Beyond Realities

Despite everything that had happened, Clied and Kira were finally safe. But inside the dim light of their home, Vael sat quietly, his gaze locked on the darkened sky beyond the window. A cold cup of tea rested in his hand, long forgotten. His heart simmered with restrained fury, the image of Jack's mocking face still burned into his thoughts.

Clied noticed it. He had never seen Vael so silent, so still. The boy walked over and gently sat beside him on the wooden bench, hoping his small presence could bring comfort. Vael forced a smile, masking the storm rising within. He didn't want Clied to see the shadow that stirred in his heart.

As Clied leaned on him and slowly dozed off, Vael began to tell him an old story—something light, something warm. Eventually, the boy drifted to sleep on his shoulder. Vael carried him to bed, laying him gently beside Kira. He kissed both their foreheads and whispered something only the night could hear.

Then, with resolve etched on his face, he took his dark cloak from the wall, fastened his heavy suit, and stepped silently into the night.

---

Meanwhile, at the slave auction warehouse, Jack went about his business as if nothing had happened. He barked orders to handlers, counted coins, and spoke with clients like a man untouchable. But deep down, he knew danger was coming.

Moments later, a tall man in a royal suit entered. Cedric Vaelen, twenty-six, noble-born and the eldest son of the Duke of Vaelen, had come with a warning. He didn't bother with courtesies.

"Jack," Cedric said, stepping inside. "You're in danger. My father believes Vael knows everything."

Jack turned pale.

"Y-you think he'd come here? This place is guarded. He wouldn't dare."

But Cedric said nothing more. His expression was grim.

---

At that very moment, across the city, darkness began to rise. The skies above the warehouse turned black. Smoke coiled in from nowhere, thick and choking. Cedric sensed it—his instincts flared.

"A domain…"

He stepped back, drawing his long sword, its blade crackling faintly with lightning. The air grew heavier by the second. Cedric's pulse quickened.

And then, through the swirling smoke, a figure emerged.

Vael.

He walked like death itself—tall, cloaked in shadows, holding his black, chained scythe that scraped the ground like it yearned for blood. His eyes, cold and locked onto Jack, burned with murderous intent.

"Vael…" Cedric muttered, sweat beading his forehead.

Jack backed away, trembling, his soul nearly slipping out of his body in fear.

Cedric stepped forward, sword raised.

"You're really going to kill him? Uncle… what about your promise? You swore to your daughters—you'd never kill again."

Vael paused.

A memory stabbed through him—his daughter's face, pale and bloodied in his arms, her smile trembling as she told him not to become a monster.

His grip tightened on the scythe.

"He tried to hurt my children… I can't forgive that."

Without warning, Vael charged. Cedric barely had time to react as scythe and sword collided with a shriek of steel. Sparks flew. Cedric was strong, an awakened lightning wielder, but Vael's strikes came like thunder—unrelenting and merciless.

Cedric struggled. He couldn't match the weight behind Vael's attacks. His arms ached, legs slipping across the stone floor.

Suddenly—Vael vanished.

"What—?!"

A whisper of wind behind Jack.

Before Cedric could turn—

SHING!

Vael's scythe sliced cleanly through Jack's torso, rage glowing in his eyes.

Time froze.

Blood floated in the air like suspended drops of red glass.

Cedric's eyes widened. Jack's scream never came.

But then—something changed.

The moment the blade passed through Jack's body, light shattered from within him. His skin cracked like porcelain, and from his core, a monstrous shape erupted.

Jack's corpse twisted and expanded. Wings tore from his back. Three dragon heads burst out, roaring with unearthly pain. Scales of obsidian and flame covered his form.

Jack was no longer human.

"What in the name of the gods—" Cedric stepped back.

Even Vael was taken aback.

Before them rose a three-headed dragon, its body cracking with magical seals, its breath reeking of ancient power. Jack's voice echoed from all three maws.

"You dare strike me, Reaper?"

Vael raised his scythe.

The hunt was not over.