Loveless Incantation: Final
Imported from SF2 with no description.
Azure and I collide, fist to fist, the shockwave splitting the clouds apart like shattered glass. The force rolls through my body, a tangible hum in my bones, but I don't waver. She meets my gaze—sharp, wild, unrelenting. Neither of us gives an inch.
"You know this little act is unnecessary, don't you think?" I ask, twisting to deflect her next blow, feeling the heat of it skim past my cheek.
Azure smirks, unbothered. "It keeps the clans motivated, thinking we're still at war." She pivots fluidly, her next punch cutting through the air with lethal precision. "Besides, morale is up thanks to our latest 'raid.' The livestock and seed cache were quite the haul."
I let out a quiet chuckle, more amused than anything. "As long as we're still on schedule. At least this gives me a chance to test these so-called blessings." I catch her wrist before her next hit can land. "Amplify gravity—ten thousand."
Azure vanishes in an instant, a blur streaking toward the earth before slamming into the ground like a falling star. A crater blooms in her wake, dust and debris spiraling into the sky. I don't worry. She has Opal and her clan in spirit now, and truthfully, even with all my divine gifts, if she wanted me dead, I'd be dead.
Hovering above, I take the opportunity to scan the battlefield—or rather, the carefully staged warfront. The king has been maneuvering resources to uphold his end of the deal, and the "war" remains a meticulously orchestrated illusion. I had warned him that various demon clans wouldn't agree to this arrangement, which is why Azure insisted on keeping the act alive until the very last moment.
Something the king understood—especially with the numerous lords and nobles whose power relied on the conflict's continuation. Officially, all soldiers are on "standby"—a convenient excuse to keep them from becoming collateral damage. Azure has done the same on her end, deploying only generals under the guise of "clearing land" for the demons to loot and occupy.
But none of this would be possible without Shadow.
While Azure and I fight in the sky, he's the one preparing the foundation for what comes after. The soil he's gathered is already being cultivated, ensuring the demons will have enough to call their own. He's also been organizing the livestock and seeds they've taken, tending to the first crops in an effort to establish some kind of stability. His years of collecting corpses have turned the impossible into routine.
Further off, Lacey commands the troops, barking orders to secure supplies before retreating. Playing her part in keeping the stakes high in the demon's minds. They know Azure and I are here, and at any moment, everything could be reduced to ash. But even from miles away, Lacey catches my gaze and smirks, then points downward.
I glance down just in time to dodge a column of fire roaring toward me. Ah. It seems I've annoyed Azure a bit too much this time. She's shifted—her feral form crackling with energy, one of her eyes shimmering opal. The ground beneath her feet is scorched, molten veins forming from the raw heat radiating off her body.
"That hurt," she growls, fangs bared.
"I have to test my powers on someone," I reply matter-of-factly, stretching out my fingers. "You're my unstoppable force."
She scoffs, the flames curling around her dissipating. "Then my immovable object can't complain when I test my limits as well."
One moment, she's there. The next, she isn't. I don't see her. I don't perceive her. Instinct alone has me raising my arms in defense, and then—impact. Her massive claw collides with me, but it's unlike anything else I've ever felt. It isn't just her strength—it's as if every single member of her clan is behind the strike. But more than that, something deeper hits me. Her fist is solid, but the force behind it flows through me, past muscle, past bone—like she's striking my very soul.
I barely register the mountain before I crash into it, the rock crumbling around me as my body leaves a deep imprint in the stone. The air leaves my lungs, and pain flares up my spine. I shake my head, clearing the sudden headache. Azure flies above, watching me with a smug look, her muzzle tilted in challenge.
"How was that, Alex?"
I grin, wiping dust from my face. "So if you kill me, are you going to save me from Death too?"
She flicks her tail. "I doubt that god would let Death take you before him."
"Jealous?" I tease.
The scales along her muzzle darken slightly. "Of what, exactly?"
I pull myself from the crater and fly over to her, closing the distance. "That you'll lose me before we get married?"
She shakes her head, exasperated. "We're supposed to be putting on a show, not a comedy."
