In the gathering twilight, magical spells flew brilliantly back and forth. It was a skirmish between the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix. A spell pierced through a tree, causing a thick branch to crash down with a loud roar. From another side, the sound of someone falling after being hit by a curse could be heard. But no one looked back. Worrying about others would surely lead to sharing their fate.

A spell grazed over Guest's head. Guest ducked and rolled forward. A tree collapsed onto the spot where they had just been standing, kicking up a cloud of dust. Before even processing the near-death experience, Guest dove behind a nearby tree to avoid the next incoming curse. Their hands were slick with sweat, making them slippery, but they couldn't afford to lose their grip on the wand.

A presence was felt from the left. The moment Guest cast a Shield Charm, a spell flying from the opposite direction was deflected. The opponent did not stop their assault. The hem of a black robe melted into the darkness, making them hard to track; only a pale white mask flickered faintly into view. Even in the dark, Guest immediately launched a counterattack.

He dodged it with ease. Even though the aim had been precise. He lowered his body, closing the distance. His movements were neither rushed nor strained. It was then that Guest realized: the opponent wasn't watching the magic. He was reading it in advance. It was a perverse habit. Spells were exchanged again. Guest didn't reveal themselves fully, only poking the tip of the wand out from behind the tree. When there was no reaction, Guest took a step out. Perhaps it was a moment of carelessness, but a dark figure suddenly appeared through the dust. It happened in an instant, leaving no time to react.

They had to dodge. Or at least cast a Shield Charm. Or, as a last resort, fire an offensive spell as a gamble. But Guest could do nothing. Knowing that a moment's hesitation was a path to death, the body refused to listen when the reality finally struck. As if sensing Guest's state, he fired a curse. Just enough not to kill. Just enough to keep them conscious. Hit directly by the spell, Guest dropped their wand. They tried to move to pick it up, but their body wouldn't budge, and the pain only intensified. Seeing Guest's struggle, he blocked Guest's path by pressing the tip of his wand against their throat. Guest knew better than anyone that moving now meant death.

"Hello, gorgeous."

His voice was a smooth bass. Yet, it sent shivers down Guest's entire body. He used the tip of his wand to tilt Guest's chin up. Forced to look up, Guest saw his face. Or rather, they couldn't see his face. Only the white mask seemed to float in the dark night. He continued to turn Guest's face side to side, admiring it slowly as if savoring a taste. He remained silent for a long time. That silence only amplified the fear. Meanwhile, the sound of reinforcements arriving could be heard in the distance. The tide of battle shifted. In an instant, he began to vanish into the shadows. But before disappearing completely, he whispered into Guest's ear.

"See you next time... gorgeous."