Countries wiped out, lands scorched from the mighty death blasts from Bolverkr the Destroyer's palm. He laughed maniacally, aiming his palm to the sky. He let out a demonic roar that opened earth’s atmosphere, exposing thousands and thousands of stars. He fired and they too fell victim to his swelling mana that kept propelling out as he charged his overwhelming demonic power: Bolverkr the destroyer’s laughter echoed as three of his old classmates were on the ground, standing strong, trying to stop the monster before he could destroy everything.

  Shaman pants, Eligor’s growling, and Chelsea quaked in her boots.

  Clenching his fist, and charging it up, Eligor swelled his artificial muscles and aimed his palm at Leon.

  “LEON!”

  He shot out a blast and directly hit Bolverkr. But, when the smoke cleared he was floating casually with one arm aiming to the sky. He viciously grinned at them.

  “Damn it to all hell!”

  Shaman took aim with his palms and a sphere formed in front of it.

  “Oh motherly earth! Please enact your punishment upon my Foe with your righteous strength!”

  The sphere grew larger in diameter with fiery particles flickering around.

  “Everyone, stand back!”

  Bolverkr flew straight at them and Shaman released the sphere. He punched through it and landed a vicious blow to Shaman's gut that sent him flying. He threw a backhanded fist at Eligor that also sent him flying away.

  “Babes!” Chelsea shouted.

  Chelsea was violently shaking as Bolverkr slowly turned to her with his vicious grin smearing fear across her vision.

  “Chelsea, if I remember?” Bolverkr growled.

  His deep guttural voice sent chills across her body. She put her Warhammer forward and it violently shook.

  “You still love me, don’t you?”

  His voice, it was too much for Chelsea. She couldn’t withstand it and decided to fly away, fleeing from him.

  “That’s unfortunate.”

  He appeared in front of her and Eligor was quick to get to her. He managed to grab her before he could think of landing a hit on her. The two flew away and Bolverkr was on their tail. Shaman spat and went after them as well.

  Meanwhile on a newly formed hill, watching the rampage ongoing, Sarah and Jack were dumbfounded, astonished, but horrified at the same time. Jack saw the fear in his close friend's face, but he also saw the sadness in her heart drench it too. Jack grabbed her hand and she clenched it. The two hugged as explosions and destruction continued.

  Jack’s eyes quivered as she was softly crying on his chest.

  “I’m… I’m sorry…”

  Sarah moaned and couldn’t bring herself to look at her father.

  “I wish we could help him,” he said.

  Sarah gently let off his chest and sniffled. Jack saw him and watched as he casually sent a blast into the night sky, turning it into a wonderful yet horrifying display of strings that were sent into space. Stars faded, one by one, leaving the sky almost vacant, yet one star still twinkled.

  The young man eased Sarah further to look directly into her eyes as they quivered with shame.

  “I feel so useless, I wish I could be strong like you all and resolve this issue myself.”

  Sarah wiped her eyes and grabbed Jack’s hand. She interlaced her fingers with his for a moment then let go.

  “Your guilt isn't justified, Jack.”

  She wiped one more time and put Jack in a force field. Jack slammed his fist on the forcefield.

  “Hey!”

  She turned around.

  “The burdens, the guilt that you force yourself to carry, I’ll be the one to take them on.”

  “No! I’m not letting you do this alone!”

  “I’ll stop my father, even if it costs me my life.”

  He continued slamming and grew frustrated.

  “Sarah! Let me out!”

  She watched the monster that’s overtaken her father’s mind blast everything in his path.

  “Father…”

  She was about to fly off until someone grabbed her wrist. She looked over her shoulder and saw that it was John.

  She pulled her hand away.

  “Don’t try and stop me, Sir.”

  John shook his head and scratched it afterwards.

  “You younglings, sure are bold and brave these days, huh?”

  He put his hands on his hips and furrowed his brows.

  “You can’t, not right now. Just give me time to think and come up with something.”

  “Huh?! And watch him destroy more?! He’s already wiped out entire solar systems! How long before he wipes out an entire galaxy?!”

  John mildly nodded.

  “Of course he can easily wipe out galaxies if he so chooses to. But! You have to stay back while I think of something to tame the beast.”

