"Mmmhh. These mangoes are certainly delicious." Ruby moaned as she dug into the fruits Lapu-Lapu sent to the palace for her.

Martis had just finished giving out his kingly speech about the good harvest, how well everyone worked to ensure the prosperity of their tribe and encouraged everyone to keep on doing their best. Now the two of them are hanging out on the veranda while watching the fireworks display. Lady Shura was originally with them but she was immediately called over when a pregnant noblewoman began laboring. The two shared some drinks and conversed amicably while waiting for their third companion. 

"The people of Perlas are certainly kind and warm. They are so generous and friendly, too. Now I want to visit their island. It must be so nice there." she commented as she admired the fireworks bursting around her. This magnificent light show painted the dark night sky with myriads of colors and beautiful patterns that amazed the people of Devas. Though it was very hard to import and the price was quite expensive, Martis found his purchase worth it as his people enjoyed this wonderful performance, especially the lady beside him.

Martis seems to down more drinks than usual. Ruby guessed that there must be something bothering his mind. He certainly enjoys his drinks but he's not an alcoholic so it alarmed her to see him taking rapid rounds consecutively. Nevertheless, Ruby still maintained a joyful facade while carefully watching his behavior.

"It must be nice to be born in Perlas. Good food, kind people, caring leaders, what more could they ask for? Back home, food was a bit scarce, people are straight-up mean, and kings are uncaring of their subjects." Ruby began as they talked about their new comrades.

"Well, Perlas has its own share of ups and downs. Their location, for one, is quite disadvantageous making them prone to natural calamities. Furthermore, invaders desire to colonize them for their rich natural resources. Their people are also strong and able-bodied so it's also a great spot for slavery which they have to fight off now and again. They are constantly challenged and bludgeoned but it is admirable how they can still be kind and generous despite their suffering. Which makes me wonder, how can you do the same thing, Ruby?" Martis said, turning to her.

"What do you mean?" she questioned, perplexed by his sudden personal attack.

"How can you smile so brightly when everything you've loved has been taken from you? How can you be so kind when you've been raped and humiliated? And how can you still love when your heart has been broken over and over again? Are you a masochist or are you simply a fool? Because if I were in your position I would have turned to a path of damnation. I would use your tremendous powers to obliterate this world that has made me suffer so much. But why didn't you fall into depravity?"

Ruby was surprised by his sudden questions. Martis isn't the type of person who normally pokes into other people's business. His behavior is quite peculiar but perhaps he is merely being influenced by the liquor. Ruby had seen him taking rapid gulps of some sort of wine while she contented herself with some grape juice. She knew that the alcohol of Devas packs some punch but she didn't realize it was so potent it could make a king change his behavior so drastically. Nevertheless, Ruby chose to answer his inquiries to the best of her abilities.

"Frankly, I don't know. But the only thing I know is that I don't want to be sad and broken. Given my circumstances, I choose to be happy for myself."

"But why are you happy? Why aren't you angry? Why aren't you on the verge of despair? Why aren't you hideous? If you were somehow less desirable then I wouldn't be--!!" Martis cut himself as he realized the gravity of his words. His heart constricted with pain when he saw the worry and fear clearly painted on her face. He's been feeling edgy ever since they returned from their little "date". He wanted to punish himself for falling deeper in love with her. He should have shoved her away. He should have been mean to her but now it's too late for any of that. His heart is already enslaved by this cruel little goddess.

Earlier, after they returned, Dyrroth had sent an envoy saying that the war is nearly over and so he will be collecting her soon enough. Martis knew that this day would come. He knew that Dyrroth would eventually take away this sliver of hope he had found for himself but what he didn't know was his formidable resistance to letting her go.

Martis doesn't want to let Ruby go. He wants to stay by her side for the rest of her life and ever since this little outing of theirs, his feelings had become more well-defined.

He understands the implications of his desires. He is aware that once he refused to give Ruby back, Dyrroth would go on a rampage and wage his next war on his doorsteps and that is something Martis cannot allow. He cannot let Dyrroth destroy his home and his people for his heart. Now that doesn't sound much of a difficult decision, doesn't it? Have your heart broken or have your kingdom be decimated. Bullshit. Such a decision is easier said than done.

