From the crater of destruction, Nero rose.

Smoke curled around his feet as he stepped forward, his red eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. His lips curled into a twisted grin, his sharp fangs glinting under the moonlight.

His slow, mocking laughter echoed through the narrow alley.

"Hahaha… No matter how fast the prey runs, the predator will always catch them."

His gaze flickered to Guinevere, and for a moment, he studied her with mild curiosity.

"An elf?" He cocked his head, his expression one of exaggerated confusion. "What are you doing here with humans, huh?"

But his attention quickly shifted.

The smell.

That familiar scent he would never forget.

His eyes snapped to Artreus.

A moment of silence.

Then, his grin widened.

"Wait… that's right!" Nero's expression twisted into manic excitement. He took a step closer, sniffing the air like a beast sensing blood.

Then—laughter.

A cruel, hysterical laugh.

"Hahahahahaha!"

His red eyes gleamed with unrestrained glee.

"You're Azrael's brat! My little lamb!" He spread his arms wide, as if welcoming a long-lost friend. "Hahaha! You've grown a little!"

Artreus' hands tightened into fists.

"Arthur sent you far away from home a long time ago," Nero continued, tilting his head in mock thought. "Four years, was it?"

He sighed, shaking his head. "I never got to see you again after that."

Then, his expression darkened.

His sharp fangs glinted as he smirked. "And you know what? That pissed me off."

Nero's voice dropped lower, laced with hunger.

"I always wanted to eat you alive… hear you scream in pain. But my master stopped me. Said he had a plan for you."

His tongue flicked over his lips.

"But guess what?" He took another step forward, his shadow stretching toward Artreus.

"My master isn't here now."

The air grew heavy.

A suffocating darkness unraveled around Nero, twisting like an abyss made flesh.

A monstrous aura.

A force so overwhelming it made the very ground tremble beneath them.

"This time…" His red eyes burned with cruel hunger.

"I will eat you, my little lamb."

His fingers twitched with anticipation. "The taste of Azrael's blood… ahhh, it will be delightful!"

His voice rose with twisted glee.

"Hahaha! This is my special day!!"

Artreus felt it like a storm crashing down upon him.

His breath hitched. His instincts screamed.

"What… immense aura…" His heart pounded as he finally understood the gap between them.

He had fought strong enemies before.

But this was different.

This was monstrous.

He swallowed hard but didn't falter.

With a deep breath, he carefully lowered Emma to the ground.

"Sorry, old lady," Artreus muttered. "I have to put you down now. It's too dangerous."

Emma gripped his arm weakly. "Son… no. It's too dangerous! We have to run from that monster!"

Guinevere's violet eyes burned with worry. "Artreus… what are you doing?"

Artreus exhaled slowly.

Then, he turned to them.

"I'm going to hold that monster back while you run."

Silence.

Guinevere's hands tightened into fists.

"No!" she snapped. "You can't fight him alone!"

"We can't run from him, and you know that." Artreus' voice was steady—resolute.

Artreus, standing firm between her and the approaching demon, exhaled deeply. His blue eyes softened for a moment, but the steel in his voice remained.

"Like I said before…" His voice was steady, unwavering.

He turned slightly toward her, his grip tightening around his sword.

"I'm your knight from now on."

A pause.

The wind howled through the streets, carrying the distant screams of Eldoria.

His next words came with absolute conviction.

"My duty is to protect you on our travels until you get home. Remember?"

Guinevere's breath caught.

She did remember.

His words from before. The promise he had made.

And now—he was standing in front of her, willing to die to keep it.

Her lips quivered. She clenched her fists at her sides, fighting the tears threatening to spill.

She wanted to argue. She wanted to stay.

But she knew.

Artreus had already made his decision.

And he would not waver.

Her heart ached, but she forced herself to nod.

"…I remember." Her voice was barely a whisper.

"And your duty…" He placed a hand on her shoulder, "is to save the people around you. You need to protect them now."

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She stared at him, trembling.

"Now go."

Guinevere bit her lip.

Her vision blurred with tears.

"I can't leave you here!"

Artreus' expression hardened.

"Don't think I'm a child, Guinevere."

His voice dropped lower.

"I'm going to snap."

Her breath hitched.

She knew there was no stopping him now.

A single tear slid down her cheek.

Then, she whispered—"Don't die."

She turned away, grabbing Emma's arm.

"Let's go, Sophia!"

Sophia hesitated.

Her legs refused to move.

Her fists clenched at her sides.

"But… what about Artreus?"

Artreus didn't answer.

His eyes were locked on Nero.

A shiver crawled down her spine.

Then—she ran.

Artreus watched as Guinevere, Emma, and Sophia disappeared into the shadows, their hurried footsteps fading with the distance.

Then, he exhaled sharply and turned to face Nero.

He walked forward, slow and steady, his grip tightening around his sword.

