Ten years later, the great hall of the Sien Domain was bustling with an unusual crowd. At the highest point stood the throne, and seated upon it was Leonida.
The Demon Queen rested her cheek against one hand, looking far calmer than she had been ten years ago.
Before her stood the four Demon Lords: Raven, Lunara, Zerath, and finally—Scarlet.
For once, Leonida didn't seem bothered by Scarlet's presence, their fight from long ago now a distant memory. She had long since stopped caring whether Scarlet even wanted the throne. Her gaze drifted lazily over everyone gathered in the hall. Lunara's ears twitched again and again—she was clearly excited.
She was buzzing with excitement. Beside her stood two massive, shadowy wolves, neither bothering to take human form. They lingered behind Lunara like living silhouettes, their eyes silently watching everyone in the room.
Zerath was unlike anyone else. He wore that familiar sly smile that made it impossible to guess what was on his mind. Standing just behind him was Zara, her wild eyes fixed on Raven from the moment she stepped into the room.
Raven noticed, though he tried hard to act like he hadn't. Shadow stood behind him, speaking in a low voice.
"…She's still staring."
"I know."
"She hasn't blinked."
"I know."
"It's becoming concerning."
Raven's expression stayed perfectly deadpan.
"Shadow."
"Yes?"
"Stop."
Shadow wisely kept silent.
Raven knew exactly what Zara's stare meant.
That was nothing unusual.
What puzzled him— was Scarlet.
Across the hall, Scarlet stood with her arms crossed, looking utterly nonchalant and perfectly at ease—while glaring daggers straight at him. Raven shot her a glance, only for her eyes to narrow, sending a chill down his spine and forcing him to look away. He could understand Zara giving him that look, but when he glanced back, Scarlet's expression was exactly the same. Why was this terrifying woman. She stared at him like she wanted him dead..And then bury what's left?"
Scarlet's eyebrow twitched.
Raven swallowed, catching Shadow's attention.
"You alright?"
"Yes."
Behind Scarlet stood a veiled woman—Lucia. A thin veil masked her face while four fox tails swayed lazily behind her. She remained silent.
Raven risked only a quick glance in her direction. Something about her felt strangely familiar—
Scarlet stepped aside, right into his line of sight. Raven froze as she stared at him, and he slowly looked away. What had he done?!
Lucia ducked her head behind Scarlet, concealing the faint smile hidden beneath her veil. She knew precisely why her mother was upset, though Raven was completely clueless. Then, without warning, Leonida rose to her feet. All eyes turned toward the throne as the Demon Queen stepped forward—and leapt down.
THUD.
She touched down before the assembled Demon Lords, her gaze sweeping over each of them in turn. The hall was thick with silence. Leonida crossed her arms.
"I've decided."
No one replied.
She gave herself a small nod.
"Yes."
Another nod followed.
"Yes, yes."
Lunara's ears flicked with growing speed. Zerath's grin stretched wider. Scarlet looked utterly uninterested. Meanwhile, Raven was still trying to figure out if Scarlet intended to kill him after the meeting.
Leonida raised a finger.
"Today…" she began, pausing for effect.
"…none of us are fighting."
Silence hung in the air.
Raven blinked.
Lunara tilted her head.
Even Scarlet looked intrigued.
Zerath let out a chuckle.
"Oh?"
Leonida put her hands on her hips.
"We've all fought each other enough."
Her gaze swept over the four Demon Lords.
"This time, someone else will fight."
Lunara's eyes lit up.
"A champion?"
Leonida pointed at her.
"Exactly."
A grin spread across the Demon Queen's face.
"Each of us picks one person," she said, turning away.
"And they'll fight for us."
The mood in the room changed in an instant.
Shadow's smile faded.
Lucia lifted her gaze.
The dark wolves behind Lunara grew tense.
Zara's wild grin stretched wider.
Leonida raised her hand.
"I'll go first."
Her eyes turned to the massive doors.
"Aster!"
Heavy footsteps echoed in response.A massive figure entered.
