Dahra hastened toward Mike with evident worry, his dark eyes filled with genuine concern, as he beheld his father bent down and writhing in agony. "Are you alright, Father?" he inquired, his voice laced with urgency.
Mike struggled to his feet, clutching his flickering eyes shut as if to ward off the pain. "Do not trouble yourself with my well-being," he said, his voice firm despite his visible distress. "Our mission takes precedence. Gather your army and join me."
With those words, Mike unfolded his majestic wings and soared into the air, propelling himself out of the throne room through the roofless space above.
Dahra's concern lingered, palpable in his deep sigh. He lifted his gaze toward the room's entrance, where Domra approached, his pike swinging rhythmically alongside his stride as he entered.
"We are prepared, my lord," Domra announced. "We await your command."
Dahra's expression turned contemplative. "Something is amiss with my father," he murmured. "I sense it."
Domra hesitated, his thoughts momentarily suspended before he spoke. "I have information to share with you, my lord," he finally ventured.
Dahra's curiosity was piqued, his eyebrow rising in inquiry. "Proceed, Domra. What is it you wish to tell me?" he asked, his eyes fixed intently on the sky.
Domra's voice took on a cautious tone. "Yesterday, during our expedition to the fog planet, we encountered a male witch guarding the Jyuran," he revealed.
Dahra's eyes darted toward Domra. "What?! A witch?!" he thundered, incredulity etched on his face.
He was flabbergasted, his mind reeling from the revelation. "Didn't I eradicate them all forty years ago?"
Domra nodded gravely. "I was equally astonished when I encountered him. He's remarkably powerful, possessing at least two portions of Gastra."
Dahra's eyes narrowed, his interest piqued.
Domra continued, "Additionally, the Jyuran has a lover. We managed to capture him only because we threatened to harm her. I deemed it crucial to inform you, though I'm unsure of its significance."
Dahra's eyes widened further in shock, his face pale. "Of course, it has significance! Why are you only telling me now?" he demanded, his voice laced with frustration.
Domra's expression turned curious. "Is something amiss, my lord?"
Dahra's breathing turned heavy with worry. "Indeed! This explains my father's reaction earlier. He's not fully in control of the human's body... and that spells doom for me."
Domra's eyes scanned Dahra's expression, searching for clarification. "How, my lord?" he asked, concern etched in his voice. "Are you in danger?"
Dahra's gaze locked onto Domra, his eyes burning with urgency. "Yes, all of us are. I fear the human will suppress my father's possession. If that happens... what do you think will become of me?"
The weight of Dahra's question hung in the air, his eyes boring into Domra's, expecting a response that might shed light on the ominous fate looming before them.
Domra's eyes narrowed in contemplation, his expression grim. "He would perceive you as a threat, not his son, and he would destroy you," he replied, his voice laced with trepidation, his eyes widening in terror, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
The possibility of Mike's possession being overturned threatened to upend the delicate balance of power, leaving Dahra's future – and perhaps his very existence – hanging precariously in the balance.
Dahra's face twisted in urgency as he grasped Domra's shoulders. "That cannot happen, Domra. We must capture the human and ensure my father asserts absolute control over his body. Only then can we be free from this peril."
With those words, Dahra dissolved into a shadowy mist, flowing like smoke toward the thrones. As he reached them, he reformed and settled into one, his authority radiating from his very presence.
"Employ every means necessary to capture my father," he commanded, his voice unwavering. "His hold on the human's body won't last long."
Domra's voice trembled with fear. "But, Dahra... you know, we won't stand a chance against him."
Dahra's gaze intensified, his words infused with conviction. "This is our sole opportunity to take him down. I sense the human's soul struggling against my father's possession. Seize this moment."
Domra's resolve wavered, but Dahra's encouragement rekindled his determination.
"I trust you won't fail me, Domra," Dahra said, his voice imbued with faith. "You've always been my steadfast ally."
Domra's eyes reignited with purpose, fueled by Dahra's words. He bowed deeply, his voice firm. "As you wish, my lord. I won't disappoint you."
With a resolute stride, Domra turned toward the entrance, ready to embark on the perilous mission to capture Mike and secure Dahra's future.
