While they walked, the sun began its slow descent, bleeding crimson across the sky. The blood-red clouds darkened further, casting a surreal, ominous glow over the desolate land. The air reeked of decay—dried blood and the sickly tang of rotting flesh.
Leo and Leo[Pride] followed silently behind Emira, their footsteps muffled against the stained ground.
"Where are we going?" Leo asked softly, her voice tinged with unease as she scanned the grotesque scenery around them.
"We're almost at my base," Emira replied without looking back. Her steps carried a quiet confidence as she veered sharply to the right.
Leo glanced around, her golden eyes narrowing. Seems like this place… isn't natural.
After a few moments, Emira stopped. "Here we are. This is my base."
Leo and Leo[Pride] froze. Their eyes widened in shock.
"This place…?" Leo murmured, her voice trembling as though she had seen something far darker than mere death.
"Isn't that… my home? My parents' house?" Leo[Pride] whispered, his voice heavy with disbelief. His eyes locked on Emira, confusion written deep on his face.
The house stood strangely intact amid the ruin, its structure untouched by time's decay. Its wooden frame was weathered but solid. The garden was pristine—flowers in bloom, grass untouched by dust—like a sacred sanctuary. But at the entrance stood a massive, broken gate: rotten wood stained deep red and gray.
Emira's brows furrowed, her gaze sharp. "So… you two also know this is Leo's house?"
"Of course," Leo said, annoyance creeping into her tone. "I told you already—we're Leo, but from different worlds, different versions."
"Is that so?" Emira said quietly, her voice carrying a sharp edge. "Then let's hurry. This house once belonged to Leo. But now no creature dares approach it… let alone destroy it."
With that, Emira stepped through the shattered gate, her movement deliberate and firm.
Leo and Leo[Pride] exchanged a glance before following.
Leo drew closer to Emira. "You mean this Leo came here?" she asked, curiosity threading her voice.
"No," Emira replied without looking back. "That monster resides in the castle now. Even though he isn't truly him anymore, still demons dare not come near this place."
Her words carried weight, and she approached the house. Placing her hand gently on the wooden door, she pushed it open.
"You mean demons avoid that Leo's house?" Leo[Pride] asked curiously.
" Yeah, this is the reason we use this place."
Emira said, glancing at Leo[Pride] with a faint smile before stepping inside.
Leo smirked faintly, casting a mocking glance at Leo[Pride]. "Looks like she started liking you."
Leo[Pride] shot her a cold look, blue aura came from his body, his fists tightening. "You think this is the time for jokes?"
"Um…uh…sorry!!" Leo stammered, panic creeping into her voice.
They entered the house together. Inside, the air was calm, but the atmosphere was heavy with history. The rooms were filled with maps, weapons, and murals depicting demons in battle. Leo's gaze swept across them, narrowing thoughtfully.
"All is the same… but this house feels more like a bunker," she thought.
Emira stopped, approaching a glowing bulb at the center of the room. Raising her right arm, she murmured softly,
"Bruciare Il Fuoco."
The bulb ignited, bathing the room in a warm white light.
Inside, the room was furnished simply yet elegantly—four red sofa-like chairs arranged around a sturdy table, and a kitchen nearby.
"This was where I once dined with my parents," Leo[Pride] said quietly, stepping forward. His fingertips grazed the table, his expression pale, almost sorrowful.
"I… I remember something like this too," Leo said softly, her smile brief before fading under the weight of her memories.
Emira watched silently, suspicion and curiosity flickering in her eyes. "
"Seems like they weren't lying."
Emira thought, her expression softening for a moment.
She stepped forward and sat on one of the sofas, crossing her legs. The katana beside her gleamed faintly in the warm light.
"I think we need to discuss this. I want to know who you two are," she said, her sharp green eyes fixed on them.
"Yeah. I want to know what that Leo did in that world," Leo said, resting her elbows on her thighs. Her tone was serious, almost burdened.
Leo[Pride] sat beside her without a word, his expression unreadable. Across from them, Emira's gaze sharpened.
"Fine. But I want to hear your story first. Where are you from? How did you come here?" she asked, leaning slightly forward with interest.
"You should answer this. You know this better than me."
Leo[Pride] said, his eyes flicking to Leo.
"Hm. Fine. Then…" Leo began, her expression settling into seriousness.
The room trembled as Emira slammed her hands down on the table, eyes wide, breath sharp.
