Ariana gripped Ben’s hand as they and Raziel made their way to the far end of Sky City, the image of him almost killing the woman fresh in her mind. She didn’t know exactly who the demon was trying to impersonate, but she was glad that Ben had resisted and not become the monster she was so deeply afraid of.

Never, ever give up on someone you love, the voice said.

She smiled as his words to the demon-in-disguise echoed in her mind. I’m not like you, and I never will be again.

Ariana glanced over at Ben, whose head was hung, his eyes glazed, as if he were locked in a trance. She gently nudged him.

“Hey. Everything okay?”

“The woman the demon impersonated was a trafficker named Gretchen Granary,” Ben explained. “She posed as Lilly’s foster mom, but really she was pimping her out.”

Ariana’s eyes lit up. “Wait. You remember who she is?”

Ben nodded. “Lilly is my little sister. Gretchen was the one who killed me and took her.”

Poor Ben, the voice said, He really has had an awful life, hasn’t he?

“I’m sorry, Ben.” Ariana frowned as she hugged his arm. “Do you know what happened to her? After, I mean.”

“I honestly have no idea. But I know she’s alive,” Ben said with a half-smile. “So, that’s something.”

Ariana gazed softly into his gray eyes. “Is there something else bothering you?”

“I-I remember it. My past, my life on Earth, everything. And…” Ben hesitated, his jaw set.

“And what?” Ariana asked.

“I’m not a good person.” He began, his eyes downcast, “I’ve killed people, Ari. Not just here, but back on earth, too. The tribe that Lilly and I are from? Our mother? All dead, because of me.”

Ariana stopped in her tracks. “Like on accident, or…?”

Ben shook his head, his eyes downcast. Ariana released his hand and stepped away; her stomach twisted into knots. Before he had come into her life, her life had been peaceful, albeit lonely. People weren’t dying left and right, and she still had a home.

Now, it was all gone. Because of him.

Turns out the boy I thought was an answer to my prayer is nothing more than a killer, she thought.

Ariana mustered the courage to look in his quivering eyes, filled with regret and horror. She frowned.

No, she realized. He never wanted any of this to happen.

Of course not, the voice said. You and I both know that isn’t the real him.

“Ari…” Ben said. “I think you should leave me and Raziel and go find your dad. I—”

He stopped mid-sentence as she avoided his gaze and placed her hand over his heart. She felt it gently pulse beneath her palm, realizing it was in sync with hers.

“You say you were a killer, right?” she asked.

Ben didn’t answer. Instead, he hung his head, turning away from her.

“So, who are you now?”

“I…” he grimaced. “I don’t know anymore, Ari.”

Ariana placed her other hand on his cheek, directing him to meet her eyes.

“I do. I may not know about who you were before, but that was a different life. The person in front of me now is the sweet boy who I found in the forest, the same one who danced with me and listened to all my dumb jokes. The one I will never, ever leave behind.” Ariana slowly smiled. “So, let’s find that pool so you can be him again, okay?”

Ben’s eyes stared down into hers, taking in her words. Finally, he smiled back.

“Okay. Let’s go, then.”

After letting that evil win the first few times, Ben had finally struck a blow. He had resisted. To her, that was a sign of hope, a hope that Ben could finally be cleared of his infection and that they could try to go back home together. Deep down, however, she knew her life in Riverglade was over.

I don’t even know if Dad is alive, Ariana thought somberly. So even if we fixed Ben, where would we go? Would we constantly be on the move, always pursued by demons?

Ariana turned to Raziel. “So, how did the demon know to take her form?”

“Because they’ve been watching him, even on earth,” Raziel said from the front.

Ben arched an eyebrow as they walked through the street. “What makes you so sure of that?”

“The way everything is falling into place. I mean, think about it. First, you arrive in New Eden. Next, you’re located and infected. Like clockwork, the demons attack Riverglade and the other villages, forcing them further north to here, all the while pushing you to use your power to further your corruption. Once control over your abilities has slipped from you, it will eventually go to the demons. You couldn’t have seen it, but you narrowly avoided it back when you chose not to kill the demon in disguise.”

Ben’s eyes widened as he stared down at his hands, which were pulsing with the black venom. “So, they want to control me? That’s what the infection is for?”

“I don’t see how it could be any other way,” Raziel confirmed.

“Why would they force everyone out of the villages?” Ariana asked. “What purpose does that serve?”

