The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

The Devil

Nero flew down to the statue and placed the magic stones in the right spots. She landed on the ground and tilted her head as nothing happened.

"Why is it not working?"

Then. A bright light filled her vision and she had to close her eyes. When Nero opened her eyes again, her heart skipped a beat at the sight before her—Mynx lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious, her hair a mess and her body visibly battered. She immediately flew to her head and poked it. Mynx groaned and opened her eyes and saw Nero,

"N-Nero?"

She attempted to sit up, but a sharp, searing pain tore through her torso, eliciting a scream. Her hands instinctively pressed against the wound on her side, and she froze upon noticing the blood pooling through her clothes.

"Oh...I forgot about that,"

She looked back at Nero and finally realized where she was,

"Wait...why are we in Hage?"

Then she noticed the statue and saw the stones right at the foot of the statue,

"And...how did the magic stones get here?"

Nero's gaze fixed intently on the statue, a strange glint in her eyes. Mynx's brows furrowed as she watched her unusual behavior,

"Okay. I'll help you,"

She raised a trembling hand, keeping the other pressed firmly against her injury. With great effort, she placed the remaining stones into their proper slots. Summoning her remaining mana, Mynx closed her eyes, allowing its energy to flow through her. A powerful pull surged within her chest, draining her reserves to the brink. She collapsed to the ground as another blinding light enveloped her. Pain coursed through her body like wildfire, and she clenched her jaw to endure it.

"Secre, how long has it been?"

Mynx's eyes shot open, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten as a blonde-haired boy and a black-haired girl appeared before her,

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

She tried getting up but yelled out in pain as she was once again reminded of her serious injury. The girl immediately caught her and gently eased her down,

"Mynx, you have to be careful. I can seal the wound-"

"Wh-Who are you?"

Nero's lips curled into a small smile,

"I am not surprised that you don't recognize me. My name is Secre...but you named me Nero many years ago,"

Mynx's jaw dropped, her wide eyes darting between Secre and the blonde boy,

"EH?!"

Secre chuckled softly, pressing her hands to Mynx's side,

"Yes, I will explain later. Sealing Magic: Heavenly Prison: Faint Omen."

Mynx flinched as the wound closed, the pain subsiding into a dull ache. Secre helped her to her feet, steadying her as she wobbled,

"Damn, where have you been my entire life?"

Secre nudged her,

"I was a bird,"

Mynx's gaze shifted to the blonde boy, who was watching them with an amused smile,

"Uh...and you?"

Lemiel smiled at her,

"I am Prince Lemiel, now. Secre, how long has it been?"

"Five centuries. Zagred has awakened,"

Lemiel's expression hardened as he turned to Mynx,

"What magic do you use?"