A cold mist hung in the air of the Blue Moon Palace, silent and haunting. The moonlight poured through the crystalline windows, casting silver shadows across the marble floors.
Dylan stepped into a grand chamber, his eyes glancing toward the small figure in his arms—Irin, still unconscious. Her long, silken hair fell over his arm like a waterfall of gold. Without a word, he gently laid her on a massive velvet bed in a room filled with luxury—walls carved with moonlit runes, satin drapes fluttering, a chandelier made of spirit crystals humming faintly above.
As he turned to leave, a voice echoed softly behind him.
"Your Majesty," said Xizi, a delicate-looking girl with pale pink wings tucked behind her. Her lavender hair was tied in a braid, and a gentle curiosity danced in her eyes.
Dylan's gaze was sharp but unreadable. "Keep an eye on her," he ordered. "If she wakes up... inform me immediately."
Xizi nodded with a hint of surprise. He never brings anyone here… she thought.
---
Throne Hall of the Demon King
Dylan sat on his obsidian Ruler's Chair, towering above the rest. He read through complaint scrolls from his people—disputes, food shortages, border disputes with Heaven. The Demon King's eyes were cold, calculating.
Suddenly, the heavy doors creaked open.
A tall man entered, wrapped in a dark robe lined with silver—a deep scar cut across his left cheek.
Ruther, Dylan's oldest friend and most trusted ally.
"My Lord," Ruther said, bowing slightly before stepping forward and handing him a sealed scroll.
Dylan opened it with one fluid motion, scanned its contents in silence... and then ripped it apart, his face shadowed in wrath. The pieces fluttered to the ground like cursed petals.
Servants nearby flinched in panic. The tension was thick.
"I'm sorry…" Ruther muttered, guilt darkening his eyes. "It's my fault. The lead was false. I couldn't find your mother and sister… they weren't in the Mortal Village. The information... was fake."
Dylan's eyes, crimson and glowing, glared into Ruther's soul.
"I won't let them live… the ones behind this," he growled. "I've searched for them ever since the Great War. They are all I have left. And yet... I'm the 'Great King of the Blue Moon,' and I can't even find my own blood?"
Ruther gently placed a hand on Dylan's shoulder. "The Heaven spies are deceiving us. Feeding us lies… buying time."
Dylan's fist clenched. "If I find that coward spy… I'll end them myself." Then he turned to his guards and shouted:
"Commanders! Track the spy down. Immediately!"
---
Back in the Luxurious Room
As moonlight seeped across the floor, Irin stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open.
She gasped, hands trembling, staring at the gold-laced ceiling. I'm… not dead? she thought. Her heart raced. She looked around—curtains, mirrors, golden candelabras—This is not Heaven. This… this is—
"You're awake!" came a cheerful voice.
Irin turned sharply. A girl with fairy-like wings was smiling at her.
"I'm Xizi! Are you okay?" the girl asked sweetly. "I can't believe it. Our King brought you here. You must be really special! He never lets a single girl enter this palace!"
Irin blinked, her voice shaking. "Wh-Who is your king?"
Xizi grinned. "Our Blue Moon Demon King, of course!"
Demon.
The word stabbed into Irin's soul. Her body froze.
I'm in a demon's palace…?
Panic surged. Her eyes darted around until she saw a small knife beside a bowl of fruit. In one swift movement, she grabbed it and pointed it at Xizi.
"I'm not afraid of you… or your demon king!" Irin cried, her hands trembling. "Take me out of here. Now!"
Xizi stepped back in shock, trying to calm her. "Wait! Please—don't—"
But Irin stormed toward the door, knife still in hand.
Just as she reached the edge of the doorway, a strong chest bumped against her back.
She gasped.
In an instant, a powerful hand grabbed her wrist, twisting the knife away. Another arm wrapped around her waist, pinning her in place.
"Who… are you?" she asked in a terrified whisper.
Xizi giggled behind them. "You're about to find out."
The man leaned closer, his lips nearly brushing her ear. "I," he said, "am the Demon King."
She slowly turned her head—and saw him.
Dylan.
Her breath hitched.
His face was beautiful—his features sharp and clean, like carved ice. His jawline flawless, his red eyes piercing, and his touch… dangerous.
He released her slowly, and she stumbled back against the wall, wide-eyed.
"If you try to escape again…" Dylan's voice dropped to a cold warning, "I'll burn you alive."
Irin didn't speak. Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
"Xizi," Dylan said, "Bring her food."
Then he turned and left, his black cloak trailing like a shadow.
---
In Dylan's Chamber
The Demon King stood before a flower painting on a scroll—his gaze unreadable.
An old man entered slowly, his cane tapping lightly. His white beard brushed against his long robe. He was the Elder Strategist of the Demon Clan—one of the last survivors of the first war.
"Why did you bring that girl here?" the elder asked. "You know how Heaven will react."
Dylan turned. "She has the flower tattoo… on her left hand."
The elder's eyes widened. "Impossible…"
"I'm certain," Dylan said. "But now I need to know how to activate it."
The old man walked closer, speaking gravely. "That tattoo… will only awaken when its bearer's true lover is in danger."
A twisted smile curled on Dylan's lips. "Good. Then I'll put her heart to the test. Once it awakens… Heaven's fate is sealed."
---
Nightfall
Back in the room, Irin sat near the wall, arms wrapped around her legs. Her stomach growled in hunger, but her spirit refused the food Xizi brought.
"I don't want it," Irin whispered.
Xizi knelt beside her. "Please… you need strength…"
But Irin's eyes brimmed with tears.
Her heart ached for her home. For the trees of the Fairy Village, the sparkling rivers, the gentle songs of her sisters.
Now… she was trapped.
---
Meanwhile, in Heaven
The glow of healing magic pulsed gently in a sacred room. Fiona lay in bed, her complexion pale, surrounded by her worried parents.
Ren stood nearby, unmoving. His fists clenched.
An old healer placed her fingers on Fiona's pulse and smiled. "She's exhausted… but she'll recover."
Slowly, Fiona opened her eyes.
She blinked. Her lips moved. "Where is… Irin?"
Everyone in the room fell silent.
Heads bowed.
Fiona's heart raced. "Where is she?!"
No one answered.
But Fiona's soul screamed.
---
To be continued...
---