I : The Fallen

With a blink of an eye, Vaul found himself in the same grand hall where he was called before. Before, when all the ranks were summoned for the meeting and the third rank, underestimating the strength of the weakened leader, went against the might of Valefor and didn't make it through his grip. Every time he closed his eyes, Vaul still remembered that bloody scene, that moment, as clear as some fresh memory.

The grand hall of ranks was all the same. A light grey coloured floor, created with ancient carved DeSadian design and architecture. Many massive DeSadian script carved pillars, standing on both sides, supporting the massive roof on the top. There also were walls, some distance outside the pillars covering the whole place, and the whole area was covered by thick Fogg. The place, according to Steve, was difficult if not impossible to reach for anyone other than the ranks due to his thick Fogg, covering the place. This area, this construct, was a spectacular manifestation of the energies of all ranks combined.

Vaul noticed the marks of the third rank's blood, shattered on the side walls, were cleaned. But, the marks that moment left on the minds of all other ranks were never to be cleared. It was to make one thing perfectly clear- even in his weakened state, the leader was way beyond other rank's league and they would never in their right mind stand against him. Well, except Astharoth. After how it turned out in the end, I wondered why Astharoth was not their leader to begin with.

A shamisen string sound

A sound of string runged in the hall snapping Vaul back from his thoughts and he, soon, noticed the other ranks present in the grand hall.

Aligos, Vesemir, Astharoth, Ivy, Mercy, Vaul himself and other ranks, except the eliminated Agares, were present. All the ranks were dressed in a brown wraparound and a silver-white long coat on the top.

Vaul noticed there were two boxes, both silver and some golden-plated designed coffins, placed in the middle of the grand hall and the other ranks stood around them in a semicircular formation.

Sallos and Naberuis

"Last time we met, the meeting, the ceremony was disturbed. . . Due to some unexpected turn of events." The voice came from the dark. "I appreciate your presence here, my people."

"What other choice do we have anyways," said the long-haired person, Astharoth. "We did not come here. You summoned us here."

Valefor emerged from the dark and walked forward into the grand hall. "It's never compulsory. The ranks can always resist the summoning, you know?"

"Bending the space between two places like a small wormhole, connecting two places and sucking us in," Astharoth mentioned. "I'm sure you know how hard it is to resist that."

"Forgive me if you didn't like the way you all were called," Valefor said. "But, Sallos and Naberuis sacrificed their lives on the field, fighting the people we opposed. They both deserve to be honoured by your presence."

"Stop fighting like kids will you?" Ivy said, standing one step behind the semicircle of the ranks. "Both of them, their death was their mistake. Sallos was always an emotional fool, he should have never been sent in the first place and Naberuis had one job to do-to eliminate the man-child. He instead went for that girl in red. What else could you expect when a person like Naberuis goes against the girl of that league."

"We all not all weak, you know, Lasha?" Astharoth said. "Not in front of these humans."

Lasha took a step forward, "Then why do we stand before two empty boxes of coffins, offering our prayers to the remains of our two comrades?" Her high-toned voice had depth and dominance in the room. "Just because of our higher control over energies and the mutation, our bodies went through in this world, are we DeSadians comparing ourselves to immortals or gods in this world?

"We shall not forget the fact that we, too, were once normal beings," she said. "Before this mutation occurred. Just like us, these people, humans, can and some have gone through these changes which make them like us. As strong as us. And underestimating this fact results in what had happened with our comrades."

She completed and every rank in the hall went quiet. They stood at their places, their eyes stuck on the national DeSadian seal, carved in the centre of the elegantly designed coffins. The walls of the grand hall could feel the chilly wind currents flowing through the Fog.

Vesemir walked forward, handling his flowy clothes and moved his body toward the two white coffins. His hands touched and he caressed the surface of both the white boxes, hoping that his soft, warm touch would reach the spirits of the two, who died for them. He hoped they would finally be in peace, not bothering about whose mistake it was or if had they underestimated human strength.