“Demons are dangerously nihilistic by nature. They know nothing lies beyond the grave, and they relish in that fact by ensuring chaos at every given chance.” Raziel’s scarlet eyes narrowed. “But this is different. Tactical. They obviously intended for all these people to die, though I have no idea why.”

“With another demon attack?” Ben asked.

Raziel shook his head. “No, with you. My theory is that the provocation was supposed to succeed, transform you completely, and render you their thrall. Earlier, we got lucky.”

Ben gulped nervously. “How long do you think until my, uh…transformation is complete?”

“Not long,” Raziel replied. “That means we need to hurry and get you to that pool. The sooner, the better, before you hurt Ariana or anyone else.”

Ariana hesitated. She didn’t want to be forced into a situation where she would have to use Omega to stop Ben. Even then, she doubted she could do it.

“Agreed,” she added, speeding up her walking.

As if on cue, a small, red-headed child came out of the crowd and ran up to Ben.

Ben patted the child’s head. “Hey Billy! Did you find your parents?”

Who is Billy? Ariana thought.

“No. I’m still looking.” The child shook his head sadly, then smiled at Ben. “Can you help me find them? I think they’re here somewhere!”

“Wait,” Ariana interjected. “You know this kid?”

Ben nodded. “Yeah, I met him back in Riverglade when the first demons attacked, then in Kira’s village.”

Wait a minute. Ariana’s eyes narrowed. I knew all the kids in Riverglade. None of them are named Billy.

Raziel stared at the child suspiciously. “Well, say your goodbyes, Ben. We can’t afford to have anything slowing us down, so Billy will have to find his parents on his own.”

Ben stood to his full height, his brows furrowed. “Oh, come on! He’s just a kid. Look, I say we let him hang with us, at least until he finds his parents.”

“Fine.” Raziel eyed the child carefully. “Once we reach the edge of the city, he’ll have to go, parents or not.”

“Thank you,” Ben said as he looked down at Billy. “How does that sound, bud?”

Billy slowly nodded, a weak smile on his lips. He gave Ben another hug and pulled back. “So, where are we going?”

“Somewhere,” Raziel remarked coldly.

“Oh. Did I make him mad?” Billy asked innocently.

“Yes. You’re annoying,” Raziel replied, his eyes narrowing. “And you’re stalling us.”

“I’m sorry.” Billy sniffled. “I didn’t mean to! I just want to hang out with him! He’s my friend!”

“What the hell, dude?” Ben knelt next to Billy as the child cried. “Are you a jackass to everyone you meet?”

Ariana and Raziel briefly exchanged looks. Something about this child wasn’t right, and it seemed like Ben was the only one who couldn’t see it.

Raziel rolled his eyes and motioned for them to continue walking. “Let’s not waste time. We need to…”

The ground rumbled beneath them. An earthquake.

Wait, Ariana realized, the city is literally floating. What’s going on?

Their heads snapped to the left, where they saw a Wicked Giant climb up onto the land. People in the city panicked, clamoring over each other to get away from it. As soon as the first had appeared, another rose from the rear of the city, then a third, and finally a fourth. Wicked Giants now surrounded all sides of the city.

Ariana, Ben, Raziel and the people were now like rats in a cage.

“Get to the exit!” Raziel shouted. “Now!”

They ran as fast as they could toward the rear of the city. Doing so, however, meant that they would have to go through the largest of the Wicked Giants, a towering plume of shadow and death that trampled anyone unlucky enough to be in stomping range.

The giants all flung meteors into the city, bombarding it and obliterating much of the population and the buildings. Bodies flew everywhere, blown in several directions by the force of the blast, as blood splattered the streets. However, the blasts seemed to be clear of Ben, as if they were trying to avoid him.

They’re still trying to control him, Ariana realized. This was their backup plan!

She looked forward to Ben. He was giving Billy a piggyback ride to make it easier to carry him, but his clothes and his skin gave off smoke and a dark red aura.

Ariana’s eyes widened. He was transforming again.

“No!” Raziel looked back at him. “Under any circumstances, do not use your Nephilim Armor! You know what will happen if you do!”

Slowly, the smoke and red aura around Ben faded. He continued running with Ariana, Raziel, and Billy in tow. They were almost on the path that led outside of the city, but the constant explosions and flying debris made the terrible moment last for what seemed like forever. The other three Wicked Giants were trampling the citizens as they fled. The buildings shattered into rubble as they pummeled their way across the floating landmass, toward Ben.

