Chapter 105: Revival

Ian stood still for a moment, his fists quietly clenched at his sides. The throne room was silent, save for the low hum of power that still lingered in the air from earlier. His eyes, bright and sharp, stared into the distance.

“They died for me…” he muttered.

The Grand Elder watched him carefully. “You miss them.”

Ian nodded slowly. “I do. And I won’t let their sacrifice be for nothing.”

There was a long pause.

Finally, Ian spoke, voice firm and cold. “Prepare the army.”

The Grand Elder blinked. “What?”

“I’m going to the Dark Races,” Ian said. “If they want war, I’ll bring it to their doorstep. I’ll make them regret ever speaking my name.”

The Grand Elder’s expression turned serious. “Ian, are you sure? The leaders of the Dark Races have grown stronger over the years. They’ve allied with ancient powers that even I don’t recognize.”

Ian smiled coldly. “Then I’ll just have to wipe them all out.”

A few hours later…

The Blood Empire roared back to life. Bells rang in the towers. Soldiers ran through the halls, armoring themselves in red and black. Skyships floated from the castles, covered in glowing runes. The war drums pounded like a second heartbeat across the land.

Standing at the highest balcony, Ian looked down at the Empire. His long cloak flowed in the wind.

He turned slightly. A new figure approached.

A tall woman, wearing silver armor, her golden hair tied into a high braid.

“I heard you’re back,” she said. “And already planning a war.”

Ian raised a brow. “And you are?”

“Commander Elara,” she said with a smirk. “I lead the Sky Legion now. After you vanished, someone had to keep the skies safe.”

Ian gave a small, impressed nod. “Good. I need strong people by my side.”

Elara stepped forward. “We’ve waited a long time for your return, my king. We believed you were dead… but I never stopped hoping.”

There was a beat of silence between them. Then Ian looked toward the horizon.

“I’m going to bring back Kate and Liz,” he said. “But first, I need to make someone pay.”

Meanwhile… far away, in a hidden realm…

A dark figure sat on a throne of bone and fire. His eyes glowed purple. Around him knelt dozens of shadowy generals.

“So… Ian has returned,” the figure said slowly.

The hall trembled slightly at the sound of his voice.

A general raised his head. “Should we act, Lord Veyr?”

Veyr smiled, showing sharp teeth. “Not yet. Let him come. I want to see how strong the boy has become… before I crush him myself.”

He leaned back in his throne. “But send word to the Witch of Glass. I want her to… greet him.”

Back in the Blood Empire…

Ian stood before a glowing portal. His army was almost ready, but this task he would do alone.

The Grand Elder stood nearby. “Are you sure about this? You’re going to Suelo?”

“I have no choice,” Ian said. “Yup…”

The Grand Elder frowned. “But Suelo is a god of chaos. He might kill you on a whim.”

“I know,” Ian said calmly. “But I’ve faced worse.”

With that, Ian stepped into the portal.

A realm of stars and storms met him on the other side. Floating islands drifted in space. Rivers of lightning flowed in the sky. A massive figure sat in the distance, surrounded by chains of light.

It was Suelo, the Mad God.

Ian took a deep breath and walked forward. ’This bastard is the clone of the Main God in the mortal realm?’

“Suelo!” he shouted. “I’ve come to make a deal.”

The god’s head turned slightly. His eyes were swirling galaxies. His mouth curled into a grin.

“Ian…” he said in a voice like thunder and laughter. “You’re finally here.”

…

Ian stepped closer to the huge god. Suelo stood up slowly, his body shining with stars and storms.

“You want to bring back the dead?” Suelo asked, his voice like thunder. “Many have asked. Most did not leave this place alive.”

“I’m not like them,” Ian said, standing tall. “I’m stronger…” As he said this, Ian’s angelic aura erupted

Suelo’s eyes squinted in surprised. “So you are that being that shook the God Realm. I didn’t expect you would take the iniative to come to my clone in this lowly mortal realm.

“What do you want?” Ian asked.

Suelo’s smile grew wider. “A test.”

Of course. There’s always a test.

Ian nodded. “Fine. What’s the test?”

Suelo raised his hand, and a ball of light formed in his palm. Inside it, Ian saw a small village burning. People ran. Screams filled the air. A huge beast with black wings was killing everything.

“This is a real place,” Suelo said. “You must save it. But here’s the trick… you can only use ten percent of your power. No more.”

Ian’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“Because the dead you want to bring back were weak. They were mere mortals. If you want to return them, you must prove you still care for weak people.”

Ian took a deep breath. He looked at the burning village.

“Send me there.”

In a flash, Ian appeared in the middle of the village.

The ground shook. The beast roared. It stood twice as tall as a house. Black fire came out of its mouth.

Ian looked at his hands. His full power was locked away, just like Suelo said. He felt slower. Weaker. But he was still Ian.

A little boy ran past him, crying. “Help us! Please!”

Ian stepped forward.

“I’m here now,” he said.

The beast saw him and charged. Its claws were like swords. Its eyes glowed red.

Ian dodged, barely. He punched back, but the beast didn’t move.

“I guess I really am weaker,” Ian muttered.

He looked around. A broken spear lay on the ground. He picked it up.

Ian ran toward the beast, shouting. The fight was hard. He got thrown through a wall. He bled. But he stood up again.

“Not today,” he growled. “Not while I still breathe.”

Finally, with one last strike, he stabbed the beast in the eye. It screamed and fell.

The village was safe.

The people came out of hiding. They looked at him with wide eyes.

“Who are you?” one old man asked.

Ian smiled weakly. “Just someone who cares.”

Suddenly, he was pulled back into Suelo’s realm.

Suelo clapped. “Well done. That was very fun to watch.”

“Can you bring them back now?” Ian asked.

Suelo nodded. “Yes. But there is one last price.”

Ian sighed. “Of course. What is it now?”

Suelo leaned in close. “To bring back two lives… you must give something you love.”

Ian’s face grew still.

“My power?” he asked.

Suelo shook his head. “No. Even for me, I can’t deprive you of your power. After all, you power level seems to be infinitely close to my Main Body.”

“Then what?”

Suelo’s voice dropped. “Your memories.”

Ian froze. “What?”

“I will bring them back,” Suelo said. “But you will forget them. You will forget Kate and Liz ever existed. You will never know what you lost… but they will live.”

Ian looked down. His hands shook.

A classic choice: heart or mind. Past or future.

After a long time, Ian looked up.

“…Do it.”

Suelo smiled.

A flash of light.

Two figures opened their eyes in a quiet place. Kate and Liz, alive again. Safe.

Far away, Ian stood on a hill, watching the stars. He felt… empty. Like something was missing.

But he smiled anyway.

“I don’t know why,” he said softly, “but I’m glad they’re safe.”

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