CHapter 4:

The candle flames flickered in the fading sunlight, casting dancing shadows upon the dinner table as the sounds of clinking metal and distant laughter drifted in from outside.

"This is delicious, Natarra," the Demon praised, dabbing his mouth with a white cloth.

"Thank you, Grandfather. I'm glad you enjoy it," Natarra replied, releasing her hair from its ponytail, letting her silver locks cascade down her shoulders. "After the day I've had, I'm surprised it didn't turn out as a burnt mishmash of colors."

The Harbinger chuckled. "That might actually be more in line with our usual fare."

Natarra playfully punched her husband's arm. "Oh, hush!"

"Hey now, at least your mother's cooking is edible," Grey interjected, smirking as he took another bite of his meal.

The Harbinger choked on his food, sputtering, "That was one time!" between mouthfuls.

"Mhmm. And one time was more than enough," Grey teased, glancing at his father before returning his attention to his plate.

"Ah, I do cherish these moments with my family," the Ravaging Demon remarked, a wistful smile playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair. "I'll miss this," he added, his expression momentarily tinged with sadness. Natarra coughed awkwardly.

"What do you mean, you'll miss this, Gramps? Nothing's going to happen, not while you and Dad are here," Natarra reassured him.

"Oh, my apologies. You're absolutely right. Just an old man's musings, that's all," the Demon backtracked, shooting a playful glance at Grey.

Grey raised an eyebrow. "Watch it, old man, or you'll find salt in your shoes tomorrow morning."

"Is that a threat, boy?" the Demon teased, his smile widening.

"Alright, let's not get carried away," the Harbinger intervened, rising from his seat. "Thank you for the meal, Natarra. Unfortunately, I have to leave again tonight."

"Another meeting?" Natarra asked, standing up to collect the Harbinger of Death's plate

"Most likely. I won't be back until early morning," he replied, his tone resigned.

"You do what you gotta do, Pops," Grey acknowledged, taking a final bite of his food.

"Of course, son. And you, young man, do what you have to do and tackle those dishes," the Harbinger instructed, giving Grey a playful pat on the head.

Grey sighed, pushing back his chair. "I shouldn't have opened my mouth." He rose from the table, heading over to the sink to begin washing the dirty dishes.

"Ready, Dad?" the Harbinger asked, placing a reassuring hand on the Ravaging Demon's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.

The Demon gently removed his son's hand. "Not yet, my boy. I'll join the meeting a little later tonight. There are some matters I must attend to first." His eyes betrayed a heaviness, his demeanor solemn as he leaned forward, hands resting in his lap.

"Alright. Just don't be too late. You know how the elders are," the Harbinger reminded him.

Turning to his son, the Demon managed a smile, though a tear trickled down his cheek. "They are never pleased."

Busy gathering his belongings, the Harbinger didn't notice his father's expression. "Alright, everyone! I'll see you later."

As Natarra closed the door behind her husband, she turned to Grey. "Grey, your grandfather has something for you."

Grey paused his dishwashing, curious. "What is it, Gramps?" he asked, drying his hands. The Ravaging Demon gestured for him to come closer. "Gramps, you're acting strange. This isn't some kind of trick, is it?" Grey approached and sat beside his grandfather, only to be stunned by what he saw. The conqueror, usually a symbol of strength, was now overcome with silent tears, his face contorted with grief.

"Grey..." His voice choked with emotion, he placed a small clear orb into Grey's hand, covering it with his own trembling ones. "Take this and never lose it. Now, go to the other room."

Grey obeyed silently, taken aback. His grandfather never cried, and seeing him so vulnerable shook him to the core. In the privacy of the back room, Grey sank to the floor, tears streaming down his face, his heart breaking for his beloved grandfather.

Wiping his eyes, the Ravaging Demon composed himself. "You understand what must be done, correct?"

Natarra's voice trembled as she spoke. "Is there no other way?"

The Demon looked down at his scarred hands, the marks of battles long past still visible. "If we delay, things will only worsen. There's no alternative."

"But are you certain? What about Grey?" Natarra's hand reached out to him.

"Natarra!" The Demon's voice boomed. "I won't force that fate upon my grandson. I want him to choose his own path. I caused this, so I will end it."

Natarra's gaze dropped to the floor, her eyes misting over. "What do I need to do?" Her voice wavered.