He turned back and looked at the other ranks. "Their deaths . . . sacrifices, they won't be in vain. And, their deaths won't stop any of us from heading toward what we long for. If it's anything, it makes our purpose more important."

Everyone in the room, including Valefor, was quiet. Vesemir always had an impact in his voice. He was blessed with the voice of the leader, the strong voice of someone who could motivate millions to join him. Only if it was not for his physical appearance-his massive, natural white-skinned body, just like all other ranks-he could have convinced the humans to join him in his battles against their own kind.

Vesemir glanced at the coffins. "Only if I had my tools with me, I swear, I would have preserved the consciousness for you both. You'd have lived till the day when we finally achieved what you died for. The day when this world terraforms, and our kind start living freely in this world, without the fear of getting hunted down by these creatures."

"Stop bringing up your inventions, Vesemir," Aligos said. "Our reality. . . Our home is no more. So is the case with our families and the things we created. What's gone can't come back and you need to move ahead no matter what your heart says."

"These humans," Vesemir said after pausing for a while. "The kindness their faces show is nothing but a fake mask of lies. Two centuries ago, when we first contacted humans and we had nothing, they refused to accept us."

"This world shall be terraformed, Vesemir," Valefor said calmly. "A Little more time, we will soon be able to live freely. Just like we did before they wiped out our world."

"Now if you'll allow me," The voice came from one of the other ranks and a short-heighted person, Mercy, walked ahead. "Shall we complete the honouring ceremony?"

Vesemir nodded, looking toward the person and took his steps back to join the semicircle again. The short-headed person, who called himself Mercy, walked toward the coffins. He stood in front of the both white boxes, joined his hands in a particular way and looked at the national seal of DeSadia on Sallos' coffin.

"People, please join your hands in the royal salute." He said and every rank followed his words, joining their hands in the same way as Mercy. "We all are gathered here . . . To honour the lives of my people, our people. The two warriors who dreamed of a world we all long for, who once walked among us and lived for the same dream as us. They are no more. Their souls were caught in an unexpected turn of events and they didn't hesitate to put their lives for us.

"They truly were warriors indeed. But there's no force greater than nature and fate . . . Not even our science, technology and alchemy." Mercy's eye glanced toward Vesemir and looked back at the coffins. "They died for a noble purpose. And by the might of the rest ranks, I'm sure their lives were not in vain. They both shall walk on the divine path of liberation and the world they longed for will be achieved."

The moon ascended on the head, making its rays of light enter through the glass of the circular opening on the roof and fall on both coffins, making the metal parts of the coffin shine with moonlight. Particles of air, with some faint gold particles, Astharoth could notice, ascended in the moonlight and soon escaped the place through the light.

"Sallos," Astharoth, losing his emotion, said in an eerie, cold tone. "Now you rest in the warmth of these DeSadian coffins. As a person of responsibility, I failed to protect you from this cruel, unworthy world and the creatures this world possesses. But Sallos, I promise, this world will burn in the flames of my rage. The Genesis will, at any cost, be initiated and the world you dreamed for will be brought to reality."

That funeral was the first and the last time Astharoth expressed his emotions. His mind lost its cool. The eerie, dark voice of Astharoth roared in the grand hall, giving goosebumps over the bodies of the other present rank. Valefor too looked defensive, hearing his words and no one dared to interrupt him or utter even a word.

After a while, noticing Astharoth calming down, Valefor walked a step ahead and glanced at the other ranks. "These humans," he said. "These lower creatures won't let us live in peace. In the past, I was a fool to think that these creatures would understand us. And would accept us as their own. Our world, our reality, was more advanced than they could have ever imagined. I promised them to help them with controlling the natural energies of the world and using them for the physical manifestations, I gave and followed my word in return for them to accept us." He paused. "But, these untrustable humans turned against us using our own techniques.

"These pathetic creatures, stained by the mud of their own ego, filthy ambitions and greed, can't be trusted. If we want to live in the world freely, the disturbances and obstacles in our way should be eliminated."