I crack my neck, rolling out my shoulders. "You know I'll be the only human in the demon world, right?" She just looks at me, unamused but listening. "What better way for them to accept me after everything I've done than getting married to you?"
Her tail flicks sharply. That annoys her. "So I'm merely a tool?" she snaps.
"Nothing I said that day in the throne room has changed, Azure." My voice loses its teasing edge. "I would like to get to know you better. Things have changed—my soul is bound to Princess now, which means we're likely to live a very long time." I extend my hand toward her, palm open. "If you didn't care about me, even a little, I wouldn't be here. So, no, you're not a tool. But in the end, whether we're friends or something more, I want us to be open about it. The marriage idea is a quick way to put the demons at ease, but if it means that much to you," I offer a small smile, "I'll just have to gain their trust from the ground up."
Azure grits her teeth, her jaw tight with some unspoken frustration. It's no surprise she's struggling. Everything happened too fast. There was so much I wanted us to do together—alone. But we just have to play the cards we've been dealt.
She sighs, rubbing her temples. "I'm getting a headache."
I glance past her, just as an explosion of pinks and purples erupts across the sky.
"Lacey just let out the signal." I drift closer, hovering in front of her. She watches me, unreadable, before I reach out and rest my hand against her muzzle. "Just a few more days, Darling."
A puff of smoke leaves Azure's nose—before I abruptly find myself face-first in the dirt. I look up in time to see her flying off toward Lacey, her tail swaying behind her in what I can only assume is annoyance. I laugh to myself, shaking the dust from my hair. That was a little mean. Standing, I glance up at the sky. Time to return to my party. Tomorrow's skirmish is between Ben and Lacey, and the day after, Alice and Bane.
"Not much longer left," I murmur.
In an instant, I teleport back to the encampment.
Azure shifts back into her humanoid form as she lands beside Lacey, the heat of battle already dissipating in the distance. The demon forces had pulled back, their mission complete, leaving only the silent echoes of staged carnage behind.
"Was everything collected?" Azure asks, rolling her shoulders as remnants of crackling energy flicker off her skin.
Lacey nods, lips curling into a sly smile. "And then some. It seems the king has added a few extra things, perhaps to encourage us to leave—or maybe as a token of thanks to Alex."
Azure raises a brow. "What kind of things?"
Lacey pulls a small, ornate box from her belt and flicks it open, revealing its contents. "Oddities," she says, smirking. "I believe Alex called it candy."
Azure tilts her head, eyeing the dark, glossy circles within. "Candy?" She inhales, the scent foreign yet enticing. "Some kind of food?"
"Indeed," Lacey confirms. "Though unlike anything we demons would consider nourishment. I could explain, but words are pointless. Try one."
Azure plucks a piece from the box and pops it into her mouth. The moment her teeth sink in, her senses are assaulted—first by an unexpected richness, then a wave of intense, layered sweetness. It's nothing like the raw, savory foods of the demon lands. This is crafted, refined, decadent. A pleasure for the sake of pleasure.
She blinks, savoring the strange experience before finally muttering, "A food of luxury."
Lacey nods. "Correct. It holds no worthy nutrition given the sheer effort spent making it, but where it lacks sustenance, it makes up for in… emotional impact. Interesting, at the very least."
Azure studies the remaining pieces, then snaps the box shut. "For now, we keep this from the clans. Food is already scarce, and seeing humans waste resources to create something so frivolous would only ignite resentment."
"Understandable." Lacey bows in agreement. "Any word from Alex?"
Azure hesitates for half a second before shaking her head. "Nothing worth noting."
Lacey giggled, rising up to face Azure. "You looked flustered when you returned, but perhaps I was imagining things?"
Azure sighs. "Just his typical games."
Lacey raises a skeptical brow but doesn't press further. "Mmm? Well, as long as there are no issues, those things can wait until the portal closes." She gestures toward their retreating forces. "Shall we?"
"Yes. With only a few days left, we need to make sure everything falls into place."