Before he met Ruby, love was nothing more than a joke. Sure it helps his people, it inspires them to strive for the future. Love is a wonderful thing, love is a blessing but not for himself. The only love he ever found was the passion accompanied by combat. The thrill of danger that ignites every cell in his body and stirs up his blood. Violence is all the love he has ever known. But now he has learned how to be gentle. He had learned how to be affectionate and thoughtful and caring. It was disgusting. It was embarrassing but ultimately... It felt magnificent.

It felt so divine to be liked by this girl. It felt so incredible when she smiles at him. He thought himself way past the age of frivolous excitements and yet here he is getting jealous. Here he is getting flustered over a little girl only half his age. Such a fancy has already guaranteed his place in hell.

"Martis, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should we call it a night?" Ruby questioned as she carefully approached him. She was reaching out her hand to touch his forehead to see if he has a fever but then Martis suddenly grabbed her wrist and placed it on his cheek, feeling the warmth of her small and delicate hand.

"Damn it... Why are you so nice to me? If only you were simply an annoying brat I wouldn't have ended up like this." He muttered quietly as he looked down on his feet, refusing to meet her worried eyes.

"I'm nice to you because you're my friend and you've taken such good care of me. And I'm so sorry for making you feel whatever you are feeling. Perhaps I shouldn't have burdened you with my presence at all." Ruby replied with a solemn smile. Now she gets it. She knows how he feels.

She can no longer deny that Martis has indeed fallen in love with her much like Dyrroth, despite the short time they've spent together. This strange ability of taming wild men seems to be more of a curse than a blessing since these two warlords can be quite extreme with how they show their affections.

"Fuck all of it!" Martis suddenly exclaimed as he stood from his chair before suddenly crashing his lips upon hers. Ruby was beyond astonished as the Ashura king poured all his sensibility to the drain to engage her in a passionate kiss. A wild sensation suddenly burst inside her chest. It was mixed with confusion, excitement, thrill, and surprisingly, guilt.

Ruby didn't do anything to stop him. She doesn't know what she should do. His kiss was so wild and untamed, promising to devour her in a sea of superficial feelings that is both delectable yet dangerously poisonous. It was warm, it was pleasing but somehow, it also felt scalding. For some unknown reason, she feels so sinful. Like she had betrayed someone dear and yet a feeling of pleasure is still undeniable. Ruby wanted to pull away but she also wanted to pull him in. Is it so weird that her feelings are so conflicting for the man who had saved her life time and time again? Even though someone had already claimed a portion of her heart, is it possible to hold many people in it? Well, the sun certainly has many planets revolving around it but she is no sun but a mere girl. How can so many worlds revolve around her?

When Martis finally pulled away from the kiss he held her cheek for a brief moment before taking her small hands in his. The confusion and the conflict that seemed to rage within his eyes vanished after their kiss. The first time he tasted her lips was to save her from dying but now this kiss was to save his soul instead and enlighten him of his feelings.

Martis took a knee before Ruby as he held her hand.

"I can no longer burden myself with these torturous feelings. Ruby, I must confess to you..."

"Martis..." Ruby mumbled solemnly as she stared at him with mixed feelings.

"I'm in love with you, Ruby of Vanargand."

🌹

"Damn." Selena grunted as she lay bleeding against the wall. Karina had just beaten her fair and square while she used every dirty tactic in the book to defeat her sister and it only proved how far away their skills are.

"Admit your defeat and stay down. Do not make it any harder for the both of us." Karina said as she pointed her blades at her.

"Never! My allegiance belongs to the Abyss. I will fight to the very end."

"So be it." Karina simply kicked her face hard which is enough to knock her out cold.

"Miya, how are you? Is it done yet?"

"Yes, we can launch the arrow but you need to keep the demon bitch out of this. She might take the shot for him."

"Understood. I will create a diversion for you." Karina jumped off the balcony before immediately challenging Sorca.

