The Demon King's throne room pulsed with tension.
Even without a word spoken, the air itself felt strained—heavy, oppressive, as if the very stones beneath the demons' feet were holding their breath. Black torches burned steadily along the walls, their flames bending unnaturally, reacting to the presence of those gathered within the hall.
The Demon King sat upon his throne, vast and immovable, claws resting against the armrests carved from bone and obsidian. His glowing red eyes surveyed the assembled demons with cold calculation.
"Eldross," he said at last, his voice echoing through the chamber, low and deliberate.
"The last kingdom standing in our way."
A slow, dangerous smile curved across Lilith's lips.
She stood near the front, arms relaxed at her sides, pale fingers flexing faintly as violet magic pulsed just beneath her skin. Her eyes burned—not with excitement, but with vengeance sharpened to a razor's edge.
"Pathetic demi-humans," she said smoothly. "Clinging to their worthless hope."
Kraggor cracked his knuckles, the sound like stone grinding against stone. Flames licked along his massive arms as he grinned wide, tusked mouth splitting into a feral smile.
"Let me at them," he rumbled. "I'll burn their walls to ash and crush every last one."
The Demon King raised a single clawed hand.
Silence fell instantly.
"You two will lead the invasion," he said calmly.
Lilith's eyes gleamed as she stepped forward, bowing her head just enough to show respect—though the fury in her gaze never dimmed.
"As you wish," she replied. "I'll take care of their queen personally."
Kraggor let out a booming laugh, gripping the handle of his massive axe.
"Finally," he said. "A real fight. I'll enjoy ripping their walls apart."
From the back of the room, Vaen chuckled darkly.
"Try not to die like Lucian."
Lilith turned on him in an instant.
Her eyes flared with violent light, and the temperature in the room dropped sharply.
"Careful, Vaen," she said coldly. "You could be next."
Kraggor snorted, glancing at her.
"Heh. You worry too much. There's no one strong enough to stop us."
The Demon King rose to his full height.
Dark wings unfurled behind him, stretching wide, blotting out torchlight as his presence pressed down upon the room like a crushing weight.
"Eldross will fall before the next moon," he commanded.
"Take no prisoners."
Lilith knelt, one knee touching the obsidian floor.
"It will be done."
Kraggor rested his axe on his shoulder, teeth flashing.
"I'll bring you their heads as trophies."
As they turned to leave, the Demon King's voice followed them—cold and merciless.
"Fail me… and you'll wish you died with Lucian."
Lilith smirked as she walked beside Kraggor through the dark corridor leading out of the throne room.
"I won't fail," she whispered. "And if that boy who killed Lucian is there…"
Her eyes hardened.
"He's mine."
Kraggor laughed loudly as they passed through towering gates and into the open air.
"If he's strong," he said eagerly, "I'll have fun breaking him."
Outside the castle, hell itself waited.
An army stretched across the blasted plains—countless demons standing shoulder to shoulder, eyes glowing red, weapons forged from bone, iron, and cursed magic held at the ready. The ground trembled beneath their combined presence.
Lilith stood upon a high balcony overlooking them, her pale hair stirring in the hot wind.
"Eldross…" she thought coldly.
"Your days are numbered."
Kraggor raised his weapon high.
"Prepare to march!" he roared.
"We take the kingdom by fire and blood!"
The army answered with a deafening howl—rage, hunger, and anticipation rolling across the land like a tidal wave.
Lilith turned her gaze toward the horizon.
"Lucian…" she thought.
"I'll avenge you. And whoever killed you… I'll find them."
Kraggor strode through the ranks, savoring the fear and reverence in the eyes of lesser demons.
"Finally," he growled. "A real fight."
From the castle's shadowed balcony, Vaen watched them depart, lips curling.
"Good luck, Lilith," he whispered. "You'll need it."
Zyron leaned against a pillar nearby, flipping a coin lazily.
"Let's see if they can handle him."
The demon army began its march.
The earth shook with every step, dark clouds spiraling overhead as if the sky itself recoiled from what was coming.
