[At the Scarlet Manor]
The heavy door creaked open. Light spilled across the marble floor as Sarah stepped inside.
At the gate, two guards crossed their weapons in front of her.
"I wish to speak with your mistress," Sarah said calmly.
The guards exchanged glances, unsure. Sarah folded her arms, her tone sharper this time. "Tell her... Lady Sarah has come to see her."
One guard hurried off. Moments later, he returned and bowed. "You may enter."
She walked in, heels echoing down the elegant hallway until she reached the grand chamber. There, lying gracefully on a velvet bed, was Laisa—draped in a crimson gown, a fan resting in her hand. She rose with a practiced smile.
"It's been a long time, Sarah," Laisa said, eyes narrowing. "And this time, you've come in a normal body. That's rare."
Sarah didn't sit right away. "The matter is urgent."
Laisa's smile faded. "Urgent? What could pull you away from Lord Azreal's side?"
Sarah finally sat. "Have you heard of a girl named Aria? The one who caused chaos in Hell three years ago?"
"Of course," Laisa replied. "Hard to forget a pest like that."
"Well then," Sarah leaned closer. "Did you know she's now close to Lord Azreal? So close... that he invited her to the Royal Palace. Gave her a private room."
Laisa stood, her hand clenching the fan tightly. "What did you say?"
Flames danced in her eyes. The temperature in the room spiked.
Sarah smiled. "You're angry, aren't you? I would be too. After everything you've done to get Lord Azreal to notice you... and now some random girl takes your place."
Laisa snapped, "Are you here to mock me?!"
"No," Sarah said smoothly. "I came to tell you the truth. You, his pillar, haven't even been to the palace once. But she was welcomed like royalty."
Laisa trembled with rage.
Sarah leaned in. "Don't tell me you haven't tried seducing him over and over. I know everything, Laisa."
"What does this have to do with Aria?" Laisa hissed.
"She's not just a girl. She has the God's Mark."
Laisa's eyes widened. "So that's why..."
"Yes," Sarah continued. "He wants her close. Closer than anyone else."
Laisa exploded. "LORD AZREAL IS MINE! Anyone who stands between us... will DIE!"
Sarah grinned. Perfect.
She grabbed Laisa's wrist. "Then come. Let's get him back. I have a plan... and I've already started it."
Laisa stopped walking. "What plan?"
Sarah whispered something. The flames flickered violent.
[At the Royal Palace]
Azreal stood before the war table, his eyes scanning the empty crystal.
"She's not appearing on the panel... Did she switch to a human form? Why now?"
He frowned. "And Aria... still missing."
His mind flashed back.
"I'm not feeling well," Sarah had said. "I'll freshen up in one of the rooms."
Azreal's eyes darkened. "She lied... Aria never entered the palace. That means... her last stop was at the Gate."
Knock knock.
"Enter."
Hulk walked in, bowing.
"Is Allen sealed in the Third Gate?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Any word on Aria? Sarah?"
"No, my Lord. Sarah was still at the gate last I saw her."
"She's vanished."
Another knock.
"Enter."
A young man stepped in and bowed. "My name is Walter, Hell Guard of the Containment Layer."
"What does a guard from the Containment Layer want with me?" Azreal asked.
"I know where Aria is."
Hulk grabbed Walter's collar. "Why now?! Why should we trust you?"
Azreal raised a hand. "Enough."
He faced Walter. "Speak."
"She's... being tortured in the Containment Layer," Walter said nervously.
Hulk paled. "The Confinement Layer?!"
Azreal turned to leave. "You two—stay here. In case Sarah returns."
He paused at the door, eyes glowing with rage. "If you're lying, Walter... you'll regret it."
Walter gulped. Azreal vanished.
[In the Palace Halls]
Fredrick appeared, panting.
"My Lord, there's an emergency!"
"I don't have time."
"All palace guards... have disappeared."
Azreal's eyes narrowed. "It's begun."
"Send word through the Hell Butterflies to the Pillars—stay put. I'll handle this alone."
"But—"
"That's an order."
Fredrick bowed and vanished.
Azreal whispered, "I'm coming, Aria."
He snapped his fingers. A portal ignited in the air—pure flame—and he stepped through.
[At the Confinement Layer]
Aria hung from a chain, her body bloodied and broken, barely conscious. Guards surrounded her, laughing.
"Lady Sarah said check for the mark—even if it means stripping her," one smirked.
"Gladly," another sneered, reaching for her.
"Don't…" Aria whispered weakly.
He grabbed her—CHOMP—she bit down hard.
"GAAH!" the guard screamed, bleeding.
"Damn girl!" he slapped her. Blood sprayed.
He kicked her stomach. More blood.
Clothes torn, her vision blurred.
"A-Azreal…" she whispered. "Help... me…"
Her eyes closed.
Just as the guard reached again—
FWOOM!
A wave of heat exploded through the chamber.
A flaming portal tore open.
The guards turned. They fell to their knees, heat sucking the moisture from their bodies.
Azreal stepped through, slow and terrifying.
Aria's eyes fluttered open. "Azreal… you came…" A tear fell.
She passed out.
The lead guard screamed and rushed to stab her—
SNAP—his wrist stopped mid-air.
He looked up. "L-Lord Azreal?!"
Azreal's grip tightened. The dagger clattered.
Azreal's voice was cold. "You hurt her."
CRACK!—the guard's arm was ripped clean off. He screamed.
Azreal tossed it aside and turned to the others.
"Please, forgive us!" they cried, heads bowed.
One of the foolish hell guard charged him. Azreal caught him by the neck. His eyes locked on a mark.
"Still carrying Y'tharion's Mark, huh?"
Azreal's voice was death itself. "One question. Answer right and live."
"Who gave the order?!"
"No one! We acted alone!"
"Wrong answer."
LAVA erupted from Azreal's hands —swallowed the guard whole.
The others cried out.
Azreal lifted another. "Who ordered this?!"
"I—I can't say!" the man sobbed. "I'm loyal! It's for you, My Lord! This is all for you!"
Azreal's eyes flared.
"This is your revolution."
The place burned red, and with it, Hell's Revolution had begun.