🏰 Verdantia Reborn
The kingdom was unrecognizable.
Where there had once been ruins, now stood towers of polished stone.
Markets hummed with life. The rivers ran clean again. Temples were lit with soft lanterns and prayers of peace.
And at the center — not the throne, but the city itself — stood Seraphina.
Organizing. Leading. Building.
The Demon King watched quietly from the balcony above, arms folded.
"She did more in weeks than I did in years," he muttered.
He didn't envy her.
He trusted her.
And that trust, for someone like him, was rare.
👑 "You Can't Go Like This"
As he prepared to leave, his mother stopped him.
Still gentle. Still frail.
But firmer now.
"You're not just someone's son anymore," she said softly."You are the King of Verdantia."
He hesitated.
"I don't need a crown."
"You may not," she replied, "but your people do."
Then she handed him something wrapped in velvet.
Royal robes — deep black, lined with silver runes.
Elegant. Commanding. His.
"Wear it," she said. "Let them see who you've become."
🌟 A King Steps Forward
When he stepped into the open court — dressed for the first time as Verdantia's rightful king — the entire capital froze.
No one bowed out of duty.
They bowed because they couldn't help it.
He didn't walk like a tyrant.
He walked like a man who carried a thousand regrets… and still chose to protect them.
And when he arrived at the Queen's palace — even the guards stood stunned.
Because he looked like something out of prophecy.
Not a Demon.
A legend.
👁️ Two Eyes Meet
She turned from her council table.
Their eyes met.
For the first time in full silence.
No rage.No desperation.Just recognition.
She stood slowly, hands clasped.
And for a moment — neither said anything.
"You wear it well," she finally said, her voice soft.
"It doesn't wear me," he replied.
"That's why it fits," she whispered.
💔 No Way Back
Then came the truth.
"There's no known way to return," she said.
"We lost all of Ashura's vaults, scrolls, anchors. All destroyed… by you."
The silence was sharp.
His heart sank.
He clenched his jaw.
"You said nothing was impossible."
"It's not," she replied quickly."But right now… we don't have the knowledge."
"The Ashura Princess is still alive. She may know something."
"And there's one more place."
She handed him a sealed scroll.
"An old witch. Out beyond the Spirit Hills. She knows things… forbidden things."
"Maybe even things about other worlds."
🌓 And the Spark That Stayed
As he turned to leave, she stepped closer.
He looked at her — and for a heartbeat, he remembered the only person who had ever shown him kindness in his darkest years.
It had been her.
Even then.
Even before the wars.
She was the only one who hadn't flinched.
"Come back alive," she said.
"You owe me that much."
He smirked — just slightly.
"For now."