With their goal set, the two vanish into the night, preparing for the next phase.
"Just a few more days left, huh?" Alice murmurs, twiddling his fingers as he leans against the strategy table. "It's still hard knowing we won't see you or Jessy again."
I ruffle his hair, smirking as he scowls and swats at my hand. "You'll do fine, Alice. You're not that scared little elf I found shivering at the edge of the forest anymore."
Alice chuckles under his breath, though his eyes flicker with nostalgia. "We're still going to have that drink, right?"
"Of course." I shift my gaze to Ben, who is meticulously sharpening his greatsword. "Try to enjoy yourself out there. Lilith is a pure physical fighter. Fortunately for you, she had to restart her training, so her buffing isn't as strong yet."
Ben lets out a deep laugh, the sound rumbling through his armor. "Then I will do as you say. Honestly, nothing could be as terrifying as when we fought the demon queen."
It's strange how much things have begun to settle. Memories, once fragmented and scattered, are beginning to thread together. My party and the generals recall nearly everything up to our battle with Azure. Perhaps that's why Ben and Alice have found peace with Jessy and me leaving—they know we aren't entering enemy territory. We're returning to something familiar. To allies. To friends.
"How does it feel," I ask Ben, "facing such a powerful enemy and holding your own?"
"It shows me how strong you are, Alex. Knowing that you've faced her alone for so many years..." He smirks, running his fingers along the edge of his blade. "I also see how foolish I was back then. I may not have the energy of youth, but the spirit of a fighter? That, I still have. And while I could never solo the demon queen... I still have plenty of life and service to give to the world."
This is how it should be. When I first met them, they were weighed down by their own struggles, shackled by doubts. Ben, with all his raw strength, had been too hesitant to wield it freely because of his age. Alice, with his boundless potential, had been too afraid to step forward knowing many would look down at him as a freak and not a hero. That's why I chose them—not for their immediate power, but for the fire within that needed only a spark.
I can't undo all those who have died in this war but that's why I have planted many seeds, in the hopes that just like Ben and Alice, they'll grow to protect what they love and plant more seeds for the future of their world.
"Get some rest," I say, sinking into a chair at the strategy table.
"What about you?" Alice asks.
I crack my neck. "I have some business on the demon's side. It won't take long."
He nods, accepting that as an answer, and they both step out, leaving me with a few precious moments of silence. I stretch, running through my mental checklist, ensuring I haven't overlooked anything. Then I feel it—the air shifts, my shadow distorting.
Bane.
He emerges from the darkness, his expression carved from stone. "You ready?"
I meet his deadened stare and nod. "I know delaying this was difficult. Thanks for waiting."
He exhales sharply, somewhere between a sigh and a scoff. "I get it... We needed to make sure they were all in one place. Tonight, they will be."
"Then let's not delay any longer."
Bane's shadows coil around me, and in an instant, the world shifts. The air turns stale, thick with the stench of unwashed bodies and cheap alcohol. We materialize inside a dimly lit building, the flickering glow of lanterns casting jagged shadows across cracked walls. Muffled laughter seeps from the next room—boisterous, unguarded, the kind of laughter that belongs to men who think themselves untouchable.
Bane's gaze flickers to me before tilting his head toward the sound. I nod. No hesitation.
We step forward, crossing into the open room where a cluster of weasels lounge around a stained wooden table, a mix of stolen goods and half-eaten scraps scattered across it. For a brief moment, there's no reaction. Then eyes widen. Hands twitch toward weapons.
"Who the hell are you?!" the leader barks, scrambling to his feet.
"Unfortunately," I say, raising a hand, "we're not here to talk."
I snap my fingers. Chains of force lash through the air, snapping into place before they can even move. The magic binds them in an instant, freezing them where they sit, weapons still half-drawn. Panic flickers in their eyes as realization sets in. One moment, Bane stands beside me. The next, he is behind the leader. A thin red line appears on their necks.
