"Come on, hurry up!" I shouted over my shoulder, weaving through the foyer. I could feel the curious gazes of several women on me as the rest of the boys trailed behind, the three siblings exchanging knowing glances. "I've got some knowledge to learn ya!"

As we stepped out of the massive cabin, we spotted Soarin pulling a boat through the shallows toward the shore. Further down the beach, I noticed a group of boats gathered not too far away, close enough that I felt a twinge of guilt for making Soarin fetch ours. Not that he seemed to mind—his easygoing smile as he presented the boat to Spike and me said as much.

"Thanks, Soarin," I said with a nod. "I don’t know what orders the Princesses gave you, but make sure you enjoy yourself as much as you can, alright? Pass that on to Spitfire and Fleetfoot for me, too, would you?"

He responded with a simple nod and a casual salute before heading off. As he left, the rest of the group approached, and Spike and I climbed into the boat. The girls looked puzzled, their confusion ranging from mild to intense meanwhile Pinkie and Eris just looked happy to be there. Before anyone could voice their questions, the three siblings who had followed closely behind offered soft reassurances—mainly directed at the Draconian's sister. That seemed to calm them for the moment.

Spike took the oars and began rowing us out to sea. The water was calm, and the soft rhythm of the oars breaking the surface filled the air. About ten or fifteen minutes later, we were far enough from shore.

"That’ll do, Donkey. That’ll do," I said, earning a raised eyebrow from Spike.

He glanced around at the tranquil, crystal-clear sea before turning back to me, his face full of uncertainty. "Uh…Percival? What are we doing so far from shore?"

I gave him a toothy grin. "I'm going to demonstrate the next part of your training. After that, you'll use what you already know to try and make it back to shore."

"Alright," He said slowly, narrowing his eyes. "So, how do we do this?"

I ran a hand along the side of the boat beneath our feet, glancing at it thoughtfully. "How expensive do you think this thing is?"

Spike raised an eyebrow at the abrupt change of subject, suspicion creeping into his expression. "I...don't know. It doesn't look very expensive."

My grin widened mischievously. "Sweet!" Summoning Ace, I aimed at the boat directly beside me, and Spike's eyes widened in alarm. With a single shot, the bullet tore a massive hole into the seat beside me before sending Ace away. Water rushed in immediately, tilting the boat as it began to sink. Within moments, we were floating in the ocean, watching the vessel disappear into the depths below.

"Why did you do that?!" Spike shouted, throwing up his arms and splashing water everywhere. "Now we can't get back to shore!"

"Oh no," I said softly, feigning surprise and concern. "Our boat. It's broken."

Spike glared at me, then looked down at the water, watching as the boat vanished into the dark abyss. His shoulders slumped, and when he turned back to me, his resigned expression made it clear he knew his training had already begun. "What am I supposed to do?" he asked with a sigh.

"I'm so glad you asked!" I said brightly. Slowly, I focused my energy into my hands, knees, peg leg, and feet—just as I had when Soarin first found me with Pinkie and Eris—and climbed out of the water. Spike stared at me in awe as I stood on the surface. "Pretty cool, huh?" I asked with a knowing smile.

"Can I do that?!" Spike asked, his voice brimming with excitement.

"That's what we're going to find out!" I replied with a huge grin. Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting him to nail it right away—walking on water is no small feat—but Spike had been full of surprises throughout his training.

"Fingers crossed," I thought to myself.

"Focus your energy into the same spot on your feet as before," I explained, pacing around him as I spoke, wiping away several thick locks of hair from my face. "But this time, it’ll be trickier. The ocean is constantly moving, which means you’ll need to adjust your energy every second to match the flow and current. That’s the only way to stay dry and above water. To climb out, you’ll also need to focus energy into your knees and hands. It’s all about balance and control."

Spike nodded, determination lighting up his face. Closing his eyes, he began to concentrate. After a few seconds, he pressed his hands against the water's surface and managed to pull himself up slightly. For a brief moment, it looked like he was getting the hang of it—but then his energy faltered. He splashed back into the water, barely sinking before he swam back up to try again.

