Page 118 of Demon Monster's Little Human

I tighten my grip, dragging Liora closer, my wings curling around her in a shield. Her breathing is shallow, her skin pale. Her lips part, like she wants to say something, but no sound comes out.

The void claws at us, relentless, a thousand unseen hands trying to rip her away from me. The darkness is screaming, a chorus of fury and triumph. It thinks it’s won.

It thinks I will let her die.

It does not understand who I am.

I don’t let go.

With a snarl, I plant my feet, digging in. My wings snap open, the force of my power tearing through the abyss, sending shockwaves through the shadows.

Liora’s eyes flutter open, hazy, unfocused. Her body shudders against me.

"Dain..."

"I’ve got you."

The abyss wails.

It knows.

I will not leave without her.

I tighten my hold, my claws sinking into her arms, my breath ragged. The artifact’s magic is still inside her, threading through her veins like a poison, feeding on what remains of her soul.

I won’t allow it.

"She was always mine."

The voice is angry now, desperate. The ground beneath us splits open, the fabric of this nightmare fracturing, revealing a churning mass of pure darkness below.

The abyss is trying to consume her whole.

I won’t allow it.

I bend my head, pressing my forehead to hers, letting the raw fire of my fury burn through the emptiness.

"You wanted to save me?"My voice is low, dangerous.

"Then let me return the damn favor."

Her breath hitches.

The void shrieks, realizing its mistake.

Liora’s eyes widen, glowing with something new, something old, something hers.

She reaches for me.

The moment our fingers brush, light explodes.

The darkness splinters, cracking like shattered glass.

The abyss screams, twisting, writhing, breaking.

And we fall.

The real world hits me like a hammer.

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