Velnova's clone stepped out of the void, his form shimmering as he materialized above the Golden City of El Dorado. The kingdom stretched beneath him, its streets paved with gold, reflecting the afternoon sun. At the heart of the city, a towering castle stood—a fortress of elegance and overwhelming magical power.
And inside?
Leon Cromwell.
The so-called Platinum Devil.
Velnova's clone descended effortlessly, passing through the castle's intricate barriers like they were mere illusions.
"Who dares trespass—?!"
A group of Leon's elite knights rushed in, their auras blazing with magic.
Velnova didn't even bother looking at them.
He simply snapped his fingers.
A ripple of Nothingness spread out, and in an instant—
They were gone.
Not dead. Not erased.
Just… gone.
The doors to the throne room burst open. Leon sat on his throne, his golden hair flowing as he stood, his golden armor gleaming under the chandeliers.
His blue eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?" Leon's voice was cold, calculating.
Velnova's clone smirked. "Oh? You don't recognize me? Damn, and here I thought you were smart. Guess being a Demon Lord doesn't come with a brain upgrade."
Leon's brows twitched.
"You… are not human." His aura flared, golden flames igniting around him. "Not even a monster I recognize. Explain yourself, or—"
"Or what? You'll glare at me? Ooooh, I'm so scared, Lord 'Platinum Devil.'" Velnova waved his tendrils mockingly. "More like Lord 'Discount Veldora.'"
Leon's magic roared, the air distorting under the pressure.
Velnova yawned. "You done with your light show? Or do you want to keep compensating for that lack of personality?"
Leon snapped. He lunged, golden flames roaring from his sword, aiming to cut Velnova in two—
But the blade phased through him, as if slicing through empty air.
Velnova tilted his head. "Was that supposed to hurt?"
Leon gritted his teeth, immediately retreating and preparing another strike, but Velnova was already in front of him, tendrils of Nothingness wrapping around his body in an instant.
The Platinum Devil had no time to react.
Leon was lifted into the air, his limbs locked in unnatural angles.
"So let's talk about all your failures, shall we?" Velnova's voice dripped with amusement. "You abandoned your little—Shizue, remember her? Oh wait, of course you don't. You were too busy playing 'Demon Lord' while she suffered."
Leon gritted his teeth, golden flames trying to burn through the tendrils, but they refused to break.
"Tch… I did what was necessary."
"Necessary?" Velnova let out a mock gasp. "Oh yes, abandoning people is soooo necessary. I totally understand. But, let's see… how's that hunt for your precious Chloe going?"
Leon froze for half a second.
Velnova grinned. "Ahhh, right. You still haven't found her."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a mock whisper. "Wanna know where she is?"
Leon's eyes widened.
"Too bad."
Velnova slammed him into the throne, the impact cracking the entire marble floor beneath.
"Agh—!" Leon coughed out as the pressure crushed his ribs.
Velnova shook his head. "Man, for a Demon Lord, you sure are fragile. I was expecting more. Maybe I should've gone after Guy instead. At least he's entertaining."
Leon gritted his teeth, fury blazing in his eyes. "What… do you WANT?!"
Velnova tilted his head. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe I just enjoy seeing you squirm? Maybe I want to remind you that you're not as in control as you think?"
He leaned in, his tone suddenly chilling. "Or maybe I just want you to remember this moment… for when I take away the one thing you've been chasing all this time."
Leon's breath hitched.
Velnova smirked. "See you around, Platinum Devil."
With a snap of his fingers, the tendrils vanished, and Velnova teleported away, leaving Leon crumbling to the ground, gasping for air.
The throne room was in ruins.
Leon clenched his fists, his golden flames flickering with rage.