(CHAPTER 35) FORGIVENESS

The two heads of the celestial council, Mr. Cardinel and Mr. Xander, stood frozen in disbelief as they witnessed the transformation of Neon. Their eyes widened, and their expressions mirrored the profound shock reverberating through their beings. How could this be? All the angels had been banished to their homeland eons ago, stripped of their connection to the mortal realm. Yet here stood Neon, a fusion of both demonic and angelic essence.
Mr. Cardinel's voice trembled as he spoke, his words barely a whisper, "How is this possible? The boundaries between the realms were sealed long ago. Such power should not exist within a single being."

Mr. Xander, his face a mask of astonishment, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Cardinel. It defies all logic and the laws we have come to understand. How can Neon possess the essence of both light and darkness?"

Behind the council heads, three figures, Kain, Riyu, and Karla, watched in awe and trepidation. Their presence was unperceived, thanks to Kain's ability to render them invisible, shielding them from potential danger. But their hearts raced, their minds unable to fully comprehend the enigma unfolding before them.

Kain, the wise and seasoned teacher, exchanged a bewildered glance with Riyu and Karla, his eyes mirroring their shared astonishment. It was a moment none of them anticipated, and the implications weighed heavily upon their souls.

The council heads continued to exchange bewildered glances, their thoughts racing to unravel the mystery that stood before them. How had Neon unlocked such a potent fusion of celestial powers? Was it a mere anomaly or something deeper and more profound?

The blade gleamed with energies of both heaven and hell, ready to deliver a fatal blow. But just as the blade was about to pierce through Mordred's heart, the demon's eyes widened with a mixture of realization and desperation. In that instant, a hidden power within him stirred, fueled by the fear of imminent death. Mordred summoned a barrier of impenetrable darkness, a shield forged from his deepest fears and darkest essence, shielding him from Neon's intended strike.

With the barrier in place, Mordred retaliated, channeling the very darkness he commanded to attack Neon. Shadows twisted and contorted, aiming to ensnare and suffocate the angelic-demonic being. However, Neon's newfound power and agility allowed him to effortlessly evade the onslaught. He danced through the shadows with grace and precision, his wings propelling him with divine speed.

As the battle raged on, Neon's subconscious, responding to the harsh trials he faced, triggered a profound transformation. Flames flickered to life along his angel blade, as the power of pyrokinesis surged through his being. The blade became wreathed in holy fire, its destructive potential heightened to unimaginable levels.

A slight grin etched upon Neons face as he discovered another newfound power. "ALRIGHT, LETS END THIS!" Mordred, upon seeing Neon fight him with ease, started to get even more frustrated, his attacks recklessly thrashing at its surroundings barely even hitting the desired target. "HOW DARE YOU LOOK DOWN ON ME. ILL SHOW YOU!!" He Yelled, his words conveying a sense of indignation and the unwavering resolve to prove himself in the face of perceived disrespect and underestimation.

With a fierce determination, Neon pressed forward, his blade slicing through Mordred's defenses with an incandescent fury. The darkness, once impenetrable, crumbled before the searing blaze. Mordred's cries of pain echoed through the battlefield as the flames started to consumed him.

In his final words, Mordred, his voice filled with both anguish and disbelief, let out a final, desperate proclamation. "I... I was supposed to be... the strongest!" he whimpered, his words carrying the weight of shattered arrogance.

with a final strike, Neon lunged forward, the blade aimed at Mordred's heart. Guided by the power of pyrokinesis, the fiery weapon pierced through the demon's defenses, finding its mark with deadly accuracy. Mordred let out a guttural cry of agony as the blade plunged deep into his darkened heart.

In that instant, the demonic energy within Mordred dissipated, unable to withstand the divine flames coursing through his essence. As his life force waned, Mordred's countenance twisted into a mask of pure anguish and defeat. Yet, instead of succumbing to silence, a chilling scream erupted from his lips, reverberating across the battlefield with an eerie resonance.

The scream was a cacophony of torment, resonating with the pain of a thousand shattered ambitions and the realization of ultimate defeat. It carried the weight of Mordred's entire existence, the culmination of his desire to be the epitome of power and domination. The sound echoed through the air, a haunting lamentation that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it.

