# Chapter 108: The Gates of Hades Open
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 108 of "Forgotten Wife: Let the Traitors Kneel Down" — a chapter that brings us to the brink of an apocalyptic war. We will witness the gathering of kingdoms, the awakening of an ancient evil, and the devastating moment when the Dark King finally steps into the world. So, settle in, because this chapter is packed with intense battles, heart-wrenching dilemmas, and a family torn between duty and love. Let us dive right in!
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The air in the palace felt heavy, charged with an invisible tension that no amount of distraction could dispel. Lissana sat perched upon the counter, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon, as if sheer willpower alone could allow her to see beyond the palace walls and into the heart of the chaos unfolding far away.
Maya approached quietly, her voice gentle. "What are you looking at, Lissana?"
"A great danger has awakened," Lissana replied, her young voice carrying a weight far beyond her years. "I'm worried about Mom and Dad."
Maya offered a soft, reassuring smile. "I'm worried about them too. But we don't know anything yet—and that means nothing bad has happened."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"It's difficult, not knowing what's happening," Maya admitted. "But we must be patient and trust that they will return safe and sound."
"I suppose you're right, Aunt Maya."
"Of course I am," Maya said warmly. "When this is over, we will sing and dance in celebration of their victory. Just like in the land of the fairies."
Lissana's eyes brightened just a little. "Like in the land of the fairies?"
"Yes, exactly like that."
But the girl's expression soon clouded over once more. "Don't you think we should be there with them? Fighting by their side instead of sitting here?"
Maya placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not so eager to fight, Lissana. The priests left because they know what war really means—and they don't want you to go through that yourself." She paused, then added gently, "Now, we should go. Uzziel is waiting for us."
Lissana understood why her priests had left her behind, why they had prevented her from joining the war. She understood it in her mind. But her heart remained restless, torn between the safety she had been given and the place she felt she truly belonged.
---
Across the vast kingdoms, the armies were beginning to mobilize. Enora was the first to join the combined forces of the Kingdom of Laios and the Kingdom of Xurt, arriving with her elven soldiers in disciplined formation. Elisha was the first to approach her.
"I am Elisha Lombart, princess of the Kingdom of Xurt," she declared. "I am in charge of directing my kingdom's army. I will keep you informed about what is happening on the field."
Enora regarded her with calm authority. "I am Enora Babette, queen of Arkala, the elven kingdom. And as you can see, I am here directing my own army."
Elisha raised an eyebrow. "I see. That surprises me. Shouldn't you be in the safety of your realm instead of standing on a battlefield?"
"I think differently," Enora replied, her voice carrying an iron resolve. "My reign may come to an end one day, but my daughter is ready to begin hers. That is why I am here—to ensure she has a future worth inheriting."
Elisha found herself at a loss for words before the elven queen's quiet determination. She changed the subject. "You should brief me on what has been happening," she said, turning her attention to the dark silhouette of the mountains of Vaizel in the distance.
Enora could sense it—a malevolent force radiating from those mountains, a suffocating presence that made her skin crawl. "Are they attacking?" she asked.
"No. But the mountains remain silent," Enora murmured, her gaze fixed on the ominous peaks. "You'll have to see the doors of Hades again. Are they completely open?"
Elisha shook her head. "On the contrary—they were attacked. But something is brewing. I can feel it."
Enora's gaze shifted to a dragon resting on the outskirts of the camp. "What's wrong with this creature?"
A young man with striking red hair stepped forward. "It's not a monster; it's a dragon," Enzo said. Enora recognized him immediately—the brother of Abril, the king of Laios. She did not understand why he was defending the creature that slept before the camp.
"I was revived with her power of darkness," Enzo explained, his voice strained. "I still look like a monster and a threat that should be destroyed. If you feel you cannot destroy it, then I will."
"Please don't do it," Enzo pleaded, lowering his head.
"Why do you defend this creature?"
Enzo paused. He knew the elven queen would eventually discover the truth, so there was little point in hiding it. "That dragon holds my sister, Cira. That's why I'm here."
Enora's brow furrowed, her expression hardening dangerously. "What do you mean? Your sister is here?!"
Enzo could see the thirst for blood emanating from the elven queen, and he scrambled to explain. "She is not well. She is not a threat."
"If she is not a threat, then I will decide what to do with her. Take me to her."
Enzo guided Enora to her tent, though he could feel the darkness churning within the queen. He desperately needed her to confirm that Cira was safe—that his sister was no longer a danger to anyone.
Upon entering the tent, the bloodlust radiating from the woman who followed him was palpable. Hans stepped protectively between her and Cira. "What do you want with her?"
"I want to ensure that she is not a danger."
Hans looked at Enzo, desperate for help. Enzo nodded. "Don't worry. She won't harm you. I won't let that happen."
Hans hesitated for a moment, but when he searched Enzo's eyes, he found the truth in them. Slowly, he stepped aside.
Enora approached the bed where Cira lay. The girl looked pale and emaciated, her body ravaged by the darkness that had once consumed her. Only faint traces of that darkness lingered within her now. Even her strength seemed to have abandoned her entirely.
Enora watched in silence for a long moment. Enzo finally asked, his voice trembling slightly, "There's no darkness in her, right?"
"There are only a few traces of darkness."
"Tell me—she's not dangerous?"
"In this state, she seems ready to die," Enora said bluntly.
"You are a user of light magic, just like Abril. Can you help her?"
Enora's eyes narrowed. "Of course I can. But there is still darkness in her. She remains our enemy. Why should I help an enemy?"
Hans stepped forward, placing himself in front of Enora with desperate courage. "Please. Save her."
Enzo joined his plea. "Please save my sister. She doesn't have much time left."
Enora was silent again, weighing the request. Finally, she spoke, her voice cold. "She is the cause of all this. How can you ask me to save her?"
Enzo replied, choosing his words carefully. "If my sister committed many crimes, she was still controlled by darkness. It wasn't her true self. You know that darkness only dominates you when there is darkness in your heart. Deep down, that was what she wanted—the darkness only intensified the desires that already existed within her."
Hans stood tall. "She didn't want this. She didn't want to see the world burn."
"I suppose you must have some interest in this woman, to speak of her that way," Enora observed.
Enzo remembered the day Cira had been consumed by darkness. He remembered her reaching out, pleading for him to save her even as she was drowning in shadow. She had never sought this power—it had been forced upon her. "It's true that my sister is not kind, not happy. She is not a good person," he admitted. "But she never wanted to destroy the world. She just wanted to be a good queen. She wanted to be accepted by our father."
"And for that reason, you want to save the girl who may attack us later?"
"I've always fought with her since we were children," Enzo said, his voice thick with emotion. "There were many times we thought about killing one another. But she is my family. That is why I am asking you to save her."
