Deep in the heart of the Demon Realm, darkness enveloped the grand bedchamber. Mantra woke to subtle movements beside her. She kept her eyes closed, breathing evenly, wondering why Shion was slipping away in the middle of the night.
Shion paused, leaning close until his breath touched her cheek. Satisfied that she was fast asleep, he slipped silently out of bed and stepped into the bathroom. But in his haste, he forgot to latch the heavy door properly, leaving a sliver of light spilling onto the stone floor.
Mantra rose quietly, her curiosity piqued. A light smile crossed her lips as she crept toward the door, teasingly wondering if he was taking a late-night bath. But as she peeked through the narrow crack, the smile vanished from her face.
A glowing blue projection panel illuminated the dark room. Shion was whispering into the screen, his tone urgent. "I'm keeping close watch. I will give you every single secret of her plans."
On the glowing screen, Renjiro's image nodded sternly. "Good. We need to know her intentions so we can keep Kael safe from her."
The moment the name Kael hit Mantra's ears, her mind went completely blank. Shock tore through her chest. Stepping back in horror, her foot caught against the edge of a side table, knocking a heavy ceramic vase onto the floor. It shattered with a sharp, echoing crash.
Inside the bathroom, Shion froze. "I have to go, Renjiro!" he hissed, instantly cutting the connection.
He threw the door open and rushed out, only to find Mantra lying beside the table, her eyes closed as if she had fallen out of bed in her sleep. Her hand rested near the broken shards. Shion let out a quiet sigh of relief, assuming she had simply rolled off in her slumber. He carefully cleared the sharp ceramic pieces, threw them into the corner, and climbed back onto his side of the bed.
Beside him, Mantra opened her eyes. They were bloodshot and brimming with hot tears that soaked into her pillow. She stared into the dark room, her chest twisting in agony.
I believed in you... and you deceived me.
Leaving Shion sleeping peacefully, Mantra pulled herself up and walked out into the cold stone corridor. In the dim torchlight, she spotted Shikha wrapped in the arms of a twenty-four-year-old demon warrior named Shin Yan.
Shin Yan held Shikha's hands tightly, speaking in the low, guttural tongue of the demons. "I will never abandon you."
The words struck Mantra like a poisoned blade. Memories flooded her mind of Dusk—the one man who had truly never betrayed her, who had stood by her even when she lay unconscious and broken.
"Young love, is it?" Mantra's cold voice echoed down the hallway.
The two demons startled. Shin Yan bowed nervously, answering in the demonic language. "Lady Mantra... why are you awake at this hour?"
"I can hardly sleep," Mantra replied, a dark smirk touching her lips. "Not when our attack on Kael Redgrave is so close. Spread the notice immediately. Assemble every warrior in the open courtyard. But do not dare wake Shion."
The order spread through the citadel like wildfire. Within half an hour, over one point three million demons filled the vast courtyard under the blood-red moon.
Mantra stepped onto the high balcony, her voice thundering across the field in ancient demonic tongue. "Tomorrow, we break through the portal! Tomorrow, we march to the mortal world and butcher Kael Redgrave!"
The massive army roared in unison, their terrifying battle cries shaking the very foundations of the realm.
"Return to your quarters," Mantra commanded. "Rest well. We depart at dawn."
As the crowd dispersed, Mantra slipped into the fortress kitchen. She retrieved a heavy, black-iron dagger, concealing its cold edge inside her flowing sleeve before making her way back to her bedchamber.
Shion was still lying on the bed, a soft, innocent smile gracing his face. Mantra stood over him, pressing a trembling hand against her chest.
Because of you, my heart is tearing itself apart...
Shion's eyelids fluttered open, sensing her presence. "Mantra...?"
Before he could utter another word, Mantra drew the blade and swung it downward with terrifying fury.
Crimson blood sprayed across the pristine white sheets. Shion's eyes widened in sudden, final shock before the light drained from them completely.
Mantra sank to her knees, blood soaking into her dress. She collapsed against the side cabinet, sobbing violently as she stared at the lifeless body. "Why, Shion?! I told you I loved you! Why did you betray me?!"
In her overwhelming grief, the memory of Dusk consumed her thoughts once more. In his worst moments, Dusk had never turned his back on her. And yet, she had been the one to strike him down.
"I'm so sorry, Dusk..." she sobbed, repeating it like a desperate chant. "I'm so sorry..."
Overcome by self-loathing, she jammed her hand into her mouth, biting down violently until blood welling between her teeth mixed with her tears.
Far beyond the mortal realm, at the gates of the underworld, the God of Death stared into a pool of dark, reflective water. A cruel smile parted his lips as he watched Mantra's breakdown.
He let out a low, echoing laugh. "Regret... such a foolish emotion. No matter how much of Nyxara's power flows through your veins, Mantra, you are still a fragile human at heart."
Heavy knocks echoed against the chamber door back in the Demon Realm. "Demon Lord! The war sledges are ready!"
Mantra's eyes snapped open. The nightmare of her guilt receded, replaced by a cold, hollow void. She walked into the bathroom, splashing freezing water over her face, wiping the blood from her mouth. She stared at her pale reflection in the mirror, burying her pain deep inside.
He was a traitor. Forget him.
She threw the door open. The demon guards gasped as they caught sight of Shion's bloody corpse on the bed.
"Demon Lord... is he...?"
"He was an intruder," Mantra stated coldly, her voice devoid of any emotion. "A spy sent to undermine us. I executed him myself."
The guards stared at her in awe. "She slaughtered her own lover to protect our realm..."
Cheering erupted through the halls as the news spread. At the edge of the realm, thousands of war sledges and iron carts pulled by towering demonic beasts stood waiting. Ten thousand elite vanguard demons boarded the lead transports, while the massive army of millions readied behind them.
Mantra mounted the lead war cart, staring out into the opening portal that led straight to the human realm. A dangerous smirk spread across her face.
"Now, Kael Redgrave... you will learn what it feels like to lose everything."