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00:00Hang in there. She's all I have left from a dear friend. I can't stand by and watch her die.
00:04Plus, this mess, it's on you.
00:06He did not wait for my answer before he made his move.
00:09Rain, are you out of your mind? She's your wife! Stop! For the love of God, stop!
00:15Serena's screams were desperate, but she was powerless to stop him.
00:18Pain wracked my body, and through clenched teeth I said,
00:22Is this really about your friend, or is it about something else?
00:26Rain could not meet my gaze, his hands moving faster.
00:30The demon's commander watched, his laughter booming with satisfaction.
00:37They say Serena's got a life core that can boost someone's power. God of fire.
00:44Calder did not get a word in before my sister blotted out.
00:47I'll give it to you! Anything you want! Just get Rain to back off!
00:52That's not how it works. You Celestings are always preaching about fate.
00:56Well, today's her day of destiny.
01:01Calder moved close to Serena and began to drain her life core.
01:05You crossed a line. Take this as a warning.
01:08He told her, his voice icy.
01:16Moments later, the demon's commander was all smiles.
01:20A lotus that transformed from my tattoo in one hand and a glowing life core in the other,
01:25clearly pleased with himself.
01:36You five are quite the spectacle, unlike anything I've ever come across.
01:40How about a choice? Who gets to live and who dies?
01:43His words cast a shadow over everyone's faces, turning them a shade grimmer.
01:47The elder could no longer hold back and pleaded with urgency.
01:51Please, no. If the twin flowers of chaos perish, it'll unleash chaos itself.
01:55You must consider the fate of the entire world.
01:58The world tree in the sacred mountain, with its twin blossoms joined together,
02:02held the power to obliterate all life and plunge the world into chaos.
02:06Yet without the world tree, life itself would wither and die.
02:10That was the paradox.
02:11They dreaded our power, yet they couldn't survive without it.
02:14As Reen wrestled with the decision, I locked eyes with the demon's commander and rasped.
02:20They've made their choice. Don't you see it?
02:24A million tries would yield the same outcome.
02:27The Dark Lord and the Demon King want us sisters, their sacrificial vessels.
02:31We'll go with you.
02:39Yes, we're ready.
02:42Reen panicked.
02:44Elia, how could you stoop so low and willingly offer yourselves as sacrificial vessels to the Dark Forces?
02:50Have you both lost your minds?
02:55Their concern was short-lived, silenced by Leela sobs.
03:00Mentor Reen, it was my fault for getting caught.
03:04You're trapped because of me.
03:06I should bear the guilt.
03:07She was ready to end her life right there.
03:12However, in the next instant,
03:15Leela's resolve faltered and the daggers slipped from her trembling hand.
03:20As they reached for the weapon, Reen spoke up with urgency.
03:24You can Havilah and Serena, but let Leela go.
03:27Yes, let Leela go.
03:35In their desperation to save Leela, they were willing to overlook the grand scheme of things.
03:42The elders were beside themselves, trying desperately to intervene.
03:46This is madness.
03:48Giving the demons the twin flowers of chaos is akin to surrendering our very life force into their hands.
03:54And besides, the twin flowers were nurtured by the High King of Heaven himself.
03:59They're practically his daughters.
04:02How can you just abandon them for someone else?
04:04Their pleas fell on deaf ears.
04:07Reen faced the demon's commander squarely.
04:10Give us Leia, and you can take those too.
04:12Deal greed, or we'd all go down together.
04:15Fine, but don't think it's because I fear you.
04:18I just need to wrap this up quickly.
04:20Before the Elder could interject again, Reen said,
04:23Don't fret.
04:24I've got a trick up my sleeve to keep them from unleashing chaos.
04:27Serena and I locked eyes, our brows frottled in confusion.
04:29We were clueless about his plan.
04:31Calder addressed the demon's commander, saying,
04:33You don't want to haul back a pair of disasters, right?
04:36You can hold them down while we handle the rest.
04:39The demon's commander was only too happy to agree.
04:43Reen approached me, his right hand outstretched,
04:46revealing six world tree stakes hovering above his palm.