Over and over, Spike attempted to climb out of the water, each try more focused than the last. But as I’d expected, it wasn’t easy. This exercise required constant adjustments, forcing him to refine his control in real-time. It didn’t help that he had to channel energy into his hands and knees as well, something he’d never done before. Still, I was impressed. For a few fleeting moments, he managed to hold himself above the water, proof that he was learning.

Eventually, exhaustion began to take its toll. His movements grew sloppy, and he started struggling just to stay afloat, yet he still tried.

"Persistent little bastard, I’ll give him that," I thought with a smirk.

Leaning down, I hooked an arm under his and across his chest from behind, pulling him out of the water before his head could dip beneath the surface. "Alright, I got you."

"No," He said firmly, despite his breathless state. "I can keep going!"

"Oh, I’m sure you could," I replied, effortlessly slinging his limp body over my shoulder. "At the cost of drowning. And we can’t have that, can we?"

I gave him a reassuring pat, making sure he was secure on my shoulder before heading toward the shore. "If it makes you feel any better, you did a phenomenal job, wee man. I put you in a tough spot for this. Normally, you’d just walk straight onto the water—not pull yourself up like that."

"That’s okay," Spike sighed, clearly exhausted. "I never expected you to take it easy on me. I just figure you know what you’re doing—especially since Europa, Calise, and Neptune turned out fine. So I say, fuck it, and just do what you say."

A smile crept onto my face as I began the trek back to the island. On the way, I noticed something in the distance approaching fast. As it got closer, I recognized Spitfire flying toward us.

"Good to see you again, Sir," Spitfire said, hovering in front of us.

"Sup, Spitfire," I greeted with a nod. "Soarin tell you we were out here?"

"Yeah," She said, crossing her arms. "But he left out the part where you were going to sink the boat. He did mention, though, that you can walk on water. I’ve heard a lot of rumours about you, Sir, but that one? Had to see it to believe it."

"Believe it!" I said with a grin. "Pretty sure Soarin almost shat himself when he saw me climb out of the water and carry on like it was nothing."

Spitfire chuckled, hovering casually nearby. "If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly are you doing out here? Whatever it is, it’s got the Elements of Harmony talking."

"I can imagine," I said with a short laugh, nodding toward the limp Draconian slung over my shoulder. "It’s all thanks to this one."

"I figured as much but didn’t want to assume," She said, glancing at Spike. "So, who’s the kid?"

"My student," I explained. "He’s also the reason we’re out here. And why the Elements are here, which indirectly explains why the Princesses are also here. It’s all a very delicate web."

I stopped and turned, spinning on the spot to give them a proper introduction. "Spike, meet Spitfire. Spitfire, meet Spike."

"Hey," Spike said tiredly as I felt him weakly raise a hand to wave at her. Turning back, I completed the full circle to face her again.

Spitfire chuckled at the odd introduction. "Didn't know you took on students."

"Yeah, well, I do. Or, in this case, he’s technically my squire for official events. Shit that reminds me, I need to fill out the paperwork," I informed her, mumbling the last part to myself. "Anyway, I prefer the term 'apprentice.' Again, it’s why we’re out here—to show him the next step in his training."

"Were you trying to drown him?" Spitfire asked playfully.

"I was wondering the same thing," Spike chimed in from over my shoulder. The amused tone in his voice made it clear he was smiling.

"You’re so lucky I only have one arm," I said, glancing back at him before returning my attention to the hovering Pegasus. We continued toward the island as I added, "Speaking of which, you and Soarin seem to take seeing me like this pretty well."

"We’ve had plenty of time to hear the rumours and read the news articles about you since your return," she replied, her gaze drifting down to my missing arm and the peg leg I now stood on. "Still, I’ll admit, seeing it in person was a bit of a shock."

"Anyway," She said, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts, "How’s his training going? Your methods seem...unorthodox."