  John went forward to dramatically put his hand forward.

  “For I! Am the sole responsible guardian of that devilish being! It is my duty to deal with the matter as my contract states. Unless…”

  He curiously turned his head to Sarah and had half a grin.

  “... that could work,” he muttered.

  “Unfortunately, my dear girl, all we can do is watch. And I suggest we do and let them stall him until I figure this all out before William makes his appearance.”

  Which I think he will. John thought.

  “No, screw that! I have to save my father! I-I can’t stand seeing him this way…”

  She grabbed her chest and ground her teeth.

  “Despite his efforts to know me, in that short amount of time we spent together, I know my father isn’t the being that’s present in front of us!”

  John smiled and went up to Sarah, putting his hand on her shoulder.

  “I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees him more than the being of destruction.”

  The barrier around Jack faded and he went to Sarah.

  “Jack Samr, Sarah, you two, unfortunately are in my mess now. Please, be patient and watch as my ingenious mind comes up with a solution which will be passed down by generations to come!”

  John put his arms out and a rogue blast was coming their way. Sarah was prepared to jump in front to stop it but John’s glare froze the blast and it shattered into a wondrous cloud of snowflakes.

  “For I am the Witch of knowledge and perception, Malificus, the all knowing and most powerful.”

  Damn, that sounded really cool! As much as I hate that label on myself, it has a nice ring to it. John thought.

  Sarah was surprised by his display and praised it by staying back and acknowledging in his words. She felt confident that he was going to resolve the issue, but loathes the thought of watching. For now, she’ll do as he says.

  Jack let out a sigh.

  “Well, for whatever reason, if things don’t go your way, John, right?”

  “Mmm?”

  Jack pulled his gun out and patted it.

  “I’ll step in if I have to, if it means that her father comes back to us.”

  Sarah smiled and rubbed his arm.

  “I’ll do anything, anything, just to have her smile again.”

  John’s eyes got big. Sarah blushed and looked back to the fight. John couldn’t help but laugh at the young man who was also red but didn’t realise it.

  “She’s found her monster it seems.” He muttered.

  As for the three punching bags, they all landed on a hill and braked. Smoke trialed off their clothes, they were ripped, battered, bloodied, except for Chelsea. She had minor scuffs and damage since Eligor did his best to protect the woman he loves.

  Bolverkr flew and halted in the air, staring down his victims.

  “Ha ha! Do you think the three of you can face me head on?! Do you really believe you have enough power to defeat me!”

  Eligor stomped forward and charged his muscles.

  “We won’t allow the tournament situation to be repeated to a grander scale, Leon!”

  Shaman powered up to max and casted multiple barrier spells on himself. His abilities, his mana were all enhanced by his magic and summoned spells tenfold. Bolverkr reacted by grinning more.

  Chelsea mustered some courage to also power up to her full potential, which surprised Bolverkr.

  “Impressive, you’re more powerful than these two bozos!”

  Bolverkr manically laughed and charged up to show off his unreadable strength.

  “It’s too bad it won’t do you any good!”

  He laughed and laughed, which sparked a new fire in her.

  “Stops! You’re not Leon! He’d never act the ways you are actings! Monster!”

  Her Warhammer evolved and it grew twice the size and the other two men could see her new glow spark out. She screamed and then let out a war cry, and her aura sparkled in beauty. Stabbing the sky in a deep amethyst with blue sparks popping around her. Never would the two imagine should grow this strong. Even from afar, John, Ravana, Sarah could see the new Chelsea be born, which shocked Ravana.

  He felt her power rising and rising, and it made him grow nervous.

  “She hid her true strength from me this entire time?!”

  He clenched his fists and brought one up.

  “Fools… especially you, Chelsea.”

  Seeing her aura light up and overpower everyone else's only made him smack his teeth in annoyance.

  “I always detested you.”

  Chelsea finished powering up and put her hammer forward, aiming it at the monster with purple hair and blank eyes. His glowing volcanic marks and horrid smile made it easier to not see Leon.

  “I promise to brings Leon back to us! You fowl beast!”

  “Me? A beast? A monster?”

  Bolverkr pulled his arms to himself and his power nullified all of theirs.

