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In the Heaven Realm – Ruler Chamber
The vast chamber of Heaven gleamed with silver and golden light, filled with nobles, elders, and guardians who had gathered for the crown ceremony. Yet, silence swept through the crowd as the tall figure of Dylan, the Demon King, entered the chamber. Behind him, Ruther walked like a shadow, scanning the wary faces of angels and guardians.
Whispers rippled through the hall—
"The Demon King… here?"
"Why would he come to Heaven?"
Dylan's piercing eyes searched across the crowd. His jaw clenched as his gaze darted left and right.
"Irin…" he muttered under his breath.
Ren appeared from the far end of the chamber, clad in ceremonial robes. His calm expression hid a storm within. He stepped forward with a faint smile.
"I thought you wouldn't dare step into this place," Ren said, his voice calm but edged with pride.
Dylan chuckled, a sharp sound that echoed across the chamber. "I never wanted to come here."
"Yet you did," Ren countered, eyes narrowing.
Dylan's lips twisted into a smirk. "Call me what you want… but I came here for Irin."
Ren's eyes flickered, but he gave no answer. Instead, he smiled as though amused. Dylan's temper snapped—he seized Ren's collar, pulling him close. Gasps filled the chamber.
"Don't play this dumb game with me!" Dylan's voice thundered. "Where is she? I know she's here!"
The crowd recoiled in shock. Guardians raised their weapons but hesitated, unsure of how far they could move against the demon king.
"Majesty… leave him," Ruther urged firmly, placing a hand on Dylan's arm.
Everyone in the chamber froze, eyes fixed on the tense scene. After a long pause, Dylan shoved Ren back and turned away, his chest heaving.
Ren smoothed his robe, his eyes cold now, and whispered to his guard. "Is everything ready?"
The guard bowed. "Yes, Majesty."
"Then we move now," Ren said, striding out of the chamber with his guard at his side.
Ruther frowned as he watched them disappear. Dylan's fists tightened. Something was amiss.
---
In the Purple Demon Kingdom – Liora's Throne Hall
Upon her obsidian throne, Liora sat draped in flowing purple robes, her presence exuding a dangerous elegance. Her guard knelt before her, reporting in hushed tones.
"How goes the situation in the Heaven Realm?" Liora demanded.
"Your Majesty, our spy reports that Ren's crown ceremony is today. It seems they rush to seal him as the new ruler."
Liora's lips curved into a cold laugh. "So desperate to cling to order…"
The guard hesitated before adding, "And there is more. The spy discovered traces of a demon girl within the Heaven Realm."
Liora's eyes widened, her voice sharp. "What did you say?"
"She carried a powerless core… but there is only one way a demon can survive with a powerless core—if they willingly sealed away their power."
Liora's pupils glowed, shifting into a dangerous shade of purple. Her voice trembled. "Then… that girl could be my child."
Her nails dug into the armrest. "Xander once told me he would reveal where my daughter was… That means all this time… he hid her from me."
The guard lowered his head. "Her name is… Lia."
The name struck Liora like a thunderbolt. She froze, eyes widening, before her lips parted in a shocked whisper.
"…Lia…?"
---
In the Heaven Garden
Among blooming celestial flowers, Irin and Lia sat side by side on a stone bench, their laughter carrying softly in the breeze.
They spoke of old days, of childhood adventures, of running through fairy villages together. Irin tilted her head with a smile. "So, how is your married life going? Did Ren finally accept you?"
Lia blushed, eyes shining shyly. "He hasn't confessed yet… but his actions tell me he does like me."
"Then don't wait." Irin nudged her arm playfully. "Confess to him first. Who said only men must confess?"
Lia laughed softly, her cheeks glowing pink.
The topic shifted when Irin asked, "How is Fiona's uncle? It's been so long."
"He's fine," Lia answered warmly. "I visited our village recently—he asked about you."
Irin smiled, nostalgia softening her features. "You and Fiona have been friends since kids right ?"
"Since we were children. She stayed at her uncle's house for years, i met her there.. Later she went to her parents house...and...after so many years....we met again later."
Both girls laughed at the memories of their mischievous childhood days, their voices echoing like bells. But suddenly, Irin froze.
"Wait… do you hear that?"
Lia tilted her head. "No…"
Irin's eyes narrowed. "A voice… familiar…"
Lia closed her eyes to listen, then gasped. "You're right… it's… the Demon King's voice."
At first they laughed nervously, but their laughter quickly died. Both turned pale as they whispered together—
"Dylan."
"My husband…" Irin breathed, fear and longing mixing in her voice.
They ducked low behind a wall of blossoms and peeked toward the distant sound. There he was—Dylan, standing tall, Ruther at his side, his presence unmistakable.