"I’m still debating whether I want to keep him," I said with a smirk. "Just imagine—I drop him in the water, make up some simple excuse, and boom. No more Spike."

Spitfire shook her head, while Spike went rigid, stiff as a board. The sight made me chuckle. "Relax, Spike. I’m kidding. Fuck. Honestly, he’s making remarkable progress for someone who isn’t used to my methods. Like I said, this was more of a demonstration than anything else. He’ll be taking it easy for the rest of the trip."

"Good," Spitfire nodded. "Because he looks like he needs it."

We eventually made it back to shore, Spike seemingly conking out somewhere along the way. As we stepped onto the white, sandy beach, steam rolled off of my freshly dried body and clothes as Twilight was quick to rush over. Her eyes locked onto her brother, slung limply over my shoulder, and she immediately unleashed a barrage of questions.

"Relax, he's not dead," I said, cutting her off before she could work herself into a frenzy. "Trust me, if he was, you'd be the first to know."

Twilight huffed in response as I carried Spike over to a set of beach chairs. Gently settling him down, I closed the umbrella beside him. "Still, you shouldn't push him to exhaustion like that," She said, crossing her arms.

"Says the girl who regularly pulls all-nighters, exhausting herself chasing knowledge or solving problems," I shot back with a raised brow.

"That's...different," She muttered weakly.

"Mmhmm," I hummed, turning to her with a knowing smile. "And how's that any different?"

Twilight opened her mouth to respond but faltered, glancing away as she rubbed her arm. Stepping closer, I rested a hand gently on her shoulder.

"I know you said you trust me, but I need you to show it," I said softly. Sliding my arm around her shoulders, I gestured toward Calise, who was playing volleyball with Eris and the rest of Twilight's friends. Europa and Neptune sat nearby, offering colourful commentary. "Look at them, Twilight. I would never put my kids through something I didn’t believe they could handle. Spike is no different."

Twilight looked at me, then at my kids, and finally at Spike. She let out a soft sigh before nodding. "I'll... try."

"That's all anyone can ask of you," I replied with a light tone, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze before releasing her. "Now go relax. Surely even you know how to do that?"

"I promise nothing," She quipped before checking on Spike one last time. Satisfied, she jogged off to join her friends.

As I watched her leave, I turned and noticed Ghost lounging on a nearby chair, a coconut in hand with a straw poking out of its sliced-open top. His beige skull mask was rolled up just enough to let him drink with ease. Shaking my head at the almost comically casual sight, I made my way over. Ghost spotted me quickly and raised his coconut in an uncharacteristically laid-back greeting.

"Never took you for someone who’d enjoy time off like this, Ghost," I remarked, stopping next to him. His sunglasses reflected the sunlight as he glanced up at me.

"Just because I maintain strict discipline on duty doesn’t mean I can’t relax off duty," He replied, raising a free hand to rest behind his head.

"Fair enough," I nodded with a smirk, conceding the point.

"Besides, nothing beats fresh coconut water."

"You sound like my brother," I said with a small chuckle. Reaching down, I removed my loose white shirt, the fabric vanishing with a soft fwoosh of purple fire as it joined the rest of my belongings.

From behind, I heard a light whistle. Turning, I caught sight of Calise lightly slapping Pinkie on the arm. The rest of the group of girls had paused to glance my way. Those who weren’t already in relationships quickly looked elsewhere once they realized I’d noticed. Amused, I waved at them, their reactions making me smile—Pegasi wings fluttered, and the sole Unicorn’s horn pulsed faintly with magic.

Paying them little mind, I sat down beside Ghost. Calise was still swatting Pinkie, as her face turned bright red—no doubt from some bold comment from the Pink Party Planner. Ghost handed me a fresh coconut, and I leaned back to enjoy the warmth of the sun on my skin, blissfully unaware of a pair of magenta eyes lingering on my now-exposed chest.

The rest of the day passed effortlessly. I sat with Ghost for about an hour before the girls roped us into their games. After some insistent persuasion—especially from a certain trio—I relented, and even Ghost eventually gave in.

