[FLASHBACK]
The golden floor of the castle gleamed beneath the flickering torchlight. A crimson carpet stretched endlessly toward the throne.
Emira stood upon it, body battered, her once-pristine adventurer's garb torn and smeared with blood. Her katana trembled in her grip, strands of her long green hair clinging to her sweat-damp face. Her legs shook uncontrollably, but still she stood tall.
Before her, the vast chamber drowned in shadows. And from within them… two eyes glowed.
Rainbow-colored.
Shifting, swirling, alive—as if countless souls writhed within.
"Show yourself, monster!" Emira's voice echoed through the hall, strained with fury and fear. "I'll cut you down myself! Where is the Devil King!? Stop hiding behind him and face me!!"
From the darkness, a voice rose—mocking, playful, and disturbingly childlike.
"Devil King? Ohhh… so sad, so sad…"
The voice twisted into a whimper, like a child feigning tears. "I don't even know when it happened. One moment, I was just… playing with him. And then—"
The eyes gleamed brighter.
"Suddenly he was erased."
"What!?" Emira's pupils shrank. Her arms trembled as rage flared inside her. "What do you mean by erased!?"
The figure shifted within the shadows, leaning against a towering pillar. A manic laugh rattled the chamber.
"Playing? Ohh, yes! That's right!" The voice grew louder, higher—giddy. "Now it all~~ makes sense! Yayyy!"
Emira's knees buckled. Her katana slipped in her grip as pain shot through her body.
"Ugh—! He's… absorbing my power… my body… it won't move…"
She gritted her teeth, forcing her shaking arms to brace against the blade.
The childlike voice chimed again, full of cruel delight.
"When I was playing with him, I got hungry and started to eat some souls. But an accident…."
The rainbow eyes flared.
"…And one of them was him hehe."
Emira's face twisted in horror, her body frozen in disbelief.
"But alas…" The voice turned into a mocking sob, breaking into laughter. "I lost my guardian… wahaha"
The sound echoed endlessly across the empty hall, searing itself into Emira's soul.
[CURRENT TIME]
"That's insane!!" Leo shot to her feet, slamming her palms against the table. Her golden eyes blazed with outrage. "You're telling me he even devoured the Devil King's soul!?"
Leo[Pride] didn't move, his finger pressed against his jaw as his eyes narrowed. "If that's true… then Leo is far more dangerous than I imagined."
"But still…" Leo muttered, her brows furrowing. "The way you described his words—kinda strange attitude."
Emira let out a long, weary sigh. She pushed herself to her feet and walked toward the window. Moonlight spilled across her figure as she turned back toward them, her face pale.
"I already told you." Her hand tightened against the wooden frame. Sweat trickled down her cheek.
" He is no longer him. The Devil King cursed him. He suffers from… Peter Pan Syndrome. That's why he behaves like a child. He doesn't even understand what he's doing—whether it's right… or horribly wrong."
Her voice wavered, but her eyes remained sharp.
The morning was swallowed whole by blood-red clouds, stretching like living veins across the sky. No sunlight pierced their crimson curtain. The air trembled with an eerie symphony—the distant roars of demons, the guttural growls of goblins, and the thunderous wingbeats of dragons.
By the window, Leo stood silent, her expression taut with tension. Her golden eyes traced the chaos beyond, her fingers brushing the hilts of the twin swords at her hip. A wind stirred her dark cloak behind her, as if heralding her determination.
This… is my chance. My only chance… to bring myself back. To save the kingdom.
Her voice was only in her mind, but the steel in it rang clear.
"Seems like you're ready today."
Emira's voice broke the silence, gentle but edged with something unspoken. She stepped closer, the towel in her hands brushing away her flowing blonde hair. She wore a white pajama blouse tucked neatly into a black skirt, the sleeves rolled loosely to her elbows.
Leo turned toward her, meeting her serene smile. "Yeah… today's the day. I'm going to meet Leo. And settle everything I need to."
Her gaze drifted back toward the horizon, where the cursed landscape writhed under the blood-red sky.
"This place… isn't right. And I have a responsibility. After all, he is another version of me." She said softly, with a determined smile directed at Emira.
Emira returned it with a calm nod, closing her eyes briefly.
