“Fatherly Christ, for thy in heaven, may you wait for my judgment on these wretched beings. Those that disrupt your reality, your creations will receive the ultimate form of punishment. You’ve spoken to me, you’ve heard me, and now, I await my time to make final judgment on the rest. For it is close to spring, the birth of new life, the season of joy, I will not disobey your command.”

William’s on one knee, praying to a giant crystal in the shape of a cross. With his eyes closed, the crystal illuminated white, and he could feel the heat coming from it.

“God, please, if you have something to say more than the decision that you have made; as your greatest witness and carrier, I wish to know what has you so troubled.”

The cross illuminated brighter, but simmered its light. William opened his eyes, and frowned.

“I-I understand. I’ll await when the time is ripe, and my confusion and worry will be answered by one encounter.”

The cross flashed white at him, and William carefully stood straight. He bathed in the light and felt God’s touch. The light died and the cross went blank. It was nothing more than a shining diamond inside his white cloudy world. William deeply sighed and turned around, seeing his partner Archard staring at the glass screen. He made his way to where his partner was standing, his arms crossed and a deep frown upon his face, he wondered what made him so angry.

“My dear friend, Archard. What brings you down to the blues?” William asked as he sat down on his chair.

Archard smacked his lips and on screen, they could see the four gathered around. Mandy’s all bruised and battered, Herold looked to be in a nervous state, Sarah was being helped up by Jack who’s in the worst shape out of the rest: His eyes were more focused on Sarah than anything else.

“You just missed the fight that almost destroyed our world,” he said.

William stretched his arms out, and rested them on the cloud rests.

“Really? I apologise for missing such a spar. I was speaking with God and conversing about his next action.”

“Oh! My apologies, sir. I had no idea you were speaking with the almighty.”

“Eh, it’s fine, my fellow Exorcist. Now then, bring me up to what’s currently happening to our little group of troublemakers.”

Archard nodded. “Right. First of all, one of those freaks beat the living crap out of that Esper, Jack got beat up as always, and lastly, that same freak created an attack more powerful than a super massive blackhole.”

William raised a brow, “really?” he wiggled his lips and lay back on the chair. “That’s surprising that one of them could be capable of such might. Regardless of the misfortune, what has led to all this?”

He pointed angrily at Sarah who was starting to come back to her senses.

“That wretched Witch, and monster child belonging to that horrid woman transformed into a state that shares the same realm of power that only you and I possess, Sir.”

“Really?!” William shouted, jumping from his seat with excitement.

He ran up to the screen, tapped it to rewind it back to the moment she transformed.

“Look, look at this! This-this is—”

“Revolt—”

“Amazing!”

“Hugh?!”

William’s eyes sparkled and he couldn’t help but watch the fight in its entirety.

“This girl is something else, isn’t she, Archard?”

Archard blew steam out his nose.

“In what way?” he said in an angered tone.

“Nobody has come close to obtaining the strength that God has given me. The same realm, the touch of divinity! You’ve already said you somehow reached it, but still have yet to tell me, plonker.”

“Plo-plonker…?”

“None of that matters, my dear friend! Because this girl here just confirms one thing to me.”

“and-And that is?”

William’s brows furrowed as he grinned.

“She was brought into this life unnaturally. Answering the same question everyone has asked, more importantly, my beloved who knew from the start.”

Archard balled his fist, angry at the thought of her being made this way. He had no idea since that unfaithful day Abyzou was born. His mind became too engulfed with rage to even hear what all the fuss was about. Yet it all made sense to him: Her tears, bloody, her high pitched reality breaking screams that sent ripples across their universe, and lastly, trying to become one with reality just to rewrite it? When he awoke from being unconscious and saw William’s beloved standing on top of a destroyed skyscraper, holding a baby in her arms with her elegant outfit bellowing. Archard couldn’t understand why throughout their battle, she had a grin on her face. The last thing that he saw was her holding the baby up to the sky, and Abyzou’s giant hands coming out of the sky.

“All that has happened, especially in that battle, the betrayal I faced, was because of her… the supposed daughter.” Archard mumbled.

But how? How did she create her! It’s impossible to bring life unnaturally unless she discovered a spell that—

Archard’s hazel eyes exploded, and he let out a gasp. William realised his small shock and turned to him, and had a calm grin on his face.

“It was you all along, wasn’t it? My dear friend, Archard.”

Archard slowly clutched his head, and remembered bringing Samantha to the forbidden library on a date since she was a fan of literature, especially Latin texts.

“No… no. I-I—”

“And your trauma. It all leads up to her. Is it not because of coincidence? Or perhaps you two were more than just friends?”

Archard ground his teeth and shook his head.

“Sir… sir! I-I didn’t know. I-She… no no!”

“Relax, Archard. I’m not angry at you. You were just—in love, weren’t you not?”

Archard’s arms trembled and he could remember her bewitching smile that always warmed his heart.

“There’s nothing to be ashamed about, my friend. Love is a glorious thing! But also, could lead to one's downfall, especially a man.”

Archard’s brain could reminisce her touch, her soothing voice, her seductive nature came back with a vengeance. Then, her crimson eyes staring right into his soul, seducing him to convince him to take her to one of the sacred libraries of the Exorcists. The one he took her to had lost spells and ancient magic only William and his beloved were allowed to read since they understood Latin. But Archard had no idea she knew the language as well, and when he found her grabbing a book that William’s beloved held sacred, he thought she couldn’t understand a word since she said she never tried learning Latin. He was a fool to think otherwise and now everything was starting to make sense.

“My dear friend, not only were you fooled by her personality, you were also fooled into bringing her to our sacred grounds—My! Sacred grounds in fact. But, I’m not upset.”

Archard hung his head in shame and cooled down.

“How long have you known, sir?”

William tapped his chin and chuckled.

