Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess

"Huff... Huff..." Olivia panted heavily. Her breaths were ragged, each one dragging like it scraped against her lungs.

It had been over thirty minutes since the battle began—but not once had she gotten a moment's rest.

Demons lunged at her from every side, relentless and bloodthirsty. She had been fighting non-stop, her limbs aching, her skin scorched in places by the cursed ember rain that still shimmered faintly in the distance.

But finally—relief.

The dark clouds parted as the sun broke through, casting golden light over the bloodstained earth. A warmth that cut through the cold despair clinging to her.

For now, a shimmering barrier stood between her and the demonic horde, holding them at bay. A translucent dome humming with Charlotte's magic.

But beyond it—

Darkness.

Countless figures.

So many demons pressed against the barrier that Olivia couldn't even see the sky anymore. They clawed and slammed into it, their bodies forming a seething wall of chaos.

If Charlotte hadn't stayed hidden and cast this shield, Olivia would've already been torn apart.

She was grateful.

But she knew it wouldn't last.

The barrier was quivering under the endless barrage of claws, weapons, and brute strength. Charlotte was strong—but no one could withstand this forever.

Clenching her fists tight enough for her knuckles to go white, Olivia shouted—

"REMOVE IT!"

The moment her fist struck the ground—

BOOOOOOOM!

A blast of translucent energy erupted from her, rippling outwards like a tidal wave. The ground cracked. Demons were thrown back, their screeches filling the air as they crashed into one another like broken dolls.

Dust rose.

The air trembled.

And Olivia stood in the heart of it all—panting but defiant.

She finally had space to breathe. But she didn't stop.

Her goal was clear: kill as many demons as possible, then charge into the fort to support her comrades inside.

Yet almost as if the world heard her inner desire for a worthy challenge—

The battle came to her.

CRACK!

A deafening noise tore through the battlefield as the front wall of the fort split. Bricks exploded outward and a figure was sent flying through the air like a broken arrow.

It was William.

His golden hair caught the sunlight just before he crashed, breaking through the outer barricade.

Charlotte, quick as ever, threw up a barrier wall.

THUMP!

William hit it hard, grunting as his body slid down to his knees. Blood ran down his lip, but he forced himself to stand.

Then it came—

A roar that split the skies.

"RRRRAAAAAUUUUUUGHHHHH!!"

A world-shattering, bone-deep scream that froze Olivia in place. It shook the ground, rolled across the plains like a storm, and reverberated in her chest like a drum of war.

Her eyes widened in horror as a massive, red-scaled dragon burst through the remains of the wall, shattering stone and steel alike.

Its wings spread wide, casting a shadow that swallowed the light.

From behind it, two figures shot into the sky, their speed tearing through the air like lightning.

Olivia's heart skipped.

She couldn't even follow their movements.

Only flashes.

Only streaks.

Their clashes thundered like storms, ripples of raw force cracking the skies as they collided again and again.

She tried to keep track, eyes darting wildly—but her vision blurred.

"I... I can't follow them," she whispered, voice shaking.

Then—

A voice behind her.

"That's the Demon King."

She spun.

It was Selner.

She hadn't even noticed her arrive, but now the woman stood just behind her, cradling Valerie and Rhea in her arms. Both unconscious, bloodied but alive.

Selner gently laid them down on the scorched earth.

Her gaze lifted to the sky.

Unlike Olivia's eyes, which struggled to keep up, Selner's weren't even moving.

Yet it felt like she could see everything.

Every clash.

Every motion.

"What happened to them?" Olivia asked, her gaze fixed on the unconscious forms of Valerie and Rhea.

Selner didn't take her eyes off the sky.

"They couldn't withstand Astaroth's presence. It's normal."

Her voice was calm, but there was a heaviness to it.

Astaroth—the embodiment of darkness.

His mere presence gnawed at the soul, drowning all hope and joy like a slow, merciless tide. It wasn't pain he brought—it was emptiness, like someone peeling away the light inside you, stealing every trace of strength, courage, or purpose.

The two girls had already been through too much—trapped inside the Demoness's Domain for too long. Their minds were frayed, their spirits worn.

It made sense. But it didn't make it easier to watch.

If not for them, Selner wouldn't have shown up here at all.

Suddenly—

BOOOOOOM!!

A thunderous explosion cracked the sky. A figure was blasted downward, trailing smoke and sparks before slamming into the earth with a crushing impact.

