Erza! Friend or foe?

Azrael felt a chill run down his spine. Something in the flow of his thoughts felt strange, as if a foreign idea was trying to push its way into his mind. Without wasting any time, he made his way to Crescent Sun 1.

Azrael: Hey, Crescent Sun 1… is your omniscience failing you too, or is it just me?

Crescent Sun 1: You're not the only one. Lately, I've been feeling strange... like something is interfering with our powers, but I don't know where it's coming from.

Azrael: It's unsettling... By the way, I think there aren't just five domains.

Crescent Sun 1: What do you mean?

Azrael: The Fifth Domain is that of the Realms, the Fourth is that of the Arcane Gods, the Third is the eternal domain, the Second is the Domain of the Cavities, and the First is that of Humans... But now that I think about it, have I ever said with certainty that there is nothing beyond that? My memory feels blurry... What if we've been manipulated even before the conflict over the Sword?

Crescent Sun 1: Good question... I remember mentioning a Fifth Domain, and I think I said it was something else and not the one of the realms... Or maybe someone else mentioned it...

Azrael: It's impossible. Someone is manipulating us, inserting thoughts into our minds and then vanishing without a trace. I can't stand this feeling anymore...

Crescent Sun 1: Calm down, Azrael. Listen… I know this is strange, but we have to support each other. It would be best if Nevaeh doesn't find out about this for now. Also, we must head to the Domain of the Realms... The Dark Army has returned.

Azrael: No need to say more.

After the unsettling conversation with Crescent Sun 1, Azrael made his way to Crescent Sun 6 and told him what had happened. The sensation that something or someone was manipulating their minds was relentless. However, there was no time for speculation; the Dark Army was on the move.

The three decided to head to the Domain of the Realms. Before leaving, Azrael picked up Nevaeh, still asleep, and carried her on his back. He wouldn't allow her to be exposed to any danger.

Upon arriving at the domain, they made their way to a house in the city. With great care, Azrael placed Nevaeh in a room, laid her on the bed, and gently adjusted her hair. He paused for a moment, watching her peaceful breathing, oblivious to the chaos that was about to unfold. He kissed her forehead, turned off the light, and left quietly.

Outside, Crescent Sun 1 frowned and exhaled, as though he had just been freed from a heavy burden.

Crescent Sun 1: My omniscience is fully back.

Azrael: Mine too… It's strange. But there's no time for that, the Dark Army is attacking the Kingdom of the Giants and the Elves.

He turned to his companion, looking at him curiously.

Azrael: By the way, Crescent Sun 1… what's your name?

Crescent Sun 1: I'm not allowed to say... but we are friends. My name is Hanzo.

Azrael: Hanzo? Alright, perfect. Well, listen, Hanzo, we need to split up. I'll go to the Kingdom of the Giants. You head to the Elves'. But be careful, their magic will nullify your omniscience, so you'll be blind in combat. My omniscience won't reach you there either.

Hanzo: Understood, Azrael. We'll meet in a few hours.

Before they could depart, Crescent Sun 6 approached, blowing out a puff of smoke from his cigarette.

Crescent Sun 6: Where are you going?

Azrael: There's no time for explanations. Go with Hanzo to the Kingdom of the Elves.

Crescent Sun 6: Perfect. —He smiled calmly, threw the cigarette on the ground, and crushed it with his foot—. Let's get to it.

Crescent Sun 1: By the way, how do you know they're attacking the elves if omniscience doesn't reach there?

Azrael: I managed to overhear their conversations. Maybe my omniscience wasn't as affected as yours.

Crescent Sun 1: I see...

Azrael prepared to head to the Kingdom of the Giants. Before leaving, he gave one last glance to his companions.

Azrael: Good luck, Crescent Sun 1. Good luck, Crescent Sun 6.

Without wasting another moment, he disappeared in a flash, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air.

Upon arriving at the Kingdom of the Giants, an old familiar face awaited him on the path.

Adara: Well, well... if it isn't Azrael.

Azrael looked at her indifferently.

Azrael: Get out of my way, Adara, or I'll kill you.

The cold and determined tone of his voice threw her off. However, her confusion soon turned to fury.

Adara: Don't tell me you're with Aethoria now.

Azrael: That's none of your business.

Without warning, Azrael landed a brutal kick, sending her flying 200 meters away.

Adara got up with a defiant smile, spitting blood.

Adara: So it's like that, huh? You want to fight, Azrael?

Azrael gave a slight smile.

Azrael: I could kill you without moving… but I want to have some fun.

In an instant, he vanished from Adara's sight. Before she could react, Azrael was already in front of her, unleashing a devastating barrage of punches. Each blow sent her higher into the sky, until, with a final strike, he sent her crashing back to the ground, shaking the earth with her fall.

Adara crawled on the ground, spitting more blood.

