**Chapter 17: Grasp**
"I can't sense Damon's energy anymore," Old Man Thomas exclaimed, disbelief painting his weathered features. An unwelcome chill ran through Gerald's spine. His mind raced as he quickened his pace, urgency surging through him like a frantic river, the other elders trailing behind like moths drawn to a flame.
With every foreboding second that stretched into eternity, Gerald felt the crushing weight of a father's fear. "My boy, just hold on a little longer," he implored, desperation lacing his voice as he shot past Old Man Thomas, his heart a drumbeat of raw emotion.
Above them, the Heavenly Demon reveled in the unfolding chaos, surveying the scene with a cruel satisfaction. "They are here," he murmured, his arm unfurling to embrace the despair swirling below. Beside him, Velma trembled, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and realization. "Father, we need to leave now!" she insisted, an icy shiver snaking up her spine as she sensed the powerful auras converging on their location. "Who the hell did we kidnap?" She glanced nervously at the calabash her father clutched, dread settling in her gut.
"Fear not, my child. Even if they come, they won't halt my plans!" Blaire stated, a sinister gleam igniting in his eyes as he stashed the calabash in his storage ring. As he conjured two masks, he tossed one to Velma. "Put this on now. It will hide our energy and origins, rendering us invisible to those foolish enough to pursue us," he ordered. The malevolence in his smile sent another shiver through Velma as he donned his mask.
"I am truly delighted, people of the void. Your gift was—" He let out a chilling laugh, unfurling a heavenly-grade talisman that shimmered promisingly in his palm, his eyes dancing with dark anticipation.
But just as they prepared to slip from existence, Gerald descended like a thunderclap, his sword slicing through the air. "Who told you that you could leave?!" he bellowed, fury crackling in his voice. Yet, by the time his words echoed, they had already vanished. "Damn it, a heavenly-grade tool!" he snarled, frustration boiling over into an inferno of determination and rage.
Power surged within him, cratering the ground beneath his feet as he roared, "Who dares provoke the wrath of the Void Family?" With blinding speed, he propelled himself forward, each heartbeat a vow to rescue his son. "My boy, I swear I will save you, even if it costs my life!"
Old Man Thomas, grasping the urgency of the situation, strained to keep pace with Gerald. "Did you see their faces?" he shouted, anger and horror mixing in his voice. "Their faces were masked. Not even a single flow of energy was sensed from them!" Gerald's grim reply hung heavily in the air as they charged on.
Meanwhile, the other elders arrived at the battlefield, their disbelief shifting into palpable shock. One elder stepped forward, rifle poised, spreading his energy to scrutinize the aftermath. "A fierce battle was fought here," he observed, dread settling deep in his gut. "Let's activate the formation and uncover the scoundrel who dared to challenge us."
Enzo Rim, a high-ranking figure in the Void Family, known for his commanding presence in two great wars, directed operations with an unwavering focus. "Initiate the formation surrounding Raksha Forest," he commanded, and an image of Damon erupted into view, his fury echoing through the trees as wild beasts responded to his anger.
"Don't tell me… he fought them all alone!" one elder gasped, terror seeping into his voice.
Enzo's piercing gaze silenced the rising panic. "Ever since we landed, a cleansing energy has surged within me," he mused, a perplexed frown etched on his brow as they watched Damon's relentless struggle unfold.
Their shock deepened as they marveled at Damon's extraordinary finesse. "This… this is incredible!" another elder stammered. "His techniques, his clones—they move as if they breathe! This is terrifying."
Suddenly, another figure entered the fray, effortlessly subduing a Rank 4 Vulcan Ape as if it were a mere insect. "We need to report this to the king!" Enzo exclaimed, his pulse quickening with urgent dread. "What is happening? Why do I feel the impurities melting away inside me?" His heart raced as the elders exchanged frantic glances, a storm of confusion brewing among them.
Before they could make sense of it all, a burst of divine energy erupted from the formation, pulling their attention. "So our young lord is the source of that radiant light!" Awe illuminated their expressions. "This must be the essence of both the ancestor and primordial bloodlines. How can one child wield such power, being a dual bloodline holder?" one elder marveled, disbelief melding with admiration. "We must retrieve that boy at all costs!" Without a moment's hesitation, six elders surged forward, propelled by an urgent desperation.
Yet Enzo was lost in the awakening, scarcely aware of their departure. Suddenly, he sensed an oppressive weight bearing down on them, compelling them to their knees in terror. "What's happening? Why are we kneeling?" A chill of horror gripped Enzo, awareness striking him like a bolt of lightning—**who** could command such power to subjugate not just their bodies but their very bloodlines?
Then they all beheld her—a figure of elegance and transcendent beauty woven from pure void energy. "Who is this woman? She sends shivers through my bones," Enzo thought, fear paralyzing him. **In that fleeting moment, her gaze seemed to search for something among them—was it mercy, judgement?** He felt a swell of shame as he recognized their inadequacy to protect Damon.
As the goddess's sorrow reverberated, the formation quaked before finally exploding in a magnificent display of energy, her essence vanishing in an instant. Relief surged through Enzo as the pressure dissipated. "The formation was too weak to contain the goddess," he lamented, frustration boiling over. "Yet we barely caught a glimpse of the scene!" His thoughts raced as he flitted through the sky with the other elders, confusion swirling in his mind. "But if the goddess appeared, how did the kidnappers manage to slip away? They must have secrets we cannot fathom!"
The elders fanned out across Martlock, searching for the Heavenly Demon, who had already retreated to a distant cave. There, he and Velma cloaked their auras, rendering themselves invisible. "That was exhilarating!" the Heavenly Demon chuckled, his laughter echoing in the stillness, a hollow sound contrasting the atmosphere.
He stared contemplatively into the empty space of his left arm, ambition glistening in his eyes. "If I hadn't sustained those injuries, we wouldn't need to hide away like rats. But at least I have what I want now!" Gripping the black calabash that housed Damon, he allowed himself a moment of triumph.
Velma scrutinized her father, wracked with thought. "We've encountered countless prodigies—those capable of toppling mountains and dismantling entire sects," she said, measuring each word. "Yet none captivated you like he has." Her mind wandered back to moments shared with Damon—the warmth of their connection, the unexpected spark that had lit within her. "Could it be…?" A blush crept across her cheeks, images of his charming smile and golden eyes dancing in her memory. "Have I found the one?".