---
The first battle against darkness loomed ahead. Enzo knew that Abril would be easier to convince—she had a kind heart, despite her sharp edges. But he was not so certain about the elven kingdom. If they fell into chaos, he wouldn't be able to stop it. Yet he had more options than simply asking for help from the elves. Still, they seemed unwilling to assist, appearing far more intent on eliminating Cira altogether.
As Enzo contemplated how to persuade the elven kingdom, Elisha interjected. "I wouldn't want to save her. I think she will betray us—don't you?"
"That's true," Enora replied.
"Then we leave her without power," Enzo suggested, as if that would solve everything.
"If we could do that, we wouldn't be wasting time on this discussion," Elisha countered. She pulled out a bracelet—an elegant piece etched with ancient runes. "This bracelet can suppress the magic of a single person."
"You want to deceive me. Such a thing doesn't exist," Enzo said skeptically.
"My family is special. It comes from an ancient lineage," Elisha explained. "It's a family heirloom we've used to punish members of royalty who committed acts of treason."
"Are you sure it works?"
"Yes. If you put it on her, it will suppress her power."
"This seems very valuable to your family. Are you sure about this?"
Elisha met his gaze earnestly. "I do this for you—not for her."
"I'm willing to accept it, but only if it will save her. Use the bracelet to suppress her power," Enzo said determinedly.
"First, I must check that it works," Elisha replied.
"Show me," Enzo insisted.
Elisha handed the bracelet to Bleir, Enora's guardian. Bleir slipped it onto her wrist and attempted to channel her magic—but nothing happened. Her eyes widened. "The artifact is real. It restricts my magic," she confirmed.
"You've proven it's real," Enzo said, urgency creeping into his voice. "Now save my sister. Her condition is dire."
Enora instructed Elisha to take the bracelet and secure it on Cira the moment she was ready to restore her power. Enzo approached Cira's bedside, placing his hand on her chest and beginning to infuse her with magic. It was a dangerous gamble—he needed to restore only a fraction of her power, just enough to pull her back from the brink of death.
When Cira began to stir, Enora withdrew her hand. The bracelet was already in place.
Cira opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Hans's smiling face. She reached up and caressed his cheek, convinced this was a beautiful illusion before the end. But when he pulled her into an embrace, she felt the warmth of his body, felt his tears soaking into her shoulder.
"I'm not dreaming," she murmured. "Hans!"
"Hans!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking.
"Are you alright? Does anything hurt?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
"I'm fine. Where am I?"
"You're in the Xurt desert," Enzo informed her.
Cira tried to piece together the fragments of her memory—the chaos, the darkness, the moment she had fainted. "Enzo!" she gasped, realizing they weren't alone. She wondered how she had ended up in this distant place.
"It surprises you, doesn't it?" Hans teased gently. "I was surprised a few times when I saw you arrive."
"How did I get here?"
"Your dragon brought you," Hans replied.
"It's true. He saved me," Cira said, her voice filled with gratitude.
Enora stepped forward, her gaze sharp. "What were you saved from?"
Cira's expression flickered with painful memories. "From a monster that wanted to kill me again," she explained, recalling the enemy camp and the chaos that had erupted.
"Did you open the doors of Hades?" Enora pressed.
"Who are you?"
"I'm the one who saved you. So tell me—did you open the doors of Hades?"
Cira fell silent. Enora's frustration grew. "Answer me. What's wrong?"
"I opened the doors of Hades," Cira confessed, her voice trembling. "But I didn't want to. The darkness inside me and the keys forced me. I tried to stop it, but I couldn't control my own body."
Hans wrapped his arms around her protectively. "I know. But it's alright now."
Cira continued, the words spilling out like a floodgate bursting open. "When I finished opening the doors, one of the monsters attacked me. Just as I was about to die, the darkness inside me abandoned me. I thought I would die with it if I didn't let go. Then my dragon appeared and saved me—but I fainted and don't remember anything after that."
"You had to use all your power," Hans said heavily. "You were completely drained. You were dying."
Enora's voice cut through the moment. "The doors have been opened. But why haven't they attacked us yet?"
Before Cira could answer, the sound of battle cries and clashing steel erupted in the distance. Everyone rushed out of the tent—except for Cira, who remained weak and unwilling to leave Hans's side. She tried to rise from the bed, to join the fight, but Hans stopped her firmly.
"It's dangerous. You can't go," he insisted.
"I opened the doors of Hades. I must take responsibility for that," she argued.
"You can't fight, Cira."
"I may be weak, but I can still fight," she replied defiantly.
"That's not the problem. You can't use your magic," Hans said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "The elven kingdom saved you, but they still see you as an enemy. They've sealed your powers."
Cira tried to summon her magic, to reach for the power that had always been within her—but nothing came. It wasn't just exhaustion. It felt as if she had been completely severed from her own soul.
"Don't worry," Hans reassured her, squeezing her hand. "Everything will be fine. I'll protect you. Nothing bad will happen to you."
When Enzo, Elisha, and Enora reached the edge of the camp, they were stunned by the sight before them. A horde of monsters was approaching—a vast, dark tide that stretched as far as the eye could see. And the dragon that had been sleeping peacefully rose to its feet, ready to defend them.
Enora called for her horse with a sharp hiss. As the steed appeared, she turned to the others, her eyes blazing with battle fury. "The time to fight is now. If you don't want to die, prepare yourselves."
Enzo looked at Elisha, his heart tightening. "Be very careful," he said before taking his place at the head of his army.
Elisha approached him and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Don't die. You still haven't answered my question."
With a determined nod, she ran to take her position. The first battle against the darkness had begun.
---
**The End of My World**
Far from the battlefield, Liona searched desperately for Cira and the dragon. She was surprised when a man finally spoke to her—one of the wise men who lived in the mountains of Vaizel. Of all the places one could hide, Liona had sought the worst possible spot: deep within enemy territory. Even though she didn't want to fight, she knew she had no choice. She couldn't return without Cira.
She sent a message to Dagén, informing him that she had found Cira but would need resources to recover her, since she was deep in the enemy camp.
Back at the battlefield, Cira wanted to see what was happening. Even without her power, she could feel the presence of her dragon—the same dragon that had saved her. Hans had warned her several times to stay inside the tent, but in the end, he couldn't convince her. She asked to be taken to the front lines.
Hans led her to Enzo, who was astonished to see her. "What are you doing here?" he exclaimed.
"I wanted to see what was going on," she replied.
"A great army of monsters is heading this way," he warned.
"Close your eyes to see better," he added.
In the distance, Cira could see it—an army of monsters spreading across the ground like a dark stain, reaching all the way to the horizon and the mountains of Vaizel, where a great cloud of darkness loomed, hiding untold horrors within its depths.
And she saw who was leading them.
It was Liona.
"Damn it," Enzo muttered. "When I need more help, I find you turned away. It would be better if you left, Cira. In your condition, you can't fight."
"I just wanted to see what was happening. There's something I still can't explain," she said.
"Talk to me, Hans. Get her out of here," Enzo urged.
