Dyrroth woke up to find himself in a vast barren land bathed in the sinister crimson light of the Abyss. There were only stones and odd rock structures that clearly don't follow the normal rules of physics and geology but the most distinctive features of this environment are the sharp jagged mountains that protrude from the earth allowing him to know that he's in the Fangs.

He was confused and intrigued at the same time as to why he's here. Last night he remembered working himself to the bone and then fucking some whores before going to bed. He stood up and started walking around to find a way out of this place until a single moving figure caught his full attention.

Ruby walked forward ignoring him even though she just passed by him as if he doesn't even exist. He just stood there and watched as she walked through the barren wasteland. He couldn't really see her face because her red hood is draped over her head but he felt an undeniable coldness and apathy from her which made him feel... sad?

Another thing caught his attention. A strange swirling portal appeared a few meters in front of Ruby and it made his heart leap with fear and desire to catch up to her to stop her from leaving. That must be the rumored portal. If he doesn't catch up to her now, she'll be gone from him forever and that thought is something he couldn't bear.

"No, Ruby don't go! Ruby stop! Don't leave!"

He tried chasing her and calling out her name but Ruby doesn't seem to hear him and he can't seem to move even an inch of his body while Ruby grew closer and closer to the portal.

Anger started to rise in his chest as the maiden only ignored him. She couldn't leave him! She shouldn't leave him! She mustn't leave him!

"Don't you dare take another step!" he yelled furiously but his voice was never heard.

"Ruby! Ruby!! Ruby!!! RUUUBBBYYYYYY!!!!" He tried with all his might to follow her and finally he was able to move. He dashed desperately with the largest strides of his life as Ruby drew closer to the portal.

"Ruby wait I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean anything I said about hating you! I-- I need you..."

Ruby was only an arms reach however scorching bony hands suddenly burst out of the ground and grabbed his arms and legs, stopping him from moving any further. He tried swatting them and destroying them but no matter what he does they always come back to restrain him.

"Get the fuck-OFF ME !!" he yelled as he mustered all his strength and forced his body to take another step. He succeeded in moving but the hands persistently hold on to him. More of them came out in every step that he takes making him angry and frustrated but his resolve to reach the girl is stronger.

Ruby is his. Fate had brought her in the Abyss to become his lover and nothing can ever stop him from taking her.

He destroyed the hands holding on to him and moved forward even though they would only regenerate back. Every step he takes is a battle, every breath he takes is a struggle but he endured it all as he kept his eyes on her fleeting form. He has nowhere else to go but forward.

Alarm suddenly registered in his mind as the arms started dragging him down, sinking him into a puddle of shadow like void. He tried pulling himself but found that once his body is submerged in the darkness he couldn't escape anymore and these wretched hands kept pulling him down he could do nothing but swat them to no avail.

He was already waist-deep when he realized that he can't escape from this puddle so he only gazed at Ruby who walked away from him. He felt helpless and empty as all hope vanished from him.

"Ruby... I love you..." He was astounded when the maiden paused and turned back looking down at him with blank eyes but she heard him. She heard his feelings. A small sad smile stretched across his lips as they looked at each other.

"I love you." he said to her contentedly as she watched him sink.

"Ohhh, but didn't you know? I love someone else." And just like that his world shattered and darkness finally swallowed him whole.

When he opened his eyes he found himself in a more unfamiliar place. He's inside a wooden cottage filled with gentle homey things like tables, plush chairs, and other furniture all clean and arranged neatly. Sunlight flitted through the window giving the place a good illumination while the smell of flowers and tea lingers in the air. It was peaceful and something he had never before felt.

He looked around and noticed a familiar tangle of wavy golden hair. He slowly walked towards the living room and saw Ruby reading a book with a gentle smile on her lips. He was astounded when he saw her round belly which her hand caress affectionately every now and then. He figured that she's pregnant. But whose child? His?

Her attention suddenly turned to him and she smiled affectionately. "Darling, your home. Welcome back." His heart melted at the sight and he approached her to give her lips a kiss.

