In the bustling streets of Valedrian, Ravena continued her covert support for the downtrodden, her heart warmed by the gratitude of the oppressed. "Oh, Ravena-sama! Your compassion knows no bounds. These so-called 'heroes' pale in comparison to your selflessness," exclaimed an elderly woman, her voice echoing the sentiments of the gathered crowd.

"Thank you all. I cannot fathom why those who were once revered as heroes would forsake their sacred duty bestowed upon them by the gods," Ravena replied solemnly, her gaze steady and resolute. "But I will not waver in my commitment to justice and righteousness. I shall continue to walk the path of a true hero."

Suddenly, the air grew tense as Lyra, the enigmatic scout and infiltrator, appeared before Ravena. "So this is where you've been hiding, Ravena?" she remarked, her tone tinged with disdain.

"What business do you have here, Lyra?" Ravena questioned, her voice firm and unwavering.

"We've been wondering about your recent activities. And to think you've been aiding these insignificant humans," Lyra sneered, her lips curling into a smirk.

"Insignificant? How dare you!" shouted a brave soul from the crowd, challenging Lyra's arrogance.

Ignoring the outcry, Lyra snapped her fingers, summoning two knights to restrain the defiant youth. "Come with me, Ravena, or watch this boy suffer the consequences," she threatened, her eyes glinting with malice.

"Ethan!" Ravena cried out, her heart filled with anguish as she watched the boy being unjustly punished. With a heavy heart, she acquiesced to Lyra's demands. "Release him! I will accompany you," she declared, her resolve unwavering despite the weight of her decision.

As they departed, Lyra's smirk spoke volumes, leaving Ravena with a sinking feeling of powerlessness in the face of her corrupted comrade's tyranny.

Lyra and Ravena stepped into the grand halls of Valedrian Castle, where their former companions awaited them. "I've brought her, Thorne," Lyra announced, her voice tinged with a hint of superiority.

"Come in," came the response from behind the closed doors. As Lyra swung the doors open, the scene inside unfolded dramatically, revealing the corrupted heroes lounging over tea before the doors closed with a resounding thud.

"Ah, Ravena, it's been quite some time. How have you been these past months?" Thorne, their former leader, inquired casually, his gaze piercing.

Ravena swallowed her apprehension and replied, "G-Good."

"Hmm, is that so? It's good to see you finally taking action, instead of merely observing from the sidelines," Thorne remarked, a hint of condescension in his tone.

"Sitting and watching, that's all you've ever done. Frankly, it's been quite irritating and a hindrance to our cause," Sylas interjected, his voice laced with disdain.

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"Irritating? A hindrance?" Ravena repeated, her confusion evident.

"Tskk, you've been a burden since the beginning. Your constant meddling and aiding of those insignificant people have only held us back," Lyra chimed in, her words dripping with contempt.

Ravena's brow furrowed in bewilderment. "But our goal was to defeat the Demon Lord. Why would you seek anything beyond that?" she questioned.

"Defeating the Demon Lord was merely the beginning. We've decided to conquer the entire world, starting with this kingdom," Darius declared, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Isn't it exhilarating?"

"Conquer-- the world? But why?" Ravena asked, her voice trembling with disbelief as she struggled to comprehend their motives.

Thorne extended an offer to Ravena with a persuasive tone. "Ravena, join us in our quest for world domination, and we will welcome you as one of us. We'll grant you anything your heart desires-- wealth, titles, jewelry. It's a generous offer, isn't it?" he proposed, a hint of allure in his words.

Caught between fear and disbelief, Ravena found herself at a crossroads, forced to confront the true nature of her former comrades and the daunting choice laid before her.

"S-So you only see me as an outsider?" Ravena's voice trembled with a mixture of hurt and frustration.

"How many times must we reiterate ourselves!?" Lyra snapped, her patience wearing thin as she reached for a dagger. But before she could act, Thorne intervened.

"Lyra, hold," Thorne's voice was calm yet firm as he restrained his comrade. "She may not be one of us, but she is not to be disposed of lightly."

"But Thorne! She's nothing but a nuisance! We should eliminate her immediately!" Lyra protested, her anger flaring.

Thorne silenced her with a single glance, his expression unwavering. "Enough, Lyra," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.

With a frustrated huff, Lyra begrudgingly acquiesced, her glare fixed upon Ravena as she stormed out of the room through the nearest window, leaving behind a tense silence in her wake.

"Well then, let's get straight to the point, Ravena," Thorne's voice was devoid of emotion as he delivered the harsh verdict. "You are hereby banished and stripped off of all privileges. The reason? Your weakness. Despite being blessed with the gift of an assassin by the gods, you have proven to be nothing but a burden to us all. And to top it off, you rejected my generous offer."

Ravena's legs buckled beneath her as the weight of Thorne's words crushed her spirit, forcing her to kneel in despair. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of her rejection.

Thorne, Darius, and Sylas exchanged mocking glances, their laughter ringing in Ravena's ears like a cruel taunt. The humiliation was unbearable, driving her to flee the castle, her heart heavy with sorrow and shame.