Yrun’Dïr's Last Ruler

What had once been one thin, faint barrier around the castle—its form starting to crack—had suddenly multiplied. There were so many, Yuushin couldn’t even count the exact number, their magical forms dense and thick.

The templar knight tightened their grip on the greatsword, holding the weapon with both hands as she glared at the flying demon, eyes burning with loath and rage.

“Depraved creature! Were you so afraid of accepting Veritux’s Truth, you rescued a failed man from death’s grasp?”

The demon ruler narrowed her eyes, the black armor reflecting the moonlight with dominance and might as she flew mid-air—her wide, black wings flapping in a slow, dangerous pace.

“I saved an innocent soul from your perverted delusions. So tell your Arch Bishop that the thing he sought with his tainted hands will be finally in his grasp. That I, Vel’Skara Kenerys Hes’Terath III, will deliver it to him myself.”

The female demon threw her right hand to the side, nails long and sharp, and as she did—

*riiiiiiip*

A few meters behind the priests and knight, the air ripped. A tear, widening as the seconds passed, glowing with a pulsing violet and white light. And when the demon ruler spoke again, her voice was not cold.

“War.”

It was frigid.

*BOOOM*

With a scream, the tiger knight tried to charge toward the demon, yet before she moved a single step, the same invisible force exploded from the ruler’s hand, sending all Veritux’s members into the open tear.

Yet the second the portal closed, a few Dikarux came flying her way—fire, light, electricity surrounding them as they went for the attack.

She didn’t even blink.

In a heartbeat, there was a long sword in her hand, its blade blacker than the night. All she did was swing it once, purple and black ebony flames pouring from the blade as it consumed the Dikarux creatures until there was not even ashes left.

Holy shit…

As she turned to the young man again, the rigid lines in her expression softened. That lilac gaze landing on him with its own softness and coolness.

“Help me eliminate the remaining paramounts.”

Yuushin blinked a few times, still in awe by that presence. Those powers.

…

No, but…

Does she actually need me here?

Yuushin was about to ask that question out loud when she made a motion with her hand, the man’s weapon flying toward him as if answering a call.

As soon as his fingers closed around the sword—

“Let us be done with this before dawn breaks.”

She was gone.

And though he wanted to start helping her right away…

*fwooooosh*

He was enthralled.

By the beautiful demon ruler flying around the castle, taking down one Dikarux after the other with her magic. Grand ritual circles, black and purple flames, gravitational forces…again and again, the more Yuushin watched, the more he felt his heart racing. His face flushing.

Is there…something wrong with me?

Why can’t I look away?

*SLAP*

He slapped himself on the cheeks, his face growing hot.

“Pull yourself together, Yuushin,” the man whispered under his breath, his eyes finally focusing on the flying creatures.

This battle isn’t over yet.

Not yet.

Though he barely did much, Yuushin did manage to use Soma and his weapon—back to its bo staff form—to jump and reach the Dikarux. And once he landed on one of them, taking them down was easier than he thought it would be.

Using Soma to reinforce the power and impact of his strikes, there was no secret formula he had to follow. It was almost instinctive.

A punch through the chest.

A high kick to the head.

Quick strikes with the staff.

One by one, the Dikarux crumbled and burst, as if made of light and dirt. And soon enough, before the first rays of light broke through the horizon…

The battle was over.

“…”

She locked eyes with him, silent for long seconds before the castle doors opened on their own.

“Come. I will give you the answers you seek.”

And though Yuushin had dozens of questions—

I’m not sure I will like them.

The answers to those questions.

                                                                           ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

“Sepkros Animor. That’s where the Arch Bishop sent you.”

They were in a grand dining hall, with a big chandelier, great paintings and statues, and fancy tapestries.

The female demon wasted no time with the explanations, speaking the second she sat down after arranging some tea.

“A pocket dimension within Yrun’Dïr—a place where time flows differently. Slower, quieter. A minute in Sepkros may be an hour here, sometimes a bit less or a bit more.”