"Ruby I-"

"How have you been, my love?" A deep yet loving voice interrupted him as another male walked towards her from behind him. The man had dark hair with a white streak and dark crimson eyes and he recognized him as one of those Lightborn bastards named Granger.

Dyrroth's heart broke as the man shared a passionate kiss with his Ruby. The man also stroked her pregnant belly and kissed it affectionately. She looked so happy and in love with him, her eyes only reflected absolute contentment and bliss. It almost feels like she's happier without him.

His attention was captured by the door that suddenly burst open and in came... Himself? He saw another him this one bigger and more mean looking filled with hatred and jealousy. A malevolent dark aura emanated from him and it made Ruby tremble.

"If you're not going to be mine then no one can have you!!" he saw his other self muster all his power in his hand and activate his Abysm Strike.

"Wait no! Don't do this." Dyrroth tried saying to himself but it was already too late. The shock and the fear made Ruby bleed making her baby die, soon the violet evil light swallowed them all turning everything into darkness.

Dyrroth woke up gasping and breathing heavily. Beads of sweat poured from his skin as his mind recreate that terrible nightmare over and over again. He will never hurt her like that... He won't.

He sighed after a while and slumped against the headboard of their bed. He looked at Ruby's empty spot and grabbed her crimson hood that she had left behind. He carefully placed the cloak against his face, afraid of tearing it even a little bit and sniffed her sweet comforting scent that had lingered in the fabric.

"You still torment me even in my dreams, my cute little prey."

He breathed out deeply and relaxed in his bed all alone with his solitude and pride. It had been three weeks since he last saw his favorite human and the last time they met wasn't even wonderful. It took him a long phase of denial, wine, and whores before he realized that he greatly missed her.

It's not like he's much better now. He's still a bit denial about his true feelings towards her and why he's acting like this but he guessed that after spending months waking up and going to bed with her always by his side, he can no longer go back to how he used to be without her. Well, it will be difficult but if he's really going to be separated from her forever then he needs to realize that this is the new normal. He sighed with melancholy.

"I need to stop thinking about her..."

🌹

"Keep your stance wide. Keep your body lowered and as you're moving forward keep your eyes on the enemy." Ruby instructed her students who mostly are demons older and bigger than her. The demons obediently listened and did what she told with their own sparring partners while the maiden observed their every move.

"Morgden, your stance is unbalanced."

"Yorda your hold on your weapon is wrong. Use both hands."

"Utcktach, run five more laps then take a break."

"Predict where your enemy is going and strike them there, that way you'll never miss."

Ruby observed as a female demon used her agility and quick wit to outmatch her enemy's size and strength. The woman quickly evaded the dull training sword aimed at her and moved behind her enemy. She kicked his shin making him fall on his knees before pointing her weapon at her opponent's neck. The male demon sighed in surrendered and accepted the hand offered to him by the woman.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up on you any time soon my love." Dothron said to his wife Arethria. These two were the couple she helped when she arrived in this place and they were the ones who housed her and provided for her necessities during her stay.

"That was good, Arry." she praised as she walked up to them.

"Thanks, I learned from the best princess warrior."

"Aww, I can hardly take credit. I only gave you a few tips and you're already rocking it. You might even be able to kill the queen."

"I don't think I can go that far. Alice is very experienced while I'm just a newbie. So, how are we as your students?"

"Yeah, I think I'm doing something wrong cuz this beauty over here always hands me my ass." Flirted Dothron making Arethria chuckle.

"The problem with your technique is that you kept eyeing her breast instead of her whole movement that's why you always lose. The other demons seem to be doing well in their training. Perhaps it's in your blood. You guys have improved greatly as well. You won't be needing me anymore to protect yourselves soon enough."

"We really owe everything to you, que' ahm." Dothron said clapping the smaller girl on her back.

"And because of that, I will cook your favorite meal for the third darkness." A wide smile stretched across Ruby's face due to the information before turning to her students.

