Chapter 174. Farewell for Now

Celeste’s POV

My vision blurred as Lira’s extra hands—summoned through her black magic—closed tightly around my neck. I hadn’t realized she was capable of such strength. She didn’t hold back in the slightest. With ruthless efficiency, she called forth those shadowy limbs just to strangle me faster. I gasped for air, pain flaring in my throat, every heartbeat pounding with desperation.

Then Leon sprang forward. His powerful tail swung in a wide arc and knocked Lira off balance, releasing me before darkness could claim my consciousness. I collapsed to one side, wheezing, while Lira recovered almost instantly and whirled toward Leon.

“Stop saving her!” she screamed, voice ragged and filled with anguish. “She’s the reason we can’t be together! Let her die!”

I forced my scattered thoughts to realign. I managed to stare back at Lira through swollen eyes. Anger welled up inside me—my only instinct was to strike back and beat her down. But even then, something