Continuation of Chapter 3
RADNAK
I quickly descend onto a building stained with the blood of war. The walls are splattered as if hit by a wave, and lifeless bodies lie cold on the ground. Reverting to my humanoid form, I approach Garma, hoping to reason with him and stop this madness.
"Father, you need to stop this madness! You're too old for this!" I shout.
"Wait!" Garma commands, halting the Bloody Scars as they start to advance. "Follow my command," he tells them before turning back to me. "You think I'm too old to give orders? Let me make it clear, I am not. You've lost your way, child. Erebus is the true Helios, and he will rule this planet with the envoys. In the end, those who accept him as their emperor will enter the Light City."
"Sounds like you've caught Erebus' madness. Only crazy people think that way."
"And you think Didius Julianus is the right man for this planet? You're living in a fool's paradise, son. Didius doesn't have the capacity to rule the multiverse. He's the younger brother of Erebus! Tell me, is it possible for a young man to rule over his brothers?"
"Yes, it's possible! If you and the others would give him a chance!..." My voice cracks as I try to hold back the tears. "I'm so disappointed in you, father! You're betraying your own family just for a higher rank. You're comfortable with this mess! Comfortable with killing people!"
"Why didn't you stop the humanoids from destroying Helios property in the first place!? Answer me!"
His question pierces me like a dagger, reminding me of what my daughter said: "Why don't we hold a meeting with the humanoids and discuss this matter?" My face crumples, weighed down by guilt.
"Listen, the reason I'm working for Erebus is to make this planet a better place. Rebellion is what's best for us. I wish you could understand that."
"I do understand, but we don't want that, Dad. I don't want that. It's our right to decide what we need on this planet!... Please, you need to stop this. This is not the way to make things better. You can't force people to accept what they don't want. I'm begging you."
"I'm sorry, son, but this is my fate. And I won't let you interfere... Why don't you join me, Radnak? We could build the future together and live for eternity."
"No. I won't. And since you refuse to stop, I'll do this the hard way."
I transform back into my unique, powerful creature form and create a weapon with an ax blade and a sharp spike, mounted on a long staff. I take my fighting stance.
"The hard way, then," Garma replies.
He transforms into a towering, intimidating creature, his armor a golden relic from ancient Egyptian mythology. He's a massive figure, with rough iron cuffs and a bony head protected by ridges. His body is an anthropoid with broad chest, thicker bones, and a muscular neck.
I launch myself at Garma, halberd raised, and bring it crashing down. But he catches the weapon with his left hand, pulls me forward, and hurls a punch with his right. Pain shoots through my back as I crash down, but I push myself up and fly back at him. We clash again; I strike with the halberd, but he parries, snatching the weapon from my grip and landing a solid punch to my face. My back slams into a wall, my vision blurs, but I force myself up and out of the building, creating a new weapon, heavy and lethal.
I charge at Garma once more, but he meets me with a fierce punch.
"Oh, Radnak. I expected more from you. You're unskilled, untrained, and unworthy," Garma taunts.
"You forgot one... Unstoppable," I reply, getting back to my feet.
I soar upward, absorbing solar energy until I'm radiating power. Then I dive back down, landing a massive blow to Garma's face. He crashes into the ground but rises, ready for more. We clash again and again; I strike, he counters, neither of us giving an inch.
"You think you can defeat me? I am unconquerable!" Garma shouts, getting up once more.
"You're not… But I am," I retort.
Garma unleashes a beam of lasers from his eyes, but I deflect it with a shield. As I push forward, the lasers intensify, forcing me back. I'm thrown out of the building, but I fly around, smashing through the wall and landing a powerful blow on Garma. He struggles to his feet, teeth clenched, and charges at me, his fists flying. We exchange blows rapidly; my hits land on his stomach, his back, and then a solid uppercut to his chin. I grab his neck and fly into the sky, intending to end this fight.
But Garma fights back, landing two heavy punches to my face and firing his lasers. I claw at his face, blinding him in one eye. He flings me higher into the sky, but I retaliate with a devastating strike that finally knocks him down. He crashes to the ground, dragging himself as blood pours from his wounds.
I descend, reverting to my humanoid form, and create a long spear.
"Well done. You've defeated me," Garma coughs out. "But remember… this war has just begun. Erebus won't stop until everyone accepts him as their emperor. And mark my words... I will return."
"Retreat now, father. Don't make me do this. I don't want to kill you," I say, aiming the spear at him.
"Do it. Finish it. Like you said, you've chosen to be the savior… which means you'll have to kill me. If you spare me... I won't hesitate to end you myself."
"Thank you for the information, Dad. I'll enjoy killing you."
I stab Garma in the chest, and he gasps his last breath. Moments later, I see a light glow behind me and a shadow looms large. I turn and see an intimidating creature, towering and muscular, with red eyes and dark grey skin. He wears red armor and carries a massive Buster Sword. I take a deep breath, bracing myself for another battle.
LIN ONGRO
My stomach churns, anxiety clouding my thoughts. I turn and realize Erebus has arrived.
"Drax!! Marger!!" I scream, my legs weak with fear. "I need to go back. My father needs help; he can't defeat Erebus alone. Go, I'll be right back." I rush to aid Radnak.
"Stop!" Drax shouts, running after me. "What do you think you're doing!?"
"I'm going back to fight Erebus! He has to be stopped!"
"You can't stop him, Lin... He's too powerful. If you go back, he'll kill you in seconds," Drax says.
"What do you mean by that?... Listen, I won't forgive myself if I let father die in battle. I'm willing to risk my life to save him."
"I can't let you take that risk, Lin."
I glare at Drax as he grabs my shoulder and says, "Lin,... I know you love your father. You'd do anything to protect him. But he's decided to sacrifice himself to save you. Just like my parents sacrificed themselves for Marger and me. Radnak won't let you die for him."
"Fine. If you don't want me to fight alone, why don't you come with me? We can defeat Erebus together," I ask.
Drax's face darkens with disappointment, and I know his strength is failing him. I glance at Marger and see the same.
"I'm sorry, Lin Ongro... I can't help you fight Erebus. My brother and I will leave for Earth, and you'll fight alone."
I feel a wave of sadness wash over me as my cousins refuse to join me.
"I can't believe you're saying this, Drax. We can't leave him there. He needs our help."
"I know he does, but we can't. I've told you, he can't be stopped. Lin, please. I'm doing this to protect us. Try to understand."
"Let her go if she wants to," Marger says. "She can show us what she's made of. Since she claims she can defeat Erebus."
"Fine. I'll let you go if that's what you want. Good luck," Drax says, turning toward the spaceship.
I hesitate, trembling, feeling a surge of panic.
"Wait! I'm coming with you. I'm scared... I can't face him alone."
To be continued...