Infernal Ascendancy
Chapter 58: Ashes of Guilt

Chapter 58: Ashes of Guilt

Royal Palace — Hulk’s Room

Sweat rolled down Hulk’s forehead as his body convulsed in his sleep. His fists clenched the sheets, jaw trembling. "I must protect Lord Azreal... Lord Azreal...!" he muttered through gritted teeth, until suddenly—

"LORD AZREAL!"

His eyes shot open. He bolted upright, gasping for air. The dim candlelight flickered in the room as he scanned the space. No enemies. No danger. Silence. Hulk groaned, gripping his head as a wave of dizziness crashed into him.

"Just a dream... No... A nightmare."

His heart pounded as he staggered out of bed. Despite the dull ache in his limbs, he burst from the room, dashing barefoot down the palace corridor.

---

Azreal’s Room

Hulk skidded to a halt and slammed his fist against the door.

"Excuse me!" he shouted.

The door creaked open, revealing Nena and Laisa sitting by Azreal and Aria—both lying unconscious on the bed. Nena looked up, her eyes wide. She rushed to Hulk, throwing her arms around him.

"You’re awake! Thank the gods!" she said, placing her hand on his cheek. "You need to eat. You haven’t had anything since the battle."

But Hulk wasn’t listening. His eyes were locked on Azreal.

"He’s still not awake?" he asked.

Laisa snapped. "Of course he’s not awake! And who do you think is to blame for that, huh?! It’s YOUR fault!"

Hulk froze.

Nena stepped in. "Lady Laisa, please. He just woke up."

But Hulk raised a hand to stop her. "No... She’s right. I failed him. I’m supposed to be his shield. His sword. His right hand. And still... I couldn’t stop this."

Nena grabbed his hand tightly. "No, Hulk. You’ve always been more than a bodyguard to Azreal. You’re his friend. Do you really think he would want you to die for him? Azreal would lay down his life for any of us. That’s just who he is. So please, don’t blame yourself. Have hope."

Tears streamed down Hulk’s face. "You think so...?"

"I know so," she whispered, pulling him into a gentle hug.

"Now come on. I’ll fix you something to eat."

As they turned to go, Nena looked over her shoulder. "Lady Laisa, you should eat too."

Laisa folded her arms, her voice cold. "I’ll eat when Lord Azreal wakes up. Not before."

---

Moments Later

Laisa sat beside Azreal, brushing his hair back gently. Her lips quivered. She glanced at Aria, and the warmth in her eyes turned to fire.

"It’s all your fault," she muttered. "I don’t know what he sees in you. Why would he risk his life... for someone like you?"

She leaned forward, resting her head on Azreal’s chest, gripping his robes tightly. "Please... wake up, Lord Azreal. I’ll wait. For however long it takes."

---

Aria’s Inner World

Heat.

Flames.

Endless infernos twisted and danced around her.

Aria floated above a burning landscape, crimson skies cracked like shattered glass. Her hair rose from the heat as she slowly spun, eyes wide.

"Is this... hell? Azreal! AZREAL!"

No reply.

Then a voice echoed through the flames. Cold. Mysterious.

"You won’t find him here."

Aria tensed. "Who’s there?! Show yourself!"

The voice laughed—deep and ancient.

"You? Threatening me? The unconscious one?"

"Unconscious? What are you talking about?"

"You forgot what happened, didn’t you?"

Suddenly, memories hit her like a flood. The ritual. The light. The seal.

"The seal... it was broken."

"Finally catching up."

Aria’s eyes sharpened. "Wait... the Key!"

"Yes. The Key of the Hollow Realm. You let them take it."

She frowned. "Don’t tell me you believe Sin’s nonsense. A key that creates a new world? Lies."

"You’re the fool, not him."

"Huh? That’s rude. And inaccurate."

The voice ignored her. "The Key is real. And powerful. You want to know more? Then look."

Flames erupted before her, spiraling upward like a vortex. From the inferno emerged a colossal figure—a towering fox with nine blazing tails. Each tail flowed like rivers of fire, its fur glowing with celestial heat. The sheer pressure in the air forced Aria back slightly.

