CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: REUNION

I close my eyes and listen to the waves softly kiss the shoreline and recede back into the endless sea. It's as if we are on our own little planet in the vast world, the adventures we have been through have been so crazy in the shortest amount of time. How different my mindset is right now compared to the last few years barely surviving and struggling to live. I am at peace, my body is under no stress or fatigue and my vision is clear. The sun feels nice and warm, I smile because I am so happy. How long has it been since I've felt bliss like this? Have I ever been happy? Hmmm I wish things would never change, but such is life. Life is constantly changing like the endless ripples of the ocean. Nova quietly sleeps with her head resting on my chest and I dare not move lest I wake her up from her well deserved peaceful slumber. I am so very in love with her, everything about her. The way she smiles and dances, her hot blooded temper and the way she loves to catch things on fire. How she has so much fun when she fights. The way she's always there for me, always fighting to protect me. I can't imagine losing her, the pain that I would feel if she died. What is this emotion, this sinking pain in my heart that just feels dark and heavy. This is the utmost sense of vulnerability and yet the pleasant feeling of a warm bubble surrounding me, comforting me although I am surrounded by darkness. The dark shadows of the past that haunt me, that resonate a feeling of dread throughout my body, I was the cause of this. If only I was wiser, more cautious in my actions. If only I could return to the past and change everything, but alas here I am. We must strive to pick up the pieces. I have so many regrets, but those are regrets that I must bear on my shoulders. What actions must we take now? What can be done? I don't know which way we can change how the events of our lives have unfolded, or even what can be done about my own guilt but I must push forward and relax. I need a break, maybe a little time swimming in the calm crystal clear oceans of the Water Kingdom. Or maybe I can eat endless heaps of ice cream as well, or challenge a bunch of dwarves to a drinking contest. I don't know whatever may lie ahead of us but I will challenge it head on, whatever it may be. I feel as if I'm floating in place again, how long I've lived, how things have changed so much. How I have changed and stayed the same. My mind is flooding with a heap of thoughts and insecurities that I can not push away. It seems as if I am weak. That I can no longer keep my sharp mind after the encounter with Juzo and Eva. I wish I was not such a coward back then, that I would've attempted to help. That I was a leader instead of a backstabbing traitor. The look on Juzo’s face, the look of despair on Eva's as I left her to die. I didn't have the power to save either one, not even in the end did I try to help them. I just ran away from my problems as always. Whatever else was there to do? They were set on killing me. Killing everyone. I killed the ones I loved. I did that huh. Embra, my poor daughter. The look on her face, I can't even bear to think about it. I can't. The sadness in my heart is too much for me to bear. The friends, the small ones. I killed them too. They trusted me. They all trusted me when they shouldn't have. They should've thanked me and then left to live their own adventurous lives. It would've been nice to spend more time with them. To see them get strong and protect each other. To see how they would become in stressful situations and times where I would teleport to help then when they're in need. All of my friends are dead, but then again I have made new friends, or at least my clone did. I know their lives turned out differently than mine, they will live happily with each other going on countless adventures and having so much fun. That Umbra wasn't a coward. Not like me. No, he fought to protect his loved ones. He fought for his happiness that's well deserved. He will lead people to places that I never had dreamed of. He will fight many beasts and have so much fun, agh how I wish I could've seen the smiling faces of Juzo and Eva as they fought valiantly against ogres and titans, but that would never happen to me because I destroy everything I touch. I don't deserve happiness. I don't deserve love. I deserve to be miserable but Nova wouldn't let that happen no matter how much I pushed her away or begged for her to take my life or to let me take my own life. She wouldn't give up on me. She loves me with all of my faults. With all of me and I love her with every fiber in my body. With every little fragment of me. I love Nova, the most beautiful girl that smiles while shes punching through a dragon. Laughing as she covers a horde of goblins with flame, as she burns down countless forests of enemies. My Nova, the beautiful woman who dances with elves under the moonlight. The woman who out-drinks halls full of dwarves and laughs at the sight of danger. My woman, my strong strong woman who I adore, the woman I wish to spend eternity with, even if I have to destroy countless people to stay with her. If I have to cut through oceans of enemies I would not hesitate to do so. She is the reason I have life, the reason I smile and cry and laugh. The reason I wake up and fight. She is the reason I live. Her smile, those squinty eyes. The long hair and that beautiful fragrance she gives off when she's fighting. The flames that she uses to keep me warm. I find comfort in her. I find comfort in the way she talks and the way she's always making sure I am alright. As my mind wanders I keep thinking to myself just how lucky I am to have such a wonderful woman by my side. I am so very lucky. I am so very in love with her it's like she is what I strive for in life. Not Gold, not treasure or to become a valiant hero that is known throughout the land, but to be her lover. I will be her lover forever I will-

A soft whisper snaps me back to reality, “Lord Umbra, tis Denis. Defenses be ready for the Army of Gold approaches.”

