Adrian's golden aura flared, pulsing with raw energy. "You think you can challenge me?" His voice was sharp, edged with fury—but also caution.
The shadowy figures didn't flinch. Their crimson eyes burned, their whispers curling through the air like tendrils of smoke.
"You misunderstand, Adrian," the lead creature said. "We are not here to challenge you. We are here to claim you."
And then—they moved.
Faster than anything Ethan had ever seen.
The Unstoppable Force
The first shadow launched itself at Adrian.
Adrian raised a hand, golden light bursting from his palm. A shockwave of pure destruction tore through the air, disintegrating rubble, shattering nearby buildings—but the shadow was unharmed.
It passed through the blast like mist.
And then—it slashed.
Adrian hissed, jerking back. A thin, dark gash carved across his arm. Not deep, but real.
For the first time since his ascension—Adrian bled.
Noah saw it too. "Holy shit. They can hurt him."
Ethan's pulse hammered.
This was their chance.
Adrian might be a god.
But even gods had predators.
The Turning Tide
Adrian's hesitation lasted only a second.
Then—he attacked.
Golden light erupted from his body, forming a spear of pure energy. He hurled it at the lead shadow-being, aiming for its core.
The creature caught it.
Didn't dodge. Didn't break.
It simply held the spear of a god in its clawed hands—and then crushed it.
Adrian's eyes widened.
"No."
The shadows swarmed him.
They moved like liquid darkness, shifting, reforming, attacking from every angle. Adrian lashed out with everything he had—golden blades, explosive force, raw energy—but they absorbed it.
And they kept coming.
For the first time since his return—Adrian was losing.
Escape or Die
"This is our chance! We run—NOW!" Ethan shouted.
Olivia grabbed Valerie, helping her up. Noah pulled Blaze along, the dog growling but obeying.
"Where do we even go?" Noah demanded.
"Anywhere but here," Ethan said, leading them through the wreckage. Adrian was too distracted. If they moved fast, they might actually—
"YOU THINK YOU CAN LEAVE?!"
Adrian's roar shook the world.
Even as the shadows tore into him, he still had enough power to lash out.
His golden energy exploded, sending the creatures staggering—just for a second.
And in that second, he turned his gaze to Ethan.
And reached for him.
Ethan felt it instantly—his body locking up, his breath hitching as an invisible force yanked him backward.
Adrian wasn't going to win this fight.
But before he went down—
He was taking Ethan with him.