The day arrived with a hush so deep it felt like the world was holding its breath. Clouds boiled overhead, casting the forest in a sickly half-light. Tension hummed in every movement—the last breakfast, the last stretch, the last nervous laugh.
Then, without warning, the hellish portal tore itself open in front of the cabin, spitting fire and shadows across the clearing. The demon from before, towering and regal, stepped out, its eyes burning with ancient malice.
"It is time," it intoned, its voice shaking the trees. "The world belongs to Prince Chefera now."
Winter stepped forward, blade of steel shimmering in his hand. "Where's Eldo?" His voice was pure ice, defiant.
The demon sneered. "You will address him as Prince Chefera. Show respect—"
Winter cut him off with a snort. "I don't give a damn what he calls himself. Bring him here. Now."
The demon's eyes narrowed, and in a blink, it lunged for Winter's throat, claws aimed to kill. But before it could strike, Sapphire darted in, katana flashing, intercepting the blow with a crash of steel and demonic bone.
"Go!" she shouted, shoving Winter back. "You and Kyo—rescue your friend! I'll hold him off!"
Winter didn't hesitate. He glanced at Kyo, who stood rooted in panic, eyes darting from the portal to Sapphire and back. "Move, Kyo!" Winter barked.
Kyo hesitated, voice trembling. "Is this really the best—"
Sapphire's glare was fierce, commanding. "I'll protect Varia and Volio. With my life. Now go! Don't waste this chance!"
Winter nodded and bolted for the portal. Kyo swallowed hard, then ran after him. At the last second, Elliot darted between their legs and leaped into the swirling vortex.
"Elliot, no!" Varia screamed from the cabin door, tears streaming. "Come back, please!"
Sapphire spared her a quick, desperate look. "I'll bring her back," she promised, but the demon was already upon her, claws carving the air.
"You think you can stop me?" the demon hissed, voice like burning metal. "More are coming. This world will be remade in Prince Chefera's image."
Sapphire's grip tightened on her katana. "Enough talk. Fight me!"
With a roar, the demon launched itself at her, and the world outside became a fury of blades, claws, and fire.
Inside the portal, Winter and Kyo tumbled through a tunnel of shifting colors and shrieking wind. They landed hard on burning black stone, the air thick with ash and heat. In the distance, a massive palace loomed, spires twisting into a blood-red sky.
"Which way?" Kyo gasped, scrambling to his feet.
Winter pointed to the palace. "That way. Stay behind me."
They sprinted across the wasteland, the ground cracking beneath their feet—until, out of nowhere, a horde of demons surged from the shadows. Dozens, maybe hundreds, their eyes glowing with hunger.
"Get ready!" Winter yelled, conjuring blades of ice and steel, his body flickering with elemental power.
Kyo charged his conduit, electricity arcing around his fists. "Let's do this!"
The demons descended, and the fight exploded. Winter slashed and froze, spinning and slicing through the nearest demons, their bodies shattering into black shards. Kyo unleashed a storm of lightning, frying a cluster of fiends before they could get close.
But for every demon that fell, three more took its place. Claws scraped Winter's arm, drawing blood. A massive brute hurled Kyo to the ground, but he rolled and blasted it with a bolt of raw energy.
"We can't hold out!" Kyo shouted, voice raw.
"Just keep moving!" Winter called, but even he could feel his strength waning.
The demons pressed closer, surrounding them, teeth and claws gleaming. Winter's breath came in ragged gasps. Kyo's arms shook from exhaustion. It felt hopeless—
Then, Elliot's wild, panicked meow rang out behind them.
"Elliot?" Kyo spun just as the cat raced into the fray, her fur bristling with energy. She leaped onto Winter's shoulder, and in that instant, a blinding light erupted—so bright it swallowed everything.
The world twisted, space warped, and suddenly, Winter, Kyo, and Elliot stood gasping before the palace doors. Behind them, the horde howled and clawed at empty air, unable to cross the threshold.
Winter staggered upright, eyes wide. "What just—?"
Kyo scooped up Elliot, who purred, utterly unfazed now. "She... she saved us."
Winter grinned, battered but alive. "Guess we're not out of miracles yet."
The palace doors loomed, silent and menacing. Together, they stepped forward, every sense burning with the hope—and the fear—that their friend was somewhere inside, waiting to be saved.