The Demon King, Lucifer Helios.

Helios sat on his throne, several guards standing behind him, while his high-ranking subordinates sat before him. The elite forces under Helios’s direct command had arrived. They were all awaiting orders from Helios.

“Regius was defeated by the humans. This is beyond expectations. They have begun to dare to defy me!”

Helios’s forces fell silent. They were truly afraid that Helios would be enraged. However, a moment later, Helios suddenly smiled.

“Shodam! Can your report from yesterday be trusted?” asked Helios, his fangs visible.

Shodam moved both his hands forward, “The information is accurate, my King. They are heading to the Raktus Mountains to search for the mythical weapon, the Thunder Sword!”

Helios’s army exchanged glances; they had only just learned of this information. Who were they? Were those weak humans trying to fight Demons and Monsters? Did they want to try fighting again?

“Ha… ha… ha…!” Helios laughed, his eyes glowing.

“I’m assigning this to you—prepare yourselves. I want you to obtain the Golden Compass and the Key to the Sky, no matter the cost!” Helios shouted. He believed that if he acquired those items, he could defeat the monster king, Horus. Up until now, they had shared different continents as their bases of power. Helios and Horus had to share power because their strength was balanced. In truth, each of them was searching for the other’s weakness.

“I don’t care, Highest Elite VIPs. Hide, and obtain those two powerful artifacts!”

Helios’s voice boomed. The elite forces under Helios understood; they dared not disobey. Especially since they were only fighting human forces. At any attack, they would surely scatter in panic.

The highest-ranking Elite forces of the Demon race retreated; they had a single mission. The Human and Elf artifacts carried by the envoy team searching for the lightning sword. A strange myth believed by humans. They had lost all hope, so they even believed that false rumor.

***

Horus stood atop the hill; his strongest forces had gathered.

“Seven King Beasts! Hide and retrieve the two artifacts kept by those human envoys. I want to obtain those two powerful artifacts. I don’t care about the Thunder Sword—that so-called powerful weapon is nothing but nonsense!”

Horus’s voice boomed from the top of the hill; his seven highest-ranking troops immediately understood. They retreated and vanished to carry out their tasks. The rest of the monster army then knelt until Horus left the hill.

Horus left the place, still thinking how foolish those humans were to still believe in the myth of the Thunder Sword.

In reality, it was just a lie meant to give those humans false hope. No matter how long they fought, they would only face destruction and submission as slaves.

Ha... ha.. ha..!

***

Kenan was in his room, his eyes closed. His struggle in the world of Aeera had reached its final stage. He had to find the strongest sword—the one capable of destroying the Demon King and the Monster King. Kenan exhaled slowly.

He asked Aeera for permission to return to his own world, requesting just one hour. That’s right! One hour was enough for Kenan to meet his mother. One thing Kenan couldn’t be sure of: whether he could return to this world again or not. The battle against the Demon King and the Monster King would be a crucial one.

Kenan didn’t know if he could defeat the Demon King and the Monster King.

However, Kenan chose to fight bravely to free Aeera’s world. It didn’t matter if he was a loser in his own world, but not for Aeera. Kenan would help Aeera become the strongest witch, and she wouldn’t be bullied like he was.

So this time, Kenan asked to go home for a little while. To meet his mother in person and apologize to her.

Kenan had to be brave!

He stood in front of his bedroom door; all his weaknesses and helplessness had to end! He was Kenan, and before leaving, he wanted to make sure his mother would be the happiest person in the world. He didn’t want to let his mother be sad anymore.

Click!

Kenan opened his bedroom door and stepped inside. Even though he was trembling, he had to convince himself. He walked with all his strength. He wanted to do something that would make his mother smile. Even if just for a moment.

Kenan steeled himself, walking with confidence. And, as he passed through the hallway, Kenan approached slowly. He peeked from behind the wall. He saw his mother baking cakes to sell. His mother, Ghina, supported herself and Kenan by selling cakes.

