The echo of Ryder’s words still resonated in Biel’s mind as the group moved through the city's deserted streets. The plan was clear: they had to cross Retel using the underground conduits, a network of forgotten passageways that stretched like a spiderweb beneath the chaos of the surface. It was the only safe way to reach the central plaza without being detected by the guards patrolling in Queen Yael’s name.
"Perfect, we'll go that way," Biel had declared with determination, sealing the group's fate.
As they neared the entrance to the conduits, the tension became almost suffocating. Raizel, who had remained in a deathly silence, clenched her fists so hard her knuckles were white. Her eyes, usually serene and deep, now reflected a storm of resolve and fear. No one dared to say anything, but everyone felt the weight of her anguish.
Just as they were about to reach the underground access, the echo of hurried footsteps and the glare of torches stopped them in their tracks. A squad of guards appeared, blocking the way with weapons drawn and faces hardened by authority. The leader of the group stepped forward and shouted in a thundering voice:
"Halt! You are under arrest for treason against the crown."
The group exchanged quick glances, tensing their muscles for the fight. However, before anyone could attack, an imposing figure emerged from among the soldiers. His black armor absorbed the torchlight, and his bearing was that of a predator stalking its prey. It was Rizeler, the Second Guardian, whose mere presence emanated a pressure that made common soldiers turn pale.
His eyes locked onto Raizel, and for a brief moment, an expression of pure incredulity crossed his face.
"Sister..." Rizeler murmured, his voice heavy with reproach. "How is it possible that you are a traitor?"
Raizel recoiled a step, as if her brother's words were a physical blow. Her face turned pale, and her lips trembled as she tried to articulate a response.
"No... I haven't betrayed anyone," she managed to say, but her voice lacked its usual strength.
Rizeler frowned, stepping heavily toward her.
"You are conspiring with the human who murdered Remus in cold blood," he said, pointing at Biel with evident contempt. "That is unforgivable and goes against our Queen Yael. That is treason, sister, and you well know the punishment. Biel carries within him the essence of what our Lady Yael hates most in this world. I will not allow you to keep breathing. You shall be executed right here! Guards, attack!"
The soldiers advanced with determination. Raizel, though still affected, drew herself up with new strength while Biel and the others formed a line of defense. The shadows of the conduits seemed to wait to envelop them, but the light was about to explode.
Raizel unfurled her angel wings, and a dazzling clarity illuminated the alley. A sword of light manifested in her hand, filling the air with divine and pure energy. Her figure stood majestic now, her eyes shining with unshakeable determination. Without looking back, she addressed Biel:
"Biel, go on. I will take care of my brother."
Rizeler let out a mocking laugh, confident in his superiority.
"Hahaha! Sister, do you truly believe you can stop me? You couldn't beat me even in your dreams."
Raizel looked at him without wavering, her expression a mix of sadness and duty.
"We'll see about that, Rizeler. If I must face you to protect them, I will do so without hesitation."
"Fine, as you wish, sister. Regardless, today you shall fall... along with all those who dare to follow you."
Biel, slowly moving away toward the conduit entrance, looked back at Raizel one last time and shouted with all his might:
"Raizel, don't die!"
Hearing that cry full of concern, Raizel felt a slight blush creep up her cheeks. She quickly looked away, muttering to herself:
"Idiot..."
Rizeler, noticing that Biel was gaining distance, raised his dark sword and gave a sharp order to the soldiers surrounding him:
"You lot, go after the human! Now!"
"Yes, sir!" the guards replied in unison, lunging in pursuit of Biel.
But before they could take even a couple of steps, Raizel threw herself in their way with blinding speed. Her wings glowed with divine intensity as she spread her arms, completely blocking the squad's advance.
"I shall be your opponent," she declared, her voice echoing in the alley like thunder.
Concentrating her energy into the blade of her weapon, Raizel uttered a high-level spell:
"Celestial Light!"
A beam of pure energy erupted from her sword, illuminating the area as if the sun itself had descended to the earth. The burst of power struck the soldiers head-on; they collapsed to the ground unconscious, unable to withstand the magnitude of the spiritual strike. Rizeler watched the scene with a sardonic smile, showing not the slightest hint of concern for his men.