“For a while. Actually, I put what you told me together and concluded it. Oh, I also saw into your memories one day when you were spacing out.”

“Oh… that-that makes sense.”

William sighed and panned back to the screen with Sarah launching her blast with the black hole to Edgar who succumbed to it.

“Don’t worry though. Our time will come and we’ll be the ones to conclude this part of the story.”

“You’re-You’re speaking as if we have an audience, sir.”

William smiled and tilted his head.

“Who knows, Archard. Whether there is or isn’t, I’m more than looking forward to their ultimate hiccup and then it all boils down to my judgment.”

Once the fight concluded and got back to where the four are gathered currently, Archard’s eyes locked onto Jack.

“After her story is done: Jack Samr, your trials will commence once again, and we’ll truly see if you can redeem yourself and maybe, perhaps, maybe! I can give you what you ultimately seek… and that’s a life of normality.”

Back on his screen, Mandy stood next to Herold who was still in disbelief. Jack gently got Sarah back on her toes. Although, Sarah didn’t want his help with the state he’s in. She helped herself halfway and put his arm around her shoulders.

“You okay, idiot?” she asked.

Jack grinned and groaned.

“Ma-Maybe… but it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it.”

Sarah sighed and smacked his stomach, which made him grunt.

“How did you even get yourself caught by that freak? You’re smarter than that, Jack.”

“Hey hey, it all happened so fast, alright.”

Mandy approached them with her right arm being clutched.

“Yeah, explain yourself, idiot.”

Jack frowned. “Why am I getting attacked here? And aren’t you supposed to be strong enough to stop him? Hm? Because from what I saw, it looked as if you weren’t trying that much.”

Mandy rolled her eyes, but grinned.

“You’re right. There’s no excuse for what you guys saw. Yes, I was in fact still stronger, that was until he transformed.”

Sarah’s eyes got big hearing that.

“So, in that monster state you’re saying he surpassed you?!”

Mandy shrugged. “I’m not too sure since I was focused on protecting my ch—I mean my bowls!”

Sarah and Jack both squinted their eyes at her, feeling suspicious. The three began to belittle each other while Herold was in a lost trance. His thoughts and complications were colliding, and seeing the events that Ravana predicted transpire before his eyes; he’s not sure what to do now. He didn’t want to be the catalyst of the next scene in Ravana’s play. Seeing them all act normal and feel secure of nothing will happen next, Herold can’t bring himself together and act chill. Ravana’s words were echoing in his mind, shouting for him to enact the next scene: The betrayal and for him to come down from the heavens and take Sarah away. Yet, despite the conflictions, his heart screeched for him to not do it.

“Angela, Sarah, I-I can’t…” he whispered.

He brought his eyes to the ground and brought his hands up. They quaked and he couldn’t resist but showed his frustrations. He twitched his fingers, grinded his teeth, and felt ashamed.

“I-I… don’t want to do this. I-I want to continue this life, despite its artificial nature.”

He clenched his hands and shut his eyes.

“They don’t deserve this. Ravana, why must we destroy an already normal dystopia.”

“Hey Mr. Herold!” Sarah shouted.

Hearing her voice sent shivers up his spine. For a second he thought he heard Samantha. He slowly turned to them and saw Sarah’s bright crimson eyes glistening at him. With the sun shining behind her, she looked almost angelic. His jaw half dropped, he swallowed and closed his mouth to seem calm.

“Yes, Sarah?” he replied.

She let go of Jack and walked up to him.

“When did you arrive? Before or after the fight?”

“Wh-Why do you ask, young lady?”

Sarah shot her thumb over her shoulders, directed at Mandy who appeared serious all of a sudden.

“Mandy here claims you were watching the battle halfway in or perhaps—from the start.”

“Mandy?” he said while shifting his head to Mandy.

He saw a small glint in her blue eyes and mildly opened his mouth.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, apparently she also said she even sensed you way before that too.”

Sarah’s grin turned upside down and she dropped her head.

“Like you knew that all of this might’ve happened.”

Sarah’s tone simmered, and hearing it sent guilt right into Herold’s heart. He couldn’t say anything for a minute, which made Jack furrow his brows and Mandy stood close to him. She carefully placed her hand behind her ripped coat where she was hiding something beneath it. Herold knew he couldn’t lie since Mandy was present and remembering who she is, he knew the consequences of lying. His brows bounced, his jaw shivered, Herold mustered the courage to tell the truth.

“I did. I was present from start to finish.”

Sarah’s body jumped hearing it, and closed two fingers into her right palm.

“Why? Why did you only watch as Mandy was being brutalized?”

Mandy cut in and stepped forward.

“Knowing you, you’d like to watch something first hand if it gives you an idea about what you seek, H-e-r-o-l-d.”

Herold nodded. “Because, observations are what I do. To conclude my objective and bring forth a resolution to a potential hazard.”

The rest of Sarah’s fingers closed and her fist was clenched. She mildly shook her head and wondered what he meant by that.

“And you watched Jack get blasted, and didn’t stop me from attacking the freak.”

She brought her head up, and Herold could see the hurt in them as they quivered.

“Instead of becoming a viewer. You could’ve helped us defeat this monster, but instead watched it as an observation?”

“It’s almost like you’re intentionally playing stupid. And if my memory stands with me, I also know that you’re a very gullible man. If it meant for a greater cause and to reward yourself, you’d follow anyone… and I mean, anyone, He-rold.” Mandy said.

Herold walked forward, past Sarah, then walked past the other two, stopping in the middle of the town.

“Remember when I told you that I’m a researcher? It’s in fact true, but there’s more to my title than it holds and what Mandy said is also true.”

Sarah walked next to the other two, listening while Mandy’s eyes began to glint.

