Chapter Text
Hours before horror engulfed Puertomarino, Veela had been locked in her home. House arrest had turned her home into a gilded prison. Whenever she would venture out of her room. The guards who were ordered by the Grandmaster would watch her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was a foreigner in her own home. She laid on her bed, staring at the chandelier with the sunset giving its reflective glow. For once she decided to muster enough will, and leave her polished bedroom.
The door creaked, Veela peeked through. She briefly caught the figure of several maids darting around in the connected parallel hall. Leaving her hidden position she opened the door wide open and silently walked to the end of the hall. There she heard dialogue between several maids who grouped together.
“Honestly, one moment that knight was celebrated for clearing the Lord’s challenge. Now he’s been ostracized and forced to do manual labour.”
“That’s not all, he’s now called the ‘blackguard’.” The maids all giggled in synchronization. Even Veela who had been silently observing gave a slight chuckle.
“Honeslty, he was quite dashing. Similar to Sir Wasfed, but after hearing his outrage. I found myself disgusted that I considered him attractive.”
Finally one of the maids gave a comment that interested Veela the most, “Veela did good exposing such corruption, but I’m still confused. If the ‘blackguard’ wasn’t the one who committed the crime. Who did?”
The words froze her in place. For the first time in weeks, the air around her felt heavy.
Sol. Innocent? Then why—
She blinked hard, as if the thought itself offended her. This entire time she had been thinking that Sol was the one responsible. Hating, cursing and even the urge to vomit witnessing anything that reminded her of him, but after the verdict and the Paladins Zone of truth cleared him of wrongdoing. She felt lost, feeling that she was wasting her time thinking about him.
A gust of cold wind slipped through the corridor. The maids paused mid-laughter, eyes darting to the darkened windows. Then came the noise — a fast, wet whipping sound from outside. Catching Veela off guard as it dashed behind her and steered left where the defenseless maids were congregating.
Screams erupted from the left corridor. Veela bolted toward the sound, skirts and hair whipping behind her.
In the dim hall, she found the maids huddled on the floor — above them, a black blur darted in frantic circles, wings beating like knives through the air.
Veela’s eyes darted across the room. No free weapon. Only a candleholder burning on a nearby table. She snatched it from its stand, the hot wax splattering across her hand, and swung wildly. The first few strikes cut nothing but air — the creature shrieked and dove for her face.
She ducked, breath ragged, heart pounding. Then instinct took over. As the bat-like thing twisted for another dive, Veela thrust out her palm and shouted—
[Shield Wall]
The air echoed. The creature smashed headfirst into the transparent barrier with a thud, dazed midair. Veela noting her chance. She lunged, driving the candle’s iron spike straight through its ribs. The thing screeched once before collapsing to the floor, twitching, then fell still.
Veela staggered back, chest heaving, the smell of burned wax and blood thick in the air. She wiped her hand on her sleeve and turned toward the trembling maids.
“Are you all right?” Veela asked, turning to the trembling maids. Before any of them could respond, the sound of armored footsteps echoed through the hall. The guards assigned to uphold her house arrest burst through the door, halberds leveled toward her.
“Lady Veela,” one barked, his tone sharp. “Might we ask what you’re doing?”
Veela opened her mouth to explain—but the world shook before she could speak.
BOOM.
The explosion rattled the windows. A shockwave roared through the manor, sending gusts of hot air slashing through the hall. The maids cried as their skirts billowed, glass panes trembled, and dust rained from the chandelier. The guards shielded their eyes from the blast, while Veela—frozen in place—stared out the window. The horror had begun.
“Unbelievable,” one guard whispered, voice quivering. “Are my eyes deceiving me?”
“No…” his partner muttered. “This can’t be real.”
Outside, Puertomarino was aflame. Hundreds of bat-like demons flooded the streets, their wings shadowed out the moonlight. Fire blasted across the rooftops, the worst of it concentrated around the central castle. Screams carried through the wind—desperate, human, and fading fast.
The maids collapsed to their knees, clutching one another. “Why... Why is this happening to us?” one cried. Veela’s heartbeat thundered in her ears. But she steadied herself, forcing the tremor from her hands.
“I know you were given orders,” she said, her voice low but firm, “but we’ll need to fight.” She looked down briefly, almost whispering. “Please.”
