"This is the last of them?" Laden's voice was heavy with exhaustion as he wiped his bloodstained blade against the remnants of a monster's hide. His blonde hair, streaked with dirt and sweat, clung to his forehead, and his sharp green eyes surveyed the carnage below with a grim satisfaction.
Bodies of grotesque creatures lay scattered around them, their twisted forms a stark reminder of the battle they had just fought.
"I hope so," Adams replied, his voice quieter, more controlled. His long black hair, usually smooth and pristine, was now tousled and wild, but his golden eyes remained sharp, scanning the horizon for any signs of movement. "I wonder where these monsters are coming from."
Laden let out a breath, his shoulders sagging slightly, though his grip on his weapon never loosened. "Don't know. Don't care. All I know is we have to make sure they don't breach into the God Ascension Plane." His voice grew harder, determination flaring in his eyes. "I don't want the peace your mother and I have built to be disturbed."
Adams nodded, though his expression remained serious, a frown pulling at the corners of his lips. His gaze shifted over the lifeless monsters, a storm of thoughts brewing behind his calm exterior. "You're right, but if we don't find the root of this..." He trailed off, his jaw tightening. "We bear the risk of letting that happen."
Laden glanced at his son, his expression softening for a moment as he placed a hand on Adams' shoulder. "We will. But first, we need to make sure our home is safe." His words were firm, yet there was an unspoken trust between the two. Laden's hand lingered just a moment longer before he pulled it away, turning to survey the scene once more.
They stood atop a mountain of corpses, the stench of decay and blood thick in the air. Each monstrous creature was more horrifying than the last—disfigured, with multiple limbs, grotesque faces twisted in agony, their bodies scattered across the battlefield.
The lower realms under their protection had been ravaged by these invaders, and for days, Laden and Adams had traveled from one plane to the next, hunting them down and purging the threat.
"This is the last plane infested with these monsters," Laden said, his voice carrying a hint of relief. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his green eyes flicking back to Adams. "Let's go back home. I know how much you've missed it."
Adams' lips twitched into a faint smile, though there was still a shadow of concern in his eyes. He nodded silently, and with a swift motion, he raised his hand. A shimmering golden portal materialized before them, casting a warm glow over the grim scene. Without another word, they stepped through it, the battlefield disappearing behind them.
---
The two faced each other in a deadly silence, the tension between them palpable. Aria's expression was calm but focused, her sharp eyes taking in every movement of her opponent. Her body was poised, ready for whatever came next, her aura flaring with divine energy.
The horned man's lips curled into a cruel smile, his fiery gaze never leaving hers. "You think you can stop me, little goddess?" His voice rumbled like thunder, filled with arrogance. His four arms flexed, each one rippling with monstrous strength, as he raised them in challenge. The fire behind him roared, casting an eerie glow over his massive figure.
Aria's eyes narrowed, but she remained silent, her body still, save for the faintest flicker of power gathering around her hands. Her expression was unreadable, but her sharp gaze betrayed her readiness. She wouldn't be goaded into striking first.
The air between them crackled with energy as the tension grew. Finally, the horned man roared and charged forward, all four of his arms moving in unison, striking with terrifying speed. Each punch carried the force of a mountain, the ground beneath them shaking as he attacked.
But Aria moved with the grace of a dancer, her body flowing like water as she dodged each blow with the barest of movements. Her expression never changed, her eyes cold and calculating as she weaved between the strikes, the wind from the blows ruffling her clothes but never touching her.
As the last punch passed harmlessly by her, she struck.
With a swift motion, her hand lashed out, glowing with divine energy as it made contact with the horned man's chest. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the sky, and the man let out a roar of pain, his enormous frame staggering backward.
Aria's expression remained calm, her golden eyes flashing as she readied herself for the next attack. This wasn't over yet, but she would not allow this monster to threaten her family's home.
Below, Lovigary and Drax fought on, their bodies weary but their resolve unbroken. They had to hold out—Father and Adams would return soon, and when they did, the tide of the battle would turn. Until then, they would fight with everything they had, protecting the world their family had built.
As the battle raged on, the fate of the God Ascension Plane hung in the balance.
As Aria prepared to strike again, her eyes narrowed, focusing on the towering man in front of her. She could feel the surge of divine energy coursing through her veins, ready to unleash another devastating blow. But just as she moved, something shifted. The air around her grew heavier, darker, as if an ominous weight had settled over the battlefield.
The man's aura changed suddenly, and his cruel grin widened into something more sinister. His burning eyes gleamed with malice as he let out a deep, rumbling laugh that seemed to echo across the sky. "Time to end you, lady," he sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance.