Chapter 3

However, in the next instant, Lila's resolve faltered, and the dagger slipped from her trembling hand.

As they reached for the weapon, Rein spoke up with urgency, "You can have Elaya and Serena, but let Lila go!"

"Yes, let Lila go!" Calder chimed in.

In their desperation to save Lila, they were willing to overlook the grand scheme of things.

The elders were beside themselves, trying desperately to intervene. "This is madness! Giving the Demons the Twin Flowers of Chaos is akin to surrendering our very life force into their hands!

"And besides, the Twin Flowers were nurtured by the High King of Heaven himself. They're practically his daughters. How can you just abandon them for someone else?"

Their pleas fell on deaf ears.

Rein faced the Demons' commander squarely. "Give us Lila, and you can take those two. Deal?"

"Agreed, or we'd all go down together."

"Fine, but don't think it's because I fear you. I just need to wrap this up quickly," the Demons' commander said.

Before the elder could interject again, Rein said, "Don't fret. I've got a trick up my sleeve to keep them from unleashing chaos."

Serena and I locked eyes, our brows furrowed in confusion; we were clueless about his plan.

Calder addressed the Demons' commander, saying, "You don't want to haul back a pair of disasters, right? You can hold them down while we handle the rest."

The Demons' commander was only too happy to agree.

Rein approached me, his right hand outstretched, revealing six World Tree staves hovering above his palm.

"Elaya, don't hold this against me. You chose to offer yourself to the Demons."

"And if I hadn't, would you have come to my rescue?"

He remained silent at my challenge.

Calder, holding a World Tree stave, stole a hesitant glance at Serena.

"You two betrayed Lila. So, now, you're getting what you deserve. Enjoy being sacrificial vessels in the Demon World. Who knows, if I'm feeling generous, I may just come to save you."

With those words, a staff carved from the World Tree was driven deep into my sister's ankle, dropping her to her knees.

"Serena!"

A moment later, I coughed up blood and hit the ground hard.

Rein was just as unforgiving with me, driving the first stake straight into my heart.

They strung us up, World Tree staves piercing our limbs, foreheads, and hearts.

They did not stop until we were barely clinging to life.

The elder, heart aching, still had to ask, "Are you sure this will stop them from unleashing chaos?"

"It's made from the World Tree. Their connection's cut, so they can't." That was the reply.

The Demons' commander scoffed and said, "You're harsh with your own wives. Almost admirable, in a demonic way."

"The Twin Blossoms of Ruin deserve nothing less," Rein said.

Blood tears fell from my eyes; my every memory of Rein turned to dust and echoes.

However, even with their research, those two harbored doubts. So, Rein leaned in close and whispered, "This is just to buy time. I swear I'll come to the Demon World to save you."

Calder, unexpectedly tender, wiped the tears from Serena's face. "I'm sorry you're going through this. Wait for me. I'll rescue you, and whatever you do, don't tap into the chaos."

They still believed we would love them blindly, still spinning lies cloaked as love.

However, the pain was too much; I could not even speak to call out their deceit.

In the end, it was over, and Lila was set free.

Lila dove into Rein's arms, her sobs coming in ragged gasps. "Mentor Rein...I was so scared. I thought I'd never see you again."

Calder gently caressed the angry red marks on her neck. "Does it hurt, Lila?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll whip up a better healing cream that'll make sure these marks don't last."

While our husbands were busy comforting her, Serena and I were tossed onto a prison cart by the Demons like yesterday's garbage.

As we walked away, Lila called out, "Elaya, Serena, I'm not mad that you tricked me into coming here. I forgive you. I'll look after the mentors for you from now on!"

She must have thought we were goners.

...

Stepping into the Demons' lair, the monsters were drawn to the pure light radiating from Serena and me like moths to a flame.

They were practically drooling, eyes filled with envy.

"Ah, the Twin Flowers of Chaos," one of them said to their leader, admiration in his voice. "You're incredible, sir. Only you could meet the Dark Lord's and Demon King's demands so swiftly. However, before you hand them over...maybe let us have a little fun?"

The Demons' commander chuckled. "Why not? They're destined to be sacrificial offerings anyway. Let's enjoy them while we can."

The flattery flowed like a river.

Serena had passed out, and I was barely hanging on, glaring at them as I whispered fiercely, "How dare you... I am..."

My voice was too faint; they did not even bother to listen.

Some of them had started to cross the line, and just as my clothes were on the brink of being ripped apart, the Dark Lord, Kael, emerged from behind the onlookers.

His eyes narrowed into slits the instant he caught sight of me. "E...Elaya!"

In the very next moment, the Demon King, Raven, burst through the crowd, his voice thundering as he said, "Serena...Serena!"

It was not until Kael's arms wrapped around me that I felt the slightest bit of warmth.

"You...you've finally arrived."