The bull demon rolled his shoulders as he entered the hall. Silver would have recognized him in an instant—the gatekeeper who had once barred his way to the Sien Domain. Leonida's grin widened. "My champion…" She gestured toward him. "My brother, Aster." Aster stepped forward.
"I accept."
Leonida's face lit up with delight.
"Next!"
Scarlet let out a sigh, not even pausing.
"Go, my daughter."
Raven's gaze drifted to the veiled woman as Lucia emerged from behind Scarlet, her four tails fanning out behind her.
Scarlet's eyes found Raven's, a faint smile touching her lips.
Raven felt even more uneasy.
"My champion," Scarlet said.
"My daughter."
Leonida nodded.
"Good."
She turned her gaze toward Raven. He stayed silent for a moment, his eyes sweeping over present. At last— "Shadow." Shadow raised an eyebrow. "Me?" "You." With a sigh, Shadow muttered, "I should've stayed home," but stepped up beside Raven anyway. Leonida grinned. "Raven chooses Shadow."
Zerath chuckled, drawing every eye in the room. He didn't need to say a word—Zara was already striding forward, her gaze locked on Raven. Raven shot him a look. "…Seriously?" Zerath's grin turned sly. "Zara." She took her place, her smile stretching wider.
"Gladly."
Raven instantly wished she hadn't come.
At last—
Leonida's gaze shifted to Lunara.
Lunara's ears gave a quick twitch.
She turned toward the two massive dark wolves looming behind her.
Both stared back in silence.
She pointed at one.
"You."
The chosen wolf padded forward.
Dark mana rippled off its fur.
Its claws scraped against the stone floor as it moved to join the other champions. Five contenders now stood prepared: Aster, Lucia, Shadow, Zara, and Lunara's chosen wolf, Vael.
Leonida's gaze swept slowly over them, her calm expression shifting at last into a sly grin. The Demon Queen lifted her hand, and the hall fell into silence. "Five champions," she said, eyes glinting. "One throne." Her hand dropped. "Let's begin." Before anyone could move, she raised her hand again. "One more thing." All eyes turned to her as she held up two fingers. "Each champion gets two chances." Aster arched a brow. "Two?" "Two fights. Lose once, you're still in. Lose twice…" She dragged her thumb across her neck with casual finality. "…you're out."
The gathered champions grew solemn as Leonida spoke.
"Fight until only one champion remains. Whoever stands at the end earns the right to choose the next ruler."
She gestured toward the Demon Lords and their families.
"You may choose yourself, a family member, or whoever you believe should take the throne."
Zerath smirked.
"So winning doesn't necessarily make the champion the ruler."
"Exactly," Leonida said with pride.
"Simple."
Scarlet crossed her arms.
"For once."
Leonida paid her no mind.
"Now, choose your opponents."
Almost instantly—
A low growl echoed across the arena as Vael stepped forward, the massive dark wolf fixing his gaze on Aster. Aster glanced over his shoulder, then back at Vael. "…Me?" Vael bared his fangs, thunder rumbling between them. Aster scratched his cheek. "Alright."
Elsewhere, Zara pointed at Shadow. "You." Shadow sighed. "Of course." Raven gave his shoulder a sympathetic pat. "You'll manage." "Very reassuring," he muttered. And just like that, Lucia was left without an opponent for the first round.
She moved quietly to the edge of the arena, where Silver, June, and Julie waited. The twins flanked Silver as their mother approached, Lucia's face still hidden behind her veil, her four tails swaying gently. Silver cast a glance toward the arena. "Looks like you're sitting this one out." "For now," Lucia answered. Julie grinned. "Lucky." June's eyes shifted to Aster. "…I'm not sure Vael feels the same."
Aster and Vael faced off as the arena fell silent. Aster strode to the center, while Vael crouched low across from him. The contrast between them was almost laughable—Vael was huge for a wolf, but Aster was simply massive. The bull demon rolled his neck, and Vael's fur bristled in response.
CRACKLE.
Blue-white thunder burst across his body. Silver leaned forward at once.
