"Today we bid farewell to a man who, for decades, was considered the most powerful among humanity, a man who suppressed evil with dignity, perseverance, and an unquenchable spirit."
Everyone present held a high rank within the Association of Light. Not everyone could attend, as such a large gathering would be uncontrollable.
Anton stood at a distance, his gaze filled with seriousness and a barely perceptible trace of sadness. "Who did this to you, old man? When I arrived, there was nothing left but the corpses of your group. Now, who must I kill to avenge you?"
Many dared not approach Anton; everyone knew that he had the highest chance of becoming the next Pope of the Association of Light. The fury many felt at not knowing who had killed Sebastián ShadowBane was unbearable.
"Disaster has befallen us..."
"Something we cannot control is approaching."
Anton distanced himself from those who wouldn't stop talking about the upcoming problems for the entire world.
Whoever had been able to kill a Pope was an incredibly powerful being that few could defeat.
Akira was not present; she was about to give birth, and her baby was crucial for continuing the ShadowBane line.
"Do you have any idea who might have done this to your father?"
Anton was watching the burial process for his father when he heard the voice of Koji Shimazu, his father-in-law. "My father performed a powerful ritual before he died, so we won't know who it was until that ritual concludes."
"I'm very sorry for your loss, but I know you don't want to hear these words." Koji understood Anton better than many ever could.
"The world is about to change. It's time to stop protecting that window connecting us to the present world. We are hanging by a thread, and sooner or later, a global catastrophe will erupt, and then the safety of many will depend on themselves."
Anton looked at the sword his father had left him and murmured, "I don't know how to say it, but we will do it. We can't keep protecting the whole world."
Many people's fury would be alleviated by this; measures would now be implemented to protect only those who deserved protection, leaving aside those who truly did not.
The Association of Light was preparing for a large-scale war now that the Pope had died. His death was a sign that things were about to change and that a holy war was approaching.
"Will you inherit your position?"
Anton nodded. That position, indeed, would be his, as he was the last living ShadowBane capable of fighting. "I am the last guardian this world has. The door between our dimensions is weakening, so I don't think I can go very far. Even so, I hope the protection of your grandchildren will be in your hands."
Koji nodded, understanding what Anton was saying, and spoke no more.
"Rest in peace, dear father."
The world was moving without many noticing; the armies of all countries mobilized, and nuclear submarines were ready for use.
The bases of the Association of Light were on high alert because now the most powerful being capable of standing against even the devil himself was dead.
What does this mean?
It means that the door between hell and earth was shaking, and now it depends on humans, not the Pope, to fight for their lives.