For Kael, the journey had stopped being a simple trip a long time ago, and what at first had seemed like an impulsive decision, almost an escape disguised as curiosity, ended up transforming into something much heavier, more real, something he could no longer ignore even if he wanted to.
As they advanced, crossing mountains that seemed to tear the sky apart with their impossible peaks, rivers whose currents carried not only water but also the constant feeling of disappearing at any moment, endless plains where the horizon never changed, and deserts where the air burned the lungs with every breath, reality began to settle into his body like a constant weight, as if every step brought him closer to something he could not stop.
It was not just any journey.
It was a march into the unknown.
And deep down, he knew it.
It was irreversible.
They had crossed swamps where every step threatened to swallow them without a trace, forests so dense that light barely filtered through the leaves, creating shadows that seemed to watch them in silence, and paths where the absence of sound was more unsettling than any beast's roar.
The exhaustion had long ceased to be physical; now it was mental, deep, persistent, a silent wear that affected even Magnus, whose discipline seemed unbreakable, but now showed slight cracks in his posture, in his breathing, in those small details that only someone attentive could notice.
Even so, no one complained.
No one turned back.
Because they all knew that Kael was moving forward for a reason.
Even if he himself still could not understand it.
Finally, they were descending the last mountain, and the slope was not only steep, but treacherous, covered in loose rocks that turned every step into a real risk. The wind struck hard, pushing them relentlessly as they descended at great speed, forcing them to keep their balance or accept a fall that would probably be fatal.
But it was not just the terrain.
That place… was alive.
The creatures did not show themselves, but they were there, hidden among cracks, beneath the rocks, even in the air itself, like invisible presences following them without making a sound. It was a constant, uncomfortable feeling, as if the mountain was watching them and waiting for the exact moment to block their path.
Then the ground trembled.
It was not slight.
It was a warning.
Kael turned on instinct… and saw it.
An avalanche was descending behind them, a mass of giant rocks crashing down with brutal force, sweeping everything in its path as the roar filled the air like an endless growl.
—Don't you dare slow down! Run or you'll be buried! —shouted Viridia, without looking back.
—I'm running, damn it! —Agnitus replied furiously, jumping between rocks.
—To the right! Do you want to be crushed?! —Magnus intervened, sharp and precise.
But the tremor did not stop.
It intensified.
Closer.
Heavier.
Kael looked back again… and what he saw made his body react before his mind.
It was not just the avalanche.
It was something worse.
A herd was advancing behind them.
No.
An army.
The red bulls descended with brutal violence, enormous creatures with muscular bodies, hardened reddish skin, and eyes filled with primitive fury. They walked upright, like warriors born to destroy, wielding giant axes capable of splitting any being in two.
—…Perfect. Just what we needed —muttered Viridia, clicking her tongue.
—That's not a herd… —growled Agnitus—. It's an execution.
—Silence —cut Magnus—. Think.
Viridia raised her hand, concentrating magic with absolute speed.
—Perfect reflection.
In an instant, another identical herd appeared in front of them, identical in every detail. The bulls stopped abruptly, confused, and chaos erupted as they began attacking each other.
—HA! Look at them! They're killing themselves! —Viridia laughed with satisfaction.
—That only buys us seconds —Magnus replied without emotion.
—Admit it, without me you'd already be dead.
—I'll applaud you later —said Kael without looking at her—. If we're still alive.
And then…
Everything changed.
The slope disappeared.
The mountain ended.
And in front of them appeared something that made no sense.
A field.
An infinite sea of flowers.
The contrast was so violent that it was disturbing. Where before there had been chaos, death, and destruction, now there stretched a serene, silent landscape, covered in flowers of all colors gently swaying with the wind.
The air was light.
Pure.
Unreal.
Kael stopped without realizing it, extending his hand to touch the petals that seemed to react to his presence. For a moment, the exhaustion disappeared, the weight of the journey faded, and a strange calm invaded his mind.
The others followed him.
But not all of them trusted it.
—…I don't like this —murmured Magnus.
—Since when do you dislike something beautiful? —Viridia replied.
—Since it feels like a trap.
Magnus spread his wings and rose into the air. From above, he saw only the same thing: infinite flowers.
Too perfect.
Too empty.
He descended with a frown.
—This has no end… and we have no supplies.
Seraphyne stepped forward.
And suddenly stopped.
—What…?
She extended her hand.
And felt it.
—There's something here.
—I don't see anything —said Agnitus.
—That's the problem.
They all tested it.
A barrier.
Invisible.
Impenetrable.
—I can't pass —growled Agnitus.
—Me neither —added Viridia.
—Someone doesn't want us to move forward —said Magnus.
—Then let them show themselves —spat Agnitus.
—What's happening? —asked Kael.
Silence.
—Don't move forward —said Magnus.
—Why?
—Because you can cross.
Kael frowned.
And then he felt it.
He turned.
And saw her.
A woman beneath an impossible white tree, sitting with elegance, holding a cup of tea as if none of this existed.
She smiled.
Raised her hand.
And waved at him.
Kael walked toward her without resistance.
—Hello —she said softly—. So you are Kael.
—How do you know my name?
—Of all the questions… you choose the least important one.
—I'm not here for games.
—And yet you came.
She poured tea.
—Sit down.
—Talk first.
—Who are you, Kael?
Silence.
—…I don't know.
She smiled.
—Finally something honest.
She leaned slightly forward.
—Do you think people need masks?
—…I don't know.
—Of course they do.
And then it happened.
A memory.
Dark.
A dungeon.
A white mask in his hands.
Pain.
Too much.
—… —Kael staggered.
—You look terrible —she said without standing up.
The world went dark for a moment.
And when Kael returned…
He was no longer the same.
He went back to the others.
Stopped.
And spoke.
—Today… the Seven Sins are dissolved.
Silence.
—…Repeat that —growled Agnitus.
—You are free.
—Don't joke.
—I'm not.
—THEN WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!
Kael breathed.
—I will also stop being the Demon King.
—…No.
—LOOK AT ME! —roared Agnitus—. EXPLAIN YOURSELF!
—I can't.
—Of course you can!
—No.
—Did that woman do something to you?!
—No.
A step back.
—I'm just making a decision.
—And what are we? —said Viridia, more serious than ever.
—…You were important.
—Then leave —spat Agnitus.
—If you turn around… don't come back —said Magnus.
—I know.
Kael turned.
And left.
Without looking back.
In the distance…
Zelmira was watching.
Smiling.
And this time, the silence was not calm.
It was loss.