Irin's breath caught. Her instincts screamed. "Before he finds me… I have to go back to the Blue Moon Kingdom."
The two of them sneaked out, slipping silently through the garden shadows. Dylan's sharp gaze never turned their way.
But suddenly, the ring on Dylan's finger pulsed violently with light. His eyes widened.
"No…" he whispered, panic flooding his expression. "Irin is in danger."
Ruther turned to him in alarm. "What?!"
---
In Ren's Chamber
Later that evening, Lia hummed softly while arranging a bouquet of celestial flowers. Her heart fluttered with anticipation as she waited in her chamber for Ren.
The door creaked open. Lia's eyes sparkled. "Ren?"
But it was only a maid. Lia's smile faltered. "Where is the King?"
The maid bowed. "His Majesty has gone to the Dark Cloud Punishment Zone. Other realms' envoys are gathering there as well."
Lia blinked in confusion. "The Dark Cloud Zone? Why?"
The maid hesitated. "…Two Heavenly Ancestors have decreed that a ritual will be held there today."
Lia's bouquet slipped slightly in her hand. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "No… they're planning something huge…"
Her heart pounded, disbelief clouding her face as she struggled to comprehend the weight of what was about to unfold.
------
In the Dark Cloud Punishment Zone
Thunder rolled across the sky, and black clouds swirled like a storm that would never end. Dylan's roar shook the ground as he staggered through the mist.
"Irin! …Irin!"
His voice echoed through the endless storm, but there was no reply—only silence. Then, his eyes fell upon something on the ground. His breath caught in his throat.
It was the broken neck chain—the one he had given to Irin.
Dylan dropped to his knees, clutching the chain tightly. His chest trembled. "Why is this here? Irin… no… don't leave me…" His voice cracked with pain.
Suddenly, a mocking laugh drifted through the smoke.
"I never expected the great Demon King to be trapped by such a simple trick."
Dylan's head snapped up. Out of the swirling mist, Ren emerged, his sword glinting like cold lightning.
"You liar!" Dylan stood, fury blazing in his eyes. With one hand still holding the chain, he raised his sword. "Where is Irin?"
He slashed forward, aiming straight for Ren's neck—but Ren blocked effortlessly, their swords clashing with a deafening spark.
Ren smirked. "She is not in my trap. Perhaps… she's with my wife right now. They're old friends, after all. Spending some time alone together."
Dylan's teeth ground together, but a dark smile curved on his lips. "You planned this well. Tell me… why bring me here?"
"You'll see soon enough."
Ren raised his hand. Suddenly, dozens of figures appeared from the smoke—the rulers and warriors of the fellow realms. Their voices rose together in incantation, the ground glowing with runes of Heaven.
Chains of divine light shot up and wrapped around Dylan's body, lifting him high into the air.
"What—!" Dylan snarled, thrashing violently, but the chains bound tighter, glowing with the power of countless realms. His energy began to flicker.
Heavenly chains spread across his chest, his arms, even around his throat. For the first time, his power could not answer his will.
Ren looked up at him, eyes gleaming. "No one will rescue you, Dylan. Today, your hidden origin power will be destroyed. And then, your life will belong to me."
"You can't!" Dylan roared, his voice shaking the heavens. "No one can touch my origin power!"
But Ren smirked and tossed a transparent orb into the air. Inside it shimmered a glowing drop of crimson blood. Dylan's eyes widened in shock.
"Impossible…"
Ren's voice was filled with triumph. "I know the truth. Your power can only be destroyed by the blood of your true love—the goddess herself. And I'm fortunate. The only goddess in the universe, and your lover… are the same person. It was easy to obtain what I needed."
He laughed cruelly.
Dylan's roar shook the skies. "Ren!"
---
In the BlueMoon Kingdom
At the entrance gate, Irin stumbled as her lily tattoo blazed with white light. Her heart raced violently, dread filling her chest.
"No…" she gasped.
Without hesitation, she rushed into the Ruler Chamber. "Where is Dylan?!" she demanded.
A maid bowed nervously. "Majesty… he hasn't returned yet from the Heaven Realm."
Irin froze. "What? He should've returned by now…"
She turned sharply. "Where is Zerath?"
"In his chambers," the maid replied.
Irin ran, her heart pounding. Bursting into the room, she called, "Zerath!"
He rose quickly. "Is something wrong?"
"Where is that golden Orb?" she demanded.
"Inside that drawer," Zerath answered cautiously.
Irin pulled out a golden orb from a box, clutching it tight. Her eyes trembled. "Something has happened to Dylan. Look—my tattoo, it only glows when he's in danger."
Zerath studied the tattoo, then his face drained of color. "No… no. This isn't ordinary danger. He's in the most dangerous situation of all."