There is no time to scream. No time to beg. Blood spills in quiet rivulets, dark against the dim light. For a breath, there is nothing but silence. Then, with another snap of my fingers, the spell releases, and their bodies slump forward, collapsing onto the table, onto the floor, into the filth they had surrounded themselves with.
Bane wipes his dagger clean on one of their cloaks. "A net positive," he mutters, his tone devoid of emotion.
I step past the bodies, scanning the room. The stolen goods are pitiful—worn-down clothes, mismatched jewelry, rusted coin pouches barely holding anything of worth. This wasn't wealth. This was desperation. It's clear why they had set their sights on Daisy. That water bag held more power, more value, than everything they had managed to scrape together over years of scavenging and theft.
But none of that matters now.
"Take the money back to Azure," I instruct, moving toward the stacked crates along the back wall. "Once we start improving the clans, we can redistribute what's salvageable."
Bane glances at the corpses. "And them?"
"Shadow can always use more helpers." I answer without hesitation.
"At least they'll do more for the clan in death than they ever did in life." Bane lets out a slow breath, sheathing his dagger. "Now I don't have to worry about my family."
I turn to him. "Have you seen them yet?"
He shakes his head, jaw tightening. "We can't hesitate. Not now."
"We're cleaning up a mess," I say, resting a hand on his head. "But a few minutes to check in won't change that, will it? After all…" I glance at a smaller crate in the corner, noting the fresh food and clean water stored inside. "That'll go to waste otherwise."
Bane's gaze shifts toward the crate. For a moment, he just stands there as his head lowers. There's a slight tremble in him, but even so, he quickly shakes it away.
"Y-Yeah…" His voice is quiet, rough at the edges. "It would be a waste."
I step back, giving him the space to process. With one last look around the room, I exhale, rolling out my shoulders.
"See you in a few days, Bane."
He lets out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "We'll be waiting, Alex."
With the job complete, I step into the darkness and return to the human world.
Azure sat reclined on her throne, claws rhythmically drumming the armrest with growing impatience. Tomorrow marked the final day—everything had already been set into motion. Even now, the climactic dance between Bane and Alice played out just as scripted. All that remained was for Azure to wait. It was insufferably dull. She cast a glance toward Jessy. The once-human now demon stood still, her eyes closed in a serene calm that irritated Azure more than she liked to admit.
In the quiet of these last few days, Azure had grown more familiar with Jessy's quirks. The woman accepted her new role without complaint, her dedication unwavering no matter the task. But it was her spirit magic that had left Azure impressed. Advanced didn't even begin to describe it—Jessy had transcended known limits, the way Lilith once had. But unlike Lilith's evolution through passion and new casting style, Jessy's came from a life forged in agony. A power born of torment. A rare, perhaps unrepeatable miracle.
Azure exhaled through her nose, a faint curl of steam trailing from her nostrils. There was nothing to do. Shadow does most of the heavy lifting and Lacey has been organizing and experimenting. That left Azure to the throne, her thoughts, and the weight of idle time. Even the brief fight with Alex had been more satisfying than this—short-lived as it was.
“Thinking about Alex again?"
Azure's eyes flicked toward Jessy. She hadn't moved. Still as stone. But her crimson eyes were now open—sharp and focused on Azure.
“As if," Azure scoffed, tail flicking with a sharp thwack against her throne.
Jessy tilted her head. “You may not realize it, Queen Azure, but your aura shifts when he crosses your mind."
Azure rolled her eyes. “Oh? Then do enlighten me. What do you see?"
Jessy turned, now fully facing the throne. “It's not something I see with my eyes." She closed them again. “This is the world I know. When you sit like this—bored, guarded—your color is yellow. A brittle yellow, sharp at the edges." A pause. “But when you're with Alex… it softens. Lightens. Becomes something pale and warm. Pink, if I had to name it."
Azure narrowed her eyes but said nothing.
“It's… comforting," Jessy went on, still with her eyes closed. “But not in the way you are with Princess. That one is deeper, fuller. This? With Alex? It's playful. Protective, too. A strange mix." Her eyes opened again, and she bowed her head. “That's only what I feel, Queen Azure."