"Listen to me," Hans said, his voice suddenly urgent. "I opened the doors of Hades, but I'm not finished yet."
"What?!" Enzo demanded. "Why didn't you say that before?"
"I was gone before I could decide," Hans explained.
"So, those monsters out there—they're the ones from Hades?"
"These monsters are the ones who were there, interrupted me. The doors only fell half open. The Dark King cannot come out—yet. I believe Liona is not here to fight you. You must have been warned that nothing could come out of Hades. That's why I'm stuck searching."
"They have a restriction on magic from Cira—the person you were looking for," he added grimly.
"If that's the case, you should move away from the front," Enzo urged.
Cira saw her dragon interpose itself between them and the approaching horde, its body tense like a predator poised to strike. "Why don't you rise?" she cried. "My dragon! Why are you lying in the dirt?" she shouted, frustrated.
The monsters would reach them soon.
When the dragon had fallen earlier, it had used its wings to shield Cira—but those wings had been badly injured in the process.
"That's why I couldn't fly," the dragon explained. "I was knocked down. When I tried to protect you, I used my wings."
"He saved me! The monsters won't forgive me for that. I have to go help!" Cira insisted.
"You can't do anything, Cira. You don't have the power to help him," Hans said firmly.
"He saved me! I must help him!" she cried.
Hans wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "You can't, Cira. It would be suicide. Please, don't insist anymore."
Cira turned to Enzo, desperation burning in her eyes. "Please, brother. Help him!"
"He is a monster, Cira!"
"He's not like the others. He's my friend!"
The monsters closed in on the dragon. Once a powerful beast, it was now slow and unaccustomed to battle, an easy target. The dragon fought with claws, fire, and spirit, desperately trying to keep the horde at bay—but there were too many. After taking down a few, the monsters swarmed over it, covering it completely.
Meanwhile, the rest of the monsters advanced toward them. Every soldier tensed.
Enzo's voice boomed like thunder. "Get ready! When the monsters break through the fence, we attack!"
Cira continued to plead with her brother. "Please, Enzo! There's something I must do!"
Enzo struck the side of his horse, urging it forward. "I hope I don't regret this."
As he charged into battle, Enzo heard Elisha's screams in the distance. He wondered if he would ever see her again—but he pushed the thought aside and pressed onward until he reached the dragon. With his crimson sword flashing, Enzo cut through the monsters attacking the great beast.
"Your love is waiting for you!" he shouted. "Please, don't die!"
The dragon looked back. Far away, it could see Cira. With a tremendous roar, it shook off the monsters clinging to it and turned to follow Enzo.
Cira ran to her dragon while Enzo fought off the monsters that approached. He knew time was of the essence. When he reached the battle line, Enzo raised his sword, signaling the attack. The three armies—Laios in red, Xurt in green, and Arkala in gold—formed their lines side by side, standing as one unified army. Together, they charged forward.
But the monsters were endless. No matter how many they killed, more seemed to pour from the darkness.
Cira rode Jomos alongside her dragon, which seemed unwilling to move without her. She extended her hand to Hans. "Climb up."
Without hesitation, Hans took her hand and climbed onto the dragon. The soldiers parted to let them through as they took refuge near the stores.
Hans asked, "Are you sure the monsters are emerging from Hades?"
"I don't believe so," Cira replied. "As I said before, they interrupted me before I could finish."
"What was missing?"
"The doors can only be opened when they are invoked," she explained. "Someone must cross the threshold to open the path. That's the only way."
"Do you know how?"
"No. The inscriptions on those doors are in a very old language—a dead language that no one speaks anymore. But the demon that possessed me seemed well-versed in many things, including that language. It was the one that attacked me, yet it appeared very intelligent."
"It's dangerous for you to stay here," Hans said, his voice tight with worry. "If monsters get their hands on you, they will force you to open the doors of Hades."
Cira understood what that meant. Her life was a blessing for the entire world—and a curse. "Maybe I should die," she said quietly.
Hans was horrified. "I would never think of sacrificing you to keep the doors of Hades closed. I lost you once. I won't lose you again." He took her face in his hands, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "A life without you is not a life I want. For me... this would be the end of my world."
---
**Look Who the True Enemy Is**
Liona stood at the edge of the battlefield, her gaze fixed on Cira, who was positioned protectively in front of her dragon. She hoped the chaos of the forest would provide a path, allowing her to infiltrate the enemy camp and rescue Cira.
But just as she prepared to move, a woman with golden eyes and fiery red hair blocked her path.
"Is that where you think you're going?" the woman challenged.
Liona felt a strange familiarity about the woman—a power that reminded her of Abril. Hesitating, she ordered several monsters to attack, hoping to create a distraction. But with a single swing of her sword—a blade that glimmered with intense light—the woman dispatched the monsters effortlessly.
"You'll need to do much more than that if you want to escape," she taunted.
Liona scanned her surroundings, searching for a monster that could serve as a distraction. She knew she was no match for this woman. Enora launched a thrust with her sword, and Liona knew she had to keep the woman occupied.
"If you want to get out of this place alive, you need to keep her distracted. Don't leave her alone!"
Liona spotted a massive bird-like creature nearby. "Get it! We'll see what happens."
The enormous bird swooped down, attacking the woman. Enora halted her assault—and in that moment of distraction, Liona vanished among the chaos of monsters.
"Damn it! That slippery witch," Enora cursed, realizing she was now surrounded.
Dantriel rushed to her side, helping to fend off the creatures. "Don't get upset, my queen."
"I wanted to kill that woman. She seems to be leading the army of monsters, yet she escaped like a coward."
Dantriel searched for the woman but found no trace. He focused instead on protecting the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Abril and Alessandro arrived at the battlefield, shocked to see the mountains of Vaizel shrouded in a thick, dark cloud. The roar of battle echoed in their ears, a constant reminder of the stakes.
"What should we do?" Abril asked.
Before they left, Alessandro had instructed Cassian, "We will be better served if he leads the army."
"I'll do that. Just be careful," she had replied.
"You too," he had said, determination in his voice.
Now, Alessandro took Abril's hand, and together they soared into the sky, flying toward the fray. As they hovered over the camp, Abril caught sight of a familiar figure.
Cira.
When they landed, Abril unsheathed her daggers, ready for a fight. "Cira!" she shouted.
Seeing the king and queen of Cosette positioning to attack Cira, Hans shielded her with his body. "Lower your weapons!" he commanded.
"Step aside if you don't want to see her hurt. I won't let her escape."
Hans could sense Abril's bloodlust as she focused on Cira, and he knew he had to convince her. "She is not our enemy! She is not the one we should be aiming at—the monsters attacking us are!"
"No, she is our enemy! She opened the doors for them. How can you say she isn't?"
"Cira is not being controlled by the darkness," Abril replied, her voice steady.
Abril had been so intent on attacking Cira that she hadn't noticed the absence of darkness surrounding her sister. Cira raised her hands high in a gesture of surrender. "I am disarmed and powerless. I won't attack you."
