Their numbers grew by the minute, making my descent difficult, so I had to stop for a moment and think about my next move. Strangely, they stopped in their tracks as well, but did not attack; they just stared. I found myself surrounded from all sides, knowing that continuing would likely lead to inevitable bloodshed. I doubted they would comply with a polite request."What are you all looking at, huh? You came all this way for me, and now you just stand there and stare? Well, I am here now! I gave you a chance at peace, but you bring me this instead? At least show the last piece of dignity you have and step forward! Because you will not catch me alive; this I swear!" I said, staring at the faces of the avians as the darkness enveloping me became thicker.They remained still, their faces displaying a wide array of emotions. Some showed nothing, while others smiled or lowered their heads in shame. One of the younger soldiers dropped his spear and started to breathe heavily, his dark eyes fixed on me. Then, he became sick and started vomiting, his body trembling with cold sweat.I could see fear in some of their eyes. Perhaps they were among the ranks the day I was banished. Maybe they had lost friends and family to me, or perhaps they simply feared the prophecies. Regardless, any chance of mercy had long since sailed away to forgotten lands, never to return. This land would become a warzone in the moments to come.Locking eyes with one of the higher-ranking soldiers, I lunged forward. With a swift turn, feathers atop my wings slashed his throat, and he fell to the ground. Panic spread through the ranks as some attacked, some tried to assess order, and some fled. It was chaos; chaos I could use to my advantage. Cracks started to form in their ranks, and soon there were holes through which I could crawl out and escape.As I broke through, two figures materialized out of thin air: avians wearing white and red robes with wooden staffs, each adorned with a blue gemstone. They were the summoners, the one division of the avian army I hoped to avoid. Rare and talented, they possessed the power to summon magical creatures from distant worlds, known as familiars, which they bound to their will.While I could handle avians, facing creatures from other worlds would only escalate the situation. With a dragon already on my tail, I needed to take them out quickly before they summoned whatever they had in mind.But I fell right into their trap. Their forms were nothing but illusions, and their voices came from behind."O grand creatures from distant realms, listen to my plea and obey my reign! Arise, O powerful chimera!" the summoners chanted together.The sky flashed purple twice as eerie creaks echoed from above."Brothers and sisters, heed my words! The beasts have been unleashed. Do not confront them! They can't distinguish friend from foe. Disperse, now!" declared one of the avian summoners.As they fled, another ominous creak sounded from beyond the clouds, and a colossal snake's head wrapped around me, sinking its fangs into my neck.
I screamed in torment, struggling to break free. My body went numb, leaving my limbs and torso useless as the vision faded in and out repeatedly.
Glancing back, I beheld a monstrous creature with three heads. The snake that coiled around me served as its tail, while its body morphed from a lion's front half to a goat's rear end.The central head, that of a lion, bore a terrible expression of rage and bloodlust. Its yellow eyes glowed like gold coins in the dark, and its mane bristled like ferocious flames.
On the right side, the goat's head wore a horrid grin, its eyes gleaming with eerie malevolence. They seemed to draw me in, their golden shine was mesmerizing and vile.The leftmost head belonged to a wyvern, equally terrifying as it leered with cold, calculating malice. Its maw filled with fire seemed ready to unleash destruction at any moment.Finally, the creature bore dragon wings with sharp claws at their tips.My wings were completely immobilized by the snake, and my body offered little assistance. I had to act quickly."Where is that damned smoke when I need it!" I yelled, straining to break free.It was my fault for relying on it for so long. I thought I was invincible as long as it was by my side, but now I see just how pathetic I am without it.The problem is that I have no control over it. It emerges whenever it pleases, healing me when I'm wounded, bringing me back from death's door, saving those I cannot, and punishing those who deserve it, along with the innocent. I should be the one wielding that power, bending it to my will, using it as I see fit. Now, think, Valerian!"Hate," a haunting whisper echoed in my ears, followed by a flood of emotions, all steeped in hatred.Why can't the world just let me be? I never asked for any of this. I never asked to be brought into this world. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Do I even have one? They have taken it from me."Hate!" the voice intensified, flooding my mind with more negative emotions, some not even my own, yet I felt them.My eyes shot open as I conjured a dark energy sphere atop my fingertips.It was sinister and pulsating with impatience, eager to be unleashed upon my enemies. The darkness surrounded me, infusing warmth into my body and soul, clearing my mind of doubt. My purpose became clear.Determined, I balled my hand into a tight fist, containing the volatile dark matter pulsing within. The serpent's head squeezed harder, its fangs sinking into my neck once more, but I remained calm. It was as if the serpent had vanished, and in that moment, I felt freer than ever.
