Nekro, the God of Under World, stood alongside the demonic counterpart of his son, Drake Brimstone, surrounded by the demons who bowed in reverence to their presence. Nekro's arrival was intimidating, but it was Drake's eerie calmness that sent a chill through the air, an unsettling contrast to his usual fiery demeanor.
Shade and Link had never encountered Nekro before. The God's appearance was much like the other Gods they had seen, powerful, with an aura that commanded respect, but there was a unique calmness about him. His spiky vermilion hair stood out, as did the pendant with a green jewel hanging around his neck, glinting ominously in the dim light.
It had been some time since the demigods had last seen Drake, or even Ash, not since the Cosmic League. The memory of Shade's defeat at Drake's hands still lingered, but it felt distant, irrelevant in the face of what was unfolding now. Shade was so absorbed by the gravity of their presence that he didn't even notice when the sky darkened into night.
Drake's silent, unblinking gaze was unnerving. His eyes were fixed on Xhin, who, upon recognizing Nekro, rose to her feet in respect. She bowed briefly before taking a few cautious steps forward, though she kept a respectful distance.
Nekro's gaze swept across the area, his head turning slowly from side to side as if taking in every detail of the battlefield. After a moment, his attention returned to Xhin.
"Xhin..." Nekro's voice was soft yet carried the weight of authority.
Immediately, Xhin dropped to her knees, mirroring the monsters present. Shade noted with surprise that neither he nor Link felt compelled to do the same, a subtle but significant detail as they continued to watch the scene unfold.
"I am thoroughly disappointed in you," Nekro continued, his tone tinged with disapproval. "I would not have expected you to maintain such a heinous attitude."
"Apologies, my Lord," Xhin responded quickly, her voice trembling slightly. "I did only what was necessary."
She stood up, continuing her explanation with a defiant edge. "Humans are scum that don't deserve to rule their world," she spat. "I merely did them a fa—"
Before Xhin could finish, a loud explosion echoed through the air. Shade whipped his head back to Nekro, only to realize Drake had vanished from his side. In the blink of an eye, Drake had crossed the distance and was now gripping Xhin by the throat, lifting her off the ground effortlessly.
"Who gave you permission to monologue?" Drake's voice was harsh, his expression cold and unyielding.
Xhin gasped, her hands clawing at Drake's grip, but it was no use. His hold was unrelenting, her struggles futile. The demigods watched as Drake, his face impassive, continued to strangle the demon girl, showing no mercy.
"At ease, my son," Nekro's voice cut through the tension, calm and commanding.
Drake's grip loosened slightly, allowing Xhin to draw in a ragged breath, though he kept her suspended in the air, her feet dangling helplessly.
"What you have done to this world is unforgivable," Nekro stated, his voice filled with quiet authority. "You will be held accountable for your actions."
Nekro's words carried an undeniable weight, sending chills through everyone present. His gaze lingered on Xhin for a moment before shifting to the towering gate behind her. With a deliberate motion, he extended his right hand toward the gate, his focus unwavering.
The gate of Hell responded instantly, resonating with a low, ominous hum, much like when Xhin had activated it earlier. The crimson red bars began to lose their glow, dimming rapidly as the power that fueled them faded away. Shade watched in the realization that Nekro was deactivating the gate, severing the connection that allowed the monsters to spawn.
Slowly, the gate began to dissolve, fading from sight until it vanished completely, returning to Under World. Nekro exhaled a soft sigh, his frustration evident as he turned his attention back to Drake, who still held onto Xhin, her feet dangling helplessly above the ground.
"The casualties are already too great," Nekro said, his voice carrying a somber note. "But by now, all the monsters in Main World should be kneeling and subdued. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Yes, Father," Drake replied, his eyes locked on Xhin, his grip on her unyielding.
Xhin's fury was palpable, but she was powerless to act. Even her voice faltered as she attempted to speak, fear tightening her throat with Drake so close.
"Torrent is handling the remaining monsters across the world," Nekro continued, addressing Drake. "So your focus should be solely on this country."
"Yes, Father," Drake responded.
Shade couldn't help but be stunned by Nekro's words. "All the monsters in Main World?" he thought, disbelief washing over him.
