Volume 1. Chapter 61

The roar of the wind slowly faded, but the tension around them only grew heavier. The Alarayn flower burned bright in Ken’s hand, its fiery light cutting through the darkness, dissolving the last of the black birds that had flown at him. The demon stood across from him, frozen in place, his twisted face contorted with rage, eyes glowing with infernal crimson.

“Pitiful mortal!” the demon bellowed, spreading his smoke-like wings wide. “You dare to challenge me?!”

Ken stood firm, the flower clenched in his hand. His expression was calm, but every muscle in his body was taut. Suddenly, the bushes beside the house rustled, and out slithered long, writhing vines — alive and guided by the demon’s will. They shot toward Lily, wrapping around her legs, waist, and arms.

“Lily!” Ken shouted, but he was too late. The vines gripped her tightly, immobilizing her.

The demon grinned, his voice dripping with mockery.

“Well, hero? How do you like this?” A gleaming, dagger-like blade formed from one of his hands. He pointed it at Lily’s throat. “Give me the flower, or I’ll kill her right here, right now.”

Lily gasped in terror, but even through her fear, her gaze was steady. She stared at Ken, her eyes silently pleading: Don’t give up. Find a way.

Ken clenched his teeth, his voice cutting through the air with force.

“Listen closely, demon! If even a single hair falls from her head, I’ll use this flower to burn everything in this illusion to ashes — including you. You want to test me?”

The demon froze for a moment. His eyes narrowed, rage twisting his face. He could sense Ken wasn’t bluffing. The flower pulsed with heat, its glow fierce enough to scorch the very air.

“You’re bluffing!” the demon snarled — but a flicker of doubt slipped into his voice.

“Go ahead and find out,” Ken shot back, his gaze cold and unwavering.

For a few moments, the demon stood silent, his body trembling with fury. At last, he sneered.

“Fine... I’ll make a deal. Give me the flower, and I’ll let you both go.”

Ken nodded slowly, though his eyes never left the demon’s.

“Agreed. But let Lily go first,” he said.

The demon growled, but with a wave of his hand, the vines released Lily. She collapsed to her knees, then quickly rose, backing away a few steps.

“Now hand over the flower,” the demon demanded, gesturing toward Kiki. “She’ll take it — move it a few meters away from you.”

Ken hesitated for a moment, then offered the flower to Kiki, who was trembling with fear. Slowly, she stepped forward, took the flower from him, and walked a few paces back, holding it at arm’s length.

Then the demon’s laughter split the air — loud, cruel, thunderous. It echoed like a storm, suffocating the last remnants of hope.

“You’re far too annoying, mortal!” he roared. “I’ll admit—you’re dangerous. But I have no reason to keep my word to a worm like you!”

With a flick of his wrist, Lily’s parents — Gilbert and Freya — and Kiki’s parents — Rudolph and Anna — rushed at Ken, grabbing his arms tightly. Two on his left, two on his right — there was no escape.

“What are you doing?! We had a deal! You’ll regret this, I swear!” Ken shouted, struggling, but the demon only sneered.

“Lily,” he purred, his voice a venomous whisper. “Take the dagger from his belt—and pierce his heart. Do it, and I’ll let your parents, your friends… everyone except him… go free.”

Lily froze. Tears filled her eyes, her breath ragged. She looked at her parents, who, as if hypnotized, began pleading with her.

“Lily, please… do it, so he’ll let us go!” Gilbert’s voice trembled.

“Sweetheart, it’s the only way,” Freya whispered, her face twisted with despair.

Rudolph, Anna, Kiki — even little Julie — all begged her, their voices rising into a dreadful chorus, piercing Lily’s heart.

Ken stared at her in horror — and noticed something that made his blood run cold. The bracelet on her wrist… was gone.

“Oh no — when did that happen?” he thought. “During the storm? When the demon threw them out of the house? Maybe when she caught her hand… Lily, please don’t forget this is an illusion…”

“Lily, don’t do it! It’s not real! This is an illusion! You have to remember!” Ken screamed — but his words were lost in the storm of her own thoughts.

“I’m sorry! I don’t know you… but if this is the only way to save them… I’ll do it. I’m sorry!” Lily cried, stepping forward. Her trembling hand reached for the dagger at Ken’s belt. She pulled it free, staring at the blade with horror and determination.

Ken shouted again, but she couldn’t hear him anymore.

“LILY, NO!”

With clenched teeth, she raised the dagger — and drove it into Ken’s chest.

A soft gasp escaped his lips as his body went limp and collapsed forward, face-first into the dirt. Lily dropped the dagger, staggering back, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

The demon’s laughter rang out again, cruel and victorious. Lily, as if in a trance, stumbled backward, moving past the demon and falling to her knees behind him.

The storm ended in heavy silence. Even the wind seemed to fall still, a silent witness to the tragedy that had just unfolded.