Dust drifted across the silent battlefield.
Aven stood there, breathing heavily amid fallen corpses and shattered weapons. His body was covered in wounds.
The war against the demons had ended in his victory.
At least, that was what he believed.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"Enough, Aven."
Aven turned around.
Zain stood before him, one of the kingdom's knight captains just like himself. His sword was already drawn.
Behind Zain stood a demon commander, calm and unharmed.
A demon who should have been dead by Aven's hand.
"The kingdom considers you a problem," Zain said coldly.
"You are too powerful to be controlled."
Before Aven could react—
SRRT...
The blade pierced straight through his abdomen.
Aven coughed violently as blood spilled from his mouth.
Zain tightened his grip on the sword.
"I'm sorry."
A brutal slash tore across Aven's chest. His body staggered before collapsing onto the ground.
His gaze slowly lost its light.
Zain pulled his blade free and turned away.
"I'm only following orders."
He walked off, disappearing together with the demon commander.
Hurried footsteps echoed from afar "Aven!"
Lucas, his closest friend and right-hand man, dropped to his knees beside him.
"How could this happen? Zain… why him?"
"We need to leave. Now!" Lucas tried to lift Aven's body.
"Don't." Aven weakly pushed him away.
"Pretend you didn't see this."
Lucas froze.
"Forget about me…" Aven gave a faint smile.
"Please protect my sister. Tell her I'm on a very long mission."
"But—"
"please, Lucas."
Lucas clenched his jaw, holding back his grief. Slowly, he stood up "You're the best friend I've ever had…"
With heavy steps, Lucas turned and walked away.
Aven's vision began to fade.
Amid the cold air of the abandoned battlefield, a woman with long silver hair approached. Her crimson eyes looked down at him with concern.
"You're still alive… aren't you?"
Aven met her gaze for a brief moment before losing consciousness.
She panicked and lifted his body "Hey! Stay awake!"
Wings spread wide.
With a powerful flap, they rose into the air.
The woman flew swiftly toward her castle.