When they turned around, they were met with Garnal approaching slowly, tears streaming gracefully down his cheeks. Euphoria surged within Rogue, who, overwhelmed with emotion, raced towards him. In the midst of that intimate moment, he truly believed they'd never be reunited again.
"GARNAL!"
"My friends..." he whispered.
On the other hand, Yanis, with a determined look on his face, remarkably kept his emotions in check. His eyes closely studied the figure he believed to be Gwendoline, pondering her true identity. Meanwhile, Ergania, hand on her chin, inspected the injured teenagers, assessing the details of their condition:
"So... Yanis's legs are severed, Rogue is severely burned, and Jacob doesn't have enough mana to survive."
With a kind smile, Ergania nodded slowly and once again extended her hand in their direction. Magical circles shimmered into existence, creating a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors.
[Superior Magic: Original Experience], [Superior Magic: Life Energy]
The colorful magical symbols instantly restored Yanis's severed legs. Rogue regained both his youth and the hair he had lost. As for Jacob, he regained enough mana to live and fight once more.
"Alright! Now that everyone's awake, let me explain what just happened."
*
After a few minutes, Ergania took the opportunity to briefly recount her battle with Abaguo. She made sure not to reveal her true identity, leaving her listeners in uncertainty once again.
"Hey, entity... What about Alora? Why don't you resurrect her?"
Yanis pleaded, a lump in his throat, as if the sorrow buried within him was on the verge of exploding.
"Let's just say... she was meant to die. So, in theory, I could bring her back... But she'll inevitably die during your journey."
"Bring her back anyway! I'll do everything to protect her."
"Yanis... You don't seem to get my point. If I resurrect her, Alora will die in the worst way imaginable to you. Are you sure about this?"
"Yes! Even if she dies, you'll be here to bring her back to life, right?"
"No, absolutely not. I'm not your Deus Ex Machina. The only reason I intervened was for Gwendoline, nothing more!"
Yanis lowered his head, his hands resting on his knees, begging Ergania to resurrect his friend.
"Please, bring her back... I can't live without her..."
"Very well, but you'll regret this bitterly, Yanis. Just remember, I warned you."
[Superior Magic: Resurrection: Angélina Gaumont]
"Angélina?!" Yanis exclaimed in surprise.
"That's her true identity. She's not Alora Devi; she's Angélina Gaumont."
As Alora was brought back to life under the multicolored lights of the magic symbols, she cast a bewildered look at Yanis. Alora showed no emotion, as if her resurrection had profoundly affected her.
"Yanis? How?"
Without a word, Yanis pulled Alora into his embrace, shedding a few tears.
"I'm sorry... I couldn't protect you..."
Alora responded with a faint smirk, but a touch of bitterness tainted her happiness, preventing her from fully indulging in the comforting moment. The atmosphere around them suddenly brightened, filled with joy and relief. Yet, in a secluded corner, Jacob sat alone, lost in his thoughts, his heart heavy with regrets over Marshal's loss.
His fists clenched with almost uncontrollable strength, revealing the anger and frustration overwhelming him. Unable to hold back any longer, he turned to Ergania, words spilling from his mouth in a shout of desperation and disbelief:
"What about Marshal? You're doing nothing for him?!
"Calm down, Jacob, I can't—"
His long-suppressed seething rage and boiling anger burst forth like a raging volcano, cutting off Ergania's words. His eyes became unstoppable fountains of tears, which he tried in vain to hold back, so deeply had Marshal's loss scarred him. Every emotion, tangled in a tumultuous whirlwind, refused to be silenced.
"HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU CAN'T?! MARSHAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST ONE TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE! HE GAVE EVERYTHING TO DEFEAT ABAGUO! HE IS BY FAR THE ONLY ONE WHO DESERVES HONOR AND ACCLAIM! HE MUST BE REVIVED!
"Marshal made a pact with the Archangels, he gave his life in exchange for power. Therefore, I cannot resurrect him, it would break the pact, and Marshal's soul would never find peace in Heaven. From the moment he swore to die, it was already over for him. I'm sorry, Jacob, there's absolutely nothing I can do."
