Everything happened so fast that I couldn't comprehend anything. We were suddenly pulled over to the stage, given an award, and gave a two-second victory speech until we were kicked out of the event and sent to the earth.
As the whirlwind of infernal celebration settled, we found ourselves back on solid ground, away from the demonic revelry. The transition from the chaotic underworld to Earth was abrupt, leaving us slightly disoriented.
I turned to Alina and grinned. "Well, that was unexpected. Champions of a demonic cooking contest, who would've thought?"
Alina smirked, adjusting the victory crown on her head. "Life is full of surprises, Magnus."
In the midst of our banter, the very demon who had promised information about my dad's location materialized before us. The atmosphere shifted as his presence overshadowed the playful mood.
The demon's eyes bore into mine, and he spoke with an air of formality, "Magnus Miller, the time has come for you to fulfill your end of the bargain. I shall reveal the whereabouts of your father."
Anna, Rowan, and Alina exchanged glances, sensing the gravity of the moment. I took a deep breath, ready to grasp any lead that could bring me closer to uncovering the mysteries surrounding my father's disappearance.
"Speak," I demanded, my tone firm and resolute. "Tell me where my father is."
The demon snickered as he revealed my father's location, and it pointed to the Eldoria Empire, which was in a different dimension. It was also Rowan's home country.
I was shocked by this new revelation; my worst nightmare came alive. I stammered a bit as I pointed toward that location. "How do you know this?"
My mind raced with conflicting emotions as the demon divulged the Eldoria Empire's connection to my father's whereabouts. The Eldoria Empire is the place where I reincarnated and fooled everyone into believing that I was the real Magnus.
In response to my question, the demon was clearly amused. "Let's just say I have my sources, Magnus. Information comes at a price, and you've paid yours."
Frustration and impatience surged within me, but I held back my reaction. I am now forced to return to the place I never wanted to go back to. Turning to Anna, Rowan, and Alina, I found mirrored expressions of concern and determination.
Anna came to me and said, "Brother, it is okay if you don't want to go there. Only Alina and Rowan can go. "
I looked back at her and smiled. "Thank you for the concern, Anna. But I have to face my fears. And this is the only way." I turned to everyone.
"Looks like we're headed to the Eldoria Empire," I declared, my voice steadier than I felt. "Whatever secrets it holds, we'll uncover them and bring my father back."
The demon had already disappeared during our conversation. Now, instead of him, Seraphiel appears before him. He looked at me with a small sense of pride and said, "I see you have found one piece of the shard." He stretched his hand out as if asking for the shard.
I kept the shard within my grip as I looked at him. "Seraphiel, why should I give the shard to you? Lately, many people have betrayed me. So you people are on the last of my list to trust."
Seraphiel responded with sincerity, "Your intentions are known to us, Magnus. The safeguarding of the shard is not just my duty but a collective responsibility of those who uphold the delicate balance of the realms."
I glared at him as I snickered, "On what basis should I trust you? But your words are fancy. I will keep this shard in my spatial realm, and it will be sealed and connected to my soul. So if anyone takes it, you will face my wrath."
Seraphiel acknowledged my skepticism with a nod, his gaze unwavering. "Your caution is understandable, Magnus. If it brings you peace, safeguard the shard as you see fit. Our commitment to balance extends beyond mere words."
As I sealed the shard within my spatial realm, a sense of control and security washed over me. The connection to my soul ensured an intimate link, a safeguard against any unwanted interference.
He then turned towards me and asked, "I suppose you have a wish for me to fulfill now."
The terms of the contract came to me.
As Seraphiel awaited my wish, I contemplated the potential of this extraordinary opportunity. The terms of the contract echoed in my mind, granting me the power to alter the course of fate. The desire to reunite Magnus Thaddeus with his true form emerged as a selfless wish, a chance to rectify the injustices that befell him.
With a firm resolve, I spoke my wish to Seraphiel: "I wish for Magnus Thaddeus to return to his real body, to be free from any entanglements that bind him to a fate not his own."
Seraphiel, recognizing the sincerity and nobility of the wish, nodded solemnly. "Your wish shall be granted, Magnus. The cosmic forces shall weave the threads of destiny to bring about the restoration you seek."
A subtle shift in the air accompanied Seraphiel's words, indicating the activation of the cosmic energies that would fulfill my wish.
Then suddenly the magic disappeared, and Seraphiel said, "That's done." We were shocked and said, "That was so underwhelming."
Seraphiel laughed. "You kids have a way to turn things around." Suddenly his expression shifted to a more serious demeanor as he spoke, "Nevertheless, the next shard is in the Eldoria Empire."
Uh. Here we go again. It's like fate wants me to suffer again. But never mind, because I have two more people to kill. I snickered as I thought about this.
That being said, Seraphiel returned to the skies while we went home.
When I reached home, I approached my mother and told her the whole story.
As I recounted the recent events to my mother, her expression shifted from curiosity to sympathy. The weight of the revelations about my father, the betrayal by Alex, and the unfolding journey to the Eldoria Empire became apparent in her understanding gaze.
My mother reached out, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Magnus, you've faced more challenges than anyone should. I can't even fathom the strength it takes to bear such burdens."
I nodded, appreciating the warmth of her support. "It's not easy, Mom, but I have to keep going. There are still answers I need, and I won't rest until I find them."
She gave me a reassuring smile. "You're stronger than you think, Magnus. Remember, no matter what happens, I am here for you."
She continued with a creepy smile, "And if you find your dad, make sure to send him here. I will give him a good beating for leaving us in the dark."
I couldn't help but chuckle at my mother's unexpected twist of humor. "I'll keep that in mind, Mom. A good scolding might be just what he needs."
With a final exchange of smiles, I headed to my room, the weight of the day's events settling upon me. As I lay in bed, the journey to the Eldoria Empire loomed ahead, bringing a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The mysteries of my father's disappearance and the Eldorian shard intertwined, creating a complex tapestry that demanded unraveling.
As I drifted into the realm of dreams, the atmosphere shifted. Shadows morphed into ominous figures, and the familiar landscapes of my subconscious took on a haunting quality. The astral currents that usually hummed softly turned into dissonant whispers, carrying a foreboding sense of loneliness.
In the dream, I found myself standing in the heart of Eldoria, the vibrant realm now twisted into a nightmarish landscape. The once-familiar faces of my friends and allies transformed into spectral entities that stared at me with accusing eyes.
Whispers echoed in the air, their words a chilling refrain. "Magnus, you are alone. No one is by your side. Abandoned."
My heart quickened its pace as the dream took a darker turn. The sky above me grew stormy, and flashes of lightning illuminated the desolate surroundings. I called out to my friends, but my voice was swallowed by the howling winds.
Alina, Rowan, and even my sister Anna turned away from me, their silhouettes becoming distant shadows. Each step I took to reach them only widened the gap, and their faces twisted into expressions of betrayal.
The once-friendly cityscape of Eldoria crumbled and twisted, mirroring the turmoil within me. The dream became a labyrinth of despair, where the walls whispered my insecurities and fears. I stumbled through the twisted corridors, desperately seeking companionship that remained elusive.
In the dream's crescendo, the figures of my friends morphed into horrible reflections of themselves, their eyes filled with malice. The Eldorian shard, once a symbol of hope, now pulsed with an eerie glow, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with malevolence.
I awoke with a start, the echoes of the nightmare still lingering in my mind. The room felt oppressively silent as I grappled with the unsettling images that had invaded my slumber.