The story begins with Nearf standing in the hallway, his mind racing as he ponders how to breach the impenetrable barrier. The fact that even the demon knights couldn’t dismantle it gnawed at him, a problem he couldn't easily shake off.

His right hand gripped the sword tightly, while his gaze shifted to the blackened remnant of his left arm—a stark reminder of the flames that had ravaged it.

After a moment, Nearf left the castle, heading directly toward the still-raging battle. His sudden appearance drew gasps from the witches. Some even lowered their heads in grief, mourning their fallen sister, Evangra.

Nearf’s voice cut through the chaos as he called to the knights, "Soldiers! Have the sorcerers made any progress with the barrier?"

Commander Pol, quick to respond, shouted back, "Sir! The barrier is hiding a treacherous trap. It absorbs any magic that comes close. The sorcerers couldn't get near it, and we’ve already lost one!"

Before Nearf could reply, a dark flame lashed out toward him. He stood firm, unfazed, as Fyona’s protective magic formed a shield around him. He pressed on, "If it drains magic from its enemies, then I’m the best fit to handle this. Commander, let's focus on the enemy forces first. The barrier can wait!"

Commander Pol gave a quick nod, and Nearf raised his sword. "Boys! Let’s kill the damn witches!"

Meanwhile, in the shattered remnants of the eastern castle, Ula and his ten knights moved forward. The aftermath of the battle lay in gruesome heaps of bloodied servants and witches, and Ula was drenched in both his own and his enemies’ blood.

As they entered the castle, Ula paused at the sight before him. Half the structure had crumbled into ruins, reduced to little more than dust and debris. But Ula pressed on, ascending what remained of the stairs to the second floor, where the fierce clash between Zephoria and the twins still raged.

Suddenly, a figure darted toward him—Jasmine, her dress torn and stained with blood, crying out in panic, "The witch is there, kill her!"

The knights tensed, ready to strike. But Ula moved faster. With one swift motion, his sword slashed across Jasmine’s chest.

The knights stood frozen in shock. They watched, wide-eyed, as Jasmine’s form shifted, revealing the twisted body of a witch who crumpled lifelessly to the floor.

Ula glanced at the fallen witch. Yoranios had taught him—illusion magic needed a calm, calculating mind to withstand it. He’d seen through it just in time.

Turning to his men, he smirked. "Almost had me fooled."

The knights gazed at Ula, nodding in a mixture of fear and awe. Ula, feeling a brief tremor of doubt, returned their nod, shaken by the illusion’s brief success in convincing him he had slain a member of the Gyovani family. But he quickly steadied himself. His voice rang out, resolute and commanding, "The witches still remain! Fight on, my lads!"

Meanwhile, in the garden beyond the castle walls, Zephoria struggled to her feet. She staggered toward a fence, seeking cover from the relentless twins. Her face was marred with cuts, and her blood-soaked dress clung to her blistered skin, the damage likely inflicted by the twins’ fire.

Gasping for breath, she crouched behind a small bush, whispering to herself, "They're tougher and stronger than I anticipated, but the plan remains unchanged."

On the other side of the garden, Kunvy and Jasmine huddled behind the last standing tree, trying to regroup amid the chaos. Jasmine lay on the ground, struggling to catch her breath.

"The damn barrier didn’t break!" Kunvy spat, scanning the horizon for any signs of approaching enemies. "Half the castle’s gone! We were wrong. Even the greatest spells, no matter their element, are absorbed by that cursed barrier. Jasmine, any ideas?"

After a few heavy breaths, Jasmine rasped, "We can't break it. Let’s kill that whore first, then we can think."

Kunvy turned toward her sister, her eyes heavy with sorrow. "It’s not our fault, Jasmine."

Jasmine met her gaze, grief mirrored in her own eyes as Kunvy continued. "They surprised us. We knew this could happen, but we couldn’t have imagined the scale of their attack or how many they’d send. Those who died today will be avenged. May their souls rest in peace."

Jasmine nodded, her voice trembling. "There were servants and maids—people who’ve served us for hundreds of years! I don’t want revenge, Kunvy. I want them back alive. Those witches have stolen everything from us. We must save this kingdom, or what’s the meaning of the Gyovani name?"

Kunvy was about to agree when a bolt of lightning struck her in the face. Jasmine gasped, horrified, but before she could react, Kunvy conjured a shield just in time. However, her left eye and face were badly burned.