“I-I don’t know what I’m doing at this point. All of this, this wickedness that’s unfolded before us; has made me believe more in my leader's eyes. The spoken truth to what he knew has come, and what’s to follow, has me set higher hopes for our future.”

He clutched his chest, and took heavy breaths.

“But I don’t know if that’s what I want at this point. I don’t understand why I’m like this… why couldn’t I have helped you two? Rather than be a spectator drooling over a girl who resembles a woman he once dreamt of being with…”

Sarah’s eyes shook more, and Mandy took another step forward. Jack went up to Herold and placed his hand on his broad shoulder, which got his attention. He looked over his shoulder and saw Jack’s disgruntled face, but he still appeared to be calm although he was sweating.

“Come on now… th-there’s got to be more to his story than for him to just sit back and watch. Herold was probably watching because he might’ve known the power gap between the three. And what, it’s not like he’s supernatural, right?”

Jack looked over his shoulder to Sarah who shook her head.

“Jack, he is in fact, supernatural.” she replied in a soft tone.

Jack forced a smile, and blinked.

“That so? And what can he do besides be another menace to normality?”

Jack’s tone towards the end of his statement transitioned to a more annoyed one. Herold brought his head down in shame, and replied by saying, “Teleportation…” in a defeated tone.

“Teleportation, ey? Then that means you couldn’t do more to help them, correct? Because you’re aware that you wouldn’t be much help… although, you could use that power to teleport them out of battle.”

Herold’s eyes quaked, and his frown began to transform into a forced grin that represented his shame and anger. His eyebrows rose, and his eyes grew twice their size as he tried to comprehend what Jack’s assuming.

“Be-Besides, I think all of us here are just tired, beat up, and emotionally drained. You guys, for once let's not raise any hostility and suspicion towards anyone.”

Jack let go of Herold’s shoulder and took a deep breath.

“I think after all of these shenanigans. We all deserve a nice break, what do you guys say?”

Jack raised his arms, but hissed at the pain of his right one.

“We’ve been through so much, all of us. I might not know much about you, Herold, but I knew you enough to entrust you with my sister. Because in the end, I-I think I’m a pretty good judge of character from the way I was raised.”

Sarah nodded, and half a smile appeared.

“Ye-Yeah. Mandy, don’t you think what you said couldn’t mean more than what Jack’s saying? I-I mean he did say to Angela that he’s not as supernatural as the both of us. So maybe he watched for his own safety due to the gap of strength.”

Mandy’s face remained dead serious as her glint grew thicker.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I wish I could believe everything the two of you have said. But you forgot to remember, that he and I have known each other for years, and my last memory of him was him, befriending a current enemy.”

“But why now?! Why act all suspicious towards him, Mandy! If what you say is true, then wouldn’t he have already done something inconceivable? Plus, when I overheard your conversation it sounded like you two were old buddies.” Sarah said.

A wrinkle formed between her eyes and she gripped whatever she had behind her more.

“Just because I know him doesn’t mean he’s a friend or always been a good guy.”

Jack walked beside Herold, looking at the side of his face.

“If what you just said could be true, then with what Sarah also stated, all of us wouldn’t be speaking together. But I-I can tell he’s probably not the same guy you remember.”

Herold mildly shifted his head to Jack, and was in a gasping state.

“If he was in fact an actual enemy, I would’ve judged him further than I already did. I would never have someone be near my sister or my closest friend without some type of further repercussion.”

Herold’s eyes stopped shaking, and sweat drenched his face.

“I was suspicious of him at first, but seeing how much Angela treated him as a teacher and seeing who he really is has me hoping for the best for her. Which means I can allow her to explore the outside world rather than just being closed off and finally have enough faith in humanity so she would never be in danger again.”

“And what if Herold was in fact everything opposite of what you say, Jack?” Mandy asked.

Sarah waited on his response, and Jack’s worried face remained but it grew still while he kept sweating bullets.

“Then I’d have no problem putting a bullet in his head… even if he has grown as a person like you stated, Mandy.”

Herold gave Jack a breathless expression. His eyes were once again big, his jaw dropped all the way, Jack watched as Herold became frozen from his statement. After letting out one more weakened gasp, his face turned forward, and a huge bullet drop of sweat rolled down the side of his face. With his eyes staying permanently wide, his frown turned into a half grin again, and he let out one muffled chuckle.

“Of course you would…” he said in a soft, weakened tone. “What the hell was I even thinking?”

“Besides, you wouldn’t dare hurt my sister, would you?” Jack calmly asked.

Herold softly chuckled and his body began to jitter.

“Have I really gone crazy?” he muttered.

Jack turned back to the two, and nodded, walking back to them.

“Let's go, Herold. I think we all deserve to end this with a nice dinner like I said. Normality, that’s what we all want, come on.”

As Jack walked away, taking a couple of steps away, a powerful gust of wind had broken a wooden sign from one of the stores, having it crash landed and bounce on the road. Everyone stopped, glanced around, and froze in worry. Herold remained frozen, and Mandy’s tucked arm began to shake. The sky turned into a frozen grey, and the clouds looked shadowy, rolling from the horizon.

“I see… That’s it. Normality… in the end, that’s all I ever wanted as well.”

Jack turned back to Herold’s back, and his head was down in a shameful state. A shadow lingered on the side of his face, and his shoulders trembled with guilt as everything inside his conflicted mind had finally made a conclusion.

“I’ve been around them for too long for my own good. Just like Ravana has always told me.” Herold muttered.

Jack’s eyes shook while Sarah stayed on guard and Mandy’s glint sharpened.

“In just these past months, alone, I got too comfortable and surrounded myself with such delightful people. And in the end, I always have to be reminded just how easily influenced I could be. But I don’t know most of the time.”

Herold clenched a fist, and ground his teeth.

