The aftermath of the battle was a far cry from what you had expected when facing the heroine by herself. Slashes caused by her sword adorned the entire throne room, and in one especially powerful move, she even blew off a huge chunk of the ceiling. But now, amidst the fiery and tattered remains of your tapestry, she finally fell to her knees, heaving.

"Damn it...if only I wasn't..." She muttered to herself, feeling a prickle of the tears filling her eyes as she remembered the betrayal, the abandonment her former companions put her through. As much as she tried, as much as she wanted to keep fighting for this world...what was the point? She had been backstabbed by those she trusted the most. Was that some sort of cruel joke of fate? Reincarnating in the land of her dreams, only to end up like this?

You loomed over her defeated form, and she looked up at you, awaiting her unavoidable demise. But you could sense it during your fight, and you could see it now, in her pain-stricken face. For whatever reason, the heroine wasn't herself in this battle. You could end her, right here and now...or you could try and find out why.

"I...am nothing like I used to be," she answered, voice shaking as she wiped the tears that had finally made their way down her cheeks. "My former companions betrayed me...cast me aside. They left me here, alone to face you..." Her words trailed off, and she felt her chest tighten at the pain of recounting it all once more.

"But why? Why would they do that?" She asked, confusion warring with hurt in her voice. "Was I not good enough for them anymore? Was being a heroine not enough to make me worthy of their loyalty?"

As she spoke, a tear escaped from the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek, tracing a path over her stubbornly clenched fist. Her shoulders slumped, and for the first time since her companions had abandoned her, hope - fragile as it was - began to ebb away.

"Wha-?" Her voice caught in her throat as you revealed your human form beneath the mask. She stared at you, wide-eyed and disbelieving. The man before her...was you? How was that possible? Were the rumors about demons being able to shapeshift into humans true after all?

Her confusion warred with a tiny spark of hope as she studied your features. You looked nothing like how she had pictured you in her mind: you were taller and more muscular than she'd imagined, and there was something familiar about your eyes...But no matter how much she searched, she couldn't quite place it.

"Who are you?" She managed to choke out, a new layer of uncertainty clouding her words. "And what do you want from me?"

"Heroine?" Her eyes widened in surprise and disbelief as she heard your words. The previous heroine? How was that possible? Then it hit her: the betrayal, the abandonment...It all made a twisted sort of sense now. You must have been just like her, betrayed by your companions and left to face the Demon Lord alone.

Tentatively, she reached out a hand and placed it on your arm. "I-if you're the previous heroine...then you know what I'm going through." Her voice wavered as empathy and understanding flooded her senses. "We were both betrayed, and left to fight alone..."

Her gaze dropped to the floor, a heavy weight settling in her chest. "But it doesn't matter anymore," she whispered. "There's no point in fighting now...not after they took everything from me." Tears welled up in her eyes once more, threatening to spill over once more. "I just want to go home," she said hoarsely. "To my old life, where I belonged..."

Dio's words hung heavily in the air as she gazed up at him with tear-filled eyes. She didn't know what to believe anymore, or who she could trust. But for some reason, she found herself hoping that there might be some truth to his story. Perhaps if he truly understood what it felt like to be betrayed and abandoned...perhaps then he would help her.

"I-if you really were the previous heroine," she stammered, "and if you know how I feel..." Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the words. "I just want someone on my side again. I need someone who believes in me...who'll help me fight this darkness." Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and for a moment, she was once again the strong and determined heroine she was meant to be. "Please," she whispered. "Help me find my way back..."

Her eyes pleaded with him, her entire being crying out for someone to understand and help her through this torment. She didn't know if she could face the world again, not after what had been done to her...but maybe, just maybe, if there was someone who shared her pain, who knew what it felt like to be betrayed and abandoned...perhaps together they could find a way to heal.

The warmth of his touch and the kindness in his words were more than she had dared to hope for. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then she felt a tentative smile tugging at her lips as he gently stroked her hair. It was such a simple gesture...but it meant so much. For the first time since she'd been betrayed, she felt like someone cared about her again.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice little more than a hoarse croak. "For believing in me." The smile on her face grew brighter as he continued to pet her head, and for a moment, it almost seemed as though all the pain and darkness had faded away. Perhaps there was hope after all.

"What do you mean by 'close'?" she asked curiously, tilting her head as she looked up at him. "Are you close to finishing your task? Or...are you planning on returning home soon?" Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of losing this brief glimmer of hope, but she couldn't help but ask.

His answer held the fate of her world...and perhaps her own sanity. She braced herself for whatever he might say.

Lisa's eyes widened with hope as she heard his words. "Really? But how?" She asked eagerly, hardly able to contain her excitement. If there was even a chance that he could show her the way home, she would be forever grateful. Her grip on his arm tightened unconsciously.