"Tch." Azure's tail gave a more irritated flick. “I'm just bored. That's all this is."
“Of course," Jessy replied, voice light but unreadable.
Azure stood in one fluid movement. “I'm going to pay a visit to the canine clan."
Jessy inclined her head. “What would you have me do in your absence?"
“Whatever you want," Azure said, already turning away. “I'm not your keeper."
“Very well. I believe Lilith had matters to discuss with me."
Azure didn't respond. With a snap of her fingers, the space shimmered—and she was gone, leaving behind only a flicker of heat and the faint scent of cinders. Alone now, Jessy allowed herself a smile, small and private. Things had been… different here. That much was certain. She stepped down from the throne room dais, talons clicking faintly on the polished floor, and started down the corridor at a casual pace, not in a hurry.
Her thoughts wandered. It still caught her off guard sometimes—how strange it felt to be safe among those labeled as monsters. For all the fear humans had of demons, Jessy had found more kindness in this castle than she ever had among her own kind. They didn't leer. They didn't shout. They didn't treat her like a thing. It was… quiet. And that quiet didn't mean danger anymore.
She adjusted the cloak around her shoulders as her feathers shifted beneath it, a few catching on the inner lining. Another sharp tug. Another pluck. She grimaced and rolled her shoulders, trying to ease the pressure. She'd have to alter it eventually. Maybe slit the back or loosen the seams. The way it clung was becoming unbearable.
Still, she kept it tight around her. Habit. Protection. Going without it had crossed her mind once or twice—her body could handle it. The feathers kept her temperature stable through cold halls and hot chambers alike. She wouldn't freeze or overheat. But the idea of removing the robe… No. That wasn't happening.
This cloak was the first thing ever given to her. Not handed off with expectations, not thrown at her to cover someone else's shame. Alex had wrapped it around her shoulders without a word. No judgment. Just warmth. Just… care. And now, even with her transformation, she still couldn't imagine herself without it.
Too many memories came back when her skin felt air. Her talons clicked softly on the stone as she reached the door. She smoothed the cloak once more, tugged it down over her chest, then raised her hand and tapped lightly. Her thoughts could wait, it wouldn't be long before the portal closes and with it a part of her she won't miss.
“So, the day has finally arrived." The king's voice is steady, but there's a weight behind it as we stand on the palace balcony, gazing out over his kingdom. Below, the sun creeps toward the horizon, casting golden light over spired towers and bustling streets—one last look before everything changes.
“It's been a long time coming," I reply, hands clasped behind my back. “But even after the portal closes, your work won't end."
He exhales heavily, removing his crown and setting it gently on the cold marble rail.
“It's been a brutal week," he mutters, his tone distant. “Ever since Alice returned with that intel… I haven't known peace."
“But to root out those who'd sell out the lives of your people for gold?" I say softly, hoping to ease his burden. “That's a sacrifice worth making."
He doesn't respond right away. His fingers trace the edge of his crown, lost in thought. Then, with a quiet laugh, he looks to me. “Your party… they've become heroes in their own right. And to think, I was too afraid to summon Ben back, too ashamed to bring Alice into the fold." His expression darkens. “I keep finding new ways to realize how weak I truly am."
“I prefer the weak," I say, our eyes meeting. “You can only see the path ahead when you're at your lowest. Strength tends to blind people—cloud their vision with arrogance. So keep that weakness. It'll guide you better than pride ever could."
He laughs again, this time with genuine warmth. "It's still strange to see that young face say things far beyond my years." He takes a breath, then sets the crown back atop his head, the weight returning to his shoulders. “Once more, Alexander… thank you. You've done more for this kingdom than I ever could. And know this: so long as this kingdom stands, your name will never be forgotten."
“There's nothing left to say, then." I lower my head in a deep bow. “Farewell, Baldwin."
“Farewell, Alexander."
With that, it's done. One final nod, and I vanish in a shimmer of light—back to the castle of the demon queen.