I see…

So that’s why it’s been a month here.

That was why it felt like time was never flowing.

Yuushin remained silent, listening to her words with clenched fists. Trying to keep the silent, cold anger burning within away from his heart.

“Veritux fancies sentencing those they cannot control to Sepkros. A week, a month, a year—they do so, because they know those sentenced never survive more than a couple of days. After witnessing yourself, you must know why that is so.”

Clenching his fists even more, the young man took a deep breath.

Oh, he knew why. Yuushin, more than anyone, understood.

Why no one sent there survived for long.

“Though I have to do this, I really hope you’ll survive—even if he’s certain you won’t.”

Why Jay said what he did. Why he gave Yuushin a weapon.

But now I also understand exactly the man the Arch Bishop is…

“…why did you save me?”

As the question left his lips, the demon froze in place—the teacup about to touch her lips.

If that portal hadn’t opened when it did, if Yuushin had been stuck at that place for much longer…he would’ve died. Of that, he was certain.

And he also knew how she knew that.

“I get it that you wanted help to defend this place, but…”

Why save me?

Those lilac eyes pierced his own, and for a second, it was as if she could tell exactly what Yuushin was thinking. After taking a few sips, she placed the teacup on her lap, her voice poised. Soft.

“Not only am I the last of my kind, I am also Veritux’s greatest enemy. Any living creature who cogitates in standing by my side will receive the same hatred from its Arch Bishops and Cardinals… I believe I mean to say that, all this time, I’ve been fighting alone.”

When her gaze met his once more, there was something else being reflected in their glow. Something that, if Yuushin had to guess, it almost looked like…

Hope.

“After seeing you aid the dragon kin, and witness you survive as long as you did in Sepkros… I thought you could be the first. The first one who not only would be able to help me, but also who wouldn’t be afraid to try.”

Yuushin blinked.

The air leaving his lungs with a blend of incredulity and awe.

Her honesty. Her fight. Her solitude. Yuushin could do nothing but admire them all.

“Why did Veritux kill your kind?”

A smile curled on her lips, one filled with mockery and disgust.

“Why else? Demons are pure, born creatures of Chaos—wielders and masters of wild magic. The kind of magic Veritux will never allow, as long as they believe Order is their only, true salvation.”

“But Chaos is not evil, is it? This Order and Chaos, they are just types of energy. Am I right?”

For a moment, she was taken aback by his words, her eyes widening while the smile disappeared from her face.

“How do you…”

She then shook her head, finishing her tea as she dismissed his words, standing up.

“Regardless, what matters now is how you are Veritux’s enemy now. And just like myself, the Arch Bishop will not stand your existence in this world. He will be relentless, devious, even petty—until we are both gone.”

Even though she had not said the words—even though she hadn’t asked the question itself—Yuushin knew where she was going.

And he already had his answer.

“I want to help you. The war against Veritux, I want to fight by your side.”

The demon ruler held her breath, too many things crossing those lilac eyes for Yuushin to interpret.

“If you kill me like the Arch Bishop asked, you could be forgiven. You could have peace, in this world.”

Peace?

Yuushin had finally found something more precious than peace. Ever since he got transported into this world, he had never been more certain of what he needed to do—what he wanted.

“I did nothing wrong to be forgiven. I don’t think you did, either. And rather than peace, I want to fight for what is right.”

He extended his hand.

“You already know this, but my name is Retsugo Yuushin.”

She blinked a few times, staring at his hand with a blank expression. Then, she extended her own. Her hand warm to the touch.

“Vel’Skara Kenerys Hes’Terath III.”

Yuushin suppressed a laughter. The names here, I swear…

“Can I call you Vel?”

When she nodded, a smile grew on his face. His heart beating with a weird sense of pride and joy.

Finally, after so long…

Within Vel’s dark shadow, within those lilac eyes, Yuushin could see.

Her pride. Her spirit.

I finally have something I want to protect.

Things, he realized, had become precious to him.