Kunvy gritted her teeth, stifling a scream as her burned face throbbed in pain. Across the battlefield, Zephoria crouched behind the tree, muttering to herself, "I was sure I hit one of the twins. Even with the shield, that should have hurt. Why isn't she screaming? Did my spell miss?"

Before she could contemplate further, a torrent of water crashed down, sweeping her from her hiding spot. Jasmine, perched in the branches above, shouted, "I found you, little whore!"

Lightning crackled from Jasmine's hands, aimed directly at the flood. But Zephoria, quick to react, conjured a demonic shield that absorbed the lightning and, with an earth spell, opened a massive pit beneath the garden, draining the water in seconds.

Propelling herself toward another tree with wind magic, Zephoria barely had time to react before Kunvy hurled a blazing fireball.

"Şeytan qalxanı!" Zephoria chanted, and a dark shield materialized, absorbing the blow. But in an instant, the shield vanished as Jasmine broke through her illusion spell and appeared behind Zephoria, launching a blast of black flames.

The shield disintegrated, and Zephoria, taken by surprise, reached for her dagger. But Jasmine was faster. She thrust her sword into Zephoria’s neck, the blade sinking in just shallow enough to keep her alive.

In her weakened state, Zephoria was grabbed by the dress, and Jasmine tried to strike again. But with a desperate flick of her hand, Zephoria summoned a gust of wind that hurled Jasmine across the garden.

Kunvy, seizing the moment, unleashed a bolt of lightning. Zephoria managed to raise a light shield in time, but her sluggish movements failed her, and the strike burned the left side of her face.

Kunvy, half her own face burned and her eye barely functioning, grinned wickedly through the pain. "Whore!" she shouted. "Do you like that?"

Zephoria clutched her bleeding neck, thoughts racing. *The wound isn’t deep... but one wrong move and I'm dead.*

Suddenly, her body jolted as Ula’s great sword pierced her left shoulder, the impact sending her to her knees. Ula, his armour drenched in blood, staggered forward, panting. "Damn, I thought that would kill her!"

Zephoria glared at him, fury burning in her eyes as she screamed, "Cəhənnəmin böyük alovları!" A towering inferno erupted from her, engulfing the entire castle and gardens in searing flames.

Amid the fiery chaos, Zephoria, protected by her own barrier, stood gasping for air, her strength nearly gone. She scanned the burning ruins for any survivors, determined to finish the battle.

After what felt like an eternity, Zephoria collapsed to the ground, barely able to move. Slowly, she dragged herself toward the shimmering barrier in the distance. "I have... to save my... sisters... they need me," she whispered through laboured breaths.

With the last of her energy, she chanted, "Azadlığımız." The barrier glowed brighter, responding to her call.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As Zephoria prepared to cross the barrier, fiery chains suddenly ensnared her ankle, yanking her backwards across the scorched earth of the garden, now reduced to a blackened wasteland.

She spun around in disbelief, only to see Jasmine emerging from the flames. Her body was ravaged by fire, skin peeling away to reveal muscle and bone, her teeth exposed in a grotesque grin. "You whore!" Jasmine hissed, her voice thick with malice. "You think you can escape?"

Zephoria’s eyes widened, shocked at the sight of Jasmine, a barely living shadow of herself, still fighting like a defiant warrior. The chains burned into Zephoria’s flesh, searing hot, but she clung desperately to a conjured pillar. "These chains are magic," she sneered. "The barrier will consume them. And while it does, I’ll deal with you, wounded dog!"

Zephoria began to chant a dark incantation, ready to unleash her power, but before she could finish, Jasmine, summoning every ounce of strength she had left, yanked the chain violently. Zephoria was ripped from the pillar and sent sprawling, still gripping it in desperation.

Groaning in agony, Zephoria looked down at her ankle. The chains hadn't disappeared. In shock, she muttered, "That wretched trick! These chains... they’re just iron! No wonder the barrier isn’t absorbing them!"

Jasmine grinned wickedly, continuing to drag Zephoria across the garden, her fury fueling her persistence. Just as Zephoria tried to break free, Kunvy soared through the air, her voice a commanding chant, "Turşu."

A wave of water, shimmering with magical energy, surged forward, dissolving everything in its path. Zephoria, now desperate, watched in horror as the arcane deluge rushed toward her. She panicked, retreating, realizing that victory was slipping from her grasp.