The lead guard hesitated—then nodded. “Very well. We’ll get everyone out of here alive.” He unfastened a small leather pouch from his belt and pressed it into her hand. Inside was a slim, silver-edged blade.
“You’ll need this, my lady,” he said, meeting her eyes. “Stay close. We move together. If we can reach the outskirts... we might survive this tragedy.”
Veela looked down at the blade, then upwards at the guards. “Where are Mother and Father? My brother and sister-in-law?” For a brief moment the guards hesitated, glancing at one another.
Veela’s heartbeat spiked. “Where are they?”
Finally, one guard stepped forward, his voice firm despite the fear in his eyes. “I’ll find them, my lady. In the meantime, get everyone out of here!” He sprinted toward the opposite end of the manor, while Veela rallied the maids toward the stairs. Together, the combined strength of servants and guards forced their way through the rubble, descending into the choking smoke below. The air, once filled with perfume and polished marble dust, now reeked of ash. Fire burst from doorways in violent waves.
The last remaining guard took point as vanguard while Veela held the rear, keeping the group in sight. They moved quickly, boots striking the stone, breath ragged, until a sudden shatter of glass broke their rhythm. A bat-like creature, larger than the one before, hurtled through the window and slammed into the guard’s halberd. Its jaws clamped down on the shaft, pushing closer inch by inch.
“Ah—damn it!” he shouted, straining to keep it back.
The maids, frozen only a moment, tore a white cloth from the railing and threw it over the creature’s head. “Lady Veela!” one cried. Veela surged forward, placed a trembling hand on the cloth, and whispered:
[Magic Arrow]
A burst of light pierced the beast clean through. It dropped to the floor, twitching once before lying still.
The guard looked up, panting. “My thanks, you saved me there.”
Veela gave a brief, weary smile. “We have no time. Take point. If more come, I’ll handle them.”
He nodded, and the group pressed on. As Veela followed, she glanced back. Her home, the place of her birth, her laughter, her family dinners, was collapsing into flame and smoke. For a moment, she stood still, feeling the heat kiss her cheeks. A single tear slipped down her face before she turned away and ran to rejoin the survivors.
The journey to the courtyard was brutal. Every few steps, another demon crawled out from the smoke and embers, forcing the group to fight or flee. By the time they reached the open air, their lungs burned and their limbs felt like lead.
The courtyard, once lush with green hedges and roses, was now a wasteland of black ash and flame. The maids collapsed to their knees, coughing violently. Even Veela, her mana nearly spent, slumped beside them. The lone guard leaned against what remained of a marble planter, his halberd quivering in his grip.
For a fleeting moment, Veela thought of rest. The fire’s warmth wrapped around her like a cruel lullaby, convincing her eyes to close.
Then a scream shattered the silence.
“NOOO!”
Veela’s eyes snapped open. The voice, she knew it. A chill ran through her.
“Adelina!!”
She sprang to her feet, ignoring the burning ache in her body, and sprinted toward the sound. The weary guard looked up in alarm.
“Lady Veela!”
But she was already gone, vanishing into the smoke. Gritting his teeth, the guard turned to the maids. “Go! Through the back entrance! I’ll catch up with her!”
They hesitated, wide-eyed. “GO!” he barked. That was enough. The maids stumbled to their feet and fled as he charged after his lady.
Veela followed the sound of Adelina’s screams until the manor’s front gates came into view. Then her heart nearly stopped.
There, her parents huddled together protected by Tavion. The guard who had gone to find them lay motionless nearby, his body twisted unnaturally. Before them loomed a demon twice a man’s height, its leathery skin glowing faintly with ember veins. Tavion’s sword flashed as he struck, but the creature barely flinched. Behind him, Adelina tried to drag their parents to safety, tears streaking her soot-covered face.
Veela immediately tried to rush to her family’s aid, but a firm hand yanked her back.
She spun around to find the guard gripping her arm. “Wait,” he hissed. “If you charge in now, you’ll just get yourself killed.”
She froze, teeth clenched. He was right, and the truth burned.
Why am I always this reckless? she thought bitterly. That’s how I ended up under house arrest in the first place.
Forcing herself to breathe, she steadied her voice. “Listen. I’ll strike its eye with a Magic Arrow. When it staggers, you go for the heart.”
