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In the Purple Demon Kingdom
A soft, eerie purple light filled the chamber where Lia lay, lost to the world. She was on a grand bed draped in silks the color of midnight and amethyst. A faint groan escaped her lips as her eyelids fluttered, then opened, revealing confused, wide golden eyes.
Before she could fully register her surroundings, a wisp of purple smoke materialized by her bedside. It thickened and swirled, coalescing into the form of a breathtakingly beautiful woman with long, cascading purple hair and eyes that held the depth of ancient magic. It was Liora, the Demon Queen.
Lia's heart hammered against her ribs. She was utterly shocked.
Liora's face broke into a gentle, caring smile. "Finally, you wake up, my dear. I've been silently watching you, waiting for this moment," she said, her voice a low, soothing melody. "How are you feeling?"
Lia hesitated, her gaze darting around the strange, luxurious room. "I... I'm fine," she finally managed, the lie feeling heavy on her tongue.
Liora's eyes softened, tears pooling in their depths. "I didn't expect I would ever meet you someday," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Then, her tone hardened, a flicker of dark rage passing over her features. "Those Heaven people separated you from me!" She leaned closer, her eyes searching Lia's. "Are you remember, I am your mother?"
Lia gave no reply, her confusion deepening.
Liora gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Lia's forehead. "I know," she said, a sorrowful look returning. "They must have erased your memories. No worries, though. Mother will help you to regain them." She cupped Lia's cheek, her touch surprisingly gentle. "You grew up so well, my dear."
Liora's eyes then fell on Lia's simple, white dress. Her lips thinned into a line of disapproval. "Maid!" she commanded. "Bring our realm's finest dress for the Princess immediately!" The maid, who had been standing silently in the corner, nodded and hurried out. Lia watched the exchange, feeling completely lost.
"Tell me," Liora's voice was suddenly serious, "why did you sacrifice yourself? Your Demon Core power?"
Lia stiffened, stunned that her deepest secret was known. She started to speak, but Liora cut her off with a wave of her hand. "Perhaps this, too, is that Heaven realm's doing, I think. No worries. I will help you to regain your Demon Core power."
Lia, seeing no way out and still in a state of shock, simply nodded.
Liora smiled, a possessive glint in her eyes. "No one can separate you from me again."
In the Heaven Realm
A terrifying roar echoed through the grand halls of the Heaven Realm. Ren, the Heavenly Ruler, stood rigid with fury, his eyes blazing with incandescent light.
"Why did she take Lia from the dark cloud zone?! Why has Liora appeared there?! When did she recover?!"
A Fat, ancient-looking Heaven Ancestor stepped forward, bowing low. "Our spy reported that two days ago, Majesty, Liora recovered from her old injuries."
Another Ancestor, with a thousand-yard stare, added, "And I heard... Liora is searching for her lost daughter everywhere."
Ren's eyes widened, a dawning horror creeping into his features. "But... why? She took my wife, Lia!"
The Ancestor who had spoken second looked at the first. "I think... she may have wronged our Lia as her daughter."
Ren was completely blindsided. "What?!"
The other Ancestor stroked his beard, his brow furrowed in deep thought. "Perhaps... perhaps Lia really is from the Demon Realm..." The thought hung in the air, a poisonous gas.
In the Blue Moon Kingdom
A heavy silence permeated the royal chamber of the Blue Moon Kingdom. Irin was pale and frail, lying in a vast, canopied bed. A Healer was checking her pulse, his face grim.
Dylan stood beside the bed, his voice trembling with worry. "How is my Wife?"
The Healer sighed, lowering his head. "Majesty, Irin lost her half-Goddess energy to save you, so... she is exceedingly weak."
Dylan's eyes narrowed. "Tell me. Don't hide anything!"
The Healer swallowed hard. "I mean... due to such a heavy energy loss... the baby in her belly, too, is in danger."
Dylan's world shattered. He fell to his knees, his eyes stinging with tears. "Impossible! I don't allow anything to happen to my wife and child!" He shot up, his body surging with raw, unbound power. He was about to use his Hidden Power to heal Irin instantly.
Suddenly, a voice boomed, stopping him. "No, Dylan!" It was Zerath.
Dylan spun around, his eyes wild with desperation. "Why are you stopping me?! Because of me, my Irin and my child are in danger! To rescue me from... that... Ren's deadly trap!" Tears streamed down his face.
Zerath walked toward him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Your energy is too strong, Dylan. It will lead to more danger for your child. Don't do that."
The Healer quickly nodded in agreement. "**Yes, Majesty! I have a solution. A herb root—it will help the Queen to heal. But I can't guarantee anything now, because... it will only show results after ten days."
Dylan looked at the Healer, the agony in his eyes turning to a fragile hope.
In the Purple Demon Kingdom
The scent of exotic perfume and rich silk filled Lia's new chamber. Liora was seated behind her, gently brushing Lia's hair with a silver comb inlaid with shimmering purple stones. Lia was now dressed in a gown of deep purple, and she was seated passively, a flicker of something new—a sense of belonging—in her chest. She was genuinely feeling a mother's love from Liora.
Liora selected a jeweled hair accessory and carefully placed it in Lia's dark hair. "You are beautiful," she murmured.
Lia offered a small, hesitant smile.
"Now," Liora said, her tone suddenly commanding, "you have to take the throne."
Lia was shocked. "The throne?"
Liora smiled, a flash of pride in her eyes. "I can see your Demon Core regaining energy now, after you started to intake my blood pill. Once you get your Demon Core power back, you can be the ruler of our kingdom. Do you know how long I have been waiting for that moment?"
"But... it's too fast," Lia said, her voice barely a whisper. "Give me time."
"But—" Liora started to object.
Suddenly, a maid rushed into the room, bowing low. "Your Majesty! The Heavenly Ruler, Ren, has come to see our Princess!"
Liora's gentle expression vanished, replaced by a chilling look of vengeance that contorted her beautiful features.
Lia, hearing the name, could only manage to whisper: "Ren..."