The Demon King's body collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. His blood soaked into the stone beneath, steam rising from his chest where the blade had pierced through.
Cheers erupted around the throne room.
They had done it.
The age of demons… was over.
Rei dropped to her knees, gasping for breath. Her vision blurred from exhaustion. Her muscles screamed. Her fingers were numb around her sword, slick with both demon blood and her own.
"It's over…" she whispered.
She looked up at the lifeless body of the Demon King. Even in death, his eyes were open — one still glowing faintly. And in that final moment, he had muttered only one word before his soul faded.
"Sister…"
That word cut deeper than any wound. Her lips twisted.
'Don't mock me in death,' she thought bitterly. "You never once called me that while alive."
Even so… it was over now. The Demon King was dead. His army destroyed. There was no threat left. No more battles.
She could finally rest.
Finally live a peaceful life… with him.
Her face turned slightly red. She turned her head to glance back at the Hero — the man she had fought besides, bled for, protected. The one she had lov—
Her thoughts shattered.
A sharp pain exploded in her chest.
"Huh…?"
Her eyes widened. She looked down.
A golden sword had pierced straight through her heart.
Blood poured from her chest like a fountain, staining the stones below.
The world froze.
The cheers behind her faded into a silent void.
Her hands trembled as she reached for the blade. She didn't understand. She couldn't breathe. Her vision flickered.
"Heal— I can…"
Her crimson eye flared, desperate to repair the wound.
But before she could react—
THWIP!
An arrow slammed into her left eye.
"AAGHH!!"
She screamed, crumpling forward, hand flying to her face.
Pain exploded through her head, her magic flaring out wildly. Her vision was spinning. Blood drenched her Armor.
She turned her head slowly—
And saw him.
The one who had driven the sword through her back.
The Hero.
The man she loved.
"W… Why…?" she choked.
She tried to speak, but blood filled her mouth.
Her voice was nothing more than a broken whisper.
"Why did you…?"
His face showed no hesitation. No sadness. Just cold eyes staring down at her.
Three more figures stepped out from behind him. She recognized all of them instantly.
Her party.
Her friends.
The Saintess. The Mage. The Archer.
"You're really asking us why?" the Saintess sneered. "Don't play innocent."
Her voice was venom. Nothing like the sweet, gentle tone Rei remembered.
"You're a demon. Was it all a scheme to kill the Demon King and take his place yourself?"
Rei's mouth trembled.
"No… I told you. I told all of you—I'm half-demon. I never lied."
Her words were raw, desperate.
"You didn't tell me you were his sister," the Hero said flatly.
Rei's body flinched. A chill ran down her spine.
"Because I never considered him my brother!" she screamed.
Blood gushed from her wound again. Her vision was dimming fast. But she forced herself to look him in the eyes.
"I'm not some noble demon. I'm a half-blood bastard! I told you everything…!"
The Hero looked away; face twisted in disgust.
"It was surprising, you know?" he said. "That I brought you into my party. A demon. That I trusted you. That I… loved—"
He stopped.
Her heart cracked.
"I get it now," he muttered. "You used that damn charm on me, didn't you?"
He twisted the sword in her chest.
She gasped, coughing more blood.
"You bewitched me."
"That's all it was."
She wanted to scream. Wanted to say no, to tell him he was wrong.
But the words wouldn't come.
Her lips moved, but only blood poured out.
'I told you, didn't I?' a voice echoed in her mind. 'I told you not to trust them.'
The voice echoed in her fading mind, distant yet agonizingly familiar.
If only he were here...
None of this would have happened.
But he was gone…
After all she was the one who told him to 'go away'
Tears rolled down her cheek, mixing with the blood.
"Don't hate us," the Saintess said softly. "Even if you are innocent… we can't let you live. You're too strong. Too dangerous. And you're a demon."
The Mage spoke next.
"And not just any demon. The Demon King's bloodline."
"It's mercy, really," the Archer added.
"Mr. Hero, you don't have to feel sad. You did the right thing."
"Yeah… she deserved it."
"Deserved it…"
Rei's remaining eye trembled. Her hand clenched weakly.
"I gave up everything…"
Her body was going cold.
"Just for this…?"
Hatred, like molten fire, flared in her heart.
She wanted to curse. To drag them all to hell with her. But her strength was gone.
"Damn them…"
Her eye finally closed.
But even in death…
Her crimson magic stirred.