"Aria!" Azreal clutched his chest as the pain faded. Hulk, standing nearby, looked concerned.
"My lord, what's wrong?"
Azreal didn't answer. He simply raised his hand, snapped his fingers, and a glowing gate appeared in front of him. Without a word, he stepped in. Hulk followed closely behind.
---
Royal Palace – Azreal's Room
Thick smoke poured out of the room. The smell of something burning hung heavily in the air.
Maids gathered at the entrance, including Nena and Fredrick. Flames licked the air around the doorway, forming a glowing barrier.
"I can't get through," Fredrick said, narrowing his eyes. "The flames… they're acting like a shield. Almost like they're protecting her."
"We can't just stand here," Nena muttered anxiously.
Just then, a small gate opened beside them. Azreal stepped out. The maids immediately bowed as he walked toward the room, eyes locked on the fire.
Fredrick stepped forward. "My lord, you can't enter. The flames—"
"Like I care," Azreal said, brushing past. He pushed his hand into the barrier. It burned him, forcing him back slightly. His eyes glowed.
With a low growl, he forced his way through.
Inside, the room was a sea of pink flames. Aria lay in the center, unconscious, her body surrounded by the glowing fire. Azreal walked toward her, ignoring the pain as the flames licked his skin.
As he reached her, her eyes fluttered open.
"Azreal… you're finally back," she whispered with a faint smile.
"I'm here," he said gently.
She blinked. "Wait... why do I have cat ears?"
Azreal raised an eyebrow. "That's what I was about to ask."
She reached up—and gasped. The pink flames on her head had shaped into glowing cat-like ears.
Then she threw her arms around him. "I was so scared. Don't take so long next time."
Azreal hugged her close. "I'm sorry. I won't."
He carried her, and as they moved, the flames cleared a path for them—responding to Azreal's power. They stepped out into the hallway.
"Prepare another room," Azreal ordered.
The maids scattered to obey.
"Is she alright?" Nena asked, worried.
"She'll be fine," Azreal said. "Can you look after her?"
"Of course."
Fredrick gently took Aria from Azreal's arms and followed Nena toward the new room.
---
Back in the Burnt Room
Azreal stood with Hulk behind him, staring at his blackened hands.
"So this is the power of the God's Mark," Azreal murmured. "Pink flames… flames that can burn even me. Holy flames."
Hulk stepped forward, uneasily. "Isn't this dangerous, my lord? If her flames can harm you, maybe she was sent to destroy you. Isn't that the purpose of the God's Mark? To erase threats?"
Azreal smirked. "You think she'll kill me?"
"I just think it wouldn't hurt to be cautious."
Azreal nodded slowly. "Noted." He turned back to the flames. "Now, let's put this out."
He raised his hand. The flames flared, then slowly extinguished into smoke under his control.
"The God's Mark… it's awakened," Hulk said quietly.
Azreal narrowed his eyes. "It seems so."
---
Hell Archive – Black Library
Orvath adjusted his glasses, staring at the pile of ashes on the table. He carefully poured some into a small container.
"Who would've guessed Y'tharion's Mark could affect hell guards too?" he muttered. "It's more than just a system…"
Suddenly, the ashes cracked—and from within, a jagged black horn formed. Faint red veins pulsed across its surface.
Another container burst open. More ashes rose into the air, forming a ring of spiraling runes shaped like a tail, twisted and thorned.
Orvath's eyes widened.
"They're… connected?"
Then, from the second container, something else emerged: an eerie eye etched with markings. Orvath's breath caught in his throat.
"This… this isn't the final form. There's more. Another piece missing," he whispered, frantically jotting notes. "Where was the mark placed? I can't be sure… only ashes were recovered."
He stared at the runes.
"Just how powerful is Y'tharion?"
---
Chamber of Scarlet Flames
Laisa slowly opened her eyes, groaning softly as she sat up.
"Lady Laisa!" Cassy said cheerfully, rushing over. "You're finally awake."
"My head still hurts," Laisa muttered, removing the towel from her forehead.
Her eyes landed on the beautiful burning flowers near the window. "These… are gorgeous. Who made them?"
"Lord Azreal. He stopped by to check on you. I was surprised they didn't go out. They've been burning since he left."
Laisa smiled. "Of course. That's how his flames are—he always burns bright."
"What did you say?" Cassy asked curiously.
"Nothing!" Laisa quickly got up.
"You shouldn't be moving yet! You've been asleep for two days!"
Laisa froze. "Two days? That means… I haven't showered in two days?!"
"Regrettably, yes."
Laisa screamed, grabbed her robe, and dashed into the bathroom. Cassy giggled to herself.
"It's good to see you've recovered, Lady Laisa."
---
New Room
Azreal walked alongside Hulk, stopping in front of the newly prepared room. Hulk remained outside as Azreal stepped in, shutting the door behind him.
Aria ran to him instantly. "I was so scared!"
He held her gently, and they sat on the bed together.
"I thought I was going to die," she whispered, clinging to him like a child.
"That must've been terrifying," Azreal said softly.
Then, she suddenly sat up and glared at him. "I know what you did!"
Azreal blinked. "What?"
"You called my flames pesky," she huffed, turning away. "I heard you. 'Time to put out this pesky flame.' How could you?! They weren't pesky. They were pretty."
Azreal chuckled. "My bad." He patted her head gently.
She noticed his hand and gasped. "You're hurt!"
"It's nothing. I underestimated your flames."
Tears filled her eyes. "You got burned because of me…"
Azreal smiled. "It's okay. I'll be more careful next time."
She gently blew on his hand to cool it.
"I can control flames now," she said proudly.
"But you still need to learn how to really control them," Azreal replied. "So you won't hurt yourself."
"I tried! But that happened…"
"I'll teach you," Azreal said.
"Really?"
"Of course. But don't play with them when I'm not around, okay?"
"I promise!"
"By the way… what triggered the flames?"
Aria giggled and showed him the mark on her chest. "I thought it was the key to my paradise. So I rubbed it really hard…"
"You're still on about that paradise?"
"Obviously! That's my goal!"
Azreal sighed. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we start training."
Aria smiled brightly. "Okay!"
He gently laid her on the bed, then walked to the window.
"The God's Mark has awakened… again," he murmured. "Our marks resonated. I knew she was in danger."
He glanced back at her, peacefully asleep.
"Is she here to help me… or destroy me?"