"You caused all this chaos. Why should I let you live?"
"Because if you attack me now," Cira said quietly, "you would be worse than a heartless assassin—consumed by the very darkness you've fought against."
Abril hesitated, her weapons still raised. Alessandro echoed his own thoughts. "What are you doing here?"
"The story is long," Cira replied, glancing back at the ongoing battle. "And I don't think this is the best time to tell it."
Abril hated to admit it, but Cira had a point. She felt torn, struggling with her mistrust.
"If you don't trust me," Cira continued, "then you'll only cause more deaths. I may have been dominated by darkness, but right now, I am not a threat. My magic is sealed. And this camp is the safest place for me."
Abril studied her sister, searching for any sign of deceit. Cira appeared earnest. After a long moment, she made her decision. "Don't run away. If you don't doubt me, I won't attack you."
"I won't run," Cira replied, determination in her eyes. "I have nowhere to go."
Abril joined the battle, her flames consuming everything they touched. Enzo approached her, urgency in his voice. "It's late."
"I did a lot in the battle," she replied, her focus unwavering.
"No, but I really wish you had arrived earlier. I need you."
Abril dispatched a monster that attacked her from behind, tossing one of her daggers with deadly precision. "I saw Cira at the camp."
"Is she attacking?" Enzo asked, instinctively moving toward the camp.
In that moment of distraction, another monster lunged at Abril, but she quickly released another dagger, destroying it. "Stay focused on the battlefield! Don't get distracted!" she warned.
"Is she a threat to Cira?" Enzo pressed.
"I haven't done anything to her."
"She is not the enemy, Abril."
Abril hoped what he said was true. If it wasn't, she would have no choice but to drive a dagger through Cira's heart and end it all.
"I understand," she replied, steeling herself.
As Cosette's army joined the fray, Sirius and his wizards raised a protective barrier around the camp. Hans felt a wave of relief wash over him. The barrier would keep them safe—especially Cira, who was unable to fight and defend herself from her pursuers.
Liona retreated, realizing the enemy army had grown too large. She would need a different approach.
---
**Kill Me!**
Liona hid among the monsters until she received a message from Dagón. The note was simple. It read: "Join the monsters and create your worst nightmare."
Liona had witnessed Cira consume several monsters before—but she had never intended to do so herself. She doubted whether she had the power. Yet as she looked upon the monstrous horde surrounding her, she knew what she had to do. This complicit act would absorb the monsters around her, doubling her size and power.
Liona commanded a vast army, but it was not strong enough to win against the enemy. However, winning was not her focus. She sent several monsters ahead, using them as a distraction while she slipped across the battlefield. The barrier held the enemy armies occupied—too busy fighting to realize she had crossed it.
Abril felt it. An extraordinary and perverse strength concentrating on a single point. Enora sensed it too, and she approached Abril amid the battle.
"Is it meaningful?" Enora asked.
"Yes," Abril replied grimly. "I believe this battle is about to become even more chaotic."
"We should use our magic of light to destroy all the monsters at once."
"Don't do it," Abril warned. "These monsters are merely a distraction. You must conserve your power. We don't know what we will face next."
"So what do we do?"
"Nothing. Wait and see what appears—and let others handle it."
"What?"
"We are the ones who heal the wounded," Abril explained. "We can't afford to tire ourselves before the main fight. Unless strictly necessary, do not use your magic of light. Let the others deal with the monsters—especially those who are too exhausted to continue fighting."
Abril wanted to fight, to unleash her power and reduce the monsters to ashes. But Enora was right. They had to remain quiet, conserve their strength. It was thanks to the healers that they had managed to hold their ground.
"I understand," Abril finally replied.
Enora returned to her army and continued healing the wounded. Abril focused on assisting the armies of Laios and Xurt, whose wizards could heal the less serious injuries.
The monster Liona had created took the form of a centipede—wide, horrifying, and incredibly fast. Once fully formed, it attacked the barrier with tremendous force, making it shudder. The monstrous creatures would not be able to breach it, but what was Liona's purpose?
Everyone was too occupied with the monster to notice her presence. She slipped into the camp, using a small monstrous creature shaped like a head with sharp claws and three eyes to search for Cira.
Cira was watching the battle from a distance when Liona appeared behind her.
"I finally found you," Liona whispered.
Cira had sealed her powers and struggled to free herself from Liona's grip. Hans drew his sword but hesitated to attack, fearing he would harm Cira.
"What do you think you're doing, Liona?! Release her!" he shouted.
"I won't. She still has to finish what she started."
Cira's dragon growled at Liona—but like Hans, it could not attack its mistress.
"Damn you, wretch!" Cira spat. "After you're saved, this is how you treat me?"
She tried to strike Liona, but Liona was too quick. "Save me? I was never meant to save myself. I was just your servant, your slave. Why should I deserve any consideration?"
Liona tightened her grip, and Cira gasped in pain.
"Release her! Don't harm her!" Hans shouted desperately.
"I don't mean to harm her. I just need her to open the doors of Hades."
After a moment of deliberation, a vast energy surrounded them. Cira's eyes widened in horror.
"Don't let it happen, Hans. Kill me," she begged.
Hans raised his sword with great difficulty. "I can't!"
He tried to reach her, but he was too late. Cira disappeared into the dark fog.
Hans ran for help, but everyone was still preoccupied with the massive centipede monster. As he attempted to break through the barrier, one of the mages called out, "It's dangerous! You can't go out right now."
"I need to speak to King Enzo! Cira has been kidnapped—we must go and save her!"
"It can't be! The monsters can't cross the barrier!"
"Liona is not a monster. She is human. She found a way to cross the barrier and kidnapped Cira."
Sirius checked the barrier and noticed a small gap. "Liona must have entered through there." After restoring the barrier, he added, "I understand how desperate you are, but this monster is dangerous. You must wait until we defeat it."
As the sun began to set, the monsters started to withdraw. The army tried to stop them, but many managed to escape. No one understood why the monsters had retreated—except for Hans.
The monsters' purpose was not to attack. It was to recover Cira.
Hans took a horse and rode to where Enzo was. "Your Majesty! Cira has been taken!"
Abril, who was nearby, overheard him. "I knew it. I should have killed her. Now she has returned with them."
"She hasn't returned! She has been kidnapped! She didn't want to go. I thought I could kill her to prevent her from escaping to the Dark King, but I couldn't do it. We must go and rescue her!"
Enzo gazed at the mountains of Vaizel, still shrouded in that dark cloud. He had wanted to protect her, but he had failed.
"The mountains of Vaizel are dangerous. Saving her will not be an easy task," Abril said.
"We don't know if this is a trap. We can't go there for her."
"I understand that you are filled with hate and resentment toward Cira," Enzo said carefully. "But saving her is essential to prevent this world from being destroyed. She opened the doors of Hades—but now that she is done, the Dark King cannot emerge. That is why we must go and save her."