04:49Elia, don't hold this against me.
04:51You chose to offer yourself to the demons.
04:54And if I hadn't, would you have come to my rescue?
04:57He remained silent at my challenge.
05:00Calder, holding a world tree stake, stole a hesitant glance at Serena.
05:04You two betrayed Leela, so now you're getting what you deserve.
05:08Enjoy being sacrificial vessels in the demon world.
05:12Who knows, if I'm feeling generous, I may just come to save you.
05:15With those words, a staff carved from the world tree
05:18was driven deep into my sister's ankle, dropping her to her knees.
05:21Serena!
05:22A moment later, I coughed out, out blood and hit the ground hard.
05:28Reen was just as unforgiving with me,
05:31driving the first stake straight into my heart.
05:38They strung us up.
05:41World tree stabs, piercing our limbs, foreheads and hearts.
05:45They did not stop until we were barely clinging to life.
05:48The elder, heart aching, still had to ask.
05:54Are you sure this will stop them from unlinked chaos?
05:58It's made from the world tree.
06:00Their connections cut, so they can't.
06:03The demon's commander scoffed and said,
06:06You're harsh with your own wives.
06:09Almost admirable, in a Dammak way.
06:12The twin blossoms of ruin deserve nothing less.
06:16Blood tears fell from my eyes.
06:18My every memory of Reen turned to dust and echoes.
06:22However, even with their research,
06:24those two harbored doubts,
06:25so Reen leaned in close and whispered,
06:27This is just to buy time.
06:29I swear I'll come to the demon world to save you.
06:31Calder, unexpectedly tender,
06:33wiped the tears from Serena's face.
06:35I'm sorry you're going through this.
06:37Wait for me.
06:38I'll rescue you,
06:39and whatever you do,
06:39don't tap into the chaos.
06:41They still believed we would love them blindly,
06:44still spinning lies cloaked as love.
06:47I really want to spit in their faces.
06:49However, the pain was too much.
06:51I could not even speak to call out their deceit.
06:55In the end, it was over,
06:57and Leela was set free.
07:00Leela dove into Reen's arms,
07:02her sobs coming in ragged gasps.
07:05Mentorine, I was so scared.
07:07I thought I'd never see you again.
07:10Calder gently crapsed the angry red marks on her neck.
07:13Does it hurt, Leela?
07:15Don't worry about me.
07:16I'll whip up a better healing cream
07:18that'll make sure these marks don't last.
07:24While our husbands were busy comforting her,
07:27Serena and I were tossed onto a prison cart
07:29by the demons like yesterday's garbage.
07:35As we walked away,
07:37Leela called out,
07:38Eliah, Serena,
07:40I'm not mad that you tricked me into coming here.
07:42I forgive you.
07:44I'll look after the mentors for you from now on.
07:57She must have thought we were goners.
07:59Stepping into the demon's lair,
08:01the monsters were drawn to the pure light,
08:04radiating from Reen on me like moths to a flame.
08:10They were practically drooling,
08:12eyes filled with envy.
08:14Ah, the twin flowers of chaos.
08:17One of them said to their leader,
08:18admiration in his voice.
08:19You're incredible, sir.
08:21Only you could meet the Dark Lords
08:22and Demon King's demands so swiftly.
08:25However, before you hand them over,
08:27maybe let us have a little fun.
08:28The demon's commander chuckled.
08:30Why not?
08:31They're destined to be sacrificial offerings anyway.
08:33Let's enjoy them while we ca-
08:35The flattery flowed like a river.
08:38Serena had passed out
08:39and I was barely hanging on,
08:41glaring at them as I whispered fiercely,
08:43How dare you?
08:44I am-
08:47My voice was too faint.
08:49They did not even bother to listen.
08:51Some of them had started to cross the line
08:54and just as my clothes were on the brink
08:56of being ripped apart,
08:57a voice came from behind.
08:59Elia!
09:03Kale emerged from behind the onlookers.
09:06His eyes narrowed into slits
09:09the instant he caught sight of me.
09:12Elia!