As the moments passed, Nekro turned toward the tear in reality through which they had arrived. He began to move toward it but paused just before entering.
"You've done well in protecting humanity, nephews," Nekro said, his back still to them, but his words clearly meant for Link and Shade.
He paused briefly before addressing his son once more. "And Drake?"
"Yes, Father?" Drake answered immediately.
"Bring her back alive."
Silence persisted a moment before the murderous intent in Drake's eyes softened. "Understood, Father," he replied, his calm demeanor unwavering.
With that, Nekro resumed his stride, disappearing into the crack in reality, followed by the other accompanying demons. As he vanished, the clouds that had ominously gathered began to disperse, and the tear in reality sealed shut.
Drake remained, still holding Xhin off the ground. With Nekro's departure, Xhin seemed to gather the courage to speak, her voice trembling with fear.
"My prince," Xhin began, desperation creeping into her tone, "I'm sure you understand the value of my—"
But before she could finish, another deafening explosion reverberated through the area. Shade and Link flinched at the sound, their attention snapping back to Drake and Xhin. As they looked on, Shade noticed that while Drake still held Xhin by the throat, the demon girl had been rendered unconscious in an instant.
Bruises mottled Xhin's neck following the explosion, confirming that it had been aimed directly at her. It was clear that Drake had unleashed a concentrated blast, one powerful enough to inflict significant pain and incapacitate her, yet calibrated precisely to avoid causing fatal damage. His intent was clear: to hurt her as much as possible without crossing the line into death.
Shade and Link stood in utter bewilderment, struggling to comprehend the situation. The monsters remained on their knees, and the entire scene felt surreal, as if it defied all logic they knew.
"How is this possible?" Link asked, his voice tinged with confusion. "He just said all the monsters in the world have stopped moving."
"I'm not sure," Shade replied, his brow furrowed in thought. "I didn't think something like this was possible, even for the Gods."
"It is only to be expected."
Shade and Link turned toward the source of the voice. Drake, standing a considerable distance away with his back to them, had somehow heard their conversation. This reminded Shade of the Cosmic League, where Drake had once explained the heightened hearing abilities of the demon race.
Casually tossing Xhin's unconscious body aside, Drake refocused on the two demigods, sensing their confusion and offering them some clarity on what they had just witnessed.
"My father's power is the most absolute among the Gods," Drake began, his voice steady and firm. "It's no wonder his feats appear more grandiose."
Shade and Link were stunned, their eyes widening in disbelief. This revelation was entirely unexpected, leaving them reeling.
"But I thought all Gods were infinite in power?" Shade asked, struggling to reconcile this new information.
"They are," Drake responded, slightly turning his head toward them, "but his power surpasses the rest when the Ouroboros is in effect."
Drake's words only deepened their confusion. They exchanged glances, trying to make sense of the cryptic statement.
"Ouroboros?" Link asked, hoping for an explanation.
Drake sighed softly, then straightened, his gaze turning forward once more. "I apologize, but I can't explain everything right now. I have my duties to fulfill," he said, taking a few deliberate steps forward.
Shade was completely thrown by Drake's demeanor. The last time they had crossed paths in the Cosmic League, Drake had been a wild and unpredictable force, reveling in the chaos of battle. But now, he was calm, composed, and methodical, with a level of sophistication in his speech that was both surprising and unsettling.
As Drake surveyed the area, his eyes sharp and calculating, he finally came to a halt.
"Ash..." he began, addressing his alter ego. "I assume you're ready?"
A tense silence followed as if Drake was listening to an unspoken reply from within. Then, with a deep breath, he closed his eyes, and the air around him seemed to shift. Whatever was about to happen, Shade could feel it was something significant.
With his eyes closed, a thick, dark smoke began to swirl around Drake. This wasn't the usual smoke Ash conjured; it was much darker, more ominous. The evening sky, which had returned after Nekro's departure, darkened once again, slipping into the deep, oppressive shroud of night as if in response to the strange transformation taking place. Drake's body began to change.