"You knew this and allowed her to be left alone in the camp?!"
"I thought this was the safest place for her," Enzo replied, his voice heavy with guilt. "So I sent her back."
Hans shouted to get their attention. "Enough! Stop fighting! Every minute we waste cuts into Cira's time. We must save her!"
---
**Hades**
Cira had fainted at some point. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw were the gates of Hades, standing ominously in the mountains of Vaizel.
A cold, black hand grasped her chin, and a voice spoke. "Finally awake."
Cira pushed the hand away from her face and glared at him. "Let me go. Don't touch me."
"Touching you will be the least of your problems," he replied. "Open the doors of Hades, or I will tear the skin from your bones."
"I won't do it."
Liona approached, a cruel smirk on her lips. "There are many ways to force you, Princess Cira."
"I don't care what you say. Don't let anything come out of those doors."
"It doesn't matter what you want. But you can decide what matters—like this handsome assistant who always stood behind you. I remember him now. Hans."
"If you point a finger at him, I'll kill you!" Cira snarled.
"Bell wants to betray you," Liona said, her voice dripping with mockery. "She hopes the monsters will slowly devour you before your eyes. You should cooperate and end this problem." She sighed. "Princess Cira, I truly believe you can stop us. You can prevent the Dark King from conquering this world. But don't be naive—you will lose, with or without your help. Unless you cooperate, things will be much harder for you."
Cira spat at her. "You're a damn witch. You should have let Enzo kill you."
Liona laughed, unfazed. "There's no need to recall things that infuriate me." She drew a dagger and plunged it into Cira's leg.
Cira screamed.
"We always believed we had the power to trample anyone," Liona said, savoring the moment. "The power to decide if someone lives or dies. You'll have to admit this power is marvelous—but it won't be sustainable for you. If you don't comply, your life is in my hands. I decide whether to kill you or let you live. So you'd better choose your words wisely."
"And what if I don't? Will you kill me?"
"No. It's just that right now, that's what I'm searching for. We won't kill you—but as I said before, you will suffer until you decide to cooperate."
"I don't think I have as much time as you think to endure your torment."
"Is it true that someone is coming to rescue you? It doesn't matter what happens to you. If you live or die, it's all the same to everyone. The real enemy is the one who opens the doors of Hades."
"I'm aware of that," Cira said through gritted teeth. "And I'm not waiting for someone to rescue me. I'm waiting for someone to win and kill you—to destroy the doors of Hades once and for all."
Liona bristled at Cira's defiance. "Damn wretched girl. I will make you regret this. You will suffer. You will drag yourself through the dirt and beg for mercy. You will plead for me to kill you."
"Why wait?" Cira taunted. "Kill me now."
Liona seized Cira by the throat, cutting off her breath. But Cira refused to yield. Dagón cautioned her. "Remember that we need her alive. We can kill her later. For now, let her go."
Liona released Cira, who continued to hurl insults, trying desperately to provoke her into killing her. But Liona seemed to recognize Cira's ploy and did not fall for it.
Dagón turned to Liona. "Search for a lizard-shaped monster. There must be one in these mountains. Its poison will loosen her tongue."
---
Back at the camp, the armies had returned, and the leaders gathered. Hans explained how Cira had been captured.
Enzo insisted it was crucial to save her. "We must go to the mountains of Vaizel."
"Do you want us to go to the field to save our enemy?" Enora asked.
"She is not our enemy."
"That's what you say. How can we be sure this isn't a trap to lead us to our deaths in those mountains?"
"It's not the only way to rescue her. But I'm saying we must go. She's the only one who can open the doors of Hades—and I told Hans that if we don't act, she will be killed. If she resists complying, they will force her to cooperate one way or another. We must go before that happens. We couldn't prevent the doors from being opened, but we can stop the Dark King and his cursed army."
Cassian nodded. "I agree with Enzo. The best course of action is to close the doors of Hades. I've been there before. The place is difficult to reach, but not impossible."
Elisha added, "I also believe we must save her. But we cannot take our armies. That would draw too much attention from the monsters. It's better to go in a small group."
Alessandro and Abril had remained silent until Enora addressed them. "Do you have an opinion?"
"I feel like Enzo," Alessandro said. "We must save Cira. Not because we worry about what the country thinks, but because it would be a worse problem if we don't."
Hans interjected. "We should go now."
Elisha shook her head. "No. It would be too dangerous to enter those mountains at night. It's best to wait until dawn."
"Cira doesn't have time. Crossing the mountains would take too long."
Elisha remembered something. "We don't have to cross them. We can use Cira's dragon. I'm sure she would want to help."
Enora didn't seem convinced. "You're a monster created by darkness. We can't trust what will happen."
Abril considered this. "We can free him from darkness."
"Then it will still be a great danger that could attack us at any moment. Dragons are not pets."
"This dragon appreciates my sister," Enzo countered. "It will do whatever it takes to save her, just as it did when it brought her here."
Abril nodded. "I agree with Enzo. Dragons are difficult to control, but they also possess great power. It will be useful to us in the mountains. But as Elisha said, we can't all go. We need to choose who will accompany us."
Enzo volunteered. "I will go with you."
Hans knew Enzo was the heart of his army. "You must lead our forces. I will go in your place."
Abril looked at Hans, noting that he didn't seem like a warrior. "We need skilled fighters. If not you, then it would be better if you stayed here. You would be safer."
Cassian agreed. "I've been there before. I'll go."
Elisha offered one of her assistants. "I can't go, but Rania will accompany you. She is capable of using magic and will be a great help."
Ethan volunteered. "I will also go." Enora did not respond.
Barto also stepped forward.
As they debated who would go to rescue Cira, Abril knew she would be the one to free Cira's dragon. Enora followed her.
"You will free him from darkness. You need your magic," Enora said.
"Thank you very much."
"Don't thank me. I'm just trying to get my life back. If you have to kill this girl to stop the Dark King, I won't hesitate."
---
**Poison vs. Poison**
When Enora released the dragon from darkness, it did not resist. Its blackened scales transformed, shifting to a brilliant yellow, and the injuries to its wings began to heal.
Enora spoke softly. "Dragons bond with their mothers, following the first person they see when they emerge from the waterfall. Perhaps that is why this dragon means so much to that girl. They are very intelligent—and they can communicate with her."
Abril approached the great beast. "To save your love, you need to help me. I need you to take me to the mountains of Vaizel, where the doors of Hades are located. Your love is there. Can you help me?"
The dragon seemed to sense her urgency. It lowered its massive head in a gesture of assent.
Enora spoke again. "Not everyone can ride a dragon. How do you think to take them?"
Abril was still lost in thought. "I don't think you can take more than three people," she said. "But I believe the best course is for Cassian to remain and lead the army. Alessandro can take us there using his wind magic."
As the two discussed how to reach the mountains, several winged horses approached the camp. Adara recognized them immediately—they were just like her riders.
"I believe our problem is solved," she said.