"Thunder mana."
Lightning coiled around Vael's legs, back, and fangs. The wolf crouched low.
Aster watched, wide-eyed.
"…What's he doing?"
June blinked.
"Getting ready to attack."
"Oh."
Aster nodded. That made sense.
Then Vael vanished.
BOOM!
The ground erupted beneath him.
Aster's eyes went wide.
Vael streaked across the arena like lightning.
Before Aster could even think to move—
CRUNCH!
Vael's teeth clamped down on his forearm as thunder cracked overhead.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Lightning crackled from Vael's fangs into Aster's body. The bull demon's muscles locked tight as electricity danced over his horns. Thin curls of smoke drifted from his shoulders. Vael sank his teeth in deeper. Aster glanced down. "…Huh." Vael's eyes narrowed, and another wave of thunder ripped through him.
Aster raised an eyebrow.
"That tickles."
Vael froze. Silver stared. Julie stared. June stared. Even Lunara's ears stopped twitching.
"…Tickles?" Silver echoed.
Aster gripped the back of Vael's neck, and the wolf let go of his arm.
"Wait—"
BOOM!
Aster slammed him into the arena floor, sending stone shards flying in every direction. Vael hit the ground, bounced once, and rolled away. Glancing at the bite marks on his arm, Aster muttered, "Strong teeth." A low growl answered. He looked up to see Vael stepping out of the dust, fur bristling, thunder rolling off his body. The wolf's expression had hardened into pure fury. Lunara's ears twitched with excitement. "There we go." Vael began to circle, slow at first, then faster and faster. Aster turned his head, trying to keep up, until one wolf became two—then four.
Dozens of dark blurs closed in around Aster as thunder cracked across the arena. He frowned. "…Which one?" Vael suddenly veered off, and Aster spun toward him—nothing. Another thunderclap boomed behind him. He turned again—still nothing. Silver watched intently. "He's looking for an opening." June nodded. "Vael knows he can't overpower him." Julie grinned. "So he'll keep moving until the big guy messes up."
Aster stood in the center, irritation building.
"Stop running around."
Vael ignored him.
"Come here."
The wolf sped up.
Aster's eye twitched.
"I said—"
Vael lunged.
A streak of thunder tore toward Aster's throat—fast, precise, ferocious.
But this time, Aster was ready.
He drew back his massive fist.
Vael's eyes went wide.
Aster stepped in.
"Got you."
The fist lashed out.
The blow caught Vael square in the face.
Thunder rolled through the arena.
Vael vanished.
For a split second—
No one knew where he'd gone.
Then all eyes dropped to the ground.
A massive crater yawned beneath Aster.
At its depths—
Vael lay buried, face-first in broken stone.
Silence.
Aster lowered his fist.
He peered into the pit.
"…You alright?"
No response.
Lunara's ears drooped, and Julie winced.
"Ouch."
June nodded. "Ouch."
Silver gazed into the crater. "That looked personal."
"It wasn't," Aster's voice called from below.
Silver blinked as Leonida stepped to the edge of the arena, peering down into the crater.
Vael's paw gave a faint twitch—still conscious, but just barely. Leonida lifted one hand.
"That's enough!"
Aster took a step back.
"And the winner of the first fight…"
Leonida pointed with flair.
"ASTER!"
The arena roared with excitement.
Lunara let out a sigh as her family members hurried toward the crater.
"One loss," she muttered, ears perking up again.
"But he's still in."
Leonida raised a single finger toward Vael.
"One chance left!"
Then she turned, eyes locking on the next contenders.
Zara was already striding into the arena, her gaze fixed on Shadow, a smile far too eager playing on her lips.
Shadow met her gaze, then glanced over at Raven.
"If I make it through this..."
Raven's face stayed unreadable.
"Yes?"
"You owe me."
Zara's aura rippled out across the arena.
Raven caught her wild grin.
"...Fair."
Shadow moved ahead.
Leonida's smile widened.
"Next battle."
Zara versus Shadow.