"Okay, warriors. Working hard is good but resting is also necessary. Well, meet again tomorrow." The demons released a cheer of approval before going back to their homes.

"Then let's go back now cause I can't wait. That pig is not going to cook itself." Ruby cheered as they all went back to their clay house.

It had been three weeks since Ruby arrived in the Melbar village. Contrary to what she imagined, she didn't experience any harm from them, in fact, she was welcomed with open arms and treated as if she was a goddess because of her epic background of a little girl wiping out a whole race of ferocious monsters plus her mystical relationship with Dyrroth. Surprisingly, even though the people found out that she and Dyrroth are no longer a couple (which they never were in the first place) these demons still treated her kindly and generously.

Many pillagers often bully this little village and Ruby couldn't endure how they mercilessly did what they did to these gentle people who deviated from the stereotype of their race. Initially, she had thought that all demons are like Dyrroth; a villain who only desires war and torment upon the weak that's why deep down she really hates him even when she doesn't openly show it but going here she found that there are also those who chose to lead a peaceful life. But of course, she couldn't stay here forever and protect them so she decided to teach them how to protect themselves.

In a matter of three weeks the once weak and push over demons became more fierce yet still kind and gentle. She taught them how to only use violence when they are threatened or their loved ones are in danger and they learned well like how Roger taught her village. Even though it was brief Ruby now felt that they are ready with the lead of Arethria and Dothron and she can leave knowing that they can protect themselves.

"Ruby, are you sure you should go that far in the Fangs? Even our best hunters don't go there. What if you get hurt? I can't fathom how terrible it will be to have you lost due to the cruelty of this place. Remember, the Fangs is a treacherous wasteland. You can't possibly survive there longer than an hour and you're even planning on staying for three days." Arethria reasoned with great concern as the maiden casually strapped daggers on her legs.

Ruby is currently in her given room in their cave house dressing herself up to prepare for her adventure. She plans on exploring the Fangs and temporarily staying in a cave she found for 72-hours to have a better chance of stumbling upon a portal. Hopefully, she does or else she'll just march right up the main portal and forcefully demand to be let out by killing all the guards, which will be extremely difficult because they're basically hulking giants with sharp weapons that can split her in half with one blow. But at least she'll die trying.

"Arry, I'll be fine. I'm well accustomed to surviving in desolate, murderous environments. I live in a place called the Dark Forest remember? And that place is a thousand times worse than it sounds. You can literally die just from breathing if you're not careful enough where you're going so don't be worried too much. Whatever this place throws at me I'll dodge it. Even though I might not look like it, I'm actually pretty adaptable." she tried to reassure but the demon doesn't seem the least bit convinced.

"If something bad happens to you, his majesty will surely burn our village down to the ground for not stopping you by any means that we can." Arethria reasoned further, greatly determined to make her stand down but Ruby only scoffed due to the mention of that demon.

"Oh please, that bastard may as well watch me burn in the lava and only smirk while drinking wine and enjoying seeing me suffer. He's an asshole that way. He probably forgot about me by now and is enjoying a harem of hot demonesses so you don't have to worry about anything from him regarding me."

"But why do you sound jealous while mentioning his harem? Which in fact is true." Arethria said with a teasing tone and a mischievous smile.

"What?" Ruby questioned incredulously. "Dyrroth has been fucking after I left?"

"Oh yes, some of us here are actually servants in the palace and they said that the prince has been, well... having a lot of sex with many different women after your breakup. He's been distracting himself quite a lot it's almost as if there's something he doesn't want to remember and he's still doing it right now. Perhaps he really couldn't forget who he doesn't want to remember." Arethria nudged her teasingly making her scoff.

"Well, he can literally fuck off for all I care. We were never anything. I'm a girl whose life became a fairytale story and never once did the heroine ended up with the villain who imprisoned her. Villains usually get chased off by mobs and die and if I could, I would have killed Dyrroth if he wasn't so necessary for my survival back when I was still in the palace. Right now he's meaningless to me."