"Vaya, vaya, sister. I see you've grown a bit stronger..." he commented mockingly. "But that won't be enough against me. First, I'll finish you, and then I'll personally go after that monster you call Biel."
Raizel grit her teeth and adopted a tight combat stance. The air between the two siblings grew dense, almost solid. Shadows danced around them, as if fate itself awaited the outcome of that fratricidal duel.
Meanwhile, Biel had managed to advance considerably through the underground conduits. However, the echoes of the battle between the angels continued to resonate against the stone walls. The thundering crashes and vibrations reached even the deepest corners of his route, reminding him that the power of both combatants was overflowing the limits of the place.
"Those two are fighting an intense battle..." Biel murmured, stopping for a second to look back with a heavy heart. "I hope Raizel makes it out of this unharmed."
Ryder, who walked beside him alert to any mental presence, placed a hand on his shoulder to try and calm him.
"She’ll be fine," he said with quiet confidence. "She belongs to the race of angels, one of the most powerful that exists. They say their strength is almost comparable to the gods themselves. Raizel is much stronger than you imagine."
Ryder’s words managed to soothe Biel, though only partially. He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for leaving her behind to face her own brother for his sake. Charlotte, who had been observing Biel’s behavior in silence, could no longer contain herself. With a mischievous smile, she approached him.
"Brother... are you by any chance in love with that angel?" she asked teasingly.
Biel startled, nearly tripping over a stone in the path, and looked at her with a scowl.
"Don't talk nonsense, Charlotte!" he shot back immediately, trying to sound firm, though the faint blush on his face betrayed him completely. "She’s just someone important to me. I saved her, and she decided to help me reach the Goddess. That’s all there is to it."
Charlotte crossed her arms, watching him with an expression that mixed mockery with genuine curiosity.
"Just that? Hm... It doesn't sound like something quite that simple, little brother. But if you say so..." she added playfully. Deep down, she felt comforted to see that, after everything Biel had gone through, he was still capable of caring so deeply for someone else.
Biel looked away, trying to focus on the path. Though he wouldn't admit it out loud, Charlotte’s words had left him pensive. Raizel was much more than a mere ally to him; she had become a fundamental piece in the short time they had shared this journey.
As the group continued moving through the dark conduits, the echo of the battle's roar gradually diminished, but the weight of uncertainty remained in Biel’s heart. Finally, Biel, Charlotte, and Ryder emerged from the conduits. Their bodies were covered in dust and exhaustion was etched on their faces, but the sight that unfolded before them restored some of their energy: the plaza was only a few steps away. Ryder, ever alert, was the first to analyze the surroundings.
"There’s the plaza," he said, pointing with contained enthusiasm. "It’s just a matter of crossing it. Although... I don't see a single soldier around here. That is very strange."
Biel frowned, sharing his companion's suspicion.
"It reeks of a trap," he replied seriously, "but we have no choice. We must take the risk if we want to reach the portal."
With determination, the group advanced toward the open space, keeping their guard high. Every step was accompanied by the echo of their own footsteps on the deserted streets. The tension in the air was almost suffocating, but none of them turned back. Upon reaching the center of the plaza, they came across a glowing, majestic portal pulsing with vibrant energy.
"Well, we made it," Biel said with a sigh of relief. His eyes fixed on the light of the portal, and his expression turned implacable. "It’s time to face the Goddess and clear all this up. I will demand that she let me return to the earthly world."
He paused and looked at his companions firmly.
"That is what we will do. We will return to the earthly world together: Charlotte, Ryder, and Raizel too. She is coming with us."
Charlotte, who had remained silent, couldn't help but let out a giggle. With a mischievous smile, she approached her brother.
"Vaya, brother. That angel definitely has you in love."
Biel blushed instantly and looked at his sister with a mix of frustration and embarrassment.
"Sister, why are you like this?" he protested, trying to regain his dignity. "I was giving a motivational speech and you had to interrupt me with that."
Charlotte shrugged, keeping her playful expression. "Brother, you know how I am."
Ryder observed the scene with a slight smile, but soon shifted his attention back to the objective. "I’m sorry to interrupt the family moment, but we must move. If this is a trap, we can't let our guard down for a single second."
