"This isn't over," Sarah hissed, a crooked smile forming across her face. "The revolution is still near."
Her body began to swell with heat, absorbing every ember around her. Flames sparked from her skin as her laughter twisted into a maniacal screech.
"Even you, Lord Azreal—no matter how powerful you are—you can't stop this!"
Azreal said nothing. His expression was still, cold. With a simple snap of his fingers, a small gate opened beside him. Gently, he lifted Laisa's unconscious body and placed her inside. The gate shimmered and closed with a hum.
Sarah's eyes twitched. "Still worrying about her, huh? What a waste. This is my retribution! This is what I was reborn for!"
Azreal rose slowly into the air, arms relaxed at his sides. His voice was calm, but there was a chilling finality to it. "Retribution? No. This is delusion. You forget who I am."
His eyes glowing intense crimson he says
"Blue".
Two intricate magic circles ignited—one above him, one below. A small blue flame sparked on the tip of his finger, hovering like a wisp.
The flame expanded into a brilliant, spinning star-shaped fire. Azure lines of flame spiraled around him like a galaxy being born, burning brighter and hotter than anything Sarah had ever seen.
---
Land of Ashes
Hulk dropped to one knee, panting. "That's the last one," he grunted as the last infernal disintegrated.
The hell guards cheered, raising their weapons in victory. But the moment was short-lived.
One guard suddenly shouted, "Look! In the sky!"
They all turned. Hulk's eyes widened.
"Those flames... that color…"
He clenched his fists. "That's Lord Azreal's flames—without a doubt."
He stood quickly. "We're heading to him—now! Move!"
---
Battlefield – Return to Azreal
Sarah's body pulsed with molten energy. Lava-like veins ran through her arms.
"This is my inferno!!" she roared, throwing her hands into the air. A swirling vortex of fire erupted above her, threatening to swallow everything.
But then she looked up… and saw his flames.
Her confidence cracked.
"Why… why do you have that?! That magic, those flames!"
Azreal hovered high above, his blue star-flame orbiting his finger.
"I told you," he said. His voice echoed through the air.
"I am an inferno."
He pointed his finger. The star-shaped flame shot forward like a comet, colliding with her attack mid-air.
A clash of flame—red against blue, fury against serenity.
Shockwaves burst across the field. The sky twisted from the heat and force.
Then—silence.
A quiet, eerie calm as both infernos disappeared into thin lines of fire. All that remained was a gust of hot wind blowing through the ruined battlefield.
---
Moments Later
Hulk and the others arrived at the scorched field. Some guards were blown back by the lingering force.
Hulk shielded his eyes, jaw tightening. "They clashed… no." His voice dropped. "Lord Azreal's flame devoured hers. Like reality itself rejected her fire. She didn't even explode. It just… unraveled. Like a candle blown out."
Azreal descended from the air. The twin magic circles slowly faded from sight.
Sarah lay on the ground, her body crumbling to ash, her breaths ragged.
"Damn it…" she growled. "That was my final card…"
Azreal walked toward her.
"You finally lost," he said quietly.
"I… I can't die yet… I still need to reform Hell…"
"There's no need for that anymore," Azreal replied. "And you're not dying. You're being undone. Y'tharion's mark inside you was unstable. You weren't perfect. Your body was set to collapse anyway."
Her skin cracked as flame leaked out from within.
"You're not dying," he added. "You're returning to the system you once were. But… you won't remember any of this."
Sarah's final breath escaped as she dissolved into ash.
"This… isn't… over…"
"I know," Azreal said, turning his back.
---
The guards gathered around him.
"You all did well," he said. "Your part is complete."
"Yes, my Lord," Hulk said, bowing low.
Azreal snapped his fingers. A small gate opened again. He brought Laisa out, still unconscious, and held her gently.
"She's not dead?" Hulk asked.
"No," Azreal replied. "Let's drop her off."
The two vanished through the gate.
---
Chamber of Scarlet Flames
They stepped through into the warm, elegant chamber. Maids immediately bowed. Azreal moved to the bed and laid Laisa down, covering her with a soft blanket.
"Take care of her," he ordered.
The maids nodded and rushed to her side.
Azreal turned to Hulk. "You must be tired. Go rest."
"I'm fine, my Lord."
"If you insist. Go to each gate. Report the situation. Tell Xaltheon to gather his men at the Land of Ashes. I want every infernal ash sealed."
"Yes, my Lord." Hulk vanished.
Azreal sighed and opened another gate. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Aria," he said, stepping through.
---
Royal Palace
Aria paced nervously.
"What's taking him so long…"
A gate shimmered behind her. She turned—Azreal stepped through.
Without thinking, she rushed into his arms.
"You're late," she muttered.
Azreal pulled her close, resting her head on his chest. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
She looked up, noticing the singed burn marks on his clothing.
"What happened to you?"
"Nothing serious."
"It was because of me, wasn't it?"
"You don't need to worry. It's over now."
"I'm glad," she said.
"I need to clean up. Go on down and join Fredrick. I'll be there soon."
She nodded and left.
---
Dining Hall
Fredrick guided Aria through a grand hallway.
"This way, Lady Aria."
"You don't have to call me that."
"You're a special guest. I must."
They entered the vast dining hall. Aria's eyes widened at the grand architecture.
"This place… is this really Hell?" she whispered. "It doesn't feel like it."
---
Back in Azreal's Room
Azreal stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair. A glowing panel floated beside him.
"Good day, Lord Azreal," it greeted.
Azreal smiled. "Welcome back, Sarah—or should I say, Asrah."
"Who's Asrah?" the voice responded in a cheerful tone.
"Just a new friend I made today."
"You've been making a lot of friends lately."
"Is that a problem?"
"None at all."
"Good. I want you to look into the God's Mark."
"Understood. What about your Mark of Ashes?"
"Leave it," he said, his tone shifting. "Some things are better left buried."
"As you wish, Lord Azreal." The panel faded.
Azreal dressed and left the room.
"Where's Nena?" he asked Fredrick.
"She's helping in the kitchen."
"Tell her to join me for dinner."
---
Dinner Hall
Azreal sat beside Aria.
"Do you still want to leave Hell?" he asked casually.
"Are you kidding me? Not happening," she replied.
"I see. Let me know if you change your mind."
"Not gonna happen."
Azreal chuckled. "Let's eat."
Moments later, Nena rushed in.
"Azreal! I heard what happened. Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine." He pulled a seat for her. "Sit. Eat with us."
Nena looked hesitant, then sat beside him.
They ate in calm silence. Afterward, the maids cleaned the table.
Azreal stood. "Aria. Come with me."
As they walked away, Nena called out, "Should we prepare a room for her?"
Azreal paused. "No need. She'll sleep in my room."
Everyone froze.
Aria flinched but followed.
---
Azreal's Room
He sat on the bed and patted the space beside him. Aria stood awkwardly.
"Come sit."
He gently guided her to sit and took her hand, examining the strange mark glowing faintly on her skin.
"Since when did you have this?"
She looked away. "When I crossed the Soul Gate. It just… appeared."
Azreal frowned. "That means the mark formed the moment you entered. Interesting."
He stood and walked to the window, staring into the dark horizon.
"I'll be heading out tomorrow," he said.
"What? Again?" Aria asked. "You're leaving me alone?"
"Sorry," Azreal replied. "But I have to meet someone."
"Who?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"A god. Not just any god. The God of Death… He's the only one who might know the truth I'm after."