Chapter 21: Zaryth
Demon Girl stood free at last. She gazed at the world before her, a vast expanse she had long heard of but never seen. For a moment, she wondered what had become of her mother, the Demon Queen. Scarlett's thoughts lingered on one place—the distant planet Zaryth, rumored to be her mother's last known location. Hell was no longer her prison, but to Scarlett, it was still her home. It wasn't a place of evil but a sanctuary for demons, misunderstood by others. For her, Zaryth represented hope, the key to finding her family.
Sitting cross-legged, Scarlett closed her eyes and focused. Her mind tuned into the energies of the universe, searching for the distinct signature of the Demon Queen. Slowly, she locked onto a single demonic energy—the Queen herself. Determined, Scarlett summoned a portal to Zaryth, her fiery resolve burning stronger than ever.
She leapt through and emerged on the other side, running toward the powerful presence. The Demon Queen, sensing Scarlett's approach, paused, concern flickering across her face. Her thoughts immediately went to one individual: Kiki. His name echoed in her mind—a man who had once challenged her power and left a mark on her soul.
Far from Zaryth, Kiki stood on a quiet hill, staring at the endless horizon. He felt something—a presence from his past, one that stirred both fear and joy in his heart. His hands trembled as he whispered, "Scarlett..."
Meanwhile, Scarlett was with Li and Lyvessa in Hell's vast halls, searching for the doorway that would bring them closer to their goal. Scarlett didn't fully believe Li's claims about being Kiki's daughter, nor did she accept that Lie had once been his wife. To Scarlett, the idea seemed impossible, even laughable.
Li, determined to prove herself, looked to Scarlett. "You're a demon, Scarlett. Can't you sense the energy of your kind? Can't you find the right path?"
Scarlett hesitated before nodding. "I'll try." She closed her eyes and stretched her senses, the familiar pulse of demonic energy guiding her. Her expression changed as she opened her eyes.
"There's one door," Scarlett said, her voice firm. "It's brimming with demon energy. That's the one we need."
Lyvessa clapped her hands. "So, what are we waiting for?"
Without hesitation, the three rushed to the door. As they stepped through, they were pulled into a wild vortex, the air howling around them. They fell from the sky with screams echoing into the abyss.
Scarlett's instincts kicked in as she spread her wings wide, catching the wind and grabbing hold of Li and Lyvessa. "Hold on!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the chaos. She strained to keep them steady, finally gliding down to a safe landing.
When they hit the ground, Li looked around in awe. Before them stood Kiki, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at Scarlett.
He took a step forward, his voice barely above a whisper. "Li... Lie..