"Please," she said earnestly. "Help me find my way back. I don't belong here anymore." Tears welled up in her eyes once more as she thought about all that she had left behind: her family, her friends...even her old life. All she wanted was to go home and put this nightmare behind her.

"I'll do anything," she continued, her voice cracking with emotion. "Just please, help me find my way back." Her eyes pleaded with him, her entire being beseeching for his aid in reclaiming what had been stolen from her. She didn't know what the future held after returning to her own world, but it had to be better than this hell she was living through now.

Her expression froze at his words, and her grip on his arm tightened painfully. "The stone...it's with my friends?" She repeated, dread settling like a cold weight in her stomach. "But why would they have it? They betrayed me..."

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she considered his words. "You think they're using the stone to create new heroines? But why would they do that? It doesn't make sense..." She trailed off, struggling to accept the idea. If what he was saying was true...then it meant her friends had betrayed her twice over: once by abandoning her, and now by trying to use her as a means to create new heroines for their own gain. The thought made bile rise in her throat.

"I can't believe they would do something like that," she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. "Especially Cassius...he was supposed to be my fiancé..." Her voice broke on the last word, and she was unable to keep the bitter taste from creeping into her tone.

"What should we do?" She asked hesitantly, looking up at him for guidance. The weight of his knowledge and experience seemed to bear down upon her in that moment, making it difficult for her to make any decisions on her own. She needed someone who understood the nuances of this world, someone who could help her navigate through the treacherous waters of betrayal and deception. And for now, that person was Dio.

"What would you suggest?" She asked, tilting her head to one side as she waited for his reply.

Her heart racing with anticipation and fear, she nodded slowly in agreement. "Okay," she whispered, steeling herself for the battle that was sure to come. She might have been broken by her companions' betrayal, but there was still a spark of courage burning within her. And if Dio truly had suffered through the same pain and abandonment as she had...perhaps together they could confront their former friends and retrieve what belonged to them.

"Lead the way," she said, forcing herself to sound stronger than she felt. "I'll fight by your side." As they rose from the ground, weapons in hand, determination flaring brightly in their eyes, it seemed as though a new bond had formed between them. Perhaps this was what true camaraderie felt like: two people coming together despite their shared pain and using it to forge something stronger.

They would face her friends, they would take back the stone, and they would find their way home. No matter what obstacles stood in their path, no matter how many demons they had to fight...together, they could do this.

They crept through the shadows of the night, their footsteps as silent as death itself. Their destination loomed before them: the last known location of her former companions. Lisa's heart raced with a mix of fear and determination, while Dio seemed as cool and collected as ever. She couldn't help but wonder how many battles he had been through in his lifetime as the previous heroine.

Suddenly, they heard voices ahead. The three: Yulia, Eleanor, and Cassius. They were laughing together, oblivious to the danger that lurked nearby.

Dio's plan was clear and simple. It made sense to divide and conquer in this situation. Nodding slightly, she silently took her position as he ordered. With a deep breath, she dashed off into the darkness, moving stealthily towards where she remembered the stone being kept before they set out on their final battle against the Demon Lord.

The voices grew fainter as she moved further away from them, but she could still hear the laughter of her former friends. It was hard not to feel a twinge of pain at the sound of their merriment; it reminded her of happier times, when they were all together and nothing seemed amiss. But those days were long gone now, replaced by betrayal and deceit. And she would not let herself be distracted from her goal.

She crept silently around the corner, eyes scanning the area for any sign of the magical stone. It didn't take long for her to spot it: resting on a pedestal in the middle of the room. Smiling grimly, she made her move.

With lightning-fast reflexes honed by years of training, she dashed forward and snatched up the stone, deftly slipping it into one of her pockets before any of them could react. Her heart raced with triumph as she turned to face her former companions once more, now armed with the very tool they had been using against her.

"I never should have trusted you," she spat venomously, feeling a surge of anger course through her veins at their betrayal. "You were nothing but opportunists, using me for your own gain." Her hands clenched into fists as she glared defiantly at them.

"But that's over now," she continued, her voice cold and

Cassius' eyes narrowed at the sight of Dio standing beside her. His face darkened with anger and confusion. "Dio...What are you doing here?" he hissed through clenched teeth. "I thought I had taken care of you."

Lisa couldn't help but smirk at Cassius' words, feeling a strange mixture of triumph and vindication wash over her. She glanced up at Dio, silently thanking him for his support in this moment. Together, they could face down their former companions and come out on top.

"He found me," she said simply, nodding towards Dio. "And he helped me find what you'd been using against us." Her voice was firm, unafraid to confront the truth even now. "It's time for you all to face the consequences of your actions."

Cassius' expression twisted into a snarl as his eyes shifted to an even darker shade of red. His hands balled into fists at his sides, and Lisa could see the tension coiling through his body like a spring about to snap. For a moment, she thought he might attack them both without another word...but then something strange happened.