"Ensure the boy witnesses everything," the Demon instructed solemnly.

"You won't spare him the pain?" Natarra's voice cracked.

"I cannot defy fate, my dear. I can only try to change his mind," the Demon replied, resignation in his tone.

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"RUN! HURRY!"

"How could this have happened?"

"The Harbinger is dead!"

"NO! No- Please!"

"It's all gone! AHHH!"

Grey's eyes fluttered open, assaulted by the cacophony of screams and shouts echoing through the village. Pushing himself out of the rubble of his house, he shook his head, trying to clear the haze of his consciousness. Darkness threatened to engulf him as he struggled to stand, his head pounding and his back aching.

Emerging from the debris, Grey surveyed the devastation around him. Fire and ash surrounded him, flames licking at the sides of the mountain and cascading into the valley below. The stars were obscured by plumes of smoke, and the air was heavy with the scent of seared flesh.

"Help! Anyone! Can you hear me? Mom! Grandpa!" Grey's voice echoed through the chaos, but he was met only with distant cries of pain and pleading for assistance. Ignoring his own injuries, he rushed toward a nearby house, wading through flames and ash. "Hello? Is anyone here?"

"I'm here-"

Grey's gaze fell upon a grisly sight. An elderly woman lay buried under a pile of debris, her body broken and bruised. Determination surged within him as he approached, grunting and groaning as he attempted to free her. "Dammit! If only I were as strong as a nightshade!" With each effort, Grey strained against the weight of the wreckage, until finally, he felt a tug on his pants leg.

Looking down, Grey saw the woman, blood gurgling from her mouth, her expression serene despite the agony she must be enduring. "Thank you," she mouthed silently. Overwhelmed with emotion, Grey's lip quivered as tears welled in his eyes. Placing a comforting hand on her forehead, he closed her eyes, honoring her passing with the tradition of his people.

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, and the earth shook violently beneath Grey's feet. Before he could comprehend the source of the disturbance, his home exploded into fragments, a monstrous beast emerging from the wreckage and soaring into the sky. Frozen in terror, Grey stumbled backward, his heart pounding in his chest as the creature bellowed its deafening roar.

But before the beast could reach him, a figure intervened. A woman surrounded by a bright blue aura stepped forward, confronting the creature with unwavering resolve. "Mom?" Grey cried out, his fear momentarily eclipsed by relief as he recognized his mother's familiar form.

"I've got this, Grey. Go find your grandfather. He's at the forest's edge," his mother instructed, her voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around them. With a nod of understanding, Grey turned and fled, making his way through the shattered remnants of the village.

As he navigated the path strewn with rubble and corpses, Grey's thoughts raced, his mind struggling to process the horror he had witnessed. Suddenly, a familiar figure caught his eye. Adrian, his former bully, lay sprawled on the ground, his body mutilated and lifeless. Overcome with nausea, Grey closed the boy's remaining eye and offered a silent prayer before moving on, his resolve hardening with each step.

The village lay in ruins, a testament to the devastation wrought upon it. Blood and ash stained the streets, and monstrous creatures prowled the skies above. The sounds of battle echoed in the distance, but Grey's senses were overwhelmed, his mind clouded with despair.

"What are you doing?" his mother's voice pierced through the chaos, her figure stained with blood and bearing the marks of battle. Kneeling beside him, she searched his pockets until she found the small orb his grandfather had given him. Clasping his hands around it, she spoke with urgency. "Protect this with your life."

"KYAAAAAA!" Another beast roared overhead, its presence a menacing reminder of the danger lurking all around them.

With a final embrace, his mother urged him to be strong and live. Activating her powers once more, she prepared to face the approaching threat, leaving Grey to watch helplessly as she confronted the monstrous adversary.

As Grey stood paralyzed with fear, his mother engaged in a fierce battle, her blue energy clashing against the creature's formidable strength. But despite her bravery, Grey could sense the tide of the battle turning against her.

His heart pounding with dread, Grey clutched the orb tightly in his hands, its surface beginning to glow with a brilliant blue light. Suddenly, his mother's words echoed in his mind, and the orb erupted in a dazzling display of energy. As the light enveloped him, Grey felt himself being swept away into a vortex of swirling colors and sound, his fate uncertain as he was carried away from the chaos consuming his world.