A few games proved tricky with my missing limbs, but I held my own and even managed to score decently well. Dodgeball, however, was a different story—I dominated that with ease. It felt good to unwind and let go of stress after what felt like an eternity. The time spent together was exactly what my kids and I had needed. Hearing their cheers when they won, their groans when they lost, and their laughter echoing across the beach formed a lump in my throat more than once. I think the Elements noticed, too. Now and then, they’d subtly ask if I was alright, to which I always gave an immediate, reassuring "yes."

Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for more.

And yet, as I gazed out at the other islands scattered across the horizon, I couldn’t shake the feeling that more was exactly what was coming.

~~

Sitting atop the roof of the cabin, I absentmindedly listened to the distant crash of waves and the louder, animated voices of the group below. Their laughter and chatter blended as they played whatever board game they could find. My gaze drifted upward to the dark expanse of the sky, the stars teetering on the brink of alignment, steadily approaching a point of no return. I inhaled deeply, holding the breath for a beat before exhaling just as slowly. The deliberate action did nothing to calm my racing heart.

"Almost Heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads."

"Hey, Boss."

A soft voice behind me broke the stillness. I turned to see Calise standing by the open skylight, her silhouette outlined by the dim glow from below. Smiling, I shifted to the side and patted the empty spot next to me. She climbed up and settled in, stretching her wings, arms and legs with a small groan before glancing my way.

"Why aren't you with everyone else?" I asked, casting her a sidelong glance.

"Why aren't you?" She shot back without missing a beat.

I chuckled softly. "Touché."

A quiet pause stretched between us, the only sounds coming from the waves and the faint murmurs from inside.

"Are you okay?" Calise finally asked, her small bat-like nose twitching as she studied me through her gold frame glasses.

I sighed, letting my gaze drift back to the endless ocean. My legs dangled off the edge of the roof as I muttered, "I don't know."

She reached out, placing her smaller hand over mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "It's going to work," She said with quiet conviction.

"I know, but it's not that that's been making me feel like...this" I replied, turning my hand to hold hers. Her hand was so much smaller than mine—delicate, like her mother's. Bringing it to my lips, I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I found her watching me with a sad, knowing expression. My voice trembled as I whispered, "It doesn't feel real."

"You, your brothers..." I trailed off before she could respond. "And now your uncle? It all feels like some elaborate trick. Every time I close my eyes, I expect to wake up and find you all...gone." I blinked, feeling tears threaten to spill. "But every time I open them, you're still here."

"We're real, Dad," She said firmly, cupping my cheek. Her touch made my breath hitch. "And we're not leaving. Ever. Not again."

"You bet your sweet bippy we're not," A familiar voice chimed in.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Europa climbing out of the skylight, followed by Neptune. Europa took a seat on my other side, draping an arm around my shoulders, while Neptune knelt behind me. He rested his chin on the top of my head and wrapped his long arms around all of us, pulling us into a tight embrace. We sat there together, quietly soaking in each other's presence, the weight of unspoken emotions settling into something softer, something bearable.

"I love you all."

"We love you too."

~~

Sleep eluded me for hours, despite the bed being infuriatingly comfortable. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my mind a maelstrom of thoughts and my heart racing as though it might burst. By the time the clock on my bedside table struck six A.M., I’d had enough.

Carefully, I slipped out from beneath the thick duvet and silently attached my prosthetic, securing the strap to my thigh with practised ease. Moving with deliberate quiet, I sneaked out of the room, determined not to wake anyone.

The living room was dim and still, the air heavy with the scent of aged wood. My gaze fell on the bar across the room, and I gravitated toward it, stepping behind the counter. I idly browsed the bottles, finally settling on a malt whiskey. Humming softly, I examined the label and went to pour myself a measure. I raised the bottle, only to pause and set the glass away with a shake of my head. Grabbing the bottle and stepping outside, I let the cabin door click shut behind me. The crisp air greeted me as I took a deep, burning sip from the whiskey.