“If only I was never the one to be put here in these types of stipulations. Especially when there’s great people that still exist and could live without all this nonsense that defies reality…”

Herold raised his head, and mildly turned the side of his face to Jack and he saw the side of his face, but enough to see his shamed, embarrassed yet angry expression.

“That way… that way… I wouldn’t be such a half-assed worthless pile of shit!”

Jack’s jaw dropped as he saw Herold’s eyes begin to swell and have water creep from the edges. Herold turned more of his body around, and looked more directly at the three.

“It’s too late now… I don’t know what’s right anymore at this point! But believe me when I say this—!”

He tucked his hand into the collar of his shirt, and clutched his chest.

“I would never—ever! Dare lay a finger on your sister, Jack! And Sarah, getting to know you has taught me more of who you are and what you represent…”

Sarah’s eyes quivered as her mouth slowly began to open.

“A-And… what would that be?” she replied.

“The woman who I fell in love with eighteen years ago.”

Sarah’s eyes watered and the winds were beginning to pick up.

“I never wanted to be a part of this… but at this point, seeing everything unfold before my eyes—the only choice for me now… is to face the consequences and karma of my actions that lie ahead of me…”

Mandy grit her teeth, and bent forward, shaking more and Jack’s eye grew tenfold as Herold slowly pulled his arm out, and out came the same necklace and pendant from all the cultists he’s encountered and seen. The blood red diamonds flickered, Herold’s eyes glowed crimson, and his outfit slowly burnt away, revealing his real identity. With brown wavy hair, and pitch black eyes, Herold’s eyebrows knit as a tear crept its way out one eye. Holding the pendant next to his face, the tear evaporating away, he grew serious, and gave them a cold stare.

“And as the fourth strongest of the cult that represents Envy, I will fulfil my duty to the end, and not disobey our great leader, Ravana! I Shaman, shall bring forth and rebirth our God… Abyzou!

Jack panicked and ran back to Sarah as she got caught and froze with fear. Mandy remained on her stance while Jack grabbed Sarah, but he was too hurt to go any further, and collapsed to his knees.

“Jack!” Sarah shouted.

“Sarah, g-go!” he shouted.

Herold ran to them, and reached his arm out to Sarah who watched her fate come and ready to take her.

“Sarah, you’re coming with me!” Shaman shouted.

Mandy suddenly appeared behind him, and pulled out a holy dagger. Shaman’s eyes glinted as he put his arms up to protect himself. She spun sideways, driving the dagger against his forearms, slicing them, then slitting his throat with blood gushing, oozing out around him. Shaman held his throat as his arms bled and gurgled in pain.

“You two, get the hell out of here!” Mandy shouted.

Mandy again tried attacking, but he quickly blinked at her, and she was stopped in place. He rammed her away with his body. She was sent flying to a building, and crashed within it. He brought his eyes to the two and Sarah shielded Jack as he looked at them with regret, blood gushing out his wounds, and shame. Shaman’s body began to glow hot, his lacerations healed, and bolts of yellow electrical currents began to erupt around his body. The sky above them split open, revealing a perfect sphere that shined the sunlight on him as he spread his arms out to the sides.

In a pitiful tone, Shaman gently said, “I’m sorry…” as a giant bolt of lightning struck behind him, sending typhoon destructive winds that destroyed the area around them. Sarah screamed as she used her mana to keep them at bay while everything was being burnt, destroyed before their eyes. Jack opened his eyes, and saw the fiery glow from Shaman’s eyes and behind the steam and smoke, another pair of glowing eyes emerged, walking from behind him, and suddenly grabbing Sarah’s arm, pulling her away from Jack.

“SARAH!” Jack screamed.

The force of the steam and wind sent Jack flying away, having him collide with a car and watching as his friend Sarah was facing a tall man whom he had never seen before. Sarah couldn’t move a single muscle, and remembered who the man was: The same man who she saw speaking behind the store and to be an apparent business partner. With a thin smile on his face, his crimson eyes staring directly into her’s, he gently raised Sarah’s hand, and lightly kissed it.

“Come with me, Sarah,” he softly said.

Sarah’s eyes squinted, and with tears flowing down her face, and the destruction not showing any signs of stopping, she untensed her body, and deeply frowned.

“If I do… will you stop this senseless destruction and leave my friends alone?” she said in a defeated depressed tone.

Ravana’s thin smile grew more, and he nodded. He turned to Shaman who’s head was down in shame.

“You’ve done a great job, Shaman. See you when you get back, my friend.”

He quickly swooped Sarah off her feet, and flew away from the scene, and Jack could see the smoke trail lingering off his body. Watching his dear friend, the one he promised to protect and to not be taken, being flown away from his grasp. They faded out in the distance and seeing her vanish devastated him. He felt his heart shatter into a million pieces as Leon’s voice told him to protect his daughter and Samantha’s as well. He began to cry as he reached his hand out to the sky, grounding his teeth.

“SA-SARAH!!”

Jack’s pained scream bounced everywhere, letting the world know of his failure.

I promised him… I promised him… I promised them!

Jack clutched his head, and cried loudly, feeling defeated and reminded of the failure that he is all over again. The failure of keeping Angela safe, the failure of protecting Alexandria, and the failure of having Sarah be taken away: Jack has had enough. He screamed bloody murder and got on his feet, and clutched his head more.

“I promised him… I promised Leon… that I-I… that I would protect her!”

A sudden surge of envy came into Jack, but not from Samantha’s side, but a familiar feeling: the same blackened feeling he’s always felt when she was around. This sentiment began to heal his wounds in a disgusting manner.

“Sarah… Sarah!”

With him shouting Sarah’s name, the jealousy of blackness began to swell in his heart, and with the combined efforts of Leon’s help implanted within Jack: His skin began to chalk up, his eyes began to roll behind his head and fade out. His viens began to blackened, Jack’s limbs began to crack. Black plasma coursed around him, erratically shooting in every single direction and destroying everything in a ten mile radius: Jack snarled, steam came out of his mouth, and he bent forward in a rabid state.