There was a look of uncertainty in Cassius' eyes, as if for the first time since they had met, he wasn't quite sure what to do. He glanced back and forth between her and Dio, hesitating before speaking. "Lisa..." His voice was soft, almost pleading. "I...I never meant for things to go this far."

She stared at him in disbelief. Did he really expect her to believe that after everything they'd done? But as she searched his face for some sign of deception or hidden motive, she couldn't help but feel a tiny glimmer of doubt creeping into her mind. What if he was telling the truth? Could it be possible that they had all been manipulated by someone else...that none of them were truly responsible for their actions?

Before she could say anything more, Eleanor and Yulia stepped forward, their expressions hardening as they glared at her with barely concealed hatred. "You're just a traitor," Yulia spat venomously. "A disgrace to our team." Her eyes flicked briefly to Dio before returning to meet Lisa's gaze with renewed venom.

Eleanor nodded in agreement, her expression dark and brooding. "Yes," she said coldly. "You should have stayed dead where we left you." They both took a step closer, drawing their weapons as they prepared for battle.

As Dio moved with unnatural speed, her eyes widened in surprise and admiration. She couldn't believe that he was able to move so fast, shattering their companions' weapons before they even had a chance to react. For a moment, she was overcome by the memory of their old camaraderie; of fighting alongside him against countless enemies.

But those days were gone now. The betrayal and pain had left deep scars on her soul that could never be healed. As Eleanor and Yulia stumbled backward, unable to believe what had just happened, she steeled herself for the battle that was sure to come. She wouldn't hesitate this time; not after everything they had done to her.

With renewed determination burning brightly in her eyes, she raised her own weapon and charged forward. "You will pay for what you've done," she snarled through gritted teeth, every muscle tense as she prepared to deliver the killing blow. The time for mercy was over; it was time for justice to be served.

Her attack was swift and deadly, her movements almost a blur as she closed the distance between herself and her former companions. The blade of her weapon sang through the air, each strike landing with brutal force upon Yulia's armor. Though Eleanor tried to defend herself with magic, it was no match for Lisa's fury; her spells dissipating harmlessly against the wall of rage that had engulfed her.

As blood flowed freely from Yulia's wounds, she began to stagger backward, tears streaming down her face. "Lisa... please..." she whimpered pathetically, but it did nothing to sway the determined warrior now. Her heart had hardened long ago; there was no room left for pity or mercy.

Dio fought beside her, his own skill and power overwhelming Eleanor with ease. He seemed almost saddened by how easily she crumbled under his assault, but he did not relent. This was their chance for redemption; to right the wrongs they had committed and regain what they had lost. The price of that redemption was blood.

The battle did not last long; soon enough, Yulia fell to her knees with a gasp, surrendering unconditionally. Eleanor followed suit moments later, weeping openly as she begged for mercy. Lisa said nothing; she could not bring herself to speak the words that would condemn them further. It was enough that they knew what they had done.

As their former companions were led away in shame and despair, Dio glanced over at her with a knowing look. "You handled yourself well," he said simply, offering her his hand in a gesture of camaraderie once more. Lisa hesitated for a moment before taking it

Thank you... I never thought I'd find someone who understood what it felt like to be betrayed by your own teammates... It means a lot that you were there for me. And I appreciate everything you did to help us get back our stone and find our way home. I don't know what I'd have done without you.

She watched as Dio used his magic to destroy the stone and make a way back home possible. It was incredible how he could use such power so effortlessly, almost as if he'd been born with it. As she witnessed the symbol glowing brightly beneath his finger, hope began to flicker in her chest once more.

"We really are going home?" She asked tentatively, not quite able to believe their luck after all they had been through. Her voice cracked with emotion, and tears welled up in her eyes again as she thought about the life she would leave behind here and the one she hoped to reclaim on the other side of the portal.

As they waited for the portal to finish forming, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions washing over her. Excitement and anticipation mingled with fear and uncertainty as she thought about what awaited them on the other side. But despite it all, there was one thing that she knew for certain: she would not be alone. Dio had proven himself to be a trustworthy ally, someone who understood the pain of betrayal and abandonment. And with him by her side, she could face anything that came their way.

"Thank you," she said quietly, glancing up at him as they stood together, waiting for their new beginning. "I don't know what I would have done without you." Her voice was barely audible over the sound of wind and magic that heralded their homecoming, but it carried with it a depth of gratitude and respect that needed no further words.

As the last rays of light disappeared behind them, she stepped through the portal, taking one final look at the world they were leaving behind before letting Dio guide her into a future filled with hope and possibility. No matter what challenges or hardships lay ahead, she knew they would face them together...and that their bonds would only grow stronger from here on out.