Akane hovered above the ruins, her crimson armor still glowing as she surveyed the shattered remnants of Bael's territory. Half of the land lay in ruin—fortresses obliterated, armies reduced to ashes, and the once-proud domain silenced under her might. The air was thick with lingering energy, and her world-cutting sword hummed in her grip, eager for more.
She smirked, the temptation flickering in her mind. I could destroy it all. Reduce every stone, every devil, to dust. Isn't that what I exist for?
But she exhaled slowly, her aura calming. "No," she muttered, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "This is enough. My lord's message has been delivered. Let them stew in their fear."
Akane descended gracefully toward the grand palace in the center of Bael's territory. The once-mighty symbol of devil supremacy stood defiantly amidst the wreckage, but it was clear that even this bastion of power couldn't withstand what was to come.
She extended her hand, the air around her crackling with authority. With a single, deliberate snap of her fingers, the ground beneath the palace rumbled violently. The entire structure trembled, and in an instant, the massive castle began to rise. Chunks of earth tore free as the palace, along with a significant portion of the land beneath it, hovered into the sky. Dust and debris rained down as the colossal mass floated, defying gravity under Akane's control.
The Bael flags fluttering proudly atop the towers dissolved into ash, carried away by the winds.
Akane smirked, her voice laced with mocking finality. "No flag, no land, no legacy. This castle belongs to my lord now."
With a snap of her fingers, Akane teleported everyone from the floating castle to the scorched ground below. The royals, servants, and guards materialized before her, but her gaze fell on two figures in particular: the head maid, standing protectively in front of a young girl—Venelana, Lady Bael's child.
Venelana clung tightly to the maid's skirt, her crimson eyes wide with fear. The maid, however, stepped forward, her body a shield for the child as she glared at Akane. "I will protect Lady Venelana with my life," she declared, her voice unwavering despite the overwhelming presence before her.
Akane smirked, her aura flaring slightly. "Protect her? How amusing. If I truly wanted harm, neither of you would still be breathing."
Her glowing eyes flicked to Venelana, who trembled under her gaze. "So, this is Bael's future? A frightened little girl hiding behind her maid? Pathetic."
Lady Bael stepped forward, her tone sharp. "Enough. What does Shiro Morningstar want? This destruction is meaningless."
Akane tilted her head, her voice cold. "It's not meaningless. It's a reminder: Bael's rule ends here. My lord doesn't need an army—he has me."
With a snap of her fingers, Akane's power swept through the group, and in an instant, all those loyal to Bael and likely to oppose Shiro Morningstar's dominion vanished. Guards, servants, and even the royal advisors disappeared as though they'd never existed, leaving only those who could be bent to submission.
The head maid, who had stood resolutely in front of young Venelana, vanished the very next moment. Her vow to protect the child ended in a fleeting instant, leaving Venelana standing alone, trembling and clutching her small hands to her chest.
The girl's wide, terrified eyes darted around, searching for her mother—Lady Bael, who was nowhere to be seen. Akane's earlier destruction had left the land in ruins, and Venelana's mother was likely still trapped beneath rubble or gravely injured, far from saving her daughter now.
Akane turned her cold gaze to the trembling child, her voice dripping with mockery. "No mother, no protector, no one left to shield you..."
Akane descended, her crimson armor shimmering as she landed before the remaining staff and Venelana. The silence was thick with fear, the once-proud servants trembling under her gaze.
She strode toward the small child, who clung to her dress, frozen in terror. Akane crouched, her piercing eyes locking onto Venelana's.
"So fragile," Akane murmured, her voice laced with mockery. "You should be grateful. You're alive because I allow it. But don't mistake this for mercy."
Venelana whimpered, tears welling in her eyes. Akane smirked, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face. "Grow strong, little one. Your world belongs to Shiro Morningstar now. Resist, and you'll join the others in oblivion."
Straightening, she turned to the trembling staff. "Prepare this child to serve under my lord. Loyalty is your only salvation. Fail, and you'll vanish like the rest."
As Akane prepared to leave, her eyes flicked back to Venelana, still clutching her dress in fear. The air around her shimmered with power, and with a snap of her fingers, she used her telekinesis to rip Lady Bael's broken, bloodied body from the wreckage miles away.
The ground trembled as Lady Bael was dragged through the air, her lifeless form limp and battered. Akane dropped the half-dead woman in front of Venelana and the remaining staff, the sound of her broken body hitting the earth sharp and final.
Venelana's eyes widened in horror. "Mom!" she screamed, rushing to her mother's side, her voice cracking with terror and sorrow.
