Valerie gritted her teeth as she pushed herself off the ground and gripped her Shard with enough force to make her knuckles white.
She couldn't understand why a warrior working for the Council was coming her way.
"I am warning you again. Get out of my way-*Thunk*" Those words were followed by a sharp collision of her Shard and the ground.
Ice crept toward the other person—a woman in her early twenties with slightly dark blue hair—but the woman didn't panic and with a grin, she slamd her palms together—
**BOOOOOM**
—sending a shockwave that broke Valerie's montum and she was sent stumbling back
The lady wore her Shard on her left hand, a gauntlet glowing slightly blue.
The woman rested her hands on her waist, looking at the irritated girl with a face full of amusent, as she said, "Look, sweetie, I don't like bullying people generally. But soone has asked to keep you away from the dangerous place. So please return so we both can have so much-needed rest."
Valerie scowled, "Selner told you that, right?!" She couldn't believe that the woman betrayed her like this. Not only did she take Austin away with her she even put soone to forbid Valerie from reaching him.
Swirling her spear, Valerie growled, "I will ask you again nicely ....move and I won't kill you."
"Oh, sweety...how delusional you can be. Well, I would love to see you try." With her arms crossed she provoked the other person.
Valerie decided to stop holding back. If she has to remove this six-foot-tall obstacle out of her way to reach Austin, then so be it.
°°°°°°°°
"I told you to co alone. Looks like you don't care much about the old man," the Demoness said, her tone calm but laced with venom.
She floated in the air, wings outstretched, fingers curled under her chin as she looked down at Austin. Her fra was slender, cloaked in darkness, with blood-red eyes that scanned him slowly, as if trying to see what made him so dangerous.
After all, this was the man who had left her father so broken that he had to disappear—retreat into hiding just to heal.
"I have no authority over either realm," Selner spoke, her voice cool, distant. "So, for what it's worth—pretend I'm not here."
Anytr—the Demoness—knew exactly what Selner was. A witch.
Witches had always stayed away from the war between demons and humans. In return, neither side dared touch them. Not because they were neutral observers, wandering between worlds in search of truth and power, but because no one wanted to provoke creatures that could level entire civilizations on a whim.
Witches were anomalies—unnatural, ancient forces. Capable of erasing entire races, collapsing dinsions, or burning stars to ash. They weren't feared. They were respected with terror.
Anytr's eyes narrowed. "You don't step where you aren't invited. And I never invited you to the castle. So stay right here… while I take my guest to et his future father-in-law."
Selner grinned, sharp and cold.
"Are you sure you want to play it like that?" she asked softly. "I swore an oath to bring him back alive. And to keep that oath, I won't hesitate to break the ancient vow we witches made—to never interfere with mortal lives."
She took a single step closer, her presence growing heavier with each word.
"Test , and I'll make sure your na and your people beco a forgotten story—one that ends today. You know I can do it. And you know I will."
Anytr didn't flinch. Not outwardly. But inside, her heart tightened.
Still… she hadn't co this far to be cowed by threats.
"No one here will harm him. But if you push this further, the hostage will be the one who suffers. That bla will be on you."
Selner's smile faded. Her eyes sharpened, but she stepped back.
Turning to Austin, she said gently, "You know how to call . If anything happens—just say the word."
Austin didn't say anything. Being near Selner always felt strange… warm, in a way that reminded him of his mother. A safety he hadn't felt in a long ti.
But she was the only one he could trust in this hellish place.
He gave a silent nod.
The rows of demons parted without a sound as Anytr led him into the heart of the demonic castle.
The mont his foot crossed the threshold—
"..!"
A wave of crushing pressure hit him like a wall.
The air grew thick, suffocating. His instincts scread.
Sothing ancient, vile, and hungry was inside this palace. A presence so twisted, so overwhelming, that every fiber of his being knew—
'Sothing in here wants dead.'
Seeing that reaction on his face, Anytr grinned, "The stories I heard about you and the person I am seeing right...I can't express how disappointed I am right now. You are nothing but a weak bug." Contempt and mockery laced her voice.
Austin chuckled, "Then I am sure you call your father a bug as well. I heard he is in a pitiful state."
The Demoness clenched her fists and told him, "Don't you dare say anything about him. You are not worthy to even breathe in the sa air as him."
Austin rolled his eyes and swallowed down the best response that ca to his mind. There was no point in arguing with this...Princess.
He was led through a long passageway. The sound of the demonic army is slowly fading.
Austin had rembered his way inside, even though there were several passageways with the sa interior. The only place he found excessively difficult to weave through was the council office.
Finally, they arrived before a cave-like door as Anytr descended the stairs. Austin naturally followed her.
There was an underground floor. The sll of this place was excessively disgusting...the sll of piss and dead bodies made it nearly impossible to breathe normally.
'Feels like I have stepped into a slaughterhouse...'
There were cells on the floor, and inside them were several captives—so barely alive and so dead. So of them were humans, and so were demons.
Austin silently followed the Demoness until she stopped before a certain cell.
Inside the cell was the familiar man, leaning against the wall, his eyes closed but he was breathing.
"Father," Austin called out as he pulled the door and stepped inside the cell.
Adam was startled upon hearing the voice as he opened his eyes wide and exclaid, "Why are you here?!" He was visibly shaken up seeing Austin here.
"I am here to take you back. Mother and Valerie are waiting for you so let's go-"
"What's the rush," Austin paused as suddenly Aytr crossed her arms and the demon soldier closed the door.
Austin growled, "You said you would release him if I ca here. Now let him go!"
The Demoness chuckled, "And you believed I would let him go? Just like that?"
Adam's heart clenched...how could Austin fall for the trap, and why did Valerie allow him to co here?
Austin got up while supporting Adam and said, "What do you want now?"
The Demoness shrugged, "I can let you go...but only one of you." She suddenly pulled a dagger from the holster before throwing it inside the cell.
With a grin, she relayed, "It's really simple. One of you has to kill the other. The one who survived can go back. I give you my word."
Austin frowned upon hearing that, "What gas are you playing? You want right? Just fight but let him go!"
"Ah-nah-nah. I would have fought you if only you hadn't brought that bitch along. Now that she is here, I can't hurt you." With a face-splitting grin, she added, "But surely he can." While pointing at Adam she said.
Hearing those words, Austin realized that bringing Selner might have backfired.
If he tries to escape taking Selner's help then the Demoness would surely kill Adam.
Then...what was the way?
Looking at the dagger, Austin picked it up.
Adam took a deep breath and turned towards him.
From his expression it was apparent that the man was ready to sacrifice himself.
Yes, his wife and daughter would be sad....but not even once Adam thought of taking the life of that person whom his daughter loves more than herself.
That was just unacceptable.
That's why, "Austin, I wan-"
"Father, say my goodbye to Val."
*SQUELCH*
Adam's face turned pale.
Aytr's grin widened.
The reason for their reaction was the blond boy who fell to the ground after stabbing himself.
At the age of eighteen, Austin Eryndor died.
°°°°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Damn it was a long journey. The story ends-just kidding~ Drop a comnt.
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