(CHAPTER 40) A SHOCKING REVELATION

(This event took place while Neon was transforming into his Nephalem form against Mordred.)

As FH lay dormant inside Neon's body, his energy slowly recharging, he suddenly felt a surge of powerful celestial energy radiating from within Neon. His eyes widened in astonishment, unable to comprehend what he was sensing.

"It's... impossible," FH murmured, his voice filled with awe and disbelief. "How can this be....! The Angels...were banished from this realm... How can this energy be present in Neon?"

The magnitude of the celestial power coursing through Neon's being shook FH to the core. It defied all logic and understanding. He grappled with the implications of such a revelation, questioning Neon's true nature.

"Could it be that Neon possesses celestial power?" FH pondered, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Is he a being of celestial origins, unbeknownst to us all?"

FH's thoughts raced as he tried to comprehend the enigma unfolding before him. But what struck him most deeply was the inexplicable sense of familiarity that accompanied Neon's celestial energy.

"This power... it feels... familiar." FH whispered, his voice laden with a mix of wonder and confusion. "But why? Why does it evoke such emotions within me?"

FH's heart fluttered with a blend of excitement and trepidation. The celestial energy resonated with a hidden part of his being, a forgotten connection waiting to be unraveled.

"Things just got a little more interesting huh.....Neon, what secrets lie within your celestial power?" FH mused, his voice filled with anticipation....

(present time)

In the serene confines of the nurses' office, Neon kept a vigilant watch over his resting friends, Riyu and Karla. His eyes flickered with concern, his thoughts consumed by the hope for their swift recovery. As he sat there, contemplating the mysteries that surrounded him, FH, fully recovered and eager to delve deeper, started to question Neon with a fire burning in his eyes. He was desperate to get to the bottom of this and get some answers.

"Neon, what I sensed during my dormancy... was it truly what I believe it to be?" FH asked, anticipation lacing his voice.

Neon's gaze intensified, his expression solemn. "Yes, FH," he replied with unwavering certainty. "I am an angel."

The weight of those words settled heavily upon Neon's heart. Everything he had believed about himself, his original identity, which was a human with limitations, crumbled in an instant. Not only was he a demon now, but he was also a celestial being with extraordinary powers.

FH's eyes widened in awe and realization. He had been drawn to Neon's celestial energy for a reason, a connection that defied explanation. But as Neon revealed his newfound identity, FH couldn't help but be consumed by curiosity.

"Neon, have you ever experienced anything in your childhood that may be linked to angels or your celestial powers?" FH inquired, his voice tinged with anticipation.

Neon furrowed his brow, searching his memories for any hint or revelation. "I... I can't recall anything specific," he confessed, frustration creeping into his tone. "It's all so perplexing, FH. I'm just as bewildered as you are."

FH contemplated Neon's words, realizing that the answers they sought might lie within the enigma of his own lost memories. Memories that had been detached and sealed away on another planet, a consequence of the forbidden ancient arts spell that had altered FH's existence.

"I have a sense of familiarity towards your celestial power, Neon," FH revealed, his voice brimming with introspection. "But the reason eludes me, perhaps it's buried within my lost memories."

Neon's eyes widened with realization, a glimmer of hope kindling within him. FH's lost memories might hold the key to unraveling the truth behind Neon's celestial powers and their inexplicable connection.

His mind raced with a flurry of questions, his curiosity bubbling over like a relentless stream. He couldn't contain his excitement, and the words tumbled out of his mouth in a torrent.

"FH, could it be possible that you're connected to my celestial power? If so, what could have caused this bond between us? Are our destinies intertwined from the very beginning?" Neon questioned, his voice brimming with anticipation. FH, overwhelmed by the onslaught of inquiries, started to stutter as he tried to speak, a pleading expression on his face. "Neon, please, slow down. I don't have all the answers. The mysteries of our connection and your celestial power are still shrouded in uncertainty," he responded, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and understanding.

Neon paused for a moment, his enthusiasm tempered by FH's words. Taking a deep breath, he composed himself and chose his next words carefully, a fiery resolve in his eyes.