09:14In the very next moment,
09:15the Demon King Raven burst through the crowd,
09:18his voice thundering as he said,
09:21Serena!
09:23Serena!
09:26It was not until Kale's arms wrapped around me
09:29that I felt the slightest bit of warmth.
09:30You-
09:32You finally arrived.
09:34Kale's face twisted with rage
09:35upon seeing the state I was in,
09:37his forehead veins popping.
09:39Who's responsible for this?
09:41Who did this?
09:44I-
09:45I gave explicit orders to bring you here
09:49unharmed!
09:50Raven's hand flicked
09:51and three ice beers shot into the thigh
09:54of the Demon's commander.
09:56Had we not shown up when we did,
09:58what exactly were you planning?
10:00You've really got some guts.
10:03The commander and his cronins
10:05all fell to their knees,
10:07quaking with fear.
10:08This-
10:10They're from the Celestial Realm.
10:12He clearly did not grasp
10:13what had set Kale and Raven off,
10:15and he proudly presented the latest
10:17he had violently removed,
10:19along with the Life Corps.
10:20Dark Lord,
10:22take a look at this.
10:23Haven't you always said
10:25that I lay a lettuce flower
10:26beyond comparison?
10:27The moment I seized her,
10:28I took the latest right off her.
10:35And this Life Corps,
10:36the Demon King has been struggling
10:38to advance, hasn't he?
10:40With this Life Corps,
10:41he's bound to succeed.
10:43He was oblivious
10:44to the lethal fury in their eyes.
10:46And what about these injuries
10:48on their limbs?
10:50What's the meaning of those?
10:51Their husbands had unwittingly
10:54played right into our hands,
10:55fearing the chaos that might ensue.
10:57Now, Dark Lord and Demon King,
10:59you can confidently transform
11:01these two women into vessels
11:02for our ritual
11:03without any risk at all.
11:05Raven's patience snapped.
11:10You're courting death.
11:14You're really courting death!
11:17Raven flicked his wrist,
11:19and the spear hurtled
11:20toward the commander.
11:21The commander tried to dodge
11:23on instinct,
11:24but Kiel's aura of death
11:26held him frozen in place.
11:28On closer look,
11:29that same aura
11:30was slowly scorching
11:31the commander's flesh.
11:35I etched that lotus
11:37with such care.
11:38It was our sole bond.
11:40And you's responsible for this!
11:43Who did this?
11:46Birds failed Kale in his fury,
11:48his fists clenched
11:49as the era of death
11:50devoured even more rapidly.
11:51Soon, where the commander had stood
11:52was nothing but ash
11:53scattered to the winds
11:54without a trace.
11:55He turned his gaze
11:56to the other demons,
11:56who all recoiled as if struck.
12:00Then he said,
12:01Let anyone who lusts after them
12:03of the demon world,
12:04let anyone who lusts after them
12:06may end!
12:09Back in the celestial realm,
12:12Rhyne and Calder's deeds
12:13had everyone in shock.
12:15So the sisters,
12:16Elia and Serena,
12:17haven't been saved at all,
12:18but have ended up
12:18in the clutches of the demons.
12:20Listen,
12:21doesn't this mean
12:21we are at the mercy
12:22of the demons?
12:25That's exactly what I've been saying,
12:27what I've been trying
12:28to warn them about.
12:28However,
12:29and the god of fire
12:31wouldn't listen.
12:32However,
12:32the god of water
12:33and the fire
12:33had cut off the sisters
12:34from the world tree tree,
12:36right?
12:36So,
12:37everything should be fine,
12:38right?
12:40Whether it'll work out
12:42is still up in the air.
12:45But what they did
12:46was pretty extreme.
12:49They were interrupted
12:50as two people came over,
12:52helping Leela walk.
12:55A few of the female mages
12:57who were friends
12:57with Serena and Mai
12:58could not look away.
12:59Elia and Serena
13:00fiercely guarded Green Lake,
13:03enduring three long days
13:04and nights
13:04until help came.
13:05However,
13:06they never thought
13:07that when help did come,
13:08they'd be the first to fall.
13:10They had really put their trust
13:12in the wrong people.