With a fierce resolve, Zephoria stretched out her hand, her expression twisted with rage. *The barrier cannot absorb it all!* she decided. *I’ll absorb it!*

The corrosive water collided with both the barrier and Zephoria, the enchantment greedily absorbing the magic. But it came at a steep price—Zephoria’s body began to dissolve. Her skin melted away, eaten by the magical acid, her face disintegrating as she screamed in agony.

Still, she persisted, her voice barely a whisper as she chanted, "Müqəddəs dalğa."

A radiant surge of light magic erupted from her, striking the twins and the remnants of the castle, obliterating what little was left. The explosion shook the earth, and Zephoria surveyed the ruins, her body barely holding together.

She raised her hand to cast once more, but the pain became unbearable. Her hand fell limp, and she collapsed to the ground, writhing in torment.

Her screams pierced the air, echoing across the desolation as she clutched her melting face. Between her howls, she spat curses like venom. "Cursed WHORES! DOGS! WORMS!"

With a grim resolve, Zephoria limped toward the barrier, every step an agonizing effort. Just as she was about to pass through, a flying dagger—its blade shimmering with an ethereal light—pierced her back, lodging itself deep in her flesh.

Zephoria whirled around, her gaze landing on Ula, standing amidst the ruins of the castle, his body bearing fresh burns from the recent battle. Snarling, she yanked the dagger from her back and flung it aside, her focus now solely on reaching the barrier.

But just as she moved forward, Kunvy emerged from the devastation, her face still scorched and seething with fury. Her voice cut through the air, "Turşu!"

A raging torrent of corrosive water, filled with primal fury, surged toward Zephoria once again. She barely had time to react as the deadly flood closed in. Summoning all her strength, she unleashed a powerful gust of wind, forcing the tide back long enough for her to propel herself through the barrier into the outside.

The barrier quelled the noxious waters, but a few stray drops slipped through, sizzling against Zephoria’s legs. Zephoria hissed in pain, but bit back the scream, forcing herself to stand. She turned, her eyes locking with Kunvy's, who knelt beside the broken form of Jasmine, tending to her sister’s wounds.

Kunvy's gaze was a burning mix of hatred and sorrow, the weight of the suffering Zephoria had caused etched into every movement.

Zephoria’s previous fiery spell, meant to annihilate everything in its path, had been met with an unexpected resistance. Jasmine, with a final act of defiance, had countered it—shielding both Ula and Kunvy from its deadly impact. In doing so, she had absorbed the brunt of the attack, her body ravaged by the flames.

Zephoria, her breath ragged but her spirit unbroken, met Kunvy’s cold stare with fierce defiance. "You’re trapped now, like beasts in a cage! Stay and hope that when this ends, your deaths will be swifter than what awaits you, GYOVANI!"

Her words hung in the air, a challenge and a curse. With a final haughty glance, Zephoria turned and strode away, her injuries slowing her down but not stopping her.

As she limped toward the city, her mind sharpened with purpose. She began channelling healing magic to mend her wounds, her voice a low whisper filled with determination. "Mother... I'm on my way."

Inside the cursed barrier of the eastern castle, Jasmine lay in a deep slumber, her body slowly recovering from the brutal battle. Kunvy worked tirelessly, casting healing spells over the knights, tending to their wounds while her heart simmered with the thought of vengeance.

Noticing the gravity of the situation within the barrier, Ula furrowed his brow and turned to Kunvy. "Lady Kunvy," he began, "is there any spell or method that could free us? Our comrades are in dire need."

Kunvy, maintaining her calm, replied, "There is nothing. We must be patient."

Ula's expression remained puzzled. "Patient for what, my lady?"

Kunvy lifted her gaze to the sky, as though perceiving something invisible to Ula. He followed her line of sight but saw nothing. With a faint, knowing grin, Kunvy explained, "People, Commander Ula. We await our people to come to our rescue."

*Being a demon means being ever-ready to fight and, if necessary, to die for this kingdom. And when one cannot fight, they pray—for its safety, for its peace,* she reflected, her heart steady with conviction.

Though still somewhat confused, Ula bowed respectfully. "My lady Kunvy, I may not fully understand, but I trust you and I have faith that everyone in this kingdom will do their part."

