Centuries ago, the Heavenly Lord Wilfried and Lucifer, the Devil Lord, faced each other across a shattered plain — their eyes locked in unyielding defiance as divine and infernal powers rippled through the air.
The battlefield groaned beneath a fractured sky — half drenched in golden light, half swallowed by crimson darkness.
Wilfried stood radiant, his armor gleaming like a sun forged into steel, his expression calm yet resolute.
Across from him loomed Lucifer, cloaked in living shadow, his crimson eyes burning with pride and fury.
Their gazes clashed — one filled with divine serenity, the other with malice and mockery.
Then, silence broke.
Lucifer roared first, unleashing a torrent of black fire that scorched the heavens. Wilfried answered with blinding radiance, his blade gleaming like a falling star.
When their forces collided, the world screamed — mountains cracked, seas raged, and the heavens trembled beneath the clash of light and shadow.
Their blades danced — steel against flame, thunder against darkness.
Lucifer's laughter echoed with cruel delight, while Wilfried fought in silence, his will unwavering.
Every strike was a prayer. Every clash, a storm.
For ages it seemed, neither gained ground. Lucifer's darkness devoured all, but Wilfried's light refused to fade. It was a battle of eternity — chaos against creation.
Yet slowly, the balance shifted.
Lucifer's strikes grew wild, his rage consuming reason.
Wilfried, bloodied but steady, fought with precision — every motion guided by divine purpose.
His light carved through the shadows, inch by inch. Lucifer snarled, his smirk faltering.
And then… the tide turned.
For the first time, the Devil Lord faltered beneath the brilliance of Heaven's chosen.
But Wilfried did not rejoice.
He knew this victory was fragile — that Lucifer, if left alive, would rise again to claim the Crown of Life.
Lucifer grinned despite his wounds.
"Ahhh… it seems I'll have to come back another time."
His smirk twisted into mockery — but then froze.
Something was wrong.
"What did you do?" he demanded, his voice trembling with fury.
Wilfried's calm gaze never wavered.
"Did you think I'd let you escape so easily?"
He raised his hands. Power surged from the earth — divine energy radiating outward as he drove his sword into the ground.
The Crown of Life appeared above him, encircled by the seven mythical crystals, each glowing with immense, godlike pressure.
Lucifer's eyes widened.
"No… You wouldn't—!"
"Destroy," Wilfried whispered.
The world exploded.
Light and shadow erupted together, splitting heaven and earth apart. Mountains disintegrated. Oceans boiled. The seven crystals shattered with a deafening scream, scattering fragments across all of Aetheris.
Lucifer's roar shook the dying air as his essence disintegrated under the weight of divine judgment. His form burned away — yet his hatred endured.
Wilfried knelt, exhausted. His duty fulfilled, his form faded, scattering into motes of golden light.
But amid the ruins, a whisper survived.
Unseen, a fragment of Lucifer's shadow slithered free — faint as smoke, alive with vengeance.
While the world celebrated its salvation, the darkness crept into the cracks of creation, biding its time.
"I am not gone," it whispered.
"Only waiting. One day, the shadows will rise again."
---
Hours later, Gerald emerged from the dungeon — or rather, Lucifer, reborn in Gerald's body.
For the first time in centuries, the Devil Lord walked freely under mortal skies.
He inhaled deeply, savoring the air of the living world.
"After all these years…" he murmured, smirking. "I'm back."
He looked around the desolate streets of Osric. Once filled with life, now silent and empty — his dark armies had done their work well.
"It seems my children made quite the mess," he chuckled darkly.
Within minutes, he stood before Caelumspire Castle — its towers dark, its gates cold.
"Perfect," he said, crossing his arms. "A fine place to begin again."
He stepped forward.
---
Meanwhile, Leofric and Edith had reached Sylvan Reach, finding refuge in an abandoned hut deep within the silver forest.
After ensuring safety, Leofric rose.
"I'll go find us something to eat."
"Don't go," Edith pleaded, clutching little Olivia. "What if you don't come back? I'm scared."
"I'll be fine," Leofric replied gently. "Or would you rather starve?"
Her stomach growled in reply.
He smiled faintly.
"See? I'll return soon. Take care of Olivia."
As he left, Edith sighed, whispering to herself,
"I wonder how the Queen is doing…"
---
Back at the castle, Hilda's body had finally been recovered and laid to rest by the royal family.
Inside the silent fortress, a lone knight stood guard.
When Lucifer entered, cloaked in Gerald's form, their eyes met.
The knight — a grizzled veteran with silver hair and battle-worn armor — bowed deeply.
"Long live my prince… or rather, my king."
Lucifer tilted his head, feigning confusion.
"Who are you?"
The knight blinked, puzzled.
"My prince… you don't know me? I am Morvain, your personal guard."
Lucifer's tone darkened.
"Then tell me, Morvain… what has happened while I was gone?"
Morvain stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Queen Hilda is dead. The news has spread across all seven regions. And the Crown of Life… has been destroyed. The ministers await you in the royal hall."
Lucifer's expression tightened, though he quickly masked it.
"Very well. Lead the way."
As they walked, Morvain added quietly,
> "Your family blames you for the Queen's death."
Lucifer muttered under his breath,
"So much to fix… and even more to conquer."
---
The royal hall gleamed in muted gold. As the doors opened, every minister rose to their feet.
Lucifer paused before the throne — a masterpiece of gold and red velvet, radiant under the light.
For a long moment, he simply stared, his lips curling into a faint smirk.
Morvain leaned in.
"My prince… they await your word."
Lucifer sat slowly, his posture regal, his tone dripping with command.
"You may be seated."
The ministers bowed deeply.
"We appreciate your grace, Your Highness."
Lucifer's eyes gleamed.
"From this moment forth," he declared, voice echoing through the hall,
"I shall be your king."
The room fell silent.
None dared to breathe as the Devil Lord smiled — hidden behind the face of a prince.