I made my way to the shoreline, the cool sand shifting beneath my steps. Wading into the calm waters, I stopped when they reached just below my knee. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply through my nose, willing the tempest inside me to settle. It didn’t. Instead, frustration bubbled to the surface, and a low growl escaped my lips. Another sip of whiskey followed.

And then, something shifted.

A strange lightness filled my chest, a sensation that prickled at the edges of my awareness. My energy seemed to mingle with it, creating a feeling I couldn’t quite name. The lightness intensified, and my heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, the connection to my energy deepened, as though amplified. The sensation overwhelmed me. My knees buckled, and I stumbled, falling with a splash into the shallow water. Tilting my head back, I looked up—and froze.

The stars above stretched across the sky like scattered jewels, but my eyes were drawn to a single line of them, stark and unwavering, pointing toward the main island a few miles off. It was then I understood the reason behind the shift and a nervous grin graced my lips.

"All my memories gather 'round her
Miner's lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye."

"Almost there," I whispered, my voice hoarse. I took another deep swig of whiskey, the warmth doing little to temper the fire in my chest. "Just a little longer."

Rising unsteadily, I turned back toward the cabin, now glowing with light from every window. The others had felt it too. The shift. I stepped out of the water, shaking my peg leg free of sand and salt before heading to the front door. The whiskey bottle dangled loosely in my grip, its contents dwindling as I took one last sip before entering the cabin.

Once inside, I stepped back into the living room, leaning against the bar with my head down just as several voices came from behind me. Though I wasn’t in the same room as them, I could feel their worry like a tangible weight in the air.

“Did you guys feel that!?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Yeah, we felt it too,” Soarin replied.

“Heck, even me ’n’ Pinkie felt it,” Applejack added. “Y’all alright?”

“Yes... yes, I think I’m fine,” Rarity said, her voice faintly breathless. “Twilight?”

“I’m okay,” Twilight answered quietly. “I just... what was that?”

“My little ponies, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about,” Celestia said gently, her tone calm and reassuring as she tried to settle everyone’s nerves. The group murmured among themselves as she continued, “These islands have always been known for their odd magical phenomena, but they’ve always been harmless.”

Taking a deep, steadying breath, I completely downed the last of the whiskey in my hand before setting the glass firmly on the countertop. As I pushed off the bar, my sudden movement silenced the room. Limping into the large foyer, I felt all eyes on me. My gaze shifted to the three siblings, and in that shared glance, we understood one another. It didn’t take long for everyone else to pick up on it.

“Percival,” Celestia said softly, stepping toward me.

Before she could continue, a burst of purple flame enveloped me, and I emerged clad in my equipment. Three more flashes followed, and my children stood beside me, donned in their grey robes with weapons ready, stepping to the front of the group. My fist clenched as the weight of the moment settled over us, and the room filled with an unspoken understanding.

“So it’s finally happening,” Rainbow Dash said, clapping her hands together with determination The rest of the group turned to me, anticipation clear on their faces. “What’s the plan? How’re we gonna get your bro out?”

“The plan is for all of you to stay here,” I said simply.

“What?!?!” the group shouted in unison. Even Fluttershy raised her voice to an uncharacteristic shout.

“Sir! Surely you realize how foolish this sounds!?” Fleetfoot exclaimed.

“She’s right, Arthur! That doesn’t make a lick of sense! Why not let us help you?!” Applejack added, looking at me intently.

“Come on, Percy! We’ve already fought Nightmare Moon! You might need us!” Pinkie chimed in, her usual energy undeterred.

“Pinkie’s right, darling. Some assistance could do you good,” Rarity said, her tone calm but insistent.

“No. The Elements will be useless here,” I replied firmly.

“How can you be so sure?” Luna asked, her expression clouded with worry.

“There...was a longstanding theory about how my brother and I would react to the Elements due to how our energies function. It’s been tested more than once, and let me tell you—it’s not a pleasant experience,” I explained.

“Wait, the Elements were used on you?!” Twilight interjected, her voice tinged with shock. “How? Why?”

