Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!Alessandro stood in the dim light of the chamber, frustration etched across his features as Cassiel approached him. "I need you to come here," Cassiel urged, his tone urgent. Alessandro's heart sank at the thought of exposing his only daughter to such danger. "There must be another solution. Before my daughter joins this fight, she's just a girl." Cassiel's usual cheerful demeanor had hardened. "I don't think you understand. In war, it doesn't matter if you're a child, an adult, or an elder.If we don't all fight to defeat the Dark King, nothing will remain in this world but darkness and chaos." Alessandro clenched his fists, struggling to contain the urge to confront Cassiel. Cassian intervened, sensing the tension. "Are you sure there are no other guardians? No other options?" Cassiel shook his head. "I understand all guardians are like my children. There are only five of you-old guardians and the girl who opened the doors to Hades." "We couldn't close those doors to Hades. We will use parchment for teleportation and seek assistance." "That wouldn't work," Cassiel replied."Why not?" Alessandro demanded. "Because you can only close the doors to Hades when the Dark King leaves this realm. We must keep him distracted as long as we can, so you have a chance to kill him." Cassiel sighed heavily, and Alessandro regarded him with suspicion, as if he were a villain intent on dragging his wife into the war. "I don't want your children to die. That's why I decided Lissana should stay back. She is not fit to fight against the Dark King.His power is exceptional, and if anyone has a chance of surviving this war, it's her." "But..." "I understand how you feel, but there are no more options. Uzziel is still too small, and I can't face the Dark King because I might not survive." Cassian felt as though a dagger had pierced his heart at Cassiel's words. The mere thought of losing his daughter terrified him. "There isn't much time. We don't know when the Dark King will attack, so we cannot falter." "This is not a decision I can make lightly," Alessandro replied, his voice heavy with dread.After a moment of contemplation, he left the chamber and returned to his quarters, where Abril lay asleep. He caressed her forehead, wishing he could ask her what she would say if she knew what Cassiel had proposed. He was the first to oppose the idea; he didn't want his only daughter in danger. He wished Abril were there, but in the end, it always led to peril. Alessandro felt helpless, unable to protect his family. A painful memory resurfaced-he recalled the day he lost his father and brothers.Anxiety and fear gripped his heart, and for a fleeting moment, he was the young prince again, stripped of the chance to grieve with someone who loved him. He took Abril's hand, kissed it gently, and made a silent promise. "I won't let anything bad happen to you. I will protect you; I will not allow darkness to take you." Cassiel surveyed the somber faces around him. It was no wonder they looked so grim; if they lost the war, it would mean the end of the world. But they could not allow doubt to creep in. The moment they accepted defeat was the moment all hope would vanish."Lift those funeral faces," Cassiel said cheerfully. "No one is dead yet. Don't give up before we even begin the battle. We must declare our victory, or we will never achieve it." With a flourish, Cassiel stretched his arms wide and began to rally the spirits of those around him. "I need to talk to my father, so don't bother me. You will stay in my quarters and won't come near me unless you are alive or dead. Do not interrupt me." Cassian turned to Cassiel, his brow furrowed with concern. "Is it true that you will help us?" "Of course.noveldramaA father always listens to his children; it is we who ignore him." "That's why so many worlds have fallen into darkness." "Exactly. We have been selfish, never knowing how to fight together. Each kingdom wanted to save itself alone, but we cannot do that. We must be one people, united and strong, to defeat this common enemy-the Dark King who seeks to destroy our world and every living being within it." Cassian still struggled to grasp the enormity of it all, but the reality was clear: they could not give up if they wanted a future.Meanwhile, the Dark King had created a throne amidst the wings of Hades, surrounded by all the monsters and creatures that emerged from the shadows. Liona felt the overwhelming power radiating from him, a force so potent that she dared not meet his gaze. Dagon stood before the Dark King, bowing his head. "My great lord, the conqueror and destroyer of worlds, welcome." "I have waited long for the doors to open. I thought I could never return to this world and reclaim it as my own. Forgive my delay; it was not easy to find someone to open those doors." "You have done well.I will reward you greatly." "Thank you, my lord." The Dark King turned his gaze to the human sitting on the ground. "What is a human doing among my troops?" Liona spoke, her voice trembling. "I am here because I wish to serve you, my lord." "Human, approach." Liona stood, fear coursing through her as she stepped forward, keeping her gaze lowered to avoid offending him. When she was close enough, the Dark King rose from his throne, grasped her chin, and forced her to meet his eyes. His touch was as cold as ice, but all that lost significance when she looked upon his face.She had expected a monster, but the Dark King was strikingly beautiful. Yet his eyes were voids of darkness, devoid of hope. "All humans wish to destroy me. They seek to prevent my kingdom from expanding. Do you wish to serve me?" "I am weary of being human. I am tired of serving them and being trampled upon. I want to be one of you. I want to be part of the darkness and live in your kingdom." The Dark King laughed, a chilling sound."Are you certain that is what you desire?" "Yes, I want to be part of your army and destroy humanity." Leaning closer, the Dark King pressed his lips to hers, but the kiss was anything but pleasant. Liona felt her body tremble as the overwhelming power of darkness surged through her. With that kiss, it felt as if something dark and malevolent invaded her, corrupting every part of her being, erasing every trace of her humanity.