Finding Paradise: Heavenly Ascension

The tension in the room was palpable, a thick, oppressive force that seemed to weigh on Joel's chest with every passing second. Lillian's body stood unnaturally still, her posture stiff and her head slightly tilted as the blackened eyes of the unseen evil bore into him.

"So," it began again, its voice dripping with malice and amusement. "I'll ask you one more time. Your names. Speak them."

Seo Hye-jin's fingers twitched at her sides as she restrained the urge to act. She could feel the corruption radiating from Lillian's body like an aura, a darkness so malevolent it sent shivers down her spine. She could break it—wake Lillian up—but she had to touch her head, and there was no way to do that without stepping into arm's reach of the creature.

Joel, his stance firm but his fists clenched at his sides, took a deep breath. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice steady but cold.

The corrupted Lillian smirked, a cruel mockery of her usual gentle expression. "What do I want? Such a simple question for such a complicated situation." The voice that wasn't Lillian's echoed softly, as if two voices spoke in tandem. "For now, all I want is your names."

Seo Hye-jin's sharp gaze flicked to Joel, her mind calculating the risks. If they kept stalling, the situation could spiral even further out of control. Finally, she stepped forward, her voice calm but edged with authority. "I am Seo Hye-jin, Royal Mage and Healer of the Empire."

The creature turned its attention to her, its expression gleeful. "Ah, a mage. How quaint. Tell me, Royal Mage, do your little healing spells work on severed heads? Shall we find out?"

Seo Hye-jin's jaw tightened, but she didn't respond.

"And you?" The creature's gaze snapped back to Joel, stepping closer as its blackened eyes gleamed. "What about you? What's your name?"

Joel remained silent, his expression unreadable.

The corrupted Lillian grinned wider, leaning in closer until her face was inches from his. "Oh, I see. You're the stoic type. But you can't hide from me, Kale."

Seo Hye-jin frowned, her confusion evident. "Kale?" she echoed, turning to Joel. "Why is it calling you that?"

Joel didn't answer, his shoulders stiffening.

The creature's laughter echoed through the room, sharp and mocking. "Oh, this is delicious. Secrets, secrets everywhere. Kale and Stacy, isn't it? Two little worms squirming where they don't belong. And your precious vessel here…" It gestured mockingly to Lillian's body. "She isn't from here either, is she?"

Seo Hye-jin took a step forward, her voice demanding. "What are you talking about? Who are you? What do you mean, she isn't from here?"

But the creature ignored her, its focus solely on Joel. It tilted its head again, the gesture almost animalistic. "Kale… Joel… wait. Joel as in Joel Robbins?"

Joel's silence was all the confirmation it needed.

The smirk vanished, replaced by a snarl of pure hatred. The corrupted body staggered back a step, its expression twisting into something monstrous. "You," it hissed, its voice dripping with venom. "You're the husband of that bitch who locked me away in the Room of the Unfated!"

Joel's eyes narrowed. "What?"

"Don't play dumb with me!" the creature roared, its fury filling the room like a storm. "Do you have any idea how long I've rotted in there? How many centuries I've suffered because of her? And now—now, of all the cursed vessels in this world, I end up in her daughter's body?!"

Seo Hye-jin's eyes widened, her mind reeling. Daughter? What was it talking about?

The corrupted Lillian began pacing erratically, muttering to itself. "This isn't happening. This can't be happening. I won't let it happen!" Then it stopped abruptly, its gaze snapping back to Joel. "I didn't plan to kill you before, but now… now, I'll savor it."

The attack came without warning. Lillian's body lunged forward with unnatural speed, her hands clawed and aimed at Joel's throat. He barely managed to sidestep in time, the force of her attack splintering the wooden post behind him.

"Don't hurt her!" Joel shouted to Seo Hye-jin, who was already preparing a defensive spell.

"I'm trying not to!" she snapped, her hands glowing faintly with energy as she tried to calculate her next move.

The fight was chaotic and brutal. The corrupted Lillian moved with inhuman agility, her attacks precise and relentless. Joel dodged and parried, but it was clear he was holding back. His strikes were aimed to disarm, to push her back, but never to harm.

The creature laughed mockingly as it struck again, forcing Joel to duck under a wild swing. "How sweet. You can't bring yourself to fight your precious daughter. How noble. How utterly pathetic."

Joel's jaw clenched as he countered with a quick sweep of his leg, trying to trip her. But she jumped, twisting mid-air and landing with unnerving grace.

"Joel!" Seo Hye-jin called out, her eyes darting between the two combatants. "I need you to hold her down!"

"She's too fast!" Joel barked, narrowly dodging another swipe.

The creature grinned wickedly. "Oh, this is fun. Let's see how long you can last, shall we?"

Despite its taunts, Joel managed to anticipate its next move. When it lunged again, he sidestepped and used her momentum against her, twisting her arm and pinning it behind her back.

"Now!" he shouted, holding her down with all his strength.

Seo Hye-jin darted forward, her hand outstretched to touch Lillian's head.

"Wait!" the creature suddenly cried, its voice changing to something softer, more innocent. "Dad… Dad, I'm scared. Don't hurt me."

Joel froze, his grip faltering as his heart wavered.

"Don't listen to it!" Seo Hye-jin urged, her voice sharp.

Joel's jaw tightened, his heart wrenching at the sound of his daughter's voice. "You're not my daughter," he said through gritted teeth, tightening his hold. "Do it, Seo Hye-jin."

Before she could, the creature grinned slyly. "Wait! I can help you," it said quickly.

Joel's glare was icy. "Help us? Why would I trust anything you say?"

The creature smirked, sensing its advantage. "Because I know what's about to happen. In fifteen minutes, during the evening prayer, two people in the crowd will strike. They've been corrupted. I don't know who they are, but I know they will kill the Emperor."

Seo Hye-jin and Joel exchanged a glance, their minds racing.

The town bell rang out loudly, signaling the beginning of the prayer.

The creature grinned triumphantly. "Tick tock. Time's running out. What will you do now?"

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