The cavern stretched endlessly, shadows giving way to faint shafts of light ahead. Caelan and Ciel walked close together, their steps cautious, while Khae's heavy presence filled the tunnel like a storm waiting to break. Zerath, in his tall human form with violet-black hair, led the way — though his eyes never left Khae.
The dragon's voice echoed, curious and sharp.
"So. You've returned, Demon God. How? Who summoned you into this fragile world?"
Khae's eyes flicked to the two boys walking beside him. His voice came low, deep as a cavern itself.
"Their mother. A mortal with nothing but despair left in her hands. She traded her soul for her sons."
Zerath raised a brow. "A human woman summoned you? Incredible… and foolish."
Khae smirked faintly. "Perhaps. But she had more resolve than most kings I've devoured."
Zerath tilted his head, still unsatisfied. "Then why are you walking with her children? Surely you don't babysit as a hobby."
For a moment, silence. The only sound was the drip of water from the cavern roof.
Then Khae's pale eyes narrowed, his answer curt. "Because that was the contract. Her life for their survival. Until they no longer need me, they are mine to protect."
Zerath blinked. "...You, protector of mortals?" His lips curled into a smirk. "Unbelievable. The Abyss has changed you."
That was when Khae stopped walking. His grin widened — not kind, but dangerous.
"You ask too many questions, lizard."
The shadows around him writhed, pressing down like invisible chains. The cavern air grew heavy, and Zerath's proud smirk faltered, his throat dry.
"I-I was only curious—"
"Careful." Khae's voice dropped into a growl, quiet but sharp as a blade. "Curiosity can get you killed."
Zerath froze, legs stiff, the pressure suffocating.
Then, desperate, the mighty dragon puffed his cheeks slightly and tried to widen his eyes innocently, forcing a smile like a scolded child. "I'll… be good."
Caelan blinked. "…Did he just…?"
Ciel giggled behind his lollipop. "Brother, he looks like a puppy!"
Zerath whipped his head toward the child, face crimson. "I-I am NOT a puppy!"
Khae chuckled, easing the pressure. "Back in the Abyss, dragons were massive and terrifying. Strong enough to break worlds. Yet they bowed to me." He leaned in closer to Zerath, shadows coiling with amusement. "You should call me My Lord."
Zerath's jaw tightened, pride warring with instinct. Finally, he muttered through his teeth, "...My Lord."
Ciel clapped happily. "Yay! Mister Dragon listens to Khae!"
Caelan groaned, rubbing his temples. "This is insane… the Demon God of the Abyss is making dragons call him 'My Lord' like it's a game."
Khae grinned wickedly, clearly enjoying himself. "Not a game, boy. A reminder of the natural order."
Zerath's face burned with humiliation, but he said nothing — his pride too wounded to risk further humiliation.
The group moved onward, light growing stronger at the cavern's exit. Yet deep behind them, something stirred in the shadows… something old and hungry.
Khae's words echoed with smug satisfaction, Zerath bowing his head with a mix of fear and reluctant respect. Caelan pinched the bridge of his nose, already feeling like he had inherited two more problems on top of his little brother.
The group finally reached the cavern's end, a faint glow beckoning them forward.
And then — the darkness broke.
They stepped out from the yawning cave mouth onto a ledge high in the mountains. A cool wind rushed past them, carrying the scent of pine and fresh earth. Below stretched rolling forests, rivers like silver veins, and beyond it all, a horizon bathed in sunlight.
For the first time since his summoning, the Demon God of the Abyss stood beneath the open sky.
Khae tilted his head back, squinting at the brilliance above. The light painted his black hair with streaks of silver, his pale skin gleaming unnaturally under the sun.
"This is…" he muttered, voice almost reverent. "…Earth?"
The word rolled off his tongue with both curiosity and disdain, like a king who had just set foot in a foreign land.
Ciel clung to Caelan's arm, staring at the sky with wide eyes. "Brother… it's so bright…"
Khae's lips curled into the faintest smile. For all the shadows in his soul, even he couldn't deny the strange warmth of the sun.
But deep inside, a storm was already brewing.
The world had just inherited its greatest mistake.