As Ergania uttered these heart-wrenching words, a wave of crushing sadness washed over Jacob. His legs buckled under him, and he collapsed to the ground, emitting a cry so filled with despair that it seemed to emanate from his very soul. His voice, broken by emotion, echoed in the air, as his hands instinctively sought something to cling to for some solace in this overwhelming moment of grief.
"NO! I SHOULD DIE IN HIS PLACE! MARSHAL DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE SO YOUNG! HE WAS THE STRONGEST OF THE ANGELIC HUMANS! WHY? WHY HIM?!"
No one could even begin to soothe his sorrow and anger. The others merely acknowledged his pain and grief in silence, as words faded from everyone's lips, enveloping the atmosphere in deep, agonizing melancholy.
"Lost Ones, listen to me now."
One by one, they looked up attentively to hear Ergania's words. She exuded a commanding aura, her gaze sweeping over every person without exception. Then she began her speech in a tone both serious and intimidating.
"Just to be clear: I will never intervene in your missions to rescue you. You must fend for yourselves! Most importantly, know that Trillia is entering a new era of anarchy and chaos. The archdemons will do everything to reach the transcendental stage, so you will need to step up your game."
At the end of her cautionary speech, Jacob slowly rose to face her, his eyes reflecting unparalleled rage and hatred.
"I'm tired of hearing you, can't you just shut up?!"
"Are you talking to me?!"
"What do you think?!"
"You've got some nerve!"
With a determined posture, Jacob stretched out his right arm in front of him, palm facing the ground, while his piercing gaze fixed on Ergania. His hand seemed to extend as a silent warning, underlining the intensity of his facial expression toward her.
[Deity Battle: Final Omega]
Jacob's futuristic sword materialized in his hands, composed of millions of pixels. Everyone understood with dread that Jacob's unwavering will was driving him to kill Gwendoline's entity. Jacob brandished his sword at Ergania, his eyes signaling his intention to dispatch her as swiftly as possible.
"You have three seconds to give control back to Gwendoline, or you're done!"
Rogue and Alora rushed toward him to halt his recklessness. But suddenly, as they neared him, both fell unconscious almost instantly, collapsing to the ground without any apparent explanation, to the astonishment of both Yanis and Ergania.
"Final Omega protects me against my will! Stay back!
"Jacob, calm down. Stop wastefully using the energy I gave you!
"Shut it up!"
With a swift movement, laden with powerful velocity, Jacob lunged at Ergania. The air thundered with the force of his charge. In a burst of fury, he sliced through Ergania's body with an unsettling ease, demonstrating the formidable power of his sword, Final Omega, surprising even Ergania with this display of might.
"That's enough!" Ergania snapped her fingers effortlessly, her thumb and forefinger coming together in a smooth motion. Suddenly, as if a spell had been cast, Jacob was abruptly thrown to the ground by an unseen force.
"What the...?" exclaimed Jacob.
Yanis and Garnal, who were present to witness the scene, stood frozen, their eyes wide in astonishment at the almost supernatural spectacle. They held their breath momentarily, trying to comprehend the staggering power radiating from Ergania, who had just regenerated from Jacob's attack.
"Damn it," Jacob murmured angrily.
Ergania stepped toward the teens, extending her hand to them once more. "I shall reward your efforts. After this, Gwendoline will take over, and you will never see me again. Good luck, Lost Ones."
[Superior Magic: Host Enhancement]
The multi-colored magical circles that had formed wrapped around the Lost Ones, enhancing their individual powers:
[Yanis can now evade 50% of all damage inflicted on him.]
[Alora unlocks level II of her power. She can now manipulate an individual's dreams/nightmares in such a way that they are projected into reality for all to see.]
[Rogue's hacking becomes more efficient.]
[Jacob's games now cost him less mana.]
Ergania relinquished control back to Gwendoline. Her multi-colored right eye reverted to its usual brown, and the blazing divine halo above her head vanished instantly.