"W–What!? Does this things even exist!?"
Her voice cracked between disbelief and horror.
Leo[Pride] leaned back with his arms crossed, speaking in a calm but heavy tone.
"Yeah, it's true. At first, I didn't believe it either… but when she showed me, even I was convinced."
Leo looked at Emira with a nervous face, hands tightening on her knees.
"Now that you've heard the story… can you help me? I just want to meet this world's Leo. Please."
Emira slowly sat back down, her body heavy, disbelief still clinging to her face. She lowered her gaze, her voice trembling.
"You said you were once a man, and because of a curse you became… like that. But…"
Her words broke apart mid-sentence. Her lips pressed tight, as if even speaking the next part would summon something terrifying.
"But?"
Both Leo and Leo[Pride] leaned forward, curiosity and tension tightening the air.
Emira bit her lip, hesitating. "But how would you even meet that monster? I told you already… he isn't Leo anymore."
Leo clenched her fists, desperation carved on her face.
"Even so! I need to meet him. Nobody can break this curse except the one who bears my name—my worthy version."
Her finger darted toward Leo[Pride].
"And it's not him. He couldn't worthy to break it."
The words struck hard. Leo[Pride] lowered his head, his expression dark.
"Tch… unworthy, huh? Hearing it out loud really stings." He muttered under his breath.
Emira watched the two of them, her face tense, voice dropping to a whisper.
"I understand your pain. Becoming powerless, trapped in that form… it must be unbearable. But you don't understand. That monster—" her shoulders trembled as the memory hit her, "—he's insanely strong."
Sweat glistened at her temple as her hands tightened into fists.
Leo's eyes burned with fury. She slammed her hand on the table, the sound echoing like a war drum.
"Strong or not, it doesn't matter! After all, we're Leo Julius Eros! We'll defeat him!"
Her fiery conviction silenced the room. Emira's mouth opened, but no words came. She simply stared at Leo's determination.
Leo[Pride] broke the silence, his brows furrowed, lips pulling down into a half-scowl.
"Enough about us. We've heard your name, but who exactly are you?"
"Eh!?"
Emira's cheeks flushed red, caught off guard. She sat up straighter, coughing into her hand to hide her embarrassment.
"Uh—Ahem! Right, introductions. I am Amayah Emira of the Elven Kingdom. Granddaughter of the Chosen Hero, Remus Cato. Once the king's right hand… and swordswoman of the realm."
Her voice rang with pride, but beneath it lingered something softer—loneliness.
Leo's eyes widened. "Wait… granddaughter of the Chosen Hero? Then that means… you carry holy power?"
"Yes," Emira said firmly. Her hand slid to the hilt of her blade. She drew it halfway, revealing its gleaming green-and-white steel. "This katana belonged to my grandfather. When he passed, he entrusted it to me."
Her voice wavered with grief, one hand resting on her chest.
"Woah…" Leo muttered, impressed. "But… truth be told, neither you nor your grandfather had any role in my world."
Leo[Pride] said it so casually, flicking his ear like it was trivial.
"H-HEY!" Emira puffed her cheeks, glaring at him with a pout. "That's way too mean!"
Leo chuckled awkwardly, waving her hands. "Sorry about him—he's always like that. But… elves live for centuries, right? Why did your grandfather pass away?"
Her smile vanished. Emira looked down at the katana, her fingers trembling against its hilt.
"Because of your version. That monster devoured his soul… and erased him completely."
Both Leos froze.
"W-What!? Devoured!?" Leo's eyes shook.
"Yes." Emira's voice cracked with grief, green eyes drowning in sorrow. "He devoured not only my grandfather, but the entire royal family. One by one, their souls consumed like nothing. Now he's feeding on the world itself, draining its very essence… turning everything into desert and ash."
The weight of her words fell heavy.
Leo clenched her jaw, hand brushing her chin as realization sank in.
"So that's why the trees… the soil… even the animals and people look so withered."
Leo[Pride] narrowed his eyes, his face hardening.
"All of this… caused by Leo."
He turned to Emira, his voice sharp.
"I want to know everything. Why is he doing this? Tell us—every detail, from beginning to end."
Leo nodded, her gaze just as intense.
"Yes. We need to hear the truth."
Emira sighed, the weight of her memories pulling at her shoulders.
"…Fine then."
She placed her katana beside her, her green eyes meeting theirs with grim resolve.