The first lieutenant advanced, acknowledging the lady's power but questioning why she ventured alone. Aetherius hurried to Seraphina and sheathed her katana. "Grateful for the help with the weapon," he said, appreciating the timely assistance, while also acknowledging the lieutenant. "Oh yes, I ought to have introduced myself; my name is Meliodus," he said in a serene voice. "For now, I will take charge of Lady Seraphina's safety and ensure she returns home unharmed."
Lady Seraphina nodded in agreement, her eyes still glinting with excitement from the battle. "Thank you, Meliodus. I appreciate your assistance," she said, bowing gracefully.
Meliodus glanced at Aetherius and then back at Seraphina. "I assume you're Aetherius, son of the God King," he said, sizing up Aetherius as if trying to gauge the strength within. "Your skills with the katana are impressive. I can see why Gerald had his hands full."
Aetherius nodded, still catching his breath from the intense battle. "Thank you, Meliodus. I had no idea the lieutenants of the Crimson Gods' army would intervene. Why did they step in?"
Meliodus sighed, his expression turning serious. "The Crimson Gods are not to be underestimated. They have their reasons for intervening in the affairs of mortals. Gerald, though a formidable opponent, is merely a pawn in a much larger game. The Crimson Gods' army has its eyes set on something beyond our understanding."
Aetherius furrowed his brow, a mix of confusion and curiosity swirling within him. "What could they possibly want?"
Meliodus questioned eagerly, "Has the seal been broken? Have your recollections returned?" Aetherius surveyed his surroundings with a look of sorrow. He reminisced about his childhood days in the Crimson Lands spent with his father and mother. He also fondly recalled his time spent with Lady Seraphina and Meliodus, yet he could not bring to mind anything else. His sorrowful sentiment lingered in the air.
Meliodus gazed at Aetherius, joy evident in his visage as he uttered, "Do not be concerned; I am delighted that the majority of your recollections have been restored to you."
As the conversation unfolded, Meliodus delved into the intricate details of Aetherius' past, weaving a tapestry of forgotten memories. The pieces of Aetherius' history fell into place, like a puzzle revealing a grander picture. Aetherius felt a mixture of emotions—joy at rediscovering his past and a lingering concern about the challenges ahead.
With a newfound understanding of his identity and purpose, Aetherius, Meliodus, and Lady Seraphina made their way towards the outskirts of the battlefield. The lieutenants of the Crimson Gods' army formed a protective circle around them, a silent acknowledgment of their shared mission.
As they approached the boundary between realms, Meliodus turned to Aetherius. "Your journey is just beginning, Aetherius. The Crimson Gods' army will continue to watch over you, but you must face the trials ahead with courage and conviction."
Aetherius nodded, grateful for Meliodus' guidance. Lady Seraphina, too, expressed her gratitude before bidding farewell to the human realm. With a flash of light, they crossed the threshold, leaving the mortal world behind.
Aetherius began his journey back to the college, finally arriving at the university gates, where Lucious, grinning from ear to ear, inquired "Where in the world have you been? I was searching all over for you. Did you spot that wild tempest in the woods?"
I peered at him and proclaimed, "Let me enlighten you; that was me. My recollections have ultimately been restored, but at the moment I need to take a break. I'll tell you the rest later." Both Lucious and I made our way back to our college dorm.
Aetherius and Lucious walked back to their college dorm, the weight of recent events hanging in the air. Aetherius couldn't shake the surreal feeling of having his memories restored and being thrust into a cosmic conflict that spanned realms. Lucious, though unaware of the intricacies, sensed the gravity of the situation.
As they entered their dorm room, Aetherius decided to share the extraordinary tale with Lucious. He recounted the battle in the demon realm, Lady Seraphina's arrival, and the intervention of the lieutenants of the Crimson Gods' army. Lucious listened with wide-eyed astonishment, occasionally interjecting with exclamations of disbelief.
"So, let me get this straight," Lucious said, scratching his head. "You've got a cosmic destiny, demons, gods, and a lady in battle armor involved in all of this? And now you're supposed to play some pivotal role in a cosmic reckoning?"
Aetherius chuckled at Lucious' attempt to summarize the complex narrative. "Yeah, something like that. It's a lot to take in, even for me. But now, I have a clearer understanding of who I am and what I need to face."
Lucious raised an eyebrow. "And what about that Lady Seraphina? What's her deal? Is she like, a demon warrior princess or something?"
Aetherius smiled, appreciating Lucious' attempts to make sense of the fantastical elements. "Lady Seraphina is more than just a demon warrior. She's a powerful being from the high heavens with a connection to my past. We share a destiny entwined with cosmic threads."
Lucious leaned back, processing the information. "Well, that's wild. So, what's the plan now? Are you going to keep battling demons and gods, or is there a strategy meeting scheduled?"
Aetherius sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "I need to understand the extent of my abilities and learn more about the cosmic forces at play. Lady Seraphina and her allies seem to know more about this than I do. I'll have to seek their guidance and figure out my role in this cosmic dance."
Lucious nodded thoughtfully. "Well, whatever you decide, I've got your back, buddy. If you need help deciphering cosmic mysteries or fighting otherworldly beings, just give me a heads up."
Aetherius grinned, appreciating Lucious' unwavering support. "Thanks, Lucious. I might need all the help I can get. Now, let's take a breather and get some rest. The cosmic drama can wait for tomorrow."