The demon laughed, a low, guttural sound.
"Zereth's former master… Let's see if you can finish him."
Darel squinted his eyes, but it was too late. The demon swung its sword. Zereth cut through the darkness and advanced toward Darel.
Instinctively, Darel twisted his body—but he couldn't escape. Zereth tore off Darel's arm. Blood sprayed into the air.
> "Neriah!" someone screamed. "Liven! RUN!"
Darel collapsed to the ground in pain.
> "Liven…" he said in a trembling voice. "The arm… lost… reach…"
At that moment, Liven's eyes flared crimson. Time seemed to freeze. And Liven suddenly appeared in front of the demon, like a beam of light.
They locked eyes. Liven unleashed all his fury:
> "You will die here… you demon scum!"
The demon staggered back, the first time it had ever retreated.
The sky cracked. A voice echoed:
> "Ha! I like this child."
It was God speaking.
> "Very well, I will not kill you. I will help you."
Liven clenched his fists.
> "Help? Because of beings like you, my family is dead! Cursed gods! I don't want your help!"
His eyes darkened.
> "Shut your mouth, god scum… or I won't spare you either."
The demon laughed heartily.
> "HAHAHAHA! Beautiful! Very beautiful!"
God suddenly fell silent. A violent storm broke out. God was furious.
---
Liven sank to his knees, whispering,
> "You're right, Mother… Why am I hesitating?"
Tears filled his eyes.
> "You were always there in my hardest times… I missed hearing your voice so much…"
Suddenly, Elya came to him. She cupped Liven's face in her hands, staring into his eyes.
> "What are you doing?!" she said, voice trembling with anger and fear.
"Pull yourself together, Liven! Is this how you fight? Is this how you protect me?!"
Her voice shook, tears spilling down her cheeks.
> "Ha… Tell me! Liven!"
Liven lifted his head, looking into Elya's eyes.
> "You give up before the battle even starts? Are you… powerless?"
Then he embraced her tightly.
> "You are God's chosen. You are not alone. I am here."
Elya hesitated for a moment, then tears streamed down her cheeks.
> "Liven… Please. Help me… Let's win this battle together… against the demon!"
Liven smiled faintly.
> "That's it…"
He stood, eyes determined, and headed toward Darel. Neriah ran to him, breathless.
> "His condition… it's bad… If he stays any longer… he'll die!"
Liven's heart raced. A voice rose within him.
> "Mother… I need your help again. Master… must not die. Please… lend me your power."
A warmth surged inside him. Elya's voice whispered as if carried by the wind:
> "Very well, my son."
Liven's eyes shone like gold. Behind him, a light appeared. A winged being… an angel, radiant in light.
The angel placed its hands over Darel's body. His wound slowly closed. Neriah watched, mouth agape.
> "This… how is this possible?"
The demon roared deeply:
> "Impossible!"
God turned toward Liven.
> "This is it!" He commanded.
From the heavens, a voice rang:
"Help this child."
God bowed his head.
> "As you command… my lord."
---
Night had swallowed the city in starless darkness. Silent, drifting black clouds threatened an impending disaster. The people of Vellan had long retreated indoors; the streets were silent—but it was the quiet of something waiting.
Liven stood atop the tower. No whispers echoed within him. The demon was silent. And that made him uneasy.
> "This silence… it's not mine," he muttered. "It belongs to something greater."
Suddenly… the air split. The sky tore apart—not like lightning, but as if a giant hand ripped the heavens. No light shone through. A black void descended, swallowing all light. Then… a dark, wooden-like structure floated down, landing silently in the guild square.
From the darkness came a figure. Human-shaped, but not human. Childlike. Long white hair swayed in the wind, eyes deep black. In its arms, a black cat. Silent. Motionless. Its presence alone subdued the demon inside Liven.
It sat on its throne, neither moving nor speaking. And yet, the city fell to its knees, as if their souls were bent.
Liven's knees shook. He pressed his hand to his chest.
> "RUN! WE HAVE NO CHANCE AGAINST IT!"
Darel ran to Liven's side. Neriah followed. Elya hesitated behind.
> "What's happening?" whispered Darel.
"Is it a god?" whispered Neriah.
Liven narrowed his eyes.
> "Not a god… Someone beyond the gods. It could destroy us. No battle, no magic will work. Elya! Stop time! We must escape!"
Elya panicked. She traced magical signs in the air; stones cracked beneath her feet.
> "I don't know how long I can hold it… but we'll gain a few seconds!"
Her fingers glowed. Time froze. Lightning hung in the air. Wind halted. Sounds muffled. Liven carried Darel's arm and ran. Elya and Neriah followed.
But then…
> "How… pathetic."
The child's—or god's—voice echoed in hearts and bones. A snap of its finger…
TIME RESUMED.
The world rewound, then flowed forward. Lightning struck. The ground shook. Liven fell.
> "Impossible… It controlled time…"
The god rose on its throne. Black eyes, silent black cat. It raised a finger toward Liven.
> "Come."
One word, but a command no soul could resist. Liven's feet moved. Heart raced. Body trembled.
> "No… This shouldn't happen…"
He approached, knees shaking, eyes locked on those endless black depths.
> "Wow… look into those eyes…" he murmured, nearly in tears.
And in that moment…
The demon inside him whispered, afraid:
> "Do not yield to it. Even I… it could crush me. True darkness. Not us… it is the enemy of the gods."
---