The golden glow intensified as Zack became the conduit. Every ounce of energy flowed through him, a current of warmth and resilience. Despite the weight of it all, Zack gritted his teeth and endured.
Zack (whispering):
"Big Bro... Big Sis... Come back to us."
Minutes passed. The light around Zack pulsed, expanding like a radiant heartbeat. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as he pushed himself further. He refused to stop until the faint rise and fall of Safari and Angeleva's chests grew steadier.
Finally, after ten grueling minutes, Safari's fingers twitched. His eyes fluttered open, though his body remained weak.
Safari (weakly):
"Zack...?"
Zack (grinning through exhaustion):
"Welcome back, Big Bro."
Angeleva stirred next, her wings twitching gently. Her eyes opened, though her glow was dim. She blinked at the worried faces surrounding her.
Angeleva (softly):
"You all... stayed together."
Jen knelt beside them, relief washing over her.
Jen:
"Of course we did. We're family."
Safari and Angeleva exchanged a glance. Despite their pain, they couldn't help but smile.
Safari:
"You really handled things, huh?"
Zack:
"We all did. You two just had the hardest part."
Ian, unable to hold back, held up his camera.
Ian:
"Okay, okay, I need a victory shot. Family healing moments are once-in-a-lifetime!"
Olive groaned, though even she couldn't hide her relief.
Olive:
"You're impossible, Ian."
But this time, no one stopped him. The camera clicked, capturing a memory they'd never forget - the moment they proved that even in the darkest battles, their bonds could bring them back.
The shattered remains of the mayor's office lay behind them as Safari and Angeleva led the way outside. Despite their victory, a heavy tension loomed between them.
They avoided each other's gaze, their once seamless cooperation now overshadowed by the undeniable fact - a devil and a fairy had worked together.
The family, though relieved to see them standing, couldn't ignore the lingering discomfort.
Jen exchanged a worried glance with Olive. Even Ian, usually quick with a quip, kept quiet. They all knew that for Safari and Angeleva, this wasn't just about beating the mayor - it was about confronting centuries of hatred.
Only Zack remained oblivious, his cheerful spirit unshaken. He trailed alongside his big brother and big sister, babbling on.
Zack:
"That was so cool! The way you both combined those huge ultimate finishers- Devil Hammer Obliteration and Fairy Justice Nova! I mean, BAM! That was legendary!"
He beamed, entirely unaware of the icy wall between them.
Safari's sharp eyes stayed ahead, his voice low and cold.
Safari:
"Thanks. But we did what we had to do. Nothing more."
Angeleva's wings flickered slightly at his words. Her tone was equally indifferent.
Angeleva:
"I did my part. The mayor was the enemy. Not you. Now that it's over, I'll go my own way. There's no reason to stay. And don't think this means you've won, devil."
Safari:
"I wouldn't expect anything else, fairy."
The words were dismissive, but the pain in their voices was clear. Despite their teamwork, the resentment that had defined their species for generations remained.
Jen bit her lip, struggling to find the right words.
Jen (whispering to Olive):
"They're not even looking at each other. It's like none of that teamwork even mattered."
Olive:
"It's not that simple. For them, working together like that - it went against everything they've been taught to believe."
Ian, still clutching his camera, let out a sigh.
Ian:
"And we can't exactly force them to be friends. Even if we all saw how strong they were as a team."
Despite their hushed conversation, Safari and Angeleva didn't acknowledge it. They simply walked, the only sound being the crunch of debris beneath their feet.
But Zack was still all smiles.
Zack:
"Anyway, I'm sure you two are still the strongest team ever! Maybe we should come up with a combo name for you both! Like... Devil Fairy Force!"
Neither responded.
Still, Zack kept his grin, trotting alongside them.
Maybe he didn't understand the weight of it all, but the family couldn't deny his hopefulness was infectious.
The family walked down the shattered streets, the crumbling mayor's building behind them.
Zack skipped beside Safari, his ever-curious nature leading the conversation.
Zack:
"Big bro, why not add Angeleva to the crew? Wouldn't it be fun to have her on the spaceship?"
Safari shot him a sharp glance.
Safari:
"A devil and a fairy on the same ship? That's ridiculous. It was already shameful enough we had to work together. I'm not keeping her around anymore."
The group after looking at Zack's hopeless efforts, felt they should atleast try to assist him in their own ways as their coldness was not the best thing for them. So they went with plan "Convince Safari" which seemed the easiest.
Olive accordingly shook her head, crossing her arms.
Olive:
"You're so stubborn. You wouldn't have won without her."
Jen chimed in, smirking.
Jen:
"And besides, it wouldn't feel like a complete family without her."
Ian laughed.
Ian:
"Yeah! Imagine all the photos I could get of you two bickering!"
Angeleva, walking silently behind them, said nothing. She didn't respond to their pleas, keeping her thoughts to herself.
Zack kept pushing.
Zack:
"Please, big bro! She's really strong, and I feel a lot safer when both my big bro and big sis are around!"