“I don’t have time to explain,” I said curtly. “All you need to know is that the Elements won’t help this time.”

“Do you want us on standby?” Spitfire asked, her tone and expression deadly serious.

“I assume you’ve been briefed on the secondary reason for this vacation?” I asked, meeting her gaze.

“I was informed after I escorted you and Spike back to shore,” She confirmed.

“Good. Then I want you three to guard the Princesses and the Elements of Harmony with your lives. The chance of anything going wrong is low, but it’s not zero. I’d rather have extra firepower here so I can focus on what lies ahead.”

“But Sir—” Soarin began, but a sharp, pointed look from me made him fall silent.

“Not even Celestia and Luna won’t be able to do much. They’ll be of no use in the battle ahead. Besides, this is too unpredictable. If, by some chance, my children and I fall, you will need precious time to evacuate, time you will be able to provide with all three of you on watch. You have your orders, Captain.”

Fleetfoot opened her mouth to protest, but Spitfire raised a hand, stopping her. “Understood, Sir,” Spitfire said firmly before turning and leaving with her subordinates in tow.

"What makes you so certain my sister and I would be of no use?" Luna asked. Though my words hadn't offended her, she and Celestia seemed genuinely curious.

"My brother and I operate in a way that’s vastly different from how you—or most Unicorns—function," I explained, noticing the group’s attention shifting toward me. "Respectfully, the two of you would spend the entire confrontation trying to figure out how to defend yourselves. It’d be more of a hindrance than a help to have you there."

For a moment, they simply stared at me, unblinking. Their eyes scanned mine, as though searching for something, before they both sighed. Their expressions softened, though faint furrows lingered on their brows.

"If that is what you wish," Luna said quietly, while Celestia remained uncharacteristically silent.

I glanced around the room, noticing someone was missing. "Where’s Ghost?"

"Right here, Sir."

Turning, I immediately spotted him. Gone were his casual swim trunks; Ghost was now clad in his usual black ensemble, Yamato gripped firmly in his hand as he stepped into the room.

"Ghost—"

"With all due respect, Sir, I’m going to have to decline your order," He interrupted, his tone resolute. He had already anticipated what I was about to say.

"Ghost—" I began, but the words caught in my throat. His eyes, usually a deep, vibrant brown, now carried faint traces of pale blue, like hidden cracks of lightning flickering beneath the surface. The Princesses noticed my almost imperceptible reaction and exchanged curious glances. Forcing myself to stay composed, I took a step forward. "You know what your chances are of coming out of this?"

"Almost zero," He said lightly, a faint hint of a smile in his voice despite the grim implication. He adjusted his grip on Yamato. "Wouldn’t have it any other way."

I nodded, turning toward the door. As I reached it, I paused, glancing back at the group—only to find myself suddenly wrapped in a tight hug by Rarity and Applejack.

Smiling, I leaned down and hugged them back as best I could. "I’ll be fine, guys," I whispered.

"Ain’t gonna stop us from worrying," Applejack replied softly.

"You’re a dear friend, Percival," Rarity added. "Please, just be safe."

"I will," I promised, letting them go and offering the most reassuring smile I could muster. "I’ve got backup this time."

I looked over at my kids, who smiled at me with quiet encouragement. After exchanging brief nods, they stepped back toward their friends. That’s when Spike hesitantly approached.

"You alright, wee man?" I asked.

"Yeah. Just a little nervous, is all," Spike tried to say in a normal voice, but it came out shaky.

That shaky voice was a clear sign that something was eating at him. Kneeling in front of him, I kept my voice soft and steady. "Spike, talk to me."

He glanced around the room as if searching for an excuse until his shoulders sagged and his gaze dropped to the floor. "What if you don’t come back..." His voice was barely above a whisper. Finally, he looked up at me, his eyes filled with uncertainty.

I gave him a soft smile. "Spike," I said gently, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Every fight I go into, there’s always a chance I won’t make it back. Always a chance I’ll lose. But I come back every time. You want to know why?"

