The battlefield was silent.
Kol Vaelros stood alone in the ruins, his body pulsing with dark energy, his black eyes scanning the destruction. The once-mighty castle, the heart of the Devil's reign, was nothing more than rubble. Blood soaked the ground, the remains of a battle that had shaken the world itself.
The storm had passed. The war was over.
Or so it seemed.
A sudden shift in the air made Kol's gaze flicker. A portal, shimmering with divine energy, tore open.
From it, Lisa, Elizabeth, and Jacob stepped out. Their expressions were hardened, ready for a fight, prepared to stand at Kol's side. But as their feet touched the broken ground, their breath caught in their throats.
The battlefield was empty. The army was gone. The Devil was nowhere to be seen.
And Kol stood alone, his presence more terrifying than ever before.
Lisa's eyes widened. "Kol?"
He turned toward them slowly, his face unreadable. He didn't speak.
Elizabeth took a hesitant step forward. "You… you won?"
Jacob's fists clenched. It was impossible. The Devil's army, the six remaining Knights, the Devil himself—how could Kol have won alone?
Lisa wasn't looking at the battlefield anymore. She was looking at Kol.
Something was wrong, But she didn't care.
The air around him was different. The darkness that clung to him wasn't the same as before.
Then, another portal opened.
Lisa's breath hitched as hooded figures emerged. The Witches.
They stepped forward in perfect unison, their black robes billowing, their glowing eyes fixed on Kol. Then—without hesitation—they stood before him.
Lisa and Jacob froze.
Elizabeth's heart pounded.
The leader of the Witches raised her head. "Master," she whispered. "You have returned."
Lisa took a step back. "What… what are they doing?"
Kol didn't answer. He simply watched as the Witches bowed before him, accepting him—not as their enemy, not as a survivor, but as their new Master.
Elizabeth's hands trembled. "Kol, say something."
Still, he remained silent.
Jacob moved in front of Lisa, drawing his blade instinctively. "Stay back."
Then—Kol finally spoke.
"There's no need for that."
His voice was calm. Unnaturally calm. A quiet certainty lay beneath his words.
Lisa's not scared at all.
Jacob didn't lower his weapon. "Kol… what the hell is going on?"
Kol's gaze flickered toward him. "It's over."
Jacob took a step forward, tightening his grip on his sword. "Over? What do you mean over?" He gestured toward the Witches still standing at Kol's side. "Why are they doing this? Why are they calling you their Master?"
Elizabeth's breath was shaky. "Kol… did you—"
She couldn't finish.
Because deep down, she already knew.
Kol wasn't himself.
He wasn't just Kol anymore.
Jacob's stance shifted, his muscles tensing. "If you've become one of them, if the Devil—"
Kol moved.
Faster than Jacob could react, Kol appeared before him, gripping the blade with his bare hand. Black energy crackled around his fingers as the sword trembled under his grasp.
Jacob's eyes widened. He had fought alongside Kol for years. He had seen his strength before.
But this?
This was different.
Kol's lips curled into a slow smile. "You're afraid."
Jacob tried to pull his sword back—but it wouldn't move.
Kol leaned in, his voice quieter now. "Don't be."
Lisa took his hand. "Kol, stop!"
Kol glanced at her.
Her golden eyes were wide open but not with fear.
For a moment, something flickered in his gaze.
Then, he let go of Jacob's blade.
Lisa stepped closer, her voice steady. "Kol… are you still you?"
Kol watched her. He could feel nothing but from her, not even the smallest stain of fear.
But he smiled.
"I'm fine," he said. "You don't have to be afraid."
Lisa believe him.
But Jacob couldn't.
Neither did Elizabeth.
But Kol wasn't going to give them time to question him.
He turned toward the Witches. "Leave."
The leader bowed her head. "As you command."
Within seconds, they vanished.
Lisa still holding his hand. "Where did they—"
Kol turned to her. "It's time to go."
Lisa. "Go where?"
Kol met her gaze. "Home."
The sun was rising when they stepped through the portal.
Orin, valen, and Dain were already waiting.
The moment Kol appeared, Orin's eyes widened in disbelief. "Kol?!"
Valen stepped forward. "You're alive?"
Dain let out a breath of relief, shaking his head. "You actually survived that?"
For a brief moment, the tension seemed to break. Orin let out a shaky laugh, his eyes glassy with emotion. "Damn bastard. I knew you wouldn't die that easily."
Kol smiled. "It's good to see you, Orin."
Orin froze.
Kol had not call his name in centuries.
Jacob, and Elizabeth didn't speak.
They stood in silence, watching as the others celebrated.
But deep inside—they knew the truth.
Kol had survived.
But he wasn't the same.
And whatever he had become…
It wasn't over.
Suddenly.
A golden light flooded the room.
A figure emerged.
Clad in divine radiance, their very presence commanded attention. Power rolled off them in waves, pressing upon everyone in the room.
Lisa instinctively stepped in front of the others, her body tensing.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The figure's glowing eyes locked onto Kol's siblings. Then, they spoke.
"Kol Vaelros."
Lisa's breath hitched.
The figure continued.
"In seven days, he must stand before the King of the God Realm."
Silence.
Lisa's heart pounded. "Why?"
The figure's expression remained unreadable.
"To answer for what he has become."
A cold dread settled in the room.
Lisa clenched her fists.
"No. He's not a monster. He's not—"
"It is not for you to decide," the figure interrupted, their voice absolute.
Then—without another word—they vanished.