  “I’m a demon, born in the pits of hell and suffering. The wretched souls of many, their crimes, their decisions are my strength.”

  Chelsea and the others grew tired of his presence and all three charged at him at once. Bolverkr effortlessly dodged all of their attacks. He yelled and sent them flying back to the ground except for Chelsea. The other two crashed and she began to swing her hammer viciously. He blocked her hammer attacks repeatedly with his forearms and fists. Shockwaves were sent to the earth, shaking the planet, tearing the earth apart.

  She shouted and gave a huge boost to the next swing, which he blocked.

  “You are impressive. Ha ha!”

  “Sh-shut up!”

  Bolverkr smacked her hammer away and it twirled to the ground. She gasped and he charged head on, but Eligor caught him with a bear hug. He flew the two up then down to crash into the earth. Debris, smoke, rubble piled onto them.

  Eligor flew out of the rubble with more bloody scars.

  “Shaman!”

  Shaman aimed his palms to the sky and had a spell ready for him.

  “Eat the gates of hell, Bolvekr!”

  A huge spiral, in the shape of a galaxy of red and purple appeared above him. It swirled faster and faster until a huge beam shot out from the middle. Everyone covered their faces and averted their gazes from the bright beam of death. Bolverkr’s laugh echoed as he flew straight out of the rubble and into the middle of the spiral. He reeled his arms inward and absorbed the spiraled death galaxy until it vanished out of thin air. Shaman quickly threw his arm in anger and screamed. He was about to summon another spell when Bolverkr’s right arm caught him and the two ran off to the side. He made contact with a new formed mountain and he crashed him horribly into it. The mountain crumbled from the devastating crash and Shaman was nowhere to be found.

  Bolverkr slowly looked over his shoulder to the other two.

  “Eligor, how much do you love Chelsea?”

  His guttural, villainous tone made the two shake, but Eligor’s duty as her man wouldn’t allow him to cower in fear. Instead, he gently pushed her back with his arm, which made her eyes quiver.

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  “Chelsea, go.”

  “But-but, babes?”

  “Chelsea! Don’t make me repeat myself. Go, now!”

  Chelsea shut her eyes and flew off.

  “Leon, how dare you threaten the woman I love!”

  Bolverkr twitched an eye and chuckled.

  “And you think it’s funny?! You damned devil!”

  Eligor powered up his mana muscles and marched forward. Bolverkr did as well then the two suddenly exploded in a rush. They trampled forward and they collided, grabbing each other's shoulders that sent earth shattering shockwaves. They struggled for a moment when Eligor abruptly drove an uppercut to Bolverkr’s chin. His head mildly moved, but his chin absorbed the entire punch, which made Bolverkr smile. Eligor gasped and quickly, he was flung off his feet, midair with one arm being held by the destroyer. Bolverkr swung an upper hook to Eligor, sending him flying and crashing into the top of an edged cliff. The hill collapsed, bringing raindrops of huge pieces of rock to the ground.

  Chelsea was still flying, and found herself in the middle of new formed hills. She paused for a brief moment to look back and saw the rising smoke where Eligor was at. She turned away and continued forward until Bolverkr crashed out of a huge dirt wall that made her panic. She loudly gasped and he grabbed her face, flinging her to a line of hills, which she repeatedly drilled through. He flew into the new pathway with a sinister smile and threw a ball of mana at her. It exploded and her body was sent far away, making an impact against a huge abnormal hill. She fell but a part of her shirt caught a root and she was hung, unconscious and with Bolverkr watching in joy.

  “Chelsea!” Eligor shouted as he saw her unconscious body from a distance.

  Shaman was beside him and the two flew faster to her. Suddenly, he appeared and clotheslined the two through multiple hill formations and Shaman’s body was stopped on a huge root that left him printed on. Eligor was pushed through. He shouted and expanded his muscles to slip off his clothesline attack and pummel to the ground.

  He took a moment to catch his breath and grinned.

  “Never would I imagine—that this is how it ends.”

  Bolverkr landed and chuckled.

  “Is that all? Giving up already, Exor-cist?”

  “Don’t call me that… I am not one of them.”

  Bolverkr laughed hysterically.

