Olive was trembling, her body barely covered in her undergarments. Tears streamed down her face, her hands weakly trying to push Jayden away. The man hovered dangerously close, his lips inches from hers.
But before he could move any further —
WHAM!
Ian's fist collided with Jayden's face, sending him stumbling backward. The crack of bone echoed through the air.
Jayden (groaning):
"What the hell—"
Ian didn't care. His entire body shook with uncontrollable rage. He ignored the pain in his knuckles and instead turned his focus to Olive.
Her wide, tear-filled eyes met his.
Ian (gently):
"Olive... I'm here."
For a moment, Olive froze. Then, without a word, she collapsed into Ian's arms, clutching his shirt tightly. She sobbed against his chest, her entire body trembling.
Ian (softly, holding her close):
"It's okay. I've got you."
Her warmth against him only fueled the storm inside Ian. He shot a glare toward Jayden, who wiped the blood from his split lip.
Jayden (growling):
"How dare you?!"
But Ian didn't listen. His focus remained on Olive, gently brushing a strand of her hair away from her face.
Ian:
"He was too close, Olive. Too close to stealing your first kiss."
Then, in a moment of tender defiance, Ian leaned down and pressed her close to himself wrapping her in an embrace.
Ian (serious):
"But now, you're safe."
Olive's eyes widened, and for the first time since the ordeal began, a faint blush colored her cheeks. Despite her shaken state, the warmth of Ian's affection offered her comfort.
But the moment was short-lived.
Jayden (furious):
"You little brat!"
With a roar, Jayden charged at Ian, his fist clenched and ready to strike. Ian instinctively shielded Olive, preparing to endure the blow.
Jayden (furious):
"How dare you punch me?!"
WHAM!
Jayden's fist slammed into Ian's face. The sound of impact echoed through the room. Blood spurted from Ian's nose as he crashed onto the cold floor. He groaned, landing in Olive's lap, his face contorted in pain.
Olive (panicked):
"Ian! Ian, wake up!"
Her trembling hands cupped his bruised face. Tears welled in her eyes as she shook him, desperate for him to respond. Ian's breathing was ragged, his mind hazy.
But Jayden wasn't done. His eyes burned with malicious intent as he stepped toward them.
Jayden (darkly):
"You think you can get in my way and walk away?"
Olive instinctively shielded Ian, trembling under Jayden's looming figure.
Outside the dressing room, Angeleva was still locked in a fierce battle. The group of couples that had attacked earlier weren't ordinary civilians — they moved with abnormal strength and precision.
Angeleva (panting):
"Damn it... What the hell are these people?!"
Each time she struck one down, they got back up with twisted smiles. It was as if they had no will of their own.
Angeleva:
"Mind control..."
Despite her resilience, she was visibly struggling. Her wings were bruised, and her fairy reserves were draining. And worse — she could hear Olive's cries.
Angeleva (gritting her teeth):
"Hold on, Ian... Olive..."
But even as she fought, she could only watch helplessly as Jayden's shadow loomed over the two.
Just as Jayden reached for Olive —
BOOM!
A massive explosion rocked the room. The far wall crumbled into pieces, sending dust and smoke billowing through the air. Chunks of concrete scattered across the floor.
From the destruction, a figure emerged.
Safari.
His tall frame stood against the dust clouds, his green hair glowing under the dim light. His fists were clenched tightly, his breathing calm yet furious. But what stood out the most were his eyes — burning with uncontrollable rage.
Safari (growling):
"HOW DARE YOU LAY A HAND ON MY FAMILY...?"
The presence of the Devil seemed to send chills down Jayden's spine. Even Angeleva, though exhausted, smiled in relief.
Angeleva (smirking):
"Took you long enough."
Safari ignored her, his gaze locked solely on Jayden.
His expression softened slightly as he glanced at Olive and Ian, taking in their battered state. Olive, still trembling, clutched Ian protectively. Despite the fear in her eyes, she seemed relieved — because Safari was here.
Safari:
"Zack and Jen called me. They said Ian and Olive had been gone for almost an hour, and no one could reach you or Angeleva. I figured something was off."
Olive's heart swelled with gratitude.
Safari:
"I'm glad I came when I did."
But the warmth vanished as Safari's eyes returned to Jayden. The weight of his presence was suffocating.
Jayden (trying to regain composure):
"You're... you're just a washed-up warrior. Don't think you can intimidate me."
Safari didn't respond. Instead, he took a single step forward, his presence enough to shake the floor beneath him.
Safari (darkly transforming):
"You made one mistake."
He cracked his knuckles, his muscles tensed with raw strength.
Safari:
"You thought you could harm my family and get away with it."
Without hesitation, Safari charged at Jayden in rage, the darkened aura around him pulsing violently. His eyes burned with a killer look, no longer holding back.
WHAM!
Safari's fist connected with Jayden's face, sending him crashing through the opposite wall. The impact left a massive crack, rubble scattering across the floor.
But Safari's eyes quickly shifted — and what he saw made his rage unbearable.
Ian lay slumped in Olive's lap, blood dripping from his nose. Olive, still trembling, wore only her bra and pants, her body marked with faint bruises. The sight of his wounded family ignited the dark aura further.
Safari (roaring):
"You've gone too far, monster!"
The shadows surrounding him thickened, and with a deafening stomp, he turned to the mind-controlled couples that had been attacking Angeleva.
Angeleva, bruised and breathing heavily, had been fending off the relentless swarm. But as soon as Safari's rage peaked, the pressure in the room shifted.
Angeleva (wide-eyed):
"That aura... Safari, what are you—?"
But before she could finish, Safari launched himself at the attackers.
BOOM!
One punch — a thunderous explosion echoed. A couple flew across the room, their bodies slamming into the walls.
CRACK!
Another fell, their twisted form returning to its true demonic shape. Each strike sent shockwaves, and the ground beneath them shattered.
Angeleva (stunned):
"This isn't just strength... it's something else."
Safari's fists showed no hesitation. He crushed the remaining demons with devastating blows. Each scream they let out vanished into silence, their bodies reverting to their monstrous forms before lying lifeless.
Despite the destruction, Jayden pushed himself to his feet, laughing through his cracked lips.
Jayden (grinning):
"That was quite a show. Entertaining, even."
The words struck a nerve.
Safari's glowing red eyes locked onto Jayden. He clenched his Devil Hammer tightly, the dark aura wrapping around the massive weapon like a storm. Without a word, he charged.
Safari (growling):
"How dare you mock me... after what you've done!"
The Devil Hammer came down, crashing into Jayden's side. The force sent him skidding across the floor, breaking tiles upon impact. But Safari didn't stop. He swung again and again, each blow resonating with a fierce shockwave.
Jayden's laughter ceased. His human form twisted and shifted — his true demonic form revealed.
His blackened skin and crimson eyes glowed with hatred, but even in his monstrous state, Safari's blows overwhelmed him.