My Wives are Beautiful Demons

The clearing didn't look like a natural part of the forest.

It was as if the very ground had been ripped up, burned, and rebuilt under wicked hands. The surrounding trees twisted, trunks black as coal, sharp branches pointing downward like claws trying to rip the earth. No leaves grew—only thick vines dripping with a dark sap, like congealed blood.

In the center, the ground split open in red cracks, pulsing like exposed veins. The air was heavy, redolent of sulfur, and each breath felt like it burned his throat.

Vergil was the first to emerge from the darkness of the trail and step into the clearing. His eyes scanned every detail with that predatory calm that was unique to him. His silver hair reflected the glow of the magma cracks, and a barely perceptible smile appeared as he lifted his face and felt the pressure emanating from the place.

"Now…" he murmured, as if savoring the weight of the atmosphere. "This is truly demonic territory."

Roxanne, still arm in arm with him, looked around with a shiver, but didn't let go. Her red eyes gleamed suspiciously in the dim light.

"This clearing... doesn't look like it was made by chance," she commented, her fingers tightening their grip on his arm. "It's like an arena."

Behind them, Katharina appeared. Her presence was always like a volcano about to erupt. Her hair dripped with molten lava, flowing in thick strands until it evaporated before touching the ground. With each step, the heat increased. As her orange eyes scanned the center of the clearing, she smirked.

"I like it," she said, lifting her chin. "It smells like war."

Vany and Rize appeared soon after, walking side by side. The former seemed nervous, her gaze attentive to every detail, as if expecting an ambush. Rize, on the other hand, wore an excited smile, her scythe resting on her shoulder, her entire body vibrating with anticipation.

"An arena…?" Rize repeated, almost amused. "I hope it's not just for watching. It would be a waste."

Titania, still mounted on Zuri, who was in her serpent form, slid from the creature's neck to the ground. Her feet had barely touched the ground before they instinctively moved away from the magma cracks. She closed her eyes for a moment, as if listening to something the others couldn't.

"The ground pulsates," she said softly. "Like a heart. A heart that hates."

Zuri remained still, but her reptilian eyes glowed gold.

"This isn't just a clearing," the serpent added. "It's an invitation."

Vergil laughed. Not a loud laugh, but that husky sound, filled with contempt and pleasure. He walked to the center of the clearing, unhurriedly, as if the place were his.

"Invitation accepted, then," he said. "Whoever built this stage won't be hiding for long."

Roxanne followed closely, her eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the trees. The silence around them was unnatural—no insects, no birds, nothing. Only the distant sound of cracks spewing heat.

Katharina walked close behind, snapping her fingers, small sparks of magma leaping from her nails.

"No matter who shows up," she said, almost humming. "I'll burn them to the core."

Vany approached Rize, lowering her voice.

"Do you feel that? The air is... heavy."

Rize licked her lips, her eyes fixed on the cracks.

"I do," she replied, smiling in a far from calm way. "It's the smell of blood waiting to be spilled."

Titania placed a hand on her chest, frowning.

"It's not just that. This energy... it's ancient," she said seriously. "As if we're walking straight into the stomach of a beast."

Zuri lifted her head, her forked tongue vibrating in the air.

"No..." the serpent murmured. "We're already inside it."

The words hung heavy.

Vergil, however, seemed amused by the group's discomfort. He raised his katana slowly, running his finger along the edge as if tuning an instrument. His icy blue eyes gleamed with that usual insane arrogance.

"Fine," he said, a wide smile appearing. "Then let the beast come and devour us. I'm hungry."

At the same moment, the ground shook.

A subterranean roar echoed through the cracks, deep, guttural, as if something immense had awakened beneath them. The magma veins expanded, the heat intensified, and a heavy wind blew, carrying ash.

Katharina smiled broadly, almost childlike, and flames began to ooze from her skin.

"Finally," she whispered. "Something worthy."

Roxanne released Vergil's arm only to draw her daggers, her eyes blazing like blades.

"I knew it was a trap," she said. "But I didn't think it would be so obvious."

Rize raised her scythe, twirling it in her fingers excitedly.

"Trap or not…" she laughed. "I like hosts who welcome guests with style."

The roar returned, this time accompanied by larger cracks in the ground. Cracking. The ground split in circles around them, and black columns began to emerge—giant, twisted bones rising to form a wall around the clearing.

The place was officially closed.

An arena.

Zuri coiled her immense body around the group, instinctively protective.

"Brace yourselves," the serpent warned, its voice deepening. "What's coming is not ordinary."

Vergil raised his sword, the tip pointing downward, his posture relaxed.

"Nothing ever is," he replied.

And then… the cracks exploded.

From the magma emerged the first silhouette.

Tall. Enormous. Twisted horns and raw wings, the black body gleaming like molten obsidian. Its eyes, two raging red suns.

An ancient demon.

And seconds later, a second creature emerged, from the opposite side of the clearing. Slenderer, shrouded in liquid shadows that moved like living smoke, long claws raking the air, teeth revealing rows of fangs.

Two enemies. Two guardians.

Titania clapped her hand to her mouth, panting.

"Guardians of Hell…" she murmured. "They've been trapped here for ages…"

Katharina laughed, fire bursting around her body.

"And now they're our toys."

Vergil simply swung the katana in a smooth motion, as if beginning a symphony.

"Perfect," he said, his gaze fixed on the two creatures. "The stage is set."

The heavy wind blew again, scattering ash over the group. The heat and air pressure became suffocating, but none of them seemed to flinch. On the contrary: all their eyes shone with the same excitement.

And then, as the two guardians roared in unison, shaking the earth like earthquakes, Vergil smiled.

A cold smile. Demonic.

"Let the show begin."