  “Please! You don’t think I can tell a real one over a phony such as yourself?!”

  “H-huh?”

  Eligor growled and his mana muscles exploded out again. They grew and grew until they were starting to crack. He aimed his palms forward and charged up a condensed blast of all his energy. Bolverkr lumbered forward while he charged his attack.

  “Just as you! I also despise using distant attacks!”

  All of Eligor’s muscles shattered and the scattered shards were sucked into his new charging attack, expanding it. He shouted and shot out the huge beam that swallowed him up. The blast drilled through miles and miles until it faded out at the edge of the horizon. Eligor panted and dropped to his knees. He moaned and spat out blood and looked up. The huge smoke cloud in front of him drifted away and Bolverkr was casually standing with a huge maniacal grin on his face while smoke trails steamed off his body.

  Eligor trembled and the demon grabbed his face, raising him off the ground.

  “What was that supposed to be? E-x-c-o-r-s-i-s-t?”

  Eligor’s eyes went blank and his arms dangled. Bolverkr let go and shot his fist forward.

  Ravana was standing, alone and the earth around him raised miles high from the punch delivered to Eligor.

  “That monster’s fought an entire army and is making my best people crumble to their feet.”

  He raised his fist and growled intensely.

  “My calculations were based on years of watching the sad fool wither away from his torment! Yet, I was proven wrong in the worst way possible.”

  He brought his attention to the group watching on the hill below from where he stood.

  “Then you showed up to make things more complicated, Malificus.”

  Never did I imagine Leon’s strength to outgrow every calculation I predicted and foretold by fortune tellers in our cult. Ravana thought.

  He teleported and stood next to him, which spooked Sarah and Jack.

  “Malificus!”

  John turned round and happily waved.

  “Hey dingus! How’s we doing?!”

  “Shut up!”

  He marched forward and grabbed the collar of his shirt.

  “You’ve known for how long?!”

  John squinted his eyes and grinned.

  “Did you forget what my eyes are used for?”

  He grabbed Ravana’s arm and leaned closer to his face.

  “Destiny!”

  Ravana backed off and turned pale.

  “You could’ve stopped all of this. Prevented it all! Yet you stand so calmly, as the reader of a sick and twisted story!” Ravana exclaimed.

  John yawned.

  “I can’t intervene in the balance of our world. If it doesn’t call for my actions then I shall not step foot in it.”

  Sarah didn’t like that statement and stepped forward.

  “What if your intentions contradict the balance and are for greater good?”

  John raised a brow and gripped his sharp chin.

  “I know I’m not one to speak, but everything that you’ve spoken about seems flat when, countless times, our balance has been intervened by higher powers.” Sarah said.

  Ravana also grew intrigued by her words and listened in.

  “The stories told by my mother, the legends shown to me by her sacred books, all have been shown to be interrupted for greater good. Anything that Man has done wrong will be corrected; if not by a greater power, mother nature herself will step in and correct the errors of Man.”

  John nodded and mildly chuckled.

  “You are definitely Samantha’s twin, ain’t chu?”

  Sarah groaned.

  “What you say is true, my dear, but in cases such as this, what your mother has caused, it all has reasons for happening.”

  John sighed and put his hand out to the ensuing violence.

  “Our world was never meant to be a part of, all that!”

  He balled his hand.

  “Its purpose was to be as normal as possible without the existence of beings such as—us!” he said, turning back to the three.

  Ravana shrugged and Sarah looked sad.

  “When events like this happen, there’s always a reason behind it. And all it takes is just the action of one being, to correct it all—the right way.”

  John put his hand down and frowned.

  “Trust me, a Witch, like me, help you? This world? Is preposterous.”

  He smiled again.

  “But, for a long time friend like Leon, I wish I could help. But, don’t you two worry, there will be a resolution to all this, just give me time to think, I promise you.”

  Ravana crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

  “Whatever you say, Malificus—”

  “John, stop calling me that!”

  “John! If what you say is true, then that means I still have a chance in achieving my ambition once the monster is subdued.”

  John laughed hysterically and abruptly cut himself off.

  “We’ll see, Ravana, we’ll see.”

