And still — I kept going.
Because I had to. For Rheon. Until I heard it. The sound that shattered my rhythm.
His voice.
A snarl. A scream. And then the brutal clash of steel and flame —Rheonfighting the demon king. My eyes snapped to the platform below. Chaos surged. Shadows and holy fire crashed together in a storm that made the ground tremble.
And there he was — my mate.
His hair whipped back in the heat, armor scorched and bleeding, eyes blazing with fury and pain and love. Fighting like a man who had something worth dying for.
Fightingfor me.
And I couldn’t help it — I screamed.
“Rheon!”
He turned at the sound, even as his blade met the king’s again, sparks scattering like stars.
But then — the unthinkable.
The demon king moved too fast. A brutal fist to Rheon’s gut, a blast of ancient shadow magic sending him flying across the field. He crashed into the temple wall, crumbling stone burying him beneath flame and dust.
“No!” I tried to run, but the magic circle bound me in place, anchoring me to the ritual. To the choice I’d made.
The demon king turned, walking slowly toward me. His black crown flickered, his eyes glowing with terrible triumph.
And then he smiled.
“If I die, little flame… the curse remains intact.”
I stopped breathing.
“He will never break it.” He took another step. “Never become whole. Never be free.”
The ritual light wavered.
My hands trembled.
“No,” I whispered. “You said— You promised me—”
“I promised to save him,” he said, voice silk and shadow. “And I will. As long as you finish this.My way.”
I felt everything unraveling. My heart, my mind, the oath I’d sworn to myself. The love I’d chosen. The bond screaming in my chest.
I couldfeelRheon — struggling to rise, calling my name through the mark.
But if I killed the king… I might doom him forever.
I stared at the man who called himself my father. The monster who knew just where to press — and how hard to break me. I stood frozen in the firelight, the weight of fate burning hotter than any blade.
And for the first time… I knew what needed to be done.
Taeyang
Through fire and oath
The air was thick with blood and brimstone, smoke curling around my armor like serpents. The battle below raged on, but my focus had already shifted.