For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as Neon and those around him bore witness to Mordred's final outcry. It was a testament to the profound impact their battle had on the demon, unraveling his illusions of invincibility and shattering his delusions of grandeur.

As the echoes of the scream faded into the ether, a solemn silence settled upon the battlefield. Neon, his angelic-demonic form gradually returning to its original state, stood amidst the aftermath of their clash. He gazed upon the lifeless form of Mordred, the embodiment of darkness and chaos.

In that moment, Neon felt a mix of emotions. There was a sense of fulfillment in his victory, knowing that he had prevailed against such a formidable adversary. Yet, there was also a somberness, a recognition of the tragedy that lurked within the fallen demon's existence. With a heavy heart, Neon slowly withdrew the angel blade from Mordred's heart, allowing the final traces of darkness to dissipate into the surrounding atmosphere.

As the dust settled and the battlefield grew quiet, Neon knew that his journey was far from over. The world still teemed with other threats and challenges, and one of those threats was Keith, he had to find to a way to stop him before he could go through with his plans. But with the weight of this hard-fought victory upon his shoulders, he felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. "I did it...I actually defeated an upper rank demon!" Shouted Neon with astonishment. "Did you see that FH!?" He said excitedly, waiting for an answer. Still....there was no response. "Dammit...what the hell happened to you....please don't be dead..." Muttered Neon worried that his fears would come into fruition.

As the atmosphere, charged with an electric mix of triumph and confusion settled, the two heads of the school, Mr. Cardinel and Mr. Xander, approached Neon with a mix of awe and disbelief etched on their faces. Their eyes flickered with a glimmer of fear, mingled with a profound sense of curiosity.

"How... How could you possess the power of the angels?" Mr. Cardinel stammered, his voice betraying his bewilderment. "It defies everything we know about the natural order of things."

Mr. Xander, his brows furrowed in deep contemplation, added, "Indeed, it is beyond comprehension. The angels were banished from this realm eons ago. How is it possible for you to wield their power?"

Master Hiro, who had joined the conversation, stood beside the two heads, his expression a mix of astonishment and confusion. His mind raced to find an explanation, but the pieces of the puzzle eluded him. The enigma of Neon's celestial power left him utterly perplexed.

The desolate landscape fell into an expectant silence as Mr. Cardinel, Mr. Xander and Master Hiro eagerly awaited Neon's response to their pressing question. Neon, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity, took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.

"I... I honestly don't know how I possess these angelic powers," Neon began, his voice laced with genuine bewilderment. "But there is something about them that feels strangely familiar, as if they resonate with a part of me that I can't quite explain."

His words hung in the air, leaving the heads and the others in the room even more intrigued and perplexed. They had witnessed Neon's incredible abilities firsthand, yet the origins of his angelic powers remained a mystery.

Suddenly, a wave of relief and surprise washed over the gathering as Kain, Riyu, and Karla materialized before them. Kain, the wise and experienced teacher, wore a knowing smile. He had used his ability to render them invisible during the battle, keeping them safe from harm. Now, he revealed their presence.

Mr. Cardinel and Mr. Xander gasped, their eyes widening further at the sight of the students. It was far too dangerous for them to be in the midst of such perilous events. They exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to process the situation.

Riyu, unable to contain his excitement, rushed toward Neon, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "I don't know what that was but it was incredible! You fought with such power and grace," he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine awe.

But as the attention turned to Karla, a heavy silence settled over the group. She stood frozen, her body tense, weighed down by an overwhelming guilt. The memory of her betrayal, accusing Neon of orchestrating a demon attack on the school, haunted her conscience.

Neon locked eyes with Karla, his gaze filled with understanding and forgiveness. In that moment, her guilt welled up inside her, and she could no longer contain it. Tears streamed down her face as she crumbled under the weight of her remorse.

Neon approached Karla, his presence a calming reassurance. He gently reached out and embraced her, offering solace and understanding. "We all make mistakes, Karla. What matters is that we learn and grow from them," he whispered softly.

Through her tear-filled sobs, Karla questioned Neon, her voice trembling with disbelief. "How can you be so forgiving, especially in a moment like this?" she asked, her words laden with remorse.