  Back at the battleground, Shaman was pummeled to the earth, rolled over some rubble, and crashed into a hill. He struggled to get back to his feet, but quickly gave himself adrenaline to explode back to his feet and charge at Bolverkr, who just made landfall. He shot a plasma blast directly at Shaman who had his forearms up.

  His arms absorbed the blast as thick smoke trails steamed off them to out his back.

  “Damn, this devil…”

  “Hah!”

  Shaman growled and put his arms to his chest.

  “Your stupid insults don’t do you any good if I’m still standing, freak!”

  “Tch!” Bolverkr chuckled.

  Shaman shouted and ran towards the demon.

  Bolverkr casually put his hand forward and fired skinny beams at Shaman who took it head on. After one more heavy blast, he began walking backwards when the smoke cloud grew thick enough for him to grow distance between them. He was about to cast a spell when Bolverkr suddenly brought out his hysterical laughter. It caught him off guard which made the demon start spamming small balls of purple mana. He threw like a baseball pitcher in a sequence with some landing on Shaman, others missing, purposely to destroy the environment around them. He continued spamming for another five seconds, then stopped abruptly.

  The last ball hissed, whistled obnoxiously until the sound faded out to showcase the badly hurt Shaman.

  “Why don’t you give up?” Bolverkr laughed.

  Shaman dropped his arms and frowned.

  “You, bast—ard…”

  He grinned and charged one last ball and threw it at Shaman. It landed directly on his chest and sent him up to the sky and exploded. Everything quiet downed for a moment. Bolverkr panted and slowly clutched his head, growling.

  From the observation of his goulish eyes, John tapped his chin and knew what was happening.

  “It appears my friend is still in there.” he mumbled.

  John walked forward towards the edge of the cliff, overlooking the amount of devastation caused by the destroyer.

  “Leon’s concious is fighting the other half.” John said.

  Ravana smirked.

  “Pity, well, if that leaves an opening for us to kill him then why don’t we attack him now?”

  Sarah knit her brows.

  “You really are scum.”

  Ravana smiled and flailed his hands.

  “My apologies, Samantha. But, once we take care of the beast, we can go back to taking back what’s ours!”

  “Never have I wished suffering upon someone than now.”

  “Ahh, you’re aching my poor heart here.”

  “Come on buddy, fight, fight that monster within you. Show it that it has no right taking what’s yours: claim it and make it into your own power.” John muttered.

  Ravana felt multiple signals of mana behind him and looked over his shoulder. He found the remaining surviors of the Cult, and they all appeared terrifed, lost, and shameful.

  “Oh? Now you all show your faces when I’m at my worst?!”

  There were at least no more than a hundred left from Leon’s onslaught. No one answered and only did they reply by turning away in shame, but some glared at him.

  “Well?! Say something! Otherwise—!”

  Ravana’s eyes glowed when he glanced at the crowd. They were all frozen in place, tied by some unkown force.

  “It’s best that I dispose of the rest of the trash that Leon couldn’t finish.”

  Sarah stepped in front of his line of sight with her fists clenched.

  “You will do no such thing.”

  She put her hand behind her and freed them, which confused Ravana.

  “These people were manipulated in thinking that my mother was a saviour; when that couldn’t be far from the truth.”

  “Saman—”

  “Sarah!” she shouted.

  Her dark magma aura came out, which darkened the area and caught the destroyer's attention.

  “My name is Sarah, for the last time!”

  The Cult members behind her stared at her with glistened eyes and their hearts were touched by her words. Her horrifying yet fiery glow was captivating, angelic almost despite having a devilish apperance.

  “I think I should be the one to—”

  Sarah’s eyes grew wide and Ravana began to sweat. Floating in front of John was the Destroyer, and the two had a stare down.

  “Ahh, I remember your pathetic faces.”

  Everyone prepared themselves for action, except for the Cultist’s who were cowering in fear and Sarah who could only stand in shock. She grabbed her shirt as her poor heart ached seeing her father’s transformation up close. Ravana nervously put one hand up and moaned. Jack put himself in front of Sarah, aiming his gun at Bolverkr.

  John stayed calm and without a worry to express.

  “I thought I would never have to see that horrid transformation again.” John said.