"I swear, FH," Neon declared, his voice resolute. "We will find your lost memories, and together, we will uncover the answers we seek. We won't rest until the mysteries that bind us are unraveled, and our destinies are revealed."

However, Neons eyes started to widen in shock as FH started to reveal the daunting challenge that awaited them. The planet where FH's lost memories were sealed was a treacherous territory, filled with formidable iratheons and defolions. Neon's heart skipped a beat, the gravity of their upcoming task sinking in.

"Yes, it won't be an easy journey," FH admitted, his tone laced with caution. "But the path to reclaim my memories is paved with danger and adversaries. We must face them head-on."

Neon took a deep breath, a mix of fear and determination coursing through his veins. "I won't let fear hold me back," he declared, his voice steady. "If we want to retrieve your memories, we have to be willing to confront whatever stands in our way. We'll get stronger, master our abilities, and become a force to be reckoned with."

FH's eyes glinted with a newfound hope as he saw Neon's unwavering resolve. "You're right," he acknowledged, a flicker of excitement in his voice. "Your angelic powers hold incredible potential. With them, we may have a chance to overcome the iratheons and defolions, and perhaps even tip the scales in our favor against the whole demon race."

Neon's determination solidified, his eyes shining with determination. "Yeah, we'll do whatever it takes to get the answers we're looking for...."

As the two engrossed further into their lively conversation, they were unaware of the disruption they were causing. Karla, rubbing her temples, couldn't take it any longer and pleaded, "Hey, you're being so loud, could you shut up so we can rest!"

Riyu, trying to find some humor in the situation despite his grogginess, chimed in, "Yeah, just keep it down would you." Neon's eyes widened as he realized the impact of his and FH's discussion. "Oh, I'm so sorry, guys," he said, his voice now hushed with remorse. "FH and I got carried away. We didn't mean to disturb you." Riyu began to speak, murmuring his way back to sleep. "Oh right....your demon friend...just make sure you...keep it down...."

Neon immediately lowered his voice, realizing his mistake. He glanced over at Karla, and a soft smile formed on his lips. As he did so, a peaceful sensation washed over his heart. He marveled at the sight of his two best friends, Karla and Riyu, sleeping soundly, their faces serene in their dreams.

In that moment, Neon felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the friendship they shared. He realized how fortunate he was to have Karla and Riyu by his side, understanding and accepting him despite the fact that he was a demon.

As he watched his friends sleep peacefully, Neon's heart swelled with happiness. Their presence brought him comfort and a feeling of belonging that he couldn't find elsewhere. In this moment of quietude, he knew that these friendships were something to be cherished and protected.

As he took in the desolate and peaceful atmosphere which emanated of his companions. Sudden images of the destructive battle with Keith started to enshroud his mind. Glimmers of Riyu and Karla's bruised and battered bodies started to haunt him once again. Suddenly, His expression was serious, his heart heavy with guilt and concern for their urgent recovery.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you guys, especially you, Karla. Neons mind now took a turn to the vicious demon Mordred. You were tortured by that demon... Mordred," Neon spoke softly, his voice laced with remorse. His fist clenched tightly, his nails turning white as he tried to imagine the horrifying ordeal both Riyu and Karla must have endured.

Karla, still recovering mentally from the traumatic experience, managed a weak smile. "Neon, it's not your fault. You've always been there for us, and you can't protect us from everything."

Riyu, who was slowly regaining his strength, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we all faced both of those demons with no fear. It was a tough battle, but we'll recover." Neon couldn't help but feel grateful for his friends' understanding and strength. Yet, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he could have done more to shield them from harm. "I should've been there to protect you from Mordred, Karla. I promise, I won't let anything like that happen to you again." Karla started to turn her body, facing Neon, her face twitching as she attempted to fight her exhaustion. "Neon, it couldn't be helped, you were busy fighting Mordred's underling, Malachi. And like I said, you cant protect us from everything, so stop blaming yourself." She said, her tone soft but tinged with a hint of concern.

