Twenty Years Ago – Hell, Land of Infernals
The ground sizzled beneath their feet. Crimson skies loomed over jagged cliffs and rivers of lava as Azreal walked forward, his long coat trailing behind him like a shadow of flame. Beside him, the towering figure of Hulk grunted.
"This is the place, my Lord," Hulk said, scanning the burning wasteland. "The infernals were last seen here."
Azreal's glowing eyes narrowed. "So… this is where it begins."
Suddenly, a high-pitched scream echoed in the distance—followed by a flare of flames that lit the sky.
Hulk blinked. "What was that?"
Azreal turned toward the noise. "Let's go."
They dashed toward the sound, the heat intensifying with every step.
A young girl staggered backward, petals of fire dancing wildly around her, incinerating the charging infernals.
"Stay away!" she cried out, eyes wide with fear. Her flaming petals cut down waves of monsters, but they just kept coming.
One leapt from behind, slashing across her back. She screamed, crumbling to her knees, her vision blurring.
"Damn it…!"
With her last ounce of strength, she let out one final burst of fire—but it wasn't enough. Four more infernals lunged at her, claws raised.
She shut her eyes. "I'm… sorry."
Boom!
A shockwave of flames exploded in front of her, the infernals instantly reduced to ash.
She gasped, opening her eyes. A figure in a crimson coat stood tall in front of her.
He didn't even look back. "You guys just don't quit."
More infernals rose from the cracks in the earth. The girl trembled and grabbed onto his coat from behind.
Azreal glanced at her. "What's a girl like you doing here?"
Before she could answer, he waved his hand. "Hulk, hold her."
"Yes, my Lord." Hulk gently picked her up and stepped back.
Azreal raised a finger. A small star-shaped flame hovered above it. He gently blew on it.
The girl blinked. "That tiny thing won't work!"
"Shhh," Hulk whispered with a grin. "Just watch."
The flame floated to the center of the infernals… and exploded.
FWOOM!
A blazing inferno swallowed them whole. When the smoke cleared, nothing remained but ashes.
The girl's jaw dropped. "So cool…"
Azreal approached her, his expression calm. "What's your name? Which gate are you from?"
She hesitated. "Gate? I… I don't know."
Azreal frowned. "You're not from any gate?"
She scratched her head. "I just woke up here. I don't remember anything."
"Hmph." Azreal turned away. "Let's go, Hulk."
Hulk paused. "We're leaving her?"
"She's not our problem."
"But the infernals—"
"Let's go."
The girl stumbled after them, grabbing Azreal's coat again. "Please! Don't leave me here! I promise I'll behave!"
Azreal looked back at her tear-filled eyes.
Hulk said softly, "Let's take her with us, Lord Azreal."
Azreal sighed. "Fine. On one condition."
She wiped her tears. "What is it?"
He pointed at her hands. "Teach me how to make those flowers."
Hulk blinked. "Huh?"
The girl giggled. "Deal!"
"Alright," Azreal nodded. "Then it's settled. Now… we'll need a name for you."
She tilted her head. "Name?"
Hulk added, "Looks like she doesn't remember that either."
Azreal thought for a moment. "Laisa. Your name is Laisa."
"Laisa…" she whispered, smiling brightly. "My name is Laisa!"
And just like that, the three walked off together into the fire-scorched lands.
Present Day – Battlefield of Puppets
Laisa groaned, pushing herself up. Her body trembled as she watched Azreal fight off Sarah's infernal puppets.
"Yeah… that's how it all started," she whispered. "You saved me. Taught me everything. And I gave my life to you, Azreal…"
She clutched her chest, eyes filling with tears. "But… when did that devotion turn to love?"
She laughed bitterly. "Even if I was just your student… my love was real. So why…? Why did you always treat me like a little sister?"
Suddenly, pain seared through her head. The mark on her skin glowed, spreading like wildfire.
A dark voice echoed in her mind: I can make your wish come true…
"Shut up!" she screamed, grabbing her head.
Her eyes flared… and everything went black.
"Hell's Puppet Show!" Sarah shouted.
Dozens of infernal puppets launched toward Azreal, blades whirling like deadly toys.
Azreal slashed through them, but they didn't fall—they hovered, held up by glowing threads.
"Tch…"
He bent backward, dodging a strike, then dashed forward, slicing at the threads.
"They just keep reforming…"
The infernals lunged again. Azreal exhaled, steam escaping his lips.
FWOOSH—
He vanished.
A line of flames trailed across the ground. In the blink of an eye, the infernals were severed, their remains raining down.
"Found you," Azreal muttered.
Sarah gasped, a blade piercing through her back. Blood spilled from her mouth as her real body became visible.
"H-How did you—?"
Azreal pulled his blade free, blood dripping onto the scorched earth.
He walked toward her slowly, dragging his blade.
Sarah crawled away, eyes wide.
"You look pitiful," Azreal said coldly.
He pierced her leg.
"Aaagh!" she screamed.
"I like that look," he said, twisting the blade.
Another foot slammed into Azreal, sending him flying back.
He landed smoothly and looked up.
"Laisa…?"
She stood between him and Sarah. Her eyes were black.
Sarah laughed. "That's more like it! Let the mark consume you!"
Azreal's attack met Laisa's blade. The clash sparked violently.
"She's faster… stronger," Azreal muttered. "She's changed."
Sarah stepped forward. "Shall we take this up a notch?"
Azreal smirked. "Finally. I'm getting bored."
Sarah summoned a circle of red flames, infernals rising from the ground once more.
Azreal yawned. "Again?"
But this time, the summoning changed.
The circle formed a molten orb, pulsing with heat and energy.
Sarah grinned. "Let this be the path to a new power!"
She absorbed the orb—her body glowing as flames surrounded her.
Still not enough.
Laisa stepped forward, eyes calm. She nodded silently.
"Are you sure?" Sarah asked.
Laisa nodded again.
Sarah touched her—and Laisa's body turned into a fire soul.
"No!" Azreal shouted, eyes wide.
Sarah consumed her. Fire erupted around her as she laughed maniacally.
The flames melted her skin. She shrank into a child—then grew again into a blazing form of power.
Wings of flame sprouted. Her hair burned red. A flamy crown appeared, horns broke through her head, and a third eye opened on her forehead.
Azreal stood firm as the gust hit him, his coat billowing.
Sarah hovered above, wings spread like a demon queen.
Her eyes locked on him—crimson, merciless.
"Die, Azreal."