  Bolverkr smiled.

  “You, you’re my supposed friend? Ah haha!”

  John also smiled.

  “But of course, unless you want to be sealed again?”

  Bolverkr laughed hystericaly and brought his attention to the Cultists.

  “Oh look. The little manipulated brainwashed fools came back to fight. Such a shame.”

  He turned round to bring his attention to the single star he left twinkling in the sky.

  “That star, has a deep meaning to you Witche’s, doesn’t it?”

  They all moaned in fear, shivered, and held one another. Ravana grew surprised about him knowing the star in question.

  He can’t be mentioning about Betelgues? Ravana thought.

  He sharpened his gaze at the star and opened his palm.

  “Betelegues, you’re dreaming of its natural demise, thinking the comsmic waves and solar winds hitting our world will bring forth power one could dream of obttaining!”

  Ravana’s eyebrows deeply furrowed. John blew his surprise through his nostrils. The Cultist grew even more afriad when he mentioned the star’s potential towards Witchcraft.

  With his back turned from them, his palm began to glow.

  “You’re probably dreaming for it to die sooner than predicted! Well…”

  He slowly began to turn his body halfway.

  “...Allow me to accelerate that dream and turn into a reality!”

  He abruptly turned at them and flung his arm forward with a small purple mana ball formed in his hand.

  Everyone gasped and averted their gazes when they saw the bright purple ball coming at them. It was an inch from hitting John when it directed its course upwards to the sky. Everyone looked up and saw the purple ball twinkle away in the ambiance of space.

  Sarah stepped up and her eyes quivered as she felt the mana from the ball slowly fade away.

  “There’s no way. Even if it reached a star that far, it would take thousands and thousands of years for the explosions light to reach—”

  The star exploded and the light reached them in seconds, drenching the sky from its galactic explosion. A horrid orange flash, mixed with lava and purple sparks consumed the atmosphere. The blast that Bolverkr sent off was too much, too powerful for the universe to contain; bringing its light and the great star's death to earth in the matter of seconds.

  Sarah couldn’t believe her eyes and she slowly brought her gaze back to the monster who’s smiling and grinding his teeth in joy.

  “Oops, it was supposed to blow up on its own, wasn’t it?”

  The rest of the Cultist’s scrambled and began fleeing.

  “I guess that means the rest of you all’s existence is futile!”

  Bolverkr sent a glare that wiped them all out. Blood rained around the others and Ravana raised a balled fist.

  John put his hand up and squinted his eyes.

  “You are one devilish fiend.”

  “What do you expect? I’m the embodiment of destruction and extinction?”

  His smile grew ear to ear as he raised one brow.

  “I do what needs to be done! I am, afterall, a devil.”

  The three fighters flew back in unison, powering up.

  Eligor had his arm clenched as he growled forward to face him.

  “I won’t let you live, monster!”

  “If we let this devil continue past this point, then we’ll all fall in William’s wrath.” Shaman said.

  Bolverkr laughed.

  “William?! That foolish Exorcist stands no chance against me!”

  John also laughed, which caught Bolverkr’s attention.

  “You really are a fool, aren’t you?”

  “Hmm?” he growled.

  John leaned his head forward and expressed a horrid, wretched grin.

  “There is no being equal or greater than the great William H. Christ. You are nothing, but an ant to him. You peon.”

  “Hah, that’s rich.”

  “But you’re not arguing back? Oh, well if the mighty Bolverkr has a sense of worry for once? Need I mention the being who sealed you the first time again?”

  Bolverkr only laughed and the devil was close to engaging in battle again when his eyes caught on to Sarah. He paused and they shook. Sarah felt his horrid gaze on her and she slowly went up to stand next to John. He became still and his aura faded.

  Sarah gulped but let out a breath.

  “Father!”

  Bolverkr clutched his head and loudly groaned.

  “N…o!”

  He felt his power surge again, it swelled and swelled. He couldn’t contain the overwhleming growth of his power and it exploded out, shooting hundreds upon hundreds of mana balls that could easily destroy whole cities as big as New york. His aura engulfed the area, it sucked the environment around them again as he powered up more and more. Explosions, shockwaves, flickering flashes of light ravaged the area as he tried controlling himself.