Akane's gaze was cold as she looked down at them. "This is what happens when you resist. Shiro Morningstar does not show mercy. Your mother's fate is sealed, just as yours will be if you do not submit."
Venelana, her voice trembling but filled with determination, looked up at Akane. "I… I'll do my best. Just… just don't hurt my mom anymore," she pleaded, her small hands clutching her mother's lifeless form. Tears streamed down her face, but there was a hint of resolve in her eyes.
Akane's gaze softened for a moment, amusement flickering in her expression. "You'll learn quickly." Then, she disappeared.
With Akane gone, the silence was deafening. Lady Bael's chest rose and fell weakly as a harsh cough wracked her body, blood trickling from her mouth. Venelana's eyes widened in panic as she clutched her mother's fragile form.
"Mom!" Venelana gasped, her voice cracking. She quickly moved to support Lady Bael, tears streaming down her face. Her mother's pale face seemed barely conscious, and it was all Venelana could do to keep her from slipping into unconsciousness.
"I'm so sorry, Mother," Venelana whispered, her voice breaking. "I was weak... I couldn't protect you. I failed."
Lady Bael's half-lidded eyes opened just slightly, and though she could barely speak, she managed a hoarse, comforting whisper. "Venelana... you did what you could..."
Venelana shook her head, desperately trying to hold her mother steady. "But I'm not strong enough! I should have—"
"Strength... comes with time," Lady Bael whispered, her voice faint. "You still have a chance... a chance to protect your future... protect what's left..."
Venelana nodded, her resolve hardening even as the pain of helplessness gnawed at her. "I'll be strong, Mother. I'll do my best... I won't fail you again."
The words were barely a promise, but in that moment, they were all she had left.
The air around Venelana crackled, and before she could even react, a crimson sword materialized in front of her, hovering ominously. Its blade gleamed with an unsettling, ethereal glow, as though it thirsted for something. Venelana's heart skipped a beat as she stared at it, her eyes narrowing.
Her mind raced. Where did this come from?
The staff, focused on aiding Lady Bael's injuries, were unaware of the weapon's appearance. Their attention was entirely on their mistress, desperately working to stabilize her. Venelana, now alone in her thoughts, took a cautious step forward toward the sword.
It hummed with an almost malevolent energy, its blade shimmering as if it were alive. As she gazed at it, something inside her stirred—an undeniable call, pulling her toward it. Could it be... another test? she wondered. A gift... or a curse?
Her hand trembled as she reached out, fingers brushing the hilt of the sword. The moment her skin made contact, a surge of energy coursed through her, a sharp, almost painful rush that made her gasp.
For a moment, she felt power, real power, rush into her veins. But it was fleeting, and she quickly recoiled, her breath shallow. What is this? She wondered.
X―x―X—x—X―x―X
Akane reappeared before Shiro, her crimson armor still gleaming, her presence carrying the weight of the destruction she had wrought. As she landed softly, the remnants of the Bael territory burning in the distance, she approached him and knelt before him without a word. Her eyes lowered, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in her gaze, despite the cool composure she maintained.
Shiro, sitting in the shadows of his darkened throne room, watched her with an unreadable expression. The faint glow from the distant fire reflected off his eyes as he regarded her. The air was thick with the aftermath of her actions—ruthless, calculated, and precise.
"Akane," Shiro's voice broke the silence, calm but carrying a layer of authority. "You've done well."
Akane's lips curled into a slight smile at his words, but she kept her posture unchanged, awaiting his next words.
He stood slowly, his form imposing as he walked toward her. "Your power... it's extraordinary," he said, his gaze falling to the ground where Lady Bael's shattered household had once stood. "You've dealt with the resistance swiftly, and you've shown no hesitation in bringing the might of my rule to bear. I could not have asked for more."
Akane's smile widened, a hint of pride in her eyes. "It was as you commanded, my lord. Your will was my own."
Shiro paused before her, looking down at the kneeling figure of his servant. "This is only the beginning. There will be more to come. You know what's at stake."
"Yes, my lord," Akane replied without hesitation, her voice low but unwavering. "I will bring them all to their knees, as I did today."
Shiro nodded, his approval evident in the calmness of his words. "Good. You've proven yourself, Akane. You are an irreplaceable part of my domain."
Akane's heart quickened at his words, but she kept her gaze fixed on the ground. "I live to serve you, Shiro."
He turned and walked back to his throne, sitting down with a casual ease. "Rise, Akane. You've earned it."
She stood up, her crimson armor shifting slightly as she straightened.
"Now," Shiro said, his voice steady but with a dangerous undertone, "prepare for the next step. World wide dominion."
"Yes. Mi'lord."