The guard nodded once, lowering his stance. Veela raised her trembling hand toward the demon that was bearing down on Tavion. Her vision blurred from fatigue, her mana nearly spent. The weight of the moment pressed on her shoulders. She gripped her right wrist with her left hand, forcing it steady.
[Magic Arrow]
A streak of light burst from her palm, cutting through the smoke and ash. It struck right into the creature’s eye. The demon shrieked, clutching at its face. Tavion stumbled back, stunned by the sudden flash.
“Now!” Veela shouted.
The guard lunged from cover, his blade flashing silver as he drove it into the demon’s chest. The steel met flesh with a sickening crunch, sinking deep into its left side. The guard grinned, as if victory had been assured, but to their horror the demon stood unfazed.
It seized him by the neck, lifting him effortlessly. His legs kicked, scraping at the air, until a sickening crack echoed through the courtyard. Blood splattered across the stones as the body fell limp.
Adelina screamed. Veela’s parents froze, stunned into silence. Tavion sprang forward, sword raised, ready to intercept, the demon’s eyes flicked toward him, and it charged. Tavion dove aside, dragging the trembling Adelina down with him. The monster barreled past them and straight toward their parents.
“No!” Veela screamed, sprinting forward. But she was too late.
The demon’s massive arm swung down, crushing Isabela’s skull with a wet, concussive thud. Her body struck the wall and slid down lifelessly, her face torn beyond recognition.
“ISABELA! ISABELA, TALK TO ME!” Alejandro’s voice broke as he ran towards her before falling to his knees beside her. He shook her hand, her shoulder, anything, but the body didn’t move. His eyes lifted, hollow with disbelief, just as the demon planted a foot atop his chest.
For a heartbeat, he froze in shock. Then Veela’s scream reached him and something in him snapped back to life. He ripped the necklace from around his neck and hurled it toward her.
“Veela! Take this! You’ll know what to do with it!” His voice shook as he tried to continue. “Just remember, me and your mother, we always lo—”
The words died as the demon’s foot came down, crushing his torso. The sound was wet and final. Alejandro’s limbs went limp, his body folding under the blow. Veela’s scream tore through the courtyard, raw enough to shake the air. Tavion cried out in fury, his sword trembling in his grasp, while Adelina collapsed to her knees, vomiting from the horror.
Veela clutched the necklace to her chest. Its smooth, diamond-shaped core radiated a faint warmth ,a flicker of comfort in her darkest hour. The gem pulsed softly, casting pale light across her tear-streaked face.
She looked down, realization dawning. “Father… you had such an artifact all this time?” Her voice broke into a whisper. A tear slipped down her cheek. “Then... let me use it now.”
Closing her eyes, she drew the necklace’s mana into her body. The rush of energy nearly overwhelmed her, but she steadied herself, raising her trembling hand to the heavens. “I beg of you, my guardian angel!” she cried, voice cracking with anguish.
[Guardian Angel]
A radiant circle flared beneath her feet, runes spinning in perfect symmetry. From its center rose a sleek, humanoid form ,wings of white fire unfurling, a halo burning like molten gold behind its head. The ground trembled as it fully emerged, its presence both beautiful and terrible.
Veela stared up at the summoned being, memories flashing — the same angel she had once unleashed against Sol, now called upon again, not for pride, but vengeance.
Her hand trembled as she pointed toward the towering demon.
“Go! Avenge my parents!”
The angel obeyed instantly, wings cutting through the air with a sonic hum. It darted beneath the demon’s arm and slammed its glowing mace into the beast’s ribs. The impact reverberated like thunder, knocking the creature off balance.
Veela seized the opening, channeling what remained of her borrowed mana.
[Magic Arrow]
A translucent bolt burst from her hand, streaking through the smoke and embedding itself in the demon’s forearm. The creature howled, clutching the wound as radiant light hissed against its flesh.
With the demon sprawled across the ground, its massive frame shuddering, the angel lifted its mace high above its head. Divine light glinted off the metal just before it came crashing down. The demon’s skull caved inward with a sickening crunch. Veela, eyes blazing with grief and fury, thrust her hand forward.
[Shock Wave]
A violent burst of pressurized air detonated behind the angel’s descending mace. The added force amplified the strike, and the demon’s head was instantly severed—its thick neck splitting apart in a wet eruption of blackened ichor.
“Again!” she screamed, voice breaking. “Keep hitting it! Don’t stop!”
