"Gladly."
Zara raised her axe without hesitation. Crimson aura surged around her, crackling with violent excitement. She didn't even hesitate. She didn't ask why.
She just obeyed.
Lucius felt Claire clutch his cloak tighter. "You… you weren't serious, were you?"
Lilith backed up, wings twitching.
"Lucius, wait—" she started, voice trembling, "you're testing me, right? This is a joke. You're bluffing. You always bluff…"
He said nothing.
His crimson eyes didn't blink.
His hand didn't waver.
His voice remained calm.
"Zara. Now."
> [Warning: Affection Loss – Lilith -7]
[Status Change: Lilith – Fear + Despair]
[Zara – Loyalty +10 | Madness +2]
The war axe came down.
---
CRACK.
Lilith screamed.
Her right wing bent the wrong way, feathers scattering like ashes in a storm.
Claire covered her mouth. "Oh my god…"
Zara grinned like a feral animal, standing over the fallen angel, blood splattered across her cheek.
"I missed this," she whispered.
Lucius stood and walked forward slowly. His steps echoed like thunder through the throne room. He knelt next to Lilith, who was curled on the ground, trembling, tears mixing with blood.
He reached toward her… gently.
And brushed a strand of white hair from her face.
"You betrayed me in another life," he said softly. "But this time… I'm not giving you the chance."
Lilith's eyes widened.
"I'm not a hero, Lilith," he continued. "I'm not here to save anyone. But I will make sure no one ever stabs me in the back again."
He stood up.
And extended his hand to her.
"If you want to live in this world… then kneel."
She didn't move.
> [Trait Activated: Tyrant's Aura – Command Presence]
[Effect: Target is 70% more likely to obey if emotionally vulnerable.]
Lilith looked up at him, sobbing silently, then slowly… painfully… knelt.
Zara let out a satisfied growl.
Claire? She looked horrified.
Lucius turned to her next.
"You're free now. But freedom here has a cost. If you stay, you obey. If you leave, you'll be hunted."
Claire bit her lip.
"I… I don't know what to do."
Lucius looked at her with dead-serious eyes.
"You don't have to decide now. But if you stay…"
He turned his gaze toward the massive gothic doors behind them, where lightning split the sky.
"…you'll need to be stronger than your faith."
---
> [Event Complete: Broken Wings, Shattered Pride]
[Affinity Update:
— Lilith: Fear + Desperation = Submission State Initiated
— Claire: Inner Conflict Intensifies
— Zara: Loyalty MAXED | Unlocked Bond Level 2: Bloodbound Beast]
---
Far above, in the skies of the corrupted empire, a new figure watched from atop a cathedral spire.
Long violet hair flowed behind her, and her golden eyes glinted in the storm.
"The tyrant rises…" she whispered, smiling.
"…and the world begins to break."