"Why?"

"Because there are always people who need me," I replied firmly. "There are always people I care about. As long as you, that group of friends behind you, the Princesses, or my kids are here, I’ll always have something to fight for. That’s why I’ll always come back."

I let the words sink in for a moment before adding, "And now, I have something to gain."

Spike stared at me, his nervous expression gradually shifting into one of resolve. He nodded, clearly bolstered by my words. Smiling back, I gave his shoulder a reassuring pat before standing up and heading outside.

The night was still cloaked in darkness as we stepped onto the shore. Before I could summon my wings, a hand landed on my shoulder. I turned to find myself pulled into a warm embrace.

"Please be safe," Celestia whispered, her wings wrapping around my shoulders.

Smiling softly, I hugged her back. "I promise nothing," I said, teasing lightly.

"Then just come back," She replied with a slight huff, and I could almost feel her rolling her eyes. "You can’t imagine how boring it would be without you."

"I think I can manage that," I said with a grin.

As I released her, I turned to the trio standing nearby, Neptune hooking his arms under Ghosts. Summoning their wings while Calise simply spread hers, they waited for me to lead. I summoned mine in response, glancing at the group in front of us one by one before flashing a toothy grin.

"Hope you guys are ready for another me!" I quipped.

With that, I launched into the air before anyone could respond, my kids soaring close behind as we made our way toward the main island.

The strange sensation that had started all of this grew stronger with every passing moment, intensifying as we drew closer. By the time we landed on the island’s shore, it was nearly overwhelming. Finding the place we needed to go wasn’t going to be a problem.

Stepping past the treeline into the lush, dense forest, we moved quietly toward the island’s centre. Not one of us dared to break the silence; the only sound was the soft crunch of our footsteps. Even the birds and other wildlife, so often a constant in places like this, seemed unnaturally quiet, as though the forest itself held its breath.

Eventually, I felt it—a barrier of sorts. As we passed through, the air changed, almost tangibly. The rich, fertile soil beneath our feet began to dry, cracking and crumbling into a fine, desert-like sand. Dust hung faintly in the air, its taste sharp and metallic. The once-vibrant mountains that loomed around us, alive with trees and teeming with life, gradually dulled. Their surfaces faded from a light grey to a lifeless beige as the vegetation withered, shrinking into nothingness.

We pressed on, descending into a vast crevasse. The air grew heavier, and the swirling dust obscured our view beyond a certain distance. The rocky walls on either side climbed higher and higher, stretching endlessly skyward until they disappeared from sight. Time passed—minutes, maybe hours—before the ground began to change once more. Patches of black, ink-like goo seeped from below, droplets rising as if gravity itself had reversed. They floated upward, defying logic, their unnatural motion setting my teeth on edge.

Abruptly, the narrow crevasse opened into an immense chasm. At its centre yawned a massive, gaping hole, its edges crumbling precariously toward an impossible void. Peering into the darkness, a strange sensation washed over me, a feeling of both vertigo and gravity pulling inward. The abyss seemed to stretch infinitely downward, swallowing all light and reason. None of us flinched.

Without hesitation, I stepped over the edge, dropping into the void. Bracing myself against the jagged wall, my boots and gloved hand ploughing through the jagged surface, sending fragments falling into the unseen abyss. The rock, cold and unyielding, seemed to shift subtly under my touch, guiding my movements. As I fell, gravity shifted—an almost imperceptible change at first—until I felt it press me sideways against the wall. I slowed, finally coming to a stop and standing upright, as though the world itself had rearranged around me. Moments later, Ghost and my children joined me, their movements as fluid and certain as my own.

We moved forward, the darkness closing in tighter with each step. The air thickened, the blackness around us becoming so absolute that even our own bodies seemed to vanish. We pressed on, blind, into the abyss.

Growls emerged from the darkness—soft at first, little more than faint, distant groans. Then, without warning, the quiet gave way to deafening snarls and roars that filled the air. My vision shifted, sharpening to pierce the shadows, revealing what lay ahead.