"Where are you going with this, Valefor," Mercy asked in a calm tone.

"No matter how much we try to avoid this," Valefor replied. "There is an inevitable war coming. The Desadians and humans can't coexist. We tried and humans refused to accept us. If we look forward to the Genesis, we need to remove the biggest obstacle out of the way-the nation of Lydia. . . And that Eva."

War? Vaul asked himself.

"You heard me right, Vaul," Valefor said in a cold tone. "When we first arrived to this reality. . . When our reality was wiped out of existence and we were sucked here, I wished to forget what humans did to us and start living here as if nothing happened."

"We all thought so," Aligos said, coldly. "But the humans are cruel and insufferable. How big of a fool were we to even think humans would treat us like their own ones."

"I agree with your feelings and can feel the hatred growing inside you, Valefor," Astharoth said. "But I'm sure there's another way than starting a war against humans. There are no winners in the wars. Both sides face destruction and loss."

"It's not a war, Astharoth," Valefor said. "It's the beginning. It's a revolution. My people suffered, while I could do nothing. They started it, and we shall end it."

"I hope you remember what happened when we had a war with humans last time," Astharoth said.

"Last time, they knew," Valefor said. "They predicted our move and were ready to oppose us. This time they won't."

"And how do you think they knew last time?" Astharoth said. "The Eva head, Steve Tradis. . ." Astharoth paused for a long, processing his emotions connected to that name. "That person is blessed with divine energies and has a direct connection to the energy laylines of the surface. Why do you think he will not notice the sudden change in the natural energy flow?"

Valefor went quiet following Astharoth's statement.

Astharoth knew there was a big possibility that a big decision like this, which was backed up by such strong emotions, won't hide from the visions Steve occasionally used to get. But their people, including the ranks, had gone through a lot. And emotions of suffering and hiding in fear gathered over the course of centuries, was a lot for anyone to suppress inside or ignore.

These emotions, now triggered by the sudden deaths of their comrades-of people who once stood beside them, like a family- were something they would fail to suppress. The ranks would no more refuse to stand back and take it the passive way. Now, they would not hesitate to choose the offensive path, the path of war.

~~

Vaul stood near one of the massive windows on the side walls of the grand hall. His eyes scanned the area outside the glass, the faded shadows of trees, the fainting sound of flow of air against the small bushes and the thick fog covering the place. The moonlight still, somehow, reached his face through the dense fog.

"You doing okay, Vaul?" Came the voice from the back to which, Vaul startled in shock. Valefor emerged from the darkness behind with his calm face.

"Valefor," he said. "That was eerie."

"I just asked a normal question," Valefor replied. "How in any reality is it eerie?"

"The way you just emerged from the darkness and startled me."

Valefor stood calm and looked out of the window. Vaul didn't interrupt and did the same. After a while, when the silence got awkward, Vaul said,

"Back then, in that village. Zora, was it?" Vaul glanced at Valefor and looked out of the window again. "When you took over the consciousness of that lady, Mary. Did you already know that that man-child would willingly step into your trap?"

"That old house in Zora. The man-child had many memories and a connection to that place." Valefor explained. "And the key instrument-piano was the vessel, which preserved his mother's consciousness. I took control over his mother, so it was natural for him, her son, to willingly step into the trap.

"I would have controlled his consciousness too and the Genesis, we all long for, would have been a step away from us. Everything would have proceeded as planned, if that other person hadn't stepped inside and interrupted the conscious layer." Valefor continued. "That person was close to the man-child and was able to wake him up inside the layer. I still remember him saying 'William is my friend, I'm not leaving this place without him.'"

Laughter escaped from Vaul. His palms grabbed his belly, trying to control his laughs. Valefor too joined him. Vaul's bond with Valefor was like William's bond with me. Valefor always saw him like a young brother, someone he deeply cared about. Looking at Vaul, chuckling with happiness gave Valefor a sense of satisfaction.

