In the dim confines of the old shack, Achelous sat alone, his figure shrouded in a heavy silence. The air was thick with the aftermath of the execution, a lingering echo of a deed most profound and harrowing. He brooded deeply, his gaze lost in the flickering shadows that danced across the wooden walls. The Vanta Executioner, lying beside him, was a stark reminder of the irrevocable choice he had made. The image of his mother, though merely a spectral guise wielded by a celestial being, haunted his every thought. Her face, so familiar and yet so painfully intertwined with deception, played over in his mind like a broken melody. With each replay, a pang of guilt and sorrow stabbed at his heart, leaving him to grapple with the crushing weight of his actions. The shack, once a haven of simplicity and warmth, now felt like a tomb, enclosing him with the ghosts of his choices and the cold reality of his solitary journey ahead.

**

The invasion.

The night was still, save for the rustling of leaves outside the modest dwelling where Achelous lived with his mother. Inside, the air was thick with anticipation, a sense of something momentous about to unfold. Achelous, a young man of strong build and sharp eyes, stood protectively beside his mother, a woman whose gentle features belied a life of hardship.

Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing a figure shrouded in an aura of immense power. This was no ordinary intruder; his presence seemed to warp the very fabric of the room. Achelous tensed, ready to defend his home, but his mother's hand on his shoulder stopped him.

The figure stepped forward, revealing himself to be an older, more worn version of Achelous. His eyes, though familiar, held a depth of sorrow and wisdom that spoke of years beyond counting. "Achelous," he began, his voice resonating with a timbre that seemed to echo across time, "I am what you will become. I am here to bestow upon you a burden and a blessing."

Achelous, stunned, could only muster a single word, "Why?"

The older Achelous's gaze shifted to the woman by his side. "Your mother, my mother, is about to face a fate worse than death. A celestial immortal seeks to bind her soul, tormenting her for eternity. You must prevent this."

Achelous's mother, understanding the gravity of the situation, spoke with a calmness that belied her fear. "Achelous, my son, whatever happens, know that I love you. You must do what is right."

"But how can I stand against a celestial immortal?" Achelous asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

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The future Achelous produced a weapon from the folds of his cloak - the Vanta Executioner. It was a weapon of otherworldly make, its dark surface absorbing all light. "With this, you can save her from eternal suffering. It is a weapon that transcends time and space, bound to our bloodline. Use it to end her life before the immortal claims her soul. It's the only way."

Achelous recoiled, the thought of killing his own mother unthinkable. "There must be another way!"

"There isn't," his future self insisted. "I've lived through the agony of our mother's endless torment. This is the only path."

Tears welled in Achelous's eyes as he took the weapon, its weight symbolic of the choice he had to make. His mother embraced him, her voice steady, "Do it, my son. Free me from a fate worse than death. I'll always be with you."

With trembling hands, Achelous raised the Vanta Executioner. The room seemed to contract around them, the air heavy with the magnitude of the moment. "I'm so sorry, mother," he whispered, as the weapon's edge met her flesh.

In that instant, a brilliant light erupted from the Vanta Executioner, enveloping both mother and son. When the light faded, only Achelous remained, his mother's spirit now a part of the weapon. The future Achelous nodded solemnly, "You've made the right choice."

"Why did you give me this cursed weapon?" Achelous asked through his tears.

"To prepare you for the battles ahead, and to keep a part of our mother with us. This weapon will grow with you, and one day, you will confront me - your future self. It is a cycle that you must complete."

Achelous clutched the weapon, feeling a new power coursing through him. "I will avenge her. I will break this cycle."

The future Achelous began to fade, his final words echoing in the air, "Remember, the path to understanding is fraught with challenges. You are not alone."

**

As dawn broke, Achelous sat in the shack, the Vanta Executioner by his side. He had chosen to set the weapon's voice to that of his mother, a constant reminder of her sacrifice and his purpose. With each passing moment, he felt a growing resolve to face the destiny laid out before him. "Achelous, you have grown so much, yet the path ahead is fraught with challenges you must face," the weapon whispered, its tone imbued with the warmth and love that he remembered so well.

Days turned to weeks, and weeks to months, as Achelous honed his skills with the Vanta Executioner. The weapon adapted to his fighting style, changing forms as needed - a sword, a knife, a longbow. It was a companion and a conduit for his burgeoning power.

One morning, as the sun crested the horizon, Achelous stood outside, the weight of his journey heavy on his shoulders. He summoned the Vanta Executioner, now a longbow, and drew back an arrow of pure energy. With a steady hand and a heart full of determination, he released the arrow into the mountain.

The impact was like thunder, carving a massive fissure in the stone and releasing a surge of power that rippled through the air. Terran, who had watched in silence, was in awe. "Big brother, what have you done?"

Achelous turned to him, his eyes alight with a fierce resolve. "I've started a journey to confront my destiny, to face the echoes of my past and the shadows of my future."