Ian lay motionless, his battered body refusing to move. Blood stained the floor around him.
Jayden grinned, stepping over Ian without a second thought. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he turned his attention to Olive, who stood trembling but defiant.
Jayden (mocking):
"What's the matter, Olive? Scared?"
Olive (forcing courage):
"There's nothing left to fear. I already got my first kiss... and it wasn't from you."
Her words stung, but Jayden laughed, the bitterness twisting his expression.
Jayden:
"You betrayed my love. You clung to him like a coward. You're of no use to me now. I'll just kill you instead."
Olive (proudly):
"Then so be it. I'd rather die like this than any other way."
Without hesitation, Jayden slashed her arm with his sharp claws. Blood dripped from the wound as Olive winced in pain. He raised his claws for another strike—
But a sudden blur of light intervened.
Angeleva (transformed) appeared, her Fairy Wand glowing with a radiant energy. She blocked Jayden's attack, pushing him back.
Jayden (surprised):
"How are you still alive?!"
Angeleva (smiling weakly):
"Thanks to Zack. He came just in time to heal me."
She gestured toward the side of the room, where Zack knelt beside Safari, his hands glowing with healing energy. Safari's wounds gradually closed, though the injuries were severe.
Angeleva:
"And he's tending to Safari too. He just needs five more minutes."
Jayden (grinning):
"Good. The more, the merrier. I'll grow even stronger."
Jayden relished the anticipation, his twisted smile never fading. He didn't attack. He wanted Safari to recover, craving the challenge.
Five minutes passed.
Safari stood, his body renewed. His hands gripped the Devil Hammer, its black energy swirling with newfound determination. His eyes burned with vengeance.
Safari(transforming):
"You're going to pay for everything."
Jayden (mocking):
"I'm counting on it."
Safari and Angeleva launched their attacks.
Safari: "Devil Hammer Slice!"
Angeleva: "Fairy Beam!"
A crimson slash and a radiant beam collided with Jayden, but he absorbed the force with a twisted grin. The demonic aura around him grew stronger.
Jayden:
"Yes! More! Give me more!"
Undeterred, Safari charged in with brutal force.
Safari: "Devil Hammer Smash!"
Angeleva: "Fairy Justice Beam!"
The ground trembled beneath them as they delivered a devastating combo. But Jayden only grew more powerful. His body pulsed unnaturally, thriving on the energy.
Jayden:
"Every hit makes me stronger. You're just feeding me!"
With a single blast, he sent both Safari and Angeleva crashing to the floor. Smoke filled the room as their battered bodies struggled to rise.
Safari gritted his teeth, clutching his hammer. Angeleva coughed, barely holding herself together.
Safari (panting):
"There's no way to beat him... He's too strong."
Angeleva:
"Not exactly. I have an idea."
She whispered her plan to Safari. Despite the risk, he nodded.
Safari:
"Let's finish this."
Angeleva began gathering her energy. A bright light radiated from her Fairy Wand as she prepared her ultimate attack.
Angeleva: "Fairy Justice Nova!"
Jayden grinned, his greed blinding him. He spread his arms wide, welcoming the attack.
Jayden:
"Yes! Come on! Give me all your power!"
But as the dazzling beam of light surged toward him, Safari struck.
Safari: "Devil Hammer Obliteration!"
A surge of crimson lightning blasted from the hammer, colliding with Angeleva's beam. The combined force overwhelmed Jayden, his body trembling.
Jayden (panicking):
"W-What is this?!"
His body grotesquely swelled, the excess energy tearing him apart from within. His grin twisted into agony.
Angeleva:
"You had a limit, didn't you? I think I made yet another lucky guess because I trust my instincts."
Safari:
"You got too greedy. And now, you're paying the price."
Jayden let out a guttural scream as his body inflated unnaturally—until finally—
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, sending shockwaves through the building. The demonic presence vanished. Only ashes remained.
Zack and Jen rushed into the room, their eyes wide with concern.
Zack:
"Safari big bro! Angeleva big sis! Are you okay?"
Safari, bruised but victorious nodded.
Safari:
"Yeah... it's over."
Jen (cheering):
"They did it!"
Safari and Angeleva collapsed as a result of the toll, de-transforming.
Olive, though still weak, managed a small smile. Ian was laying unmoving on Olive's lap.
Zack rushed to Safari and Angeleva, both collapsed from the exhaustion of their ultimate attacks.
