Hela stared at the Demon Princess before her. She wanted to fight—but her body refused. Her muscles screamed for rest; her mana was nearly gone. She knew if she stopped now, she would die right here.

  The Demon Princess, Xeyan, stepped closer, a crimson sphere of blood forming in her hand, pulsing with deadly energy.

  Then a dark shadow landed between them.

  As the shadow faded, Nix appeared—his dagger already thrust through Xeyan’s head.

  “Why… you…” were her last words before she fell lifeless to the ground.

  Nix knelt beside her body, pulling his dagger free. Then, something inside him broke.

  He stabbed her again. And again. And again.

  “I just had to… I just had to…” he muttered, each thrust heavier than the last, as if he were trying to kill the past itself.

  “NIX!” Hela’s voice broke through his rage.

  He froze. Then, breathing heavily, he turned and rushed to her side. She collapsed into his arms, exhausted.

  Nix sighed, his voice soft and heavy. “I let my past get through again… that won’t happen next time.”

  “So after that,” Hela said, ruffling my hair with a smile, “I became the Heroine of Zephyria.”

  “Grandma, can you still do those eye techniques?” I asked, my little voice full of curiosity.

  She chuckled softly. “My eyes? No, not anymore. I’m too old for that power now.”

  Her tone was simple enough for my young mind to grasp, though I could sense a deeper story she chose not to tell.

  “Dliva, it’s time for bed,” my mother, Ella, called from the other room.

  In the Kingdom of Dusk

  Intense training shook the kingdom’s grounds. The Necfars—warriors of Dusk—trained relentlessly, each strike louder than thunder.

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  “Your Highness,” a Necfar called out, bowing deeply.

  “What is it?” Zil Yung, the ruler of Dusk, asked, his tone edged with irritation.

  “Forgive me, Your Highness, but… why have you ordered such extreme training?” the Necfar asked cautiously.

  Zil Yung smiled faintly. “Oh? You’re only a C-ranked Necfar. Hard training will raise your rank.”

  “Yes, but—” The soldier couldn’t finish.

  “Do as I say if you wish to live another day,” Zil Yung interrupted coldly.

  “Y-yes, Your Highness!” The Necfar hurried away, fear visible in his steps.

  Zil Yung’s smile vanished. He looked toward the window, sensing something—someone—watching. But when he looked closer, there was nothing there.

  In the Abyss

  A demon landed before King Jini, who stood outside the palace, his dark robes rippling in the Abyss wind.

  “What news have you brought?” Jini asked.

  “It is just as you suspected, King Jini,” the demon said, bowing low. “The ruler of the Kingdom Dusk, Zil Yung, is forcing his lower-ranked Necfars into brutal training. He even threatened those who refused. It appears he is preparing for war—perhaps planning to strike another kingdom.”

  “I see…” Jini muttered. His suspicion had been right. “I knew something was off during our last meeting.”

  The demon kept his head low, awaiting further orders.

  “Your work is done. You’re dismissed,” Jini said.

  The demon bowed, then flew off into the black skies.

  Left alone, Jini walked back into his palace, his mind spinning with unanswered questions.

  “Why, Zil Yung? What are you planning?”

  He rubbed his chin, thinking aloud. “Should I speak with Crono about this? Or Natan? …No. I’ll call both.”

  The next day, Jini summoned both Crono, ruler of the Kingdom Nexus, and Natan, ruler of the Kingdom Star.

  They met in the Abyss meeting chamber, seated in a triangular formation—the air thick with tension.

  Jini cleared his throat. “I’ve called you both here for a serious matter that came to my attention yesterday.”

  Natan leaned back, tapping his finger on the table. “And what *serious* matter is that, Jini?”

  Crono said nothing—just observed quietly.

  “As you both know,” Jini continued, “Zil Yung, ruler of the Kingdom Dusk, behaved strangely during our last council. Suspicious, I sent one of my spies to observe him. He discovered that Zil Yung is forcing lower-ranked Necfars into intense training—against their will. Some who refused were threatened.”

  Jini paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

  Crono finally spoke. “That is indeed concerning. But you haven’t explained why you called only us. If you believe Zil Yung intends to attack, there are many kingdoms he could target.”

  Natan nodded. “Agreed.”

  Jini leaned forward. “Because your two kingdoms are the closest to his. And knowing how he despises both of you, I believe you will be his first targets.”

  Natan frowned. “Then why not invite Elva, Queen of Alvans? Her kingdom is the largest—she deserves a say.”

  “I did invite her,” Jini replied. “But she’s running late. We can—”

  The heavy doors creaked open.

  Queen Elva entered with grace, her long black hair flowing like silk, her silver eyes scanning the room.

  “I believe you’ve explained the situation already?” she said, taking her seat beside them.

  “Yes,” Jini answered.

  Natan arched an eyebrow. “So you told her beforehand?”

  “Yes,” Jini said simply. “She was delayed, and I didn’t want to waste time repeating the same details.”

  “I see,” Crono said, nodding. “Then let us begin the true discussion.”