The Meeting
Thomas woke on cool white tiles, the floor stretching into a boundless void of light. He sat up slowly, cracking his neck and shoulders, and let out a long yawn.
"How long have I been asleep?" he asked, voice echoing.
"A year, Thomas."
He spun around to see the Samurai standing at the edge of the light, armor gleaming. His presence was calm but unyielding.
"You scared me," Thomas said, rubbing his neck.
"I'm glad you're awake," the Samurai replied.
"About time," chimed a familiar drawl. Steve stepped from the glow, arms crossed and a grin on his face.
"What are you doing here?" Thomas asked, excitement and confusion warring in his tone.
"Watching you, you fool," Steve teased.
"Did I do something wrong?" Thomas tried to joke, but uncertainty shadowed his eyes.
The Samurai's gaze sharpened. "Since you fell into that coma, much has changed."
Thomas frowned. "Like what?"
The Samurai inclined his head. "What do you remember?"
Thomas closed his eyes. "Being with Sophie, Ice, Luke, Ace, and Eve. We were going to save Edwin…" His jaw clenched, grief and rage flooding his face.
"That all?" the Samurai pressed gently.
Steve exchanged a look with his comrade, then nodded.
"Do you remember what happened next?" the Samurai asked.
Thomas's hand curled into a fist. His voice was low and bitter. "Blaze."
Both mentors bowed their heads in silence for the fallen warrior.
The Samurai cleared his throat and began recounting the year that passed the village's triumph and cost, Sophie's recovery, Ice and Luke's campaigns, Edwin's fate, and the crater Thomas wrought when he finally awoke too late.
Thomas's eyes filled with shock, sorrow, and burning determination. He stood abruptly.
"Ace… thank you. Your sacrifice won't be in vain, brother."
The Samurai stepped forward, voice soft but urgent. "There's one question left: how do you feel about Edwin?"
Thomas inhaled. He squared his shoulders, meeting their steady gazes.
"Edwin is my younger brother. I'll always love him, no matter what he's become. I'll do everything in my power to protect him and to bring him back. Even if that means forcing him to remember who he was. I promised myself I'd protect my loved ones… even from themselves."
Steve's grin spread wide. "You are something else, Thomas."
The Samurai allowed a rare smile to surface. "You and Steve will train together under my guidance. We'll teach you to master the power you barely understand."
Thomas's eyes flared. "When do we start?"
Steve waved a gloved hand. "Not yet we have one more task."
Thomas cocked an eyebrow. "Which is?"
The Samurai stepped closer, his tone both proud and solemn.
"You, Mr. Thomas, have been chosen to stand before the Almighty."
Thomas's heart thundered as the void behind them shimmered, and a door of pure light began to form. He swallowed, readying himself for whatever truth lay beyond.
(Back to the Heroes)
Luke, Ice, and Sophie stood at the edge of the village, saying their goodbyes. Fred stepped forward.
"Why don't you all stay?" he asked. Around him, the villagers echoed the plea. "Stay."
Luke looked uncertain. "Ice… what do you think?"
Ice smiled. "Fred, we can never thank you enough. You showed us that people still fight. That's why we have to leave to find others like you. To give hope."
Fred nodded solemnly. "Some journeys serve a purpose greater than the one walking it."
The three heroes didn't need to speak. They felt it in their bones. They were destined for more.
Fred turned to the crowd. "Give these heroes everything they need."
The villagers packed food, blankets, weapons, camping gear everything and more. Fred placed a hand on Luke's shoulder.
"You'll always have a seat at our table."
Luke smiled, gripped Fred's forearm. "Keep it warm for me."
Fred nodded. "Will do, warrior."
And the heroes were gone.
As they exited the sewer tunnel, Luke said, "We need to find Ace and Thomas."
"Yeah," Ice replied. "And fast."
Sophie paused, looking up. "Guys…"
A dark figure hovered high above, staring down with a cold, unblinking gaze.
"Who is that?" Luke asked.
Ice narrowed his eyes. "Blaze said there's a demon prince that looks like a fly. Third strongest in the demon world."
"That was in the book?" Luke asked.
"Yeah."
Luke sighed. "Damn… I wish Blaze was here."
"Me too," Ice said. Then, after a beat "Let's make him proud."
Luke nodded, then shouted, "Hey! You big bug!"
The figure responded, voice echoing through the sky. "So these are the last of the heroes."
"There's more than us, you fool," Luke snapped.
"He's asleep. He doesn't count."
The heroes froze. He knows about Thomas.
The figure descended slowly. "Let me introduce myself properly. I am the Lord of Flies, a Prince and commander of my own legion. You stand before royalty. Bow, peasants."
Ice scoffed. "You'll have to try harder than that."
The Lord of Flies sneered. "What a shame. I hate rebels."
He raised his hand. "Tim!"
A truck roared from the shadows, speeding straight toward them. Luke shoved Sophie aside. Ice leapt clear. Luke was clipped, his body thrown, bruised but alive.
The truck spun around and charged again. Luke, dazed and on his knees, stared into blinding headlights.
Sophie screamed. "Luke!"
At the last second, Ice tackled Luke out of the way. The truck missed but circled again.
Sophie pointed. "The driver… he's human!"
Ice stood firm, chain in hand, spearhead gleaming.
"I don't care if you're human," he growled. "No one hurts my people!"
As the truck charged, Ice swung his chain. It pierced the windshield straight through Tim, the human sympathizer.
The truck veered, crashed into a hill, and exploded in flame.
The Lord of Flies hovered above, eyes burning.
"You killed my protégé," he said coldly. "I liked Tim."
He began to power up. A swarm of flies encircled him, forming a writhing, buzzing forcefield.