13:15I feel so bad for them.
13:17Their husbands left them
13:19to save someone else.
13:20They must have been heartbroken.
13:22Leela caught their stares
13:24and shyly stepped back.
13:25Green gave her
13:26a reassuring pat on the shoulder
13:27and gave the crowd
13:28a frosty look.
13:29Is this how you always
13:30pick on Leela?
13:32The crowd went quiet
13:33for a beat
13:34and then nobody
13:35said another word.
13:37However,
13:38from a corner,
13:39someone spoke up.
13:40She's not being bullied.
13:41She's just playing the damsel.
13:43Like always,
13:44Calden's brow furrowed.
13:46Who said that?
13:48A slight female mage
13:49stepped forward from the group,
13:50nervously twisting her clothes
13:52as if to gather her courage.
13:53I did.
13:54I said no one's bullying her.
14:01Aliyah never sent her
14:02any message
14:03telling her to go
14:03to Green Lake.
14:05We had been awake
14:06for three days
14:07and nights.
14:11Since I'm not much of a fighter,
14:13Aliyah and Serena
14:14kept me safe
14:15between them.
14:16In those three days,
14:18we all fought like hell
14:19to hold the line.
14:22They were too busy
14:23trying to stay alive
14:24sent for Leela.
14:26And how could we know
14:27when the reinforcements
14:28would arrive?
14:29Her words stirred
14:30more whispers
14:31and the glances
14:31thrown at the trio
14:32grew colder.
14:33Reen's frown deepened
14:34as he looked over
14:35at Leela.
14:37Carlton shot back,
14:38saying,
14:39Back at Green Lake,
14:40you kept your silence.
14:42Speaking up now
14:43just reeks of a setup.
14:45I was too scared then.
14:47However,
14:48I can't stand by
14:50and watch them be used
14:51as sacrificial vessels.
14:52The elders first heard
14:53that my sister and I
14:54had been captured
14:55by the demon race
14:56and treated as sacrifice.
14:57They were instantly terrified.
15:00Sacrificial vessels.
15:01They're being turned into
15:03sacrificial vessels
15:04by the demon world.
15:06If they're still linked
15:07to the world tree,
15:08the demons could be
15:08siphoning its life force
15:10forever.
15:10How will the celestial realm
15:12ever recover?
15:15Amidst the seething crowd,
15:17Leela said,
15:19They chose this path
15:20themselves.
15:21You have no right
15:22to accuse
15:23Menator Reen
15:24and Menator Calder.
15:27All right,
15:28we'll leave them
15:28out of this.
15:30Let's focus on you.
15:32We were sorting out potions
15:33and you said
15:34you needed a break.
15:35So how did you end up
15:36at Green Lake?
15:37Leela flustered.
15:41I...
15:42I was on my way
15:43when I got
15:44Aloya's message.
15:46I couldn't get back to you,
15:48so I headed straight there.
15:50Then,
15:50the High King of Heaven's
15:52voice sounded
15:52from behind.
15:54Such a quick-witted response.
15:56The crowd
15:57parroted like the sea.
15:58The High King of Heaven
15:59closed in,
16:00giving Leela
16:01a thorough once-over.
16:02The Mirror of Fate
16:03will sort out
16:05the truth
16:05from the lie.
16:06With a gesture,
16:07the Mirror of Fate
16:08materialized.
16:09The scene played out.
16:17Showing Leela
16:18trailing Royan
16:19and Calder
16:20as they left
16:21the southern gate,
16:22all sneaky-like.
16:25The truth hit everyone
16:27like a thunderclap,
16:28and Leela nearly collapsed,
16:30her legs turning to Jilly.
16:31Mentor Rain!
16:32I was just worried about you.
16:35That was why I followed you.
16:37You've got to believe me.
16:39Green struggled
16:40to clear his head,
16:41his throat tightening
16:42as the image of me,
16:43barely clinging to life,
16:44flashed through his mind.
16:46Calder was in disbelief,
16:47his eyes scanning the scene
16:48again and again.
