Assistant to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 35
Overview
Evie saves Trystan from the female guvre by redirecting the creature's attack toward herself, but is cornered inside the manor and burned by its venomous breath. Trystan knocks the guvre unconscious with a battering ram, and they banter over who rescued whom. The episode deepens their bond while revealing the physical cost—Evie's burned hands and the manor's melted staircase—and ends on an emotionally charged note as Trystan's expression becomes unreadable after Evie suggests they saved each other.
Summary
The chapter opens with Evie watching in horror as Trystan positions himself at the grate, preparing to slam it shut once the female guvre descends. The massive creature dives at him, raking a claw across his shoulder and drawing blood. Evie reminds herself that only the guvre's breath is lethal, and the wound alone won't kill him. Trystan then taunts the female guvre, trying to bait her toward the grate by invoking the captive male, but the creature grows enraged and shifts her intent from the grate to killing Trystan outright.
Seeing that Trystan has miscalculated, Evie sprints toward him and lets out a piercing whistle that redirects the guvre's fury toward herself. Trystan shouts at her to run, and she dashes through the ruined archway and into the manor's entryway. However, the creature follows her inside, cornering her near the stairs. The guvre's venomous breath melts the stone staircase into dark goo, and when Evie throws her hands up to shield her face, the breath burns her palms like acid. In agony, she rolls into a small alcove beneath the stairs and curls up to protect herself.
Moments later, a loud crash signals Trystan's arrival. He has ripped a battering ram from a wall display and struck the female guvre at a vulnerable point, knocking the creature unconscious. Evie crawls out of hiding, hands still burning, and immediately teases Trystan for the delay in his rescue, pointing out that she saved him first by distracting the guvre. Trystan checks the creature's pulse and confirms she is alive and will remain unconscious long enough for his guards to transport her to the cellar.
The two banter over who truly saved whom, with Evie calling Trystan an "evil overlord in distress" and Trystan insisting they both rescued each other. When Evie suggests they saved each other, Trystan's expression abruptly closes off. He orders her to return to the office, but they both realize the stairway has been destroyed by the guvre's venom. Evie pats his arm and jokes that he should stop getting into trouble since she can't keep saving him, but the lighthearted moment turns charged when Trystan fixes her with an intense gaze.
Who Appears
- Evie (Sage)Diverts the guvre from Trystan, suffers burned hands from its venom, and teases her boss about needing rescue.
- Trystan (The Villain)Baits the guvre but miscalculates; rescues Evie with a battering ram and emotionally withdraws when she notes their mutual saving.
- Female guvreMassive creature that attacks both Trystan and Evie, melts the staircase with venom, and is knocked unconscious.