"I knew that brat couldn't pull this off. Guess that if you really want something done right you do it yourself." Sorca said as she circled Karina. Her sharp Demonic spear glinted on the moonlight poised to kill. Her form allowed no weakness to present itself as her opponent prepared to attack. Karina didn't hesitate to take the first strike. She swung her twin glaives mercilessly towards the fierce demoness who parried her attacks with her shield before launching a counter-attack with her spear.

While the battle raged on between these two powerful females, Dyrroth busied himself with providing cover for Sorca to freely fight to her heart's content. He can clearly see that his general is thoroughly enjoying herself so he fought off the remaining forest guardians himself. He had promised Ruby that he will come back alive with Sorca since his little maiden seems quite fond of her friend. He also owes Sorca a lot for protecting Ruby and taking care of her in his absence so he will ensure the safety of his general as well.

Sorca trusted her spear with flawless energy towards the elf who was swift to move away from the point of her blade. The demoness then faked an overhead attack which Karina parried off however it left her torso defenseless as Sorca swiftly elbowed her stomach so hard that she was sent stumbling for a few meters. The dark elf gritted her teeth as she used her blades to push herself astute before propelling her body sideward. Sorca missed cutting the elf's midsection which allowed Karina to use her momentum to deliver a powerful kick on the demoness' stomach.

Karina immediately went for another battle stance before swinging her blades at Sorca who repelled them with her shield. The elf was merciless as she delivered consecutive rounds of attack, forcing the demoness to take a defensive position for a while.

Once a lag presented itself between Karina's blows, Sorca was swift to take this chance to thrust her spear forward. It was aimed at the elf's heart but she evaded it in time to avoid being completely impaled; however it did graze her waist deep enough to make her bleed profusely. Karina gritted her teeth in annoyance before bashing her glaive on the demon's head. Thankfully, Sorca wore a thick helmet or else her head would be rolling down the ground by now however the blow did stun her for a while.

Sorca jumped away from Katrina's next attack before throwing her shield at her which the elf swiftly evaded however , she didn't expect that Sorca would use this brief chance to charge at her and bash her face with the blunt end of her spear, instantly disorienting her. Sorca then swiped at her feet bringing her down to the ground before trying to stab her head with the tip of her spear however Karina rolled away just in time before slashing at her head. Luckily the demoness was quick to pull away however the sharp blade had grazed her face leaving a small stinging cut on her cheek.

Sorca glared at the elf. She pulled a few knives mounted on her waist before throwing them at her opponent. Karina flung away each blade with her glaives however she did not expect that they would turn into snakes that immediately constricted around her body. Sorca took this opportunity to chant a spell and activate the curse on her spear.

"Spite of the Abyss!" roared the demoness before releasing her spear that burned crimson like a malevolent shooting star.

Karina couldn't do anything as she stared at her approaching death. She merely closed her eyes shut waiting for her demise however it never came as a bright light protected her from the attack.

Karina opened her eyes to see Estes casting a protective shield in front of her. It was holding off the spear that continuously aimed for her heart.

"Motherfucker." muttered Sorca as she watched the elf king exert all his powers in keeping the barrier intact. The first few layers have already shattered and there was only a sliver of energy stopping the spear from reaching its intended target.

"You will not....! Vanquish our light!!!" screamed the elf king as he released a burst of energy that sent the spear spiraling uselessly to the ground.

"Huh, well see about that." mused Dyrroth as he grinned at them ominously.

Miya took a deep breath before lifting her bow and nocking the special arrow on her bowstring. She drew the thread as far as it can go and aimed it expertly towards the unsuspecting prince who was fighting against her comrades along with the demoness general. She watched Karina and Estes try their best to restrain the prince however, he proved to be as agile as the eagles and as powerful as a dragon. He was relentless as he released consecutive bursts of dark malevolent energy without draining himself. He was simply a monster through and through.

But even the most formidable monsters can be killed. Estes has successfully casted a restraining spell on the demon while Karina occupied Sorca away from the prince. Miya didn't waste this chance and released her arrow. And much like the splendid asteroids that struck the earth to bring life, her arrow pierced the air like a cataclysm about to end the darkness.