"Oh really? Then why were you crying the first week you were here and saying 'I miss him I shouldn't have said those things' 'I fucking miss how he touches me and does everything to make me happy' 'I miss the cuddles and kisses'?" Ruby blushed deeply red remembering her shameless words while she's delirious with grief after being abandoned and thrown out. It was true, for a week she's been crying out and bemoaning her fate while stuffing herself fat with their own version of candies made out of meat.

"Let's forget about that. He's no longer relevant to my life so I got to move forward and never look back. Besides, there's someone else I want to marry back home and have many babies with. Anyway, I should start going now or else I might miss a portal opening."

"At least promise me that you'll return after this is over. But if you do manage to find a portal then I guess this will be farewell and I wish you the best of luck." Arethria hugged her tightly and Ruby returned the gesture.

The maiden grabbed her bag and the demoness accompanied her as she walked out of their clay house. The villagers also bid her farewell and wished her thousands of luck for her journey.

Ruby stared ahead on the vast crimson emptiness assessing her decision before throwing that doubt and entering the realm of monsters.

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Alice walked furiously around their massive terrifying castle looking for her adopted son. She had searched far and wide looking for him in every room and every hall only to see not even a wit of his existence. Dyrroth had been very distracted, more so than when that human girl was around. Although she hated her presence and how she was stupidly dubbed as the "Queen of Lifesteal" instead of her, at least Dyrroth worked hard to finish his job so that he can flirt with her and take her out on dates inside or out of the Abyss.

She was about to burst out and scream bloody murder until she saw a line of servants carrying food and beverages so she followed them knowing that they'll probably take those to Dyrroth.

The servants brought the platters towards a hidden room she doesn't even know exists and pushed passed the servants and open the door abruptly where she saw her son receiving pleasure from at least twenty demonesses.

Alice scowled while looking around distastefully. Many busty demon women surrounded him waiting for their turn to have him bang her. Currently, Dyrroth had two women wrapped around his arms while another two ate his erect cock making the Abyssal Queen sneer. The room reeked of alcohol, sex, and despair because it is undeniable that Dyrroth is longing for someone.

"Come on, do it with more cuteness. Ruby doesn't do it like that!" he sneered drunkenly at the women giving him a blowjob.

"Fuck can someone replace this bitch? Ruby's lips are much softer. And the two of you. Do you even know what lotion is? Your skin isn't even a fraction of her smoothness."

"Your hips are too big and your waistline is too wide. Is there someone more petite yet sexy?"

These were just some of the words he uttered and it made Alice grown more pissed until she couldn't bear it any longer.

"ALL OF YOU OUT!!! NOW!!!" she yelled capturing the attention of everyone in the room, making the girls startled and stood up abruptly to gather their clothes and leave. Alice sneered at her son who sighed and put on some pants before pouring himself another cup of wine.

"I don't know what's worse: you fucking a human girl or you fucking a harem of whores and neglecting your job? What's gotten into you?"

"Its nothing, Alice. I'm just having a little fun. It's my right as a prince to do whatever I want." he said dismissively, sipping wine from his cup. Alice directed him a displeased calculating gaze and glared.

"You are depressed." she announced plainly. Dyrroth scoffed at her statement and released a chuckle, finding her words absurd.

"Mother, has your mind gone dull due to your age? How can you conclude such a stupid thing?"

"You've been acting out of sorts since that girl was exiled yet you kept your eyes on her every move. You've been neglecting your tasks and abandoning your purpose which has greatly affected the morale of our legion. Just look at yourself. You're drowning in poisonous pleasures instead of being productive." Alice circled him like a predator throwing truth at his face that didn't fail to pierce his mind no matter how hard he tries to block them.

"Looking at you now I start to question: Are you still the son of the Abyss or are you just a broken man left by a broken bitch?" The moment the words left her mouth a huge blast of dark energy surged and destroyed everything behind her, missing her only by an inch. The Apocalypse queen was petrified in her spot as Dyrroth looked at her coldly with a merciless edge.