  With her face covered, Sarah stepped forward.

  “DAD!”

  Bolverkr screamed and let out a horrific war cry that was filled with sorrow.

  John gasped as he slwoly turned to Sarah and was amazed.

  “It’s you… not Samantha this time.” he murmured.

  After a minute of Bolverkr unleshing yet again his power, it died down, and he panted heavily, but slowly to regain his senses. His aura simmered, then it faded out and he brought his gaze back to the rest, grinning maniacally.

  Shaman charged up what was left in his tank and flew at him, head on.

  “Wipe that smirk off your face, devil!”

  Eligor flew behind and so did Chelsea. Ravana had his head down as he had to endure another reality check from what he witnessed.

  John went to Ravana and grabbed his shirt.

  “Now do you understand the full extent of your silly ambition? The cost of what your greed has led us to?”

  John spat to the side and groaned.

  “Des…picable, you are, Ravana. But, it’s refreshing to see an old pathetic face like what you’re expressing, he-he.”

  “How do we stop him, John?” Ravana said.

  “Hmm, well, I’m not going to tell you until you do one thing for me.”

  Ravana clenched a fist and grit his teeth.

  “And if you refuse, then I’ll be glad to get rid of the cancer that you are.”

  Ravana finally gave in and looked at John’s face.

  “What?”

  He tossed Ravana past his side so he could see his friends do their best to fight the monster.

  “Go out there and fight. Or at least show some sort of effort of caring for your friends.”

  “Tch…”

  Sarah heard their conversation and shook her head. She dreads watching her father continue his onslaught. Jack walked to be beside her and put his hand on her shoulder, which got her attention.

  “Hey, it’s going to be okay.”

  Sarah frowned.

  “I-I don’t know, Jack. to be honest, I was beginning to doubt that we could even save him. Until…”

  Ravana powered up, which distracted them and Sarah was able to see a good glance at his strength.

  “You want me? Me! To show empathy?! As if!”

  Ravana shouted and he growled.

  “I’m Ravana, the Esper who turned to Witchcraft, in hopes of being supreme ruler of our reality!”

  He launched himself and headed into the action. Sarah’s eyes furrowed as she watched the bright crimson jewel fade into the plethora of explosions.

  “I-If that’s his full strength, then I never stood a chance.” she said.

  “Pateince, my dear.” John said.

  He was smiling as he approached the two.

  “You are the most powerful here besides your father.”

  “Huh?”

  Jack nodded in agreement.

  “But, as for him, he is formidable because of the spell he learned and permanently marked into his brain. An ability lethal to kill almost anything, even me.”

  John shook his head and raised his hands.

  “Too bad, because with an ability like that he could easily defeat everyone here. He’s just a big showoff and stuck up, which makes him weak.”

  “What is his ability? Is it that glare?”

  “It’s not just a glare, it’s the spell behind it and how he can manipulate the space and time in front of him; Simply put, he could turn a normal rock into a lethal object powerful enough to blow up a town, a city, a continent, or even this world. By doing nothing but standing and looking pretty, the guy can easily wipe anything in his path: The spell in name is Gaelic, fordugus!”

  Sarah’s face went blank.

  “What? Why’re you looking at me so coldy. Uh! You look like your mother so much, Goddamn you’re hot!”

  Sarah slowly backed away and cringed.

  “Now I’m starting to realise why she finds you annoying, and I’ve barely even known you. Kinda strange that I could relate this way so distinctavely.”

  John grew a suspicious grin and said nothing.

  Jack deeply sighed but he was glad to see Sarah react to her usual self.

  “I may be the side character, but I’m glad I'm not in your shoes right now, Sarah.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes and smacked his arm.

  “Shut up, let's just keep thinking of a way to get my dad back to his senses.”

  Meanwhile, at the battlefield, Chelsea delivered a vicious blow to his cheek. Bolverkr on the other hand stood with his arms crossed as Eligor also came in to deliver a nasty left hook to his other cheek. Both of their fists budged against his face as he stood with a smug grin on his face.

  Shaman took a deep breath and absorbed the moisture around his vicinity.

