The Merciful Reaper

**Mystic Mystic Night**'s mood had been stormy for days. Losing the Hades Sword Sword in the Titan Mountains was a blow to the Holy Church's pride—but it was his daughter **Mystic Moon**'s hollow silence that cut deeper. Since their departure from the Titan Sword Sect, the fiery spirit that once defined her had vanished. Her laughter died. Her rebellions ceased. Even her tears fell in secret, her eyes reflecting a void where mischief once danced. 

"**Mystic Moon**, we're home," **Mystic Mystic Night** murmured as rolling hills gave way to the gilded spires of the Holy Church's inner sanctum. 

**Mystic Moon** traced the horizon without blinking. Home—a cage of piety and politics. Since parting from **Dunce**, her world had unraveled. She missed his clueless frowns, his absurd bravery, the way he'd nearly died shielding her from bandits. Her heart still raced to his stuttered syllables: *"Yue… Yue, are you hurt?"* 

Her father's voice fractured her thoughts. "Why so silent?" 

She flinched. "I'm fine." 

**Mystic Mystic Night** gripped her shoulder, his crimson cardinal robes catching the sunlight. "Forget that lowborn fool. He's a peasant with a cursed blade. Unworthy of the Holy Church's jewel." 

**Mystic Moon** bit her tongue. *He doesn't see*. Dunce's kindness defied the Sword's darkness. His purity outweighed a thousand polished knights. 

Then the gates parted—and **Nyssa** burst through, silver hair streaming like moonlight. "**Mystic Moon**!" 

The dam broke. **Mystic Moon** sprinted into her mother's arms, sobbing. "Mom… I missed you so much—" 

**Nyssa** cradled her, reading anguish in her daughter's gaunt cheeks. "Hush, my star. You're safe now." 

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### Chapter: Blood Skeleton Secrets 

That night, **Nyssa** cornered **Mystic Mystic Night** in their solarium. Stained glass saints watched as she flung facts like knives: 

- **Mystic Moon** vanishing for weeks. 

- Her obsession with **Dunce**, the boy who wielded the Hades Sword. 

- The Titan Mountains debacle—**Mystic Mystic Night**'s defeat by the Blademaster, witnessed only by peasants and his shattered daughter. 

"You let her fall for a demon-blade bearer?" **Nyssa**'s whisper scalded. "A boy whose soul is half-shadow?" 

**Mystic Mystic Night** spun, eyes flaring. "The Sword chose him! Its evil hasn't tainted him yet—but *she* is tainted by sentiment!" 

Outside **Mystic Moon**'s door, he watched his wife stroke their daughter's blue braids. "I'll forget him, won't I?" **Mystic Moon** whispered into the dark. 

**Nyssa** kissed her forehead. "Devotion requires sacrifice. Train until your light rivals mine. Then…" 

*Then you can chase your peasant.* The unspoken vow lingered. **Mystic Mystic Night** knew that look—the same iron resolve that made **Nyssa** defy her own father to marry him. 

He stormed to the scriptorium. *So be it. Let Holy Church drills scour **Dunce** from her bones.* 

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### Audenence with the Pope Mystic 

**Pope Mystic** awaited them in the Sanctum Solis. Sunbeams crowned his white hair as he knelt before a six-winged angel statue, fog swirling like divine breath. 

"Blood Skeleton Monk Priest **Mystic Mystic Night**, Deaconess **Nyssa** and Disciple **Mystic Moon** request audience," the herald boomed. 

"Enter." 

**Pope Mystic** turned. Ancient eyes pinned **Mystic Moon**—and she shocked her parents by darting forward to tug his beard. "Grandfather! I missed you!" 

He laughed, defying centuries of solemnity. "Chaos incarnate, yet you return meek as a lamb?" 

"She seeks training," **Mystic Mystic Night** interjected, voice tight. "To master Holy Light." 

**Pope Mystic**'s amusement died. **Mystic Moon** met his gaze. "Teach me. I'll cleanse my weakness. For the Holy Church." 

*For the boy I left behind*, she didn't say. **Nyssa** caught it—the stubborn fire reigniting. 

"Very well." Pope Mystic raised his staff. Gold light swallowed **Mystic Moon**'s hands. "Prove your resolve tomorrow. Fail—and your freedom ends." 

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**Outside, dusk bled crimson.** **Mystic Moon** stared at the training arenas. 

*Dunce, wait for me.* 

Searing resolve ignited her palms. 

*This light will forge my wings.*