The Rebirth of the Dark Storm 

The cold wind outside the destruction of Colossus was very thick with the smell of burnt iron, a more metallic odor, and charred earth, though high in the sky, the sun seemed dimmer as if the earth itself was holding its own breath. Standing at the edge of all that has been ruined, Vardy stared at the whole situation for a while, his hands still glowing dimly from the intended Magic he had unleashed moments before. The power was still with him, but it was no longer a burden, it was now a part and parcel of his life, an extension of his will.

Farah on the other hand, was the first person to break the silence, that was… different master, you didn't just win, Vardy. You changed the whole game", her voice held a note of praise and admiration, but there was something else lingering in her eyes, curiosity, perhaps. Or probably fear.

 Fear of what Vardy was going to become. 

Vardy didn't respond immediately, caution his thoughts were far gone, lost in the implications of what had just happened, sly had been defeated, by him he talked to himself, who would have believed that, yes but the cost had been very high.

Not just mentally, but physically, he had unleashed a very worrisome power that could consume him. If he wasn't careful, he had seen the way sly dark magic corrupted and twisted everything it touched negatively. And for this short time, Vardy had felt himself hanging in that same situation as sly. 

But he had held back

And yet the taste of victory felt bitter. There was no triumph in his heart, he felt nothing but sadness and worried about how to cope with the situation, only a deep unease. He wasn't sure if he had won or if he had simply been lucky this time.

Luthor clapped him on his back, the force of his hands gripping, shook Vardy out of his long-lost thoughts, you're a hell of a fighter Vardy, I don't know what you're thinking, but you just did what no one thought was ever possible. You've earned my respect. And Ferah's too, he sighed at Farah, who replied to her eyes in response, though a flicker of pride was in her gaze 

Vardy gave a small head nod, still feeling the weight of the decision, he had made earlier. "I'm not so sure about that. I don't feel like I've earned anything yet, not at all."

Ferah's ears twitched as she stepped closer. "What do you mean? You just destroyed Sly. You've proven yourself."

Vardy's eyes flickered with a storm of emotions, none of which he could express fully. "It's not about proving myself anymore. I've got more than enough power to destroy anyone who stands in my way. But what happens after that? What happens when I can't control it?" Tell me, what will happen then? emotional feeling pressed on him.

Luthor frowned, sensing the inner trouble that Vardy was trying to hide. "You're afraid. I get it. Power like yours can mess with your head. But you've already taken control of it. You've beaten Sly. It's all in your hands now." can't you see?

But Vardy wasn't convinced. He could feel the pull of the darkness inside him, tugging at his thoughts, threatening to overtake him. It was a constant battle; one he wasn't sure he could win in the long run. The warlock's bloodline that coursed through him was a gift, but it was also a curse. And with every victory, it became harder to resist its call as the day went by.

Suddenly, Ferah's voice broke through his thoughts, sharp and urgent. "Vardy, look!!"

He turned instinctively, his eyes narrowing as he saw a group of figures emerging from the horizon. They were cloaked in dark robes, their silhouettes unmistakable against the backdrop of the wasteland. A chill ran down his spine as he recognized the insignia on their sleeves, the Aegaon.

"They're here," Vardy muttered under his breath. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, but he knew that wasn't enough. Not anymore.

Luthor cursed under his breath. "I thought we had more time. These bastards just don't quit, do they?"

Ferah's claws twitched, her body ready for action. "What do we do now, master?"

Vardy exhaled sharply, pushing the fear and uncertainty deep down. "We fight. We survive."

As the Aegaon forces drew nearer, Vardy could feel the weight of the coming battle settle on his shoulders. He had faced powerful foes before, but the Aegaon was something else entirely. They weren't just enemies, they were a reminder of his past, of the people who had torn his life apart.

"I need you two to be ready for anything," Vardy said, his voice steady despite the storm raging within him. "I'm not sure what's coming, but I know it won't be easy."

Luthor grinned, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow. "We've been through worse. You just focus on staying alive. We've got your back ok, Luthor assured Vardy."

Ferah unsheathed her claws, her eyes glowing with fierce determination. "We'll tear them apart, Vardy. No one hurts our master."

With a final glance at his companions, Vardy turned his gaze to the approaching Aegaon. The tension in the air was palpable as if the very earth itself was bracing for the inevitable clash. And Vardy knew deep down that this was only the beginning.

The war was far from over. And with every step he took, the darkness inside him would grow stronger. There would be no turning back, not now, and never will it be, for his family, for his friends, he won't back down for any Reason.

But for now, Vardy was ready to fight.

The first Aegaon soldier stepped forward, his voice booming across the wasteland. "Vardy, the Dark Warlock. You are a threat to our order. Surrender now, and we will spare your life."

Vardy's lips curled into a twisted smile. "Surrender? I've never been good at that, so bad, they never taught me how to surrender, how do we go about it now huh?"

With a snap of his fingers, the ground beneath their feet cracked open, sending shards of rock and debris into the air. The Aegaon soldiers scattered, but Vardy's power had already been unleashed. The storm had begun.

And as the first bolts of lightning crackled across the sky, Vardy knew that no matter what happened next, he would never be the same, not the Vardy he used to know, not the Vardy with his friends, neither the Vardy that love's playing his game, but a new unidentified Vardy who is taking control of the real him, he knew nothing was going to ever be the same again, he was so ready.

Ready to take it up, the energy in him was making room for more, his body filled with so much aggression to wreck things, he knew the feeling again, he remembered Sly one more time, and he tried taking control, but the dark warlock won't allow it.

The darkness had found him. And it would not let go.