"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Chapter 99: Hope Shattered


The heavy wooden door creaked open, spilling a narrow strip of candlelight across the floor. Inside, the room glowed dimly—shadows swayed on the walls, alive and watching.

Aazin's hand tightened around Tina's delicate fingers."Come," he urged gently, almost reverently.

Tina's face flickered in the candlelight, her eyes carrying the fragile spark of hope. Excitement, fear, and desperate longing wrestled inside her as she whispered, "Mister… this fifteen thousand… it means my father might live. Thank you. Truly…"

Her gaze dropped, trembling. It's my first time… and yet, I'm strangely happy. I… I think I'm falling for you, mister.

Aazin tilted his head, lips curling into a smile that was equal parts warmth and possession. Leaning close, his breath brushed against her ear as he murmured, "I've already fallen into your love."

Tina froze. Her chest tightened."Do… do you mean it?"

"Yes," he breathed. "Every word."

And before she could steady herself, his lips pressed softly against her cheek. The warmth of it stole her breath, leaving her caught between innocence and something far more dangerous -- love.

Aazin made her sit on the bed. She sat, smiling shyly yet glowing. The room was dim, candlelight spreading a soft yellow-orange flash, making the moment warm, beautiful. Excitement filled the air, filling both hearts.

Aazin said softly, "Lay down."Tina nodded, eyes bright – "hmm" – her voice full of thrill. But she moved slowly, like she wanted to feel every second, taste every moment of pleasure. Shlayid down.

Aazin crawled on his knees towards her, slow, steady. As he came closer, Tina's body shivered – uneasy, yet sweet. The feeling grew inside her, restless and alive. Then suddenly, Aazin fell over her.

That instant – a spark, a rush of lust burst between them. Their lips met, buried into each other. Breath tangled, heartbeats wide. They kissed, and the world outside disappeared.

Both were on the bed, Tina's soft moans escaping her lips — "umm… hmmm…" The bed creaked with every movement. Aazin's chest pressed firmly against Tina's, and she could no longer think, only feel.

Inside her mind: "Ahhh… this is what I was missing all these years. The warmth of a man… the pleasure of his touch… I love you, mister. Please don't leave me."

Her breasts pressed under Aazin's weight, a sweet ache rising within her. His hand slid along her waist, then her neck, making her shiver. The moment felt like heaven itself.

But suddenly, Aazin stopped. He pulled back from the kiss, breathing heavily.

Tina gasped, her body still trembling."Why did you stop?" she whispered, desperate, her breath heavy and uneven. "I want more… don't stop…"

Aazin's eyes locked onto hers. His voice was calm, but carried something sharp."Do you love me?"

The sudden question froze Tina. Her face flushed, and she nodded quickly."Yes, I do! I love you… I want to marry you… I'm happy sleeping with you…"

But instead of answering, Aazin laughed. A cold, echoing laugh."Hahahahaha…"

Tina's smile vanished. Her heart skipped."What… why are you laughing?" she asked nervously.

Aazin leaned closer, his tone mocking."You need fifteen thousand, right?"

Her face turned pale, hesitation flooding her."Y-yes… but… what's happening? Are you okay, mister?"

Aazin slipped off his jacket with a casual shrug, his voice steady."Yeah, yeah—it's all fine. I need fifteen thousand, and I've got that. Didn't you say you wanted to save your father?"

He laid the jacket neatly on the table, then dropped to his knees, reaching under the bed. A heavy bag scraped across the floor as he dragged it out. He tossed it onto the mattress, unzipped it, and the faint gleam of bundled notes filled the room.

"This is thirty thousand," he said coolly. "All yours."

Tina froze, eyes wide. "Th-this much? No, no, Mister, I only need fifteen. Please… I don't deserve the rest."

Aazin took her trembling hands and gave a faint smile."It's yours."

Her pale lips trembled. "Then… why don't you marry me instead?" Her watery eyes lifted, filled with desperation. "I want you… as my husband."

Aazin slowly released her hands. His fingers moved to his shirt, unbuttoning each clasp one by one. The fabric slid from his chest, revealing a black dragon tattoo coiled across his skin.

Then came the smile. Twisted. Demonic.

The air grew heavy, shadows crawling along the walls. The money on the bed began to darken, each note crumbling into black ash.

Tina stumbled back, her breath caught in her throat. "Wh-what are you?!"

Aazin's voice rumbled like thunder, like not his own."I am from Vaiven. I am Aazin. I love to toy with innocent girls. You… are the one-hundred and sixty-ninth to fall for my charm. And I…" His grin widened, eyes burning red. "…I only enjoy them when they're dead."

Her body trembled violently. She clutched the fading bag of money and bolted for the door, slamming against it."Open! Please, open!"

Aazin's laugh filled the room."You can't."

She collapsed against the floor, sobbing. "Please… I just want to save my father… Please, let me go…"

The room sank into black flames.Aazin's eyes glowed red, burning like a demon's fire.

He threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing like knives in the dark.

Aazin: "Oh, Tina, Tina, Tina… you thought you found your love? You thought you could save your daughter?"His grin widened, cruel."Hahaha… what a joke. I am devil-hearted. This weak thing you call emotion—it pushes me not to love you, but to destroy you. To crush that tiny little hope you hold."

With a snap of his fingers, a blood-red glass pane appeared, hovering in front of him. A tall, sharp rectangle glowing with runes. He tilted it so Tina could see herself inside its reflection.

Numbers etched themselves across the glass.30 Vita.

Aazin's lips curled."Not bad… not bad at all. You gave me thirty Vita. You're more pure than the others I've broken."

Tina's face froze between terror and heartbreak, her breath shaking.

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