The Dark River was silent.
No screams.
No waves.
Only mist… and death.
Across the black sand, two skeletons dragged a limp body forward.
Bones clacked.
Chains rattled.
Aren's body was pale, cold, unmoving.
One skeleton tilted its skull. 💀
"Master will be pleased. We finally found something… not rotten."
The other nodded, ribs creaking.
"Yes, yes. A living one. Or… almost living." 🦴
They dragged him deeper into the Dark Continent, past twisted trees 🌲⚫, floating stones 🪨✨, and skies cracked with endless night.
At last, they reached a massive cave, its walls carved by claws and time itself.
Inside stood the one they served.
A man with the body of a human
and the head of a crow.
Black feathers. 🪶
Long talons.
Eyes glowing like dying stars. 🌟⚫
The Crow Master.
He rose the instant he saw Aren.
"…You found something."
Skeleton #1 straightened proudly.
"A body pulled from the Dark River!"
Skeleton #2 added cheerfully,
"He still warm! Maybe! Hard to tell!" 😃💀
The Crow Master approached slowly… then placed his hand on Aren's chest.
His eyes widened.
"A soul…"
"…barely tethered." 😈✨
A grin split his beak.
"For centuries I searched for a vessel to escape this land… and now fate throws me this."
He placed his hand on Aren's forehead.
"Let me see who you are, boy."
Dark energy surged. 🌑⚡
Memories flooded him:
⚔️ Impossible battles
🧠 Cold logic
🐻 The Bear Guild
🦎 The Lizard Guild
🛡️ The Knight's Curse
📚 Endless training
❤️ Mimi
🔪 And finally… her crying face as she stabbed him
The Crow Master recoiled violently.
He ripped his hand away as if burned. 🔥
Skeletons froze.
"Master…?" 😨
The Crow Master whispered, shaking.
"He… he is that one."
Skeleton #2 tilted its skull.
"The one… what one?" 🤔
No answer.
Instead, the Crow Master grabbed a rusted dagger—
SHLK!
He sliced Aren's chest open.
Skeletons screamed.
"MASTER! YOU CAN'T REVIVE THE DEAD!" 😱
The Crow Master snarled.
"He is NOT dead."
"He stands on the razor's edge between life and death ."
"One step wrong… and the Abyss eats him forever."
He plunged both hands into Aren's chest.
Wrapped his talons around the heart.
Pressed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Nothing.
"Come on, boy…"
"…don't insult me by dying now." 😠
Dark mana exploded outward. ⚡🖤
Shadow lightning tore through Aren's body.
The cave shook. 🌪️
Skeleton #1 whispered in terror:
"He… he moved…"
Skeleton #2 covered its skull.
"Impossible…" 😰
The Crow Master roared:
"WAKE UP, AREN!" 🔥🖤
He poured everything into him.
Mana.
Soul-force.
Shadow.
Even his own lifespan.
BOOM!
A shockwave ripped through the cave.
Aren's body arched violently.
His eyes snapped open—
Black flames spiraling within them. 🔥⚫
He gasped. 😮💨
His heart beat.
Once.
Twice.
Then steady.
The Crow Master collapsed backward, exhausted.
"You… came back."
Aren blinked slowly.
"…Where… am I?"
Skeleton #1 jumped. 🕺💀
"He alive!"
Skeleton #2 clapped.
"Master did it! He revived someone!" 👏💀
The Crow Master steadied himself.
"You are in the Dark Continent, Aren."
"Saved… but not free."
Aren swallowed.
"…Mimi."
The skeletons went quiet.
The Crow Master sighed.
"She believes you are dead." 🖤
Aren's fingers tightened.
Dark energy flickered.
The Crow Master smiled weakly.
"Yes… the demon girl cried enough to shake fate itself."
"You survived the Dark River."
"No mortal does."
"No demon does."
"No god does." 😈✨
His voice trembled with excitement.
"You are the one whispered in forbidden prophecies."
Aren closed his eyes briefly.
Pain faded.
Strength returned.
"Welcome back," the Crow Master said softly.
"Your war has only begun." ⚔️🔥
Meanwhile — Demon Academy 🏰🕯️
Rumors spread like poison.
"Aren vanished."
"Not injured."
"Not hiding."
"Gone." 😨
Teachers whispered.
Students panicked.
And Mimi…
She sat alone in her room, knees hugged to her chest. 💔
Eyes swollen.
Hands shaking.
The Demon King stood at her door.
He could crush continents.
But not his daughter's tears.
"Mimi… please eat something," he said quietly.
She didn't respond.
Her mother knelt beside her.
"Mimi… sweetheart…"
Mimi whispered:
"…He didn't come back."
Her voice broke.
"He lied to protect me…"
"…and now he's gone…" 😭
Something dark awakened in the Demon King.
Then Mimi spoke again—
A sentence that shattered the world.
"…Mother… Father…"
"I think I'm pregnant." 😶
Silence.
Dead silence.
The Queen froze.
The Demon King's aura detonated. 🔥🔥
"WHAT!?"
Mimi placed a trembling hand on her stomach.
"I feel him… Aren's life… inside me." 🤍
"…Aren."
The Demon King's flames vanished.
Then returned—twice as violent.
"HE TOUCHED MY DAUGHTER—AND DIED!?" 😡
Mimi shook her head.
"He didn't die! I know it!"
"I won't raise his child alone…" 💔
The Demon King knelt before her.
"Mimi… tell me everything."
She told him.
The curse.
The river.
The sword.
The promise.
The Demon King stood slowly.
His aura rose like a blood-red sun. ☀️🩸
"I WILL RIP OPEN THE DARK CONTINENT."
"I WILL FIND HIM."
"I WILL BRING HIM BACK."
"AND I WILL MAKE HIM MARRY YOU." 😤🔥
Mimi smiled through tears.
"…Thank you, Dad." 🤍
The demon world trembled.
And far away…
Deep within the Dark Continent…
Aren opened his eyes. ⚫🔥