The Devil in One
Chapter 1: Betrayal
Once, she was a goddess.
Now, she is something far worse.
Long before the collapse of order, Aris stood at the peak of existence—a flawless being who ruled over multiple universes. She was not merely divine; she was an absolute, a goddess whose power touched both creation and destruction. Yet that very perfection became her curse.
The gods feared her.
They whispered that her beauty was unnatural, that her presence bent laws, that one day she would surpass them all. And so, before that day could arrive, they branded her with a name that would justify their hatred.
Devil.
Aris was cast down from the Mountain of Eternity—the sacred place where only gods were allowed to exist. The fall stripped her of her title, her honor, and her place among them. But even then, she did not fall alone.
She still had Maki—her closest friend, the one who smiled beside her when the gods turned away.
She still had Icaro—the one she loved, the one she trusted more than her own soul.
Or so she believed.
One day, Maki and Icaro came to visit her in the Pristine Universe, the silent realm where Aris had been exiled. The moment she sensed their presence, her heart trembled with joy.
"You came," Aris said softly, a rare smile touching her lips. "How are you? It's been so long."
Maki looked away.
Icaro said nothing.
After a long silence, Maki finally spoke, her voice cold and distant.
"We're fine. But from now on… you can't see us anymore."
Aris froze.
"What do you mean?" she asked, confusion creeping into her voice. "Did I do something wrong?"
She never received an answer.
The sound came first—a sharp, violent crack that tore through space itself.
Before Aris could react, something pierced her body.
Pain exploded.
She staggered back, blood staining the ground beneath her feet. Her vision blurred as she looked down—and saw the weapon.
It was Icaro's.
Her knees gave way.
"Why…?" Aris whispered, her voice trembling as she collapsed. "Why would you do this?"
Maki stepped forward, her eyes burning with jealousy long buried.
"Why?" she repeated, laughing bitterly. "Do you really think you're the only one allowed to be beautiful? Everyone ignores me. Everyone worships you. So yes—you deserve to die."
Aris coughed, blood staining her lips, yet she smiled.
"Icaro will stop you," she said weakly. "He's the only one I trust."
Maki's smile twisted.
"Then look closely," she said. "Who do you think struck you?"
Aris turned her head slowly.
Their eyes met.
And in that moment, something inside her shattered forever.
Her laughter echoed faintly through the dying universe—not madness, but despair.
"So this is how it ends," Aris whispered. "Very well."
Her consciousness faded, but her will did not.
As darkness consumed her, she spoke one final vow:
"I will return.
I will take my revenge.
And your deaths will not exist even in your dreams."
Her body fell silent.
And the universe believed she was dead.
But death…
was only the beginning.