Demon Legacy

The trio stepped into the darkness beyond the gate. The air shifted, dense with a suffocating energy. Faint, glowing symbols pulsed on the walls, illuminating a vast chamber where shadows stretched unnaturally long. A faint, broken voice echoed from the far end of the room.

"Mom?" Scarlett's voice cracked, the single word trembling with hope and fear.

There, chained to a dais in the center of the room, was the Demon Queen. Her once-dominant aura flickered like a dying flame. She raised her head weakly, her golden eyes widening at the sight of them.

"You have to run," she whispered, her voice hoarse but laced with urgency. "Run now!"

Kiki stepped forward, fists clenched. "Why? What's happening?"

Before the Demon Queen could answer, the chamber rumbled. The gate slammed shut behind them with a deafening thud. The runes flared brighter, and the oppressive energy in the air thickened. Demon Girl froze, her wings twitching as a cold shiver raced down her spine.

Something was there—watching.

She spun, her gaze darting upward. "Look!" she hissed, pointing.

Above them, perched on a jagged ledge like a predator surveying its prey, was a figure shrouded in darkness. The faint light revealed glinting blue eyes that pierced through the gloom, unblinking and cold. His massive white wings unfolded slowly, their edges razor-sharp, shimmering like forged steel.

The Demon Queen's voice broke the silence. "It's too late," she murmured, her chains rattling as she shifted. "He's here."

Scarlett glanced at the figure, then back at Demon Girl. "Who is that?" she demanded, her tone edged with unease.

Demon Girl's breath hitched. Her voice, usually commanding, trembled as she spoke. "The Lost Demon."

Kiki's brow furrowed. "The Lost Demon? Who is he?"

Her gaze didn't leave the winged figure. "He was my father's right-hand man. My best friend. He's older than my father—older than most demons—and stronger than anyone I've ever known. He's never lost a battle." Her voice grew softer, tinged with both awe and dread. "He was the first demon to have blue eyes... and white wings."

The Lost Demon didn't move, but his gaze burned into them, assessing, calculating.

Scarlett shifted uncomfortably. "If he's so great, why does he feel like he's about to kill us?"

Demon Girl swallowed hard, the memories rushing back. "When my father died, he disappeared. I thought he was gone forever. But then... he came back."

Her hands trembled, clenched tightly to hide her fear. "He trained me in secret, promising that when I became queen, he'd be my right-hand man. But the day I was crowned…" Her voice broke slightly. "No one saw him, but I felt his anger when they declared Scarlett as queen. He vanished after that."

Scarlett frowned. "Why would he care about me being queen?"

"He saw it as a betrayal. He believed I was destined to lead. The last time I saw him was at the House of Time. I was happy to see him, but he was different—angrier, more dangerous." Her wings drooped as she continued, her voice quieter. "He told me he'd killed half of the Time A-Class and even escaped the Time God's prison to find me."

The chamber seemed to grow colder at her words.

Kiki's jaw tightened. "If he's this powerful, why is he just watching us?"

Demon Girl's eyes flicked back to the Lost Demon. "He's waiting. He always waits for the right moment to strike."

As if hearing her, the Lost Demon shifted slightly, his wings spreading wider. The faintest smirk curled his lips, though his eyes remained icy.

The Demon Queen struggled against her chains, her voice rising in desperation. "You have to leave! He's not someone you can fight and survive."

Kiki squared his shoulders, stepping in front of Scarlett and Demon Girl. "We're not running. Not without you."

Demon Girl's wings flared as she moved beside him, her fear slowly hardening into determination. "This isn't just about saving my mother anymore." She looked up at the Lost Demon, her fists clenching. "He was my mentor, my ally. But if he stands in our way…" Her eyes blazed with fiery resolve. "I'll fight him."

For the first time, the Lost Demon spoke, his voice a deep, echoing rumble. "Brave words for a child who has forgotten her place."

His wings unfurled fully, and he stepped off the ledge, descending slowly, his movements fluid and precise. As he landed, the chamber quaked slightly. He stood tall, his white wings casting sharp, flickering shadows across the room.

"Prove to me," he said, his voice like thunder, "that you deserve to stand where you are. Or fall like all the others who thought themselves worthy."