Ariana’s case had caught on a three-foot-long piece of shrapnel from the wreckage of a fallen building, tearing the leather and sending her beloved Ole Betsy flying. She helplessly watched as it was smashed to pieces against an enormous chunk of debris from a falling building.

She froze for a second, but Ben grabbed her arm and forced her to continue running. Her body moved on its own, but her mind felt numb. That violin had been with her almost her whole life, a gift from Kira. Years of practice, mastering it, all the long hours she and Ole Betsy put in together.

Now, it was all gone.

She teared up, but then wiped them away with her sleeve. There would be time to grieve for Ole Betsy later. Right now, they needed to escape.

After a few minutes of sprinting, they arrived at the end of the city, near the exit, where the largest of the Wicked Giants stood in their way. They stopped about twenty feet from its muscled, shadowy legs.

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As Raziel fully formed his Nephilim Shell, a sword and a shield materialized in his hands, ready for battle. He charged the beast, tackling its legs with a thunderous boom. It fell to one knee, attempting to crush him with its hand. Raziel dodged and pinned the hand to the ground with his ethereal blade. He broke the giant’s wrist with a mighty stomp from his foot, then pointed toward the exit.

“He’s down! Go, now!”

Ariana and Ben darted between the Wicked Giant’s legs, toward the mountains. At the end of the bridge, there stretched an ancient stone path, worn smooth by centuries of footfalls.

“Hey Billy?” Ben slowed down. “I need you to run from here on out, okay, buddy?”

The child slid off Ben’s back and ran with them. When Ariana looked back over her shoulder, the elevated path cracked and broke behind them, chunks slowly falling into the water below, speeding up as more debris fell into the churning lake.

Ariana looked over at Ben and shouted, nearly tripping over a loose stone. “The path is collapsing!”

Ariana, Ben, and Billy bolted even faster than before, sprinting across the collapsing bridge as fast as their bodies would allow.

Thirty feet...twenty feet... Ariana counted in her head, hopeful. The sooner we escape, the sooner we...

It was too late for her. The falling path had caught up with Ariana, and the next step she took was on empty air.

Ariana fell for what seemed like forever, back first into the water. Her body collided with the surface, and soon she sank into the depths with all the debris.

Her life flashed before her eyes. She remembered when she first met Zachariel, when she got her violin from Kira, and meeting her best friend who she loved more than anything in the world, Benjamin Blake.

If this is the end for me, Ariana thought, then I’m going to die happy. I‘m going to die with the thought of the good life that I had with Dad...with the love I shared with Ben.

She closed her eyes and prepared for the end, imagining Ben’s smiling face and gray eyes staring at her one last time. In those happy moments, only one regret came to mind.

I wish I could have wrapped my arms around him. Bubbles erupted from her mouth as she exhaled the last of her breaths. I wish I could have kissed him and told him how I feel.

Suddenly, Ariana felt an arm wrap around her waist. She opened her eyes, her vision blurry, and could see the silhouette of the figure that grabbed her. As she was pulled upward, she felt the rush of water against her skin as they finally broke the surface, gasping for air and coughing to get the ice-cold water out of their lungs.

Ariana looked over at her rescuer. He had soaking wet black hair, and he wore a look of worry, his face strained, but his beautiful gray eyes still shined.

Ben held her in one arm and attempted to paddle to shore with the other. Her own arm felt limp, but she tried to help propel them as much as she could. The constantly shifting water made it hard to tell, but she saw they were close to the shoreline. They kicked, lunged, put everything they had to make it to land.

When they reached the depth where their feet could touch the sand, a giant wave came from behind, sending both flying onto the shore. Ben made it fine, but Ariana landed on her leg, the force of it causing her to jam her ankle. As she gripped it tightly, she cried out in pain, struggling to stay conscious.

Ben scrambled over to her. “You okay? What happened?” He saw her clutching her ankle and moved over to it. “Let me see it.”

Ariana moved her hand, hyperventilating. “Is it broken?”

He pressed his fingers against her injury, feeling around for signs of broken bone. He shook his head. “Might be fractured, but other than that, it looks fine.”

“Okay,” she said, her breath quickening. “We need to move.”

Ben nodded as he got on one knee and moved Ariana’s arm over his shoulder, helping her up; her injured foot hovering inches from the ground as they moved. Together, they limped over to a tree that was about fifteen feet up the path. They both sat down against the trunk, exhausted. Every inch of her body was freezing, though she was also sure that she was in shock from fracturing her leg.