"If you dare utter those words again, then I can guarantee you that I will not miss a second time." The Prince uttered with much audacity but the astounded look vanished from Alice's face and was replaced by burning rage, finally done with her son's balderdash.

"You dare threaten me? I WHO GAVE YOU EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE AND MADE YOU INTO WHAT YOU ARE!! You owe your life to me, little prince and it would do you well to remember that!!" Alice roared as multiple blood orbs floated around them all pointed at Dyrroth who looked unfazed by her outburst.

"Oh, I remember it alright but I simply do not care." This seemed to trigger her more as her orbs grew darker and larger preparing to attack and put the prince in his place.

"You little piece of-!"

"Alice." The Abyssal Witch was suddenly interrupted by a low guttural voice.

"T-Thamuz? What are you doing here, my lord?"

"Stand down and step aside." The fire demon ignored her statement and stood face to face with the prince who now had a more serious bearing. Dyrroth visibly gulped as Thamuz looked at him with his collected burning eyes.

"Dyrroth and I have some important matters to talk about especially about his behavior." The prince wasn't able to comment further as the burning gaze of the Fire Lord stupefied him.

🌹🌹🌹

Two days had passed since Ruby stayed in the Fangs, so far there had been no signs of the portal anywhere she looked but this didn't unwaver her resolve one bit to escape from this place. Many mishaps had happened since she entered this place and just as Arethria said, this land is treacherous and kind to no one even to those who originated from its soils. She had witnessed how creatures preyed on one another and brutally murdered their victims.

The geography and structures are confusing and defy the laws of physics. There were rock formations so odd they were almost a paradox. She also saw loop portals that will make you wander around in circles for hours or even days. Other than the treacherous geography the inhabitants of this realm are also very vicious and cunning. The wild beasts would sometimes lay traps where their stupid prey would fall upon and luckily Ruby was able to discern traps since she herself used to make them and her knowledge regarding monster behavior also helped her to survive.

Fenrir would sometimes speak with her in her dreams but after their last conversation, he seemed to be having difficulty sending his presence. He also informed her that a dragon named Yu Zhong from the eastern realms had paid him a visit but it ultimately resulted in combat since he refused to cooperate. Fenrir didn't lose nor did he win and after telling her that he dropped the subject altogether to flirt with her.

Currently, Ruby is hunting for food since her supply had been ransacked by a vicious group of dark entities with rigid bodies and no faces at all. She hid behind a rock as she watched a wild boar eat a dead mouse of some sort. She was focused and well aware of her environment to allow no one and nothing to surprise her. She slowed her breathing and suppressed her presence before carefully taking the dagger hanging from her leg and aiming to throw it between the pig's eyes.

Her hand was about to release the blade when the earth rumbled and a huge reptilian monster burst from the lava and swallowed the pig whole. Ruby was astounded by how sinister and terrifying the monster looked. Its body was made out of the dark magma stone and steam emitted from its skin as the lava dripped from its mouth and belly. Just by looking at it, she knew that she doesn't have a sliver of chance of beating it if it found her so she sheathed her blade and carefully moved to leave.

Magma monster by Firael

Ruby composed herself and tried her best not to make any noises as she thread the terrain.

She was about ten meters away from her original spot when her cloak suddenly got caught in a sharp rock making her tumble and fall which released a dull thud alerting the monster. She saw the monster look at her and it snared at her with a guttural growl.

Ruby quickly picked herself up and ran with the biggest leaps of her life. The monster pursued her making the ground thunder with its heavy footsteps. Fighting it doesn't seem like an option and going straight to her cave will only destroy her only haven in this place so she needs to lead it somewhere and lose it.

Thinking while running is very difficult topped with surveying the landscape for possible escape routes. The best option she has right now is climbing up a tall tower of rock where the monster won't be able to catch up to her. Based on the structure of its feet it doesn't seem to be made to climb on steep landscapes but that's just a theory. The creatures of this place are full of surprises when it comes to surviving and chasing their prey.