"I see....Thank you Karla." Replied Neon with a slight smile. Karla nodded slowly as she started to close her eyelids. With a newfound calmness about him, Neon made up his mind. He quietly made his way toward the exit of the nurses' office, his determination driving him forward. "I'll let you guys rest," he said, his thoughts focused on the aftermath destruction caused by Keith and the devastating impact it had on the school and its students.

Despite the use of protection and barrier spells during the battle, many students were still hurt, and they needed help. Neon knew that he had a responsibility to aid in the recovery process, not just for his friends but for the entire school community.

As Neon stepped out of the nurses' office, he was met with a scene of chaos and devastation. The halls were filled with debris, and injured students were being tended to by the school staff. Without hesitation, Neon rolled up his sleeves but just before he got to work, a familiar voice echoed behind him, and he turned to see Kain, one of the teachers from the military school, with a slight smirk. "You sure care about those friends of yours, don't you?" Kain remarked, recognizing Neon's selfless nature.

Neon nodded, a spark of passion in his eyes. "Yeah, I care for them deeply. They've accepted me when most people wouldn't, and for that, I'm grateful," he replied with a genuine smile, knowing the importance of true friendship.

Kain placed a reassuring hand on Neon's shoulder, acknowledging the strength of their bond. "I agree. However, they are equally lucky to have such a friend as you, Neon," Kain said warmly, acknowledging Neon's invaluable role in their lives. Just then, a chorus of cries echoed through the air, and Neon and Kain turned their attention to the students in pain. "Ah, it must be the students who have succumbed to the tragedy caused by the demon," Kain expressed with evident stress, feeling the weight of the situation.

Neon's eyes softened, showing empathy even amidst the chaos. "Yeah, but I'm just glad no one had grave injuries....But...." Neon started to grit his teeth, trying his best to hold back his tears. "If only I was stronger....faster, I could have stopped Keith's plan, but its too late, so many students were transformed into mindless beasts and now its too late....they're all gone." He said, trying to resist plunging into the darkness once again. Kain, who gave a sympathetic look, put his hand on Neon's shoulder in attempts to comfort him. "It wasn't your fault...there was nothing that could've been done." He said, his head lowering towards the ground, thinking of the countless students that had been lost. "Maybe so, but theres always something that can be done...it just proves the fact that I need to get stronger, so something like this never happens again." Said Neon as he clasped his hands together angrily.

With that said, the two had renewed their determination, they both knew that they had to act quickly. The students needed their aid, and so they got to work side by side, healing wounds, offering comfort, and helping to rebuild the hallway of the school from the falling debris. As they worked tirelessly, Neon couldn't help but feel the immense responsibility on his shoulders. But he also knew that he wasn't alone. Kain's support and encouragement provided him with the strength to persevere.

In the midst of the chaotic atmosphere, they formed a formidable team, driven by compassion and camaraderie. Together, they represented the indomitable spirit of the school, defying the darkness with their unwavering resolve.

As Neon, Kain, Lucy, and the school staff worked tirelessly to aid the injured students and escort them to the nursing rooms, they soon encountered a problem. The rooms were filling up rapidly, and there seemed to be no more space left for the students who needed to rest and recover.

"Dammit, where should we put the students?" Lucy cried out in frustration, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She did not want the students to feel any sensation of discomfort any longer than they had to.

Just as they were trying to find a solution, two voices rang out from behind them. "One of the nursing rooms is open, we no longer need it. We've got all the rest we need," said the voices triumphantly.

Neon and the others turned to see who it was, and to their surprise, it was Riyu and Karla, who were supposed to be resting in the nursing rooms. Neon's face contorted with concern as he saw them standing there, seemingly unaffected by their exhaustion.