"These human beings," Vaul said, pressing his laughter inside. "They are so driven by their emotions and mental bonding. When will they realise the truth of this world, the truth of existence?"

"And if that wasn't enough," Valefor said, calming down. "These human beings call these energy manifestation techniques 'spells' and 'sorcery'. So if I am able to fly, or manifest some sort of tool, weapon in my hand out of the air, or create energy blasts in air, I'm called a sorcerer."

Vaul chuckled again and pressed his laughter inside. "Maybe it's not their fault," he said. "Things and phenomenons which are beyond one's logical understanding, people come to refer to it as magic and sorcery. The beings of this reality are not advanced enough to understand the Alchemy and use of science at the level we do."

Valefor paused for a while. "You might have a point there. Can't blame them after all."

The moonlight seemed to fade a little while the waves of warmth spread from the two. If I hadn't witnessed it with my eyes when my hands touched Vauls face, I would have never believed that the ranks had this good side inside them.

The true past was never revealed totally, but did we humans really treat them this badly, that the situation went to the inevitable War?

"If you don't want to, you don't have to be a part of this so-called War," Valefor glanced at Vaul. "Wars never end well, not for either side. At the end of these wars, both sides are on the loss. And after the creation of Eva, humans are not as weak as they once were decades ago."

"You formed the ranks and made me a part of it," Vaul said. "Being a part of this movement is my responsibility."

"The ranks were formed by Lucifer, who's left us now," said Valefor. "And the ranks were not built for the war or revolution. They were created after Lucifer saw how badly the DeSadians were treated by the people here. Ranks were formed so our people can come together under one roof. Together, we are strong, just like when small fishes group together to fight predators. This war is not a responsibility, it's a choice."

Vaul calmly smiled back at Valefor. "As long as my people are with me, the ranks are with me, I will be fine in any situation, even in the revolution, or so-called War."

Vaul paused for a while and scanned Valefor's body with his sharp eyes. "How long do you have?"

Valefor's expression flushed as he backed off a bit. He stood quietly, looking at the curious, innocent face of Vaul, looking in his eyes who were searching for the truth in his own eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Stop pretending that strong, cold face, Valefor," Vaul said. "Nothing escapes my eyes. . . Not even your weakened body. And your decreased breath and also, your fainting life force." Vaul asked again. "How long do you have?"

"You're such a weirdo to ask that question on a person's bloody face." Valefor said in a tone.

Vaul laughed back. "And yet you still see me as your young brother."

Valefor glanced outside the window, toward the faded shadows of the trees and the fog. "I once had a brother, just like you. . . It was, until the last Genesis. That day, that thing took him away. Away and away that I could no longer reach him anymore."

"Sorry for mentioning."

"It's fine alright. The past can never be changed and the things we had lost can't be returned. And even if the next cycle of genesis was able to reverse the effects," Valefor paused. "I won't be there to see him again."

There was a long silence between them. Vaul stood quiet, letting Valefor get over his memories and visions. Letting him mentally heal himself.

"I won't see the next day." Valefor said and Vaul could feel pressure, his thoughts had thrown upon him. Vaul's eyes widened in shock and his heart dropped, realising how less of time he would see the person he really cared for. This was the last time Vaul and Valefor would see and talk with each other. There won't be a "later" or "Next time".

"You're not serious right?" Vaul said in disbelief. "And when were you going to tell me this? On your last breath?"

"I was never going to mention," Valefor replied. "I don't want people, except Astharoth, to see me all helpless and pathetic. The ranks chose me to lead them. How would they move forward after looking at my helpless, pathetic bloody face?"

Valefor did had a valid point. Vaul went quiet, understanding the depth of the situation and his words.

"Well, that was a nice talk, as usual. . . for the last time," Valefor said. "It's time. I should leave now."

"Valefor," Vaul interrupted when Valefor turned around to leave the place. "Even after. . . you're gone. . . gone forever, you'll always be the kind and responsible elder brother to me. And you will always have my respect. . . Big brother."