The chimera lunged toward me, a lion's head roaring ferociously. Its golden eyes gleamed brightly, summoning a torrent of lightning aimed at me. Rather than pain, a strange tingling sensation coursed through my bones, as if I were absorbing the energy directed at me.Next, the wyvern head opened its maw, gathering an immense amount of fire, preparing to unleash it upon me. Strangely, I felt profound calm. Somehow, I knew that this impending blaze would bring me no harm, as long as I clung to the dark orb in my hand. And my intuition held true; the flames were neither hot nor cold, merely fueling the dark matter. I became certain that while I held the power of darkness, no harm would come my way. Every attack merely added to the orb's strength, making it even more formidable.The goat's eyes glowed a vivid green as it unleashed two beams toward me. Once more, I felt the tingling sensation in my bones as I emerged unharmed. The purpose of those beams remained uncertain, perhaps an attempt to turn me to stone? Who could tell?"I think we've had enough fun, don't you agree, kitty?" I scoffed, catching the lion's fierce gaze.In this moment, right here, I felt as if I were the most powerful entity in the universe. Dark energy coursed through my palm, shrouding my entire body in swirling shadows, reigniting the long-forgotten sensation of power I had once possessed as Valerian the Golden."I will run no more; I will hide no more!" I screamed at the heavens, my eyes burning with inexplicable bloodlust. "I alone will reshape the fabric of reality to my desires! I, Valerian, child of two worlds, will be the one who passes judgment! Not you, avians who were once so proud! Look at you now, consorting with demons! This world has no place for your existence; you were never meant to exist in the first place! I am here to fix that mistake as it is up to me to set things right, for I am the only one who can."My fingers relaxed, freeing the dark matter to unleash its obliteration upon all those deserving.The cacophony of battle screams and the frantic beating of wings fell silent. An eerie stillness enveloped the scene as time seemed to stop. Gazing upon the petrified expressions of the avians, I was reminded once more of who they were; mere monsters.In the haunting silence, the faces of my family surfaced in my thoughts, their smiles stolen, their eyes looking at me with disgust. It was then I realized I had lost control of myself yet again. Something took hold of me at that moment, as my lips moved, but the words spoken were not mine."What have I done?" My voice quivered as I stared at the swirling dark matter hovering before my eyes, its form contorting violently as if an inner force strained to break free.The darkness ascended, muffling the moon's guiding light, plunging us into absolute darkness.I was surrounded by pitch-black darkness, where nothing could be seen or heard. With all my senses dulled, I questioned whether I still existed. There was a profound absence of light, sound, and scent. It felt as if I had crossed the threshold of death, with only my thoughts as companions. I was not afraid, and for once in this life of mine, I felt at peace in this endless void, where I did not exist.Moments later, sounds pulled me back to reality, and my vision gradually returned. I found myself gazing at a dark substance hovering in the air. It took the form of a perfect, rapidly spinning sphere. As it whirled, it emitted a haunting, whistling sound.The sphere continued to ascend, expanding at an astonishing rate. Disoriented avians cast anxious glances skyward, their expressions painted with fear as hope slowly vanished from their eyes. I had never witnessed such dread on an avian's face before, and it sent a thrill of anticipation through me. From my vantage point, I observed my former comrades fleeing in terror, like cornered animals before slaughter.