‘A “thank you” for catching me would also be nice!’ Dae replied. ‘And yes, I’m black! Does it bother you?’
‘No! I mean—I’m black myself, why would it? But you were white before! What happened?’
‘Must be something about my power. No time for that now. Looks like a mess here!’ He placed Rayshel down, and together they joined the others.
When the others saw Dae approaching, they blinked in disbelief. Rick even turned to Temphael and demanded,7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY06SvdpZ2X
‘What did you do to my friend? Why is he black?’
‘Why are you asking me? But I am curious too—why are you black?’
‘Guys, calm down. When I used my power, I turned black!’
‘You have a power?’ Rayshel asked. ‘Wow, then you’re like me!’
‘Like you? I’m not crazy!’
‘Not like that!’ After that, even Michael had to comment:
‘So you admit you’re crazy?’
During the chaos, Sarah had all her focus on Nade.
‘Do you really mean it? You love me?’
‘Yes, I love you. I—’7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7JNk3DcU1
He couldn’t finish, because the next moment Sarah’s lips were on his. Her tongue found its way into Nade’s mouth. And even though the room was freezing, the two of them were burning. Sarah held onto him tightly.
Everyone stopped debating Dae’s skin color and turned their attention to the kissing pair—even Temphael watched. Rayshel side-eyed Dae.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfULe3i3bD
(Rayshel: If only he’d kiss me like that…)
‘Now is not the time,’ Dae suddenly muttered.
Rayshel turned to him. ‘You know what I was thinking?’
‘A man has to know his future wife, doesn’t he?’
A tear rolled down Rayshel’s cheek. She nodded.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AAUDEy665
‘Yes.’
Clap. Clap. Clap.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12UFlP0zvK
Everyone turned to Temphael.
‘Wonderful. Simply wonderful! I love drama. The dying man confesses his love. A brother swears revenge. Two soldiers hiding feelings. What a movie! But it's time to end it, wouldn’t you say?’
At once, Temphael leaked bloodlust. The air around him turned heavy.
‘I don’t have time to waste! I must stop the summoning. So I’ll just kill half of you and turn the rest—well, ask Michael! Hahahah!’
Suddenly, a sound like a missile echoed through the air. The roof burst open and something crashed into the ground. As the smoke cleared, it became clear that something was someone.
‘Father!’ Dae exclaimed.
Abbadon stood tall in a black shirt and dark green cargo pants. His muscular form was impressive. His dreadlocks framed a face carved with experience.
‘I didn’t know you had a son, Abbadon,’ Temphael said.
‘Well, it is what it is.’7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCnBOI8SKL
Abbadon turned his back on Temphael and walked toward the group. Rayshel greeted him with a hug.
‘Nice to meet you, father-in-law!’
‘Father-in-law? Wait—who are you?’
‘I’ll soon be Dae’s wife!’
‘Dae, what is happening here?’
‘Wow, you’re not even surprised I’m black?’
‘I mean, I’m also black. Why would I be surprised? Cough. Cough.’
‘Maybe because I wasn’t born black?’
‘You already know what’s going on, don’t you?’
‘Yeah, kind of!’
‘That makes it easier. Your parents are on their way to America. Seraphina went after your brother.’
‘You’re not my father-in-law?’
‘No, young lady, sorry. But if you go to America, you’ll meet Dae’s parents!’
‘Dae, let’s go!’
‘No, we can’t. First we need to deal with Temphael.’
Abbadon narrowed his eyes as he looked over the group.
‘Even the president of England is here. Interesting. You all think you can beat Temphael by working together?’
They nodded.
‘Let me tell you something. People like him toy with weaker opponents. He let you believe you had a chance.’
‘Why’d you have to ruin the fun, Abbadon?’ Temphael said. ‘But maybe there’s a new kind of fun—traitors’ son, and now Abbadon too. I’ll add you all to my army!’
‘Hahahaha!’ Abbadon almost keeled over laughing. ‘Temphael, you really don’t know me. I rarely fought in the wars, and when I did, it was under another name—Kurojin.’
Temphael’s face paled. Abbadon raised one arm. The floor beneath him glowed violet. A katana emerged, onyx black with glowing violet Japanese engravings.
(Temphael: Why now? Why him? I must alter my plan!)
‘Dae, take the others and leave!’ Michael stepped forward.
‘They can go, but I’m staying. The mirror behind Temphael’s throne leads to America. Go through it!’
Rick helped Sarah with Nade. Emilia guarded the rear. Abbadon looked at Michael’s missing arm.
‘You’re strong, young man. Filled with rage and grief. Who died?’
‘My sister!’
‘I see. And if you die now—what happens?’
‘Why would I die?’
‘Because right now, you’re too weak.’
‘Then I’ll die trying!’7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWQfSPqvR3
Abbadon knocked Michael out with a swift hit to the neck.
‘Dae, take him with you. Run straight to the throne. I’ll cover you!’
‘We’ll meet again, won’t we?’
‘We will, son. Now everyone—GO!’
They ran. Temphael returned to himself.
‘I don’t care who I face. I am Temphael! I will be the last one standing!’7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kPlj192K3
He pointed his arm at the group, but Abbadon appeared before him and slashed the air. Nothing happened. But nothing happened to the group either.
‘So it’s true, Abbadon!’ Temphael shouted. ‘You can cut abilities!’
Right and left, the stone floor cracked and crumbled to dust. Only a thin path to the throne remained. Abbadon led the way.
‘Keep running! Don’t slow down!’
‘Let’s see if you can protect everyone, Abbadon!’
‘Temphael, shut up—your breath stinks!’
‘You bastard! Be crushed!’
White orbs formed around Temphael, each holding a room or landscape. He launched them all at once. The group was nearly to the throne. Abbadon jumped into the attack. His blade glowed.
‘Someone’s getting serious. Then I’ll do the same. Blade of the Dark – Infinite Horizon!’
He performed a horizontal slash. All orbs were cut in half. They exploded. He followed with a diagonal slash that cleaved the blasts themselves. Right and left of the group, the floor was gone.
The path crumbled, but held. Abbadon vanished—reappeared beside Temphael. He slashed relentlessly, not landing a hit, but keeping Temphael from the throne.
The group reached the throne. There stood the mirror.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivMaKCe5Vg
They passed through it one by one. Dae was last.
‘See you later!’
‘See you later.’7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJW4n0YP2D
And he passed the mirror.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw9iNJ14eU