The celebration was already in full swing by the time I returned. The dining hall pulsed with life—music, clinking glasses, laughter echoing through the high-vaulted stone chamber. Long tables overflowed with roasted meats, spiced roots, rich gravies, and sweet confections from both human and demon cultures. A rare, beautiful sight. One I had prepared beforehand to ensure this would be a night to remember.
I stood beside the throne, where Azure lounged with a goblet in hand, tail curling lazily around the base. Like me, she was watching. Everyone who fought in the final battle was here. Laughing, trading stories, sharing drinks like old friends. The demon generals didn't hold back either—mingling, even laughing with Jessy, who had somehow become the life of the party.
“Shouldn't you be joining them?" Azure asked, her voice low, tinged with amusement.
“I've been with them all week," I said, watching Jessy raise a toast with Alice and Ben. “This night's more for her."
She tapped a claw against the stone of her throne, her tail curled tight around the armrest. “How are you feeling about our stockpile?"
“I think we'll manage." I turned to her, catching the slight crease of worry between her brow. “Worried?"
A soft puff of smoke flared from her nostrils. “If we fail… the clans will turn on each other. The wars will start again."
“Princess has been easing tensions with the other clans," I said. “And those seeds we recovered will go a long way. We'll figure something out."
Her fingers moved to her temples, massaging slowly. “I'm already tired just thinking about the politics."
“You could take a break," I offered with a small grin. “No one would blame you."
“And leave you unsupervised?" She huffed. “Having to explain your presence here will already be complicated enough."
I tilted my head and smirked. “My offer to get married is still on the table."
Her head dropped with a groan, shoulders slumping in defeat. “This again."
I kneel beside her throne, placing a hand beneath her chin and gently lifting it so our eyes meet.
“I'll never forget what happened when we were in that void," I say, my voice low, steady, honest. “So let me make this completely clear—no games this time." She doesn't speak, doesn't pull away. Just watches me, sharp and still. I can feel the weight of her gaze, but I don't flinch. “When you're free of this throne—when the clans are fed, the wells are full, and your people no longer look to you with desperation—I'll keep my promise." My thumb brushes lightly against her jaw. “We'll get married. But until then, I'm staying right here. Learning more about you, the Princess, the generals… everything this world still hasn't shown me."
Her expression shifts, just a flicker, but I catch it. Something vulnerable buried beneath all that control.
“Because when that day finally comes," I continue, “I won't hesitate to ask." I lean in a little closer, just enough that she can hear the truth in my words. “And you won't hesitate to say yes."
A soft huff escapes her nose—half laughter, half exasperation—as she gently swats my hand away, though not unkindly.
“Me, say yes?" she scoffs, but there's amusement in her eyes now, the edge of a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I won't give you a win that easy."
My seriousness fades, and in its place, a smile. “It wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't a battle." I rise to my feet, our eyes still locked in that quiet tension neither of us wants to break just yet. Then I extend my hand to her. “But that's a fight for another day. For now… let's enjoy the party."
She rolls her eyes, but her fingers close around mine all the same. Her claws are warm against my skin. I pull gently, helping her up from the throne. She moves with that usual grace of hers, but I catch the moment her fingers linger—just a second longer than necessary. We step down and make our way toward the others, the noise of the hall growing louder as we get closer.
Lilith notices us and wastes no time pushing drinks into both our hands with that grin of hers. Around us, the energy swells—laughter, music, stories shared across what used to be enemy lines. Smiles stretch across faces I once thought would never let their guard down. Azure eases just enough to take a sip. I stay close beside her, letting the warmth of the moment settle in.
My gaze finds Princess. She's across the room, mirroring Azure and I, taking this moment in for all that it is. When our eyes meet, it becomes even more clear how much love there is behind them. For me, for Azure, for all of demonkind. Since the beginning, she chose to believe in me and never once wavered. Knowing now she holds the soul of something I thought I'd never see again... I felt myself overcome by an emotion I haven't felt in a long time.
I was happy.
So I'll protect what I have. I'll enjoy what time we're given. And I'll keep building toward a better future. Because that's what a hero does. He fights for everything he loves.