Oliver's gaze lingered on the horizon, wind tousling his hair as he added, more quietly—
"And… people mock us for another reason. A mistake—our mistake."
He looked Zephyr dead in the eyes.
"In the ancient wars… we dared to wage battle against the Demios Clan."
A bitter smirk curled his lip.
"And we lost—terribly."
He shifted, sitting forward. "Our ancestor, after taking revenge on those who had wronged her—killing every last one, from warriors to infants—let something fester inside her. A hatred for men. It twisted her. She decided the world needed to be cleansed of them."
"But she didn't finish the purge. You know how these things go." He chuckled dryly. "Love conquers all. She fell for someone, and the slaughter stopped… but by then, the damage had been done."
Oliver's voice dropped to a sober tone.