Ruby is very agile and light allowing her to put some distance between her and the lava monster. However, her leg was suddenly captured by something while a burning pain registered in her flesh. She fell on her face and felt the thing pull her with its tongue. The pain was excruciating and she quickly grabbed her dagger and cut its tongue off.

With her leg injured and bleeding she won't be able to run with her fastest speed and it will greatly hinder her escape so she decided to pick herself up and summon her scythe. She pulled her hood over her head and stared at the monster with a shadowed menacing cold face.

The monster glared at her because of his decapitated tongue and screamed at her before spitting lava in her direction. Ruby did her best to dodge the burning projectiles and thanks to her special cloak the splash of lava didn't scorch her skin.

She dashed to the monster and slashed its neck with her scythe but the blade only scratched the hard stone skin of the beast. She moved around it analyzing its anatomy while slashing its body to try and find a weak point but there doesn't seem to be one from its visible parts. Her only option is to snap its upper mouth like Hercules with the Nemean Lion and wish that it will be enough to kill it.

First, she moved to cut its feet even just one leg to put it out of balance. It will be very difficult and dangerous because of its lava projectiles but she mustered her courage and moved to execute her plan. She ran around it in circles trying to confuse it. Her injured leg throbbed with pain in every step making her grit her teeth but she endured it.

Ruby dashed to decapitate its foreleg first however its tail unexpectedly flicked her away sending her flying to the dirt. She was disoriented and hurt but she quickly picked herself up to face the monster once more. Blood dripped from her forehead yet the crimson liquid added to her menacing look.

Anger and bloodlust coursed through her system. She glared at the monster and wield her scythe higher before releasing slashes and shockwaves to create a diversion for her attack. The crescent-shaped blade of light hit the monster square in its hideous face and Ruby took the chance to dash and hook its upper jaw with her scythe.

Her crescent blade successfully snared the monster's mouth and she pulled hard to decapitate it while balancing herself on its back. The soles of her shoes burned due to the intense temperature and she felt the heat lap at her feet but she endured it and focused on her task. With the danger rising, Fenrir made his power know, coaxing her to use it and take it for her own. Ruby didn't refuse and allowed his power to flow into her body. Her scythe glowed like the molten lava and it pulsed crimson with a tenacious aura which resonated with her spirit.

She heard the stone maw of the monster cracking because of the tremendous pressure she applied to it. The monster roared and thrashed around to get her off its back but Ruby held fast and strong using every bit of her cell to kill this beast. However, she saw her scythe cracking and melting making her grit her teeth harder knowing that it can break any minute from now.

The monster thrashed harder as the blade of her scythe sank deeper in his maw. It was getting harder and harder to held on to her weapon as she felt the blade shattering slowly along with destroying the monster.

"This is where you die!!!" she roared as she concentrated Fenrir's power into her arms and legs and stabilized her mind. With one final great pull, she successfully snapped the monster's mouth however a great explosion sent her flying backward following the monster's death.

Ruby landed on the jagged ground hard. Her whole body ache and her ears ring with a sharp sound. Her vision is blurry and darkness threatened to swallow her whole. Luckily the explosion didn't burn her whole body thanks to the cloak but she can't move an inch of her body to flee to safety. If she falls asleep her there's no telling what monsters will take advantage of her weakened state and have her for their meal.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she heard slow approaching footsteps. They were big thundering steps that made the earth itself vibrate making fear grip her heart. Death is not what she fear but dying without escaping is her greatest fear.

She managed to look up at the towering silhouette of an unknown person looking down at her. The form of the gigantic hammer on the person's grip was the last thing that registered in her mind as her consciousness slipped away.

Que'ahm- Abyssal demon word for 'queen' based on Ozkavosh.

Even if the sun does not reach the Abyss they still develop their own version of daily time.

Autumbra is their version of morning, second shadow is their version of afternoon, and 3rd darkness is their version of evening.