The hum of reality shifted as Elias opened his eyes, the soft bed beneath him beckoning him to stay. But he shook it off.
Blinking hard, he rubbed his eyes, letting his feet find the floor. He took a deep breath, his lungs filling with something that felt almost like water. Instinctively, he coughed, but there was no pain; it was oddly invigorating, waking him in a way no coffee ever had.
Looking around, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. The sleek, futuristic decor told him he was still at The Company. Then it all came flooding back—the fight, slicing through reality, merging Astravell with Earth. He was on Earth, but it was different now. Astravell lingered in the air, seeping into every crack in space-time.
He strolled down the hall and looked out a window. The portal Asmodeus had opened still shimmered in the distance, jagged at the edges—a reminder that, though he had defeated Asmodeus, the Devourers' presence still lingered.
Continuing down the hall, he found Lucius standing nearby, arms crossed, his expression grim but steady. "The merge has begun," he said, his voice low but calm. "Earth and Astravell—two worlds trying to exist in the same space." He managed a small smile. "I'm glad you're awake. Come on, the others are having breakfast."
They entered a room where a feast awaited, the table loaded with breakfast dishes of every kind. Ava beamed as soon as he stepped in, while Naomi and Dan argued over a stack of papers.
Naomi shot Lucius an exasperated look. "Finally, you're here! Dan and I were debating what'll happen next, and I'm hoping you can settle this once and for all."
Dan pointed at the papers, chewing on a strip of bacon. "All I'm saying is, merging dimensions would theoretically make reality collapse on itself."
"And I'm saying Earth will reject Astravell and they'll separate again," Naomi countered.
Ava sighed, looking to Lucius. "Please, Lucius, they've been at this for days. Can you end it?"
Lucius chuckled, giving them a patient look. "The universe is like an overfull stomach right now. Earth, Astravell, even Asherah have their own 'memories.' Now, they're reconciling. Some memories will resonate, some cancel out, and others will simply coexist."
Elias's gaze drifted to the portal, feeling Astravell's essence thrumming through his bones. Every breath felt like standing on the edge of something immense, something waiting to unfold.
Dan stood a few feet away, hands on his hips, surveying the chaotic blend around them—Astravellian trees mingling with street signs and city lights, the landscape flickering like a faulty transmission. "So this is what happens when you punch a hole in the universe," he muttered.
Naomi shot him a look but didn't argue. "So… this is permanent?"
Lucius nodded. "Yes, for now. We need to let reality settle, and until then, that portal isn't stable enough for anything to cross."
Naomi frowned, arms crossed. "Wait, so the Devourers who made it here are stuck?"
Lucius's gaze lingered on the shimmering portal. "Yes. But Earth's creatures will evolve, adapt, and eventually thrive in this new world." He paused. "The Devourers' presence will change things—but so will Earth's resilience."
Elias stared at the portal, deep in thought. Defeating Asmodeus had felt like the end, but now he knew—it was just the beginning. He rested a hand on the sword at his side, its hum steady and constant, as if waiting for the next challenge.
A shadow of worry crossed his mind: Azazel. He'd promised to return his brother, but since Asmodeus's defeat, there had been no sign of him.
"Elias?" Naomi's voice pulled him back. "You okay?"
He nodded, though a weight lingered in his chest. "Just... thinking." He knew they weren't done—not by a long shot.
Dan pulled out his phone, his expression darkening as he scrolled through the news. "We've got problems," he said, holding up the screen. "Remember when Elias started glowing golden during that fight? Looks like it wasn't a one-off."
Naomi leaned in, scanning the screen. "Weather anomalies. People showing strange abilities. Missing person reports…" She trailed off, biting her lip. "It's spreading."
Lucius nodded knowingly. "That was inevitable. Manna doesn't discriminate—some will gain gifts and use them for good; others… well, not everyone will be so benevolent."
Elias frowned. "You're saying people are getting powers?"
"Awesome!" Dan blurted. "What's my power gonna be? Super strength? Speed?"
Naomi folded her arms, her gaze sharp. "If Manna is here to stay, we need to learn to use it ourselves. We need to be ready for when the Devourers come."
Elias nodded, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. "We'll need more than readiness," he murmured. "We need something bigger."
Dan looked up, curiosity in his eyes. "Like… what?"
Elias glanced at Lucius, who met his gaze with an unreadable expression. "Allies," he whispered. "We need allies if we're going to fight on equal ground."
Lucius nodded, his gaze contemplative. "Earth's story has changed. The stage is set, and the actors are ready."
Naomi looked at Elias, her brows furrowed. "If I've learned anything from games, it's that people are psychopaths and giving them powers will just make them worse."
Elias tightened his grip on his sword. "But there are people who do play the game the right way. Like you."
Dan gave a low whistle. "That was pretty deep, man."
Naomi chuckled. "Well, I can't argue with that. So, where do we start, oh mighty leader?"
Before Elias could answer, the air in the room thickened, a cold pressure settling over them like a storm about to break. The lights flickered, casting long shadows against the walls. The familiar scent of scorched earth and brimstone crept in, sharp and unsettling.
"So, the heroes feast after their grand victory! How fitting!"
They turned to see him—Azazel.