Azrael was returning from the Human Realm with an almost insulting level of nonchalance. He walked carelessly, as if nothing in the world could disturb him. Beside him, Hanzo maintained a serious expression until he finally decided to break the silence.
Hanzo: Hey, Azrael… whatever happened to that malice you radiated when we first met? It seems to have disappeared completely.
Azrael tilted his head slightly, giving him a carefree glance.
Azrael: Well… isn't it obvious? Nevaeh is by my side. As long as she's here, I have no reason to become your enemy. I can remain neutral without any problem.
His expression subtly changed. He raised a hand and pointed his index finger at Hanzo.
Azrael: However… if Nevaeh were to die because of you, things would be very different. In that case, I would have no choice but to fight you.
Hanzo narrowed his eyes without breaking eye contact.
Hanzo: And you genuinely believe you could defeat me?
Azrael flashed a defiant smile.
Azrael: And what makes you think I couldn't?
For a few moments, neither of them moved.
Then, their presences began to expand.
An overwhelming pressure swept through the area as their energies clashed, generating a violent gust of wind that battered the trees and stirred everything around them. The atmosphere grew heavy, as though the very surroundings were reacting to the possibility of a confrontation between the two.
Crescent Sun 7: WOULD YOU TWO CARE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU PAIR OF IDIOTS?! ARE YOU PLANNING TO DESTROY EVERYTHING AROUND HERE?!
The voice echoed throughout the surroundings.
Azrael was the first to stop. His energy slowly dissipated, and the wind began to die down.
He gave Hanzo one last look before turning away.
Azrael: Consider this a warning…
Hanzo let out a sigh and relaxed his shoulders.
Hanzo: Likewise. I quite like you, Azrael, but we both know you're capable of doing some truly outrageous things when something genuinely matters to you.
Azrael: Heh. As if you're exactly a model of common sense.
They exchanged one final glance before continuing on their way.
Meanwhile… in Zareth Kai's realm.
Seated upon his imposing throne, Zareth Kai observed everything unfolding across the various realms with an expression of absolute boredom.
Zareth Kai: This is getting pathetic…
He rested his cheek against one hand, visibly disappointed by the monotony of recent events.
Suddenly, an idea seemed to cross his mind.
A malicious smile spread across his face.
Zareth Kai: Since everyone seems so interested in staying one step ahead of everyone else… why not take that advantage away from them?
He raised one hand and snapped his fingers.
An invisible pulse spread throughout the entire Dominion of Realms, crossing its boundaries and reaching every being that inhabited it.
Zareth Kai: From this moment onward, no being within this dominion shall be able to rely on omniscience to learn what is happening in other realms or anticipate their movements.
His smile widened.
Zareth Kai: In other words… if they decide to fight each other, they'll have to do so without knowing their opponent's next move in advance.
He let out a malicious laugh.
Zareth Kai: HAHAHAHAHA! LET'S SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES YOU ALL TO REALIZE WHAT HAS JUST CHANGED!
After amusing himself, Zareth Kai lowered his hand and settled back into his throne.
The smile vanished from his face as quickly as it had appeared.
Zareth Kai: How boring…
And just like that, he leaned back once more, as though he had made the most insignificant change in all of existence.
However, the consequences of his decision would soon begin to unfold.
Aethoria Realm.
Azrael and Hanzo had just arrived when something caught the former's attention.
Azrael came to an abrupt halt.
He looked around, his brow furrowing slightly.
Azrael: Wait… where's Nevaeh?
Hanzo turned toward him.
Hanzo: What?
Azrael: Nevaeh. I can't locate her.
Hanzo remained silent for a few seconds. Then, his expression hardened.
Hanzo: Hold on… I'm experiencing exactly the same thing.
He gazed toward the horizon, trying to make sense of what was happening.
Hanzo: Damn it… This can't be a coincidence. Something has happened to us.
Azrael's smile faded.
For the first time since they had left the Human Realm, his expression reflected genuine concern.
Inside one of the realm's chambers…
Nevaeh was sleeping peacefully beside Saphira. The two rested in each other's arms beneath the blankets, completely unaware of the changes that had just taken place throughout the Dominion of Realms.
However, Saphira began to stir.
She slowly opened her eyes and sat up, still drowsy. Confused, she stared at her hands, trying to understand the strange sensation she was experiencing.
She tried once.
Then again.
Nothing.
Her expression changed completely.
Saphira: I see…
She slowly lowered her hands.
Saphira: My omniscience… it's gone.
Beside her, Nevaeh let out a small murmur without fully waking up.
Nevaeh: Mmmh…
Saphira looked away from her hands and glanced at Nevaeh. Carefully, she adjusted the blanket to cover her more comfortably.
Saphira: Get some rest. I'm not going to wake you up over this.
She watched her for a few moments before getting out of bed.
Saphira: I need to speak with Hanzo. Immediately.
She left the chamber and began walking through the realm's corridors. With every step, her sense of confusion seemed to grow more intense.
On top of that, a slight dizziness forced her to walk more carefully than usual.
Saphira: Damn it… What the hell is going on?
She brought a hand to her forehead and looked around, trying to get her bearings.
Then, as she raised her gaze, she spotted two figures sitting on one of the rooftops.
Hanzo and Azrael.
Saphira didn't hesitate. She leaped into the air and landed beside them.
Azrael turned his head when he heard her.
Azrael: Hm? What are you doing here?
Saphira regained her balance and turned toward both of them.
Saphira: My power… Something's wrong with it.
Azrael studied her for a moment.
Azrael: We know. Our omniscience has disappeared too.
Saphira's eyes widened slightly.
Saphira: Yours too?
Hanzo nodded with a serious expression.
Hanzo: I have no idea what could have happened, but I don't like it one bit. All of us losing that ability at the same time can't be a coincidence.
He stood up on the rooftop and looked down at the garden stretching out below them.
Hanzo: I'm going to meditate for a while. Maybe I can clear my head.
Without waiting for a response, he descended from the rooftop and sped away at an extraordinary pace.
Azrael watched him leave.
Azrael: Damn him…
Saphira sighed and turned her attention back to him.
Saphira: Why don't you go check on your girl? She's still sleeping peacefully in that chamber. I'm sure she'll appreciate having you by her side when she wakes up.
Azrael remained silent for a moment.
Then, his expression softened.
Azrael: Hm… That's not a bad idea.
He stood up and brushed off his clothes.
Azrael: I'll go see how she's doing. And while I'm at it, I'll make sure nobody disturbs her while she's asleep.
Saphira watched him as he began to walk away.
For a few brief moments, everything seemed to return to normal.
But none of them knew that somewhere within the Dominion of Realms, someone had decided to change the rules of the game.
And this time, not even the most powerful beings would be able to anticipate what was coming.