Nero chuckled. "Huh? Your little friends abandoned you." His red eyes gleamed with amusement. "You're not going to run away with them?"

He spread his arms mockingly. "What a brave little lamb to come at me."

Artreus didn't flinch.

Instead, his lips curled into a defiant smirk.

"I know you." His voice was steady, his glare unwavering. "You smacked the shit out of me when I was a kid. Mocked me. Thought I was weak."

Nero's grin widened, but Artreus wasn't done.

"But I humiliated you."

The smirk on Nero's face twitched.

"Right in front of your stupid little demon friends—when I broke your arm. And I was just an eight-year-old kid!"

Nero's entire body tensed.

A flash of rage burned through his red eyes.

For a split second, his smirk faltered.

Artreus saw it.

He struck a nerve.

Then—Nero's face twisted with fury.

A burst of dark aura exploded from him, sending cracks through the cobblestone beneath his feet.

"Now that you DARE mention it…" his voice dropped into a low, threatening growl.

His fingers twitched.

His muscles coiled.

Then—he vanished.

Before Artreus could react, Nero was already in front of him.

"I'M GONNA RIP THAT SMIRK OFF YOUR STUPID MOUTH, YOU LITTLE BRAT!!"

Nero's clawed hand shot toward Artreus' stomach, fast as lightning.

But Artreus was ready.

At the last second, he twisted his body and raised his sword.

CLANG!

The impact sent a shockwave through the air, dust kicking up around them.

Artreus gritted his teeth, his arms shaking from the sheer force of Nero's attack.

He pushed off, leaping back to put distance between them.

Nero cracked his neck, grinning again. "You blocked it just in time, huh?" He tilted his head, scanning Artreus with a new level of interest.

"I see now… You're no ordinary child after all. You've been trained by someone all these years."

His grin turned mocking.

"You wanna be like him, don't you? A hero. Just like your brother."

Artreus didn't respond.

But his grip tightened on his sword.

Nero laughed darkly.

"Ahhh, I see it now. You want revenge."

Artreus' expression remained unreadable.

But the fire in his eyes burned brighter.

Nero licked his fangs. "Fine… I'll fking play with you a little."**

His aura pulsed.

A shadow formed in his hands, swirling violently before solidifying into twin daggers of black energy.

Then—he charged.

His movements were blindingly fast.

Artreus braced himself.

Artreus and Nero collided, their blades flashing like streaks of light as they clashed in the distance between them.

CLANG! CLANG!

Artreus blocked Nero's dagger strikes, sparks flying from his sword. He twisted his body, dodging back just in time to evade another slash.

Seizing the moment, Artreus counterattacked!

But Nero grinned, effortlessly deflecting his strike.

"Heh! Not close enough!"

With a sudden burst of speed, Nero twisted his body, spinning his wheel dagger with brutal force.

CLANG!

The impact sent Artreus staggering, his stance breaking.

Before he could recover—a powerful kick struck his chest.

CRASH!

Artreus was sent soaring through the air, smashing through a nearby building.

"Argh…!" He coughed, debris crumbling around him.

As he struggled to stand, his eyes widened.

Inside the living room of the wrecked house, a terrified family huddled together—a man shielding his wife and child.

Their eyes locked onto him, frozen in fear.

Artreus' breath caught. "Run—!"

But before he could warn them, a shadow loomed.

WHAM!

Nero appeared in an instant, slamming Artreus against the wall.

His clawed fingers tightened around Artreus' throat, choking him.

Artreus gasped, his vision blurring from the pressure.

Nero's red eyes flickered to the frightened family.

Their faces were pale. Their bodies trembled.

Nero grinned.

"Heh. You think you can save them?" His voice was a whisper, laced with mockery.

He turned his gaze back to the family, watching them shudder in fear.

Then—the screaming began.

SHNK!

With a single swipe of his wheel daggers, blood splattered across the room.

The screams were cut short.

Artreus' eyes widened in horror.

"NO!!"

The bodies collapsed lifelessly, the warmth draining from them.

The house fell into silence.

Nero let out a deep, satisfied laugh.

"Hahaha… you can't save anyone, little lamb."

His grin widened, revealing his fangs.

"You think disasters stop for you? That humans matter to us? No." He leaned in close. "We demons don't care. They were nothing more than pathetic, worthless lives. Just like you."

Artreus' blood boiled.

His teeth clenched so hard they nearly cracked.

Then—his body trembled.

A spark.

A crackle.

Suddenly, blue lightning surged through Artreus' veins!

His glowing eyes snapped open.

"Bastard—!"

With a surge of raw mana, Artreus grabbed Nero's arm.

ZZZZZT—CRACK!

Lightning coursed through Nero's body, sending shockwaves rippling through his limbs.

Nero's eyes widened in shock.

"Aghhh—!"

CRACK!

His arm snapped once more, the bones shattering.