Ariana took a few minutes to regain control of her breathing. Ben had used part of his abilities to warm both his body and hers. The two sat, clinging to each other, as the cold slowly melted away.

It’s a miracle we survived, she thought, but what about…?

She looked over at where the Sky City was supposed to be, but it wasn’t there. The large, empty space was filled with billowing smoke and swirling steam, rising from the ever-changing waters.

Ariana tapped Ben’s leg, turning his attention to the wreckage. His eyes widened as he slowly rose and stumbled back to the beach that overlooked the fallen city. She saw his body quiver, his fists clench, and tears fall down his face.

“They’re…gone,” he said, his voice trailed off.

“Ben,” Ariana began, pushing to reach him despite her injury. “This isn’t your fault, you know that, right?”

He turned to her; a tear reached from his eye to his chin. The waves roared behind him, pushing the belongings of the people to the shore. For a moment, her mind flashed back to that night at the Sea of Stars. Instead of light and life, however, now, there was only death in the water.

“How could it not be?” Ben asked, his breath becoming shorter, uneven. He hid his eyes in his soaked hair as he quivered.

Ariana limped up to him and slid her hand into his, placing the other on his cheek. The black venom that churned beneath briefly faded. She managed a soft smile for him.

“I don’t regret meeting you, Ben. I want you to know that.”

“But—”

“Shhh.” Ariana placed her finger to his lips. “You and I are going to make this worth it, okay? I promise.”

The waves continued to crash behind them as Ben stared down at her, his soft gray eyes bore into hers. He lost his resolve as he latched onto her.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

They sat there, embracing each other for what seemed like forever. Eventually, as night fell, the weariness that had been staved off by adrenaline returned, so they made their way back to the tree and sat under it. Ariana pulled him close, having him rest his head on her shoulder. She ran her fingers through his wet hair, and slowly, he calmed down.

Her leg still stung, but she bore the pain. She needed to. After all, they were so close. Only a half a day of walking and they would finally be there. No matter what, Ariana was determined to make it. For Kira, for her dad, for Ben, and most of all, for those whose lives had been lost.

A thought came to her mind as she tapped Ben on the shoulder. “Where’s Billy?”

Ben shifted around, then said, “Not sure. I told him to run, then I dived after you.” He frowned. “I just hope the poor kid made it out.”

“I…” Ariana hesitated, thinking of the kid’s strange, almost obsessive behavior toward him. “I think he will.”

Ben frowned. “Yeah. I just couldn’t forgive myself if—”

“Hey.” She smiled, squeezing him. “He’ll be okay.”

Finally, Ben relaxed against her, looking up at her with a half-hearted smile. Ariana returned it, feeling herself passing into sleep. “Alright, get some rest. Tomorrow, you and I are gonna make it to the pool.”

Ben nodded slowly, then drifted off. Ariana adjusted herself to where she could lie down and rest her head on a pile of leaves. She moved Ben to where he was on her upper chest, right under her chin. Even though he was asleep, he instinctively wrapped his arms around her. Darkness took her eyes, a strange, satisfied warmth took her body, which to her, was the greatest feeling in the world.

Ariana laid back and enjoyed it. It made her forget the pain in her leg, of losing Kira, and the fear of what happened to her dad. Despite the desperation of the moment, it almost felt perfect. It was just her and Ben.

Her mind flashed back to when she held Ben in her arms, after she had calmed his nightmares with her singing. She tried to tell him something back then, but he had woken up. He was fast asleep now, his head nuzzled against her neck like two birds in a nest, huddled close for warmth. She could now tell him what she meant to tell him all that time ago.

Ariana kissed him on the head and said, “I love you, Benjamin Blake. No matter what happens tomorrow, just know that I always will.”

After she whispered those words to him, Ariana rested her head against the pile of leaves and let the sensation of his warmth lull her into a good night’s rest.

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A loud crash shook Ben from the peaceful darkness. He snapped upward, looking to see wooden chunks that had slammed onto the shore.

Ben exhaled, then glanced back down at Ariana, who was still slumbering. If Zachariel had seen this, would probably have obliterated Ben on sight. But right now, it was comfortable, so he didn’t care.

I’d love to stay here, Ben thought, but we’ve got to get a move on.

Standing, Ben surveyed their surroundings. They were on a lesser mountain path, next to a tree that was close to the beach that overlooked the former Sky City. The main path was elevated, far from where they were.