Fay was leading the fairies when they approached. Abril greeted her warmly. "I'm happy to see you've arrived. But why have you come?"
"In these times, we believe our help is necessary," Fay replied. "But I see that it is not so."
"In reality, we do need it," Abril said, and she summarized the story of Cira and the need to rescue her.
Fay fell silent for a few moments, digesting everything. When she finally spoke, her voice was cautious. "You know this could be a trap, don't you?"
"Yes. I am very aware this could be a trap. But it's a risk I am willing to take."
"These mountains are very dangerous. They are full of monsters. Even with your power, it will not be easy to get in and out of this place."
"I know. That's why we will use something that waits." Abril gestured to Cira's dragon. "This is Cira's dragon. It will be useful in battle. With it, we will have a better chance of escaping those mountains."
Fay gazed steadily at the dragon. "Are you sure it will help us?"
"I believe so. But we will need more transport. Your winged horses would be ideal, since we will arrive by air."
Fay looked at the mountains of Vaizel, which, despite the setting sun, seemed to disappear into absolute darkness. "How do you think you can find this place? I don't believe you can see anything from there."
"We don't need to see," Abril said, caressing the dragon's neck. "This friend will guide us."
Enora added, "Dragons have an excellent sense of smell. I'm sure he will be able to find his mate, even when you can't see anything."
"I suppose it will be a total gamble," Fay conceded.
"We don't have much time. The monsters will be more active soon. We can reach the ground, but the air is our only option. That way, we won't have to face most of the monsters."
"I don't know if I'm making the right choice," Fay said slowly. "But I will trust you—and follow you wherever you lead."
"Thank you, Fay. I appreciate your faith in me."
"I hope it proves to be well-placed."
"We will leave early in the morning, when the first rays of the sun reach us. It would be too dangerous to enter that forest at night—that's when darkness holds the most power. You must be tired. Get some rest."
Abril headed toward the dragon. "Don't go alone. If you want to save your love, you must accompany us."
The dragon curled up in the dirt, but its gaze remained fixed on the mountains of Vaizel, as if it could see through the dark clouds.
On her way to the tent she had been assigned, Hans suddenly appeared, blocking her path. "Princess Abril," he begged, his voice desperate. "I beg you. Please save Cira. If you think this is all a trick, a trap to destroy you—it's not like that. She doesn't want anything of the sort. She just wants to return home. She has truly changed. I swear on my life that she desires asylum."
Abril could see the desperation in Hans's eyes. He believed in Cira blindly, with no hint of doubt. It was hard to think that Cira might have emerged from the darkness—but perhaps she truly had changed.
"There's a chance for the journey," Abril said carefully. "But I can't promise anything. If I find out you're wrong, I won't stand idly by. This time, I won't let her escape."
"I understand your position perfectly. Just don't let yourself be blinded by hate when she comes to save you."
"I promise I won't attack until I'm completely sure she doesn't deserve salvation."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
When Abril returned to her tent, Alessandro was pacing back and forth, worry etched on his face. "I don't think you should go," he said, his voice tight. "We can ask the elven kingdom for help. They seem to have more experience in battle. They've fought in two wars and killed many monsters. Perhaps they have enough experience."
"Perhaps," Abril replied. "But I'm afraid of what might happen. I'm afraid it's a trap—and that I'll lose you."
Alessandro hugged her tightly. "You have nothing to worry about. I'll be fine, and I promise I will return to you."
"Don't drive anyone mad. Remember, your family will be waiting for you."
"I could never forget that."
---
Liona took a long time to find the monster Dagón had sent her to fetch. It was not large enough to be seen easily—especially in the darkness. She was getting filthy from its sticky substance, but she didn't dare get stung by accident and end up poisoned.
Dagón had ordered her to bring it to Cira so that it would bite her.
Cira tried to resist, but without her powers, it was impossible. She was easy prey for all those monsters.
The lizard-shaped monster bit her arm, sending a violent jolt of pain through her body. The poison began to spread.
Cira screamed in agony.
Dagón approached her. "The poison will take effect before it spreads throughout your entire body. If you want the pain to disappear, you need to cooperate—and tell me why the ritual didn't work. The Dark King and my sisters can't cross the doors of Hades." He smiled cruelly. "Otherwise, you'll have to wait until the poison forces the words from your mouth. But I assure you, it won't be pleasant. When that moment arrives... you will beg for death."
---
Cira endured the poison's torture through the night. The searing pain was unlike anything she had ever felt—like fire and acid flowing through her veins. She writhed, screamed herself hoarse, her body slick with sweat, her eyes bloodshot and weeping.
But she would not speak.
She would not give them the secret.
The pain intensified, threatening to consume her entirely. Just when she felt death closing in, Dagón seized her by the hair, lifting her from the ground. "Speak! How can I open the doors of Hades?"
The words threatened to spill from her lips. She fought against them with every fiber of her being.
"Tell me!" Dagón demanded, striking her in the stomach. But the agony in her body was so overwhelming that she barely felt the blow.
"Damned witch! Answer my question!" he snarled.
Cira had never begged for mercy in her life. But in that moment, she found herself praying with all her strength. "God of the heavens, grant me the mercy to die. Let me take this secret to the tomb with me."
As her prayer faded, a fierce wind swept through the air. She heard the rustling of branches. Something was descending rapidly.
It was her dragon.
And Abril was riding it.
Cira thought she saw several winged horses trailing behind, but her vision was beginning to blur. Abril leaped from the dragon, landing gracefully before the monsters.
"Let her go!"
"I thought you hated her," Liona taunted. "Shouldn't you be pleased to see her suffer?"
"I'm not like you," Abril replied, her voice steady. "And I'm not alone in this fight."
The monsters emerged from the trees, launching their attack. Abril conjured a circle of flames, consuming those that dared approach.
"This is a clever trick. But how long can you hold out?" Dagón taunted, dragging Cira toward the gates of Hades.
Cassian descended, cutting through the creatures with his sword.
"Why is it taking so long?" Abril asked urgently.
"The dragon is much faster. It will be here soon," Cassian replied.
Abril sheathed her daggers. "Cover me. I need to reach Cira."
She darted through the flames—uncharred, unaffected—just as Cassian did. But Liona blocked their path. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Step aside, Liona."
"I won't! I won't let you interrupt Dagón's plans! You must let him open the gates of Hades completely, so the Dark King can emerge and create a new world!"
"He won't create anything. He will destroy this world, consuming all life. Even if you stand with him, you will perish too."
"Do you think that matters to me?" Liona laughed, madness gleaming in her eyes. "I'll die anyway—but I won't go alone. If this world burns, I would rather burn with it in hell."
Barto descended, landing before her, his eyes wild. "My dear fairy, you look as beautiful as ever. We should celebrate a wedding—the world is ending, so let's enjoy what little time we have left before it all disappears into darkness."
"You're insane! Even if it were the end of the world, I would never marry you!" Liona spat, summoning a black spear to attack him.
