Chapter 20: A Grim Future

Shion kept running, pursuing the mysterious gray-haired figure in front of her. The man wasn't rushing; his pace was calm, as if he was deliberately luring her. "Hey, wait! I said wait!" Shion yelled, her breath heavy.

The man finally stopped in a small clearing. There, a small girl with bright blonde hair, red eyes, and fangs like a vampire was waiting. She wore a black gothic dress.

Shion pointed her lightning-infused sword at both of them. "Who are you? And what are you doing here? This place is dangerous."

The blonde-haired girl gave a faint smile. "Relax. I'm the one who lured you here, Hero Shion from another world."

Shion's eyes narrowed. "How do you know my name? Are you one of the Demon Generals?"

"Don't be ridiculous," the girl replied. "I would never join that weak Demon King and his Generals. In fact, I'm here to warn you." She snapped her fingers. "Before that, let me introduce myself. My name is Loisana, and I'm a vampire. The man over there is Danny. He's a werewolf. But don't underestimate his abilities."

Shion remained suspicious. "Is this introduction enough to make me trust you?"

Suddenly, Loisana snapped her fingers again. The world around them shattered like broken glass. The scene before them completely changed into a burning village, shrouded in black smoke and the stench of fire.

"Where are we? Where did you take me, Loisana?" Shion asked, shocked.

"I brought us to the future," Loisana said calmly. "Exactly 50 years from now."

Danny sniffed the air. "Wow, what a terrible sight. According to my sense of smell, this place has just been attacked by demon troops."

"Demon troops? Why?"

"This is Leonix's future. He has successfully conquered two worlds—yours and this one," Loisana said. "Look."

Shion's gaze shifted to another burning village. There, she witnessed a gruesome scene: Leonix's Demon King army rampaging, slaughtering helpless villagers.

"W-what happened?" Shion muttered, horrified.

"A grim future, isn't it?" Loisana continued. "This happens after the fifth and fourth Demon Generals arrive in Elyzaria and kill Layla and Natalia."

"Why? And… Seraphine? What happened to her? Why isn't she here?"

As if in response to her question, Loisana showed a heartbreaking scene. Seraphine, betrayed by humanity, was crucified and tortured to death. The sight made Shion's heart clench.

"Seraphine's death made Leonix lose control," Loisana explained. "He declared war on humanity and even the Demon King of this world. He successfully took the throne from Demon King Oberon and became the ruler here."

Suddenly, a powerful aura swept through the entire area. Atop a pile of ruins sat a much older Leonix. His eyes glowed a furious red. He held Oberon's head in his right hand.

"Damn you… what are you doing here?" Leonix from the future roared in anger. "Haven't you given up yet?"

Loisana looked panicked. "It's impossible… my magic! I used a mirror world spell! How did he find us?!"

The future Leonix stood up, his aura becoming even more oppressive. "Your magic is too weak. And you're getting on my nerves." With one hand, he shattered the mirror world they were in.

"Leon! What happened to you? Snap out of it!" Shion screamed.

Leonix smirked, his gaze condescending. "Oh, the great Hero has arrived. Are you here to stop me?"

Without waiting for an answer, Leonix held out his hand, ready to begin the fight. The battle between Shion, Loisana, and Danny against the future Demon King Leonix was about to begin.