Deep within the Abyssal Citadel, a fortress hewn from obsidian and ancient bone, the walls themselves seemed to pulse with a crimson light. Rivers of liquid fire ran through jagged trenches, and the air hung heavy with the scent of old blood and burning iron.
At its heart, the Throne Hall stretched vast and endless, its ceilings lost to shadow. Whispers slid along the walls — voices of ancient horrors, long-dead kings, and cursed souls trapped in eternal lament.
And at the center of it all sat her.
The Demon Lord.
A vision of unholy beauty — skin pale as frost, lips the color of fresh blood, and crimson eyes that shimmered like dying stars. She rested her chin upon one slender, pale hand, a pleased, near-playful smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Before her, a swirling crimson screen floated, woven from Virion's magic, displaying the ruined remains of Cindralis. The cries of the desperate, the chants of victory, the shattered streets and fallen beasts — all laid bare for her amusement.
On her left stood Virion, arms crossed, his emerald hair glinting in the bloodlight. His usual cool expression was marred by something rare — genuine surprise.
On her right, Envy watched with wide, gleaming violet eyes, a mixture of amazement, frustration, and buried fear flickering across her face. Her grip on her violet-bladed scythe tightened.
"Well now," the Demon Lord mused, her voice a melodic, poisonous lullaby that could soothe and terrify in the same breath.
"What a spectacular show."
She leaned forward.
"I must say… little Velis outdid herself."
And as if summoned by those words, a familiar figure stepped forth from the shadows — Velis.
Still bearing the cuts and bruises from her performance, her silver eyes gleaming with mischief and satisfaction.
She knelt smoothly.
"You called, my lord."
The Demon Lord's lips curled higher.
"A job well done, my precious little shadow. You played your part beautifully. I trust you enjoyed yourself?"
Velis chuckled softly.
"It was… delightful. The look on his face when he finally snapped — priceless."
"Good." The Demon Lord purred, leaning back.
"Virion. Your thoughts?"
Virion's expression hardened as his gaze remained on the screen.
"His power in that state… was beyond anything we predicted. His fusion of Reinforcement Magic with the katana's malice makes him volatile. Dangerous. The others were formidable too — even the half-dead girl, Sylva, kept pace with Velis's strength. They're far from ordinary, my lord."
The Demon Lord smiled wider, crimson eyes alight with wicked pleasure.
"Precisely why we must let them fester… let them believe they have won."
She turned her gaze to Envy.
"And you, dear one? What say you of the hero?"
Envy huffed, tossing her scythe over her shoulder.
"His power's impressive — I won't deny it. The fight was exhilarating. Even Sylva surprised me. But…" she frowned, violet eyes darkening.
"I hate that he pulled himself back. I wanted him broken. I wanted him ours."
The Demon Lord's laugh was soft and cold.
"Not yet, darling. What fun would there be in a shattered toy before the real war begins?"
She rose from her throne, the crimson light casting long, unnatural shadows across the hall.
Her voice dropped into a low, sinister purr.
"A blade forged in rage is strong… but a blade reforged in despair… becomes unstoppable."
She turned, her silhouette gleaming against the bloodlit backdrop.
"And Leon," she whispered, almost fondly.
"My darling Hero… you are going to be magnificent when you finally fall."
* * * * *
The Abyssal Citadel's throne room still hummed with the residual energy of the Blood Moon's fading light. The great obsidian walls sighed with whispers, and the crimson screen hovering before the Demon Lord's throne flickered one last time before fading into nothing.
Velis remained kneeling, her silver eyes gleaming mischievously.
Across from her, Envy leaned against a bone-carved pillar, scythe resting lazily on one shoulder, an unimpressed look plastered on her face.
And then, Envy spoke up.
"So, Silver Smile… what's the plan now? Won't the others get suspicious if their precious little stray vanishes from the mortal world for too long?"
Velis chuckled, waving a hand dismissively.
"Relax, corpse girl. I left a stand-in. A shadow-double. It's perfect. Even Lyra won't notice… well, unless she tries to lecture it about moral responsibility, but knowing her, she'll be too busy patching up Leon's broken brain to care."
She shot a toothy grin at Envy, who snorted.
"Tch. You're insufferable."
"And you love it."
The Demon Lord watched them with an expression of languid amusement, crimson eyes aglow.
"Velis," she said, voice smooth as silk over a knife's edge.
"You mentioned a new… project."
Velis's grin widened.
"I did."
She rose to her feet, hands clasped behind her back.
"Can't tell you all the details, though. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Think of it as… a new game piece for your grand stage. One that might just change how the board looks in a few turns."
The Demon Lord tilted her head, the promise of chaos gleaming in her gaze.
"You always did know how to keep me entertained. Very well, Velis. Proceed. I expect nothing less than blood and brilliance."
Velis bowed with theatrical flourish.
"You'll have both, my lady."
And then she turned to Envy, her grin turning sharp.
"Mind if I borrow the walking corpse for a while?"
Envy's eyes narrowed.
"The hell did you just call me, you pint-sized psychopath?"
The Demon Lord raised a slender hand, her expression almost motherly.
"Envy will be occupied for now," she said. "I've a Demon Lord to appoint and generals to find. But she'll be available in a few days."
Velis waved it off.
"Perfect. I don't mind waiting. It'll give me time to prep the stage."
Envy scoffed, her scythe thumping against the floor.
"You're lucky she likes you. Otherwise, I'd cut you in half for that mouth."
Velis gave a mock-pout.
"Aw, you'd miss me. Admit it."
"Only if missing meant aiming better next time."
The Demon Lord chuckled softly at their exchange.
"Go on, Velis. The shadows are yours."
Velis gave a wink and dissolved into the darkness, leaving behind a trail of silver light.
Envy watched her go with a mixture of annoyance and wary curiosity.
"Tch. Damn little monster's always up to something…"
And somewhere deep down, even Envy had to admit — she was curious what nightmare Velis would conjure next.