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It was not the usual shift, where Drake would exchange places with Ash and vice-versa. This was different, a complete metamorphosis that altered Drake's entire physical structure. Shade, who had initially assumed Drake was summoning Ash, quickly realized he was witnessing something far more profound.
Shade watched, bewildered, as Drake's form was swallowed by a pitch-black cloak, his body encased in shadow as he grew in size. The smoke obscured much of the transformation, but as it gradually dispersed, the figure beneath was revealed.
Link and Shade stood frozen in terror as the figure took shape, an embodiment of the Grim Reaper, towering at seven feet, cloaked in darkness and mist. A crimson orb, glowing with the same hue as the gate of Hell, pulsed at the center of its chest. The creature's hooded visage concealed nothing but swirling mist, leaving it faceless and hollow.
As the creature solidified, the air was filled with the mournful wails of lost souls. It stretched out a skeletal hand, dark and foreboding, as a strange weapon began to materialize in its grasp. The weapon, summoned as if from the Divine Arsenal itself, took the form of a long, menacing scythe. Its black handle and razor-sharp blade exuded a smoky aura that seemed to devour the light around it. Shade and Link watched, paralyzed by a mix of fear and awe, but this was only the beginning.
The creature, now wielding its scythe, unfurled massive black wings from its back, dark and powerful, a contrast to the ethereal wings of the Gods. With a single, mighty beat, it lifted off the ground and soared through the air with terrifying speed.
Shade's emotions were a whirlwind as he watched the hollow, faceless creature descend upon the kneeling monsters. Despite Nekro's departure, the monsters remained subdued, a testament to the lingering influence of the God of Under World, confirming Drake's earlier claim.
The reaper-like creature swept through the ranks of monsters, its scythe slicing through the air. With each swing, the scythe ripped the souls from the monsters' bodies, drawing them into the glowing orb on its chest. The soulless bodies crumbled into dust, their physical forms disintegrating as the creature harvested their very essence.
"I think I've got a headache just trying to make sense of this," Link muttered, his voice laced with frustration and confusion.
Shade felt the same, though he managed to piece together some understanding of what was happening.
"I think this is why Ash usually assists Nekro," Shade began, his voice steadying as he spoke. "If Drake can unlock a form like this, it makes sense why he would aid his father. Nekro is the God of Death, after all."
"The God of Death?" Link echoed, startled. "How the heck do you know that?"
"I used to read a lot about the Gods a while back," Shade explained. "Even before we found out we were demigods."
As Shade watched the reaper-like figure methodically cleanse the area of monsters, a sense of calm washed over him. The crisis, which had threatened to annihilate humanity, was finally nearing its end. With Torrent and Drake, or the Reaper, purging the world of the remaining horrors, there was a glimmer of hope.
The cost had been high, with countless casualties and a host of new challenges to face, but Shade knew there was still reason to rejoice. Against all odds, they had prevailed over the human extinction project.
Klaus opened his eyes...
The light above his bed cast a soft beam down on him as he returned a gaze. He recognized the familiar ceiling of his room in Higher World, yet the feeling of emptiness was overwhelming. His mind, usually racing with thoughts, felt hollow, with only one agonizing truth echoing within him.
"I couldn't save her."
For a moment, Klaus stared blankly at the ceiling, the weight of that realization pressing down on him like a boulder. Slowly, he shifted his gaze to the left, noticing Quinn seated beside him. She was engrossed in a book, so absorbed that she hadn't noticed his awakening.
With a heavy sigh, Klaus pushed himself up, trying to reconnect with reality after what felt like an eternity of darkness. The sudden movement caught Quinn's attention. Startled, she quickly closed her book and turned to him.
"Klaus..." she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and concern, "you're awake."
Klaus remained silent, sitting up in bed with his eyes open but his mind far away. Quinn's worry deepened as she watched him, her thoughts racing.
"How are you feeling?" Quinn asked gently.
But Klaus didn't respond. He simply stared ahead, lost in his thoughts. The silence stretched on, each second heightening Quinn's unease as she sensed the mental anguish gripping him. Knowing she had to break through somehow, she began to explain.
"You've been unconscious for over nine days," Quinn informed him softly. "When the connection between the realms was reestablished, we took you to the medical facility. But even after the healing, you wouldn't wake up, almost as if your mind refused to return."
