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The sky above the Dark Cloud Punishment Zone crackled with a ghastly storm, black clouds roaring in a furious spiral. Inside the heavenly barrier, Dylan pressed his bloody hands against the invisible wall, roaring in agony.
> "IMPOSSIBLE!!"
Outside the barrier, Xander stood unfazed, a cold, victorious smile on his lips. His laughter echoed like thunder.
> "You finally know how it feels..."
A little distance away, Irin was on her knees, the silver divine chains wrapped cruelly around her wrists and arms. Those chains pulsed with ancient magic, already absorbing every last drop of her divine power. Her lips were pale, her body trembling. She couldn't even lift her head. But still… slowly… painfully…
She opened her eyes.
Her gaze found Dylan—and she smiled. A small, dying smile… as if it was her last.
Dylan's breath shattered.
> "Irin…"
His voice shook as he pressed his forehead against the barrier.
> "You were right… I am helpless. I finally feel it—the same pain you suffered before… When someone you love is hurt…"
A single tear dropped from his eyes. Irin's own eyes reddened, sparkling with tears. She wept silently. She cried with every ounce of pain in her heart.
> "XANDER!! NO!!" Dylan roared, "Take my life instead!! Leave her alone!!"
But Xander only lifted his bow, forming a deadly Killer Arrow soaked in lethal divine magic.
> "Watch, Demon King Dylan. I will take the life of the one you love—with your own eyes."
He aimed toward Irin.
Suddenly—
> "NO!!!"
A fierce voice rang through the realm.
Fiona came running with all her strength. Xander turned, surprised, as she stood right in front of him, grabbing his arm.
> "Xander… please… DON'T harm her!!" she pleaded desperately, crying, "She is my sister!!"
Xander raised an eyebrow. "Sister? Only YOU treat her like that. But SHE does not. She chose the demon's side over us. If I spare her life, she will stand with that demon—and they will win this war!"
Fiona suddenly knelt before him, tears falling.
> "Even if she hates me… I can't hate her… Even if she chose her husband over us… I can't hurt her… I love her, Xander …"
Irin's tears fell harder. Dylan watched in shock as Fiona begged for Irin's life.
But Xander's eyes turned fierce.
> "You are blinded by sisterhood… but I am Heaven King!! I WILL KILL HER!!"
He summoned the Killer Arrow again. It shot like light toward Irin.
"NO!!" Fiona screamed.
"NOO!!!" Dylan roared.
In that split second—
A white figure appeared in front of Irin.
The arrow pierced a body.
Blood spilled across the ground.
A lady in white… elegant… divine.
> "I will protect you… my child…" she whispered… and fell to the ground.
Irin's scream tore out of her chest.
> "MRS… MARIANO!!!"
Xander was in shock. Fiona's lips trembled. "No…"
Dylan's eyes widened in disbelief. He collapsed forward.
> "MOTHER…..!!!"
Irin broke one of her silver chains in sheer rage, reaching out with trembling hands. She crawled to Mariano and touched her forehead, crying, "No!! Please… nothing must happen to you…"
The barrier around Dylan shook violently as a violent wind burst from his body. His hidden birth spirit awoke. His clothes flapped with the storm, his chest exposed—the ancient silver spirit line across his chest glowing brilliantly.
Xander staggered back.
> "Impossible… that power…!!"
Dylan roared—and the barrier shattered in one massive blast.
He rushed to Mariano, lifting her head onto his thighs. His tears fell uncontrolled.
Dylan cried, "Mother ".
Irin sat beside him, trembling.She shocked, "Mother, is Mariano Dylan's mother ?".
Mariano, barely conscious, smiled weakly.
> "Dylan…"
"I won't let you die!" Dylan cried.
Irin echoed desperately, "Mother… we will take you from here, don't worry—"
Mariano slowly lifted her hand.
> "This arrow… can kill even a goddess… I took it… to protect you…"
"No… mother…"
Mariano continued, trembling, "Fate separated me from you… from my daughter… and my husband too… but I don't want the same for you… My last wish… live a beautiful life… with Irin…"
Dylan broke down in tears.
Xander froze, shocked to see the scene in front of him.
Mariano coughed blood, but a gentle pride lit her fading eyes. She slowly took Dylan's hand in one and Irin's hand in the other… placing them together.
> "Everyone says… a goddess cannot marry a demon… that it leads to disaster… But I want you both to prove them wrong… Live long…"
Dylan cried, Irin sobbed beside him, holding Mariano's hand.
Mariano smiled… faint… broken… "One last favor… Find your sister… I saw her last… when your father died… I am still scared of what happened to her… Every time I close my eyes… I remember her as a child… Find her… promise me…"
> "I promise, Mom…" Dylan sobbed, pressing her hand to his forehead.
Mariano smiled…
And her eyes closed forever.
Her breathing stilled.
> "MOTHER!!!!!" Dylan's roar shattered the heavens.
"Irin cried loudly, her voice echoing through the cursed skies.
"Mother Mariano…!"
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