I promised, Leon!

He saw Shaman in his line of view, and once the steam had gone away, he exploded his way to him, destroying and rusting everything out behind him. Jack roared like a rabid lion as he shot his right fist forward. Shaman quickly turned to the yell of a giant and saw Jack’s oncoming fist, shooting its way at him as he was steaming hotter than a teapot. He not only saw a dead man coming at him, but in his eyes, it was as if his grim reaper had come to take him for the sins that he had committed. Jack roared, and drove his fist, ramming it right against Shaman’s right cheek. A brief pause happened, and Shaman’s body slowly moved backwards. Afterwards, the momentum of Jack’s punch caught up, and sent Shaman flying away in the direction of downtown Detroit. Being punched away by a massive attack brought a path of destruction in front of Jack, letting him see the aftermath first hand. A clear swept path was now in front, and led him to where Shaman landed deep in the city: He saw a giant cloud of smoke explode from downtown, and saw the windows of skyscrapers shatter, letting it rain glass to the population below. Jack clenched his fists, and let out another rabid roar that had echoed out, letting the city know of his coming. He roared again and with another trail of steam coming out his mouth, he exploded one again, hurtling towards downtown Detroit, to find Shaman, and save his friend.

***

Back in his room, repeatedly opening and closing his fists, Leon was on his feet, and seemed to be fine. With a half grin on his face, he felt ready to face the world and avenge himself.

“Good, we’re practically back to one hundred percent.” he said.

He put his hands down and walked to his bedside. There, he saw a note sitting towards where he had a cup of water. He wondered who left it, and picked up the letter, reading it…

Dear Leon, my one and only love—

If you’ve happened to awaken from your deep slumber and I wasn’t around to witness such a magnificent event, then I want you to take your time and read my thoughts. For the past three months, I’ve done nothing but reflect on how much of a vile woman I turned out to always be. Having the audacity to treat you, the only man worthy of being around me like a dog, a worthless pile of flesh into my contracted slave; it made me think that I don’t deserve someone like you. Someone like you deserves someone better, and I feel sorry for ever letting you fall into my trap. Reflecting on my past, I’ve seen the dirty deeds that I did to manipulate people into my games, my selfish desires, everything that transpired, and ultimately, trying to rewrite our whole infinite universe. In the past months, watching you grow alongside your daughter made me realise how much of an amazing man you are. And I’m so happy that I chose the right one. I want to tell you more, but for now, this is all that I have to say and can stomach writing without breaking down… Oh wait, oops, a tear has fallen on the paper, sorry. Anyways, if you’re up and find me vacant, I’m busy trying to get rid of some loose ends. When I return, I’m going to tell you everything and I mean, everything. But in return, I want to spend one more day with you, alone, in our home…

Sincerely, Samantha—Amabilia, Abyzou.

Leon’s fingers gripped the paper, wrinkling it, but he eased his emotions, and wiped the tear drop that had stained it with hers. He lowered the paper, and his arms trembled.

“She never told me her actual last name… until now,” he muttered.

He gazed at the photo of her and Sarah when she was younger. Deep down inside, he always loved the photo, mainly because of Sarah, but seeing Samantha’s smile always melted and stung his heart. He picked it up, and wiped one finger on the photo.

“What’s gotten into you, Samantha.”

He sounded hurt, and sad. The letter had no lie behind it, no word trickery that would fool his brain, everything in it that she had written was all from her chained heart. Never in the years he spent being tortured and isolated from her would he actually get these types of sentimental emotions out of her. Yet he questioned why now, all of a sudden? Is it from the events transpiring? Or perhaps she feels that her time might come to an end? Leon can’t come to figure it out, but in the end, this made his heart race and reawaken the small flame he still had burning for her love.

“Samantha…” Leon said.

Although he’s with Mandy, his love for his now ex wife has never gone away. He can’t let her go no matter how hard he tries to move on from her. Feeling conflicted and not wanting another emotional outburst, Leon decided to put his emotions to the side, and set the photo down. He stared at more photos of them, glancing at each one until one particular photo caught his eye, shocking him. He gently slid the others to the side, and behind them, he found a dusty photo of them on their wedding day. Leon’s eyes swelled, and he silently opened his mouth in disbelief. The gorgeous black and red wedding dress along with her shining crimson eyes, but most of all, her incredible smile made him shed a tear. Seeing his happy face, holding her close as they both held her bouquet of roses made Leon slam his hand against his head, fighting his emotions once again.

He covered his mouth, and slowly walked backwards, eventually bumping against the bed, and sitting down.

“Why… is that still here?” he muttered.

He wiped his eyes, and grinded his teeth.

“No… no. th-there has to be a trick to this.”

He lowered his hand, and the photo was still there. His eyes weren’t deceiving him after all. Seeing that the photo still existed grew the flame bigger. He bent forward, and clutched his head for a moment to think. He rubbed his head, and dropped his arms, resting them on his knees.

“Am I actually… alive? Or am I still in a coma?”

Leon quietly thought and thought. His face soaked in sadness, he shook his head, and decided on moving on in the end. He went to go search for his phone and found it on the nightstand. Picking it up, he found it dead and wasn’t surprised.

“Hmph, I guess I’ll just charge it and call Mandy later.”

He did and before leaving the room, took one more glance at the dusty photo.

“I guess I am awake.”

He shut the door behind him, went downstairs and found food prepared and ingredients for him to make a coffee. He chose to feed himself and make his coffee and in the meantime did more self reflection. Thinking of everything that has happened, the change in his heart, becoming a better being, all these thoughts made him think that he might still be human after all. Grinning, Leon sipped his coffee, and began to think of a way to get back at the Witch cult that was almost responsible for the end of the world three months ago.

