The sky above the ruined building twisted unnaturally.
The massive dark gate continued opening slowly, its edges glowing with ancient crimson symbols that pulsed like a beating heart.
Cold wind rushed through the broken structure, swirling dust and shattered glass across the floor.
Elena stood at the center of it all.
The Devil's Mark on her chest burned like fire.
Her breathing had become shallow, and every heartbeat sent waves of heat through her body.
"I… I can't stop it!" she cried.
Azrael moved instantly.
In the next second he was standing in front of her, his hands gripping her shoulders firmly.
"Elena, listen to me."
His voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
"You need to focus."
"But it hurts!"
She clutched his sleeve desperately.
"It feels like something is tearing me apart!"
Above them, the dark gate groaned open wider.
A deep sound echoed from within it.
Not quite a roar.
Not quite a growl.
But something ancient.
Something alive.
Malrik stared at the sky, his usual playful expression completely gone.
"Well," he muttered slowly.
"This is… problematic."
The angel hovering above the building raised their glowing spear again, but even they seemed hesitant now.
"That gate should not exist in the human realm," the angel declared.
Azrael ignored them.
His crimson eyes remained locked on Elena.
"Elena."
She forced herself to look up at him.
"Yes?"
"You must close the gate."
Her voice trembled.
"How?!"
Before Azrael could answer—
The dark gate suddenly trembled violently.
A massive clawed hand began pushing through the opening.
Black smoke poured from the portal as the creature inside tried to force its way into the human world.
Malrik cursed under his breath.
"Oh, that's definitely not good."
The angel immediately raised their spear.
"Stand aside."
Azrael's shadows exploded outward.
"No."
The angel's wings flared.
"That creature must be destroyed."
Azrael's voice turned dangerously quiet.
"And if you attack while she's connected to the gate…"
His eyes darkened.
"You might kill her."
The angel froze.
Their glowing gaze shifted toward Elena.
For the first time, uncertainty appeared in their expression.
Meanwhile, the creature inside the gate continued pushing forward.
The claw emerged further.
Then part of a massive horned head appeared through the swirling darkness.
Malrik rubbed his temple.
"Great."
He looked at Elena again.
"You really went big with your first summon."
Elena stared up at the monstrous shape in horror.
"I didn't summon that!"
"Your mark did."
The creature's glowing red eyes suddenly opened.
They locked directly onto Elena.
A deep voice echoed from the gate.
"…Contract holder."
Elena's blood ran cold.
"It spoke!"
Azrael immediately stepped forward.
"Return to the underworld."
The creature laughed.
A terrifying sound that echoed through the night.
"You opened the gate… human."
Its voice vibrated through Elena's bones.
"You must pay the price."
Elena shook her head desperately.
"I didn't mean to!"
The creature pushed further out of the portal.
The building trembled violently.
Azrael's wings spread wider.
His shadows began forming a massive barrier around Elena.
"You will not touch her."
The creature's glowing eyes shifted toward him.
"…Demon Lord Azrael."
Recognition filled its voice.
"How interesting."
Malrik sighed loudly.
"This is becoming a family reunion."
But before the creature could emerge completely—
Azrael suddenly grabbed Elena's hand.
"Look at me."
She forced her terrified gaze toward him.
"You opened the gate."
He tightened his grip.
"So you can close it."
"I don't know how!"
"You do."
His voice softened slightly.
"Elena, listen to me."
The burning mark on her chest pulsed again.
Azrael placed his hand over it.
Dark energy flowed from him into the symbol.
"You are the contract holder."
The pain slowly began fading.
The mark's glow stabilized.
Azrael continued quietly.
"The gate responds to your will."
Elena's breathing slowed.
"My… will?"
"Yes."
He leaned closer.
"Tell it to close."
Above them, the creature roared angrily as the gate began resisting its movements.
"No!"
Elena closed her eyes.
Her mind was still filled with chaos.
Fear.
Confusion.
Pain.
And then—
Another emotion slowly surfaced.
Anger.
Her hands trembled.
Images flashed through her mind.
Adrian standing at the altar.
Lily wearing the wedding dress meant for her.
The accusing stares of the guests.
The police chasing her through the streets.
The betrayal.
The humiliation.
The lies.
Her chest tightened.
"I lost everything…" she whispered.
Azrael watched her carefully.
But the next moment—
Her voice changed.
It became colder.
Stronger.
"I was framed."
The Devil's Mark glowed again.
"But I won't run forever."
The energy around her shifted.
Her eyes slowly opened.
They were glowing faintly red.
Malrik's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Oh?"
Elena looked up at the monstrous creature still forcing its way through the gate.
"You're not coming through."
Her voice echoed strangely.
Almost… powerful.
The symbols surrounding her brightened.
The gate began shaking violently.
The creature roared.
"No! You cannot command me!"
Elena raised her hand slowly.
Her voice was steady now.
"I command it."
The portal suddenly began closing.
The creature struggled violently.
"Human!"
But the gate continued shrinking.
The claw disappeared.
Then the horns.
Then the glowing eyes.
Finally—
The portal slammed shut.
Silence fell across the ruined building.
The glowing symbols on the ground faded.
Elena's strength disappeared instantly.
Her legs gave out.
But Azrael caught her before she hit the ground.
She collapsed against his chest, breathing heavily.
"It's… gone…"
Azrael looked at the sky carefully.
"Yes."
Malrik stretched his arms lazily.
"Well that was exciting."
The angel slowly lowered their spear.
But their glowing gaze remained fixed on Elena.
"You closed the gate."
Elena looked up weakly.
"I didn't want anyone to get hurt."
The angel studied her for a long moment.
Then their wings slowly folded.
"…This matter is not finished."
With a flash of golden light, they disappeared into the sky.
Malrik watched them leave.
"Angels."
He rolled his eyes.
"So dramatic."
Azrael ignored him.
His focus remained on Elena.
She was still leaning against him, completely exhausted.
"You did well."
She laughed weakly.
"I almost destroyed the world."
"Only a little."
She looked up at him.
Then her expression slowly hardened.
"Azrael."
"Yes?"
Her voice became quiet.
"But firm."
"I want revenge."
The wind blew softly through the broken building.
Azrael's crimson eyes darkened slightly.
"Against Adrian and Lily."
Elena clenched her fists.
"They ruined my life."
Her voice trembled with anger.
"They took everything from me."
Azrael studied her silently.
"Revenge is not easy."
"I don't care."
Her eyes burned with determination.
"I want the truth exposed."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"And I want them to suffer for what they did."
For a moment, Azrael said nothing.
Then slowly—
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
A dangerous one.
"Very well."
His shadows curled around them like living creatures.
"I promised to grant your wishes."
Elena's heart beat faster.
Azrael leaned closer.
"And revenge…"
His crimson eyes gleamed.
"…is something demons do very well."
Far away in Whitmore Mansion, Adrian suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
And somewhere in the darkness behind him—
Golden eyes were watching.
Valtheris smiled slowly.
"…The game is finally beginning."
And Adrian Whitmore had no idea that the woman he betrayed was about to destroy everything he had.