Irin staggered. "No… no…" She turned to leave, but Zerath stopped her.
"Do you even know where Dylan is?"
Her lips trembled. "No… but maybe he's on his way back…"
Zerath's eyes turned cold. "Open your eyes. Do you truly believe your realm protects him? They tolerate you because you are one of them. But him? He is their enemy. He is in the Dark Cloud Punishment Zone."
The words hit her like lightning.
"What…?" she whispered, before bolting out of the room in a flash of light.
---
Back in the Dark Cloud Punishment Zone
The storm split apart as Irin appeared, her body glowing with divine light. Her heart shattered at the sight before her—Dylan chained in the air, his body burning with suppressed energy, his face twisted in pain.
"No…" she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
The crowd turned, gasping. "The goddess has arrived!"
"Then how will we finish this ritual?" another panicked.
Ren stepped forward, his voice steady. "Continue the spell. I will deal with her."
Irin raised her hands, light bursting from her palms. One by one, the Heaven chains shattered.
Ren countered with his own spell, striking her back. Sparks of power clashed between them.
"You…" Irin's voice shook. "This was your plan…? My own people against my husband?"
"Yes." Ren's tone was ice. "I still think of you as Heaven's goddess. Don't interfere, Irin. Do not force me to stand against you."
"Otherwise?" she demanded, fury in her voice.
Ren's eyes hardened. "Otherwise… I will strike you down myself."
But Irin didn't waver. With a surge of divine power, she shoved Ren aside. "You're not the Ren I once knew. You've changed completely."
Chains shattered around Dylan, one by one, as Irin's magic poured into him.
The realm leaders roared in anger. "Stop her! Or our plan will fail!"
Ren's fury exploded. "What do you expect from me?! He killed my brother! Today, I'll end him where he ended my bloodline!"
Irin's voice cut through the storm. "It's only your dream, Ren. Nothing more."
The orb in the sky pulsed suddenly, absorbing Dylan's hidden energy. His body glowed as if tearing apart. He screamed in agony.
"No!" Irin roared, rushing forward.
Dylan fell from the air, fire-like energy tearing through his body. Irin caught him, though his burning aura scorched her flesh.
"Don't leave me, Dylan… please…" she wept, landing heavily on the ground.
She pressed the golden orb into his mouth, forcing him to swallow.
Ren's eyes widened. "The Golden Orb?!"
But nothing happened. Dylan's skin turned pale, his birthmark fading like vanishing ash.
"Dylan!" Irin screamed, shaking him. "Come back… for me… and for our child."
Her hand slid to her belly, glowing faintly. Gasps erupted from the onlookers.
"The goddess… carries a child?"
Irin ignored them, pouring her divine core energy into Dylan. His chest flickered faintly with life.
"No, Irin!" Ren shouted. "If you use your divine energy, you'll harm your child! Will you sacrifice your baby for him?"
But Irin didn't stop. She gave everything she had. Dylan's eyes fluttered, breath returning faintly.
Ren roared. "I won't allow this!" His deadly weapon blazed with power as he hurled it straight at Dylan's chest.
Irin didn't flinch, her focus locked on healing her husband.
The weapon streaked closer—
Suddenly, Lia appeared, throwing herself in its path.
"No!" Ren's voice broke as the weapon pierced her.
Irin turned, she saw Lia striked by deadly weapon....She shocked..."Lia...".
Light erupted, a golden ray spilling from her chest. Lia fell, pale, blood spilling from her lips. Dylan's fading eyes widened, for he alone could see it—inside her was a demon core, powerless yet real.
"You…" Dylan whispered.
Ren rushed forward, trying to catch her, but before anyone could react, a suffocating purple smoke swept across the zone.
A voice thundered, shaking every heart. "How dare you hide my daughter from me?!"
Liora emerged from the smoke, her eyes ablaze. She seized Lia gently, cradling her.
"No…" Lia's weak voice whispered, tears spilling as she fainted in her Liora's arms.
Liora's fury melted into raw love. "Your mother has arrived, my dear."
Before anyone could stop her, Liora vanished with Lia in a burst of purple light. But as she left, she unleashed a destruction spell.
The Dark Cloud Zone trembled, breaking apart in fire and smoke.
The crowd scattered in panic.
Ren's voice cracked. "Lia…"
The two Heavenly Ancestors appeared, seizing Ren before he could collapse. In an instant, they disappeared with him.
Amid the crumbling ruins, Dylan opened his eyes faintly. Irin, smiling through her exhaustion, finally collapsed, unconscious from draining half her power.
Dylan caught her in his arms, holding her close. "Irin…"
With one final surge of strength, Dylan disappeared with her, vanishing from the collapsing zone.
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