Meanwhile, back in the Renolva kingdom, Yory followed Captain Gon, carrying Azravene’s head in a bag as they approached an outpost near Dyka village, where knights guarded the roads.

Inside the outpost, three wizards played cards while two knights engaged in arm wrestling. The door swung open, and Captain Gon entered with Yory in tow. The room immediately stilled as everyone stood in respect. Captain Gon gave them a nod before turning to the three sorcerers. "Ret, Nes, and Ges! I need you to employ teleportation magic to get me and this esteemed merchant to a knights' post near the borders of the demon kingdom!"

"Give us two minutes, Captain," Ret responded, quickly setting about the task.

The knights in the room couldn’t help but glance at the bloody bag Yory carried, but none dared ask about it.

Captain Gon turned to Yory with a reassuring smile. "I'll take you close to the borders of your kingdom. From there, it’s up to you."

Yory nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, Captain Gon. Your help is invaluable."

"No need to thank me," Captain Gon replied warmly. "You avenged Wav and let his soul find peace. You also saved us from that wicked witch. You've done more than enough, young blood."

Yory nodded, and Captain Gon continued, "I’ve never fully understood how teleportation magic works. Aren't you supposed to be able to teleport anywhere, anytime? Why couldn’t you use it earlier?"

Yory explained, "Captain Gon, teleportation magic relies on a seal inscribed on the ground by you or a comrade, allowing you to teleport to that location. However, if an enemy deploys a barrier to prevent entry or exit, the connection established by the seal is severed, making teleportation impossible."

Captain Gon nodded in understanding, then asked, "Thank you for that clear explanation. But why couldn’t you use the spell to teleport closer to the borders?"

Yory explained, "Every kingdom has a magic to stop unauthorized teleportation in and out, except for those who have permission, like foreign kings and queens. If anyone could teleport freely, it would make spying and smuggling too easy."

Captain Gon nodded solemnly, remarking, "If someone were to wield teleportation magic without the need for seals, bypassing a kingdom's teleportation restrictions, the potential for catastrophe would be immense."

Yory acknowledged this, and Nes spoke up, "Captain, we're ready!"

Captain Gon approached the seal, with Yory trailing behind. The sorcerers began their incantations, and the seal glowed until everything was enveloped in brilliant white light.

When Captain Gon opened his eyes, he was greeted by two knights standing at attention. "Captain Gon! Welcome to our watch post by the borders!"

Yory nodded in acknowledgement, and Captain Gon instructed, "Provide this merchant with the finest horse in your stables!"

One knight hurried off while the other offered chairs to Yory and Captain Gon.

Glancing out the window, Yory asked, "Do you have specific names for this section of the borders? We simply refer to them as the borders of Renolva, the ghoul borders, and any other adjoining kingdom's borders."

Captain Gon nodded. "Yes, our borders are named after the regions they separate, but this border is different."

Yory asked, "What makes it so special?"

Before Captain Gon could answer, the knight returned, breathless, and announced, "Sir, the horse is ready!"

Once outside the outpost, Yory mounted the horse and thanked the knight. "Thank you, this is a fine steed."

The knight nodded respectfully. Captain Gon added, "Take care, friend."

Yory nodded and guided the horse toward the borders while Captain Gon waved him off.

Once Yory was on his way, Captain Gon turned to the knight and instructed, "Go wake the sorcerers. Have them teleport me back to Dyka village."

The knight acknowledged and left, leaving Captain Gon to walk in the crisp night air, gazing toward the woods and the great wall that separated the two kingdoms.

A smile crossed Captain Gon’s lips as he looked at the grounds that had once been a battlefield, where families fought each other in a brutal civil war—a painful reminder of a divided kingdom.

He shifted his gaze to the village near the borders, where the inhabitants slept peacefully, unaware of the bloody history of this land.

Captain Gon’s smile lingered, lost in memories. That war, he thought, *taught me valuable lessons about sheathing a sword and living by a code.*

He envisioned a resilient figure, battered and bloodied yet defiant, clutching a sword with sorrowful eyes that once met his own in a shared understanding.

"You left behind a legacy, my friend," Captain Gon whispered to the memory. "A legacy that earned its place on this land, now known as the Gostave border."

After a moment of quiet reflection, Captain Gon let out a contented sigh, warmed by the memory of hope and peace that now guarded the Gostave border.