Reincarnated as the Villainess's Unlucky Bodyguard-Chapter 190: Old Demon, New Tricks

Daena exhaled slowly, focusing her gaze on the distant horizon, where jagged mountain peaks pierced the angry storm clouds overhead. Thunder growled softly, a distant warning as violet lightning flickered in intricate patterns across the sky. Even nature itself seemed wary of disturbing her.

She flexed her wings, their leather-like texture gleaming in the dim twilight. It had been years no, centuries since she'd last come here, to the mountains known only as the Spine of Shadows. A bleak place, savage and untamed, perfectly matching her current mood.

"Alright, old girl," Daena muttered, stretching her limbs with exaggerated care, "let's see if you're still terrifying, or if you've gone completely soft."

She snorted, amused by her own thoughts. The idea of being soft, after so long, was laughable yet somehow, she'd allowed herself to become exactly that. And now, because of it, Liria was gone.

Daena shook her head irritably, scolding herself. "Sentimental idiot," she grumbled, stepping forward to face the cliffs looming before her. "Enough moping. Time to remind the world why they used to fear you."

With a wicked grin, she stretched her arm out, palm facing upward. Dark, crackling energy surged instantly to life, forming a sphere of pure violet-black magic. Her signature—powerful, dangerous, and just a little bit flashy.

She hurled it forward with casual grace, watching in satisfaction as it struck the stone cliffs and exploded spectacularly. Shards of rock rained down around her, dust filling the air in thick, choking clouds.

"Hm," Daena mused thoughtfully, inspecting her work as the smoke cleared. "Not bad. A little rusty, though."

From the depths of her consciousness, an irritatingly familiar voice spoke up a remnant of her long-forgotten royal counselor, who she'd killed centuries ago for being excessively annoying.

"My Queen, such destruction is unnecessary!"

Daena rolled her eyes, waving dismissively at the imaginary advisor. "Oh, hush. You never understood fun anyway. And stop haunting me, I've already killed you once."

The voice fell obediently silent.

Satisfied, she brushed dust off her shoulder and stepped deeper into the mountains, where ancient ruins awaited—ruins that, long ago, she'd herself constructed as a secret training ground. Back then, she'd been ruthless, feared by allies and enemies alike. She had been the Queen of Demons, after all, and weakness was not something she ever tolerated—least of all in herself.

But centuries of peace had softened her, made her complacent. Raising Liria had shown her a gentler side she'd forgotten existed. Now, with Liria lost to darkness, Daena felt her old self resurfacing—a wilder, fiercer self she found oddly comforting.

Entering the heart of the ruins, Daena took in the sight with nostalgic amusement. Broken pillars, cracked stone slabs, and faded runes lined the chamber walls. A mural depicting her own youthful exploits covered the ceiling, her past self wielding destructive magic and terrorizing entire realms.

She chuckled dryly. "Oh, young me. So dramatic."

Yet beneath her humor, resolve hardened within her. She'd come here for one reason: to push herself beyond every limit she had known. If she was ever to reclaim Liria, she'd need to regain her full power and more. She'd grown soft, yes, but the fire within her hadn't died yet.

Daena stepped toward the central altar, carved from obsidian and marked by symbols of her ancient magic. Carefully, she placed her palm on the cold surface, whispering words she'd once sworn never to speak again.

"Awaken."

The chamber shuddered as runes blazed to life, violet flames erupting from the stone in dramatic columns. Daena raised an eyebrow appreciatively. "Still works. Impressive."

But before she could admire her handiwork further, a booming voice thundered from the shadows.

"WHO DARES AWAKEN ME?"

Daena rolled her eyes at the theatrics, hands planted on her hips. "Honestly, Calyx. Drop the act. It's just embarrassing at this point."

A heavy silence fell, followed by a long-suffering sigh. "Oh. It's you."

From the swirling shadows emerged a towering demon taller even than Daena with deep crimson skin and eyes that burned like molten gold. His massive horns twisted imposingly upward, and his muscular frame radiated power.

Yet, despite his fearsome appearance, he looked utterly miserable.

"Daena," he said flatly. "It's been centuries. Could you at least pretend to respect the ritual?"

"Sorry, dear," she replied cheerfully, not sorry at all. "But I don't have time for your theatrics today."

Calyx sighed heavily. "Let me guess trouble?"

Daena nodded solemnly. "Liria."

His gaze softened instantly, sympathy flickering in his fierce eyes. "Ah. Your human granddaughter?"

Daena huffed impatiently. "Granddaughter is a bit...soft. But yes, that's the one."

Calyx smirked knowingly. "So you've come to shake off your rust and get her back?"

Daena shrugged, eyes glinting with dangerous determination. "Something like that."

Calyx stretched, bones cracking ominously. "Fine. But don't complain if I break a bone or two. I don't do gentle."

