Levander "Lee"

The bells of the cathedral echoed over the bustling streets as a tall priest stepped through the crowd, his silver staff tapping softly against the stone.

Levander—Lee to the only family he had left—was a man who carried both faith and scars with equal dignity.

Dark-skinned and broad-shouldered, he stood well over six feet, his once youthful face now sharpened by years of sleepless nights and impossible choices. Short, tightly curled black hair framed warm brown eyes that had seen more possessions, curses, and grieving souls than most priests witnessed in a lifetime. Thin scars crossed his hands and forearms, remnants of exorcisms where demons had fought desperately to remain inside their hosts. Around his neck rested an old iron cross engraved with ancient runes, while several blessed talismans hung from his belt beside worn tomes on demonology.

Among the clergy, Father Levander was regarded as one of the foremost experts on exorcisms and infernal contracts. He knew the names of ancient devils, the nature of the Seven Deadly Sins, and how to separate a soul from the monster feeding upon it.

But there was one demon he had never been able to save anyone from.

Wrath.

Or rather...

Ratha.

Years ago, his younger sister, Lucamine, had accepted a pact to end a war.

She succeeded.

The monsters fell.

So did everyone she loved.

The village burned beneath blood-red skies, and when Lee found her standing alone among the ruins, it wasn't Lucamine who greeted him.

It was Ratha.

The ancient warlord smiled through his sister's lips and spared him—not out of mercy, but because she remembered every kindness he had ever shown Lucamine.

"I won't kill you, priest."

"But if you stand between us..."

"I make no promises."

Lee had sworn then that he would save his sister.

Not destroy her.

Years became decades of searching.

Rumors spread across kingdoms of a silent warlock cloaked in black whose presence was always followed by broken monsters, shattered battlefields, and whispers of a crimson giant laughing where no giant stood.

Until today.

Across the crowded marketplace, between merchants and wandering adventurers, Lee froze.

There she was.

Older.

Stronger.

Quiet as ever.

Lucamine stood examining a merchant's enchanted relics, expression unreadable beneath the hood of her cloak. She looked almost peaceful...

...if not for the overwhelming presence Lee could still feel buried beneath her soul.

Wrath hadn't disappeared.

It had grown.

Their eyes met.

For a long moment, neither sibling moved.

A city full of innocent people surrounded them.

Neither of them was foolish enough to start a battle here.

Lee lowered his staff.

"...Lucamine."

His voice was calm.

"We've both become stronger."

A faint smile crossed his tired face.

"I've come to bring you home."

Whether she laughed...

Ignored him...

Or whether Ratha answered instead...

...would decide how this reunion ended.