16:50It was one thing
16:50to follow us,
16:51but why on Earth
16:52would you smear
16:53Leela's and Serena's names?
16:54She lowered her head,
16:56her voice a faint murmur
16:57as she said,
16:58I was scared out of my wits,
17:00and to survive
17:01I had to play this card.
17:02She clutched
17:03at Rain's cloak.
17:04Mentor Rain,
17:04I was really scared,
17:06but I swear
17:06I meant no harm.
17:07Her defense was utterly weak.
17:09Her malice towards me
17:10and my sister
17:11was evident to both the mirror.
17:12A fellow mage
17:13could not bear to watch
17:14and interjected
17:16with a sneer,
17:16saying,
17:17Meant no harm.
17:19What do you consider
17:21harm, then?
17:23Your plotting
17:24is so blatant
17:25it's practically
17:26shown before our eyes
17:28and you still
17:28claim innocence.
17:31It's sickening.
17:32I've been meaning
17:33to ask you,
17:35what's really going on
17:36between you
17:37and the god of water?
17:39Are you his student
17:41or is there something more?
17:43With the question
17:44laid bare for all to see,
17:46Leela felt her cheeks
17:47flush with embarrassment.
17:49What are you implying?
17:50Getting defensive,
17:52are we?
17:53My mistake.
17:54Not the god of water,
17:55then.
17:56Perhaps the god of fire.
17:58It's a simple question.
18:00Do you think
18:00we're all blind?
18:01Near tears,
18:03Leela frantically
18:04took Reen's
18:05reens and
18:05Calden's cloaks.
18:08Please speak up.
18:10They can insult
18:11and me,
18:13but how can they
18:14disrespect you like that?
18:16I don't know.
18:19Reen's brow
18:20crowsed slightly.
18:21Looking at Lea then,
18:22he found her coarse
18:23and utterly vexing.
18:25Her words
18:26seemed to be
18:27in his best interest,
18:28but they were all
18:28self-serving.
18:30Why had he not
18:30seen it before?
18:31Reen pondered that.
18:32Calden was about
18:33to offer an explanation,
18:34but Lea said,
18:35Both of you are married
18:36with Elia and Serena.
18:38How could I ever
18:38veep for their places?
18:40I'm far too humble,
18:41far too unworthy
18:42to compete.
18:43Her smile was tinged
18:44with sorrow,
18:44and she looked
18:45truly forlorn.
18:46Calder could not
18:47shake off the sting
18:48of the words,
18:49no matter how he tried.
18:50He was itching to argue,
18:52but his tongue was tied.
18:54The high king of heaven,
18:55clearly fed up,
18:56massaged his temples.
18:58Your dad was a wizard
18:59of no small talent.
19:00How on earth
19:01did he end up
19:01with a daughter like you?
19:02Well, Leela took off
19:03from the celestial realm
19:04without a word.
19:05So, now she's got
19:06to pay the price,
19:07banished to the mortal world,
19:08to face the beast realm's trials.
19:12Reen, Calder,
19:13it's on you
19:14to bring the sisters back.
19:16And if you bought it,
19:17don't even think about
19:18showing your faces
19:19in the still realm again.
19:20To everyone's surprise,
19:21they took her
19:21without a word of protest.
19:23Not a soul spoke up
19:24for Leela
19:24before the high king
19:25of heaven departed.
19:26A few tossed curses
19:28Laila's way
19:28and scattered.
19:30However,
19:30Leela was not up
19:31for comebacks.
19:32She was rooted to the spot,
19:33the dread of the beast realm
19:34consuming her thoughts.
19:36Tears streamed down
19:37as she shook her head
19:38in denial.
19:39No,
19:39I can't go
19:40to the beast realm.
19:41Please,
19:42someone,
19:43help me!
19:44Beg for me!
19:45You actually want
19:46to send me there,
19:47can you?
19:47The blow hit her hard,
19:49leaving her eyes
19:49wide with terror,
19:51clinging to Reen's
19:51and Calder's sleeves.
19:52She was Bector-esque
19:53grasping at the last
19:54slimmer of light,
19:55grotesque and relentless.