"You're rude. If I tear your tongue out, you might find yourself much more beautiful than you are," he retorted.
Dagón seized the opportunity, knowing Liona was buying him time. He commanded his monsters to attack while he continued to interrogate Cira.
"Speak! How can I open the doors of Hades?!"
Cira could no longer resist. The words began to pour from her. "Cross..." She bit her lip, desperate to hold back the truth, but blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Abril fought her way through the throng of monsters, reaching Cira just as Dagón gripped her tightly. "You are a damned fire—a wall of damnation!" Dagón snarled, launching himself at Abril.
"The only one who will die today is you!" Abril declared. "I will send you back to Hades!"
But Dagón had heard Cira's words. To open the doors, one must cross them.
He ordered several monsters to attempt crossing the gates of Hades while he battled Abril. But none could pass.
If they couldn't cross, then only Cira could open the gates.
The fight raged on. Dagón attacked Abril with ferocity, but she parried every blow. The others joined the fray, each one trying to reach Cira—but their goal was not to save her. They wanted to prove that what she had said was true.
Abril lost focus. She had no intention of killing Dagón. Her sole aim was to reach Cira.
Enzo had warned her before leaving: for the doors of Hades to open completely, Cira had to cross them.
Cira was perilously close to the gates, dragging herself toward them, her body refusing to respond.
"Don't let Cira come to harm!" Abril shouted to her allies.
Dagón fought fiercely, clearing a path until he reached Cira. With a savage cry, he hurled her toward the gates of Hades.
Her body crossed the threshold.
Cira found herself in a desolate wasteland—a place devoid of life, where everything lay in ruins. Before her stood an army of monsters. And at their forefront was a man clad in armor that seemed to shimmer with darkness.
The Dark King.
Cira lay motionless in the dirt on the other side of the gates. If they left her there, she would die.
The others continued to fend off Dagón, but Abril made her decision. She rushed to the gates of Hades.
"It's too late," someone cried. "The Dark King is coming. We cannot stop him."
Abril wielded her daggers and severed Dagón's head from his body, the silvery flames consuming him. Then she sprinted toward the gates and crossed them.
A chill ran through her. The evil and darkness of Hades weighed heavily upon her, making her sick to her stomach.
When Barto attempted to follow, she stopped him. "Don't cross. You won't be able to return."
Abril approached Cira, who lay unconscious on the ground. Summoning all her strength, she dragged Cira back toward the gates. The heaviness in her body was suffocating. She could not fight in this state.
"Retreat!" she ordered the others. "Before the Dark King claims us all."
They used parchment for teleportation. The last thing Abril saw before vanishing was the Dark King crossing the gates of Hades—a wicked smile etched upon his lips.
A smile that sent shivers down her spine.
---
**Keep Them All...**
Abril and the others materialized in the center of the camp just as a tremendous tremor shook the ground beneath them. It was greater than anything they had experienced before—a force that seemed to rattle the very earth with confidence.
The mountains of Vaizel roared like a wounded dragon. A harsh, cold wind swept through the desert, heralding their doom.
Abril gazed at the mountains, a sense of disgust creeping over her. Enora stood near the edge of the barrier, feeling unwell after the violent quake. The malevolent presence that had emerged from the depths of Hades was overwhelming.
Dantriel approached, wrapping an arm around her waist. "What's wrong, my queen? Are you alright?"
"Something in these mountains has made me ill," she replied, her voice strained. "It's malevolent. Perverse. Its mere presence is suffocating."
"Is it a monster?"
"I don't believe so. This presence is far stronger than any monster we've faced."
Moments later, the first guardian appeared, and he spoke with urgency. "He is the Dark King. He has entered this world—and he is bringing Hades with him."
Abril felt so sick she could barely stand. Barto rushed to her side. "Your Majesty! What is happening?"
"I don't feel well," she gasped. "But Cira is in worse condition. We need to find her. She's in the elven realm."
Alessandro sprinted to her side, his heart racing at the sight of her pale face. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm just... not well," she replied.
"Is there any way to save Cira?"
"Yes, but we didn't reach her in time. The doors are completely open now. The Dark King is here with his army. We must prepare ourselves. What we faced before was nothing compared to what is coming."
Alessandro lifted Abril into his arms, his voice gentle yet firm. "You must rest and regain your strength."
"Don't worry about me..."
"How can I not worry? You are my wife—and you are more valuable in battle than many of us. We need you."
Abril felt a wave of nausea, as if her stomach were turning inside out. She closed her eyes and leaned into him as he carried her to their tent and gently laid her on the bed.
"Don't concern yourself with anything right now. Just rest," he whispered, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before stepping out.
Alessandro found Fay waiting for him outside. "The others are gathered in Princess Elisha's tent. The first guardian is with them."
He hurried to Elisha's tent, where everyone was present except Enora. Ethan was the only one representing the elven kingdom.
"Where is the elven kingdom?" he asked, scanning the room.
"I went to check on Cira. She was very unwell," Enzo replied.
"Why waste time healing someone who clearly betrayed us?" Alessandro snapped.
"She didn't cooperate with them. She was poisoned to force her to speak," Enzo defended.
"This is not the time for infighting," Elisha interjected. "The doors of Hades are wide open, and the Dark King is here. We don't have time to quarrel among ourselves."
Cassiel stepped forward. "I'm glad you're here. I feared you wouldn't show up."
"I've had many matters to attend to," Cassiel said, his voice heavy with the weight of centuries. "But as I said, we must focus on holding off the Dark King. This is the best place to do it—there are no innocents around to be caught in the crossfire."
"My kingdom is the closest," Elisha added. "If the battle extends further, it will be the first to be attacked. We must prepare."
She turned to Cassiel. "So what can we do to defeat the Dark King once and for all?"
Cassiel sighed, regret clouding his expression. "There is no strategy. We can only pray that grace is with us to defeat him."
"Are you suggesting we pray to win this battle?" Elisha asked incredulously.
"We will need more than that," Cassiel replied. "But part of it is true. When I imprisoned the Dark King, it was through grace given to me. Now we need that grace to destroy him." He looked at Alessandro and Cassian. "You two are responsible for closing the doors of Hades. You are the keys—the source of power that can seal him again. The rest of us will fight against him, but we cannot destroy him as long as the doors remain open. We don't have many guardians left. We need more."
Alessandro knew that Lissana was part of the lineage of guardians. But there was no one else. "Are there any guardians apart from us?" he asked.
"Yes," Cassiel replied. "But you are young. And the other day was when the doors of Hades were opened."
Enzo interrupted. "Is my sister not a guardian?"
"She is now. But how do you think she became one? They are not my children—I never had a relationship with any human. I only fulfilled my father's desires."
Enzo was confused. "How did the line of guardians begin?"
"If I believe in my blood, I can share my essence with some humans," Cassiel explained. "That is how the lineage of guardians was born."
