The road ahead was silent, the atmosphere heavy.
Rael and Lyra moved through the vast, desolate lands.
The **Forbidden Forest** loomed in the distance, its ancient trees stretching toward the sky like dark sentinels.
Rael's expression remained unreadable. But his mind churned with thoughts.
**The voice. The Mysterious Woman. The promise of demon blood.**
Was he truly ready to abandon his humanity?
Lyra walked beside him, watching him carefully.
She had already chosen her path. **If he fell into darkness, she would follow.**
She clenched her fists. **"I will always be with you."**
Before they reached the forest, an unexpected presence appeared.
Three women stood in their way—**elite mages, all S-Rank.**
Their eyes glowed with **appraisal magic**, scanning Rael's power.
And then, they smiled. **"Interesting. You're much more than human, aren't you?"**
One of them stepped forward, a wicked smirk on her lips. **"You should leave that ugly woman behind and come with us. We can give you anything you desire."**
Another woman whispered seductively. **"We can play however you like."**
Lyra **froze.** Then, her **rage exploded.**
**"He's mine!"**
Without hesitation, she **erased them instantly with magic.**
Their bodies turned to dust. The sky itself trembled from the sheer force of her power.
Rael looked at her, mildly amused. **"Unexpected."**
Lyra panted, her face flushed. **"They had no right."**
Rael smirked slightly, but said nothing.
Deep inside, Lyra felt **victorious.**
As they neared the Forbidden Forest, **a shadow flew overhead.**
A **Wind Dragon**, just as powerful as the Fire Dragon Rael had previously slain, descended before them.
Rael **stepped forward, preparing to fight.**
But then—he stopped.
His gaze shifted to Lyra. **"You kill this one. Show me your power."**
Lyra's eyes widened. **He was giving her the challenge.**
Rael had always fought first. **But now, he was acknowledging her.**
Her heart pounded. **"I won't let you down."**
The Wind Dragon roared, unleashing a **hurricane of destruction.**
But Lyra **did not flinch.**
She lifted her hand—**and the winds bent to her will.**
She no longer struggled with magic. She no longer hesitated.
With a single motion, she unleashed a spell—**one beyond human understanding.**
The dragon's body was caught in a spiraling vortex—**ripped apart by the very element it commanded.**
Within seconds, it was gone.
Rael watched. Then, with the faintest nod, he muttered, **"Good."**
Lyra's chest tightened. **That single word meant more than anything.**
She had proven herself to him.
And now, they **were equals.**
With renewed confidence, they turned toward the Forbidden Forest.
**It was time.**