Nero stumbled back, clutching his broken limb.

His face twisted in rage.

"Why, you little BRAT?!!"

Artreus didn't hesitate.

With a battle cry, he charged forward.

Nero snarled, his aura exploding outward.

He lunged as well.

Just as their blades were about to collide—Nero vanished.

Artreus' eyes widened.

Too late.

Nero reappeared above him, moving at inhuman speed.

WHAM!

He grabbed Artreus mid-air and hurled him upward.

The world spun violently.

Then—a crash.

Artreus smashed through another building, shattering through wood and stone.

BOOM!

The structure collapsed in on itself.

For a moment—silence.

Then—movement.

From the wreckage, two figures shot out.

Artreus and Nero fell from the sky, locked in combat, tumbling downward at high speed.

Wind howled around them.

Blood dripped through the air.

Artreus, bruised and bleeding, gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword.

Nero, smirking, spread his arms wide, his fingers elongating into razor-sharp claws.

His red eyes gleamed with bloodlust.

"Come on, little lamb… fall faster."

As they plummeted toward the ground, Artreus' mind raced.

CRASH!

Artreus slammed into the ground, his body rolling violently across the dirt and shattered stone. His back arched from the impact, his body screaming in pain.

He lay there, his breath ragged. His body bruised. His vision blurred.

Darkness threatened to pull him under.

And then—a voice.

A voice so familiar.

"Artreus… get up."

His fingers twitched.

"Get up!"

His eyes fluttered open.

In the distance, Nero approached, his footsteps slow, deliberate. His laughter echoed through the ruins.

"Wahahaha! I'm impressed." He spread his arms mockingly. "You're still breathing after all the damage you've been through."

He grinned.

"No mere knight could have survived that. You truly are Azrael's brat. Your father would be proud. So would your b*tch mother—the Valkyrie."

Artreus' teeth gritted.

Nero's smile widened, sensing the anger beneath the pain.

"Ah, does that sting?"

His red eyes gleamed with malice.

"Knowing that, even with that special blood of yours, I'm only getting stronger?"

Before Artreus could move, Nero seized him by the hair, lifting him like a ragdoll.

"This feels familiar, doesn't it?" Nero sneered.

He leaned close, his voice a low whisper against Artreus' ear.

"You wanna know what happened to your brother…?"

Artreus froze.

"When he fought my master?"

Nero's breath was hot against his ear.

"Your home—your family—your past? It no longer exists."

A dark chuckle.

"My master wiped him from existence."

Something inside Artreus snapped.

"That's how it is—"

BAM!

Nero didn't finish.

Artreus' fist smashed into his jaw with explosive force.

Nero's body launched across the battlefield, crashing through debris.

Dust swirled in the air.

Artreus dropped to one knee, his breath heavy. His body trembling.

But he smirked.

"How's… that… for a weak punch…?"

Nero slowly stood, wiping blood from his mouth.

Then, his grin twisted into something vicious.

"That's it… Fun time is over."

In a blur, Nero appeared in front of him.

His claws clamped around Artreus' throat, lifting him off the ground.

"You humiliated me one last time. Now… I'm gonna eat you alive."

His jaw stretched open—fangs gleaming.

The end was near.

Until—

BOOM!

A blinding blast of magic erupted from behind.

Nero's body was hurled backward, skidding across the ground.

He quickly stood tall, snarling.

From the distance, a figure emerged.

Her silver hair flowed in the night breeze.

Her violet eyes burned with mana.

Guinevere.

Nero clicked his tongue.

"Tch. I thought you ran away, little elf."

Guinevere raised her hands.

Mana surged through her veins.

The air vibrated—charged with raw power.

Above her, dozens of ethereal swords materialized.

Each blade hummed with radiant blue energy.

Their edges shimmered like crystal.

She flicked her wrist.

The mana swords launched forward—

A divine storm of blades.

Nero's eyes widened.

With lightning reflexes, he dodged, flipping backward.

The blades sliced through stone, carving deep trenches where he had stood.

Nero landed, twisting his wheel dagger, blocking one of the incoming swords.

But Guinevere wasn't done.

She snapped her fingers.

The remaining ethereal swords twisted mid-air—redirecting toward him.

Nero's grin faltered as he dodged again, flipping and weaving between the barrage.

But as she bought time, she ran to Artreus' side.

She dropped down, her hands glowing with healing magic.

"Artreus!"

Artreus' eyes blinked open.

His breathing was labored.

"Princess…?"

His vision was blurry.

"Why did you… come back?"

Tears streamed down Guinevere's cheeks.

Her hands glowed brighter as she healed his wounds.

"Idiot…" her voice trembled.

"You just can't leave me alone… Not this time."

Artreus stared at her, his chest tightening.

He saw her not as a royal. Not as a duty.

But as someone who truly cared.

And maybe…

Just maybe…

He wasn't alone after all.