"That's the last of them?" Sinephilim asked.
Willow roasted the final fairy. "I think so?"
"The evil fairies are destroyed! And their queen is dead! Let's gather and cheer for our heroes!" A swarm of colorful fairies spun in a dance around them.
"I'm starting to prefer Viir," Veronica muttered.
(I killed the queen. A Worldeater. But after I incinerated her, a strange, familiar energy lingered in the air. I wonder if Darkness knows anything about it.)
"Okay, Darkness! We're in the clear!" Sinephilim called.
In a blink, shadows swallowed them.
****
Darkness' Tea Table.
They reappeared at the black tea table. As always, Darkness was already sipping tea.
"You three are very effective," Darkness said without looking up, "when you don't let emotional idiots tag along."
"The mission was simple, finally a world that wasn't trying to kill us," Veronica shot back.
Tension filled the air. None of them trust her. Not fully.
Darkness's smile thinned. "Second life… or is this your third? I haven't decided. But if you snap at me again, I'll toss you into a shadow for eternity."
Her teacup clinked against its saucer.
Veronica shifted. "…Sorry."
Sinephilim cut in, "So, do the gods grant us their power?"
(Always the practical one. I wondered, was she really just focused on saving our world? Or was she just hiding her fear? The fear that all of this means nothing.)
Willow gripped the necklace around his neck.
(I don't have that fear. I have hope, this has to work. I'll make it work.)
(Sylvia… once you're back, everything will be right again. The same as it was.)
Willow remembered Rhenvar said the same once. But when he said it, there was something hidden in his voice.
(Rhen-)
The ring on his finger burned. He flinched at the pain.
Then, white fire exploded nearby.
A humanoid figure stepped through: gold hair, shirtless with skin warm bronze with a gold sheen, long gold horns. He shined brighter than the sun.
Sinephilim and Veronica's nose bled a little.
"Urithax?" Darkness stood, visibly irritated.
Urithax sat at the table. "We meet again, one who dwells in shadows."
"What now? Let me guess, Rhenvar went berserk again." Her hand curled into a fist. "You wanted him. You got him."
He didn't answer right away. His glowing white eyes burned into her.
"I granted your champions power," he said finally. "Now I ask a favor in return."
She sat back down, leaning back. "Out with it then."
"The world I sent Rhenvar to- he's doing his job. But there is a chance he could die."
Willow stood. "Then send me! I'll go!"
"Calm down, Willow," Sinephilim said, touching his shoulder.
Urithax glanced at him. Then at Darkness. "We'll speak with the Gods. Privately."
"…fine." Darkness said annoyed.
And they vanished in white fire and shadow.
Willow turned to Sinephilim. "Why?! Why wouldn't he just send me?! Every second we waste, he could be dead!"
Flames sparked across his fingertips.
"Willow… we don't know what we're dealing with." Veronica tried to steady him.
"She's right," Sinephilim said. "We can't rush in blind. If something out there is killing Rhenvar, it can probably kill us too."
(She was right. Sylvia would've waited. She always did what was logical. Still…)
The ring burned again.
"Why…" he whispered.
Sinephilim crossed her arms. "I don't get you at all. I know you and Rhenvar have history but why throw yourself into the fire for him?"
(Because I love him.)
"That's none of our business," Veronica cut in, stepping beside him. "And what Willow wants to do is none of your business."
"Just… tell me why," Sinephilim looked between them. "He eats souls, Willow. He kills. I can't wrap my head around it. You have a good heart; your sister was good. I just- "
"Because he's kind!" Willow clenched his fists. "He's honest! He's not just funny but he's fun! He's everything-"
"Y- you don't even know him." His voice cracked.
Sinephilim frowned. "Fine. Delude yourself, then. Just like always. You're nothing but fire that burns away the truth until only ashes remain of what you want to believe,"
Sinephilim sat down.
Veronica stepped forward, squeezing his shoulder. "It's okay. He's strong. He'll make it. You know him best. So, relax."
He looked at her.
(She reminds me of Felicia. Though her eyes are cold.)
Willow nodded.
White fire flared.
Urithax and Darkness returned.
"The Gods have agreed," Darkness said sitting down. "We'll help."
Willow took a step forward. "Then let's go!"
"Patience," she said, sipping her tea. "First, we need to discuss your new powers."
Sinephilim blinked. "New powers?"
Darkness gave them a wicked smile. "The Gods are feeling generous."
"How generous?" Veronica asked.
"Willow we will start with you, your soul's already burning. The Gods simply want to give it control. Your superpower is called Absolute Fire."
"Absolute fire? What the f- " Willow stopped himself. "Um what does that mean?"
Darkness waved. As if he's not worth any more words.
"Now Sin you get a power called perfect shield- "
The ring burned. The pain turned. It wasn't hot, it was soul crushing.
"Send me!" Willow yelled.
Darkness sighed. "Fine, off you go!"
She flicked her wrist and Willow fell into the shadows.
He fell into a war.
****
Super City.
It wasn't a warzone. It was a blood bath. Bodies, ashes and dust everywhere. This world. Something about it felt powerful. As if power was just a regular feeling. Or was it the power he was given that made him feel this way?
The buildings, as tall and magnificent, were destroyed. Metal on metal. Fires all over.
And then he saw him. A red monster. Slamming Rhenvar into the ground. A half bird girl in his other hand. Both blooded and dying.
He seen it. Rhenvar was using blood magic, pouring into the bird girl.
"Nya~ isn't this cut scene crazy?" A pink cat floated next to him.
He looked up, there was a weird sign that said Meowfunction.EXE.
(What the fuck?)
"I need to stop this!" He started to run.
"You mean that thing beating up Rhenvar and Corvessa?"
(Wait. Does she know Rhen?)
"Yes, are they working together?" Willow stopped.
"Sure are, they partied up when a bunch of guys and I were trying to kill Rhenvar. It was huuuge boss fight. You missed out, it was totally epic."
Willow lit on fire.
"You want to kill Rhen too! I've heard enough."
"No not anymore, my teammate joined him, I can't gank a guild member!"
(Huh? So, she's that girl's friend?)
"Then join me, help me save them."
"And skip the cutscene?" She put her hand on her chin.
"Well? Don't leave me in suspense!"
"Nya~ hell yeah I'll party up! But I get the loot! Oh, and your damage better not suck, I don't wanna be known for grouping with a weak noob."
Willow engulfed in fire.
"Oh trust me, my flames are going to level this whole fucking city, I don't care, I will save Rhen."
"Woah! Well damn man, let's game!"