“How the hell did he gather so much mana to do that much damage? It’s reckless and unexpected. Especially in a bomb of all objects.”

He took another sip and paused.

“With that much gathered in one spot, it’s hard to believe that a freak could’ve done such a thing. I believe he had help from someone to commit such an attack.”

Leon furrowed his brows, and brought the cup down.

“Ravana and the rest. It had to be them in charge of it all. How else would he have that much confidence?”

Taking one more before finishing his meal, Leon glanced at the ceiling and saw it mildly rattle.

“What in the…?”

It rattled again, and he sensed mana from a far, one familiar and another set that boiled his blood.

“Wait, it can’t be?”

He gasped, and put his cup down, running to the front door then sensing more disturbances. The eerie feelings and rise in energy had Leon clenching his fists and skin tingling. His thirst for battle wanted to overcome his worry and suspicion. He didn’t allow it and remained normal to sense what all the commotions were all about.

“I sense Shaman, and… Ravana,” he growled. “But now, there’s another surge in mana, one I can’t make out. Although, I’ve touched and sensed it before.”

He focused more as the ground shook and his house waved, rattling everything inside.

“This abnormal surge of ancient darkness… who could it be?”

He then loudly gasped, and grew nervous. A glass vase fell to the floor, shattering into a million pieces.

“My shield that protects Jack, has been shattered?!”

His eyes got big and his jaw bounced. Slowly, he shut his mouth, grounding his teeth, and a thick wrinkle formed between his eyebrows.

“I-I can’t sense Sarah… then that means, that means…!”

Leon hurried out the house, and to not make himself known and abnormal, he decided to run towards the surges of mana instead.

Jack! Please be okay, I’m coming! Leon thought.

***

Crash landing against a skyscraper, pummeling down in the midst of busy downtown Detroit; everyone has sprung into a panic. Shaman lands face first on the pavement and gets up halfway, seeing first hand the devastating blow he sustained by the young man. He couldn't believe he suffered such a hit from someone whom he thought wouldn't be close to supernatural. He rubbed his cheek and could see black electric currents springing all over the place as it was gaining closer from where he was hit.

“T-That young ma-man! He’s—he’s…!”

Shaman readied himself and he could hear Jack’s rabid roaring echo it’s way closer to him. He couldn’t bring himself to do anything but stand and watch. Jack’s roars grew louder, and louder until he skidded his feet on the ground, making his way to where Shaman’s standing. Bystanders hurried away as Jack screamed at him with a deep growl that sent shivers down his spine. Shaman, in his eyes, was facing his destiny and consequences of his actions. If this is where his last stand will be, then he was ready to face it head on.

“I’m sorry… I really am, Jack. But more to Angela who reminds me of my niece back at home… but I still stand by the choice that I’ve made!”

Shaman prepared himself and watched as Jack stood there with his arms dangling, and his body a steaming pot of flesh.

“If you somehow manage to kill me, then so be it. I’m a man of my word and also a man who faces his flaws dead on.”

He raised his fists, and powered his mana.

“God! If you’re real and he’s my grim reaper, then so take me! In the name and glory of my actual lord, Abyzou, mother of creation and destruction, I shall face death head on!”

Something was lumbered their way to them, and with each step, the earth shook more and more. Shaman could notice it, but Jack’s too blinded by his rage that he charged at Shaman, and roared with his fist pulled behind him. Suddenly, one of the buildings had been shoulder tackled by a cloaked man, and he rushed in Jack’s direction. With each running stomp, shook the city, and he retracted his right arm and shot it forward before Jack could get near Shaman. His fist made impact to the side of Jack’s face; his jaw bending outward, giving him a nasty shot. Jack’s whole body flew off to the side, upon landing a couple of feet away, the momentum of the punch had him skidding for another couple more, bouncing off and on the ground. The cloaked man put his fist down that steamed, and straightened his posture.

“E-Eligor?!” Shaman shouted.

Eligor this time removed his cloak, and handed it to shaman. He revealed his steel-like muscles that appeared indestructible and heavy. He nodded and kept his eyes on Jack who’s body was still steaming and sending out black plasma.

“I’ve got it from here, Shaman. Leave the boy to me and get back to Ravana.”

Shaman gulped and nodded.

“Alright, but Eligor…”

“Hmm?”

Shaman glanced at Jack and frowned.

“You’re not going to kill him, are you?”

Eligor briefly chuckled, and Shaman could see the edge of his smirk from the side of his face.

“Too late now. He’s a dead man, Shaman.”

Shaman’s head dropped, and he deeply sighed.

“I-I thought so…”

“Now, get out of here, go before you piss me off too.”

Shaman smiled for Jack and waved goodbye to him and frowned again once reality struck him. He teleported away, leaving the huge ex-exorcist alone for Jack to handle.

“Now, kid! It’s just you, and me.”

Eligor lumbered his way to Jack who remained on the ground, face up with his head facing the grey sky. Blood poured from the side of his mouth, and his cheek had a laceration from Eligor’s huge knuckles. The young man’s soft groaning slowly transitioned to soft deep growls as he was beginning to regain some consciousness. One of Jack’s pupils rolled back from behind his head, and he could see the sky.

The sky’s grey… yet, calm. But man, th-that was… a brutal blow. This-This pain is like no other—

Jack quickly blinked, and he moved his single pupil around, and felt the heat from his body pulsing off his blackened veins.

Wait… I-I can see, feel, and think?!

As Eligor continued his death march towards Jack, Mandy suddenly appeared from behind, and tried slicing at his back, then blasting him with a mana ball. To no unveil, the dagger seemed as if it was slicing straight stone and he reacted to nothing from any of her attacks.

“Damn it!”

