The holy bells rang across the capital.
Citizens cheered, believing the gods had spoken.
But in truth… they were celebrating a lie.
---
A Call to Arms
In the cathedral hall of the Grand Spire, nobles, priests, and generals gathered under painted ceilings and glowing relics.
The High Priest raised a scroll—its wax still fresh.
> "By divine decree, the anomaly Serian is to be destroyed. He is no longer human. No longer savable."
Murmurs rippled through the chamber.
> "He bears fragments of the Hero… and the Demon Lord…"
> "Blasphemy. It's a trap. A test."
> "He defeated the Order's best. Alone."
The decree was sealed.
> "The Hero's Party will lead the hunt."
---
The Hero Clone's Conflict
He stood at the altar, sword sheathed, head bowed.
His party—proud warriors from every kingdom—stood ready.
But he hesitated.
> "Why does my heart ache when I hear his name?"
He didn't know Serian.
Not truly.
But in his dreams, they fought side by side.
> "You must go," the High Priest urged. "You are the world's shield."
He nodded.
> "Then I'll shield it… even if it means killing myself."
He never saw the priest's grim smile.
---
Meanwhile — In the Forgotten Forest
Far from the capital, Serian sat beneath blackened trees, scars glowing.
Children with no homes trained in the clearing—swinging blades, channeling dark mana, laughing.
The Demon Lord clone stood among them, radiant in crimson armor.
> "They say you're the devil," one boy asked.
> "No," she answered, brushing hair from her eyes. "I'm their sword."
Serian approached from behind.
She turned—and smiled like a wolf.
> "Shall I kill them next?" she asked, gesturing to the royal banner pinned to a tree.
> "Not yet," Serian replied. "Let them come."
> "You'll need an army."
> "I have one."
And the children roared.
---
A Spy in the Shadows
Unseen, a girl with violet eyes watched from the treetops.
The Third Soul.
Lira.
She watched both clones grow stronger.
And in her chest… her own power stirred.
> "Soon," she whispered. "One of you will break."
---
To Be Continued…