Obedient and merciless, the angel raised its mace once more and hammered the demon’s corpse. Each blow sent shards of bone and fragments of flesh scattering across the burning courtyard. The body quickly lost all recognizable shape—reduced to pulp beneath divine steel. Soon the sounds of cracking bone faded, replaced only by the wet, sickening squelch of pulverized flesh. Still Veela screamed for more.
“AGAIN! AGAIN! AGAIN!”
Suddenly, arms wrapped around her from behind. “Veela! Stop!” Tavion’s voice broke, pure with grief. “It’s dead… it’s dead, Veela!”
She froze, her breath hitched, her knees buckled, the world spun. All at once the strength drained from her body. The angel halted mid-swing, its halo flickering as the mana sustaining it faltered. Veela collapsed into Tavion’s arms, shaking uncontrollably, the last of her fury dissolving into dreary breaths and silent sobs.
They sobbed together, clinging to one another in the scorched courtyard. Tavion was the first to break away. Tears still streaked down his face, but he pushed Veela and Adelina forward with trembling hands.
“Can you both walk?” His voice cracked, raw and desperate. “We need to go.”
Still weeping, the two women forced themselves upright. Their legs shook beneath them, but they followed Tavion’s lead.
“We need to find the maids, join the guards, anyone,” he said, wiping his eyes with the back of his arm. “We have to get everyone out of here.”
Veela nodded weakly. Exhaustion clung to her like a shroud, but she pushed herself onward. They moved past the burning manor towards the back entrance, the same path the maids had fled minutes earlier. Behind them, the manor groaned under its own collapsing weight. A deafening boom split the air as a section of the building caved inward, sending a shockwave of dust and ash rolling across the courtyard.
Veela tried to look back, tried to catch one last glimpse of her home, but her body refused to obey. She simply staggered forward, eyes unfocused, held together only by Tavion and Adelina’s support.
Down the cracked stone stairs they ran, weaving through bursts of flame and falling debris. The city around them had become a battlefield, demons shrieking overhead, explosions illuminating the night sky in violent bursts.
At last, breathless and half-collapsed, they reached a gathering of civilians and knights taking shelter in a ruined plaza. The maids, those who had survived, spotted them first and cried out in relief.
“Lady Veela! Over here!”
The trio stumbled into the group, swallowed by the trembling survivors as more screams echoed across the burning district. Knights stumbled through the smoke-filled plaza, desperately trying to regroup civilians and their terrified squires. Paladins stood on the perimeter, watching the rooftops and alleyways where shadows twisted unnaturally. Clerics tended to the wounded where they fell, ignoring their own bleeding arms and trembling hands. Veela even witnessed a cleric collapse mid-heal, his body going still as the light faded from his spell. Children cried for their mothers. Men begged their gods for mercy. The air reeked of ash, blood, and fear. Chaos pressed in on Veela from every direction, and for a moment she felt herself drifting into numb shock until a maid rushed up to her, snapping her out of it.
“Lady Veela! Please, sit, drink some water! Eat something, anything!”
Veela took the waterskin with trembling hands. Her throat burned as she swallowed, and when the maid offered a small bowl of chicken stew, she forced herself to take a bite. But the moment it touched her tongue, the image of her parents’ mangled bodies flooded her mind. Her stomach lurched violently. She fell to her knees and vomited.
“Lady Veela! Are you alright?” another maid asked, reaching toward her—
Veela weakly raised a hand to stop her. She didn’t trust her voice. Didn’t trust herself not to shatter again. She wiped her mouth with the back of her sleeve and looked around, searching desperately for anything to pull her away from her own spiraling grief.
That was when she saw a figure limping toward them. Bloodied, shaking and barely able to stand.
“V-Veela…”
Veela’s heart jolted. “Rosa?!”
She scrambled to her feet, trying to force a reassuring smile even though her lips trembled. “R-Rosa, I’m glad you’re safe. I—I think the worst might finally be—” Her voice died.
Something was wrong. Rosa’s eyes were swollen from crying. Her breath came in choked gasps. She clutched her arm like it was the only thing keeping her upright.
“Veela…” Rosa whispered again, then began to sob.
Veela’s heart sank into her stomach. “Rosa… what’s wrong?” she whispered.
Rosa’s face crumpled. “T-they took Mateo,” she choked, grabbing Veela’s shoulders. “They took my boy!”