Triple X System

Snow’s eyes snapped open, her consciousness hurtling back into her own body like a rebounding rubber band. She gasped, her mind reeling from the abrupt disconnection.

She’d tried to submerge her consciousness back into Kyle’s system, to guide him through the darkness, but it was like hitting a brick wall. The link was severed, leaving her feeling disjointed and anxious.

Her gaze landed on Elijah, his face still etched with fear. Snow’s anger flared, her hand on her sword’s hilt.

"Who was that?" she growled, her voice low and menacing. "Where’s Kyle?"

Elijah took a step back, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Snow, I-"

Snow’s sword was out, its tip inches from Elijah’s throat. "Tell me, Elijah. Now."

Elijah swallowed, his eyes darting around the room. "That was Azazel, a powerful demon. He’s...he’s one of the Fallen, a high-ranking lieutenant of the Demon King."

Snow’s grip on her sword tightened. "And where’s Kyle?"

Elijah’s voice was barely above a whisper. "Azazel’s taken him to the Shadow Realm, a dimension of twisted darkness. It’s a place where even the bravest warriors dare not tread."

Snow’s eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. She’d heard whispers of the Shadow Realm, a place where shadows had teeth and the darkness devoured everything.

Her sword pressed deeper into Elijah’s throat. "You’re going to tell me everything, Elijah. About the Order, about Azazel, about Kyle’s fate. Or so help me, I’ll-"

Elijah’s face paled, his voice trembling. "I’ll tell you, Snow. I’ll tell you everything. Just...just don’t kill me."