Chapter 28
Reality began to quiver; the sea of omniverses surged violently. The 9th Daimon coiled its tail protectively around Lilith and bowed its head in fear. Supreme Nemisis transformed back into his original form, followed by Nemisis, both collapsing to the ground.
Supreme Nemisis shook his head. "Please tell me you aren't about to do what I think you are."
Sovereign Nemisis remained silent.
Supreme Nemisis grinned. "I always believed I was worse than a monster, but you..."
A beam of light shot from Sovereign Nemisis's finger, striking Nemisis and enveloping him in a massive vortex of nebulae.
Nemisis opened his eyes to find himself suspended in a void of nothingness. Three enormous, bloody eyes appeared, fixated on him. He returned their gaze, his expression one of confusion rather than fear. The eyes gradually closed.
Looking above, Nemisis noticed faintly floating landmasses and a figure spiraling in the air; his eyes widened in realization before everything faded to black. The eeriness of the void intensified.
As the vortex of nebulae dissipated, Nemisis emerged, completely wrapped in bandages made of red and black spirit energy, as if he had risen from an ancient and forbidden judgment. His mouth was sealed beneath the wrappings, and his crimson eyes glowed like the first sign of impending ruin. His red hair flickered like living flames, while the loose bandages around him swayed with the weight of a dark and sacred wind.
[TRANSFORMATION: BANDAGE SAGE]
"M...Master..." Lilith's voice called out softly.
The 9th Daimon carefully placed her on the ground; she was still breathing heavily, though her wounds had healed.
"Your previous spirit pressure is eroding her existence," Sovereign Nemisis remarked.
Nemisis extended his hands; the bandages unfurled and wrapped around Lilith. Her breathing gradually normalized as she drifted into sleep.
"Can you speak?" Supreme Nemisis inquired.
"Of course I can," Nemisis replied. "What, do you think I've suddenly gone deaf?"
Supreme Nemisis's eyes twitched. "Mind your tone, boy."
"Nemisis," Sovereign Nemisis called. "The ring is glowing. Care to explain?"
Nemisis opened his palm, and a strapbandage placed the glowing ring into his hand.
"I have no clue."
"But I do," the 9th Daimon stated. "The Kingdom plunged into war shortly after your departure. With Kuto gone, the enemies have found their courage. They may need you now."
"Then I must leave at once," Nemisis declared.
"What about her?" The 9th Daimon glanced at Lilith.
"I will return for her. My grandfather entrusted me with the Kingdom's protection, and I will fulfill that duty."
"We will be waiting," Sovereign Nemisis affirmed.
"Stay still," instructed the 9th Daimon. "I will send you and bring you back."
A ribbon of blinding white light burst from the floor, swirling fiercely around Nemisis. It formed a tight, glowing cocoon before collapsing inward, leaving nothing but empty air.
Nemisis hovered over the town he had once explored with Aenzil; it was now engulfed in flames, smoke billowing into the sky. The air was filled with the cries of the terrified, the clash of weapons, and the growls of beasts alongside the sounds of explosions.
As Nemisis gazed down at the chaos, dark spirit energy swirled around him, and the loose bandages danced wildly, creating a chaotic whipping sound.
All activity below came to a halt as people slowly turned their gaze upward, drawn to the enigmatic figure in the sky. A young girl peeked out from a shattered window, her face lighting up with a radiant smile at the sight of the figure above. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"He has finally arrived."
------------THREE DAYS AFTER NEMISIS'S DEPARTURE FROM FANTASY CITY------------
A soldier burst into the courtroom and knelt before the queen, gasping for breath. "My... my Queen... they are at... they are at the farm town, and they have her with them..."
"Go, notify the Celestial Phantoms," the Queen instructed, glancing at Sir Maxwell. "Assemble a thousand men and twenty healers. Initiate a crisis lockdown for the Kingdom."
Both the soldier and Sir Maxwell bowed slightly before making their exit.
At the southern entrance of the town, the Celestial Phantom and Sir Maxwell stood as they stared into the distant horizon as a mass number of enemies gathered, matching slowly towards the town.
Among them was a trio of beasts led by a feminine figure. She looked at her army.
"Leave the dark elf to me." A wicked grin spread across her face. "I've been looking forward to a little chat with her."
She raised her hand, and her army and beasts surged toward the town.
"Tezuka, Clara, confront the beast. The soldiers can manage the rest," Aenzil instructed. "There's something unsettling among them. No matter what happens, ensure everyone has evacuated, then retreat from the battlefield. Sir Maxwell, Tezuka, and Clara will follow you."
"Why are you speaking like that?" Clara questioned.
Tezuka fell silent for a moment, then his eyes widened. "Don't tell me..."
Aenzil's sword materialized beside her, its blades ablaze. She seized the handles and charged at the enemy. She sliced through one of the beasts, creating a massive gash that killed it instantly, causing it to crash to the ground with a resounding thud.
A maniacal smile lit her face as the blood and insides of the beast splattered across her body from her speed. She landed before the feminine figure, the ground cracking beneath her feet.
"Well, well, well," Aenzil's eyes glowed like twin embers. "If it isn't Gath."
"Long time no see... sister," Gath replied with a grin.
Clara and Tezuka stared at the fallen beast.
Clara said, 'She could have done us a favor and taken out the other two.'
"Agreed," Tezuka nodded.
Sir Maxwell stated, "My soldiers are evacuating the townspeople; the beast could pose a threat."
'That's our job.
Clara vanished, becoming one with the air, and Tezuka went up in the air. Black lightning struck one of the beasts and took out a few surrounding enemies. The second monster puffs up slowly, then explodes, spraying gobs of flesh everywhere.
"This is some easy work," Tezuka said, looking down at the battlefield.
He dives down and kills the enemy army. With each attack came a flash of lightning. On the other side, flames, ice, water, and dangerous winds danced with a little bit of land and vegetational attack.
Gath looked over Aenzil's shoulders.
"Seems like stage two is about to begin.... Are you sure you don't want to join?"
"They can take care of it," Aenzil said.
The ground trembled violently, fissures appearing in its surface. The remains of the three fallen beasts began to rise and fused into a singular creature. It resembled a wolf, sporting an irregular array of jagged teeth; its claws sank into the ground, and its tail whipped back and forth, generating fierce winds that uprooted everything nearby. Its fur was a mix of black and white, enveloped in a shroud of dark spirit energy.
"Oh, I understand now," Tezuka remarked.
"We must handle it before it approaches the town," Clara stated.
"Well, well, well..." Tezuka grinned.
Lightning flickered in his eyes as a thundercloud gathered above him, unleashing black and white bolts. Clara sprinted toward the beast, gradually merging with the air.
Meanwhile, Aenzil and Gath had already engaged in battle.
[In the dark void exists a being.
But don't be fooled—
For this being is the void itself...