---
The sky was no longer calm.
Dark clouds gathered like a heavy blanket above the Demon Realm. Lightning cracked across the sky, not from a storm—but from power. The kind that only came from the heavens. And from war.
From the highest towers of Crimson Hollow, Siya watched the horizon darken. Her heart was steady, but her eyes were sharp with focus. She had been waiting for this moment. Preparing for it. And now, it had begun.
Kael burst into the tower, armor shining, blade at his side.
"They're here. At the border. The divine beasts… they've begun destroying everything in sight."
Siya didn't panic. "Evacuate the villages closest to the cliffs. Take all non-fighters to the under-halls. Send the Iron Fangs to hold the front line until I arrive."
Kael nodded and ran off without another word.
Siya turned once more to the sky.
The gods had truly declared war.
---
At the edges of the Demon Realm, where the land curved into sharp black cliffs and lava rivers, the divine beasts landed like meteors. Creatures made of pure magic and light—giant lions with wings of glass, wolves with fire in their eyes, and serpents that slithered through the clouds.
They roared as they landed, sending shockwaves across the villages. Trees split. Mountains trembled. Demons fled, screaming, holding their children.
From the caves nearby, the Iron Fangs came charging—Siya's elite fighters, fast and fearless. They clashed with the beasts with roars of their own, blades glowing with ancient runes, magic colliding in bursts of light and ash.
But the beasts were powerful. Too powerful.
Until Siya arrived.
---
She didn't need an army when she walked onto the battlefield. She was the army.
The moment her feet touched the stone, the ground pulsed with energy. Her red cloak flew behind her like fire. Her blade, the Moonfang, shimmered with silver light. Her eyes burned—not with hatred, but with a promise.
To protect.
To never let her people fall again.
One of the beasts—a lion with six wings—charged toward her, howling with divine rage. Siya didn't move until the last moment. Then, with a swift motion, she leapt into the air, spinning through flame, and brought her sword down in a perfect arc.
The lion howled as it collapsed, turning into dust and light.
The battlefield fell silent for a breath.
Then chaos returned.
Beast after beast came for her. But Siya didn't retreat. She met them all. Her sword flashed like lightning, her voice roared spells older than time. Around her, her soldiers took courage and pushed forward.
They were not losing. Not today.
---
Meanwhile, in the human realm, Chirag was meeting with secret allies—humans who still believed in balance. Who didn't want war. Who believed the gods had become too cruel.
One of them, a woman named Naira, spoke urgently.
"There are rumors. The gods have attacked the Demon Realm directly. Using their beasts."
Chirag stood still, his jaw tight. "Siya…"
"You need to go to her."
"I can't," he said, though every part of him screamed to run to her. "If I leave now, the humans who support us will be left open to attack. We need someone to stay behind. Someone they trust."
Naira stepped forward. "Then let me lead them. I will hold the ground here. But you—you have to go to her. She gave you everything. If she falls, everything falls."
Chirag looked into the sky. And for the first time in weeks, he let himself feel fear. But he didn't let it stay.
He closed his eyes, summoned his flames, and disappeared in a burst of golden fire.
---
Back in the Demon Realm, Siya had taken down six beasts. Her armor was cracked, her arms bleeding, but she didn't stop. Her warriors fought beside her, every one of them inspired by her strength.
But then… the seventh beast came.
It was unlike the others.
This one was bigger. Stronger. With a body like molten stone and wings that turned the air to fire. Its voice rumbled like thunder as it spoke, "Daughter of the Dark Flame. You must die."
Siya tightened her grip on her blade.
"Then come try."
They clashed with a shockwave that cracked the ground for miles. The fight was brutal. Siya used every bit of her strength, her magic, and her will. But the beast was overwhelming. It knocked her back, pinned her down, ready to strike the final blow.
Then, the sky broke.
A golden flame streaked across the clouds and slammed into the beast, sending it flying. It crashed into the mountains, howling in pain.
Siya opened her eyes in surprise—and saw him.
Chirag.
His clothes torn, his eyes glowing with immortal fire, and his aura like a sun.
"You're late," she said, smiling even through the blood.
"I came as fast as I could."
They stood side by side now. Two flames, united. And around them, the battlefield burned.
Chirag looked at her, voice low. "Let's finish this."
Together, they ran toward the beast.
This time, it didn't stand a chance.
Their combined powers—his immortal flame and her demon magic—were unstoppable. In a final strike, they brought the beast down in a blast so bright, the sky turned gold.
And when the dust settled, the field was quiet.
The divine beasts were gone.
The demons cheered.
But Chirag and Siya knew… this was only the beginning.
If the gods had sent the beasts now, then next… they would come themselves.
---