Lilith felt something then—a faint disturbance, distant yet undeniable. She frowned briefly, then dismissed it.
"I'll deal with whatever comes," she told herself.
"Nothing will stop me now."
Kraggor laughed loudly beside her.
"Let's see if Eldross can scream louder than Lucian did when he died!"
Lilith said nothing.
Above them, clouds thickened, shadows deepening as the army advanced.
She lifted her gaze to the sky.
"Reider," she thought.
"If you're out there… I'll find you."
Far away, Eldross stood unaware.
Elegant stone walls—cracked, scarred, but still standing—rose around the city. Banners fluttered in the breeze as soldiers lined the battlements, weapons ready, eyes scanning the horizon.
Eldross: the last standing demi-human kingdom.
Inside the castle, the throne room bore the marks of war. Scratches marred the floor, shattered pillars had been hastily repaired, and the scent of steel and magic lingered heavily.
Queen Eleanor sat upon her throne.
She wore armor rather than ceremonial robes—polished steel etched with sigils, a sword resting at her side. Long silver hair framed her face, and her golden eyes burned with resolve hardened by loss.
Where are you, Leona…?
The doors burst open.
A soldier rushed in, kneeling immediately.
"Your Majesty!" he gasped. "Scouts report a demon army marching toward us!"
Eleanor rose smoothly.
"So," she said calmly, "it's begun."
A glowing magical map appeared before her, showing dark masses converging toward Eldross.
She clenched her fist.
If only Leona made it out safely…
Her thoughts drifted briefly to the past.
Leona, younger, trembling as Eleanor held her tightly.
"Find help, little sister," Eleanor had whispered, smiling despite the fear.
"You're our last hope."
The memory faded.
Eleanor straightened, hand tightening around her sword.
"I will not let them take this kingdom without a fight."
Outside, a hawk-like demi-human landed upon a balcony railing.
"My Queen," the scout reported urgently, "Lilith and Kraggor are leading the army!"
Eleanor's eyes widened slightly.
"Two of the Demon King's top generals…"
In the streets below, demi-humans prepared—beastmen sharpening blades, elves stringing bows, mages chanting quietly as wards were raised.
Two young children watched the soldiers pass, fear written plainly across their faces.
"Will we be okay…?" one whispered.
An older wolf-type warrior knelt, placing a steady hand on the child's head.
"As long as Queen Eleanor stands," he said softly, "we'll fight."
From the balcony, Eleanor looked out over her people.
I won't let them fall, she vowed.
Not while I still breathe.
Out at sea, the ship cut steadily through the waves.
Leona sat with Reider, Vael, Mei, and Zera, her hands clasped tightly.
"My sister is still fighting to hold the kingdom," she said. "She's always been the strongest of us."
Vael leaned back, arms crossed.
"Facing Lilith and Kraggor won't be easy," she said seriously. "Even for her."
Mei shifted closer to Reider, worry in her eyes.
"And she doesn't know you're coming?"
Leona shook her head.
"I left before I could tell her. She thinks she's alone."
Zera leaned forward.
"What's your sister like?"
Leona smiled faintly.
"Strong. Fierce. Protective. She raised me after our parents died."
Reider listened quietly, the ocean breeze stirring his hair.
Leona glanced at him.
Does anything ever shake him?
Vael smirked.
"Don't worry," she said. "If anyone can stop that demon army, it's our 'weakest' member."
Leona frowned.
"You're still playing that joke?"
Eryndra chuckled from nearby.
"Just wait."
High above, a bird flew toward Eldross.
The kingdom awaited.
Reider stood at the edge of the ship, gaze fixed ahead.
His eyes glowed faintly gold.
Vael watched him knowingly.
Mei touched his shoulder.
"We'll help them, right?"
"Of course," Reider replied.
Leona clenched her fists.
"Sister… hold on a little longer."
The ship approached Eldross.
On one side, Eleanor stood firm.
On the other, Lilith and Kraggor advanced.
The storm was about to begin.