There was exhaustion on his mother’s face; Kenan couldn’t hold back his tears. His lips trembled; he wanted to be brave enough to go to his mother. To apologize and hug her, but his legs were still shaking. Kenan trembled again; fear overwhelmed him once more.

Srak!

One of his feet suddenly poked out slowly; he trembled. His mother heard the sound. She was startled and looked toward Kenan. She saw Kenan staring at her. Their gazes met, without a word. They looked at each other. For quite a while.

Ghina’s lips trembled, “Have you eaten, Kenan?” her voice trembled. Ghina tried to stay strong as she said this, even though her tears couldn’t be held back.

Kenan was trembling; his knees buckled and he fell to the floor. Kenan cried, and Ghina approached him. As a mother, Ghina knew exactly what her son was feeling. She stepped closer and cradled Kenan’s head, gently stroking his long hair with love.

“It’s okay, Kenan. It’s okay… you’ll be strong. I’ll wait for you no matter how long it takes.”

HUUUUAAAAAAA!

Kenan cried loudly, clinging tightly to his mother’s legs. He could no longer hold himself back. As his hair was stroked with tenderness, Kenan felt as though he were a newborn baby.

Ghina let Kenan be, until her son was ready to face the world again.

“Forgive me... forgive me, Mom. Forgive me... sniff sniff sniff!”

“It’s okay, Kenan. I’ll wait for you until my time on this earth is up.”

Kenan’s crying grew louder.

Both were lost in their sorrow.

The sobbing had subsided; only the faint sound of Kenan’s weeping could still be heard.

“I have to go back, Mom… trust me. I’m fighting to recover. I have to go back to my room.”

Kenan stood up and walked back to his room, leaving his mother, who was still silently shedding tears.

“Kenan, take good care of yourself, remember God. You will surely rise again, my son.”

Ghina’s soft voice made Kenan nod his head; he walked slowly once more. He entered the room and locked the door again. Meanwhile, Ghina couldn’t hold herself back. She cried after Kenan left. And those were the tears of joy she felt as a mother.

***

Woooossh!

Seven people set off for their predetermined destination, the Raktus Mountains. Five of them rode the energy birds created by Kalya. Regas and Sera rode flying horses created with Sera’s power. They continued flying across vast forests and plains. Destruction was everywhere. Many trees were withered, and animal life was beginning to vanish.

The plains across the entire continent seemed cursed.

“Why did it take you so long to call me, Aeera?” asked Kenan, who was sitting behind Aeera. The giant energy bird continued to fly according to Kalya’s energy commands.

“I was afraid of disturbing Lord Kalandra. He must be handling important matters, so he asked for time to return.”

Kenan smiled, “It’s fine, Aeera. I was just worried you might have forgotten.”

“Oh, Master Kalandra,” Aeera looked back at Kenan, “Thank you for helping me by scolding my father.”

Aeera felt happy because of what Lord Kalandra had said. For the first time, her father had acknowledged her. Aeera felt she had a father, even though he had many children with other wives. However, Aeera knew that her father loved her late mother deeply.

“It’s okay, Aeera. The task ahead of us will be very difficult. So, we must focus on saving your world. We must obtain the Thunder Sword; we must defeat the Demon King and the Monster King. Your world must return to peace, Aeera.”

Kenan was so enthusiastic.

“I don’t care about any of that, Master Kalandra.”

“What do you mean, Aeera?” Kenan looked into Aeera’s eyes.

“I’ve already thanked God for sending you to me. Ever since you’ve been with me, I’ve been happy. No matter what happens, I’ll trust you, Master Kalandra.”

Their eyes met. Who knows what each of them was thinking?

“Watch out!”

Sera’s scream echoed; a massive fireball attack from the ground tried to burn Kalya’s energy bird. The attack was extremely powerful and massive. Kalya lost her balance, and the attack struck her energy bird’s wing.

Brush! Boooomm!

They were attacked; the energy bird exploded. They were flung from the energy bird.

“Aeera!” Kenan saw Aeera falling. He used his flying speed and tried to catch Aeera amidst the massive explosion in the air.

Wooooossshh!

I’ll catch you!