“Thank you Commander.” I wonder to myself how long was I daydreaming and nod. He quickly runs off into the distance, rallying various beasts and Adventurers to the castle walls.

“Love?” I shake Nova softly, “Love?”

She kisses my cheek, “Five more minutes.”

“We have to prepare.” She wipes her eyes and yawns loudly.

“Okay, fine.” She sits up and stretches her neck.

“Preparations are complete, the others will be here soon as well. On behalf of Outcast Kingdom and all who reside here, I humbly thank you two for helping us.” The man clad in black armor bows, his long flowing silver hair drapes over his shoulders, he looks at us with tired bright red eyes.

“You don't have to bow, it's all thanks to you for bringing us here or we would have been stuck on that island forever. Your skills must be very high. Thank you son.”

A flashback appears in my mind of the battle with Evil Juzo. As I set up the infinity barrier Nova and I cloned ourselves to be sacrificed with Juzo and Eva. I used Teleportation Ring to teleport to Denis on the island. That is how we survived. We lived there for a long time until a man came claiming to be our son. He brought us here and then quickly left, we always hoped one day he would appear again in our lives after we left him such a long time ago.

I help Nova up and we embrace in a hug with him, who knew these events would unfold.

“I have waited my whole life to meet you two, I've seen the darkness of this world, yet I've also seen the light. I have felt hate and love, I have been hurt and hurt others, yet in the end I have comrades and a kingdom of people to protect. How long I've waited just to see you two, I'm sorry I'm ranting. I really am!” He continues to cry, Nova squeezes tightly.

“I always hoped to see you one day, it was so hard to leave you with Desthro, we had no choice. Times were too dangerous. I made sure to leave a fortune to bribe the administration when it was time for you to become an Adventurer so you could live a normal life. Who knew the corruption would be spread so far. My child. My strong child.” Nova laughs while tears fall to the floor.

“I am so proud of you. You did what I always dreamed of doing, creating a sanctuary for beast and man alike. I don't know what to say.” I laugh heartily and pick up my Blackfire Greatsword, “Time to fight.”

“Time to destroy everything! I can't wait to see your powers son!” The pure joy on Nova's face as she walks with her arm around his shoulder as his dark gloomy expression and dark black rings under his eyes are replaced with a smile of happiness, pure happiness. I can't imagine the pain he has gone through, but I suppose that is his story to tell. A story I will listen to with open ears once day when all is at peace, but for now we fight.

We stop before we get to the castle walls, “Now is fine if you could please.” He asks.

“Got it.” I hold out my hand in front of me, “Summon Allies!”

“Whaaaat you're alive!” Eva yells loudly while clutching her staff.

“The original right?!” Childhood Nova moves her hair out of her face and stares at Childhood Umbra in disbelief.

“Woah is that the guy that took Carbon’s clone?” Juzo asks, he's holding the vampire sword, Umbra smiles and runs his hand over the blade.

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“I'm glad it ended up in your hands. Fight hard with it.” Umbra smiles.

“Will do!” Juzo nods.

“Hello! I'm a good guy!” Nekki puts his hands up.

“Relax! We're all friends here aren't we!” Nova pats his back and smiles.

“You must need our help? You guys too?! Long time no see!” Childhood Umbra says while bumping fists with Wundah. The four Dragon Kings wear armor and clothing made out of the God Level Dragon.

“Yoooooo! Dude how’ve you been!” Wundah smiles and hugs Eva and Nova.

“Brooooo! Juzo man!” Andrew and Juzo bump fists and flex their muscles at each other.

“Yo! You been training?” AvatarPyro waves at Childhood Nova who has a evil gleam in her eyes.

“I've trained in hopes for a rematch!” She yells while cracking her knuckles.

“Hello um hi everyone! I'm Lawa.” She smiles and waves timidly.

“Hello! I am Nekki!” Nekki scratches his head, “We have to fight um the Five Kingdoms, Fire, Air, Water, Earth and Gold! They are corrupt and evil! On behalf of the Outcast Kingdom I beg for your help!” Nekki bows as Wundah quickly shouts.

“Nekki you don't have to bow, we got your back bro!” Wundah gives a thumbs up.

“I will crush everything to dust with my fists and fire!!!” Childhood Nova yells and laughs evilly, “Muahahaha!”