Biel nodded, regaining his seriousness. He looked at the portal once more, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. With a final glance at his companions, he stepped into the light, ready for whatever lay ahead.
Upon crossing, Biel, Charlotte, and Ryder felt the energy envelop and transport them. When their feet touched solid ground, they found themselves in an immense hall, decorated with golden columns and stained-glass windows that filtered multicolored lights. In the center, a majestic throne rose upon a raised platform.
Seated on the throne was a man of imposing presence, while standing beside him was Queen Yael. Biel and his companions immediately noticed the vacant and absent expression on the Queen's face. Before they could react, a voice echoed loudly against the walls of the hall:
"More respect before the new monarch of this place!"
From the shadows emerged guards who had remained hidden, surrounding the group with weapons ready to strike. Ryder watched the scene in disbelief, fixing his gaze on the man now occupying the throne.
"New monarch? But the Queen is here..." Ryder murmured, trying to process the scene.
It was in that instant that reality hit him: Yael was not sitting on the throne; she stood to one side with a lost gaze, like a mere servant. The one occupying the royal seat was Maelista, who smiled with boundless arrogance as he noticed the group's confusion.
"What does this mean? Why are you sitting on that throne?" Ryder demanded, his voice thick with indignation.
Maelista leaned forward, savoring the moment of power he had created. "Is it not obvious? I am the new monarch. The Queen handed me her crown, and now she is but my servant."
Ryder clenched his fists, unable to contain his rage at such blasphemy. "I don't believe our Queen would surrender her sovereignty so easily! Tell me, what have you truly done to her?"
Maelista let out a laugh that rang through the hall. "I did nothing to her. She decided to step down herself. She said she was tired of all of you and no longer wished to be your Queen. Therefore, of her own free will, she ceded command to me."
"That is a lie!" Ryder shook his head, his voice trembling with anger.
Biel, who had remained in a tense silence, felt a familiar voice resonate deep within his mind. It was Monsfil, whose presence in his subconscious spoke with icy clarity.
"She is being controlled by him..." Monsfil warned with extreme gravity.
Biel looked up and locked his eyes on Maelista. "You are manipulating her, Maelista. You are using dark magic to subdue the Queen's will."
Maelista startled for a second, surprised by the young man's sharp insight, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled with malice.
"I see... so the power of the Demon King you carry allows you to see through my veils. Vaya, it seems you will be a problem for my plans after all."
The traitor stood up and began to slowly descend the steps of the dais toward the group.
"It is true, I am controlling the Queen. More than five years ago, while investigating the area where the human who attacked this place so long ago died, I found a residual energy. It was the pure essence of the Demon Kings. I took a sample to study it, and after two years of experiments, I learned to channel it. With it, I gained the ability to subjugate others, just as the Demon Kings controlled that human in the past."
Maelista continued his tale with a sickening satisfaction.
"From that moment on, a voice in my head urged me to destroy everything; to raze this plane to release the Supreme Being. That was when I devised the plan to seize both the spiritual plane and the human world. Everything was going perfectly until you appeared, miserable human. When the Queen saw you had died in battle, she decided it was time to end the punishment toward your race and the demons. Seeing how you used the Demon King's power to protect instead of causing chaos, her heart softened, and she wanted to forgive you all."
Maelista stopped in front of the group, his gaze fixed on Biel.
"Your arrival forced me to accelerate my moves. I controlled the four Guardians and sent Remus specifically to eliminate you. Though I failed to kill you, that battle gave me the perfect opportunity: when Yael saw you murder Remus, she lowered her emotional guard. That was the exact moment I subdued her. Now, finally, I can seize everything and be the absolute monarch of the universe."
Maelista let out a malignant laugh that chilled the blood of everyone present.
"I owe you a thank you, dear Biel. But now you will die a second time right here, and this time you will make sure never to return to your world. Hahahaha!"
Biel clenched his fists, and his eyes shone with a burning determination that seemed to sear through the darkness of the hall.
"Then I’ll have to defeat you. I will save the Queen, and I will find—no matter the cost—a way back home."
The air in the hall grew heavy and electric. The tension reached its peak. The final battle for the fate of both worlds was about to begin.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObP23bAGpc
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