Quinn's words hung in the air, unanswered as Klaus sat motionless, his expression unchanged, his thoughts unreachable. Quinn, too, fell silent, unsure of how to bridge the widening gap between them. But she knew there was something important he needed to hear.
"By the way, the Gods have been waiting for you," Quinn added, her tone softer still. "They require your presence at their domain."
Klaus didn't react at first. He remained seated for a few more seconds, then slowly stood up, his movements mechanical. His clothes, once torn and bloodied from the monster crisis, were now pristine, likely restored by the healing pods of the medical facility. Without a word, he followed Quinn out of the apartment building, heading towards the transportation podiums.
As they walked, Quinn kept her silence, unsure of what to say. She could feel the weight of his grief since she had been connected to his mind when he lost Avalon, and that pain was still fresh for him. She wanted to comfort him, but knew that talking about it would only deepen his sorrow. So instead, she chose to focus on something else.
"You know, humans are really persistent," Quinn said, injecting some brightness into her tone. "They've already started rebuilding. It's truly impressive."
Klaus remained silent, his eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.
"After everything that's happened, I doubt humanity can still claim not to believe in Gods," Quinn continued, her voice softening as she glanced at him.
Quinn's expression softened, a mix of concern and resignation crossing her face as she glanced at Klaus. She knew he was struggling, but there were things he needed to hear, things she had to tell him. Taking a deep breath, she continued, her voice gentle.
"It's been a lot for all of us," Quinn began quietly, her words measured. "In just a few days, society managed to uncover most of our identities. They figured out who we are, especially those of you who stepped in to help. And since I'm related to Link, who was also seen fighting, I got pulled into the spotlight. That's why most of the demigods are hiding out here in Higher World until the chaos dies down and the media stops talking about it."
They continued their walk in silence until they reached the transportation podium, where they were transported to meet the Gods.
Upon their arrival, Klaus and Quinn were greeted by XVII, who was already waiting for them. He swiftly directed them to a waiting area where they were to remain until the others arrived. The two demigods stood in silence, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken thoughts as they waited.
It wasn't long before the others began to arrive. Link Atlas, Ace Falcon, Shade Walker, X, Ash Brimstone, and even Trent all appeared within minutes apart of each other. Klaus didn't react much to Trent's presence, unaware of what had transpired in Main World, so the addition didn't strike him as odd.
Shade, seeing his brother awake after so many days, felt a wave of relief wash over him, but that relief was tinged with deep concern. He could see the emptiness in Klaus' eyes, the way he seemed lost in a world of his own. Understanding that Klaus needed space, Shade chose not to approach him, respecting his brother's unspoken wish to be left alone.
Finally, XVII led them into a room, its white, misty expanse familiar to Klaus as the place where he had first encountered his father. The space seemed to pulsate with a certain energy, a force that enveloped them as they stepped inside. Moments later, beams of light began to pierce through the void, and the Gods descended from the infinite emptiness above, Nekro and Torrent among them.
The power in the room was overwhelming, but the Gods, in their infinite control, tempered it just enough so that the demigods wouldn't be forced to their knees. After a brief pause, Zenith stepped forward, his presence commanding yet calm.
"Welcome, demigods," Zenith began, his voice serene but carrying the authority of the divine. "On behalf of all the Gods, I want to commend you for your efforts in protecting humanity. I understand that not everyone could be saved, but I urge you to find solace in the fact that you have emerged from this turmoil."
As Zenith spoke, Sol's gaze flickered toward Klaus, his expression darkening with empathy. He could sense the pain radiating from Klaus, the silent suffering that seemed to envelop him. But Klaus himself barely registered Zenith's words. His mind was elsewhere, a dull buzzing in his ears as the God's voice faded into white noise.
Zenith continued, his words of praise and encouragement filling the room, but they barely touched Klaus. It was only when Zenith extended his hand toward the demigods that Klaus's attention was briefly pulled back to the present.
"We cannot commend you enough for all that you've done," Zenith said, his tone filled with solemn respect. "But as a token of our gratitude, we offer you this honorable item, a symbol of your triumph."
