The castle corridors were filled with the echoes of battle as Ian's squad, alongside the large group of freed prisoners, carved a path toward freedom.
The lingering forces of Raven, demons and fallen angels alike, stood in their way, but the sheer number of escapeesābolstered by powerful warriors like Rojo, Gorin, Fuga, Tyra, and Veraāmade their advance unstoppable.
Weapons clashed and fists shattered through enemy lines. Rojo burning like a wildfire, led the charge, cleaving through waves of demons with raw, unrelenting fire fists and striking them with burning rod. Gorin, the towering brute, smashed enemies aside with sheer strength, his roars shaking the castle walls.
Fuga moved with deadly precision, his wind-based strikes slicing through his foes before they even realized what hit them.
Tyra fought with an acrobatic grace, striking with pinpoint accuracy summoning vines and thorns from the ground as well as her metal staff, while Vera's psychic powers hypnotized any resistance that dared to stand in their way.
"Keep moving!" Tyra shouted, cutting down a demon that lunged at an injured prisoner with a sharp thorn.
The army of prisoners, though battle-worn and weary, pushed forward with all their might. Each of them knew they had been given a second chanceāone they wouldn't waste.
Ian, still recording everything, ducked behind Olive as she blasted a fallen angel out of the air. He whispered into his camera, "This is what freedom looks like. Even in sorrow... even in loss... we keep pushing forward."
Zack was doing his best to heal the injured as they advanced, though he was running low on energy. Jen, despite her usual cheer, had a hardened look on her face, focusing on supporting Zack by providing him pastries as he worked.
Eventually, they reached the final gate of the castle. It loomed before them, massive and fortified, the last obstacle standing between them and the open world beyond.
Vera stepped forward. "Let's bring it down."
Rojo grinned. "With pleasure."
As they prepared for their final push, the ground trembled beneath themāan ominous presence surged toward the massive gate. The prisoners, already exhausted, braced themselves for what was coming.
Rojo tightened his grip on his rod. "Of course it wouldn't be this easy."
Vera's eyes glowed as she conserved her psychic energy. "Whatever it is, we'll cut through it."
A massive shockwave burst through the hallway as the last of Raven's elite guards emergedātowering demonic knights, their armor pulsating with dark energy, blocking the only exit.
Their soulless eyes glowed with unnatural light as they raised their weapons.
"They're trying to keep us trapped," Fuga muttered.
Tyra wiped blood from her cheek. "Then we break through."
With a rallying cry, the prisoners surged forward. Rojo and Gorin charged first, meeting the knights head-on in a clash of sheer force. Fuga's wind attacks slashed at the armored giants, creating openings for Tyra and Vera to strike.
Ian, still recording, stuck close to Olive, who was providing cover fire with precise energy blasts. "Come on, come on," he muttered. "We're almost there..."
Zack was barely keeping up, healing those who fell behind. Jen was providing every last bit of her pastry into keeping him in full energy. "Almost there, Zack, just a little more!"
The knights, though formidable, couldn't withstand the sheer number of escapees. Rojo landed a devastating flaming strike, cleaving through one of them, while Vera unleashed a wave of aura blast that engulfed another.
Finally, after a grueling fight, the last knight fell, dissolving into darkness. The way was open.
"MOVE!" Gorin bellowed.
The prisoners sprinted through the gate, emerging into the open air outside the castle.
And waiting for them in the distance... was the spaceship.
Ian nearly collapsed in relief. "We made it."
They all made there way to the spaceship, their faces a mix of relief and sorrow. Though they had escaped, two of their own had been lost.
Patrick and Grace should have been standing here with them.
Ian wiped his eyes before stepping forward. "Everyone, this is our ship. We're getting out of here."
The prisoners looked up at the sleek, vessel in awe. Rojo whistled. "Didn't think we'd get this lucky. This thing's a beauty."
Fuga nodded. "With a ship like this, we'll finally be free."
Before they could board, a divine presence descended upon them.
Legend emerged from the ship, his aura radiating power. The prisoners instinctively backed away, whispering among themselves.
"Who... who is that?" one of them asked.