19:57Reen's voice was heavy
19:58with revulsion
19:58as he said,
19:59I'm to blame
20:00for not raising you right.
20:03Poor Leela,
20:04forced to endure
20:05your two-faced acts
20:06day in,
20:07day out.
20:08His words first offered
20:09a sliver of hope,
20:10only to crush her
20:11completely
20:12with the next breath.
20:15Calder leaned in,
20:17pressing her,
20:18as he said,
20:19What else have you
20:20pinned on them?
20:21A tart from today's mess?
20:25That question took them
20:26back to a time
20:27before Leela's chaos.
20:29Re and I were both
20:30into painting,
20:31always side by side
20:33in the valley,
20:33capturing the beauty
20:35of the landscape.
20:37To the onlookers,
20:38we were the picture
20:39per-perfect pair,
20:41like immortals
20:42in their own
20:42little paradise.
20:44Serena and Calder
20:45were always
20:46at each other's throats,
20:47but when push
20:48came to Shevd,
20:49they would step back
20:50for the sake
20:51of the other.
20:51They were even
20:52on the brink
20:53of having a child
20:54together.
20:56However,
20:57Leela's arrival
20:57turned their world
20:58upside down.
20:59When Calder
21:00grinned her,
21:00Leela could barely
21:01get a word out,
21:01her answers meddled
21:02and unclear.
21:03Yet,
21:03the memories
21:04came flooding
21:04back to them.
21:05Reen gripped
21:05a shirt so tight
21:06one would he
21:06wanted to etch
21:07the word regret
21:07right into the fabric.
21:09Calder spun around,
21:10agitated.
21:10Did Elia truly
21:11break the jade
21:12on your birthday?
21:14And what really
21:15happened to my child
21:16with Serena?
21:18He only brought up
21:19two things,
21:20but it was enough
21:21to-
21:21Reen balled his fists
21:22and forced Leela
21:24onto to the magic
21:25tribunal.
21:26His jaw set,
21:27he spat out.
21:28Are you going to jump
21:29or do you need a push?
21:30Mentor,
21:31please,
21:31don't do this to me.
21:32Her plea was cut short
21:33and she was shoved,
21:34her arms the only thing
21:35keeping her from falling.
21:37Her face was ashen
21:38with fear.
21:38Her true,
21:39hideous nature
21:40was then laid bare
21:41for all to see.
21:42Reen called her,
21:43do what you want to me.
21:44L.A. and Serena
21:45will never forgive you,
21:46never.
21:47No sooner had the words
21:48left her her mouth
21:49than she wished
21:49she could take them back.
21:50She tried to scramble upward,
21:52but their boots
21:52pinned her hands down.
21:53I was wrong,
21:55I shouldn't have said that.
21:56Please,
21:57I'm begging you,
21:57let me up,
21:58will you?
21:59I'll be your servant,
22:00a slave to you,
22:01Elia,
22:01and to Serena,
22:02okay?
22:03I just don't want to be
22:04banished to the beast realm.
22:05Her begging was in vain.
22:07Reen pressed down harder,
22:08squatting slowly
22:09as he said,
22:10Begging me won't help you.
22:12The High King of Heaven
22:13has spoken.
22:14You think you can run
22:15from that?
22:16But I'm your student!
22:18You promised my father
22:19you'd look after me.
22:21Reen looked down,
22:21a cryptic smile
22:22playing on his lips.
22:24Okay.
22:24Calden's brow creased,
22:25ready to protest,
22:26but Reen's stern
22:28silenced him
22:29before he could utter a word.
22:32Leela's breath
22:33hit with relief,
22:34tears streaming down her face.
22:36I knew it.
22:36I knew you wouldn't
22:37abandon me.
22:39I've learned my lesson.
22:40I swear I'll change.
22:43Reen waved his hand,
22:45magically lifting her up.
22:48Leela,
22:49driven by habit,
22:50lunged for his embrace,
22:52seeking solace.
22:53However,
22:54before she could reach him,
22:55a sharp pain
22:56shot through her arms,
22:57and then,
22:58numbness.