He took a minute to examine it. They could get back to it, but Ariana’s injury would make it difficult for them.

Hearing the waves lap against the nearby cliff and shore, Ben spun around. He walked over and overlooked the wreckage of the fallen city. The spire that was in the center stuck out of the water at a crooked angle, other tall pieces of building and rock protruded from the surface. He squinted to look closer, seeing a multitude of other objects floating in the water. His eyes widened in horror.

Bodies.

Ben's gaze remained fixed, his body shivering, as he fought to steady his breathing. How many must have lived in that city? A hundred thousand? A million? More because of the refugees? Ariana would never admit it, but what happened to the Sky City, and all the other villages, was his fault. The Wicked Giants and demons were after him, and because of that, an innumerable number of people had died, including Raziel.

Maybe we misjudged him, Ben thought. He gave up his life, his dream, for us.

A breeze blew past him, and the sun rose from the east. The spire from the wreckage pierced the incoming light and cast a long shadow on him and the people floating lifeless in the massive lake.

His brows furrowed, his fists clenched. The demons wanted to corrupt him, to make him into a weapon, and as a result, countless lives had been lost. A new determination filled him as he met the sun’s incoming glare.

“I’m going to find that pool, and I’m going to get cured. I won’t be a weapon.”

Ben looked down at the wreckage. He knelt and touched the wet sand beneath him.

“I’ll make this right somehow. One way or the other.”

And I promise I’ll make sure Ariana is safe, and with her father...Ben finished in his head. I’ll make things the way they were.

Turning from the fallen city, Ben walked back toward the tree where Ariana was sleeping. He shook her shoulder. Her eyes slowly fluttered open.

“Morning,” Ariana said as she tried to get up, but winced after putting pressure on her ankle.

“Are you okay?” he asked worriedly.

“Yeah.” She managed a hearty half-smile. “I’m just surprised that you’re up before me for once.”

Ben chuckled and helped her as she shakily rose to her feet. They walked carefully onward, up the trail.

“How close are we?” Ben asked. “Kira didn’t give you an exact location, did she?”

“No, but we’ll know it when we see it,” Ariana replied with an optimistic grin on her face. “It can’t be too hard, right?”

“Okay.” Ben nodded and smiled. “We’re almost there. I can feel it.”

Ariana smiled back. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s get go—”

They both looked ahead and saw the child, Billy, blocking the path. Ben sighed with relief.

“There you are, bud. Glad you made—”

“Where are you guys going?” Billy asked, cutting him off.

“We're...you know, just taking a little walk,” Ariana lied, eyeing Ben. His eyes narrowed.

She’s trying to tell me something about him, Ben realized. He seems…different.

Billy tilted his head. “My family is that way. Can I go with you?”

“Um…” Ben looked at Ariana, whose eyes were wide. She leaned in close to his ear.

“He said he’s from Riverglade, right?” Ariana whispered. “I know all the kids there. He’s lying.”

“Demons!” Billy suddenly shouted in fear, pointing toward the sky.

Ben looked up. Sure enough, a horde of demons was flying at them, led by a familiar she-demon. He wasn’t sure how she survived having her neck snapped, but this time, he was going to make sure she stayed dead.

“Alexis.” Ben hissed, looking around for an escape route. All paths were blocked. Demons lined the jagged outcrops, leaving him with only one option. He put Ariana behind him protectively.

Damn it, he thought. They want a fight? Fine.

“Don’t!” Ariana screamed. “Remember what Raziel said!”

“Yeah, Ben! You're awesome! Keep using your powers to protect us!” Billy shouted.

He summoned his full Nephilim armor to protect Ariana and Billy and readied himself for combat. After all, he had a promise to keep.

----------------------------------------

Ariana watched Ben summon his ethereal armor when suddenly everything went to hell. If they weren’t in immediate danger, she might have smacked him for doing the exact opposite of what literally everyone had been telling him to do. Still, the idiot didn’t listen.

Billy suddenly grinned, as if he had lured Ben into some sort of trap. Instantly, he changed form. A black cloud swirled around him, and he changed from a small child into a tall, slender, robed figure with a hood and a pair of demonic wings affixed to his back. His face looked human, only it was pale gray, gaunt, and held an evil grin that stretched across his rugged jawline. Spindly, sharp hands flexed from underneath the tattered sleeves.

