Chapter 125: The Choice and the Weight

As the titanic chaos slowly dissipated into a heavy silence, Sakolomé and the others regained their senses, standing amid a broken world.

The wind lifted dust, the horizon was nothing but a landscape of ruins, and the creature, white, cold, winged, remained motionless, like a programmed end waiting for its hour.

Nairo, with a dark gaze, broke the silence:

— I don't think we can face it… not here, not on this Earth.

He raised his hand, a spatial rift opened like a cut in reality, and he pulled out Grafay, thrown by the creature moments earlier. The latter fell heavily to the ground, coughing.

Grafay, panting, slowly stood up holding his neck:

— Kof… kof… Thanks, Nairo. You acted just in time. Without you… we'd probably be talking about a funeral.

Nairo said nothing. He closed the portal without a word, jaws clenched.

Bakuran, observing the cracked ground beneath their feet:

— We can't fight that here. One of its blows split the planet in two…

Salomé, pale, approached:

— So what can we do? Run away?

Sakolomé, stepping forward decisively, eyes fixed on the creature in the distance:

— No. I will take it far from here… off Earth. I'll unleash myself there… and try to defeat it.

A chilling silence fell.

Grafay raised his eyebrows, eyes wide:

— Are you crazy or what?

Yuki, incredulous:

— Are you listening to yourself? You want to fight that… alone?!

Ramos, frowning, crossed his arms:

— My little Sako… I think the blood's gone to your head. Did you see that thing? It's not even alive in the usual sense of the word…

Everyone seemed hesitant, overwhelmed by fear or common sense.

But Salomé said nothing at first.

She watched her brother's gaze.

A hard look. Determined. A look that had already seen the end… and refused to accept it.

She clenched her fists, stepped forward and declared firmly:

— I… trust you, big brother.

Everyone turned their heads toward her, surprised.

Bakuran, smiling slightly, placed a hand on Sakolomé's shoulder:

— If Salomé supports you, then so do I. I've seen you grow through pain, through fire… You're no fool. If you say you can do it… then I believe you… big brother.

Sally, in a soft but assured voice:

— If there's anyone here who can face this entity without us becoming burdens… it's you, Sakolomé.

She met his gaze, moved:

— I know… because I've seen you get up, again and again, when all seemed lost.

A brief silence settled. Then, one by one, the others spoke.

Yuki, taking a deep breath:

— Tss… I hate the idea. But… I've seen miracles before. Go. And come back alive.

Nairo, lowering his eyes, then nodding:

— I'll stay in support, just in case. But… I trust you.

ErMut, crossing his arms:

— Great battles are for great men. You wanted this, so prove it. Smash it up there.

Grafay, growling:

— If you die, I'll come kick your ass in the afterlife. But well… you've got my blessing, bastard.

Ramos, sighing with a tired smile:

— Come on, Sako. Go do your space show… Just don't be a hero. Be a survivor.

All looked up at the dark, threatening sky.

Sakolomé, surrounded by his allies, felt their wills like flames at his back.

The fight would not be for Earth. It would be for all it represented.

And it would not be a sacrifice, but a declaration of existence.

After all these words of encouragement, Sakolomé smiled faintly, then let out a deep sigh.

Sakolomé: Thank you, friends...

His gaze hardened, fists clenched tightly. His body already vibrated with adrenaline — he was ready to plunge into the unknown. As silence fell again, Salomé timidly approached, eyes fixed on the ground.

Salomé (soft voice, almost trembling): Big brother...

Sakolomé turned his head toward her, attentive.

Sakolomé: Yes? Did you want to say something?

She slowly raised her eyes.

Salomé: Please... be very careful. This creature... it's different. I have a bad feeling.

Sakolomé met her gaze. He understood immediately. It was not just a simple warning: it was a fear rooted in her memories — in that vision of a future where he was dead. An image she had never truly been able to forget.

He gently placed his hand on his sister's head, in a gesture full of tenderness. Salomé looked up, touched by this familiar warmth. And Sakolomé, in a calm and comforting smile, whispered sincerely:

Sakolomé: I promise you, Salomé. I won't die. Not before bringing Bakuzan to reason. Not before finishing what I started.

A shiver of emotion ran through Salomé. Before her, it was no longer just her brother: it was an unshakable will. A silent tear slid down her cheek, but this time, she smiled. And she nodded gently.