Zack (worried):
"Hang in there, you two."
Jen, realizing Zack was already drained, quickly handed him a small pouch of her freshly baked cookies.
Jen:
"Eat these. You'll need your strength."
Zack bit into the cookies, their sweetness flooding him with renewed energy. The light in his hands reignited as he placed them over Safari and Angeleva. Golden light pulsed, enveloping them.
Zack:
"I won't let anything happen to you!"
Ten minutes passed. Safari's bruises faded, and Angeleva's breathing steadied. Though exhausted, they both managed to sit up.
Safari:
"Thanks, Zack. You really saved us."
Angeleva:
"Yeah... You did great."
Zack smiled in relief. But then, Jen's voice trembled.
Jen (panicked):
"Zack... look!"
Olive knelt on the cold floor, cradling Ian's battered body. Blood stained her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Olive (sobbing):
"Ian... He's dead. He protected me until the very end..."
Her voice cracked, the pain unbearable. Tears fell, staining the dirtied floor beneath her.
Jen, desperate, leaned in and checked Ian's pulse. She gasped.
Jen:
"Zack! He's barely alive! You can still save him!"
Zack's heart pounded. Without hesitation, he rushed to Ian's side.
Zack:
"Stay with me, Ian."
He placed his trembling hands over Ian's chest. A golden light emerged, glowing faintly. But the injuries were severe, and Zack could feel Ian's life force slipping away.
Zack (determined):
"I won't let you die!"
He poured every ounce of his energy into Ian's fragile body. The golden aura pulsed stronger, illuminating the room. Olive clasped her hands together, silently pleading.
Olive (whispering):
"Please... Please save him..."
After a few tense minutes—
Ian's eyes slowly opened.
He saw everyone gathered around him.
Then his gaze landed on Olive.
Ian: "Are we in heaven...?"
He weakly reached for her.
Olive, back to her usual self, immediately shoved him off.
Olive: "Get off me, you idiot!"
Ian blinked, then realized.
He was alive.
With renewed energy, he immediately pulled out his camera.
Ian: "Damn it! I missed the battle! Olive, let me take a pic of you!"
Olive's expression darkened.
Olive: "I swear, Ian—!"
The others laughed at his usual antics.
Safari just smirked without saying anything silently admiring his family's dynamics.
Jen then filled him in on the battle.
Ian groaned.
Angeleva was releived seeing them back to normal and seeing Ian back to life.
Ian: "Man, I regret not capturing that! From now on, I'll document every battle as gratitude!"
The entire family sighed in relief.
Zack: "You had us all worried, Ian."
Ian grinned.
He turned to Olive.
Ian: "Well, after all this, I guess you're officially mine now, Olive!"
Olive snapped.
Olive: "Are you insane?! After everything I've been through, I've decided to stay single!"
Ian froze.
His heart shattered.
He slumped dramatically, defeated.
Ian: "Nooo... my dreams...!"
The others chuckled as Olive huffed and walked away to change back to her dress.
Jen, Safari, and Angeleva couldn't contain their laughter as Olive stomped away, muttering under her breath.
Angeleva (smirking):
"Guess you'll have to work harder for her, Ian."
Ian (sighing):
"I'll make it happen! Just you wait!"
After everything that had happened, Jen brought out a large spread of delicious meals she had prepared during the festival. The aroma of roasted meats, seasoned vegetables, and sweet desserts filled the air.
Jen (cheerfully):
"Dig in, everyone! You need your strength back!"
The group gathered around, their exhaustion fading at the sight of the feast.
Safari took a massive bite of a roasted leg of meat, savoring the taste.
Safari (grinning):
"Jen, this is amazing! I think you're getting even better at cooking!"
Jen beamed, pleased with the compliment.
Angeleva daintily ate her meal, still slightly sore but visibly enjoying the food.
Angeleva:
"It's the perfect recovery meal. Thank you, Jen."
Zack, sitting beside Safari, eagerly munched on a buttered roll.
Zack:
"Healing takes a lot out of me. This is exactly what I needed!"
Meanwhile, Ian dramatically sighed as he poked at his food.
Ian:
"Even this delicious meal can't heal my broken heart..."
Olive, seated across from him, shot him a glare.
Olive:
"Stop acting like a rejected prince. You're lucky to be alive!"
The others laughed, their spirits lifted. Despite the recent battle and the horrors they'd faced, there was still warmth in moments like this.