Chapter 38 - Fading Connections

A cold wind howled across the bloodstained plains of the Demon Realm, carrying the scent of battle and decay. Lucian stood atop a jagged outcrop of black stone, his crimson eyes scanning the battlefield below.

The remnants of his enemies lay strewn across the scorched earth—traitors who had once pledged loyalty to him but had sold their allegiance the moment he was sealed away.

The victory was swift. Too swift. These were mere foot soldiers—disposable pawns in his usurper's grand scheme.

Lucian clenched his fist. He had spent years waiting for this moment, biding his time in the shadows of the Human Realm. And now, with his power partially restored, he had begun his return. Yet, the more he uncovered, the more he realized how deeply his throne had been corrupted in his absence.

His enemies had grown bold. His usurper had fortified their rule.

And worst of all—he was still not at his peak strength.

A bitter taste filled his mouth as he turned away from the battlefield, his long coat whipping behind him. His trusted subordinates stood at a distance, awaiting his command.

Among them, his most loyal general—Varian, a towering demon with obsidian horns and sharp, reptilian eyes—stepped forward.

"The purge is complete, my Lord. The traitors have been eliminated."

Lucian gave a small nod. "And the investigation?"

Varian hesitated for the briefest moment before responding.

"The usurper has strengthened their hold over the court. More nobles have pledged their loyalty to them, and their forces are growing. It will not be easy to reclaim the throne without drawing attention."

Lucian scoffed. "I never expected it to be easy." His voice was calm, but beneath it, rage simmered.

Varian continued, his voice low. "There's more. It seems the Divine Order is keeping an unusually close watch on our realm's movements. It's as if they suspect something."

Lucian's eyes narrowed. "The Divine Order?"

Varian nodded. "They shouldn't have any reason to meddle in our affairs, but… their surveillance of demonic activity has increased in recent months."

Lucian exhaled slowly. He had been careful to move in secrecy, erasing his presence as he tore through his enemies. Yet, the Divine Order had noticed something. Why?

He dismissed Varian with a flick of his hand, his thoughts already elsewhere.

A flicker of energy brushed against his soul.

Lucian stiffened. His entire being tensed as he felt it—a faint pull, a whisper of something distant.

It was her.

Elara.

For the first time in weeks, their connection stirred, though weak and incomplete.

Lucian closed his eyes, focusing on the bond that tied them together. It was faint, as if something—or someone—was interfering with it. He had severed their link temporarily to avoid distractions, yet now…

Now, it felt like she was reaching out to him.

He clenched his jaw.

"Tsk. Foolish girl."

He had no reason to concern himself with a mere human. She was his pawn, an instrument of his revenge. Nothing more.

And yet—why did he feel this restless irritation when he thought of her?

Why did he wonder if she was safe?

Lucian opened his eyes, sharp and unreadable.

He couldn't afford distractions.

Not now.

---

Meanwhile, in the Human Realm, the dim glow of candlelight flickered within the secluded place. Elara has just returned from the daily sermons in the Luminaries Temple.

She sat cross-legged on the floor, her fingers brushing over the strange sigil the masked figure had left behind.

Its surface was cool, etched with runes she couldn't decipher. The moment she touched it, a faint pulse of energy thrummed beneath her fingertips.

Elara's breath hitched.

It felt… alive.

A strange warmth coiled through her veins, an unsettling mixture of familiarity and danger.

Before she could pull away, the sigil flared to life.

A rush of dark energy erupted from the stone, spiraling into the air like ink spreading through water. The shadows in the room trembled, bending unnaturally as the magic unfurled.

Elara's heart pounded. What is this?

Then—a voice.

"The pact was never broken."

The same whisper she had heard before.

Elara gasped as a searing pain jolted through her chest—directly over her soul pact. She crouched down the floor, clutching her chest in the hope to ease the sharp pain.

Clamping her hands over her mouth to stop herself from screaming out loud, she gritted her teeth as she struggled to fight the painful feeling. After a while, the sharp pain has gone.

Elara take a deep breath, beads of sweat trickling from her forehead down to her chin. Elara moved to sit weakly. After resting for a while, she stood up and throw away the mysterious Sigil.

Feeling threatened by the hidden forces, Elara began to regret keeping the Sigil with her. She stood up as she made up her mind, taking a last look at the Sigil tossed in the corner of the chamber.

Taking a shaky breath, before weakly strode out of the chamber, returning in the direction of her little home.

And in the Demon Realm, miles away, Lucian felt the searing pain too. Though not too strong.