Gripping Ace, I unleashed fire on the approaching Demons. Each explosive shot illuminated their grotesque features—their jagged, ram-like horns and shimmering blue scales glinting in the light. My bullets tore through them, their neon blue blood spraying out in a glowing arc, staining the ground and coating us in its luminous residue.

They came in relentless waves, each more ferocious than the last. It became clear they were defending something, and that meant we were on the right path. The Demons' death cries reverberated around us, their wails twisting and warbling unnaturally as we cut them down. Yet for all their savagery, they fell disturbingly easily. When the assault finally ceased, we pressed on, the sensation guiding us forward. Our hands dripped with their glowing blood, our footsteps leaving bright, unmistakable prints behind us.

The darkness soon reclaimed us, blotting out even my demonic vision. Yet we pressed forward, undeterred. An eerie silence hung in the air, broken only by faint whisperings. The voices were indistinct, murmurings of a message we could not—or chose not to—decipher. We ignored them and kept moving.

Minutes stretched on until, suddenly, a soft light appeared ahead, causing us to halt. Crystals flickered to life in neat rows, their deep, resonant hum reverberating in the distance. One by one, the crystals lit up, leading the way forward, halting only at the penultimate row. When the light stopped, we pressed on.

As we approached the first crystal, its true nature became clear. Each one hovered at the end of towering, endless bookshelves, their surfaces polished and unyielding. Beneath them stretched rows of tables piled with books, tools, and smaller, inactive crystals scattered like forgotten relics. Halfway through the library, the final row of crystals ignited, casting a radiant glow onto a massive, monolithic door.

The door loomed endlessly upward, its surface iridescent and strangely fluid. As we neared, it began to open, its reflective sheen rippling as though alive. Its edges dripped inward like wet paint, pulling us closer to whatever lay beyond.

Once we were within ten meters, we stopped. I turned to Ghost, but before I could utter a single word, he raised his hand, silencing me. For a moment, I met his gaze, then conceded with a nod and turned back toward the vast, endless door. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward into the shimmering, iridescent wall.

The surface gave way like water, parting effortlessly as I passed through. My vision blurred, swimming with colours and light, yet my body moved onward without hesitation. In just a few moments, my sight cleared.

Before me stretched an infinite void. A silver floor extended endlessly into the horizon, reflecting a cloudless, vibrant red sky. Overhead, a massive eclipsed moon loomed, its presence heavy and foreboding. The air was thick, clinging with a sickly humidity that contradicted the sharp, biting cold, visible in the solid clouds of my breath.

I glanced back just as Ghost and the sibling trio materialized from thin air as I blinked. Ghost shivered the moment he appeared, his discomfort palpable.

"So this is where you've been all this time?" I murmured, my voice barely louder than a whisper. My gaze swept across the surreal expanse before landing on a lone figure in the far distance.

The moment I stepped forward, the figure stirred.

Briefly changing my vision, I narrowed my focus to take in more details. It was big, though significantly smaller and slimmer than my own Demon form. Its body was cloaked in sleek deep, warm black scales, accented by streaks of vivid yellow running down its sides. A streak of bright yellow fire flared at the top of its skull near its forehead, blazing down its back and tapering off at the end of its tail with thicker jets running alongside it, casting dancing shadows as the creature roused from what appeared to be a deep slumber.

Its long, thick snout parted to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth as it snarled, scanning its surroundings until it eventually spotted us. It raised its head toward the crimson sky and let out a deafening roar that slammed into us like a physical force, reverberating through the air as if it were right beside us.

It was my brother.

And he was pissed.

Author's Note

Almost there. Just one more push

At the time of uploading this particular chapter, chapters 1-6 have been updated and improved, with chapter 7 in the works
I'm gonna be spending the next while going back and updating the older chapters from here to match the quality the newer ones have to hopefully provide a better read experience without taking away from the original

Please point out any mistakes I may have made
Constructive criticism is always appreciated
Until next time, TTFN!