Flames raged across the ruined field, smoke coiling into the crimson sky like serpents rising to the heavens. The ground was shattered and scorched, stained with the blood of countless fallen monsters. At the heart of the battlefield stood the four heroes — the last hope of humanity — facing the one who threatened all life.
She stood tall, proud, wickedly beautiful.
The Demon Lord Vel'Serra, a goddess of destruction in black and red armor, her silver horns curling upward, her six black wings spread like blades across the sky. Her eyes burned violet, her smile dripped with contempt.
The heroes stood ready.
"Now or never!" shouted Lyra, the spellcaster, her crimson staff glowing with magical runes. Her long pink hair flowed wildly in the hot wind, and her eyes were lit with raw power.
Beside her was Kael, the gunslinger — calm, collected, coat fluttering behind him. He spun his twin magic-infused revolvers with deadly grace. "Keep her still for five seconds. That's all I need."
On the other side was Raina, the sword mage, fierce and fast, her curved blade shining with enchantments. "Five seconds is a lifetime. Just don't blink."
And behind them, silent and tense, stood Elian — the healer. Silver-haired, calm eyes, hands glowing faintly with green light. His role was simple. Heal. Support. Restore.
But no one ever thanked him.
"Come," Vel'Serra purred, her wings rising. "Let's dance."
With a flash, she vanished.
Lyra slammed her staff to the ground. "Flame Pillar!"
A geyser of fire erupted from beneath Vel'Serra, trapping her mid-air in searing flames.
Kael's eyes sharpened. "Perfect."
He fired—magic bullets infused with time-slowing runes and holy burn spells.
Vel'Serra laughed. "Cute."
With a flick, her wings flared, and the bullets turned to dust.
Raina shot forward like lightning. "Piercing Bloom!"
Her blade split into three energy arcs, slicing toward Vel'Serra. The Demon Lord caught one with her bare hand, spun, and kicked Raina straight through a mountain wall.
"Elian!" Lyra shouted, already charging another spell.
He raised his hands, a green aura wrapping around Raina's limp form. Bones mended. Muscles re-knit. She gasped and stood again.
The fight surged on — blasts of energy, flying blades, time-bending shots. Magic burned the air. For a moment, it looked like they could win.
Then Vel'Serra's eyes turned pitch black.
"You bore me," she whispered.
She snapped her fingers.
A red sigil appeared above them — massive, ancient, demonic.
"Oblivion Devourer."
A crimson storm exploded from the sky, swallowing everything. Kael's guns shattered. Lyra was flung back screaming, blood pouring from her mouth. Raina was on her knees, shaking.
"Elian!" Lyra cried. "Heal us!"
He stepped forward, eyes full of sorrow. "I—"
Suddenly, they all looked at him. Desperate. Demanding. Their eyes didn't see a person. Just a tool.
"We're going to die unless you save us again!" Raina screamed.
Kael coughed blood. "You can do it. You always do. Just use your fluids. Whatever it takes."
Elian looked down at his hands. The same hands they used every night. The same body they violated. Again. And again.
"No," he said.
"What?!" Lyra's voice cracked. "You selfish bastard!"
"I've given everything for you," Elian said, his voice calm. "But you gave nothing back. Not respect. Not love. Not humanity."
They were quiet for a moment. Then Lyra, limping, whispered, "Please…"
Elian looked at them. For all the hatred in his chest, his heart still burned to save.
He raised his hands. Green light burst forth, flooding their bodies. Wounds sealed. Bones realigned. Strength returned.
They stood again — stronger.
And then… they ran.
Without a word. Without a thank you.
They left him.
Alone.
Vel'Serra landed before him, smirking.
"How tragic," she said. "Even heroes are cowards."
She raised her hand to the skies.
"Meteorfall."
A star tore through the heavens — a massive, flaming boulder glowing with death.
Elian stared at it, unmoving.
He clenched his fists, blood dripping down his arms.
His voice echoed:
"I'll be back. And I'll get my revenge. Every one of you... will suffer."
The meteor slammed into him. The land exploded. His body crushed, blood staining the sky.
Everything went black.
---
Elian floated in darkness. Weightless. Silent. Peaceful.
Then — light.
Warm and soft. He opened his eyes.
He was naked, drifting in the air of a world filled with floating islands, glowing trees, and rivers of pure light. Birds made of crystal flew through the skies. Time felt different here — stretched and slow.
A small voice chimed like a bell.
"Wake up, Elian."
He turned.
A small figure with wings hovered near him — a fairy, glowing with gold light. She had long silver hair and emerald eyes, her dress woven from moonlight.
"Where... am I?" he asked.
"You're in the Between Realm," she smiled. "You have been chosen."
"Chosen?"
"Yes. The gods watched. They saw your pain. Your loyalty. Your curse. And they offer you one more life, a chance."
She fluttered forward, touching his face.
"But this time... with a gift."
Her lips touched his eye — the green one.
It glowed — brighter, pulsing.
His body lit up with markings, swirling with energy.
From the air, a glowing screen appeared. A System Panel — clean, clear, humming with magic.
[Essence Link System Activated]
[Welcome, Elian. Missions will be assigned]
[Rewards granted]
[Level up through intimacy. Absorb skills]
[Amplify healing]
Status: Reborn
Class: Forbidden Healer
Title: The Marked hero
Elian smiled — slow, crooked.
"A gift from the gods, huh?" he whispered.
He looked at his glowing hand, then the sky.
"A second chance... and a weapon to use."
His voice dropped to a growl.
"Seems even the gods are on my side."
He started laughing. Not the soft laugh of kindness.
A dark, mad laugh — the kind that promised war.
Green light burst from his body. It roared like fire, swirling into the sky, wrapping around the realm like a storm of rebirth.
"Just you all wait. I'll repay every scar. Every night. Every betrayal... with gratitude."
He raised his hand to the heavens.
"I will be the curse you made me. I will be the storm you tried to break."
The world shook.
And so began the rebirth of Elian — a hero.
No a reckoning.