Eligor abruptly swung his arm at her, catching her by surprise and sending her flying to a building. She crashed and shot her arm out of the rubble. Climbing out, she quickly collapsed to her knees, and fell to her side.

“J-Jack!” she shouted.

Jack heard her voice, and moved his pupil more forward, and could see the person responsible for giving him such a blow. Jack’s wound quickly healed the hole on his cheek and he focused his anger into getting up to his feet, but he’s caught in so much disbelief that he’s conscious, he can’t help but lay on the ground to comprehend what’s going on.

How’s this possible? Wait, this-this feeling, Ma-Mallory’s strength?!

He quickly remembered Leon’s words that gave him some shine of hope and encouragement about what he could do to protect not only himself, but those around him.

“The borrowed strength that you think is from her—it’s yours but only for now could she activate it, but with my help, you should be able to tap into this darkness to aid you in your worst turmoil.”

I-Is this what Leon spoke about? The power Mallory used to help me is now mine to use, right now?

Eligor stopped, and stomped the ground, making Jack’s body jump up and slam for a moment.

Regardless… I don’t give a damn right now. Whoever this guy is, he’s in my way and I have to get Sarah back!

Jack crushed his hands into his palms, drawing crimson and slowly began to raise from the ground.

These freaks are the reason for these stupid shenanigans! They’re existence is nothing but a tumor to the world! And most of all, they’re in the middle of another cancer I have to overcome…

Steam built up more, Jack’s arms made erratic twists and turns as he was almost to his feet. His head hanging behind, Mandy could see the young man stand on his feet and ready to do battle again. This made her eyes shake with hope and felt confident in him.

You revolting bastards. You make me want to vomit… you annoying pests!

Jack let out a huge roar at Eligor with steam edging out the sides of his mouth. His eyes, despite being blank with just a tiny pupil showing in one, lit up white. Eligor tilted his head, and raised his fists. Jack let out one more growling deep roar, and retracted his right arm, ready to put everything into his fist.

With now being able to be somewhat aware of what I’m doing… Being in control of this power and my battle experience gives me the edge that I need to exterminate you!

Using all the momentum and mana surging inside of him, Jack exploded his fist right against Eligor’s face, and everything around them expanded away from the force of his punch. But, Eligor wasn’t fazed. Instead, immediately, he repaid Jack with an even more powerful punch that sent him swirling into the air at Mach speeds. Jack could feel his body float, gravity being weightless as he was in another state of shock. Jack slams with devastation on the road, leaving a huge dent on the earth as Eligor brushed his cheek and smacked his lips. The young man let out a groan, and turned his body, trying to get back on his feet once more. With his back turned to Eligor, hearing his giant footsteps shake the earth as he again made his way to him. Jack’s arms dangled as he snarled and moaned in agony.

This… feeling. I’ve never felt this beat up and awful so far in my life.

Jack growled, the steam around his body grew hotter as he took in a huge breath.

Of all the battles I’ve been… this has to be the worst one. This guy’s punches are surreal.

Jack turned around and saw Eligor continuing his march to him. He didn’t know how he’s able to stand and continue when he feels half in control of this power. It’s not even him doing the roaring or animalistic instincts, rather his anger doing all the work as he watched in worry. Jack growled and rushed Eligor.

“Stupid kid, you’re like a rabid dog!” he shouted. “Which means I should put you down!”

Eligor shot another straight punch, and Jack quickly ducked beneath his huge arm, wrapping his own arms around his neck. Eligor was caught off guard by his surprise grapple, and felt his left leg being lifted off the ground, which made him grit his teeth.

Let me show you what move I did to Mathew to gain an upper hand, cultist freak!

The technique in question made Jack use his right leg and grapple to sweep the man down to the ground. They crashed, skid about a foot until Jack let go, and got on top of him. He bent towards Eligor’s face, and snarled at it. Eligor seemed calm though, and quickly used his palm to push the young man off him, but Jack quickly caught it, and had him locked in an armbar.

Now to utilize the training that Leon briefly showed me too!

Eligor slammed his free arm on the ground, breaking apart the earth behind them to allow him to get to a sitting position. Jack squeezed harder and tightened his grip until he heard something shatter and saw something fly past his eye.

What’s this?

Eligor’s muscles were cracking, and appeared artificial. This made him annoyed and quickly got him to his feet, lifting Jack off the ground for a moment.

I got you where I want you now!

With Jack hanging off his giant arm, he let go of one of his legs, slammed it against the side of his face, and reversed the armbar to a flying figure four armbar that slammed Eligor’s heavy body back on the ground. The buildings around the city wiggled, trembled, collapsed from the impact of him being smacked face down now. Jack had him locked, and with his body on top, and his arm tied, the young man began pulling with all his strength.

I still have a chance to beat this guy!

Eligor began to growl as well with annoyance. The young pulled more and more, roaring louder than he ever could, letting the whole country hear his struggle as his gurgled anger echoed everywhere. Black plasma erratically built up, springing all around as Jack tugged one more time with everything and then a loud pop was heard, and with it sent a huge shockwave that shattered every bit of glass in the city. Jack quickly hurried off of Eligor and grew distance between them, putting his guard up and waiting as the big guy got back on his feet, causally.

“You… dislocated my shoulder.” Eligor calmly said.

Jack didn’t say anything, and replied by getting in his normal fighting stance. Eligor turned around and faced him, immediately putting his shoulder back into its socket. He twirled his arm, stretched it, and cracked his neck.

“I guess I deserve that for holding back so much. If I had known you were this ballistic with this strength of yours, then this scuffle would’ve ended abruptly—”

Eligor made one step forward, and that step felt closer to an actual earthquake which had Jack opening his mouth again, and letting steam out.

“Like this…!”

