The corruption exploded from Rui's body with a shriek, coalescing into a writhing mass of darkness.
The sudden release caused an earthquake to ripple throughout the chamber, knocking Shen backward and sending Kee Kee tumbling across the floor.
Rui gasped, her lungs filling with air. Her eyes flew open, vision blurry at first, then focusing on the two figures leaning over her.
"Am I dead?" she whispered, her voice raspy.
The woman with flowing white hair smiled down at her, tears streaming down her face.
Rui recognized the green eyes she had seen in Princess Tian's chambers.
Adjacent to her stood a towering figure, adorned with curved horns and possessing eyes that matched her own in color.
"Father?" Rui's voice broke at the word. "And... Mother?"
The Demon King nodded, his usually stern face softened with relief.
"Welcome back, daughter."
Princess Tian's ethereal form flickered dangerously as she reached out to touch Rui's cheek.
"My little Rui. How you've grown."