As Zenith finished speaking, medals appeared around the necks of each demigod. The medals, crafted from pure gold, hung from high-quality fabric, their weight solid and real. At the center of each medal was the signature emblem of two ghosts, one black and one white, swirling around each other in perfect balance. The gold itself seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly quality, far beyond anything found in the mortal realm. It was clear to anyone that this artifact was of immense value.
"Congratulations once again, demigods," Zenith continued after a moment. "If there is anything at all that any of you desire, do not hesitate to ask."
Quinn understood that the Gods were going above and beyond for the demigods, offering more than was necessary. Defending their reality was, after all, their birthright. What set these demigods apart was simply that they had been present in Main World or capable of helping out. After some time, the demigods were dismissed.
Klaus remained silent and hollow throughout the entire event, his expression unchanged as he left with the others. As the demigods made their way to the transportation podium, a voice suddenly called out.
"Ace."
The demigods turned to see Blur, the God of Motion, approaching. He had requested to speak with his son. Ace stepped forward, and Blur began to speak.
"I wanted to personally congratulate you," Blur said after a brief pause. "I've heard that you saved the most souls during the crisis."
Though Blur already knew this, addressing his son felt difficult. Ace simply nodded, confirming his father's words. After another pause, Blur continued.
"I'm proud of you, my son," he said softly, extending his hand.
Ace, surprised by his father's kind words, smiled and reached out to shake his hand. The handshake lingered for a moment before Blur pulled Ace into a warm embrace.
Blur felt a deep sense of calm, reassured by his son's strength of spirit. It brought him comfort, especially after his one mistake.
Meanwhile, Klaus continued on his way, uninterested in anything else. He chose to leave the Gods' domain and return to Main World. Shade walked beside his brother as they traveled back to Exalted City, and then to Main World.
As Klaus opened his eyes, completing his transportation, he saw the streets filled with humans hard at work. The buildings, though damaged by the unknown creatures, were not beyond repair. With the monsters' bodies and blood having vanished, the primary task left was dealing with the human casualties. The workers focused on minor repairs and reconstruction, their efforts a testament to humanity's resilience.
Klaus walked on, but after a few moments, he began to notice the murmurs around him. A few people had recognized him from the news as one of the demigods who had defended the city. He ignored the whispers, continuing his stride until he reached his home.
When he arrived, the crowd outside had grown significantly. Shade was already there, struggling to deflect the relentless attention of the people surrounding him. Cameras flashed, and questions were thrown at Shade, who desperately tried to evade them and get inside.
As Klaus approached, Shade noticed him immediately. The crowd's attention shifted, but Klaus remained indifferent to the unspoken questions and eager advances directed his way.
"Are you all really children of the Gods?"
"Have any of you ever met a real God?"
"What about that psycho X? Is he truly one of you people?"
Shade fought to make his way through the crowd and into the house, but Klaus had no such trouble. His expression remained unchanged, cold and distant, as he walked toward the door. The sheer force of his presence made the crowd part before him, allowing him to enter the house unhindered. Shade followed in the wake of his brother, finally making it inside.
Once they were indoors, they found Natalie sitting on the couch in the living room, her face etched with sadness and fatigue. Shade quickly approached her, concern evident in his voice.
"They've been out there for days," Natalie said, her frustration clear. "I had to threaten them with legal action just to keep them from coming inside, but even that was barely enough."
"Don't worry, Mom," Shade reassured her, "we're done with our objective in Higher World, so we'll stay here for as long as possible. Right, Klaus?"
Shade and Natalie both looked at Klaus, who was slowly making his way up the stairs in silence. Natalie, aware of the burden Klaus carried after Xhin's scheme, said nothing. She simply watched as Klaus disappeared from view.
Klaus reached his room, closed the door behind him, and walked to the window to draw the blinds, shutting out the light. He climbed onto his bed, curling up in silence, lost in the depths of his pain.
The world outside was still reeling from the catastrophe Xhin had unleashed. Reality had shifted, turning the familiar into something strange and otherworldly. For everyone, life had taken on a new, surreal quality. But amidst the grief and loss, one truth became undeniable to every human on Earth.
Gods are real.