The castle was somewhat cracked from the powerful bursts of magic inside the place. The walls, which had once been white and elegant, were now marked by fissures that stretched like scars. The ceiling trembled from time to time, releasing small fragments of stone that fell to the floor with dry echoes.
Kael, Magnus, Seraphyne, and Viridia hurried toward the castle. From inside, the desperate screams of the elven women who were taking care of the queen could be heard. The panic was evident. They were not warriors trained for a direct invasion; they were protectors, healers, attendants of the court.
The air smelled of dust and burned magic.
When they crossed the enormous main doors, the silence of the hall struck them like a slap. There were no bodies on the ground. There was no visible blood. That was the strange part.
—Too clean... —Magnus muttered with a frown.
They advanced through the long corridors, whose stained-glass windows were cracked and some columns leaning. Each step echoed with an unsettling sound.
Until they reached the throne room.
The enormous doors were open.
Inside, the elven queen stood in front of the throne, her back straight and her chin held high, although her eyes betrayed tension. In front of her was the royal guardian, gripping a red-bladed sword, positioned defensively.
And further ahead... the three hooded men were standing there, waiting.
As if they knew Kael would arrive.
—It seems you have finally arrived. Tell me, Demon King... you have just formed an alliance with the elven race, correct?
Kael remained silent.
The man who had spoken calmly removed his hood. Then he lowered his mask, revealing his face.
He was young. Too young for the coldness he radiated. His golden eyes shone with an almost unnatural intensity. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead.
He was barely smiling.
—Your silence unsettles me, Demon King. But you know... you are standing before group number eleven of the heroes.
The atmosphere changed.
The weight of those words fell on everyone.
They were not common assassins.
They were not simple mercenaries.
They were heroes.
The three standing there were not just normal enemies, but enemies created with a single purpose: to kill without hesitating even for a second.
From beneath his sleeve, the leader pulled out a small knife. He spun it between his fingers with unsettling skill, passing it from one hand to the other without even looking at it.
—No wonder you are so confident.
Seraphyne said, remaining firm, without moving a single muscle.
The hero tilted his head.
—Well... why wouldn't I be? The Demon King is weak. He is easy to kill. He is not as strong as the demon kings I faced a long time ago... or the Demon King I remember.
His golden eyes locked directly onto Kael.
He walked slowly, taking small steps until he stood in the middle of the room.
—Although, now that I think about it... it would be very boring if I kill you now.
He made a dramatic pause.
—How about we let you explore the world a little first? Maybe grow. Maybe think you have a chance. Ah... yes. That's what you want to hear, right?
His smile disappeared.
—But it's not possible. Because you have to die, Demon King. You have no right to be alive. Look at yourself... the aura your magic gives off is dark, malicious. It makes one want to vomit just by seeing it.
He made an exaggerated grimace and spat on the floor of the hall.
The royal guardian tightened her grip on the handle of her sword.
—But you know... first we must exterminate everything evil in this world. And that includes you.
He stepped closer until he stood face to face with Kael.
The distance between them was minimal.
—Prepare yourself. Return to your kingdom. Because at any moment we will look for you, hunt you down... and kill you without mercy. We will not kill your people this time.
His eyes gleamed with something dark.
—But the sins will be exterminated. We will not leave a single one.
The silence in the room was absolute.
Kael did not step back.
But his hands were trembling.
The hero took one last step, almost pressing his forehead against Kael's.
—So, Demon King... this will only be a small temporary farewell. Because very soon... it will be your death.
And in the next instant, they disappeared.
All three.
As if they had never been there.
The pressure in the air slowly dissipated.
The royal guardian lowered her sword slightly, breathing with difficulty.
A part of the ceiling collapsed in one corner of the hall, raising a cloud of dust.
—Damn... this really ended up being a disaster.
Elirya's voice echoed from one of the sides as she observed the cracks running along the walls.
Kael lowered his head.
His hands were still trembling.
Not from fear.
But from anger.
A deep anger. Burning.
—I'm sorry... for not doing anything, Elirya.
His voice was low.
Frustrated.
—I couldn't even answer them.
He had felt the difference. The gap. The confidence with which they spoke. The way they looked at him... as if he were already dead.
—Then it's time for you to learn how to use your magic, Kael.
Elirya spoke with a soft smile. It was not mockery. It was determination.
—You can't keep reacting too late. You can't depend only on us.
Magnus nodded slowly.
—She's right. If those three were only group number eleven... I don't even want to imagine what the others will do.
Viridia stepped closer and gently caressed Kael's head.
—Hey... don't look at yourself like that. No one is born knowing how to fight crazy heroes with savior complexes.
Kael slightly lifted his gaze.
—Then... the main thing is to return to the Demon Kingdom to begin your training —Magnus continued— In the end, you must have an ability and a magical power of your own. No matter the reason. Whether it's because you arrived in this world... or because you were born in it.
The silence became different.
It was no longer fear.
It was decision.
Kael closed his eyes for a second.
He remembered the dream.
He remembered the threat.
He remembered his helplessness.
He opened his eyes.
—Alright. I will do my best, then.
His eyes shone instantly. Not with anger this time, but with determination.
If they wanted to hunt him...
Then they would have to face something more than an inexperienced Demon King.
—Well, then tomorrow we will depart for the Demon Kingdom. It's been years since I left the elven kingdom.
Elirya said as she delicately tied a small blue ribbon in her hair.