Sakolomé withdrew his hand, immediately becoming focused again. His gaze turned to the horizon, to the entity he was about to face alone.

Sakolomé (calm and determined voice): Let's go.

Swoch!

Sakolomé leapt and sliced through the air at a blazing speed, like a unleashed lightning bolt. In a fraction of a second, he rose toward the creature.

Facing him, the entity stood motionless, its empty red eyes slowly scanning the surroundings. It seemed to be searching for something… or rather someone. Its "prey" — Grafay — had escaped.

But it had no time to react.

BIMM!

Sakolomé appeared like a meteor and crashed full force into the creature, grabbing it roughly by the abdomen. The shock was colossal, and the impact propelled them both toward the sky.

Sakolomé (panting, fierce): Hold on, demon... you're coming with me!

The creature, though torn from the ground, did not panic. It simply turned its eyes toward Sakolomé, observing him with clinical coldness, not even trying to struggle.

They tore through Earth's atmosphere in barely a second, leaving behind a trail of energy. Space welcomed them in its deafening silence.

But suddenly...

DOOKKK!

A terrible blow struck Sakolomé in the back. Then another. And another. Each impact vibrated through his bones, shook his organs, made even his soul tremble. But he gritted his teeth, refusing to let go. He kept taking it farther, farther from Earth.

The demon, unyielding, struck again. Sakolomé's back bled, his breathing grew heavier. Finally, his muscles gave out — his arms detached.

The creature was free.

In a flash, it reversed roles. It stretched out its arm, grabbed Sakolomé by the neck and held him suspended. Its empty gaze fixed on him, curious. There was neither hatred, nor pleasure, nor fear — just... a cold study.

But Sakolomé, despite the strangling grip, smiled.

Before them, Jupiter shone in the distance, immense and silent.

Sakolomé (hoarse breath): Perfect... we're far from Earth now...

But the creature did not listen. It slowly tightened its grip around his neck, a sinister cracking sound was heard. Then it forced Sakolomé to meet its gaze... and there, its eyes suddenly lit up with a deeper, more intense, unfathomable red.

A cold breath swept through space. A power of another order triggered, emanating from its inhuman pupils.

Soul evaporation.

Sakolomé felt his whole being falter. His mind trembled. Something inside him was beginning to vanish.

The demon's eyes suddenly glowed with a deep red, shining like two suns of damnation.

But suddenly — Swishhh.

The red energy dissipated.

As if blown away by a superior force.

The creature widened its eyes, surprised for the first time. Its technique — soul evaporation — had just been canceled. Unbelievable. Impossible.

Sakolomé seized this opening:

BOOM!

A violent side kick crashed into the creature's ribs. It was slightly pushed back and loosened its grip.

Sakolomé jumped back, one hand on his throat, panting:

Sakolomé (coughing, grateful): Kof... kof... Thanks, Rivhiamë! You saved me from that horror!

Rivhiamë, inwardly, calm and steady voice:

Don't worry. Keep fighting… I'll analyze this demon in the meantime.

Sakolomé nodded, his gaze hardened. He took position again, muscles tense, ready to face the storm.

Facing him, the creature tilted its head to the side, looking curious… almost insect-like in its lack of emotion.

Sakolomé attacked.

Rapid, precise, powerful series of blows rained down. Each impact vibrated in the void, resonating like cannon shots… but the creature did not move. No reaction. No flinch.

Sakolomé (frustrated, shouting): Tell me this is a joke!!!

He accelerated. His red energy spread into space, distorting the void around him. The pressure intensified. He struck again, again and again, waves of energy bursting around the creature.

But… still nothing.

A wall. An indestructible block.

Then suddenly, the demon moved.

With a sharp gesture, it aimed at Sakolomé's throat with a backhand, a clean attack to decapitate. Sakolomé barely dodged, spun around and tried a counterattack — BAM — but again, nothing.

Then…

TACK!

A brutal elbow hit Sakolomé's face. A sinister crack. Blood spurted from his mouth.

He retreated urgently, barely catching himself, features twisted in pain. He closed one eye, the other wept with rage and suffering.

When he reopened it — the creature was already on him.

PAF!

A blow to the head.

PAF!

A blow to the stomach.

Sakolomé staggered, spitting saliva and blood. Before he could catch his breath, the creature grabbed him by the hair, raising its arm to finish him.

But Sakolomé had a flash.

Sakolomé (in a sharp voice): DUPLICATION!