  “Dear motherly earth, please smite my enemy in your sadness; Drench my foe in your agony as I turn your tears into blades.”

  The moisture crystilzed into sharp jewels and expanded to rapidly spin in front of him.

  Bolverkr grabbed the two’s necks and headbutted their faces against each other. The spell Shaman was summoning was done and Bolverkr flung them away and ran towards him.

  “Smite thee and turn my foe into specs of crimson!”

  The crystals broke and the dust particles ignited the momentum, shooting a glorious beam of blue and white. Bolverkr was swallowed by the light and the beam hissed as it still went on. Shaman growled to contain the force, but unfortunately, Bolverkr’s hand erupted out of the beam and he grabbed Shaman’s face.

  He lifted him off his feet and smirked.

  “Impressive display, but it won’t do you any good if it drains your life force as well.”

  Shaman struggled in his grip and he punched him away. He tumbled to the ground as Bolverkr ran towards his tumble weeding body. He caught up, kicked him up, off the ground mid air, and blasted him away from the area. Shaman was sent flying and in a glimpse, he saw Ravana floating, expressing regret and frustration. He made landfall behind the gang and exploded his arm out the crater he was buried in. He saw John, Sarah, and Jack watching the battle.

  He climbed out and limped towards them, grabbing his left arm.

  “John!”

  “Yes?” he answered while looking over his shoulder.

  “How do we break him? Le-Leon, how do we get him back?!”

  John tapped his chin.

  “Still thinking.”

  Shaman growled.

  “Come on, quit screwing around, you already know the answer!”

  “Does he now?” Sarah replied.

  She stuck her hip out, sassy-like, and crossed her arms. John moved his eyes erratically as he felt her sass glare at him.

  “Oh…?”

  Sarah furrowed her brows at John.

  “What does he mean you already know the answer?”

  Sarah then exploded her eyes and pointed at his face.

  “Wait a minute… don’t tell me you’ve been stalling this entire time and already had an answer!”

  John tapped his fingers against each other and nervously hunched.

  “Heh… you caught me. Gosh damn it, you vile party pooper, Shaman! Why couldn’t you’ve stayed over there getting your ass handed to you by Bolverkr.”

  Shaman frowned.

  “Because I was blasted over here, you asshole.”

  “Ha ha! And that’s my problem, why?”

  “Enough! You two.”

  Sarah looked over to Shaman, who was a bloody, bruised mess.

  “Thank you, for still looking after me.”

  Shaman’s eyes glistened as he did his best to not imagine Samantha. Although, an apparition of her appeared next to Sarah, mimicking her movements to deceive his brain.

  He shook his head, and nodded.

  “I’m sorry, for ever getting you in this mess.”

  He also glanced at Jack, and bowed his head.

  “I’m very sorry for also having your sister potentially involved.”

  Jack looked away, but Sarah elbow bumped him so he could face him.

  He deeply sighed and shrugged.

  “You can make it up to her by letting her still work at your dumb shop if this gets resolved.”

  He chuckled.

  “Alright, I will.”

  While the two were making amends, John decided to let them know the answer and brought his gaze to Sarah. Sarah didn’t like the way he was staring at her, but it wasn’t malicious, although it did feel creepy to her.

  “Wh-what?”

  John went up to Sarah and put his hands on her tiny shoulders.

  “You are the answer to his rage, the calm of his storming heart: Sarah…”

  He crept up to her ear, and lowered his voice that gave her chills.

  “You’re not who you think you are, my dear. But, you can change that, if you can manage to break Leon and subdue the demon he was forced to harbor.”

  He licked his lips and took a breath before whispering his last words.

  “You’re Samantha, after all, aren’t chu?”

  Sarah froze and her eyes flickered both her mother’s eyes and the crimson ones everyone detests.

  “Or are you S-a-r-a-h? Make the choice and free yourself and bring forth the freedom you gave yourself, long ago, my dear.”

  Sarah could feel her body grow light, she could see her mother’s memories, the academy, John's young face, their old group, and especially, Mandy’s.

  She gasped and clutched John’s arms, grunting in pain.

  “Let him know, let him choose, but more notably…”

  John crept off and smiled.

  “...it’s time for you to choose, once and for all, S-a-r-a-h."