Demian opened his eyes to the sound of a soft voice calling his name. As his vision cleared, he saw Anahit, her eyes filled with worry. "Demian, you're awake."
"I found you," Demian whispered, his voice weak but filled with relief.
"No, I found you," Anahit corrected, tears streaming down her face. "You were badly hurt."
Demian struggled to sit up, feeling the weight of his injuries. "Anahit, we need to talk. I've learned so much about Catalysts and the dangers facing our world. It's worse than I thought."
Anahit nodded, her expression serious. "So that's how it is," she said quietly. "What can we do?"
"I'm afraid gods are after me, not just mercenaries or people like us," Demian explained. "Gods who want to kill me and everything I love. I'm terrified of making the same mistakes and losing you again."
Anahit clung to Demian, her sobs muffled against his shoulder. "Please don't lose me. When you're gone, it's like a part of me is missing. I don't know why."
Demian gently cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears. "Never again," he vowed. Under the moonlight, they shared a tender kiss, a promise of protection and love.
Suddenly, the building around them shook violently, collapsing in a massive earthquake. Demian reacted instantly, grabbing Anahit and teleporting them to the rooftop. As they looked over the ruined structure, Anahit asked, "Maybe it's just a coincidence?"
Demian's eyes narrowed as he spotted a familiar figure in the distance. "I'm afraid not," he said. "Stay behind me and don't drop your guard."
The figure waved his hand, unleashing a barrage of red fire blades. Demian deflected them with swift punches and kicks, shattering the spears. Anahit, confused, asked, "Why aren't you using your powers?"
"On this guy, nothing works," Demian replied.
"Let me try," Anahit said, launching a powerful kinetic blast at the figure. The attack struck directly, but as the dust cleared, hundreds of fire spears hung in the air. The figure waved his hand again, launching the spears at them.
Thinking quickly, Demian realized he couldn't use shields or wind against such an attack. He decided to stop time. As everything froze, the figure appeared in front of him, unaffected. "Let's talk, shall we?" the figure said.
"Why would I talk to you?" Demian demanded.
"Come on, talk to me. We have endless time after all," the figure replied.
"Okay, what do you want?" Demian asked, wary.
"You," the figure responded immediately.
"Why do you want me?"
"You are valuable to us," the figure said. "You need to come with me now."
"You just tried to kill me, and now you want me to come with you?" Demian asked incredulously.
The figure laughed. "No, if you think you can die that easily. I was just testing you, wanted to see your time stop. Well, it doesn't work on everyone, wouldn't you say?"
"If I come, will you stop hunting this world?" Demian asked.
"Of course not," the figure replied. "We need this world, and we need you. But I promise everyone you care about will be safe for life." He bowed respectfully.
"How can I trust you?" Demian asked.
"You have my word," the figure said, and in a blink of an eye, he appeared behind Demian, knocking him out and taking him away.
Time resumed, and Anahit screamed, "DEMIAN!" But he was already gone.
The figure carried Demian to his king, throwing him at the king's feet. "Sire, I got him."
"Wake him up," the king commanded. With a snap of his fingers, Demian awoke, looking up at a massive, familiar face shrouded in darkness.
"Kneel," the king ordered, and Demian, overwhelmed, obeyed.
"What do you want from me?" Demian asked.
"Everything," the king replied, grabbing Demian and slashing his throat. Demian fell, and the king threw him into a volcano. As Demian flew back up, he challenged, "You want to kill me that badly?"
The king sneered. "Yes more than anything" he said. I want to harness you're power
"Why My power?" said Demian.
"You carry my brother's power." he said.
"You're brothers?" Demian, said with concern.
"I am brother of one above all's the one bellow all" he said, and now , you're just too WEAK," the king taunted, raising his hand to unleash a red void attack.
Demian, countered with his own void, the energies clashing in a violent explosion. The force of the collision shattered the ground beneath them, creating shockwaves that rippled across the hellish landscape. The king's red void overpowered Demian's, sending him crashing to the ground with a deafening thud.
Gritting his teeth, Demian pushed himself up, blood dripping from his wounds. The king appeared in front of him, his eyes glowing with malevolence. "You're no match for me, boy," he snarled, delivering a powerful punch to Demian's gut.
Demian doubled over in pain, but he refused to give up. He summoned all his strength, launching a barrage of elemental attacks – fire, ice, lightning – each one more powerful than the last. The king effortlessly deflected them, his expression one of amusement.
"Is that all you've got?" the king mocked, slamming Demian into the ground again. Demian gasped for breath, his body battered and bruised.
In a desperate move, Demian attempted to stop time, but the king remained unaffected. "Time doesn't work the same way here, remember?" the king taunted, grabbing Demian by the throat and lifting him off the ground.
With a roar of fury, Demian channeled all his energy into a single, devastating punch. The king staggered back, momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, Demian unleashed a flurry of attacks, each strike fueled by his desperation to protect those he loved.
But the king recovered quickly, his eyes blazing with anger. "Enough!" he bellowed, using his red void to create a massive explosion that sent Demian flying.
Demian crashed into the ground, the impact creating a crater. He struggled to stand, blood dripping from numerous wounds. The king hovered above him, a sneer on his face. "You are no match for me, boy."
Gathering his last reserves of strength, Demian summoned his power of creation. An orb of white light formed between his hands, growing brighter and brighter. "I won't give up," he whispered, his voice filled with determination.
The king's eyes widened slightly, recognizing the raw power in Demian's hands. "Foolish," he muttered, raising his own hand to counter the attack.
With a cry, Demian unleashed the orb, its blinding light engulfing the battlefield. The king countered with his red void, the two forces clashing in a violent explosion. The ground trembled, and the sky darkened as the energy waves collided.
For a moment, it seemed like Demian's creation might prevail. But the king's power was too great. With a final surge, he overpowered Demian, sending him crashing to the ground once more.
"You're strong, but not strong enough," the king said, standing over Demian. He raised his hand, ready to deliver the final blow.
Suddenly, a burst of light appeared between them. The one above all, weakened and frail, stepped in front of Demian. "This ends now," he declared, his voice echoing with authority.
The king's face twisted with rage. "You!" he snarled, recognizing his brother. "You're too weak to stop me."
The one above all extended his hand, a protective barrier forming around Demian. "I may be weak, but my spirit remains strong," he said. "I will protect him."
The king lunged forward, using his red void to break through the barrier. The one above all blocked the attack with his own hands, the energy crackling around them. "Demian, this is my gift to you," he said, his voice strained. "Live."
With a final effort, the one above all transferred his remaining power to Demian.
In a blinding flash of light, Demian vanished, reappearing in the realm of the spirits. The one above all, now drained of his power, faced the king with a calm expression. "This is just the beginning," he said, opening his arms in acceptance.
The king, consumed by anger, unleashed his void, destroying his brother. But as the one above all disintegrated, a look of peace crossed his face.
Demian, now in the realm of spirits, was caught by the spirits and taken to the castle. For two weeks, they treated his wounds, their gentle care restoring his body and spirit.
When Demian finally awoke, he sat up with a start, calling out, "Dad!" His head throbbed with pain, and he looked around, confused. The spirits, sensing his distress, knelt before him.
"Welcome back, sire".