22:59Her legs gave out next,
23:00and she crumpled to the floor,
23:02limp as a rag doll,
23:04twisted in an eerie heap.
23:05Shock crypt her,
23:07her momentary calm shattered.
23:09Mentor Reen!
23:10You've lost the right
23:11to call me that.
23:12In the next instant,
23:14she was cast aside
23:14like a torn scrap of cloth,
23:16tossed from the magic tribune,
23:18her face ashen,
23:19consumed by fear and regret,
23:23banished to the beast realm.
23:25She would be deemed
23:25after days of healing.
23:27Serena and I
23:28finally felt help better
23:29once we removed
23:30the World Tree staffs.
23:32Kale,
23:32eager to hasten my recovery,
23:34ventured daily
23:35into the forbidden reaches
23:36of the Celestial Realm,
23:38harvesting the World Tree's fruit.
23:40His effort paid off.
23:42We were mending swiftly.
23:46Eliya,
23:46there's something
23:47I haven't untold you.
23:48Kale said,
23:49his voice heavy,
23:50a frown clouding his features.
23:52What's going on?
23:53He grimaced.
23:55Reen and Calder
23:56stormed the demon world
23:57a few days back.
23:58They were outnumbered,
23:59and I captured them.
24:01They're in the dungeon now.
24:02I was caught off guard.
24:04I had not even
24:05sought them out
24:06for a reckoning yet,
24:07and there they were,
24:08practically knocking on my door.
24:10The thought amused me.
24:12Serena's already there.
24:13I'm not sure if she's...
24:14Maybe she's softened.
24:15I didn't want to tell you
24:16at first,
24:17but I couldn't keep it
24:18a secret forever,
24:18so I figured
24:19I should just come out with it.
24:20However,
24:21let me say it again.
24:22Going with him
24:23won't end well for you.
24:25We're meant to be together.
24:28Can you give me a chance?
24:30His eyes pleaded with me,
24:32filled with a sense of betrayal,
24:34as if I had...
24:35We had known each other
24:37for more to two millenniums.
24:44Back when he was still human,
24:46before the world tree
24:47was known to the world,
24:49Serena and I thought
24:50we were spirits of the flowers.
24:52That was when our paths crossed.
24:55I took in Kale, a beggar,
24:57and brought him to the world tree.
24:59Around the same time,
25:01Serena rescued an injured fox
25:03named Raven.
25:07The four of us
25:08lived together for ten years.
25:13However, in the eleventh year,
25:15Kale vanished without a trace,
25:17and despite our desperate search,
25:19he was nowhere to be found.
25:21We later discovered
25:22he had been sacrificed
25:23by a man claiming
25:24to be a celestial sage.
25:26Before we could seek vengeance,
25:29the world tree was exposed,
25:31and my sister and I
25:33were captured
25:34by the celestial realm.
25:36While Raven was cast out
25:37from Sacred Mountain,
25:38we lost all contact then.
25:41A manenium passed
25:42before we saw each other again.
25:45Kale had become the Dark Lord,
25:47and Raven had become
25:48the Demon King.
25:50Together,
25:50they had the celestial realm
25:52on the run.
25:52By then,
25:54Serena and I
25:54had married Ren and Kulta.
25:56With our loyalties divided,
25:58we seldom met,
25:59keeping our old fondness
26:01buried deep inside.
26:03I reached out,
26:04and he leaned in close.
26:07Don't worry,
26:08we won't be parted again,
26:10and I won't go easy on them.
26:18In the dungeon,
26:19I found Serena,
26:20and to my surprise,
26:21Raven was with her.
26:22Reen spotted me,
26:23scrambled to his feet,
26:24and banged on the magical barrier,
26:26calling out,
26:27Elyia!
26:27Elyia!
26:28You've finally come to see me!
26:30Kaldin's voice
26:31echoed across the room.
26:32Elyia,
26:33please talk some sense
26:34into Serena.
26:35She's actually considering
26:37staying in this
26:38demon-infested place
26:40and divorcing me?
26:41Did she take a blow
26:43to the head or something?
26:44I could not help
26:45but chuckle at his words.
