The night air on Gruu was crisp and filled with the scent of the rugged landscape. The moon, a pale silver orb, cast its glow upon the desolate terrain where Alexander and Allysa sought refuge. As they navigated the rocky labyrinth, the pursuers' demonic auras lingered, an ominous reminder of the relentless chase.
In a concealed crevice, they found a brief sanctuary. The moss-covered rocks provided a semblance of comfort as Alexander gently laid his unconscious father, Henry Ries. The weariness etched on his face betrayed the weight of their journey.
Allysa, a flicker of concern in her eyes, approached Alexander. "We need a plan, Alexander. We can't keep running forever."
His gaze shifted between his unconscious father and Allysa. "I know, Allysa. But every time we stop, they catch up. It's like they're always one step behind."
She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll find a way, Alexander. We always do."
As they rested, the echoes of the chase faded momentarily. Allysa spoke softly, her words carried by the night breeze. "My grandmother used to say that the stars hold stories. Each one is a soul watching over us."
Alexander, looking up at the stars peeking through the rocky overhang, couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. "I hope they're watching over us now, Allysa. We could use some guidance."
Their respite was brief, for the chase never relented. With renewed determination, they embarked on the next leg of their journey. The landscape, unforgiving in its rocky grandeur, seemed to mirror the challenges they faced.
As they ran, Alexander couldn't help but voice his thoughts. "Do you think they'll ever stop chasing us, Allysa?"
She cast him a glance filled with determination. "They'll realize the futility of this pursuit eventually. We just need to outlast them."
Back on the desolate road, Alexander pressed forward with the weight of his unconscious father on an improvised backpack. Allysa, ran tirelessly by his side. Weeks of ceaseless pursuit had etched desperation into their every step as they traversed the unforgiving terrain, passing through three towns and enduring the relentless chase of demon soldiers.
This time, the ambush struck with an unprecedented swiftness and brutality. Ten high-ranking demons descended upon them, outnumbering and overpowering Alexander. With his father at his back, defense became an even more daunting challenge. The Trinity Armament, a once-mighty shield, now stood as the only barrier against certain doom. The air crackled with tension as the fight unfolded in the moonlit expanse.
Metal clashed against demonic claws, and sparks flew as Alexander fought valiantly, every strike reverberating with determination. His father's unconscious form bore the weight of the conflict, a testament to the dire circumstances. The Trinity Armament, a manifestation of his will, held steadfast, but the relentless assault took its toll.
Then, with a deafening shatter, the Armament disintegrated. A burst of light engulfed Alexander, throwing him meters back. Pain lanced through his head, but he shook it off as he swiftly checked on his father, finding him miraculously unharmed. A glance toward Allysa revealed a piercing arrow through her chest. A scream of despair escaped Alexander's lips, but before he could retaliate, demonic forces held him down.
Unexpectedly, a burning sensation invaded his veins, and his blood flowed like molten lava. Alexander's eyes opened to reveal two purple orbs with orange stars. His body underwent a profound transformation, morphing into a full-fledged demon with elongated ears, intricate demonic tattoos, and a lion's tail. Nearby, Henry Ries, still unconscious, underwent a similar metamorphosis. Energized with newfound stamina, Alexander shrugged off the demons restraining him and launched a furious counterattack.
As the landscape transformed into a battlefield, a winged lion descended near Allysa. Morphing into human form, memories flooded the man's mind, culminating in a smile of recognition. Waving his hand over her head, he fed Allysa a shiny green pill from a glass pulled from the void. This concoction, woven from rare herbs and the man's own blood, bestowed upon Allysa complete control over her bloodline traits, enabling her to seamlessly shift between beast and demon forms.
Thomas observed the chaotic battleground with a gaze that swept across the plains. His eyes rested on the man fighting demons, and despite the faint memories, he recognized the face—older than the one etched in his recollections. "Brother..." he murmured the name, taking note of the lion ears and tail on his brother, and the unconscious father.
After a moment of observation, Thomas nodded to himself, amusement flickering in his gaze. 'Bloodline Resonance?' he mused. It seemed akin to what happened with Lulu when she drank some of his essence blood. The changes in his body affected all of his kin. His mother, who visited him at the crystal coffin as he familiarized himself with the powers of Gaia, underwent changes as well, though not as drastic. Her complexion grew younger, her skin smoother, and her hair seemed to shine with vitality. Thomas recalled her reporting heightened senses over the past few months, including the ability to see in the dark.
Before any life was actually lost, Thomas interrupted. With one hand he froze Alexander on the spot as he addressed the demons. "Tell your lord these here are under my protection, now begone."
A wave of sin force swept across the demons and carried them away, their silhouettes vanishing among the clouds.
Alexander, still caught in the throes of combat, tried to fight back but as the demon were gone, he sent a glance at Thomas. Seeing the face of human with orange-purple eyes and mixed hair, for some reason brought intense feelings of familiarity. His guard was still high but as he eyed the man he felt no desire to fight and his eyes moved over to his dad and fallen Allysa.
Thomas pointed at Allysa, who now looked like your ordinary human woman in her early twenties. "Your companion has undergone a transformation as well, courtesy of a little gift. Bloodline traits under control," he explained.
Before Alexander could ask questions, Thomas showed the wrist computer, one that was too different from any model the former had seen at his time. Yet still recognized that as human tech as he liked to fiddle with those in his teens.
Thomas contacted Lulu and had her prepare accommodations for three people as he summoned lumine and had her fly everyone to the temporary residence he and his entourage had been staying.
Half a hour later, Thomas is seating on opposite side to Alexander and Allysa, the former gave a small chuckle at how protective his big brother was to to the beast woman. He also noticed the looks his brother gave him, eyes never moving too far from his face as if something about himself was very familiar but the young adult couldn't tell what.
"Hehe, haven't figure it out yet?" Thomas laughed as his hair and eyes returned to their original color and then his age began reversing, stopping at around ten years old. Allysa didn't find it strange but Alexander's eyes only widened further and further as he stuttered. "Tt-tommy?"