Daena smirked back, unfazed. "Good. Neither do I."

Without further warning, he lunged toward her, the sheer force of his attack causing the chamber walls to tremble. Daena sidestepped gracefully, raising her arm to block his fist, absorbing the shockwave easily. Her muscles burned, but she welcomed the sensation this was exactly what she needed.

"Sloppy," she taunted, eyes glittering mischievously. "Have you been sleeping all these years?"

Calyx grumbled, eyes narrowing with indignation. "Rude."

They clashed again, blows echoing loudly through the chamber. Daena summoned darkfire, wrapping violet flames around her fists and sending Calyx staggering backward with each strike. Yet he recovered swiftly, countering with waves of raw energy that forced Daena to retreat momentarily.

"Not bad," she admitted grudgingly, panting slightly. "You've improved."

Calyx snorted, brushing dirt from his shoulders. "I had plenty of time unlike some lazy former queens."

Daena laughed heartily, throwing her head back. "Careful, Calyx. Flattery will get you nowhere."

Their fight intensified, the room filling with thunderous explosions of magic and cracking stone. Hours blurred together, sweat pouring down Daena's skin as she relearned movements she'd almost forgotten, techniques buried beneath centuries of peace.

Eventually, exhausted but satisfied, they both collapsed onto the rubble-strewn floor. Calyx groaned dramatically, rubbing his bruised jaw.

"For someone ancient, you punch remarkably hard."

Daena grinned, breathing heavily. "Compliments won't spare you, you know."

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You've definitely still got it."

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

They sat in comfortable silence, catching their breath, until finally Calyx spoke softly.

"You're really determined to bring her back, aren't you?"

Daena stared at the ceiling, gaze thoughtful. "She saved me, Calyx. From loneliness, from madness. She reminded me that even an old demon can feel... human."

Calyx nodded slowly, eyes gentle. "Then we'll train until you're ready. You'll reclaim her."

Daena glanced sideways, a rare smile warming her fierce features. "Getting sentimental, are we?"

Calyx scoffed, crossing his arms indignantly. "Absolutely not. Just tired of your dramatics."

She chuckled, elbowing him playfully. "Admit it. You missed me."

"Hardly," he muttered, though his mouth quirked upward slightly.

After a long pause, Daena rose, dusting herself off. Her muscles ached, her body bruised, yet her spirit felt rejuvenated sharpened into something far more dangerous.

She gazed into the darkened corridors beyond, eyes bright with new resolve.

"Again tomorrow?"

Calyx sighed dramatically, though a fond smile softened his expression. "Tomorrow. And the day after that, until you're strong enough."

Daena nodded, determination etched into every line of her powerful frame. "Until I'm ready."

He smirked knowingly. "Then whoever took your Liria had better be afraid. You're terrifying when you're angry."

Daena smiled grimly, violet eyes blazing fiercely.

"Good. They should be."

he wind howled through the ruins as Daena stretched her wings, rolling her shoulders to shake off the lingering exhaustion from the fight. It had been centuries since she'd pushed herself like this, and her body reminded her of that fact with every sore muscle and every deep ache thrumming beneath her skin.

Good. Pain meant progress.

Calyx stood beside her, arms crossed, still catching his breath. "So," he muttered, casting her a sideways glance. "How exactly do you plan on getting her back?"

Daena exhaled, flexing her claws absently. "Simple," she said. "I'll beat the sense back into her."

Calyx arched a brow. "Ah, the classic Daena approach violence and hope."

"Don't forget overwhelming force," she added with a smirk.

He snorted. "And if she doesn't come back willingly?"

Daena's grin faded slightly. She had asked herself that question a thousand times since Liria had left—no, since she had chosen to leave. The Liria she had raised, the one she had sworn to protect, had been consumed by something dark and unrelenting. Could she even reach her anymore?

"I'll find a way," she said, voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at her. "I don't care how far she's fallen. She's still mine."

Calyx sighed, rubbing his temples. "You know, normal grandparents just bake cookies and complain about the youth."

Daena smirked. "Boring. This is much more fun."

He gave her a long, unreadable look before shaking his head. "You're insane."

"Thank you."

Calyx sighed again, though there was something almost affectionate in the exasperation on his face. "Fine. Let's say you do get strong enough to face whatever she's become. Do you even know where she is?"

Daena's expression darkened. "Not yet. But I will."

A pause. Then Calyx frowned. "And when you find her?"

Daena cracked her knuckles, violet flames flickering at her fingertips. "Then I remind her exactly who raised her."

Calyx chuckled, shaking his head. "Gods help her."

Daena grinned, eyes gleaming.

"No," she corrected, wings flaring wide as she turned toward the horizon. "Gods help whoever took her from me."