Jareth soared back to Eden with the Skybound survivors trailing behind him. The city, once a bastion of hope, now lay in ruins—a scar of the war that had ravaged it. But as they landed, the survivors knelt in unison, their prayers rising like a chorus to the heavens.
Inside the reclaimed city, the air shimmered faintly as the Goddess began to stir, her power drawn from the fervent faith of her followers.
The Goddess's Return
Golden light enveloped the city as a figure descended slowly from the sky. The Goddess, frail but radiant, stood among her people. Though her divine essence was diminished, the sheer presence of her aura filled the air with hope.
"Your faith has reached me," she said, her voice soft yet commanding. "I may be weak, but your prayers have given me strength."
She raised her hands, and a powerful hum vibrated through the air. Time itself rippled outward, golden light blanketing the city. In an instant, the crumbling buildings repaired themselves, streets became whole, and the scars of war disappeared. The dead were lifted, their lifeless bodies restored to life as though no harm had ever touched them.
Jareth stared in awe as the city came alive, bustling with movement and joy. His hand gripped the hilt of his Godblade tightly as he whispered, "If the gods could wield such power, how could they lose this war?"
The Goddess turned to Jareth, sadness heavy in her eyes. "This power works only within the lands we reclaim. Against mortals and the flow of time, it is mighty. But against gods, it holds no sway."
Bahamut's voice rumbled in Jareth's mind, calm but firm. "She speaks the truth. The power of time is incredible, but the war we lost was not against mortals or demons. It was against gods themselves—beings who exist outside the constraints of time."
Jareth narrowed his eyes. "So this power is useless against them?"
"Not useless," Bahamut corrected. "But limited. And for you to face the higher demons—those who directly serve the Demon Gods—you will need to grow far stronger. Zavren's soul was just the beginning."
A Plan for the Future
With the city restored, Jareth called for a council. The leaders of the survivors gathered in the throne room of the towering spire, now pristine and resplendent. The Goddess herself joined the meeting, seated beside Jareth.
"We'll name this city Elaria," Jareth declared, his voice echoing through the chamber. "It will stand as a beacon of hope and faith. Lyra, you will serve as its general, overseeing its defense. This city must not fall again."
Lyra stepped forward, placing a hand over her heart. "I accept this responsibility. Elaria will remain standing, no matter what."
Jareth nodded and looked at the leaders. "But defense isn't enough. To reclaim Eden, we need to go on the offensive. I will lead the charge to retake more land and gather the strength we need to push back the demons."
The Goddess spoke softly, her voice like a calming wind. "Jareth, to challenge the Demon Lords and their masters, you must strengthen your soul further. Zavren's soul was powerful, but it is only one of the many you will need."
"How many?" Jareth asked, his gaze sharp and focused.
Bahamut's voice answered with a low rumble. "Souls like Zavren's are rare. But to ascend to the strength needed to face the higher-class demons, you'll need to absorb at least one hundred souls of similar potency."
Jareth's expression hardened, determination flashing in his eyes. "One hundred... Fine. If that's what it takes, I'll hunt them down, one by one. No demon stronghold will stand against me."
The room fell silent as the weight of the mission settled on the council.
The Next Destination
Jareth unsheathed the Godblade, its gleaming edge humming with divine energy. It rose, pointing forward, its light piercing the horizon. The direction it indicated was familiar—the void dimension he had traveled to before. But this time, the path extended further, deeper into the unknown.
"The blade has chosen our next destination," Jareth said, his voice steady. "Prepare this city, and make sure it can withstand anything that comes. I'll return when I've cleared the next land."
Lyra stepped forward. "You're walking a dangerous path. Don't be reckless, Jareth."
He smirked. "Recklessness is how I've survived this long. Don't worry—I'll make it back."
The Goddess stood, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Jareth, this journey will test you. Your strength, your resolve, even your faith. But know that you do not walk it alone. Your victories inspire hope in all who follow."
Jareth gave her a confident nod, his smirk returning. "Hope is good. But I'll make sure our enemies feel fear."
As he turned toward the horizon, his mind was set. One hundred souls like Zavren's. It was a daunting task, but Jareth's resolve burned brighter than ever. With the Godblade leading the way, the next chapter of Eden's reclamation began.