Lana understood this well. Humans were flawed creatures, biased toward those who loved them, protected them, and stood by their side.
They would always defend the ones who had defended them.
That was how the human world worked. And so, Lana did not interrupt.
"But my father?" Layla’s eyes hardened. "He was never right."
She clenched her fists.
"He might have hated my mother, her mistake was unforgivable. But why did he repeatedly try to kill ?"
Hearing those words, Lana slowly closed her eyes.
"I never wanted to acknowledge him," Layla said. "Yet he sent thugs and goons again and again to kill ."
Her breathing faltered.
"One of them was even hired by his main wife," she added, her voice breaking. "She arranged for to be molested."
Lana’s fists clenched tightly, her nails digging into her palms.
"I still don’t understand," Layla said in a choked whisper, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"What did I ever do to deserve such hatred?"
Her voice grew softer, almost hollow.
"They only stopped after my mother died... while saving ."
At those words, Lana finally opened her eyes and looked at Layla, who had already wiped her tears away.
"I’m not a bloodthirsty person," Layla said, staring up at the sky once more.
"I prefer solitude. I never wanted fa or power. I just wanted a peaceful life."
She paused, then added quietly,
"I don’t crave money either. But there is one thing I crave."
Her gaze shifted to Lana.
"Justice."
Her voice trembled as emotion seeped through.
"I know what I’m about to ask is a lot. I told you before that I wouldn’t put you at risk."
She bowed her head slightly.
"But I beg you for your help. Because one thing I know for sure... as long as you help , I would die for you."
Lana’s eyes trembled.
With the link, Mr. Crow’s calm voice echoed.
"You should help her."
Lana clenched her fists and lowered her gaze. ’What do you an?’ she asked through the link.
"It may surprise you," Mr. Crow replied evenly, "but Layla has the potential to beco a destiny’s child. Help her today, and you will reap the benefits soday."
Hearing this, Lana looked at Layla, who was watching her with hopeful eyes.
Yet instead of agreeing imdiately, Lana tightened her fists.
She was not soone who helped others for ulterior motives.
She lifted her head and looked at the sky.
"I just received so information," Lana said. "Do you want to hear it?"
Layla blinked, startled by the sudden shift, but nodded. "Yes. I want to hear it."
Lana smirked.
"You’re a destiny’s child."
Mr. Crow’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at Lana, clearly not expecting her to reveal the truth so bluntly.
Layla froze, staring blankly.
"What are you saying?" she asked in confusion. "I’m sure I’m Traven’s child."
Lana laughed softly.
"I’m not talking about blood," she replied. "Spiritually, you’re destined for sothing far greater."
Layla’s eyes widened slightly.
"I can promise to help you get justice," Lana continued. "I can help you take Traven down one day."
Layla’s fists clenched tightly.
"But in return," Lana added, "you must help when I need you."
Her gaze sharpened.
"And when that ti cos, you might lose your life. Can you accept that?"
Layla lowered her eyes. After a brief silence, she smiled softly.
"Yes."
The imdiate response made Lana frown.
"If you haven’t thought this through," Lana said firmly, "then you should reconsider."
Even though Lana was desperate at that mont and could have sealed the deal right away, she was serious about this matter.
She knew very well that one day, she might truly need Layla’s life in exchange for her help.
Hearing this, Layla burst into laughter and fell back onto the cold ground, the scent of damp earth rising around her as her shoulders shook.
"You’re the most innocent person I’ve ever t," she laughed, staring up at the dim sky.
Lana looked at her with an irritated gaze, her brows knitting together.
"You know," Layla continued, propping herself up on one elbow, "you had every right to hide the truth from . You could have used without ever letting know about my so-called destined future."
She turned her head slightly, her eyes sharp despite the smile.
"Yet you chose to tell everything."
Lana felt a faint unease crawl up her spine.
"Aren’t you scared," Layla added teasingly, I might turn towards soone else for help instead using the leverage you have given ?"
Lana chuckled softly, the sound calm and unbothered.
"If it isn’t in my destiny to obtain your promise," she replied, "then I’ll simply give up and find soone else. It’s not that big of a deal."
Hearing this, Layla laughed again, this ti more quietly, before pushing herself to her feet.
Dust clung to her clothes as she stood upright and extended her hand toward Lana, who was still seated.
"I agree," Layla said without hesitation.
When she spoke those words, she had already thought everything through.
"My life isn’t worth much right now anyway," she said calmly.
"And you," Layla continued, looking straight at Lana, "are the only one willing to help even when I’m nothing."
She tightened her grip slightly as Lana took her hand.
"That alone makes this a big deal to ."
Lana smiled at Layla, and from that mont on, the two of them began working together seamlessly.
As ti passed, the ghosts they faced grew increasingly ferocious, their forms ragged and distorted, filled with resentnt.
Yet Lana moved through them with frightening ease.
She seed to possess a special talent, cutting down ghosts in the ten- to twenty-year range as if they were nothing more than botherso flies brushing past her sleeves.
anwhile, Layla could clearly feel her mystical energy swelling within her body.
The flow of power surged like a tide, warm and heavy beneath her skin, until it finally reached a point where even breathing felt laborious.
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