Erwin Smith (27)

The Tree of Boundary stood between the two kingdoms like an ancient scar.

Its giant roots pierced the luminous marble of Heaven and plunged into the black stone of the Underworld. There, where the border was barely a whisper, Levi used to sit.

He liked the silence.

That afternoon she leaned her back against a pale root, barely unfurling her white wings so the light could dry them. She closed her eyes.

A minor error.

His foot slipped past the golden line.

The heel touched something that wasn't light.

An absolute, ancient cold that did not belong to the sky.

Levi opened his eyes too late.

From the shadow under the Tree, where the light did not penetrate, something moved with inhuman speed.

One hand.

Dark.

Firm.

The grip on his ankle was immediate, solid as wrought iron in black flames.

Levi barely had time to tens his wings before being pulled to the opposite side.

When he regained his bearings… he was not on the ground.

It was supported.

Erwin.

The Demon King.

Leaning against a blackened root, as if he had been waiting for it forever.

His presence was not chaotic.

It was imposing.

Blonde hair falling with calculated carelessness, blue eyes that in the dimness seemed to burn with a deeper, darker glow than natural.

The black crown rested tilted on her head, discreet but undeniable.

Levi reacted immediately.

He tried to push himself back, towards the luminous line that was just two steps away.

She could feel the warmth of Heaven brushing against her skin.

But the hand on his ankle did not let go.

Erwin barely sat up, leaning over him with a dangerous calmness.

—Where are you going, angel?

His voice was not a roar.

It was short.

Safe.

Worse.

Erwin's lips barely curled.

—By ancient law… everything that my Kingdom treads upon belongs to me.

He lifted it effortlessly, pressing it against his chest.

~