“With our flames combined we will destroy the whole army! Muahahahaha!” Nova stands besides Childhood Nova and laughs with her, flames coming out of their mouths.

“We are with some scary women huh?” Childhood Umbra whispers to Umbra.

“We heard that!” The two scream.

“Oh here!” Childhood Nova yells while reaching into her satchel and handing Nova the ring.

“Oh my thank you so much! Thank you!” She hugs Childhood Nova who smiles brightly.

“No problem! Now who do we have to murder with our fists of fire!?” The two of them laugh hysterically as Nekki motions for everyone to walk over.

“There are many things that don't make sense if you think about the many timelines of events that have happened. The evil Juzo or Dark Lord told me there were many different worlds in different dimensions, but from what I saw as I traveled to your world.” Umbra points to Childhood Umbra, “To the Island and to the Dragon King world, also mine, and then this world. Everything makes sense. How the items being used are similar, how the beasts and fighting mechanics are similar. It's because there are not different dimensions, they're different time periods of the same map. The Island is the beginning, then the Dragon Slayers world, followed by Umbras, then my world and now we are in Nekki’s. This is all a theory of mine. Would you please tell them what our situation is in more detail please?” Umbra adjusts his sword and stares at the black ominous clouds above them.

“Hi! Yeah um I am Nekki! I'm the son of Umbra and Nova! I ended up as a Necromancer and the Kingdom is ruled by puppet kings and fake royalty. They were all followers of the Dark Lord and tried to have me killed but I survived and created this kingdom. My friends are all under their control. I searched through the darkest dungeons for scrolls on time travel and uncovered a secret tunnel built by King Carbon a long time ago. It needed a clone of his to be sacrificed in order to open it, that is why I was at your Great War. I assumed you were evil until the vampires refused to follow their King and Vampire Queen Sophia took control and fought bravely and then Carbon explained everything to me. Ummmmmmmm yeah! Evil people are trying to kill us! Oh and one more catch!” The main gate opens up to reveal a wide bridge with two titans guarding the entrance. As far as the eye can see are enemies, “We are fighting Carbon clones that were born morphed using dark magic and science!” He yells over the roar of enemies chanting spells, “I mean it pretty much speaks for itself! Haha!” Nekki chuckles as he looks at Umbra, “Can you hold a barrier beneath us please?”

Umbra nods, “Yeah sure thing Son.”

“Sweet, Teleport!” The group is teleported to the front of the bridge in between the two titan’s heads. They nod and hold their spears silently.

“Woah nice!” Wundah says.

“Oh my look at all those chickens!” AvatarPyro says and the Dragon Kings laugh.

“Agh I miss those so much!” Andrew scratches his stomach.

“So many enemies to kill hehe.” Lawa smiles and unsheathes her sword.

“How do you want to do this?” Juzo asks Nekki who is humming to himself.

“Whaat your not intimidated by all of those Umbra?!?” Thousands upon thousands of Umbra clones are marching in the distance. Some on wolves, some riding dragons or cyclops. Hundreds are riding on top of Behemoths and ice giants. Towering sixty-armed Umbra titans are walking in the distance. The sheer power of this army would cause anyone to drop to their knees in surrender.

“This is nothing man! Look at us!” Juzo smiles and flexes his muscles with Andrew.

“I'll punch holes through all of them!” Eva yells at the top of her lungs.

“Just don't mistake us for them!” Umbra yells.

“Yeah please don't!” Childhood Umbra also yells.

“I'll punch any Umbra I see!” Nova smiles and kisses Umbra's cheek, “Hehe I'm just kidding!”

“Here these can help.” AvatarPyro holds two bright yellow headbands and hands them to the two, “Welcome to the club of kicking ass!” He gives a thumbs up and smiles.

“Thank you!” Childhood Umbra ties it around his head.

“Thanks a lot!” Umbra also ties his and then stretches his arms.

“Oh yeah um battle plans battle plans! Ughhhhhhhh how should we do this? Hehe!” Nekki nervously laughs and rubs the back of his head.

“Wundah and I work as a team.” AvatarPyro says, standing next to Wundah.

“Yeet! We can hold the line on the far left.” Wundah looks back at the many Adventurers and beasts lined up along the floor near the castle walls, “Any that we don't get the army can handle.”

“I can crush everything with Juzo, the two of our muscles combined will send them flying into the sky!” Andrew flexes his muscles with Juzo who is laughing and flexing.

“Yeah that sounds good! We'll be to the right of Wundah and AvatarPyro!” Juzo stretches his arms and legs.

