"You're still holding her hand, you know... So cute and lovey-dovey."
Elarion squeezed Terra's hand gently, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked at her sleeping face. He brushed a lock of hair away from her forehead with quiet care, then turned to Kaelis, eyes sharp.
"Have you made up your mind?"
Kaelis shrugged, the grin never leaving her face.
"Not really. I just agreed to let you go."
Elarion sighed, smirking.
"Whatever, coward." He narrowed his eyes. "Did you cast a dream spell on her too?"
Kaelis shook her head and sat beside Terra, her expression softening.
"I tried... but I couldn't. She doesn't have any dreams."
Elarion poked Terra's forehead lightly.
"You really do love sleeping too much," he muttered with mock annoyance, though his eyes lingered on her gently.
Kaelis stood up abruptly, turning her face away, avoiding his gaze.
"Actually... that sword I gave you—it's one of the bad ones. I didn't make you a good one because..." Her voice lowered, "I didn't want you to go."
Elarion walked toward the exit of the room. Just before stepping out, he glanced over his shoulder and smiled.
"I know."
"But I'll still take it. And I'm leaving Terra with you. Take care of her... and tell her to wait for me."
He winked and disappeared down the hall.
Kaelis sighed and lay down beside Terra, arms behind her head, staring at the ceiling.
"I really don't know what you see in him after everything he did to you." She paused, voice growing softer. "I guess it's his magic. It really does change people."
he had left his companions. He stopped, surprised to find them still there—sitting across from one another around a blazing fire, chatting calmly.
He hid behind the trunk of a large willow tree, listening in.
"Hadeon, how do demons live?" Cael asked, casually tossing a pebble into the flames.
"Freely," Hadeon chuckled. "Unless a superior lord gives orders, of course."
Cael smiled faintly, eyes reflecting the firelight.
"I'm jealous. We angels... we don't have free will. Barely any emotions either."
He lowered his voice. "Thanks to Master, I have both now. Though... he probably is just using me."
"Right?" Hadeon leaned back, hands behind his head. "He sees us as tools to achieve his goal."
"And what exactly is that goal?" Cael tilted his head. "Revenge on the gods? Or is it more than that?"
Hadeon smiled faintly.
"People like him always have big dreams. Even if they die trying... sometimes, they get close."
From behind the tree, Elarion's fingernails scraped sharply against the bark, rage flickering in his eyes.
Cael stood up, eyes narrowing as he walked toward the sound.
"Who's there? Show yourself or I'll kill you—even if it's just a rabbit!"
"Maybe it's just a wild animal," Hadeon said lazily. "No need to go full warrior. Just sit and wait—Master'll punish us if we're not here when he returns."
Cael circled the tree, spear in hand, ready to strike. But when he rounded the trunk—nothing. He blinked.
"Huh... guess you're right. Probably just a—"
"Boo."
Elarion suddenly appeared behind Hadeon, making him jump out of his skin.
"What were you two talking about?"
Cael calmly returned to his seat by the fire, grinning when he saw Elarion's face. Hadeon, on the other hand, dropped his gaze immediately.
"Master, we were just wondering... what's your dream? What do you really want from all this?" Cael's voice was eager.
Elarion sat down across from them, laughing softly, the firelight flickering in his crimson eyes.
"It's not a big dream, really."
"I just want to save my mother... and torture the gods."
Elarion's eyes shimmered with sorrow as he lifted his gaze toward the sky, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
"They will pay for our suffering."
Without another word, he stood and began walking south.
"No time to rest. We're heading to the demon city."
He glanced at Hadeon with a teasing glint.
"Your beautiful home, Hellspire," he said coyly.
Extending his hand, he chuckled softly.
"Thanks for the idea, sister. That dream of yours was beautiful—guess I'll try to make it real."
Closing his eyes, he focused, trying to shape the mana like the carriage in his dream. It took effort—his brow furrowed, hands trembling slightly as he wrestled with the image. Finally, he opened his eyes.
A carriage materialized before them... crooked wheels, cracked wood, painted in blotchy black. It looked more haunted than heavenly.
Elarion's cheeks turned faintly pink.
He muttered to himself,
"Ugh… I've always been terrible at imagining things."
Cael clapped anyway, genuinely impressed.
"Let's keep it like this. It'll help us hide in Hellspire—nothing screams low-key like a haunted carriage."
Hadeon's eyes lit up.
"Master... this is a Higher Lord's carriage form. There's only one like it in the demon realm!"
Elarion lifted his chin proudly, swiping his nose smugly.
"Well, of course. I always plan ahead for you two."
He was obviously lying to cover his failed summoning, but neither called him out.
Suddenly, he slammed his palm onto the earth, dark light erupting from beneath him.
"You were once my companion... you died trying to save me. I, your shameless master, now summon you from the ashes of death."
He extended his arm over the dark circle, the flames biting into his skin.
"And for the sacrifice... I offer you my hand."
He stepped back as bones clawed their way from the ashes, forming into the frame of a once majestic creature. His hand burned, smoke curling from his fingertips.
A small, wistful smile tugged at Elarion's face.
He remembered when his horse had shone like the sun—wings stretched wide, soaring together through cloud-kissed skies. The warmth of those days still lingered: flying over golden fields, splashing at the lake, laughter echoing as the horse kicked water into his face during grooming.
Now, all that light was gone. What stood before him was a skeletal version—no flesh, no wings, just bone and remnants of blackened feathers.
He knelt, resting his hand on the horse's hollow neck, voice low and amused.
"Nymera I'll wash you later… even if you're just bones now."