Valefor smiled. "I appreciate you saying those words. Been a long time. Farewell. . . Dear brother."

Valefor walked ahead and Vaul interrupted him again. "Where are you going, by the way?"

Valefor smiled again. "Just going to meet an old friend of mine . . . Before it's time for me."

II : Lucifer

In the dark chamber where only the path ahead was lightened by the moonlight, somewhere in the area covered by the now-called cursed belt, Valefor walked on the lightened path, trying his best to stand on his legs. The long-haired rank, Astharoth, walked by his side at his pace, accompanying him. Astharoth had asked before, but Valefor would refuse to accept any help in his last moments.

Both continued the walk, until the place where the path ended at a cliff, beyond which the surface descended in the steep valley. Some distance away from the cliff was a tall, cylindrical rock pillar, emerging from the surface below, holding an ancient stone wall on its top, the wall with ancient DeSadian script carved on its borders. Much identical to the carving in the grand hall of ranks.

Astharoth stood back and Valefor walked at the edge of the cliff. "Been a long time, old friend." He said, looking down.

The air swooped up in a wind current toward the dark foggy skies of the cursed belt and a figure rose up, floating midair, in the foggy cloud surrounding the area.

"Long time no see. . . Valefor." The voice came from the figure.

"Lucifer," Astharoth said from the back. "It's been some time."

"People don't visit this place often." Lucifer emerged from the fog with his calm face, still floating in the air. "You people lost your way in these forbidden lands?"

"I wish I could join you in your humour, Lucifer," Valefor added. "But I'm afraid I might not have enough time. And, there's a storm coming. A storm of blood and war."

"I wish not to participate in any sort of war," Lucifer stated. "Wars never end well, not on either side. The blood sheds and lives are lost. I wish not to participate in such a cruel act of existence. That's why I left the ranks."

Valefor turned his weak, tired body toward him and looked in his eyes. "This time it's different, my friend.

"My people, our people had suffered." Valefor continued. "These humans are not the way they show themselves. Sallos and Naberuis sacrificed their lives, battling them. Their lives should be honoured, the world they long for shall be created Lucifer."

"Do I see some emotions engulfed in your talks?" Lucifer asked. "You know, your emotions won't bring me to join you in this cruel act."

"And how can you say this is a cruel act, Lucifer?" Astharoth said. "This is not a war, it's a revolution. We trusted humans, expecting that they would accept us the way we were, and my people, our people suffered. Just because you turned your back on these problems and the ranks and hid yourselves in some secluded place in this cursed belt does not mean the problems are solved. Those problems still exist, and we have to fight for it."

"And why do you have to fight for it?" Lucifer asked. "What are you? Saviour or somethin'?"

"We have to fight 'cause no one else will," Valefor said. "The people you took there, in that valley with you won't come back and join their own fight, they won't fight for their rights and freedom. So, we have to. . . if you join, then with you, or without you."

Out of nowhere, a feeling struck Lucifer's mind and he descended from the air, down on the cliff near Valefor, at his right. Lucifer's right hand rose up and warmly, smoothly wrapped around Valefor's neck, giving him a warm hug. Valefor's expression flushed as Lucifer showed care towards him. It was the first time when a cold, dense-minded person like him showed Valefor care, just like his other elder brother, back when DeSadia existed.

"I can feel the energy and life force you possess," Lucifer said. "Why is it constantly decreasing?"

"Because he's dying," Astharoth said from the back. "Valefor won't see the next morning."

Lucifer froze in shock for a moment. The leader of the ranks he formed won't be there, to see the potential world, to see the reason the ranks were formed getting fulfilled.

Valefor won't see the next morning. Words echoed in Lucifer's head. A faint smile appeared on Valefor's face while he hugged Lucifer back.

"It's funny, isn't it?" Lucifer said. "We ranks and the DeSadians often talk about how these filthy emotions are the liability to one's existence and make one weak to face this damn world. But. . . We are no exception to these emotions. We too couldn't escape them at times."