The ground shook.

Olivia's heart dropped.

"Tell me that wasn't Austin..." she whispered, hoping—pleading.

But Selner said nothing.

Her silence was louder than any answer.

Olivia's hands clenched into fists, her jaw tight with anger and fear. She stepped forward, ready to rush toward the fallen figure.

But her body jerked back.

"Ou-ou—what the hell?!" Olivia stumbled as a hand gripped her collar, pulling her in place.

Selner's expression didn't change.

"That's not a battle you should interfere with," she said coldly, pointing in the other direction.

There, in the distance, a human clashed with a massive dragon, their battle a blur of roars, fire, and steel.

"Go help him."

Olivia exhaled sharply, irritation flickering across her face—but she knew Selner was right.

Without a word, she turned, bent her knees, and launched herself toward the dragon.

The beast noticed her mid-air.

Its massive, blood-stained body twisted, and with a loud whip of force, it swung its thick tail toward her like a hammer.

But Olivia only grinned.

She extended her hand forward—and gravity bent.

Pulling herself faster, she slipped right beneath the sweeping tail and twisted in the air. With perfect aim, she drove her fist into the still-open wound William had carved earlier.

SPLAT!

"ARGHOOOOO!!"

The dragon shrieked, its cry shaking the air as it staggered backward, smoke and blood pouring from the gash.

Olivia landed, crouched and steady, a smirk curling her lips.

"That's one for Austin."

The dragon let out a guttural growl before rolling to its left, its massive, armored body crashing against the ground like a collapsing mountain.

Olivia's eyes widened.

She turned to run—but she knew she wasn't fast enough.

"Shi—!"

THANG!!

A shimmering barrier flared to life in front of her, just in time to halt the dragon's momentum. Dust exploded around her, heat brushing against her skin.

"HURRY!"

Charlotte's desperate voice rang out from not so afar.

Olivia didn't hesitate. She kicked off the ground and launched herself away. The very next instant, the barrier snapped like glass, shards of light scattering through the air as the dragon's body resumed its motion.

William regrouped with Olivia and Charlotte. The three of them now stood side by side, facing the towering beast as it slowly rose again, blood dripping from its wounded side.

Then—

The dragon reeled its massive head back, maw wide open.

The air around them began to twist as a swirling inferno gathered in its throat. Flames spun like a miniature sun behind its jagged fangs. Heat surged outward in waves, drying sweat and pulling the breath from their lungs.

They knew what was coming.

The Dragon's breath.

Big enough to burn the whole field to ash.

William stepped forward, planting his feet firmly.

He raised his sword high—

Sunlight poured into the blade, rays of light bending unnaturally toward the steel. His aura flared golden, cutting through the gloom.

Olivia clenched her gauntlets, pulling every drop of soul energy she could muster. Her fists burned with power, veins glowing faintly beneath her skin.

Charlotte stood trembling, her hands lifted. She was prepared to give everything she had to shield the others.

The dragon opened its mouth—

A second more and—

SHLINNNNMK

A sharp, crystalline note pierced the tension.

A single projectile—almost invisible—ripped through space.

It phased past the dragon's neck.

Then—

THUD.

The dragon's eyes widened.

And then its head dropped with a dull, final sound.

The monstrous body froze—

Then collapsed, heavy and lifeless.

"…huh?"

"…what?"

"…shit… the fuck?"

The three stared in disbelief. Their attacks still charged, their bodies still bracing for death.

Then their eyes turned.

Toward the source of the shot.

There—

Standing calmly amidst the fading light of battle—was a teenage girl with bright pink hair, flowing upward as if untouched by gravity. Her eyes glowed with ethereal light, twin orbs of sheer power.

A gentle breeze passed.

Even the battlefield grew silent.

She turned towards Astaroth, who was still levitating in the air, before raising her Shard, which now had turned into a huge bow.

She pulled the string, her veins bulging before releasing the arrow.

Astaroth growled but didn't move.

His General appeared in the way and deflected the arrow.

The arrow struck the ground far away and an explosion shook the ground.

Zephyr narrowed his eyes at the pink head, "It's been a long...Hero Kane."

Rhea didn't respond.

Steam appeared as she parted her mouth.

Her body was enveloped in violent energy.

A moment of silence and then the two warriors vanished.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- She is the protagonist, of course these kinds of situations would awaken something in her.

Thanks for reading.