---
In the silence of Xander's royal chamber, the air stilled like the breath before a storm.
Fiona stood beside the tall crystal window, her eyes narrowed over the distant sky as the clouds churned in battle smoke. Her long silver hair trembled ever so slightly with worry she refused to show on her face.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
"Fiona!!"
Lia stumbled inside, nearly falling onto the marble floor. Fiona rushed forward and caught her before she collapsed.
"Lia? What happened? Speak!"
Lia's entire face was wet with tears, her voice trembling, "Fiona… Irin…!"
Fiona's heart clenched. "What happened to her?! You're scaring me!"
Lia wiped her tears and cried, "Please save her… They took Irin… Xander captured her…!"
Fiona froze. Her breath stopped for a second. But her eyes hardened into a cold flame.
"…Xander." The name left her lips like venom. "I swear… I will not allow anything to happen to our Irin."
She turned sharply and stormed out of the room, her steps echoing with the wrath of a queen.
---
In the Great War Land...
Roars of thunder and flame still trembled faintly over the ruined battlefield.
Dylan's face was covered in blood and sweat as he yanked Ren's sword out from his chest with a vicious growl. Ren staggered backward, his eyes widening in horror. A silver glowing line across Dylan's chest… and yet, Dylan stood firm like a demon carved out of iron.
Dylan quickly wrapped a cloth over the bleeding wound.
Ren whispered, shaken, "Why… that silver mark on your chest…?"
But before he could speak more, a strange glowing magic bubble drifted into Dylan's hand. Dylan caught it sharply. It whispered into his ear—something only he could hear.
And suddenly… his entire face twisted into fire and rage.
He glared at Ren, and roared one single name with hatred enough to tear the sky:
"XANDER!!!!"
Ren gasped as Dylan turned toward him. "No one… NO ONE can rescue Xander from me."
With a burst of demonic aura, Dylan vanished from the war land, leaving Ren frozen in shock.
---
At the Gate of the Dark Clouds Zone...
The massive dark gates trembled in the stormy winds. Two guards stood in front, blocking the path.
Fiona approached, her cloak billowing, her eyes colder than ice.
"Halt! No one may enter the Dark Clouds Zone. It is the King's order."
Fiona's expression didn't change. Her voice came out razor-sharp:
"Are you stopping your Queen?"
The guards hesitated. "Apologies, Your Majesty… but it was the King's direct order—"
"That won't stop me."
In a single whisper of magic, she raised her hand. A powerful surge of energy flickered—before the guards could even lift their swords, they fell to the ground unconscious.
Without another word, Fiona stepped over them… and entered.
---
Inside the Dark Clouds Zone...
The world inside the zone was like a cursed twilight realm—thick black fog, crackling with dark red lightning.
Dylan appeared in a storm of shadows, his heart pounding as he looked around desperately.
"Irin!! IRIN!!!"
His voice echoed through the emptiness. No reply.
Then… a soft white feather floated past him. It brushed his shoulder.
And suddenly—a magical barrier snapped around him like a golden prison. Dylan slammed his fist against it, but his body couldn't move beyond the shining walls. His power was frozen.
His red eyes glared upward in fury.
"…XANDER!! Show yourself!!"
The mist parted. Far ahead, the white clouds opened slowly—and Dylan saw her.
Irin was suspended in the air, her hands chained with massive glowing silver chains that wrapped around her like pure light. The chains were absorbing her goddess power with every pulse. She hung limp, pale, unconscious.
Dylan whispered, broken, "Irin…"
"Irin…!" He roared again, banging his fists against the barrier.
Irin's eyes fluttered open weakly. She saw him and gave a small, fragile smile. "…Dylan…"
And then—behind her, a shadow appeared.
Xander stepped out with a cold, vicious grin and grabbed Irin's hair, yanking her head back slightly. Irin winced, struggling.
Dylan's roar tore through the darkness, "NO!!! XANDER!!!"
Xander laughed wickedly. "Do you like the scene before your eyes, Dylan?" His voice echoed like poison. "Your precious wife's life… in my hands."
Xander smirked and teleported a few steps closer to the barrier. Dylan lunged forward to choke him—but the barrier threw him back. He slammed against the magical wall desperately.
"You can't touch me," Xander mocked. "As long as you're in this Hojo Barrier, your demon powers are useless. You'll never get out."
Dylan's eyes widened. "Hojo… barrier…?"
Xander laughed louder. "Yes. Demons… fear this cage. I'll kill your wife right in front of you—and you'll just watch."
Dylan's fury hit its peak. His voice thundered, "DO YOU THINK THIS BARRIER CAN STOP ME?! I… am the son of the Great Demon Alex Wang!"
He summoned his black sword in pure rage and slashed at the barrier. For a moment—it cracked. Xander's smile vanished as his eyes widened.
But then… the crack healed instantly.
Xander regained his cruel smirk. "Even a great demon couldn't break this. You're only his son."
Dylan's body trembled with wrath and helplessness.
His eyes… burned hotter as he screamed, "XANDER!!!!!!"
To be continued…
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