The forge's heat still lingered in the air, the scent of molten Mythril mixing with the faint smoke of past battles.
Lira flexed her new gauntlets, each pulse of purple energy resonating through the rare metal.
Kael and Prince Eldarin were still trying to catch their breath when a shadow darkened the entrance.
---
The massive doors burst open with a deafening crash.
A figure stood there, radiating arrogance and malice.
Tall, imposing, with an aura of absolute superiority—he carried himself as if the world itself owed him respect.
---
"I am Shota," the figure announced, voice ringing like steel on marble.
"The Demon General of Pride."
He glanced at the rubble in the forge.
"Lira… Yuki… and the other fool you call a friend. You've humiliated my kin. You've killed my fellow generals. And for that, I have come."
---
Kael tensed immediately.
"…Shota," he muttered, recognizing the legend.
"You… you're here for revenge."
---
Lira tilted her head, examining him.
Purple light flickered faintly along her gauntlets.
"…Good," she said simply.
"…Fun."
---
Shota laughed, a sound that echoed like rolling thunder.
"You think this is a game? I am pride itself incarnate. Your purple toys won't stop me. I will reclaim what was taken, and I will crush all who dare oppose me."
---
Prince Eldarin stepped forward, sword raised, chest puffed out.
"I shall defend this forge and its hero!"
---
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder.
"…Don't," he warned.
"…This one's different. He's not just strong—he's dangerous. And he won't hold back."
---
Shota's eyes gleamed, piercing each of them.
"Prepare yourselves," he said coldly.
"Because pride doesn't forgive mistakes… and I will make you pay."
---
The forge seemed to shiver under his presence.
Even the dwarves instinctively stepped back.
For the first time, they saw that Lira might finally face an opponent she couldn't simply overwhelm with brute force alone.
---
Lira cracked her knuckles inside the Mythril gauntlets.
A slow, deadly smile spread across her face.
"…Good. Fun. Let's go," she said.
---
And with that, the Demon General of Pride stepped fully into the Dwarven Kingdom…
---
To Be Continued…