(Written by Solomon Paul)

The path to escape was blocked.

They were surrounded-monsters of all shapes and horrors closed in around them. Their grotesque forms snarled and drooled as they advanced. Elizabeth stood tall, her hands glowing with a dark purple light.

She chanted quickly, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.

Elizabeth cast Void Magic-a forbidden spell capable of erasing existence itself. A swirling black hole of nothingness opened, devouring several monsters into oblivion. But more kept coming. Stronger ones. Some completely unaffected.

Her mana drained fast. She was running out of time.

Elizabeth's Final Resolve

Out of options, Elizabeth threw up a temporary barrier, just enough to slow them down. Grabbing Amon by the hand, she dashed forward. As she fled, she spotted Diane lying on the ground and pulled her along too. But before they could get far, they reached a cliff-dead end.

Behind them, the horde was almost upon them.

Elizabeth turned to face the children.

Elizabeth:

"Diane... Amon... get back. If you're caught in this... you'll die for good."

She stepped forward and knelt, pressing her hands together in prayer. A divine golden aura radiated from her body. Her eyes glowed with pure enlightenment as she began to chant her final spell.

Elizabeth:

"Oh Buddha, I pray...

Let time itself halt at my command."

In an instant, time froze.

With grace and fury, she raised her hand and unleashed her strongest technique: World Slash-a dimensional blade capable of cutting through infinite planes of reality.

The monsters were obliterated.

But then... she noticed something strange.

Diane was still conscious, unaffected by the time-stop. Elizabeth's eyes widened. Something was wrong.

Diane's expression darkened. Her body shifted. In a flash, she lunged-and dismantled Elizabeth's body into pieces even in frozen time.

But Elizabeth had seen it coming through divine awareness. She reversed causality in a flash, rewinding the damage and reforming her body.

But the truth was now clear.

Diane was no ordinary girl.

She was an immortal. The daughter of the Demon Lord-sent to assassinate Amon.

Even after being slain, she regenerated immediately. Realizing she couldn't kill Elizabeth so easily, she threatened the unconscious Amon instead.

Elizabeth gasped. She had no choice. She swapped places with Amon at the last second. The effort pushed her beyond her limit.

When Amon awoke, Elizabeth was lying by the river, her body bleeding and weak.

Amon:

"What happened to you? Why are you bleeding? Where's Diane? And the monsters?"

Elizabeth:

"They're gone. Diane... she was one of them. She planned it all to kill you."

Amon:

"But... she was attacked too... she was hurt... our friends, our home... she planned everything?"

Elizabeth:

"...Hm."

Amon trembled. Tears welled in his eyes. The faces of his friends, the laughter in their village, the warmth of home-all gone. Betrayed.

He clenched his fists.

"I won't forgive her..."

But Elizabeth grabbed his hand gently.

Elizabeth:

"No, Amon. Never go into battle with hatred in your heart. It will destroy you before your enemy ever does."

Her body trembled. Her life was slipping away.

They sat by the riverbank.

Amon:

"Are you okay?"

She was silent for a moment... then smiled softly.

Elizabeth:

"Listen carefully, Amon. Your safety is what matters most now. Everything else-our money, our things-they're gone. You'll have to move forward without me."

She took a deep breath, her voice growing faint.

Elizabeth:

"Head south. There's a city there. Call this number..."

(She handed him a small note.)

"It's my brother. Tell him I sent you. He's part of a secret group-the Anti-Demons. He'll train you."

Amon (tears streaming):

"Mom... quit messing around. This isn't funny... You promised we'd go back together... I can't leave you here!"

Elizabeth:

"Heh... Dare, dare... getting all wet again... Listen well, nothing lasts forever. You must be ready for moments like this. You have a great destiny, Amon. Don't waste it..."

She smiled faintly.

"At least... you called me Mom. I'm really... glad..."

She reached out and hugged him gently.

Then, in a gentle tone:

Elizabeth:

"We'll cook fish for dinner, won't we? Go catch some. I'll be waiting here."

Amon (hopeful):

"Okay... wait for me. I'll be back soon."

He ran off with a smile, wiping his eyes.

Elizabeth looked to the sky. Memories of their time together flashed through her mind-his laughter, his clumsy questions, his hugs. Then she whispered:

Elizabeth:

"Buddha... did I do well? Please... watch over him for me."

By the time Amon returned with a few fish in his hands... she was gone.

Amon:

"You didn't wait for me, Mom...

Why did you have to go... when I needed you the most...?"

He broke down, wailing beside her still body. For hours, he sat there in silence and grief. Then, with trembling hands, he picked up a star-shaped pendant she had left beside her.

He held it close, wiped his tears, and stood up.

He looked south-towards his destiny.

Then, he began to walk.

---

To be continued in Chapter Four.