you are serious." He took a step forward. "A vow for a vow."
Ravaz added: "And breaking it means your end."
Eros gave a sharp smile.
The two exchanged a silent look. Then Eros said:
"I agree."
In an instant, both Ravaz and Eros vanished. They reappeared moments later on Earth—specifically in Stephanie's room, where her cold body still lay, waiting for burial. Ravaz looked at her, a pang of agony gripping his heart, but he fought to compose himself. He gestured toward Elena, who was sleeping... peaceful... unaware of anything.
Eros looked at her. His gaze lingered this time.
"So, this is what you were hiding..."
Ravaz said sharply: "Remember, Eros—your silence in exchange for your freedom."
Eros reached out his hand but didn't touch her immediately. "Strange..."
"Finish it," Ravaz commanded with a slight edge.
Eros sat down slowly and placed Elena on his lap. "Do not rush..." He looked at Ravaz for a second. "This is no ordinary task."
He began to mutter strange, incomprehensible words. With every whisper, purple symbols appeared in the air, emerging from Eros's mouth, which opened like a black hole until his face almost disappeared. The symbols began to circle slowly... drawing closer... and then, they entered Elena's body.
Her body jolted slightly. Her breathing changed.
"There they are..." Eros whispered.
The marks appeared—three glowing engravings. He reached out his hand, and with extreme slowness, he began to pull them. It was as if he were uprooting something living.
Elena trembled more violently. She began to cry—a bitter wail, like a child whose soul is being torn away in the first moments of life. Eros continued... until the engravings transformed into three orbs of energy.
He stood up, looked at the girl for a moment, and then handed the orbs to Ravaz.
"It is done."
He looked at the child again. "Now... she appears human." Her scent, her form—she was entirely human. He paused, then added, "But... this will not deceive her."
Ravaz said: "This is all I want."
Eros smiled and said: "When she turns eighteen..." He paused again before adding, "The marks will begin to summon her."
Ravaz did not respond. He simply said: "Go."
Eros stood, looked at him one last time... then gave a faint smile and vanished.