Overwhelmed with shame and remorse, Gwendoline knelt before her group, head down and eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry…"
"Why are you apologizing? It's because of you that we're all alive," countered Yanis.
*
As dawn broke, following that apocalyptic night, the Haradisian peasants, hearts heavy with grief, held a poignant mourning for their beloved Marshal. They trudged through the village's deserted alleys, their sorrowful and dazed gazes fixed on the scarred ground. Sobs filled the air, reflecting their deep anguish. None had slept that night, not even the Lost Ones. Some seemed to be in a perpetual state of panic, eyes wide, searching desperately for hope, while others tried to hide their tears, unwilling to accept the cruel fate that had befallen them.
For his mourning, Jacob had stayed in Marshal's dojo for hours, somberly observing all the family portraits of the Anabito lineage. "What will I do without you... I miss you so much," he whispered, his eyes scanning over the katanas, decorations, and armors, trying to distract himself. Suddenly, a soft knock at the door behind him caught his attention. Rising and placing his hand on the floor, he headed toward it. Opening it, he found his friends, the Lost Ones.
"What do you want?"
Gwendoline stepped forward, her gaze still sad and filled with guilt. "We've finished writing the mission report... We're leaving this afternoon when the mages and soldiers arrive to secure the village."
"I'm sorry, guys... But I haven't finished my training. I can't leave with you."
"How will you manage without Marshal?" Yanis inquired.
"There's a training book in the dojo... I still have some techniques to perfect."
The group noticed Jacob's lifeless face. Once always smiling, now he looked weak and despondent.
" We knew that after all, didn't we? We'd been warned that this journey wouldn't be easy... But we accepted anyway. Today, I'd like to go back in time to lie peacefully on my bed, playing video games with my friends until I no longer know what time it is... Jacob lamented.
None had the courage to respond to his somber truth, so they merely watched, sympathizing with his grief.
"I won't keep you... I'll return to Érétide in a few weeks, or maybe several months. Take care..."
Gwendoline suddenly embraced Jacob gently, trying to console him in every possible way. Her hug was warm and protective, as if transmitting her full support and affection.
"See you in a few weeks, Jacob."
Jacob and Gwendoline ended their embrace, leaving a poignant silence behind. With a nod, Alora, Yanis, and Rogue bid farewell to Jacob, who remained motionless. As the others turned to leave, Yanis glanced back at Jacob, leaving him in his sorrow. For the first time, the group of Lost Ones was divided.
Jacob, in this world, you and Rogue are my best mates... I hope we can meet again, grab a meal together, and maybe challenge Tony, all three of us.
[Unknown Location, Kingdom of Rymis]
In a remote corner of the vast Kingdom of Rymis, atop a majestic mountain, lay an enchanting place surrounded by sprawling plains, dense forests, and sunlit clearings that stretched out endlessly. Here, amidst this rugged beauty, Dasra lay peacefully on the ground. Her long hair, like a silken veil, barely concealed her delicate nakedness.
Suddenly, she was awakened from her deep slumber by an unexpected noise. Her eyelids shot open, and her eyes widened in astonishment. Surveying her surroundings in surprise, she tried to comprehend what had disturbed her rest.
"I hope the Lost Ones are doing well..."
[City of Delforde, Capital of the Modern Nation of Edra]
Overlooking the city tinted in twilight, buzzing with thousands of moving vehicles, a mixed-race man in a white cape stood with his hands on his hips at the edge of a skyscraper. From the back, one could see his tight-fitting black outfit adorned with golden patterns that spanned his entire body. His cape fluttered in the wind sweeping across the city's skies, while his short white hair was tousled by the continuous gust.
"I will never tire of this view!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with confidence.
His muscular frame began to levitate.
"I, Rahman, will battle the archdemons with flair!"
His face became visible as he soared rapidly into the skies, leaving a shockwave in his wake. His violet eyes shone brightly, lighting up his face and proud smile. He radiated immense power and unwavering confidence.
"For such is the duty of angelic humans! And of superheroes!"
END OF BOOK 1