---
Heaven Realm – Hall of Ancestors
The sky above the Heaven Realm shimmered with faint golden threads as Ren and Lia stood before the three Ancestors of Light. Their ancient presence was overwhelming, each cloaked in celestial robes embroidered with runes of power. The room buzzed with unseen energy, and silence hung like a blade waiting to fall.
An Ancestor with glowing silver eyes stepped forward, voice calm yet sharp.
"You reached the Magic Truth Pond. Tell us... what did you see?"
Lia stood motionless. Her hands were clenched, her eyes lowered.
"I… didn't see anything," she replied softly.
The middle Ancestor frowned.
"Impossible. The pond always reveals its truth. Unless—"
Ren quickly stepped in, his voice firm but respectful.
"She told me the same. I don't know if it means we're unworthy, or if… maybe we lack the power to fully awaken the pond."
The air thickened. The third Ancestor narrowed his ancient, milky-white eyes at Lia.
"Enough," he said, waving a hand dismissively.
"Something happened. I sense a lock in her heart… a memory refused. Let it be, for now."
The first Ancestor sighed.
"Very well, Ren. We will search for the Goddess another way."
Lia stood like stone, her mind a tempest. The truth she saw… she had buried it. Not because she was unworthy—but because it terrified her.
---
A Hidden Room Inside Xander's Chamber
Behind layers of sealed enchantments and golden doors, a cold chamber throbbed with dark energy. Xander stood in its center, his crown off, his eyes shadowed with secrets. He raised his hand, summoning a forbidden presence.
A swirl of purple smoke erupted before him.
Liora.
She emerged in a slow, elegant motion—tattoos crawling like shadows across her neck, her eyes glowing violet.
"Well well… the noble Heaven King summons me. It's been a while," she chuckled, crossing her arms.
"Cut the crap," Xander growled.
"I know who you truly are. You hate Dylan as much as I do."
Liora raised a brow, amused.
"Do I? Not… yet."
Her smirk faded into cold stillness.
"Aren't you afraid your precious people will find out you summoned a demon queen?"
Xander's eyes flared.
"I don't fear anyone. And I know your dream, Liora—to become the supreme ruler of the demon world. Dylan stands in your way, doesn't he?"
Liora's stare turned icy.
"Careful. Your manipulation reeks of desperation."
Xander stepped closer.
"You lost your daughter. Since then, you've become… irrational."
That did it.
With a scream of rage, Liora lunged forward, grabbing Xander's neck and lifting him off the ground. Her magic surged in black and violet tendrils.
"How DARE you mention her!"
Xander struggled, gasping for air. Then, with a burst of golden light, he shoved her away.
Breathing heavily, he growled,
"I know where she is."
Liora froze. Her rage twisted into a chilling silence. She walked back to him, slowly.
"What game are you playing, Xander?"
"No game," he rasped.
"Help me eliminate Dylan… and I'll tell you everything."
Liora stared at him, emotion flickering behind her cold façade.
---
Bluemoon Kingdom – Streets of the Capital
Night had fallen over Bluemoon, and snowflakes danced through the air. Dylan walked through the main street, hand-in-hand with Irin. Her cheeks were rosy from the chill, and he noticed the faint tremble in her hands.
Without a word, he removed his black court cloak and wrapped it around her gently.
"Stay close to me," he murmured.
She smiled softly. "Always."
Suddenly, the air shattered with tension.
Shadows flickered.
Assassins.
Five masked figures leaped from rooftops, surrounding them in a deadly ring.
Dylan's body moved before his mind. He shoved Irin behind him with one hand, summoning his blade with the other.
His crimson aura lit the street like fire.
"Stay behind me, Irin."
Irin's heart raced. But she nodded.
"I trust you."
The battle was swift but brutal. Dylan clashed with all five, shielding Irin even as blades slashed past him. One by one, he injured three of them, forcing them to retreat into shadow. The ground was scorched, and Irin remained untouched.
But then—a blade pierced Dylan's shoulder.
"Dylan!" Irin screamed, rushing to him.
He stumbled, eyes turning blood-red with fury. Before the assassin could flee, Dylan blasted a dark pulse—but the last two attackers vanished into smoke.
The BlueMoon Army arrived too late.
Ruther dashed forward.
"My King!"
He and Irin supported Dylan between them. Dylan remained standing, though blood soaked his sleeve. His hand clenched around something—
A small spider-shaped token.
Ruther's eyes narrowed.
"I think Xander behind this."
"No, I know who did this "Dylan looked toward a far building—where a shadowy figure stood, watching.
A woman in purple. Her face hidden beneath a veil.
She whispered to the wind,
"You Found me."
---
Inside Bluemoon Palace – Royal Chambers
White bandages wrapped Dylan's shoulder. He sat on the edge of the bed, bloodless but breathing steady. Irin dabbed his forehead with a wet cloth, her hands trembling slightly.
"You need to rest," she whispered.
Dylan turned his head, meeting her worried gaze.
"I'm fine… I've had worse."
The door opened, and Ruther entered with a grim expression.
"You were right. Those assassins were from the Purple Demon Kingdom."
Irin looked between them.
"But why? What grudge do they have with Dylan?"
Dylan was silent.
Ruther answered instead,
"The Purple Clan never crossed our borders. Not since she lost her daughter."
Dylan muttered, voice dark,
"She's obsessed—with the throne, with revenge, with legacy."
Irin asked softly,
"Who is she?"
Dylan looked up. His crimson eyes glowed.
"Liora."
---
To be continued…