Valefor released the hug and looked back at Lucifer, "I won't be there to witness the new beginning, which is not a big thing. But, I won't be there to lead my people through this revolution." Valefor said. "Aligos and Astharoth won't participate in this revolution. . . They both have their important reasons.

"There exist no protectors here, no allogenes, no vessels, no divines. This civilisation shall fall and the Genesis will begin. But, the ranks need someone to lead them, and they all still trust you, Lucifer."

Lucifer glanced at Astharoth. "Why would you not participate in this so-called war?"

"As Valefor mentioned earlier," Astharoth said. "I have my own reasons to not participate. Some important reasons."

"More important than to fight for the wellbeing of your people?" Lucifer questioned. "Interesting. Am I allowed to know the so-called important reasons?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell that, not even to Valefor." Astharoth coldly said. "But Valefor believed in my reasons and I shall not let him down." He paused for a while. "For now I can just say. . . If this War turned the tables against us, which it won't but if in any case, it did, we shall still have a chance to begin the Genesis in the future and create the world for people who still live after this war. . . in a more passive way, instead of going for another war."

"And do you think only the ranks, ten people from another reality, can stand against the entire nation and their armies?"

"They're not only nine ranks. If you join, they will have you." Astharoth said. "And they'll also have an army of humanoid machines from DeSadia."

"DeSadia is no more-"

"I was a scientist, Lucifer" Astharoth said before Lucifer could complete. "I, with Vesemir, once built an intelligence for the protection of my nation. An army of humanoid machines, who would fight for the nation instead of DeSadians. So even if war broke out between realities, these humanoids would fight for us and there won't be any loss of actual lives."

Astharoth paused for a while and continued. "During the last moments of DeSadia, when this reality had initiated the failed attempt of new Genesis, beginning to wipe out many realities including ours, I was able to summon enough energies to preserve these humanoid machines in a void dimension." He glanced at Valefor and back at Lucifer. "I can still access and open the pathway to the void and connect it to this world. They're still good as new, waiting and ready to join the ranks on my single command. I still do not believe in wars. There are no winners in wars. . . but, my creation, this army, shall stand by you on my behalf."

As Astharoth completed, Lucifer stood still while a wave of eerie silence spread all over the area. Not even the flow of air interrupted the silence in the area. Astharoth was serious when he said those words. In all the ranks, he was probably the only mysterious one till the end. Every time he spoke, judgement came out of his words, bigger plans, decisions, ideas and the true path for rising up.

"I came here to inform you about what's coming," Valefor said. "My work here is done. If you wish to join your people for the freedom of your people, feel free to join this movement with the rest ranks."

Valefor turned back and started walking toward the exit of the chamber. Astharoth followed.

"I shall think about it," Lucifer said in a voice high enough that it would reach the two. "Been a long time. Farewell. . . Old friend."

"Farewell," Valefor replied, glancing back for a moment. "Dear friend."

Valefor quietly walked back in the direction he arrived from, on the lighted path and Astharoth followed him.

"Where are we heading," Astharoth asked.

"Take me to the place where the star of this planet could spread its rays on my conscious body. . . For the last time."

In the residence of Eva, back in the city of ambers, secluded on the island in the great lake, Director Steve Tradis woke up with a jolt. His palms and fingers went through his silver-white hair and came down, wiping off the sweat gathered on his face. His eyes widened, shocked at the vision he had just witnessed.

Heavens, no. . . It's happening.

~~

Following Valefor's orders, Astharoth constantly moved ahead, heading forward. His hands grabbed Valefor's body, carrying on his back. Valefor's strength had weakened to a point where he could no longer stand on his feet nor could feel the pain of the wounds, when he battled the fourth son-the man child William in the conscious realm, and the pain on his body at his final moments.

"Hold tight, if you can." Astharoth warmed Valefor and an air current was manifested beneath his feels. Astharoth's hands tightly gripped Valefor's body and the air lifted them both up.

