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The Great War Land lay just ahead, its skies torn with flashes of infernal fire and holy lightning. Irin's royal blue dress fluttered wildly in the wind as she stepped onto the barren border. Her long hair flowed like midnight silk, brushing her cheeks as she walked forward determinedly. She could hear distant roars and clashing blades – but before she could move another step—
A sudden magic whirlwind circled around her.
"What—?" Irin gasped, trying to shield herself.
The wind twisted like a spellbinding vortex, swallowing her whole. Her sapphire stone hairclips slipped from her hair and fell helplessly onto the sand as her figure vanished into the storm.
---
Heaven Realm – Dark Clouds Punishment Zone
Cold, suffocating air.
Irin slowly opened her eyes. Heavy chains were wrapped around her wrists, binding her arms high above her head. The chains were carved with runes that absorbed her divine aura, draining her power little by little. She struggled faintly, her breath trembling.
Then she saw him.
Seated proudly on a dark throne not far away, wearing maroon battle attire with a cruel smirk, sat a tall, muscular man.
He laughed low and dark.
Irin's eyes widened, disbelief turning to wrath. "Xander…"
The man leaned forward lazily, lips curled. "Yes. It's me, Demon Queen."
Irin's voice rose. "What are you doing? Why have you done this?!"
Xander chuckled and stood. "Before that, tell me where exactly were you going? And what were you planning to do?"
Irin hesitated but glared defiantly. "I..."
Without warning, Xander whispered a teleportation spell and appeared directly in front of her. Harsh fingers grasped her jawline, forcing her to look into his cold, fire-lit eyes.
"Do you really think you can stop this war by siding with that demon?" he hissed. "As long as I'm alive, that will never happen."
Irin's voice was rough but steady. "Do you think I don't know who you are, Xander? You claim to be heavenborn, but you're the true devil of this realm. Dylan—who was actually born in the Demon Realm—knows the value of life. He is more of an angel than anyone in Heaven. But you... You are leading our own people to the path of death!"
Xander's gaze turned murderous. He grabbed her neck abruptly, choking her hard. Irin gasped, struggling for breath, eyes filling with anger and pain.
"How dare you…" Xander growled, tightening his grip. "You stand with that demon—"
Irin's body shook, but she refused to back down. Xander finally released her, letting her slump weakly against the chains.
"Your time for death hasn't come yet," he sneered. "Wait for it."
Turning his back, he began to walk away.
Irin inhaled sharply and shouted, her voice raw, "When Dylan finds out what you've done, he won't let you live!"
Xander only chuckled without looking back. "I'm waiting for him."
Once he left, silence filled the chamber. Irin's wrist tattoo – the lily mark – began to glow a pale white. Her eyes widened, trembling.
"Dylan… Are you alright…?" she whispered, tears filling her eyes.
---
Back in the Great War Land
Steel clashed. Blood stained the soil.
Dylan's knees bent as he blocked an incoming blow, but Ren's blazing sword pierced deeper into the same wounded spot on Dylan's chest. Pain exploded within him – but he laughed through the agony.
"This," Ren roared, eyes blazing, "is for sealing my brother in the Lava Underworld!"
Dylan coughed blood but smirked. "So loyal to your brother… But you shouldn't trust him."
Ren's eyes narrowed with rage. "What nonsense are you saying?!"
Dylan's eyes flickered crimson, revealing a mix of fury and sorrow. "I know who he truly is. You don't know what he's done to you. Heaven has hidden the truth from you, Ren."
Ren shouted, "Enough lies! I won't believe your—"
But then, a sudden glowing light emerged from Dylan's chest, crackling like lightning. Ren's sword stopped. He stared in shock as the lightning-like energy pulsed under Dylan's cracked armor.
Ren tore the front of Dylan's war attire and gasped. Across Dylan's chest was a massive, shining silver mark—like a sealed lightning chain.
"What… what is this?!" Ren demanded.
Dylan only laughed breathlessly, refusing to answer.
---
Ren's Palace – Secret Passage
In a quiet corridor of Ren's castle, a maid whispered urgently into Lia's ear. Lia's eyes gradually widened with horror.
"You saw it…? Are you sure?" she whispered.
The maid nodded desperately. "Yes… After King Xander left, two guards dragged an unconscious Goddess Irin behind him…"
Lia's voice trembled. "Impossible…"
The maid fell to her knees. "Please… please help her. She always treated us with kindness. She never looked down on us as lowly servants… Please…"
Lia helped the maid stand and asked, panic in her tone, "Where is Irin now?"
The maid whispered fearfully. "In the Dark Clouds Zone…"
Lia froze, eyes wide with terror as the realization sank in.
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To be continued…
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