Neon, a being who understood the harsh reality of his demonic nature, replied with a serene wisdom. "As a demon, I have come to accept that judgment and hatred are inevitable. It's a burden I carry every day. But you, Karla, are my best friend, and I will never let go of you, no matter how many times I may upset you."

Neon's words pierced Karla's heart, resonating with a depth of compassion she hadn't anticipated. The overwhelming kindness radiating from her friend shattered the walls of guilt that had held her captive. Karla's tears flowed more freely, now fueled by a mix of remorse, gratitude, and a profound appreciation for the unwavering bond they shared.

In that poignant moment, Karla realized the depth of her mistake. She should never have doubted Neon, tarnishing their friendship with unwarranted accusations. Yet, as she experienced Neon's forgiveness firsthand, she understood that true friendship transcended even the darkest shadows of doubt.

As Karla wept in his embrace, the heads of the school and Master Hiro exchanged solemn glances. They realized that there was much more to Neon's journey than they could comprehend. The convergence of celestial and mortal powers in him carried a significance beyond their current understanding.

In that moment, as Neon comforted his friend and the others stood witness to the complexities of their intertwined destinies, they knew that the path ahead would be riddled with challenges and revelations. The power of the angels flowed through Neon, defying the norms and opening the door to a world of untold possibilities.

The atmosphere in the room was filled with a mix of astonishment, intrigue, and a hint of apprehension as Mr. Cardinel and Mr. Xander, the two heads of the school, still were shocked at Neon's extraordinary transformation into an angelic and demonic being. They exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to comprehend the implications of his newfound powers.

Mr. Cardinel cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled over the room. "Neon," he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and concern, "we need to talk about what we've just witnessed. Your abilities...." Before they could fully process the weight of the situation, Neon abruptly interrupted Mr. Cardinel's sentence. His voice was resolute, filled with determination. "We don't have time to waste," he declared. "Its still not over, our priority now is to stop the traitor, Keith. HE'S the one who orchestrated the demon attack on the school."

Gasps filled the area as the name of the traitor fell from Neon's lips. The revelation struck a chord with everyone present. They knew Keith, a student they once trusted, but the thought of him being capable of such treachery seemed unfathomable.

But Neon's words didn't end there. He continued, his voice tinged with concern. "There's more.... Keith has taken my blood, and he plans to drink it to become a demon himself. However, that's not the real threat we're facing."

Eyes widened, and breaths were held as Neon revealed the true peril lurking within the school's walls. "Keith has planted bombs throughout the premises," he announced grimly. "When the gases in those bombs are released, they will turn people into mindless beasts."

A collective gasp swept through the room. The shock and fury were palpable as they tried to comprehend the depth of Keith's betrayal. The heads, Neon's friends, and Master Hiro shared a mixture of anger, disbelief, and a sense of impending doom.

Mr Xander, his voice trembling with bewilderment, asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "How could one of our own be responsible for something so disastrous?" The room fell into a heavy silence as they grappled with the reality of their trusted comrade's actions.

But before they could fully process the dire situation, a deafening explosion rocked the air. The sound was so powerful that it felt as though the very foundations of the school were shaking. Fear and panic surged through their veins as they exchanged anxious glances.

"What was that?" someone whispered, the words hanging in the air, laden with uncertainty.

They didn't have to wait long for an answer. The alarms blared, filling the corridors with their piercing wails. Panic engulfed the school as students and faculty alike rushed to evacuate, their minds filled with a sense of impending doom.

With a heavy heart and resolute determination, Neon and the others prepared to face the chaos that awaited them. They knew that time was of the essence, and lives hung in the balance. They would confront the traitor, neutralize the bombs, and do whatever it took to protect their school and those within its walls.

As they moved forward, their hearts intertwined with fear and courage, they clung to the hope that they could stop Keith's diabolical plan. The echoes of Neon's words lingered in their minds, driving them forward: "We cannot let darkness prevail. We must fight for the light, no matter the cost." Yelled Mr Cardienl, filling the hearts of those who heard with newfound determination.

In the face of adversity, their resolve hardened. They would prove that unity, strength, and unwavering determination could overcome even the most treacherous of betrayals. The battle against the traitor had begun, and the fate of their school and their very lives hung in the balance.