"Riyu, Karla, you should be resting! You need time to recover," Neon shouted at them, worried about their well-being. However, Riyu and Karla protested, determined to be of help. "We're fine, Neon. Our wounds had already healed, so we just needed to replenish our vitality (life force). And would you look at that, I'm back on 5,500! Huh seems that my vitality went up since I used my new ability haha." Said Riyu excitedly, staring at his vitality points on his supporter. "Oh yh?" Questioned Karla as she too began summoning her supporter to see if she had improved since the tough battle. And to her surprise she had. "Ah yes! Mine went up too, I'm at 6000 vitality. See Neon, We can handle it," Karla said, a determined glint in her eyes.

Lucy, grateful for their kindness but still concerned, chimed in, "Thank you both for your help, but it's essential that you don't strain yourselves too much, after all, you felt the full force of the vicious traitor Keith."

Kain, touched by their words added, "You've done your part, and now it's time for us to take it from here."

With their convincing words, Riyu and Karla stepped back, trusting Neon, Lucy, Kain, and the others to take care of the remaining students. With renewed determination, Neon, Kain, and the others continued their efforts to get the rest of the students to the nursing rooms. They worked efficiently, ensuring that each student was comfortably settled and attended to.

As the last student found a place to rest, Neon looked around at the collective efforts of the school staff and his friends. He couldn't help but feel a swell of gratitude and admiration for their resilience and dedication.

"Thank you, everyone," Neon said, his voice filled with emotion. "We couldn't have done this without each other. We are a team, and we will get through this together."

Lucy smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting the gratitude she felt for everyone's hard work. "Indeed, we make a great team," she said, touched by the camaraderie and support they had shown. Everyone had worked tirelessly to send all the injured students to the nursing rooms. Lucy, who had displayed incredible healing prowess, couldn't help but smile with triumph. She was genuinely happy that she could tend to everyone's wounds and provide much-needed relief during the chaos.

But just as the desire to help with rebuilding the hallway of the school surged within her, the toll of her extensive healing efforts caught up to Lucy. She suddenly felt a heavy wave of exhaustion crashing over her, and she stumbled, falling to one knee. Gasping for air, she struggled to compose herself, her strength waning.

Kain and Neon rushed to her side with deep concern etched on their faces. Neon's voice trembled with fear and worry as he asked, "Oh no, are you okay!? You've been using your powers far too much, and they've caught up to you."

"I'm okay," Lucy replied, her voice weaker than before, but she mustered a forced smile to reassure them. "I just need a little time to recover. I won't be that easy to crack."

Kain placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his worry evident. "Lucy, you've done more than enough. You need to rest now," he said with genuine care.

Lucy appreciated their concern but remained determined to help. "I want to help with the rebuilding too," she insisted, trying to push through her exhaustion. Neon nodded in agreement, showing his unwavering support. "We understand, Lucy, but your well-being is crucial. We can handle the rebuilding for now. You've already done so much, more than anyone could ask for."

Reluctantly, Lucy finally yielded to their care. "Okay," she sighed softly, understanding that she needed to prioritize her recovery.

Two figures, in hopes of aiding Lucy in this stressful situation, both made their way towards the group. "It'll be okay guys, Lucy's tough as nails! she won't go down that easily." Said Riyu holding his fist high in the air. Karla, finding newfound resolve started to chime in. "Yeah, rest assured, we can handle Lucy." Neon, who was thankful for their help, gave them a grateful nod upon which Riyu gave him a thumbs up while Karla gave him a wink.

As Riyu and Karla helped her to a more comfortable spot, they exchanged worried glances. Their friend's well-being weighed heavily on their minds as they too started to work on the daunting task of rebuilding the hallway of the school.

As Neon and the others continued to rebuild the school hallway, their combined efforts began to show progress. The debris that had once cluttered the path was slowly being cleared away, and hope started to spark in their hearts.

However, amidst the sounds of hammers and shifting rubble, their work was interrupted by distant screams. Two school staff members came running toward them, their faces pale with fear. "What's happening?" Mr Aurelius asked, his voice tense as he looked toward the direction from which the staff members had come.

"They found someone! Someone alive!" one of the staff members managed to say, still gasping for breath. "It's... it's the head of the 3rd years....Mr Maximus Whitewood sir.....!"