Their bodies were ascended in the air, as if they were able to fly like some birds, and Astharoth headed toward the peak of the enormously tall mountain ahead.

"At the very top, you will be able to witness the rise of the sun and will be able to feel the warmth of its rays."

Valefor nodded.

Ascending on the top of the massive mountain, Astharoth showed the flow of energies, controlling the air current beneath his feet and smoothly landed on the surface of the top. He walked toward the edge of the mountaintop and helped Valefor sit on his knees on the ground.

"Join me Astharoth, if you don't mind." Valefor said in a calm tone.

Following his words, Astharoth, too, sat down on his knees beside him looking at the far east, waiting for the sun to ascend from beyond the Alisian mountains-a mountain range at the border of the other side of the belt.

"What will happen to the third child?" Valefor asked.

"The third child?"

"Yes, these exceptionally strong people with dense energy possession like us," Valefor explained. "They're not naturally born humans like people of this world. They're vessels of divine beings. The vessels who were created to initiate these new beginnings.

"The fourth son awakening was an exception, who was awakened inside the man-child." He said. "But the third son of Genesis was awakened before. . . And Lucifer took him in."

"You call him the third son?"

"That's what he was meant to be called."

Astharoth paused for a while. "He is where he should be. He was betrayed by humans three times. He learnt it the hard way that these humans can't be trusted.

"Even though he has different motives and vision for a better world, the path he chose is the one we follow."

"So, what happens to him?" Valefor asked again.

"He was successfully able to connect his consciousness to the unimind humanoid. The only creation of pure energies ever existed." Astharoth said. "While Eva defends their nation from the effects of war. The third son would fulfil his wish and complete the task he was fated to do."

The sky faintly lit up with the rays of the early sun informing, the sun was soon to show its face. Valefor looked at the horizon.

"You can break the boundaries of the time dimension and see beyond the present," Valefor said. "What if I asked you to see the results of the coming war?"

"It's always better to not see the future, Valefor," Astharoth replied. "And these visions of the upcoming can never be trusted because glancing at the future is entering the realm of chaos. It can bend at its will and change."

Valefor nodded and kept looking at the horizon. The brightness increased as the light rays of the sun spread themselves all over the early dawn sky. A part of the sun was visible above the horizon.

"I did survive till the next morning after all."

"We are on the tallest mountain on the planet," Astharoth said. "It's still early dawn on the planet's surface. Hope I don't have to explain the whole science behind it now."

Laughter escaped Valefor, hearing Astharoth's words. Astharoth scanned Valefor's body and realised the appearance of the faint golden glow over his skin. It was time, it was a goodbye.

"Do you still remember your family in DeSadia?" Astharoth asked, trying to distract Valefor so he could not notice the golden glow on his body.

"I remember all of them as clear as the sun in front of me," Valefor said. "My son, my brother, mother. . . and my wife. They were the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me in my entire life. They all were sweet, kind and innocent." Tears made their way out of Valefor's eyes. "Why would they deserve a fate like that? Why did they have to face such calamity, the Genesis? These humans of this reality took them from me, they took everything away from me."

A faint smile appeared on Astharoth's face and a tear came down from his eye as the golden glow on Valefor's body increased.

"Don't worry, Valefor." He said. "Your family, each and every one, will walk on the path of liberation and achieve the ultimate peace in the realm beyond heavens and the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Be happy, Valefor. You shall meet them very soon."

Astharoth's words were calming. Valefor's earlier-restless mind was now calmly rested and while some tears still came down from his eyes, his face showed a smile of satisfaction, a smile of warmth and comfort.

Soon enough, the golden glow covered Valefor's entire body and with the warm, calm flow of the wind, his body transformed into millions of tiny golden particles which gradually ascended up in the high skies.

Astharoth stood up, looking at the golden particles rising up beyond the skies and a smile appeared on his face. "The world you dreamed of will be a reality. Rest assured, Valefor." He said. "Farewell. . . dear old friend."