Safari groaned. The whole family was united on this, even if he hated the idea. He wasn't just up against Angeleva - he was up against his own family's wishes.
Finally, the tough warrior sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Safari:
"Fine. But she better not bother me."
The family erupted in cheers, rushing at him.
Zack:
"Yay! Big sis Angeleva's part of the family!"
They practically choked him with excitement, patting his back and laughing. Even Angeleva, despite the tension, felt a small warmth.
But the joyful moment shattered instantly.
Without warning, a gleaming arrow pierced through the air. It struck Angeleva's shoulder with brutal force.
Angeleva gasped, stumbling as blood seeped through her pink dress.
Zack:
"Big sis!"
The family rushed to her side, panic in their eyes. Safari, however, didn't react the same way. His warrior instincts kicked in. Ignoring the chaos, he quickly scanned the sky for the source.
That's when he saw her.
A beautiful fairy descended gracefully, her translucent wings shimmering under the fractured sunlight. Her hair flowed behind her, and a malicious grin curled across her face. In her hand, she held an elegant bow crackling with fairy energy.
???:
"Been a long time, Angeleva."
Angeleva's eyes widened in shock.
Angeleva:
"Patricia...?!"
Patricia, 32 years old, stood with an air of cruel elegance. Once a part of royal family of Angelica, she was known for her vicious nature. She had inflicted unimaginable pain on those she deemed lowly, enjoying the suffering she caused. Her twisted desire for power even drove her to poison Angeleva's father, the ruler of Angelica.
But that betrayal sealed her fate. She was imprisoned.
Yet here she was, alive.
Angeleva:
"You... How are you here?"
Patricia's smile deepened.
Patricia:
"I was saved when Angelica fell. And the one who freed me... is right here."
Before anyone could react, a shadowy figure emerged from the opposite direction, walking toward them with a slow, menacing stride.
His muscular frame was covered in orange armor, and his piercing eyes burned with malice. The massive mace he carried dragged along the ground, leaving cracks with every step.
Safari's blood ran cold.
Safari:
"No way..."
The figure smirked.
???:
"If it isn't crybaby Safari. Still whining over your weak sister?"
The name hit Safari like a dagger.
Safari:
"Gregory...!"
Gregory, now 34 years old, stood proudly, his presence radiating pure destruction. Once a powerful warrior of Sappy, Gregory had broken the planet's ironclad rule - no one was to leave the planet.
Yet here he was.
Safari:
"You broke the code. Why are you here?"
Gregory chuckled darkly.
Gregory:
"To conquer. The Sappy of today was weak, cowering behind false ideals. But I? I wanted more. Just like our ancestors, I'll bring fear to the universe."
Safari clenched his fists.
Safari:
"You abandoned everything we stood for."
Gregory's grin widened as he raised his massive mace.
Gregory:
"Oh, I did more than that. You remember your precious sister? The one you were too weak to protect? I was the one who made sure she died."
The words crushed Safari. His body stiffened, his breathing uneven.
Gregory:
"Some of our people killed her, yes. But it was by my command. Weaklings like her had no place on Sappy."
Safari's world shattered.
The family watched in horror as Gregory's twisted truth unraveled.
Gregory taking the chance hit Safari's stomach hard with his mace.
Safari groaned in pain.
Gregory:
"Still weak? You still haven't improved. Have you?"
The family now headed to Safari concerned. They protectively stood guard.
Gregory continued.
Angeleva, though wounded, could only stare in disbelief.
Angeleva:
"Patricia... You're with him?"
Patricia gave an amused shrug.
Patricia:
"Why not? Gregory saw my potential. After Raven destroyed Angelica, I became his left hand. And Gregory, of course, previously served as Raven's right hand. Together, we are the elites of Raven."
Gregory lifted his mace, bloodlust in his eyes.
Patricia leaned against Gregory, her slender fingers tracing along his armored chest.
Patricia:
"Oh dear, let's rule the demon kingdom together."
Gregory smirked, the twisted gleam in his eyes reflecting his satisfaction.
Gregory:
"Yes, we are doing it."
Without hesitation, Patricia planted a lingering kiss on his cheek, savoring the twisted bond they shared. It was a sight that made Safari and Angeleva feel sick to their core.
Safari's jaw clenched in disgust even when he was recovering from the hit, his rage barely contained.
Angeleva, though still trembling from her wound, watched with a mixture of shock and hatred. Every fiber of her being despised Patricia for everything she had become.
But what followed shattered her completely.
Patricia:
"Oh, and Angeleva... I forgot to mention. Remember your precious mother?"
Angeleva's eyes widened, dread washing over her.
Patricia:
"She protested against my 'harsh methods,' even tried to reveal the 'truth' to Angelica's people. What a nuisance she was. So... I killed her."
A chilling grin twisted Patricia's face.
Patricia:
"You were just a kid back then. But she screamed your name before she took her last breath."
Angeleva's body froze. Memories of her mother's warm embrace flashed in her mind - the gentle, loving presence that was stolen from her. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall in front of Patricia.
Safari, despite his own pain, stepped closer to Angeleva, shielding her. His glare burned with hatred.