Alessandro frowned. "If it's that easy, why aren't there more?"
"It's not as simple as it seems. There are times when people resist my blood. It's a slow, painful process. I cannot create more guardians—and we don't have time for that. I must rely on those we have. My power has not fully returned, so I cannot do it alone."
---
Alessandro stood in the dim light of the chamber, frustration etched across his features as Cassiel approached him.
"I need you to come here," Cassiel urged, his tone urgent.
Alessandro's heart sank at the thought of exposing his only daughter to such danger. "There must be another solution. Before my daughter joins this fight—she's just a girl."
Cassiel's usual cheerful demeanor had hardened. "I don't think you understand. In war, it doesn't matter if you're a child, an adult, or an elder. If we don't all fight to defeat the Dark King, nothing will remain in this world but darkness and chaos."
Alessandro clenched his fists, struggling to contain the urge to confront Cassiel. Cassian intervened, sensing the tension. "Are you sure there are no other guardians? No other options?"
Cassiel shook his head. "I understand all guardians are like my children. There are only five of you—old guardians and the girl who opened the doors to Hades."
"We couldn't close those doors. We will use parchment for teleportation and seek assistance."
"That wouldn't work," Cassiel replied.
"Why not?" Alessandro demanded.
"Because you can only close the doors of Hades when the Dark King leaves this realm. We must keep him distracted as long as we can, so you have a chance to kill him." Cassiel sighed heavily. "I don't want your children to die. That's why I decided Lissana should stay back. She is not fit to fight against the Dark King. His power is exceptional—and if anyone has a chance of surviving this war, it's her."
"But..."
"I understand how you feel. But there are no more options. Uzziel is still too small, and I cannot face the Dark King alone—I might not survive."
Cassian felt as though a dagger had pierced his heart at Cassiel's words. The mere thought of losing his daughter terrified him.
"There isn't much time. We don't know when the Dark King will attack, so we cannot falter."
"This is not a decision I can make lightly," Alessandro replied, his voice heavy with dread.
After a moment of contemplation, he left the chamber and returned to his quarters, where Abril lay sleeping. He caressed her forehead, wishing he could ask her what she would say if she knew what Cassiel had proposed.
He was the first to oppose the idea. He didn't want his only daughter in danger.
He wished Abril were awake—but in the end, every path led to peril. Alessandro felt helpless, unable to protect his family. A painful memory resurfaced: the day he lost his father and brothers. Anxiety and fear gripped his heart, and for a fleeting moment, he was the young prince again—stripped of the chance to grieve with someone who loved him.
He took Abril's hand, kissed it gently, and made a silent promise. "I won't let anything bad happen to you. I will protect you. I will not allow darkness to take you."
---
Cassiel surveyed the somber faces around him. It was no wonder they looked so grim—if they lost the war, it would mean the end of the world. But they could not allow doubt to creep in. The moment they accepted defeat was the moment all hope would vanish.
"Lift those funeral faces," Cassiel said cheerfully. "No one is dead yet. Don't give up before we even begin the battle. We must declare our victory—or we will never achieve it."
With a flourish, Cassiel stretched his arms wide and began to rally the spirits of those around him. "I need to talk to my father, so don't bother me. You will stay in my quarters and won't come near me unless you are alive or dead. Do not interrupt me."
Cassian turned to Cassiel, brow furrowed. "Is it true that you will help us?"
"Of course. A father always listens to his children. It is we who ignore him."
"That's why so many worlds have fallen into darkness."
"Exactly. We have been selfish, never knowing how to fight together. Each kingdom wanted to save itself alone—but we cannot do that. We must be one people, united and strong, to defeat this common enemy. The Dark King who seeks to destroy our world and every living being within it."
Cassian still struggled to grasp the enormity of it all. But the reality was clear: they could not give up if they wanted a future.
---
And while the heroes prepared, the Dark King had created a throne amidst the wings of Hades, surrounded by all the monsters and creatures that emerged from the shadows.
Liona felt the overwhelming power radiating from him—a force so potent that she dared not meet his gaze.
Dagón stood before the Dark King, bowing his head. "My great lord—the conqueror and destroyer of worlds. Welcome."
"I have waited long for the doors to open. I thought I could never return to this world and reclaim it as my own. Forgive my delay. It was not easy to find someone to open those doors." The Dark King paused, his voice silky with menace. "You have done well. I will reward you greatly."
"Thank you, my lord."
The Dark King turned his gaze to the human sitting on the ground. "What is a human doing among my troops?"
Liona spoke, her voice trembling. "I am here because I wish to serve you, my lord."
"Human. Approach."
Liona stood, fear coursing through her as she stepped forward, keeping her gaze lowered to avoid offending him. When she was close enough, the Dark King rose from his throne, grasped her chin, and forced her to meet his eyes.
His touch was as cold as ice. But all that lost significance when she looked upon his face.
She had expected a monster. But the Dark King was strikingly beautiful.
Yet his eyes were voids of darkness—devoid of hope, devoid of everything.
"All humans wish to destroy me," he said. "They seek to prevent my kingdom from expanding. Do you truly wish to serve me?"
"I am weary of being human," Liona confessed. "I am tired of serving them, of being trampled upon. I want to be one of you. I want to be part of the darkness and live in your kingdom."
The Dark King laughed—a chilling sound. "Are you certain that is what you desire?"
"Yes. I want to be part of your army. I want to destroy humanity."
Leaning closer, the Dark King pressed his lips to hers.
But the kiss was anything but pleasant.
Liona felt her body tremble as the overwhelming power of darkness surged through her. With that kiss, something dark and malevolent invaded her—corrupting every part of her being, erasing every trace of her humanity.
And as the darkness claimed her, Liona became something new. Something monstrous.
The first of the Dark King's human servants.
---
## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
What a breathtaking and emotionally intense chapter! The tension never lets up from beginning to end. Watching Cira's suffering while she defiantly refused to betray the secret of the Hades gates was both heartbreaking and inspiring. The moment she whispered "Cross" sent chills down my spine—and when the Dark King finally emerged, the stakes escalated beyond anything we could have imagined. Abril crossing the gates to drag Cira back was heroism at its finest, and Alessandro's quiet anguish over Lissana's fate hit deep on a personal level. The Dark King's kiss of corruption to Liona was the perfect dark closing note—chilling, disturbing, and brilliantly written.
⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars
## Next Chapter Prediction
The Dark King has fully entered the world, and the armies are scrambling to mount a defense with no clear strategy. Cassiel is desperate, seeking divine help and unable to face the enemy alone. The terrible truth is that Lissana may be the key to defeating the Dark King—but Alessandro will fight tooth and nail to keep his daughter out of harm's way. I predict the next chapter will see the Dark King leading his forces toward the kingdoms, with a massive battle looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, Cira's fate hangs in the balance as she lies gravely wounded in the elven realm, and the alliance between the five kingdoms will be tested like never before. Will they unite under one banner before it's too late?
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