26:47He would rather chalk it up
26:48to an injury
26:49than face the fact
26:50that we just did not
26:51love them anymore.
26:52His confidence was unshaken,
26:54as always.
26:55Serena passed me
26:56the stamped divorce papers.
26:57It's all set.
26:58You didn't need to come
26:59all this way
26:59and stoil your eyes
27:00with this mess.
27:01It's fine, Serena.
27:03I'm curious to see
27:04how they'll handle defeat.
27:06Kale carefully
27:07stored the papers.
27:08The dungeon's chill
27:09can be ticking.
27:09Look after yourself.
27:13Reen,
27:13in a fit of anger,
27:14smacked the magical barrier
27:15twice,
27:16the sound booming
27:17through the space.
27:19What's going on
27:20with you two?
27:21Raven flicked his wrist
27:22and a horde of rats
27:24within the barrier
27:25swarmed over the two men.
27:27Biting and clawing,
27:28he watched them squirm
27:29and dodge
27:30with a surge
27:31of satisfaction.
27:33Betrayal.
27:34If we hadn't been torn apart
27:36in the first place,
27:37you'd think you'd be
27:38in the picture at all.
27:40Reen and Calden
27:41were clueless.
27:42Raven laid out
27:42the entire backstory
27:43for them.
27:44His voice was laced
27:45with fury,
27:46as he said.
27:46If it weren't for that
27:47solevial sage,
27:49if it weren't for
27:49your celestial realm
27:50meddling,
27:51the four of us
27:52would never have been
27:53separated for millennia!
27:54Serena and Aya
27:55loved you once,
27:56truly,
27:57and we respected
27:58their choices.
27:59However,
28:00what did you do
28:01in return?
28:02Reen's head dropped,
28:03but he quickly
28:04looked up again.
28:05Elia,
28:06we've come to understand
28:08Lila's past actions,
28:09and we're deeply sorry.
28:11Initially,
28:12I was motivated
28:13by friendship.
28:14I raised my hand,
28:15cutting him off
28:16mid-sentence.
28:17I had no interest
28:18in his excuses.
28:19As Calder turned
28:20to Serena,
28:20attempting to explain
28:21himself,
28:22a spell snapped
28:23his mouth shut.
28:27Serena let out
28:28a derorious snort.
28:30You're bringing
28:30this up now.
28:31Isn't it a bit
28:32too late?
28:33Back when you
28:34tore out
28:35Eli's lotus
28:36and drained
28:37my life core.
28:39Where was
28:40your compassion then?
28:41We had over
28:42a thousand years
28:43of love between us,
28:45and yet you struck
28:46without hesitation.
28:47Reen was filled
28:48with remorse,
28:49tears streaming
28:50down his face.
28:51We were blinded
28:52by Lila's deceit.
28:53She's paid
28:53for her crime,
28:54leaping to her doom
28:55from the magic tribunal,
28:56reduced to less than human.
28:57We've avenged you.
28:58Won't you give us
28:59another chance?
29:00Serena and I
29:01locked eyes,
29:02both of us
29:02letting out an icy
29:03huff of de Dane.
29:04I was about to walk
29:05away when Calder,
29:06finally free from
29:07the enchantment,
29:07broke through
29:08the magical barrier
29:09with a forceful palm
29:10and roared.
29:11You were with him
29:12all along,
29:13weren't you,
29:13Serena?
29:15Did you conspire
29:16with him
29:17to make a fool
29:18of me,
29:19to disgrace
29:20the celestial realm?
29:21Serena said nothing.
29:25With a swift motion,
29:26she whipped out
29:27the crimson whip,
29:29coiling it tightly
29:30around Calden's throat.
29:31Inspire.
29:34If we had,
29:35would we have
29:36battled at Green Lake
29:37for three days
29:38and nights?
29:40And as for our
29:41previous life,
29:42she left the sentence
29:44hanging,
29:45but I understood
29:46it all too well.
29:47Our previous life
29:48suffering was their
29:49doom.
29:49They wanted us
29:50to forgive them.
29:51Impossible.