Chapter 18: I Am Who I Am
Damon layed unconscious in the dark confines of the calabash, but within the realm of his mind, he found himself levitating, golden particles of light swirling around him like a cosmic dance. Yet, despite the beauty surrounding him, Damon's eyes remained vacant, a sign of his unresponsive state.
"Master, how long shall you sleep?" a voice whispered with an urgency that pierced the silence. Damon didn't react. "If your brother saw you in such a state, he would be disappointed."
The mention of his brother ignited a spark within him. Damon's eyes shot open, glowing with a fierce light. "Who dares speak of him?" His essence pulsed with energy, shaking the dark space until it shattered, revealing a ground saturated with blood and littered with the corpses of the fallen.
"Who dares disturb my slumber?" Damon roared, his voice echoing with authority and fury.
"Not only did you disturb my slumber, you mentioned one who was not meant to be named," he growled, striding forward, fierce and regal.
Suddenly, grotesque creatures erupted from his mind, performing a manic celebration.
"Albanie seltrak dono bankali! Bankali!" they cried, dancing in twisted rapture. "All hail the lord of madness! All hail!"
From the chaos, a tree emerged—not just any tree, but one that bore a single, watchful eye at its center and a bark ashy and worn, with leaves the deep red of blood. It shuddered with joy, exulting in the presence of its master.
Damon approached the tree, a mix of admiration and expectation in his gaze. "You have finally awoken," he said, resting his hand against the trunk. "My dear friend, the Willow Tree of Imagination." At the sound of its name, the creatures danced even more fervently, their bizarre motions a testament to the madness they worshipped.
"My lord, forgive me for not being by your side during your rebirth," the willow said, sorrow thick in its tone.
But Damon remained silent, aware that the reunion heralded a truth waiting to be unveiled. "During your demise, I plucked your soul from the clutches of Hades," the willow continued. "But that was only the beginning. I had to defend your essence for eons against beings that sought to claim it, all of whom succumbed to madness, for who could dare devour the lord of madness?"
"No one," the creatures echoed in unison, bowing reverently.
"But why do I feel your essence coursing through my veins?" Damon asked, confusion etching lines on his face as he studied the willow tree.
"During your rebirth, a being latched onto your soul. I could not allow it to win, so I merged my being with yours. There was no other choice," the willow explained, its voice shaking with concern.
Damon closed his eyes, reaching into the depths of his soul. "I sense three presences within…" he murmured, the corners of his mouth pulling into a contemplative smile. "One is calm and powerful like an endless ocean, its life force pure and rich. The second feels like an absence, an emptiness, yet it vibrates with a looming threat. And then…" his expression darkened, "there is a vile stain, a corruption craving to pull me into its abyss. His name is Rafahim."
As he spoke the name, the willow trembled. "Master, the mere utterance of that name possesses immeasurable power."
"Who is he? Why does he cling to my soul?" Damon's questions hung in the air, heavy with anticipation.
"Master, there is a change in you," the willow said, its gaze penetrating, "a weakness unlike anything before. You are no more than a speck of dust compared to your former glory."
With an intense focus, killing intent cloaked Damon's being. "What infuriates me more than anything else is that you dare act high and mighty, even now, while I stand before you!" His eyes flickered with rage, and in response, the creatures writhed as if in agony, their elongated limbs clutching their heads, overwhelmed by the madness surging through their minds.
"Master, please show mercy!" the willow pleaded, fear igniting its core as its branches shivered, some beginning to wither under the weight of his wrath.
"Insolent fool," Damon hissed. "You ask for mercy yet refuse to reveal yourself!" With a furious wave of his hand, the essence of the willow erupted into light, revealing a woman of breathtaking beauty, her hair cascading like verdant waterfalls and an eye glaring from her forehead.
She fell to her knees, trembling. "Lord of Madness, have mercy! I meant no disrespect!" Her voice trembled, knowing better than most the tempestuous nature of his wrath.
"Arise, Tree of Imagination. This insult will not be forgiven next time." Damon spoke with an unnerving calmness, yet the weight of his displeasure clung to every word.
"Yes, I am small compared to my former self, but we are one!" A sharp edge lingered in his tone as he turned away from her, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
He felt her fear, sensed her hesitation; still, she remained bowed, unwilling to provoke him further.
"I know you can feel the bond to your clone body, hidden deep in the void," he instructed, walking deeper into the empty space. "Return to your body. When you arrive, you shall encounter a green creature with a foul mouth. Capture him until my return!"
Meanwhile, the heavenly demon was nearly fully recovered from the injuries he had sustained, his missing arm regrowing with a power that whispered of his resilience.
He shook Velma awake. "Child, arise! We must depart now."
Velma stirred, her eyes bleary as memories of sleepless nights, borne from caring for her ailing father, flooded her mind. Every waking moment had been a battle against despair, and now, the weight of their predicament hung heavy in the air.
As she emerged from the cave, the distant sky caught her eye. "Father, I thought the Void family was fallen. How do they possess such power?" Her voice trembled with both disbelief and fear.
"This past week revealed things no fallen family would dare attempt—users of formations that thwarted even the swiftest escape," he replied, eyes narrowing as he scanned the distant city. "And that old demon watching from the sky? His presence is no small matter."
"Father! We must retrieve him," Velma urged, panic soaring within her. "There's something more significant at play than we understand!"
"Why do you fear when I stand before you as the Heavenly Demon? You doubt your father's strength?" He chuckled, lightening the mood yet keenly aware of the gravity of their circumstance.
"Even if we succeed, what could we say? That we stumbled upon him? They are far more cunning than you think."
As he summoned a thunderbird, the air crackled with the energy of impending movement.
"The Void… are they finally making there steps against the Great Four clans? Hohoho Things just got interesting," the Heavenly Demon mused, his laughter echoing into the vastness above as he hoisted Velma onto the thunderbird's back, the warm winds ripping against them, invigorating, heralding a confrontation that would change everything.