Ian stepped forward. "This is God Legend. He's the one who spoke to us telepathically and wiped out the guards with God's Wrath."
The prisoners turned to Legend in awe, bowing their heads in gratitude. "Thank you for saving us."
Legend raised a hand. "There's no need for thanks. I simply did what was necessary."
Some of the prisoners looked around, confused. One of them, a former warrior from a fallen planet, asked the question that had been on all their minds.
"But if you're so powerful... why aren't you fighting Raven?"
The atmosphere grew tense. Legend sighed, his expression unreadable.
"Even with my divine strength, I cannot kill Raven."
Gasps filled the air. Vera furrowed her brow. "But... you're a god, aren't you?"
Legend nodded. "And yet, Raven's mastery over both positive and negative energy renders him untouchable by my power. Even if I tried, my attacks would have no effect on him. Worse, our clash would lead to devastation beyond comprehension."
The reality of the situation settled in. For all of Legend's power, he was not the key to stopping Raven.
Waker looked up, hopeful yet anxious. "Then who can stop him?"
Legend closed his eyes. "Only a devil and a fairy working together have a chance."
The group immediately realized who he meant.
"Big bro and Big sis..." Ian whispered.
Legend nodded. "They are engaged in battle with him as we speak. The fate of everything rests on them."
Legend's gaze was firm as he continued, "Safari and Angeleva are not just any devil and fairy. They are Legend Warriorsābeings rumored to rival Raven if they fight together. And unlike before, they have grown far stronger."
The group listened intently as he went on. "You should believe in their strength. This is the battle they were meant for."
Olive crossed her arms. "So they actually made it to Raven?"
Legend nodded. "Yes. Right now, they are facing him."
Ian and the family exchanged determined glances before stepping forward. "Then we're going to help them," Ian declared.
But Legend immediately raised his hand, stopping them in their tracks.
"No. You cannot interfere."
Confusion and frustration flickered across their faces. Jen protested, "Butā!"
Legend's tone left no room for argument. "You would only become hostages. Raven is not to be underestimated. If you step into that battle, you'll only make it harder for them."
The weight of his words settled on them.
Zack lowered his head, clenching his fists. "So we just... stand here?"
Legend shook his head. "You've already played a vital role in this war."
Everyone looked up.
"It was because of your actions that Safari and Angeleva were able to focus solely on Raven," Legend explained. "You freed his prisoners taking advantage of the distraction Safari and Angeleva created by raiding Raven's castle. As a result of which the security in the prisons were thinner. That was teamwork. If not for that there would have been many casualties."
His eyes scanned the group, his voice carrying an air of deep gratitude.
"You saved countless lives today."
Silence hung in the air as the words sank in.
They had been so focused on their regrets, on their inability to save Patrick and Grace, that they hadn't realized the sheer number of lives they had saved.
Fuga exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "Damn... when you put it like that, it doesn't feel so bad."
Vera nodded. "We gave them a chance."
Tyra clenched her fists. "Now, we just have to believe in them."
Legend stepped forward, his divine aura radiating a sense of calm over the weary warriors and freed prisoners. His golden eyes gleamed as he spoke with authority.
"I will teleport all of you to Hellsgate," he declared. "It is the safest place for you right now. Raven has no influence over it anymore, and it remains under my protection."
Some of the prisoners exchanged uncertain glances. Rojo, the muscular warrior with flame tattoos, crossed his arms. "Why Hellsgate? That place is a nightmare."
Legend nodded. "That was before. But now that Zozo is gone, it has transformed into a peaceful landāfree from corruption, free from darkness. It will provide you all with the safety and rest you deserve."
The group slowly accepted the idea. Even the most battle-hardened warriors among them, like Gorin and Blaine, couldn't deny how exhausted they were.
"But what about big bro and big sis?" Jen asked. "We're just... leaving them?"
Legend's expression softened. "This is their battle now. You've done your part. You must trust in them."
There was nothing more to be said.
Raising his hands, Legend's energy swirled around the group in a golden glow.
The freed prisoners, Ian's squad, and the rest of the warriors felt a surge of warmth as they were enveloped in divine light.
Then, in an instantā
They were gone.