“Hi uh I'm Lawa, I stab things with my sword!” Lawa smiles at Eva as a dark aura surrounds her body.

Eva smiles and flexes her bicep, “Eva's the name and punching holes in my enemies is my game! I can also heal! Nice to meet ya! We'll be to the right of Juzo and Andrew!”

“I'll take the middle with wide ranged attacks!” Nekki gives a thumbs up.

“We'll take to the right of Nekki, just let us know if you need support! That fine?” Umbra asks Childhood Umbra.

“Yeah that's good!” Childhood Umbra takes a deep breath and focuses on his area.

“Nova squad gets to destroy everything on the far right! Flaammmessssss!” Childhood Nova punches her fists together.

“I'm going to punch through everything hehehehehe! Muahahahaha!” Nova is laughing evilly.

“I feel sorry for everyone on the right side oh my gosh those poor souls.” Umbra smiles and kisses Nova's cheek, “If you need me say the word and I'll be right over.”

“Yeah! If anyone needs help just ask I'll rush and kill everything!” Nova screams, she's so pumped up to fight.

“Okay! Everyone set on battle positions?!” Nekki asks, scratching his forehead.

“Yup!”

“Yeah!”

“Let's do it!”

“I'm gonna stab everything!”

“Here's some buffs! Agility! Defense! Attack! Mana!” Eva smiles and everyone has glowing auras surrounding them.

“Let me also give you guys a buff! Dark Protection!” Nekki smiles and everyone's body has a slight black glow, “This will make you immune to my spells, they're mostly wide ranged so this will be good. It doesn't wear off until I deactivate it so it's fine!”

“Thank you Nekki!” Eva smiles as Umbra grips his sword.

“Aye let's do this! Raaaaaaaahhhhh!” Umbra roars at the top of his lungs and the others roar as well. The front line of Umbra Clones hold Long Swords, they howl and hiss. More like beasts than man. They drool and continue to howl and roar. The dark clouds overhead are filled with lightning. It surges and surges. Red lightning flows from the Umbra Clones’ bodies and the ground.

AvatarPyro quickly glances at Wundah who glances at Lawa who glances at Andrew, “Noooooooo wayyyy! Everyone dodge!” He screams and they quickly move to dodge.

“It's fine! Don't worry!” Nekki flies above them and as a massive bolt of red lightning falls towards the Adventurers he holds his index finger up. The lightning flows into it and turns into a small ball of buzzing energy, “Death to all enemies.” Nekki whispers with an ominous grin as he tosses the small ball of lightning that gently floats across the sky and softly hits a Umbra Clone. A shockwave cuts a line through the center of the army that stretches into the distance.

“Yeah that sure is your son Nova! Haha! I guess the war has begun.” Umbra whispers, “Time to go! Be careful everyone!” Umbra waves at Nova and jumps down.

“Be careful!” Childhood Umbra waves and jumps down.

“Got it!” Juzo pats Andrew's back, “Let's go bro!”

“Yeah! Be careful!” Andrew jumps with him and they land in the floor with a huge crash of energy.

“See ya!” Eva smiles and waves, flying down.

“Don't die okay!” Lawa smiles at AvatarPyro and jumps down.

“I won't! Let's go bro!” AvatarPyro jumps down holding a Greatsword.

“See ya!” Wundah jumps down and rushes to battle with AvatarPyro.

“Time to destroy everything!” Nova clenches her fists and smiles warmly, “Be careful Son! I love you!”

Nekki blushes, “I love you too Mom! Let me know if you need me!” Nekki waves as Nova jumps down.

“Be careful okay!” Childhood Nova smiles and waves then jumps down.

“Well time to go as well.” Nekki takes a deep breath as he watches everyone rushing into battle with smiles on their faces, “Azaz I will save you.” A sudden look of sadness flashes across his face. He shakes it off and then teleports to the front of the line and smiles, “Rain!” Thin black needles the size of a raindrop falls down onto the battlefield, it melts through the armor of a few Umbra Clones but one of them roars loudly, sending a shockwave that stops the spell, “Well I tried. Dark Volley!” Thirty spell circles appear above him and beams of energy rip through the front line. They begin to charge in a frenzy and it seems the battle has begun. With the countless enemies in front of them, not one Adventurer is scared. They face the battle head on with bright smiles across their faces. As the two Novas punch through enemies, as Andrew and Juzo smash their way through the front line, as Wundah and AvatarPyro do deadly combos, Eva and Lawa are ruthless and the Umbras are charging their sword skills. The many adventures that will be told will be shared throughout the vast endless flow of time. The rest will be known in the next book, Outcast Kingdom.

~ Fin