Aria’s jaw dropped. "You’re... stunning."

The fox looked away.

"You don’t need to tell me that. My name is Yuzara."

"Even your name is pretty... I’m Aria."

Yuzara’s eyes glowed. "The Key of the Hollow Realm was pulled from your soul. A relic of chaos. It can open the Hollow Realm—a place between life and death. Reality and illusion. The gods sealed it away because even they feared its power."

Aria’s heart raced. "Sin has that key. We have to stop him!"

"You want to stop him. I don’t care. In fact, I support him. Destroying the gods? Remaking the world? Sounds fair. But I figured you’d want to try, so I’m giving you a heads-up."

Aria clenched her fists. "I’ll stop him. Even if it kills me."

"You idiot. If he wanted you dead, he would’ve killed you already."

"Why not, then?"

"Because the key is still tethered to your soul. If you die, the key dies too. That makes you both the advantage... and the weakness in his plan."

Aria’s breath caught in her throat. "So you’re saying... if I live, the world dies?"

"Pretty much."

Yuzara yawned, curling up.

"That’s... comforting," Aria muttered.

"See you around."

The world faded.

---

Azreal’s Room

Aria gasped as her eyes fluttered open. Her hand reached out instinctively—Azreal was beside her, still motionless.

"Azreal...?"

She tried to sit up. Her body ached, but she managed. Just then, Nena entered with a tray.

She froze. The tray clattered to the ground. "ARIA?!"

She rushed over, hugging Aria tightly.

The noise woke Laisa. She glared.

"So... you’re finally awake."

Aria looked around, confused. "Why is Azreal sleeping? What happened to him?"

Laisa stood slowly. Her voice sharp. "You want to know what happened? You REALLY want to know?"

Nena tried to stop her. "Don’t, Laisa—"

"Let her hear it!"

Laisa’s voice cracked. "Azreal is like this... because of you. He went to find you! He risked everything for YOU!"

Aria felt like her chest had been torn open.

"Because of me...?"

Laisa snapped. "GET OUT!"

Aria reached toward Azreal, her heart breaking.

But Laisa struck her hand away.

In that moment, Aria’s emotions exploded. Her eyes glowed, flames roaring to life around her. Ethereal, fiery cat ears formed above her head. The room trembled from her power.

"ARIA!" Nena cried. "Calm down! Your flames are tied to your emotions!"

Aria tried to touch Azreal again.

"DON’T TOUCH HIM!" Laisa screamed, dragging Aria out and slamming the door.

Aria collapsed against the door, tears streaming down her cheeks. Nena knelt beside her, gently stroking her hair.

"It’s not your fault. He made that choice. All we can do now is wait... and trust him to wake up."

Slowly, Aria’s flames died down. She whispered...

"Wake up, Azreal... please."

---

Val’Karas — The Crimson Room

Red lightning flashed across the blood-colored skies. Inside a hall of obsidian, crimson banners danced in the heat of the burning braziers.

Sin sat on a throne of blackened bone. To his left, the silent reaper known as Death. To his right, the abyssal warlord, Y’tharion.

Below them knelt armies of monsters: Infernals, Cinderborn, and even corrupted humans. The ground cracked under their collective power.

Sin leaned forward, eyes glowing with silver fire.

"So... Raigon was defeated."

Y’tharion chuckled. "They lack experience. They have power, but not control."

Death spoke calmly. "Then we delay our plans."

Sin slammed his hand against the armrest. The room shook.

"Why?! We strike now! We have the key!"

Y’tharion’s voice rumbled like thunder. "We’ve waited centuries. What’s a few more days? The world is already trembling. The wheel of fate is turning."

He stood, black wings stretching behind him.

"Let them prepare. Let them gather hope. It will make their fall even sweeter."

Sin smirked.

"Then let it be known... this world’s days are numbered. We...

SHALL DESTROY THIS SINFUL WORLD.

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