Safari:
"You're both disgusting."
Patricia only laughed, the sound like venom in the air.
Patricia:
"Believe what you will. But you should know, the next planets you face will have far tougher generals. They won't be as easy as the last ones."
Gregory cracked his neck, his mace resting heavily on his shoulder.
Gregory:
"Not that it matters to us. We're not wasting time with weaklings."
He sneered at Safari.
Gregory:
"Maybe, just maybe, we'll meet again... if you're strong enough to reach Raven."
With that, Gregory and Patricia turned away, their laughter echoing as they left.
Patricia, 32 years old, stood with an air of cruel elegance. Once a part of royal family of Angelica, she was known for her vicious nature. She had inflicted unimaginable pain on those she deemed lowly, enjoying the suffering she caused. Her twisted desire for power even drove her to poison Angeleva's father, the ruler of Angelica.
But that betrayal sealed her fate. She was imprisoned.
Yet here she was, alive.
Angeleva:
"You... How are you here?"
Patricia's smile deepened.
Patricia:
"I was saved when Angelica fell. And the one who freed me... is right here."
Before anyone could react, a shadowy figure emerged from the opposite direction, walking toward them with a slow, menacing stride.
His muscular frame was covered in orange armor, and his piercing eyes burned with malice. The massive mace he carried dragged along the ground, leaving cracks with every step.
Safari's blood ran cold.
Safari:
"No way..."
The figure smirked.
???:
"If it isn't crybaby Safari. Still whining over your weak sister?"
The name hit Safari like a dagger.
Safari:
"Gregory...!"
Gregory, now 34 years old, stood proudly, his presence radiating pure destruction. Once a powerful warrior of Sappy, Gregory had broken the planet's ironclad rule - no one was to leave the planet.
Yet here he was.
Safari:
"You broke the code. Why are you here?"
Gregory chuckled darkly.
Gregory:
"To conquer. The Sappy of today was weak, cowering behind false ideals. But I? I wanted more. Just like our ancestors, I'll bring fear to the universe."
Safari clenched his fists.
Safari:
"You abandoned everything we stood for."
Gregory's grin widened as he raised his massive mace.
Gregory:
"Oh, I did more than that. You remember your precious sister? The one you were too weak to protect? I was the one who made sure she died."
The words crushed Safari. His body stiffened, his breathing uneven.
Gregory:
"Some of our people killed her, yes. But it was by my command. Weaklings like her had no place on Sappy."
Safari's world shattered.
The family watched in horror as Gregory's twisted truth unraveled.
Gregory taking the chance hit Safari's stomach hard with his mace.
Safari groaned in pain.
Gregory:
"Still weak? You still haven't improved. Have you?"
The family now headed to Safari concerned. They protectively stood guard.
Gregory continued.
Angeleva, though wounded, could only stare in disbelief.
Angeleva:
"Patricia... You're with him?"
Patricia gave an amused shrug.
Patricia:
"Why not? Gregory saw my potential. After Raven destroyed Angelica, I became his left hand. And Gregory, of course, previously served as Raven's right hand. Together, we are the elites of Raven."
Gregory lifted his mace, bloodlust in his eyes.
Patricia leaned against Gregory, her slender fingers tracing along his armored chest.
Patricia:
"Oh dear, let's rule the demon kingdom together."
Gregory smirked, the twisted gleam in his eyes reflecting his satisfaction.
Gregory:
"Yes, we are doing it."
Without hesitation, Patricia planted a lingering kiss on his cheek, savoring the twisted bond they shared. It was a sight that made Safari and Angeleva feel sick to their core.
Safari's jaw clenched in disgust even when he was recovering from the hit, his rage barely contained.
Angeleva, though still trembling from her wound, watched with a mixture of shock and hatred. Every fiber of her being despised Patricia for everything she had become.
But what followed shattered her completely.
Patricia:
"Oh, and Angeleva... I forgot to mention. Remember your precious mother?"
Angeleva's eyes widened, dread washing over her.
Patricia:
"She protested against my 'harsh methods,' even tried to reveal the 'truth' to Angelica's people. What a nuisance she was. So... I killed her."
A chilling grin twisted Patricia's face.
Patricia:
"You were just a kid back then. But she screamed your name before she took her last breath."
Angeleva's body froze. Memories of her mother's warm embrace flashed in her mind - the gentle, loving presence that was stolen from her. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall in front of Patricia.
Safari, despite his own pain, stepped closer to Angeleva, shielding her. His glare burned with hatred.
Safari:
"You're both disgusting."
Patricia only laughed, the sound like venom in the air.
Patricia:
"Believe what you will. But you should know, the next planets you face will have far tougher generals. They won't be as easy as the last ones."
Gregory cracked his neck, his mace resting heavily on his shoulder.
Gregory:
"Not that it matters to us. We're not wasting time with weaklings."
He sneered at Safari.
Gregory:
"Maybe, just maybe, we'll meet again... if you're strong enough to reach Raven."
With that, Gregory and Patricia turned away, their laughter echoing as they left.