"Let's go, warriors!" he thundered, his voice echoing out of the thrones room.
The army of warriors, poised and ready outside the thrones room, sprang into action. With a synchronized flutter, they unfolded their massive wings, the sound of their heavy flapping resonating through the air as they took to the skies.
Domra turned back to Dahra, his eyes locking onto his lord's for a fleeting moment. He bowed deeply, his gesture a promise of unwavering loyalty.
With a swift motion, Domra levitated, his form blurring as he fluttered out of the roofless room with incredible speed. He joined the sea of warriors, their wings beating in unison, forming a formidable aerial armada.
The sky began to darken further, as if the very presence of this forceful colony cast a shadow over the land. Their destination was clear: capture Mike, the being who held the greatest of power in his fragile human form.
The fate of their world hung precariously in the balance, as the threads of loyalty, power, and survival entwined in a deadly dance.
*****
"Mike...," Christina's gentle voice whispered in his mind.
"I know you're somewhere down there. You're the most powerful being in the universe, and I'm sure you can overcome anything, any obstacle, and—"
Mike's sharp retort cut her off, his wings beating fiercely to gain altitude. "Who are you?! How did you invade my thoughts?! Only my wife can communicate with me like this!"
Christina's voice remained unwavering, soft yet firm. "You have no wife, Mike. You have your parents, sister, and loyal friends. Snap out of it and return to us! You can't let an insignificant soul of the dead control you!"
Jran' soul within Mike erupted in indignation. "How dare you call me 'insignificant'! Do you know who I am?!" The pain slowly dissipated, replaced by rising anger.
Meanwhile, Domra's army spotted Mike. "There he is!" one of the warriors shouted, pointing toward Mike's direction.
The colony advanced swiftly, each powerful flap of their wings devouring the distance. Mike's gaze fell upon the approaching army, confusion etched on his face.
"What is happening?" the possessed Mike muttered under his breath. "Is Dahra attempting to eliminate me? Has he forgotten who I am due to these insignificant people he's ruling?"
As the army closed in, Mike's thoughts grew increasingly turbulent. His anger erupted, his eyes blazing with a fierce, otherworldly glow. "I'll show him the consequences of crossing his father!" he snarled, his voice low and menacing.
With a burst of ferocity, Mike charged at the approaching army of Anthropters, his razor-sharp claws extending from his fingertips. Tension hummed through the air with the urgency of whooshing wind.
In a whirlwind of destruction, Mike tore through the ranks of Anthropters, his claws slicing through armor and flesh with equal ease. The sound of ripping metal and screams filled the air as he targeted the vital points of his foes.
A swipe of his claw disemboweled a warrior, his entrails spilling down toward the ground. Another slash severed the wing of another warrior, sending him plummeting toward the ground. Mike's onslaught was relentless, merciless.
In the blink of an eye, fifteen Anthropters lay motionless on the ground below, their bodies broken and battered. The remaining warriors recoiled in terror, their eyes fixed on Mike's gleaming claws, now dripping with the dark, viscous fluid of his victims.
"That's… That's the power of a Jyuran!" One of the warriors stuttered, trembling in fear.
Domra flipped backward, his face ashen with fright. He had never seen a Jyuran fight before, let alone witnessed the magnitude of his furiousness, which was unstoppable and merciless. The once-confident commander now trembled before the monster that had been unleashed.
Mike advanced, his eyes fixed on Domra, his claws poised for the killing blow. The air seemed to vibrate with malevolent energy as he prepared to strike.
"Dahra dare joined with you to challenge me?" Mike growled, his voice dripping with malice. "You will pay for your insolences."
Domra raised his hands, a futile attempt to defend himself against the impending onslaught. His eyes locked onto Mike's, pleading for mercy, but finding none.
However, Christina's voice pierced the chaos once more, her tone gentle yet resolute. "Are you listening to me, Mike?" she asked.
The possessed Mike recoiled, clutching his throbbing head as if the sound of her voice was a physical agony. "Human, get out of my head!" he bellowed.
The battle for control between Mike' soul and the invading entity intensified, with Christina's voice remaining the sole beacon guiding him back to reality.