“That’s quite enough.” The thing once known as ‘Billy’ raised his arm, and Ben was instantly forced down to the ground, on his hands and knees.

“W-what’s happening?” Ben turned, his eyes widening. “W-where did Billy go?”

“Billy was nothing but a falsehood,” the demon said. “My true name is…”

“Aka Manah,” Ariana finished for him. This must have been the demon that Raziel had spoken about, the one that had killed his family.

The rest of the demons landed on the ground, hissing and cursing, but they remained in their spots, chanting in anticipation of the confrontation that was taking place.

“Very perceptive of you!” Aka Manah clapped sarcastically. “Well done!”

“What do you want?” Ben demanded, but soon his face was forced to the ground by another invisible force. “How…?”

“It’s simple, Ben,” Aka Manah began. “I sent one of my lieutenants to corrupt you. Since it flows through your body, and it has taken enough footing, I can control your every move. You are nothing but a puppet now.”

“Ben isn’t your puppet!” Ariana shouted, her teeth bared.

Aka Manah slowly walked toward her. She reached behind to inch herself away, but then felt something behind her, and realized she still had something in her cargo pocket.

Omega, she remembered. A blade that can kill any demon.

As Aka Manah leaned in, his eyes narrowed and a wicked grin formed on his lips. “Well, he is now.”

“Don’t be too sure,” Ariana said, reaching behind and gripping the handle.

“Threatening me now, are you?” he taunted. After that, aka Manah turned to the incapacitated Ben and said, “Be a good boy and transform into your full Colossus form, will you? You've got a job to do.”

Ben’s eyes widened as he convulsed, his body twitching and shaking, as if he were actively resisting the command. He groaned and bared his teeth.

“Stop!” Ariana’s mouth gaped. “What are you doing to him?”

Aka Manah flashed a set of wicked teeth. “Consider it a test, of sorts.”

Ariana watched helplessly as Ben grunted in agony. The armor raised itself up, first forming a dark, skeletal frame that shot up into the atmosphere, then, layer by layer, reinforced itself with solidified hellfire. The mountains shook as storm clouds formed around it.

It continued, creating a horrifying creature that cast a giant shadow against the mountains. As Ben peered at her through the cracks in the armor, his once gray eyes flickered and turned a haunting shade of crimson with a series of sinister lines combining into an upside-down pentagram.

The armor finished forming, and Ben's transformation turned him into a towering, demonic figure. He stood at a staggering height of two hundred feet, with massive wings sprouting from his back. His face looked like a dragon's, elongated and with an evil grin like Aka Manah's on its face. Smoke steamed from the cracks in the armor, and the colossus gave a loud sky-tearing roar that nearly deafened her.

“Tell me, Ben,” Aka Manah hissed. “What are you going to do?”

A terrifying silence filled the mountain path as Ariana stared in fear at the giant demon. A sentence uttered that caused all the hairs on her neck to stand straight up. The Demon Colossus stared skyward into the dark clouds.

“I’m going to destroy this world.”

Aka Manah smirked insidiously. “Have fun.”

The now-transformed Ben lumbered across the path and wrecked everything that it could get its massive hands on, fire billowing from the monstrosity’s mouth. Screams echoed against the mountain range.

You must do it, Kira’s voice told her. You must kill Ben.

Ariana shook her head. There was no way that she could kill him now, in his current form. Even then, she wasn’t sure if she could muster the willpower to do it. She glanced over at the leader of the demons, who was now laughing triumphantly.

But if I kill Aka Manah with Omega, Ariana theorized, maybe Ben will be freed from his control?

Yeah! the voice in her head cried. Go for it, girly!

Ariana looked at the towering demon giant and imagined Ben hearing her words.

“Don't worry,” she promised. “I'll stop this. I’ll save you.”

Aka Manah heard her whispering and gave her a curious look. Ariana tightly gripped the handle of the knife and leapt at the demon. However, Alexis had grabbed her, her talons wrapped around her waist and legs, and flew her away from the demonized Ben and her target.

“No! Go back, go back!” Ariana wailed desperately.

Alexis laughed maniacally and scratched her arm with her claws, dragging it slowly across her skin so that she would feel every agonizing second of it. Ariana shrieked.

“Shut up, girl!” Alexis hissed as she bludgeoned Ariana’s head with her balled fist. Her body went limp as the demon flew her toward what looked like a large floating, black fortress. Her vision faded.

“I’m sorry, Ben,” Ariana whispered one last time before she gave into the dark.