"Well then… I won't stop you. But know this—I have a team. They will help you."
She stepped back, placing the towel gently on the table.
"A team?" Leo's voice carried a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
"Yes," Emira replied with a faint, bittersweet smile. "That's why I'm still alive. Without them… I would've died long ago." Her fingers moved to tie her hair back, her eyes catching her own reflection in the mirror.
Leo nodded quietly. "I see."
The door to the room swung open abruptly. Leo[Pride] stepped in, his boots echoing softly against the floor. He wore his black and gold-striped coat cinched by a black belt, boots heavy and polished.
"Man… how long do you two girls need to get ready?" His voice dripped with irritation, his hand raised to his forehead as if shielding himself from their delay.
"Hey! I'm not even a girl!!" Leo snapped, her cheeks flushed in indignation.
"Of course, you are an ass body. Shut up and get ready," he said flatly, turning to leave.
Leo muttered under her breath, her teeth grinding. "Ugh… that dude.…"
Emira offered a faint, awkward smile. "You two… are very different."
"Yeah…" Leo replied tiredly, wiping sweat from her brow. "Too different."
Outside, the world was a canvas of carnage. Blood soaked the cracked stone road, torn flesh and shattered weapons littered the ground. The stench of war was heavy, thick with decay.
Leo walked with a careful step, her brows knit in disgust. Leo[Pride] kept his shoulders tense, his gaze sharp as he surveyed their path.
"Look above." Emira's voice broke through their thoughts, her slender finger pointing toward the sky.
Both of them followed her gaze.
Their breaths caught.
A colossal castle loomed ahead, its majestic blue-and-white walls lined with golden filigree. But it burned. Blood-red flames devoured the fortress, writhing and curling like living shadows. Smoke churned upward, blotting out the sky even more.
" What are those flames?"
Leo was shocked, her voice trembling out of nervousness.
"That fire… isn't normal," Leo[Pride] said quietly, frowning. "It feels cursed."
"Yes," Emira agreed, her sharp green eyes fixed on the inferno. "That's cursed fire. The heart of the palace where Leo dwells."
"Then why… can we even enter?" Leo's voice was tight, edged with caution.
"We know how," Emira replied. Her tone was calm, but there was steel beneath it. "My team is on a mission to slaughter the mad demons. They'll be here soon."
Leo[Pride] smirked faintly, stepping forward. "It's simple. I can destroy it myself."
BAM!
Leo's fist struck his stomach hard, her strength fueled by her frustration.
"–!!" He staggered, clutching his gut.
"Are you crazy or something!?" he growled through gritted teeth.
"Yes! I am crazy! Your damn pride is driving me insane!!" Leo shouted, fury burning in her voice.
Emira froze, glancing between them with a mixture of shock and unease.
"Listen, you moron pride," Leo spat, grabbing his collar. Her voice shook with determination, almost desperation. "Two heads are better than one. Emira's teammates will help us more than your stupid confidence ever could!"
"Tch… shut up!" he said, pressing his index finger against her forehead. "Didn't I say I can destroy this curse fire?"
Leo yanked his hand away, grabbing him with both hands. Her voice sharpened like steel.
"If you want to go alone—then go! Didn't you regret your pride before? Didn't you lose everyone because of it?!"
"Uh… hey. Stop fighting! This isn't the time for this."
Emira stepped between them, her voice nervous, her body tense.
Leo[Pride] fell silent, his jaw tightening. His face paled as though recalling a memory too painful to voice—the scene of Estrella's death where he saw she was hung by the rope on the rooftop in the room.
"Tch… get off me." He stepped back, folding his arms. His voice was low, distant.
Leo stared at him, her expression was filled with fury. "Now… It's your choice, Leo. Will you regret it again?"
Leo's expression becomes softer.
" Or will you finally let go of your pride?"
For a long moment, Leo[Pride] said nothing. His eyes were down, the air around him heavy. A shadow of pain passed over his face.
"Sorry," he muttered quietly.
"What?" Leo asked, confused.
"Forget it. Fine… I'll wait." His voice was low, tinged with annoyance and a reluctant sigh.
Leo smirked, her golden eyes glinting. "Now… that's more like it."