The air in Safari's chamber was suffocating, thick with the weight of his regrets. The walls pulsed with shadows, distorting into horrifying visions of his past. Every failure, every moment of hesitation, and every loss replayed over and over.
He saw the destruction of Sappy, the terrified faces of the people who had once called him their leader. He heard the cries of his sister — the one he couldn't save.
"You couldn't protect her."
"You were powerless."
Then came the memories of the Demon Generals — the battles where his anger consumed him. Every swing of his hammer that destroyed his enemies also left scars on his own soul. He saw the broken bodies of those who stood in his way, innocent or not.
But the worst was yet to come.
A twisted figure appeared before him — Zack, pale and lifeless, his small form sprawled on the ground.
"You said you'd protect me, big bro... but you failed."
Next, the vision of Jen, burned and broken.
"You let me down."
And then Angeleva, her glowing wings torn, eyes filled with disappointment.
"You're no hero. You never were."
Safari clenched his fists, trembling as the painful images surrounded him. His breathing grew ragged, and his hammer — once a symbol of strength — now felt unbearably heavy.
"No... I tried! I did everything I could!"
But the voices only grew louder, drowning out his protests.
The guilt clawed at his mind, and for the first time in a long while, Safari felt truly powerless.
_ _ _
Angeleva's chamber was no less cruel. The once shimmering walls of her fairy realm twisted into jagged, thorn-covered vines. The air smelled of decay, and the whispers of deception surrounded her.
She saw images of her past — her own kind turning against her, scorning her for her choices. The fairies she once called friends whispered vile words.
"Traitor."
"You abandoned us for power."
And then, the cruelest vision of all — Safari.
He stood before her, but his eyes were cold and distant. His voice was now dripped with venom.
"You manipulated me. You used your powers for your own gain."
"You never cared for anyone but yourself."
Angeleva recoiled, clutching her chest as if the words had pierced straight through her heart. Her wings, once radiant and pink, dimmed with every painful accusation.
She desperately shook her head. "No... that's not true. I would never betray them!"
But the illusions were relentless. Safari's figure twisted further, his voice echoing in her mind.
"They'll see you for what you are. And when they do, they'll abandon you."
Tears welled in Angeleva's eyes, her resolve weakening. The vines around her tightened, constricting her as if feeding on her despair.
The light she carried within herself flickered.
"Maybe... maybe I really don't deserve them."
Both Safari and Angeleva, once the pillars of strength for their family, were now being crushed under the weight of their own weaknesses.
And in the depths of those cursed chambers, the shadows rejoiced.
_ _ _
Safari staggered as the illusions continued to twist and torment him. Each vision of his failures became sharper, louder. His sister's lifeless gaze. Zack's voice calling out for help. Jen's smile fading into sorrow. Angeleva's disappointment.
His hands trembled, his breathing ragged. The massive Devil Hammer that once felt like an extension of his strength now weighed him down like a burden. He collapsed to one knee, clutching his chest.
"I did what I could," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I tried to protect them. I tried to save everyone."
But the shadows hissed back.
"Trying wasn't enough."
The air grew heavier. Safari's body screamed for release, his soul on the verge of breaking. He was so close to giving in — to believing the shadows.
But then, in the depths of his despair, a memory surfaced.
He remembered the warmth of Zack's small hands clutching his own, the boy's bright, unwavering belief in him. He recalled Jen's laughter, her determination to see the good in him. He saw Ian, Olive, and Angeleva — their fierce loyalty and strength.
And then came Angeleva's voice.
"You are strong, Safari. But true strength comes from the bonds we share."
The visions twisted and writhed, but this time, Safari stood tall. He gritted his teeth, slamming the bottom of his hammer against the ground. The force shook the shadows.
"I made mistakes. But I will never stop protecting the people I care about."
The shadows recoiled. Cracks formed along the walls of the chamber, the guilt that once chained him beginning to shatter. Safari's eyes glowed with renewed determination.
"You can't break me. I'm not alone."
With a powerful roar, Safari swung his hammer in a wide arc. A shockwave burst forth, dispelling the dark illusions. The walls cracked further before collapsing entirely.
Angeleva remained bound within the thorny vines. Her pink wings had lost their luster, and the accusations of the shadows pierced her heart like daggers.
"You are no protector."
"They will abandon you."
Her trembling hands grasped at the vines, but they constricted further. Every moment weakened her resolve.
But then, a faint warmth stirred within her.
She remembered the times Safari had stood by her side, his unyielding support in every battle. She saw Zack's innocent laughter, his unwavering belief in her kindness. She thought of Jen's trust and Olive's resilience. Ian's endless antics and determination.
And despite her fear of betrayal, they had never once abandoned her.
"They chose to stand with me," Angeleva whispered, her voice trembling. "Not because of my strength... but because they believe in me."
The vines writhed angrily, trying to consume her, but her heart was no longer swayed by the shadows.
"I believe in them, too."
Her eyes blazed with renewed determination. The golden light of her fairy powers surged from within, illuminating the darkness. The vines hissed and recoiled, unable to withstand the purity of her resolve.
"Fairy Radiance!"
A radiant burst of light exploded from her wings, engulfing the entire chamber. The shadows screamed in agony as the illusions shattered, leaving Angeleva standing tall, her wings fully restored.
She touched her chest, feeling the steady beat of her heart.
"Everyone... I'm coming."
Elsewhere — The Abyss
While Safari and Angeleva fought their internal battles, Zack and Jen remained trapped within the abyss, still haunted by their twisted visions.
The endless torment was unbearable. Zack curled up, tears staining his face, while Jen desperately tried to hold on to her belief that the family would come for them.
But even that belief was fading.
And yet, as the shadows loomed closer, a flicker of light appeared — faint but steady.
Unseen to Zack and Jen, the chambers of guilt and betrayal were no longer intact. The walls of the abyss quivered, as if the darkness itself was disturbed.
Safari and Angeleva were free.