In a world sperate from our own two powerful entities stood exchanging glares while sizing each other up.
The sky trembled. Not from thunder, nor from storm—but from the sheer weight of the two beings who stood at the peak of power. Atop the shattered remains of a once-glorious castle, they faced each other in silence.
One stood tall, her long black hair flowing like a living shadow, horns curving from her head like a crown of ruin. Her piercing green eyes held no fear—only amusement.
The Demon Lord.
A calamity who had brought entire nations to their knees. Armies had risen against her, only to be crushed and sent back in disgrace.
Opposite her stood a girl.
Armor shining under the ominous red glow of the sun of the demon world. Breathing steady. Eyes unwavering.
The Empire's Hero.
The one who had done the impossible, one who had survived, fought, and stood where no one else could.
For a moment, the world itself seemed to pause.
Then-
"So," the Demon Lord spoke, her voice laced with mockery as dark energy gathered in her palm, " you're the famed hero of the empire? I must admit… I expected more."
The Hero lowered her stance, her grip tightening.
"For you," she replied calmly, " I'm more than enough."
A smirk tugged at the Demon Lord's lips.
" You're quite cocky, anyway be disappointed if you weren't worth crushing."
The ground exploded beneath them.
The attack came instantly.
A massive wave of dark energy tore across the battlefield.
The Hero barely moved to the side.
The blast missed her by inches, ripping apart everything behind her but to her shock the Demon Lord had already closed in, fist slammed into the Hero's face and she was sent flying, crashing across broken stone before forcing herself to recover mid-slide.
Without hesitation. She drew her blade, light erupted from it and she dashed forward, she slashed but the light of her blade met nothing but air, the Demon Lord weaved effortlessly through each strike, her movements fluid, almost playful.
"You're slower than I expected."
The Hero didn't respond.
She pressed harder.
Faster.
Stronger.
The demon lord summoned a weapon and their weapons finally clashed and the world cracked as shockwaves rippled outward, shattering what little remained of the battlefield. Yet neither of them stepped back.
Not even once. They moved again- faster, wilder. Blow after blow. Strike after strike. Neither yielding. Neither relenting. Neither noticing…
They were no longer alone.
Time passed—though neither could tell how much.
Both now stood at opposite ends of the ruined castle, breathing heavier, eyes locked staring daggers into each other.
This was it.
The end.
"This ends now," the Hero declared, raising her hand.
Light gathered—brilliant, blinding.
"Illuminant Glaive… manifest!"
A radiant spear formed in her grasp, shining with overwhelming power.
The Demon Lord's grin widened.
"Oh? So that's the Empire's treasured weapon?" she scoffed. "Looks like nothing more than a fancy toy."
Darkness surged around her.
"Let me show you a real weapon."
The air twisted.
"Come forth… Spear of Chaos."
A jagged spear materialized in her hand, radiating a sinister purple glow.
Power condensed. Warped. Trembled.
"Now then," she said, lowering her stance, "let's see which one breaks first."
They moved.
In an instant, the distance between them vanished.
Victory would be decided.
Right here.
Right now
A sigil ignited beneath their feet.
Everything stopped.
Their bodies froze mid-motion.
"…What?" the Hero gasped.
The Demon Lord's expression darkened.
"…How troublesome."
A slow clap echoed through the ruins.
"Wow," a voice said, almost impressed. "I expected more of a struggle."
A figure stepped forward.
Smiling.
The Hero's eyes widened.
"Wait… it's you-"
"Shhh." The girl placed a finger to her lips. "That's not what you should be worried about."
She tilted her head, eyes gleaming.
"You're both in a very… vulnerable position right now."
The Hero frowned. "The Demon Lord is the only one capable of injuring me."
"That may be true," the girl replied casually, "but that's not the only way to deal with you."
"Hey!" the Demon Lord interrupted, her voice sharp with irritation, " -you two, I get that you humans are stupid, but I believe you should both be aware that there are better times for chit chat, or is expecting you to know that too much to ask?"
The girl laughed softly.
"Oh, I like you."
"Can't say the feeling is mutual." The demon lord retorted.
The mysterious cloaked figure's smile twisted.
"Originally, I planned to let you two kill each other… then finish off whoever remained."
She paused.
"But that felt too merciful."
Her eyes darkened.
"So I thought of something... better."
The Hero's expression hardened.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Oh, that's easy."
The girl's smile didn't falter.
"I hate you."
Silence fell.
"Both of you," she continued. "You've destroyed lives. Ruined everything. Mine included."
Energy began to build around the sigil.
"But don't worry," she added lightly. "I won't bore you with details."
The Demon Lord narrowed her eyes.
"…Where will this take us?"
The girl's smile widened.
"Somewhere perfect."
A pause.
"A place where you will suffer."
The Demon Lord scoffed.
"I will return," she said coldly. "And when I do my underlings will be the last of your fears."
"Mm," the girl hummed. "I'll be waiting, but if you take too long I'm the one who'll come and find you."
She turned to the Hero.
"Any last words?"
The Hero glared at her.
"You'll regret this."
For a moment—
The girl's smile broke into manic laughter.
The sigil flared.
Light swallowed everything.
And in the next instant—
They were gone.
"…Ugh…"
Pain.
Her head throbbed.
"Where… am I…?"
The Hero forced her eyes open. The battlefield was gone. In its place an unfamiliar world. Strange. Quiet. Wrong.
"What happened…?"
Memories rushed back. The battle. The girl. The spell. Her body felt… off. Too light. Too small. Too weak.
"…What is this feeling?"
She staggered forward, looking into a puddle she saw a reflection A small… trembling puppy stared back at her.
"…."
Silence.
"…."
"…What."
Her mind went blank.
"That… is not me."
She leaned closer.
The puppy did the same.
"…No."
Her breathing quickened.
"No, no, no—"
Her scream came out as nothing more than a quiet whine she froze. Horror filled her eyes.
"…What the hell is going on?!"
Her body wobbled. Her vision blurred.
"I feel… weak…"
Darkness crept in.
"…I'm going to—"
Footsteps. A shadow loomed over her.
"A stray?"
A human voice.
"…Hey… please…"
She tried to speak.
"Whine"
Her vision faded.
And everything went black.