Eligor launched himself forward, and in the blink of an eye, vanished out of Jack’s eyesight. Jack heard that shatter again, the same when his muscles cracked. He panicked and tried glancing in the same line of view to see where he had disappeared.

Wh-where did he…?

Jack blinked again, and saw him rushing at him like a linebacker.

Wa-Wait… I-I can see him! Th-then that means he’s—oh shit he’s—!

Eligor grabbed Jack, tackling him faster than light against a building. The young man’s eyes almost popped out of socket from the impact and had him gagging out a pool of blood. The tall building collapses behind him from the momentum. Eligor gave Jack not a second to defend himself with punches that looked heavier than a meteor coming down to his face. Each punch sent tremors across the country as Jack managed to dodge them and kick himself away from his lethal blows. He limped away, but found himself bumping against another building.

I-I don’t even know how I’m even able to dodge his punches, let alone saw that type of speed!

Eligor got into another linebacker pose, and Jack ground his teeth.

I can’t allow him to tackle me again or else I’m legit dead with the next!

Eligor sprung forward, and Jack spread his arms out to the sides as he was inches away from tackling him once more.

Forget about it! I’ll face you dead on then, freak!

He tackled Jack, and the two were crashing through multiple buildings and eventually he slammed Jack on his back near a tall skyscraper. The young man coughed out black and red but roared with confidence. He slithered his way off Eligor’s grip, found himself on his back, and had him in a neck lock. Eligor grew more annoyed, and felt his neck muscles beginning to tighten and crack.

You’re mine now!

“JACK!” Mandy screamed.

Mandy flew into the scene, landing next to them, and sprung her right leg into the air as high as she could. She slammed her heel down on Eligor’s back, shattering his huge back muscles and finally seeing his normal muscles and skin tone. She reached for her dagger, and sliced his rear deltoid and scapula muscles. Eligor’s eyes grew big and he was livid, having a giant vein pop out of his head. Mandy backed off, and put her hand forward, muttering something and a huge barrage of crystal objects came raining down on Eligor. All his artificial muscles were shattered away, besides the ones around his upper delts, pecs, and what Jack was grappling. Jack tugged, and more of his upper muscles cracked, shattering and sending pieces of fake flesh flying around them.

“Now’s your chance, kill him!” Mandy shouted.

If I can beat you, then that gives me higher hopes of facing people like you!

Jack growled and pulled more, lifting half of Eligor’s body off the ground. His teeth were ground beyond belief, feeling frustrated, he slammed his hands on the ground, creating another tremor on the earth and mysteriously began laughing. His laughter grew louder and louder, to a point it irritated Mandy’s ears and Jack’s.

“Why are you laughing, loser?!” Mandy shouted.

He began to drag himself on the ground with Jack still on his back and continuing to choke him. He dragged some more as his pecs were beginning to show signs of breaking apart as steam flushed out between the gaps. Eligor managed to bring them to a stop near the entrance of the skyscraper and again, let out another barrage of laughter's that eventually transitioned to one annoyed yell. Mandy was confused as to why he was doing this until she felt someone else's presence appear. She looked up to the sky, and saw something spring from the top of the building in the shape of a bird at first, but bent forward, and she saw the shape of a person pummeling their way to the two.

“Jack! Above you!” she shouted.

Jack quickly turned his head and saw someone coming his way with a giant mana shaped war hammer. As the shape grew closer, he saw pigtails and remembered who the person was.

“I’m’s coming darling! Sorry it’s tooks me so long!”

The momentum made her look like a meteor and her eyes glowed green. The young man gasped and his last pupil appeared as he froze in a panic. The hammer came over her head, swirling from the fall, she made an impact with the two, creating an explosion that rocked the city and destroyed everything. Mandy was sent flying away from the explosion and another one occurred from how much there was to it. Double mushroom clouds were sent flying overhead, and people thought downtown was nuked. Mandy crash landed outside city limits, and tried getting back up, but someone grabbed her arm, and looking over her shoulder, saw Linnea who had a nervous grin on her face.

“Linnea?!”

Linnea lifted Mandy back up, and brushed the dirt and debris off her clothes. Mandy slapped her hand away, and clenched her fists.

“Hurry, we have to go save Jack!”

Linnea looked over Mandy’s shoulder and saw the devastation. She softly blinked and began to pull Mandy.

“Come… we gotta go.” Linnea replied.

“No! Not before we help him and I know we can! Forget the rules, let's use our real strength and save—”

“Mandy, he’s done for! And listen to what I have to say next.”

“Wh-what the hell are you talking about?! Can’t you see he’s helped us and do you really think I’m going to stand and allow this to slide?!”

Linnea shook her head.

“Of course not, but please, listen.”

Linnea grew sweaty yet excited and took a deep breath.

“I found her…”

Mandy grew speechless and began to shiver.

“And she’s close. If we go save him now… then we’ll miss out on our chance for revenge.”

Mandy’s eyes shook like they never shook before. Her lips slightly gapped, she squinted her eyes, and clutch her chest.

“But… Jack… I-I can’t leave him.”

Linnea grabbed Mandy’s shoulders, getting in her face.

“I know, me too! But Mandy… now’s our chance. And you saw what happened. I wish I could’ve intervened, but if we don’t do this now… we’ll never get another opportunity.”

Mandy grabbed Linnea’s arms, and shut her eyes.

“Le-Leon… he-he…”

“By doing this, my friend, you and Leon will be closer than you know it!”

Mandy opened her eyes, and rubbed them.

“God—damn it…”

The two stood straight, and Linnea began to walk away, but taking one last look at the city. Mandy stared for a minute and turned half her body forward. Taking one last glance at the destroyed city, she couldn’t sense Jack’s darkness any more. She clenched a fist, and looked away, and began walking forward.

“I’m so sorry, Jack Samr… and you too, Sarah.”