Adara: P-Puagh... I see you're in a murderous mood... Go ahead, kill me, great man.

Before Azrael could respond, a gigantic colossus charged at him. Without hesitation, Azrael leapt onto the enormous beast and landed a devastating blow to its head, driving it into the ground with an explosion of dust and rocks.

Azrael: I'm with you, idiots!

Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of the Elves, Hanzo observed seriously at the immense door leading inside. The silence was absolute… something wasn't right.

Suddenly, a rain of magical arrows began falling on them. Hanzo and Crescent Sun 6 dodged the arrows with astounding ease. At that moment, the door of the kingdom opened, and a young elf, with lines tattooed under her eyes, appeared and said:

Unknown Girl: What are you doing here?

Hanzo: Hasn't anyone come to attack the kingdom?

Unknown Girl: Why do you ask? No one has come.

At that instant, a bolt of dark magic appeared at high speed. Without thinking, Crescent Sun 6 drew his divine light sword and sliced through the magic in a brilliant flash.

Hanzo: I see what we're dealing with.

Crescent Sun 1 raised his hand with authority and proclaimed:

—Divine Spear, come to me!

In that moment, a celestial spear appeared in Hanzo's hands. The spear shone brightly, as hot as the sun itself.

Crescent Sun 6: The Divine Spear? Are they that powerful?

Hanzo: I don't think they're superior to me... but I'll use it just to end this quickly.

At that moment, the unknown girl shot a torrent of arrows—10,000 arrows in total. Each one hit its target until, suddenly, a new opponent appeared: Erika.

Hanzo: Wow, impressive archery skills.

Unknown Girl: Let's leave this for later, alright? Maybe I'll kill you myself later.

Hanzo: You don't know who I am... Oh well, Crescent Sun 6, go ahead.

Crescent Sun 6: Yeah, let's go.

The two of them wiped out the entire army in seconds, but then Erika threw her plush toy into the air, unleashing a torrent of supreme fire. Hanzo, seeing this, didn't hesitate and threw the Divine Spear at Erika, hitting her in the chest and leaving her gravely wounded. Before she could die, he ordered the spear to disappear and approached her.

Hanzo: Let's see, little one, did you lose your daddy? Tell me, where are the other Dark Knights?

Erika: G-go away...

Hanzo: I've run out of patience to deal with you, brat. Do you think just because you're a girl I'll show mercy?

At that moment, with her last strength and the power still within her, Erika began to cry. Instantly, her stuffed toy lit up and teleported Azrael to them.

Azrael: What the hell...? I was about to kill Adara, damn stuffed toy!

Erika: A-Azrael, please, help me...

Azrael: Stop crying and don't be pathetic.

He wiped her tears with indifference and said:

Azrael: You're a great knight, right? But don't get involved in men's problems.

Erika: Protect me from Crescent Sun 1... she said between sobs.

Azrael: You're the only one who survived. I know what you've been through, but don't think I'll get soft on you just because of a few tears.

Erika: Seriously, I...

Before she could finish her sentence, Crescent Sun 6 kicked her in the face.

Crescent Sun 6: Stop crying, Dark Serpent.

Azrael: What do you think you're doing, Crescent Sun 6?!

Crescent Sun 6 lit a cigarette and walked away a bit.

Crescent Sun 6: Anyway, I'm going to smoke a cigarette.

Azrael: Erika, join Aethoria, you're still on time.

Erika: O-okay, but only if you promise to protect me.

Azrael: Yes, yes, I'll help you.

At that moment, the unknown girl approached and said to Azrael:

Unknown Girl: You sound familiar.

Azrael: Everyone knows me, maybe.

The girl stared into his eyes and shouted:

Unknown Girl: Azrael! Is it really you?!

The girl hugged Azrael.

Azrael: What are you doing? Who are you?

Suddenly, the girl revealed her true form: red eyes and almost identical clothing to Azrael's.

Azrael: What...?

Erika: Erza...?

Azrael: Do you know her or what?

Erza: I'm your sister, Azrael.

Azrael: What? —Azrael began to laugh.

Erza: I'm serious. —She slashed her arm, and blood started to flow, which she threw towards Azrael—. Check the DNA. If you're Azrael, you might be able to.

Azrael: Alright, but first, how is it possible that I didn't know you were my sister or that I even had siblings?

Erza: It was when you were born. I was only 100 years old. You had just been born, and our parents wanted to experiment with you. They cast a spell to make you forget me. I fought against them, defeated them, and had to flee to this realm, where omniscience doesn't reach. That's why I was dressed as an elf.

Azrael: In that case, how is it possible that you recognize me?

Erza: You haven't changed much in the face.

Azrael took Erza's blood, slashed a finger, and mixed both bloods. He closed his eyes and felt a pressure in his chest telling him that the DNA matched, that she was part of his family.

Azrael: I can't believe it...