The room was still as the last remnants of Zozo's essence faded. Angeleva, still clinging tightly to Safari's back, finally let out a breath. "That was... a battle I never want to repeat," she muttered.
Safari chuckled, adjusting his grip on her legs. "You were the useful one here."
Angeleva glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "That's funny... I could say the same about you. If you hadn't rescued me, I wouldn't have been able to fight at all."
The rest of the family looked at each other, surprised.
"For the first time, they're having an actual conversation that isn't just bickering or combat strategy," Jen whispered to Olive.
Olive smirked. "They're getting closer, whether they realize it or not."
Meanwhile, Ian, still holding his camera, wandered toward the throne. He started snapping photos of the castle, capturing the aftermath of the battle. Then, something caught his eye-a strange, dusty bottle lying under the throne.
It was small, made of black stone, with a demonic seal on its cap.
"Huh? What's this?" Ian muttered, crouching down.
Olive turned just in time to see him reaching for it. "Hey, wait! That could be dangerous-"
Too late. Ian popped the seal and opened the bottle cap.
A rush of white smoke burst out, spiraling into the air like a storm. The family tensed, readying their stances, as the mist began to take shape.
Slowly, an old man emerged. He had a long white beard, deep golden eyes, and wore flowing white church robes that radiated an otherworldly aura. His presence felt heavy-almost divine.
Then, he exhaled, stretching his arms before placing his hands together in a prayer-like gesture.
"Thank you," he said, his voice rich with wisdom and gratitude. "You have freed me from an imprisonment most foul."
The family stared in shock.
Ian blinked. "Uh... who exactly are you?"
The old man smiled. "I am God Legend."
Everyone tensed.
"A god?!" Zack gasped.
Jen's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me?! We just freed a god?!"
Even Safari and Angeleva, despite their exhaustion, exchanged glances of disbelief.
Legend chuckled, his golden eyes twinkling. "Yes. Though now, I am merely a remnant of what I once was." His expression darkened. "Raven has taken over my planet... Planet Satan. He rules it with his overwhelming power, and I was the last one standing against him."
Everyone fell silent, listening intently.
"I fought Raven to a standstill," Legend continued. "Our battle shook the heavens and the underworld alike. But he used a dirty trick-while I was locked in combat with him, Zozo appeared. The demon took advantage of the moment I let my guard down and used this accursed Demon Bottle to seal me." He shook his head. "From that moment, I was helpless."
Safari tightened his grip on his hammer. "So Raven played dirty. Not surprising."
Angeleva frowned. "If you were strong enough to fight him equally, that means you should still be able to battle him now, right?"
Legend sighed, his expression grim. "No. Raven has grown stronger. He has mastered both positive and negative energy, making him far deadlier than before. Even if I were to regain my full strength, I would no longer be his equal."
A heavy silence filled the air.
Zack gulped. "Then... how do we stop him?"
Legend looked at each of them, his gaze filled with deep understanding.
"That," he said, "is what we must figure out together."
"But before that, I need to return this planet to its peaceful state."
"Can you really do that?" Safari asked, his voice serious. Angeleva, still weak but leaning on him, watched Legend closely.
Legend gave a knowing smile. "A god's powers are not to be taken lightly. Watch."
He raised his hands, and in an instant, the planet trembled. The ground shifted beneath their feet as vast bursts of radiant energy spread across the land.
The twisted landscape of Hellsgate began to change. The oppressive air lightened, and the jagged mountains softened into gentle hills. The red, lifeless sky turned to a clear blue, and flowers began to sprout where only ash and stone once existed.
In moments, the entire planet transformed-lush greenery spread across the horizon, rivers flowed with clear water, and the very air seemed to hum with a peaceful energy. The family stood in stunned silence, witnessing a miracle in real-time.
Zack's eyes widened. "That's... that's incredible. You really did change it."
Legend nodded slowly. "A god's power is not only to destroy, but to create. I can undo the damage that Raven has done, but this peaceful planet is merely a start." He turned his gaze to Angeleva and Safari, his expression suddenly contemplative.
The family exchanged puzzled looks.
Legend began to speak again, his voice carrying a tone of curiosity. "I do not doubt your power... but I must ask. Why do you, a fairy, and you, a devil, work together?"
Angeleva straightened slightly, though she still leaned on Safari for support. "What do you mean? We've worked together as a family. There's no issue."
Legend's eyes narrowed, and he sighed deeply. "It is not that I have an issue with either devils or fairies. What concerns me is not your race, but the fact that such opposing forces work together." He glanced at Safari. "Devils are born from negative energy and chaos. Fairies are embodiments of positive, healing energy. For them to work in harmony... it is highly unusual. In all my years, I've never witnessed it."
The family felt a tension rising. Would this be a problem for them? Safari shifted slightly, standing a little taller despite his exhaustion.
He shook his head. "We're not defined by our origins. We've had our struggles, sure, but Angeleva and I have found a way to balance each other. I've come to learn that we can use both sides of our powers to protect, rather than destroy."
Angeleva nodded. "Safari's right. If anything, we've proven that opposites can work together, even if it's difficult."
Legend stared at them both for a moment, then slowly nodded, as if coming to a realization. "You are not wrong. What you say has merit. It is... unexpected, but I have no reason to doubt you."
The family, relieved, gave each other small smiles.
"That being said," Legend continued, his voice steady, "if you wish to defeat Raven, you must train under me."
The family's mood shifted from relief to focus. Safari stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "How do we defeat him?"
Legend's gaze grew even more serious. "Raven has mastered both positive and negative energy. He knows how to use them in ways that you have yet to fully grasp. To face him, you must learn not only how to wield your powers, but how to understand them-how to connect with them at a deeper level. And this... will require harsh training."
Angeleva frowned. "Harsh? What kind of training?"
Legend gave a slight chuckle, though it held no warmth. "You will need to break past your limitations. It will be painful, taxing, and exhausting. But it is the only way to face Raven's full strength."
After a few minutes...
Angeleva, still weak from their clash with Zozo, the tortures and the negative energy of the planet, now separated herself from Safari.
She glanced around, taking in the lush greenery and peaceful surroundings, something she had not expected to see on Hellsgate.
The planet's transformation was not just physical but spiritual as well, and for the first time in a long while, Angeleva felt the weight of the negative energy that had been suffocating her soul lift.
The energy of the planet had been completely reversed, and the once toxic land now radiated a positive, rejuvenating power.
It was a stark contrast to the constant drain she had felt before. Zack stepped forward, noticing the subtle change in Angeleva's demeanor. His concern for her was clear.
"Big sis, you need to recover. We can't start the training yet," Zack said gently, his voice filled with care. "You've been through so much. You've carried the weight of not only the planet's negative energy but also the trauma of captivity."
Safari, who had been standing by Angeleva's side, nodded in agreement. His gaze softened as he looked at her. "Zack's right. I want her to have time to recover fully. She's been through a lot... and I've seen how much it's affected her. I won't rush this."
Legend observed the exchange silently, his expression thoughtful. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "I understand," he said, his tone surprisingly understanding. "Recovery is important. You may take the time you need, but I must warn you that we must be ready quickly. Raven is not waiting, and the longer we delay, the more dangerous he becomes."
Angeleva turned to Safari, her wings slightly drooping from exhaustion. Safari's comforting presence was all she needed, and his support gave her the strength to carry on. "I know you want to rush this," she whispered to him, "but I need time. I'll be ready, just give me a few days."
"Take as long as you need," Safari replied, his voice unwavering. "I'll be right here."
With that, the family began setting up their temporary camp in the peaceful environment that Hellsgate had become.