"The last time we met was at the Empire's Lantern Festival," Elizabeth said, her voice dripping with false nostalgia. "You led a rebellion, killed promising young nobles, toppled a king, and yet here you stand. I'm impressed. You even look more mature now, Leon." She smirked. "I heard you represented the dragons in the peace talks. What's the matter? Finally decided to abandon your humanity—"
Bang!
A gunshot cracked through the air, cutting her off. The enchanted bullet spiraled toward Elizabeth but was intercepted by the skeletal bird she stood upon, shattering harmlessly against its bones.
Rebecca, her hand cannon steady and smoking, kept it aimed squarely at the queen. "Shut up already, you old hag. You weren't this chatty back in the palace."
Rebecca's loathing for the queen was years in the making. During her service, she'd never missed a chance to criticize Elizabeth to Leon and Martin, her favorite insult being "old hag." When pressed for reasons, she'd simply say, "A woman knows a woman." Time had proven her intuition right; Elizabeth's condescending tone and smug expression were insufferable.
Elizabeth, her composure briefly shattered, snapped, "I wasn't speaking to you, you insolent brat! I should have had you shoveling manure in the royal stables!"
Rebecca's grin widened. "You'd make better fertilizer."
"You—!" Elizabeth seethed, pointing a trembling finger, but words failed her.
Rebecca twirled her pistol lazily. "By the way, Queenie, what have you been up to all these years? Feeding your bony pets? Looks like they're on a strict skeleton diet." She finished by sticking her tongue out playfully.
Elizabeth's eye twitched violently. Her plan to control the conversation with taunts had completely backfired thanks to Rebecca's relentless mockery.
Finally, Leon raised a hand, signaling Rebecca to stand down. His voice was calm and level. "Elizabeth. After you fled the Empire, did you swear allegiance to the Shadow?"
Elizabeth sneered. "Allegiance? Such a crude term. You understand nothing of my relationship with the Shadow Lord. Let me enlighten you before you die." She paused dramatically. "The Shadow Lord is the greatest visionary of our age. Everything he does is for the ultimate betterment of this continent. When he first shared his truth with me, it was a revelation. To be part of such a grand design is an honor. He pulled me from ignorance into enlightenment. Without him, I would still be one of the blind fools deceived by this world's lies."
She raised her chin, her voice filled with fervent conviction. "So, no. There was no 'swearing.' I have been a devoted follower of the Shadow Lord from the very beginning. Do you understand now, Leon?"
Leon blinked. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched his lips. After a deliberate pause, he replied in a deadpan tone, "Got it. You're a simp."
"You—! Leon Cosmodeous!" Elizabeth roared, her regal facade crumbling completely.
Leon ignored her fury. "Enough posturing. What is the Shadow's true goal?"
Elizabeth scoffed. "You could never comprehend it."
As expected, she wouldn't give a straight answer. Leon shifted tactics, glancing at the boulders blocking their exit. "So, this is a trap."
"Not entirely," Elizabeth replied, a cold smile returning. "You've been more... persistent than the Shadow Lord anticipated. Uncovering this place forced us to accelerate the 'Eternal Flame' project." Her eyes gleamed. "But the Shadow Lord is always steps ahead. The moment you entered the Flaming Valley, we decided to use it as your crematorium. Do you see these bone avians, Leon? They are a fused species, crafted by the Shadow Lord's genius, specifically for you."
Leon's gaze swept over the hovering skeletons.
"These are not mere beasts," Elizabeth continued. "They have transcended flesh, becoming pure, indestructible bone. They cannot be killed, cannot be grounded, and they rule the skies. Your lightning is useless against them. Unlike the Dragon Kings you've bested, they are faster, smarter, and feel no fear or fatigue. They were designed for one purpose: to kill you, Leon."
Leon's jaw tightened. As much as he wanted to dismiss her boasts, there was truth in her words. The bone birds' regeneration, aerial dominance, and sheer numbers, combined with their unnatural origins, presented a serious tactical problem.
"This is... problematic," he admitted under his breath.
"Feeling overwhelmed, Leon? Good," Elizabeth said, her triumph evident. "But I've saved the best for last. I wouldn't dream of holding back on you."
The ground trembled again, but this time, the source was unmistakable. It wasn't a quake; it was a footstep.
Leon turned slowly toward the massive volcano. Magma bubbled and spat from its summit. A deep, guttural roar echoed from within, a sound that seemed to shake the very fabric of the world.
Then, from the heart of the inferno, a colossal figure emerged.
It stood taller than the ancient trees of the Dragon Lands. Razor-sharp horns crowned its head, and its limbs were thick cords of flame-wreathed muscle. A powerful, whip-like tail lashed behind it, scattering molten rock. Its eyes burned with pure, crimson fury, and its very body radiated an intense heat that warped the air around it.
There was no mistaking it.
This was the progenitor of fire, the incarnate spirit of searing destruction.
"The Flame Demon," Leon whispered, the name a heavy weight in the scorching air.