The lifeless chamber was eerily silent. The towering demon had been reduced to ash, but the weight of despair remained.
In the center of it all, Safari's battered form lay on the cold ground, his body covered in deep slashes, bruises, and scars. Blood pooled beneath him, his skin pale and cold. The once-mighty warrior now looked like a lifeless corpse.
"Safari..." Angeleva's voice trembled as she knelt beside him. Tears streamed down her face as her trembling hands cupped his bloodied cheek.
"Zack!" she cried, desperation cracking her voice. "Please! Heal him!"
Zack scrambled closer, his hands glowing with a faint aura. His face was pale, but he nodded. "I'll try!"
Placing his hands on Safari's chest, Zack focused all his energy. Warm light enveloped Safari's body, but it flickered weakly. The damage was too severe, the life within Safari barely hanging by a thread. The torture and the planet's oppressive positive energy had drained him.
"I...I don't know if this will be enough," Zack whispered, sweat dripping from his brow.
The family stood in silence, their eyes locked on Safari. Even Ian, who rarely showed fear, bit his lip as he clutched his camera tightly. Olive lowered her gun, her gaze filled with sorrow. Jen held her trembling hands together, tears pooling in her eyes.
Angeleva clutched her chest, overwhelmed by the pain she felt. The sight of Safari in such a pitiful state shattered her. She couldn't lose him - not now.
Zack's hands began to dim. His healing powers had done everything they could. Slowly, Safari's eyes cracked open, clouded and dull. He coughed weakly, the sound rattling through his chest.
"Safari!" Angeleva gasped, her tears dripping onto his face. "You're awake!"
The faintest hint of a smile tugged at Safari's lips. "You...came," he whispered. "You idiots...You're all...here...?"
Zack nodded, though his expression remained grim. "But you're not healed, big bro. You're still weak."
Safari's voice rasped, barely audible. "It's okay." He took a shaky breath. "My time has come. I can feel it. There's... no escaping it."
"No!" Angeleva shook her head violently, her hands gripping his. "Don't you dare say that!"
Safari's eyes softened as he looked at her, the weight of acceptance evident in his gaze. "You're strong, Angeleva. Stronger than anyone I know. The family... they need you now."
"Stop it!" Her voice cracked. "You're the big brother who protects the family! You always put your life on the line for them. There's no way I'll let you die!"
Her trembling hands touched his face, brushing away the blood-streaked strands of his hair. The tears in her violet eyes burned fiercely.
"Safari," she whispered. "You're family. And family doesn't give up on each other."
"But..." Safari's voice faltered. "There's no hope for me. My negative energy is nearly gone. The planet drained me. Even if I survive now, I'll only grow weaker the moment we return to the surface."
Angeleva clenched her fists, her wings trembling with frustration. "There has to be a way!"
Zack's eyes darted around the chamber, desperate for a solution. That's when his gaze fell on the trembling demons. Dozens of them lined the walls, their twisted forms quivering with fear. They had witnessed Angeleva's powers and were too terrified to act.
"Olive!" Zack pointed. "The demons! They're still alive!"
Olive's eyes narrowed. "What are you thinking?"
"If I transfer their energy..." Zack's hands glowed faintly. "Their negative energy could restore big bro's strength. It's dangerous, but it might work."
Angeleva stood, determination flaring in her eyes. "Then we'll try it!"
She raised her wand, summoning golden threads of light that shot out and wrapped around the demons. They screamed in protest, but the binding spell held firm. The threads tightened, locking them together.
Zack placed his hands on the nearest demon, the light from his palms turning dark as he carefully siphoned the cursed energy. "Stay strong, big bro."
The negative energy flowed through Zack, and with a strained groan, he redirected it into Safari's body. Safari's muscles twitched as the dark energy surged through him. The color slowly returned to his skin, and the bleeding eased. His breaths became steadier, though the bruises remained.
Safari's eyes fluttered open once more. He could feel the strength returning to his limbs. But even as his body grew more stable, a grim realization struck him.
"It's useless," Safari murmured. "By the time, we leave this chamber, I'll again become weaker by that time as the planet is still draining my energy."
The positive energy of the planet would drain him. Every step would push him closer to death.
The family's hope faltered. No one had an answer.
Until Ian, of all people, stepped forward. His camera dangled from his neck, but his eyes gleamed with determination.
"There's one way," Ian said, surprising everyone.
"Are you serious, Ian?" Olive asked, raising a brow.
"Trust me," he replied. "It's a gamble, but it makes sense."
Angeleva's wings drooped. "What way?"
Ian smirked, pointing at Angeleva and Safari. "You two."
"Me...and Safari?" Angeleva blinked.
Ian nodded. "You're a fairy - a being of pure positive energy. And Safari's a devil - full of negative energy. Normally, your energies repel each other. But if you two can hold hands, physically connecting without harming each other, your energies could neutralize. That means the constant draining effect on big bro would stop."
Angeleva's eyes widened. "But... that's impossible. Every time we touch, our energy clashes."
"Exactly," Ian said. "But what if, just once, it doesn't? That means your bodies will reach a balance. Neither positive nor negative - just neutral. It's the only way to keep big bro alive."
Everyone fell silent, considering the absurdity of the idea. But with Safari's life at stake, there was no other choice.
Angeleva hesitated, her gaze locked with Safari's. "What do you say?"
Safari's voice was weak, but his resolve remained. "If it means surviving... I'll try."
Zack stepped aside, Olive watching cautiously. Jen wiped her eyes, silently hoping it would work.
Angeleva knelt, gently taking Safari's trembling hand. As their fingers intertwined, sparks of energy flickered around them - the light of a fairy and the shadows of a devil.
"Please," Angeleva whispered. "Let this work."
Their fates rested in that single moment.