There were murmurs in the crowd, but Azazel continued, "I am the villain of Tenawyuv."
The crowd's murmuring grew louder, uncertainty and disbelief evident in their faces. To prove his point, Azazel grabbed a nearby water bottle. He focused, and the bottle dissolved into black dust in his hand.
Everyone gasped in shock. Government officials immediately stood up, signalling the guards. All the guards circled Azazel with their guns out.
"Stop!" Kreo shouted, stepping protectively in front of Azazel. "He's not here to harm anyone!"
The room fell silent, tension thick in the air. Kreo took a deep breath and addressed the crowd again. "Azazel is not the person you think he is!"
"He is deceiving you, Kreo James!" a government official shouted. The guards started approaching them slowly.
The murmurs grew louder, the footsteps of the guards approached, and the room filled with noise.
Azazel covered his ears, overwhelmed by it. "Quiet!" he shouted. "Are all of you people just stupid pricks?!"
Everyone paused, startled by Azazel's outburst.
"When I just walked into the room you people already started to judge and talk," he continued. "You all haven't even got to know a thing about me, yet you start to judge. For 3 years, have I ever harmed anyone?"
"They're lying!" the official shouted. "They are tricking you—"
"Have. I. Ever. Harmed. Anyone?" Azazel asked again, his voice firm.
The crowd started to think back to the past few years. No one could recall any official incidents caused by Azazel. Slowly, they began to shake their heads.
"No?" Azazel said. "I haven't harmed anyone since I became the villain. Not a single person! But still when I showed you all what I can do, you all dared to run. I am here to make a change, not to start killing. So, sit back down!"
The guards hesitated, unsure of what to do next. Azazel stared them down. "After the speech, you decide if you want to kill me," he said. "You should listen to yourselves, not to them."
The guards looked at the government officials for direction, but the officials seemed uncertain. The tension in the room hung heavy, but the crowd, seeing Azazel's sincerity and hearing his plea, began to reconsider their initial judgement.
Kreo stepped forward again. "Please, let us finish," he said. "Hear our story, and then make your decision."
With the room now silent and attentive, Azazel and Kreo continued, hoping to change hearts and minds with their truth.
Kreo squeezed Azazel's hand and spoke again. "Azazel has shown me what it means to truly love and be loved, to grow and change for the better. We stand before you not just as individuals, but as a family. A family that includes our beautiful children."
The crowd seemed nervous yet surprised about their "children" knowing that the villain is a male. Sarah and Elysia then took their turn, speaking about the love and companionship they had witnessed.
"We've seen their journey," Sarah said. "Their love is genuine and transformative. It's a story of redemption and hope."
Darla and Alexander spoke next, expressing their joy and pride in being grandparents to the new generation of heroes.
"These children symbolise a new beginning," Alexander said. "They are the future of Tenawyuv, bridging the past and the future."
Finally, Kreo and Azazel returned to the podium to address the most challenging part of their speech.
"We understand that this revelation is significant," Kreo said. "But we believe in the power of love and redemption. Azazel is more than you know, he is a loving partner, a dedicated parent and a good man."
Azazel nodded. "We ask for your understanding and your support. We want to live in a Tenawyuv where everyone has the chance to change, to be loved, and to be part of the community."
The room was silent, the weight of their words hanging in the air. Then, slowly, the crowd began to applaud, a ripple of acceptance and support spreading through the hall.
But one question remained. Someone in the crowd stood up and asked, "The speech has changed some perspectives for me, but one question still lingers: what do you mean by children?"
Azazel smiled at the woman, then excused himself and ran across the stage behind the curtain.
"If you truly want to know, prepare yourself for a long story," Kreo joked.
Everyone watched curiously as Azazel reemerged, cradling Aelius in his arms. Gasps of surprise echoed through the hall. Darla and Alexander followed, carrying Aurora, and then Sarah and Elysia appeared with Caelum. The sight of the triplets united in front of everyone left the crowd astonished.
"It may seem surprising to see triplets, but what makes it even more amazing is that they are the biological children of Kreo and me," Azazel said. "It's a complicated love story, but being pregnant with them was a time I couldn't forget."
"And discovering my powers in this way wasn't ideal either," Kreo added. "But in the end, everything turned out fine."
Aelius giggled into the microphone, spreading a warm feeling throughout the room.
The crowd applauded again, but the government officials were visibly displeased. Despite their discontent, the news went viral, capturing the attention of people worldwide.
Azazel and Kreo soon published a video detailing their story—their meetings, their feelings, and how they found each other. The tale captivated the public, drawing widespread support and interest.
The widespread attention eventually reached the king and queen of Tenawyuv. They were not pleased with the couple's attempts to change the system, leading to an inevitable confrontation with the highest authority in the land.
As the days passed, the tension grew. Azazel and Kreo knew they had to prepare for the next step in their journey—a meeting with the monarchy, where they would fight not just for their own lives, but for the future of their children and the very fabric of their society.