THE SLUMBERING CURSE IN THE BLOOD

n a pigeon - a simple, white pigeon that Yura had saved. And yet, here she was now, transformed into a h

en pinched her own arm, half-expecting to wake up from a strange d

you looking at me like that?" Alyssa tilted

a still couldn't form a coherent response. Her mind reeled, struggling to ma

lly whispered, her voice so soft sh

look. "Why are you so surp

you talking about? How c

licker of doubt crossing her face. "Wait.

... what?" Yura a

wly nodded, as if confirming something to

n't understand, a fairy tale come to life in the most bewildering way. A talking

Yura hesitated, glancing at Alyssa with u

pite the strange circumstances. "When you heale

led.

its bloodied wing so gently. And then... it had been fine. Completely healed. It had happen

ced through the air, snipping off a strand of Yura's bangs. T

yssa stated matter-of-factly. "Yo

nked. "A

shroom caps shaped like turtle shells, and though they have four legs, they usually tuck them in and

o picture it. What kind of world did Aly

shift too?" she

Kin. Their magic is practically useless. If you ever visit my world, you

ensing a pattern. "So th

Kin, Mythic Kin, and Ethereal Kin. Only those ranked Primordial Kin or higher can shape-s

was an elegant falcon soaring through the air, then a majestic eagle, and then, to Yura's astonishment, a bird of fire, its brilliant flames illumina

her throat. She had never seen anything li

ked. "Not only can I turn into a human,

spin. "Where... w

ght secretly take you there-on one condition: you ha

isted. "I've never u

ut you did. The moment you touch

about that," Yura mur

s tone. "Only the Ethereal Kin - the highest tier of therian - possess h

strange. She wasn't some powerful being - she was just a

rp and unwavering. "How can you wield their m

on the door m

inner," her mother cal

Yura quickly replied. But as s

eft. Yet, on the glass pane, a thin layer of mist h

you again to

ith her mother to church to pray. Beat the dust off her feet, grabbed

nds of moonlight. Her face was wrinkled like an old persons and her once-bright eyes were now wrapped in a cloud o

og, running after them with playful enthusiasm, accidentally knocked her can

wly assisted the woman to her feet. As she held her steady, Yura

am?" Yura asked with

through her affliction. "

. Instead, as soon as her fingers touched, something magical oc

sharp breath escaping her lips. "How strange ... Why do

ed. "I... I didn't do anything

. The wounded pigeon - the girl called Alyssa - the mira

as if searching for something invisible. "How strange ... You bear

n Yura's back. "W

A great destiny lies before you. But truly, how tragic. H

n's words sent chills through her. Was

happened to me?"

ted, her voice low, almo

ze. "A..

matter how much you try to run from

ss further, a firm ha

mo

upted, her tone uncharacterist

id she have to do that? As she was pulled away, she noticed the faint t

d back one

far, as if she were not blind at all. Her gaze was unreada