Lisa's pulse pounded in her ears as the Demon King's words echoed through the temple.
A goddess's lineage.
It didn't make sense. She was just—she was human. Right?
But deep down, she knew that wasn't true. Not entirely. The dreams, the visions, the way her body felt like it was waking up to something ancient—it all led to this moment.
Kol stood protectively in front of her, his body still aching from the force of the Demon King's attack. But he didn't care. His instincts screamed at him to get Lisa out of here.
Jacob was tense beside them, his grip on his sword tightening. "We're not winning this fight," he muttered. "Not as we are."
Kol knew he was right. But surrender wasn't an option.
The Demon King stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "Do you even know what you are, girl?"
Lisa's fingers curled around the manuscript in her hands. She had read the prophecy. She had seen the signs. But she had never believed them. Not until now.
"What do you want from me?" she forced out, her voice steadier than she expected.
The Demon King's gaze flickered with something unreadable. "To see if you are worthy."
And then—
He moved.
Kol reacted instantly, shoving Lisa aside as the Demon King's hand shot toward her. The impact sent Kol skidding across the floor, pain flaring through his ribs.
Jacob lunged, his sword flashing in an arc of silver. The Demon King barely looked at him before catching the blade mid-swing—with his bare hand.
Jacob's eyes widened.
Then the Demon King twisted his wrist, shattering the sword into pieces.
Jacob staggered back, breathing hard. "That's… not great."
Lisa scrambled to her feet, heart hammering. She didn't know how to fight like Kol or Jacob. She didn't have their strength.
But she had something else.
Instinct took over. She reached deep inside herself—into whatever force had been stirring within her for years.
And for the first time—
She let it out.
A burst of golden light erupted from her hands, searing through the darkness. The temple shook as the force collided with the Demon King, sending him skidding backward.
For the first time—he looked surprised.
Kol stared.
Jacob exhaled. "Well. That's new."
Lisa's hands trembled, still glowing.
She didn't understand what just happened.
But the Demon King did.
And for the first time—
He smiled.
Lisa's breathing was ragged, her hands still tingling from the golden energy that had erupted from them. She stared down at her palms, her mind racing.
That power—it had felt familiar, like something she had always known but had forgotten.
Kol was watching her carefully, his red eyes narrowed. He had felt that energy before. Not from her, but from someone like her. Someone long gone.
The Demon King straightened, dusting himself off as if Lisa's attack had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. But his smirk had faded. "So, it's true," he murmured. "The blood of the goddesses still lingers in this world."
Lisa swallowed hard. "What… what are you talking about?"
The Demon King tilted his head, his gaze sharp. "You don't know, do you?" His tone was almost amused. "Your ancestors once ruled over realms beyond your comprehension. But time erases even the greatest of legacies."
Kol's fists clenched. "Enough talking," he growled. "If you're here to kill us, then try."
The Demon King chuckled. "Kill you? No. Not yet."
He lifted a hand, and the air around them shifted.
Kol barely had time to react before an invisible force crashed into him, sending him flying into a stone pillar. Jacob lunged, but before he could strike, dark tendrils wrapped around his body, slamming him into the temple floor.
Lisa gasped, stepping back. The Demon King's power was overwhelming, suffocating.
"You, however…" He turned to Lisa, his golden eyes glowing. "You are… unfinished."
A pulse of darkness lashed out toward her—
But this time, Lisa didn't back down.
Her body moved on its own, instincts overriding fear. She raised her hands, and a shield of golden light erupted in front of her, shattering the Demon King's attack before it could reach her.
The temple trembled. The air crackled with energy.
Lisa's chest rose and fell rapidly. She had no idea how she had done that.
The Demon King let out a low chuckle. "Interesting."
Kol gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. His ribs were screaming in protest, but he didn't care. "Lisa," he growled. "Run."
Lisa hesitated.
She didn't want to run. Not anymore.
But before she could decide, a portal of shadows tore open behind the Demon King.
He took one last look at her. "We'll meet again," he said. "Soon."
Then, in a blink—he was gone.
The temple fell silent.
Kol exhaled sharply, pushing himself forward. Jacob groaned, rubbing his head.
Lisa stood frozen, her hands still faintly glowing.
She wasn't just some ordinary girl.
She wasn't even just human.
And for the first time, she knew—
There was no escaping what she was meant to become.