The village stood in silence,not a single sound,not even the wind dared to pass through.
Lucien stopped at the edge of it, his gaze scanning every corner. The darkness here was different—thicker, heavier. The kind that didn’t just exist… but waited.
He looked down at the child in his arms.
Zia blinked up at him, still holding a small flower she had picked along the way.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he turned slightly and walked toward a spot just outside the village, near a large tree hidden behind broken stone.
He crouched down and gently set her there.
“Stay here,” he said, his tone low and firm.
She didn’t understand.
But she didn’t move either.
Just sat there quietly, playing with the flower in her tiny hands.
Lucien watched her for a second longer than necessary… then stood.
And walked away.
The moment he stepped into the village—the presence revealed itself.
Dark energy surged through the air.
From the shadows, the devil emerged.
Tall. Distorted. Watching him with a twisted grin.
Lucien didn’t waste time.
His blade was already in his hand.
The devil attacked first.
Fast.
But Lucien was faster.
He dodged cleanly, stepping aside as claws tore through the air. His movements were sharp, controlled—each step calculated, each strike precise.
He didn’t rush.
Didn’t panic.
He observed.
Adapted.
And avoided most of the attacks with ease.
Still—one hit slipped through.
A shallow cut across his arm.
Another grazing his side.
Nothing serious.
Nothing that would slow him down.
Lucien’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“…You’re weaker than I expected.”
The devil snarled and lunged again—but this time, Lucien moved forward.
One step.
One strike.
Clean.
Final.
The body dropped.
Silence returned to the village.
Lucien exhaled slowly, lowering his blade.
The mission…
was complete.
He didn’t stay.
Didn’t look back.
He turned immediately and walked out of the village, heading straight to where he had left her.
And there she was.
Exactly where he had placed her.
Zia sat quietly under the tree, still holding the same flower, gently turning it in her hands as if it was enough to keep her entertained all along.
Lucien paused.
“…You didn’t move.”
She looked up at him and smiled.
Like nothing had happened.
Like she had been waiting.
He crouched down again, his injured arm aching slightly as he reached for her.
“…You’re strange.”
But still—
he picked her up. Carefully.
The forest stretched ahead of them once more.
Darker and colder now.
Lucien walked steadily, though his body had begun to feel the weight of the fight. His arm throbbed faintly, and exhaustion settled slowly into his steps.
But he didn’t stop.
Not while carrying her.
Minutes passed.
Then—something changed.
The pain It didn’t disappear…but it softened.
His steps grew lighter.
His breathing steadier.
Lucien frowned slightly.
That shouldn’t be happening...not this fast.
His gaze lowered.
Zia had fallen asleep.
Her small head rested against his shoulder, her grip loose but secure, the crushed flower still held in her tiny hand.
Lucien’s eyes lingered.
And then—he noticed it.
That same faint warmth.
Subtle and quiet.
But there.
His expression tightened just a little.
“…So it’s you.”
The forest remained silent around them.
But for the first time since the fight—Lucien didn’t feel the weight of it as much.
And for reasons he didn’t understand—neither did the pain.
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