◆◇◆
Far across, in the capital…
The Sword Demon stood by the wide glass window, his hands clasped behind him as faint rays of dusk reflected on the edge of his blade resting against the wall. The room was quiet, too quiet, until the sound of boots echoed.
Eryth entered and dropped to one knee, head bowed deeply.
> "The way you stand… magnificent. That pose....elegant.
Even ruins themselves would kneel before such artistry."
"Greetings, my lord."
The Sword Demon didn't turn. His voice, cold yet calm, filled the chamber.
> "Eryth… have you found her?"
"Yes, my lord."
He paused, hesitation creeping into his tone.
> " something unexpected has happened…"
> "Is it about the village in the east?"
"Yes, my lord. The shocking news is that the village… belongs to a Veyrun."
The Sword Demon's gaze shifted slightly.
> "A Veyrun?"
"Yes, my lord. The Flame Demon sent his incarnation to destroy the village, also looking for that man, despite your warnings."
A sharp edge entered the Sword Demon's tone.
> "Hmph. That fool… he's starting to get on my nerves."
"Should I go and handle it?"
> "No. Send her to that village. Let her check it out,this should be her first mission after 20 years.
I'll meet the Flame Demon myself."
"Yes, my lord."
> "And Eryth prepare. We're going to Dark Hell after this."
"but, my lord, it's impossible to enter the dark hell that's where he was sealed"
>Don't worry about it eryth, i.have found a way….
"Oh my lord you have done another impossible thing, to think you found a way to enter the dark hell, as expected of my lord…
And then he vanished, leaving only the silence and the faint hum of a cursed blade vibrating against the wall.
◆◇◆
**The Village of Veyrun**
The ground was soaked in blood and ash. Smoke twisted into the air, and the cries of dying villagers faded one after another.
Devon, once a knight, now a father, lay on the ground, with no hands or legs, forced to watch his family burn while waiting for his death.
Gray was pinned to the ground by Aeron's grip, unable to move, unable to look away. His mother's body turned to ash, leaving only her burnt bones.
Rage and grief exploded within him.
> "Now, Aeron," Revan's voice carried through the crackling flames. "Is that his daughter?"
"Yes, Lord Revan."
> "Is she dead?"
"No. Just unconscious."
> "Good. The flames will wake her. Let her feel the pain, let her scream while Devon listens."
Revan gathered essence energy into his palm, flames swirling violently. He aimed it toward Lysera and then
◆◇◆
Something inside me cracked.
I felt it not in my bones, but deep in my chest.
A sound that wasn't real yet echoed through me, like glass breaking beneath my ribs.
Anger. Regret. And mostly pain from my chest.
It all rushed through me. But one thing was louder than everything else: the desire to save Lysera.
She's all I have left.
Then… It happened.
Something dark and heavy burst out from within.
It was like ink bleeding into water, but it was enough to free me from Aeron's grip.
I moved without thinking.
I threw myself over Lysera, using my body to shield her against the flame and then it burned.
The flames ate through my skin, tore through my flesh, and I screamed.
Maybe it was my voice.
Maybe someone else's.
I couldn't tell anymore.
I remember burning… but not dying.
Every time the fire ate my body, something dragged me back. Forced me to feel it again.
I begged for it to stop.
I prayed for death.
But my body… my body wouldn't listen.
The more I burned, the more I healed.
And every time I healed, the pain started again.
My heart felt like it was being crushed from the inside out.
I lost consciousness then I woke up.
Again.
And again.
◆◇◆
Aeron stumbled back, staring at his hands as they were scorched by my leaking energy.
> "That kid…" he muttered.
Revan smiled, cruel and amused.
> "Oh, what a sweet family. But that doesn't mean she won't die."
He gathered flames again but I didn't care anymore.
As long as Lysera was safe.
She's the only one I have left.
Even if I burn forever, it doesn't matter.
I saw her stir, her eyes opening slowly.
And I wished she hadn't.
If only she didn't have to see me like this
◆◇◆
Revan's essence flickered. His flames weakened.
> "Not now…" he hissed, frustrated.
"Let's go, Aeron. We're done here."
"What about him?" Aeron asked, nodding toward me.
> "Let him burn. Those flames never quench until the target's gone."
"And the girl?"
> "Do what you like."
Revan grabbed Devon's severed head and smirked.
> "Brother… watch how everything you built burns. Watch your son burn. Watch your daughter perish by the man you trusted."
Devon's lips trembled, blood pooling beneath him.
> "You… you'll never… get away with this…"
> "What was that?" Revan leaned close, grinning. "I'll never get away with what?"
He slammed his hand, separating Devon's head from his body…
And then
> "What a terrifying sight…"
A voice echoed through the smoke.
A woman stepped out from the direction of the shelter Her hair flowed gently behind her, swaying like a soft river under the morning light.Each strand danced with the wind, moving as though the air itself admired her.
Her long hair streamed freely, flowing like silk in a quiet current.. Wearing the robe of the Eclipse, Nior's head dangles from her hand.
The markings of Eclipse glowed on her stomach, and in her left hand, she held a sword forged from dragonbone.
> "To think you would sink this low, Revan."
> "Aris…" Revan snarled. "So, the Eclipse finally sends one of its lapdogs? What are you doing here, you filthy incarnation of that Sword Demon?"
> "I should be asking you the same thing." She walked closer, her presence cutting through the heat. "You destroy a village and try to leave?"
Her eyes softened slightly as she looked toward me and Lysera.
> "How far you've fallen, Revan…"
Aeron hesitated, sweat beading down his jaw. Then, with a snarl, lunged.
lunged at her, but before his blade even touched her robe
*Swsshh.*
His head hit the ground.
> "To think a child like you exists…" she murmured, looking at me. "What a curse. You should never have been born."
◆◇◆
I couldn't scream anymore.
My voice was gone.
I just… drifted, became one with the pain.
The woman raised her sword, and the flames vanished instantly but by then, I was already half-burned, my body out of energy to fully heal.
I turned to Lysera.
She was unconscious.
Maybe she fainted from fear.
But that was fine.
She was alive.
That's all that mattered.
Then everything went black.
---
Aris turned to Revan, eyes cold as ice.
> "To make a child suffer this much… You disgust me."
Revan flinched, fear twisting his smirk.
> "I'll kill you!"
Revan wanted to attack buthis flames sputtered, he had spent too much essence.
All that filled his mind was escape.
He unfurled his wings, compressing his remaining flame until smoke covered the air and vanished.
Aris sighed.
> "No time to chase him… I'll take these two to headquarters first. To think the Flame Demon would go this far…"
She looked at her left hand, and something printed on her skin appeared a glowing ball.
"… Eryth…Revan escaped. But I've found something precious. I'm bringing them back to base."
She sighed again. "This village is in ruin… well, not that it's any of my concern, but it's terrible."
"Well, let me be on my way with these two…"