988 Saving Neptune

A wing of lightning and another of ice sprang on his back. The wings were coated in telekinetic power. The space around them loosened to facilitate faster movement. Their time flow was altered to speed up his movements.

Varian's wings flapped once and he shot forward, leaving behind a streak of blue and gold.

The space abyssals once again exploded the space around him, trying to injure and take him down.

But Varian was much faster and agile than earlier. They felt like they're shooting a mosquito. Except the danger level was a dragon.

Under the dumbfounded eyes of the space abyssals, Varian reached the body awakeners that stood in front of the lightning remaining abyssals.

With his fist covered in lightning and ice, Varian prepared for close combat.

The Archdukes covered themselves in a glowing lightning armor and punched out  meeting Varian head on. The body awakeners joined them in the attack and they all clashed.

…Or that's what's supposed to happen when suddenly two different psychic powers attacked the space abyssals and distracted them from obstructing Varian.

Varian used the opportunity and teleported right behind the space abyssals.

"Oh fuck!"

The archdukes created lightning wings behind their backs and wanted to rush.

But it's already too late. Or rather, the time flow of Varian's sword accelerated just enough to take them down before the archdukes could rescue them.

Seven space awakeners died just like that while the three lucky ones escaped. But they're no longer enough to stall Varian from teleporting.

The archdukes grouped with the three space, four lighting and five body abyssals and stayed as close to them as possible while they stared at Varian.

There was anger in their eyes. Pure hatred. But there's also fear.

"Let's finish our business. I still have your army to slaughter," Varian said lightly and unsheathed a thin sword.

The archdukes glanced at the wars on the moons and gritted their teeth. With them taking away Varian's attention, the abyssal army was now much better than earlier and could fight somewhat properly.

The human army was losing continuously and would fall in less than two hours. But if they fought for two more hours, this devil would kill them and then slaughter their army.

Despite being the archdukes, the two had no assurance of fighting Varian.

"Retreat." A hoarse voice reached their ears.

The archdukes looked at the Thunder King far away and clenched their fists.

'No, how can we retreat?! This was supposed to be our victory! An easy victory! Today should be the fall of Neptune!' Archduke Samaron's gaze grew heavy.

"My Lord, after all the slogans we chanted, if we still retreat, our descendants will spit on our graves." Archduke Yasok said unceremoniously.

"Blockheads." Thunder King's annoyed voice rang in their ears like the roar of thunder. "Winner writes history. We need to win before debating about honor."

Even though he admonished them, he sent a message to their bracelets that erased the frustration rising in their hearts.

After giving Varian few vicious glances, the archdukes called for a total retreat.

Varian wanted to slaughter the fleeing army but he had to support the heavily injured Evander against the Undead Leader.

The two clashed for a few minutes before the Undead Leader withdrew with his troops to the planetoids.

The army on the moons roared in joy as the soldiers hugged each other and cried. They though they were gonna die. They were prepared to die. Now, it's like gaining an additional life.

They wouldn't have to part from their families. They'd still have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. They could still…live.

Compared to the military, the citizens only went more extreme.

People cheered in the streets and hugged strangers and cried like little children. The age didn't matter nor did the status. Everyone needed a catharsis.

Neptune as a whole cried, laughed and thanked.

When the people came to their senses and watched the big screens, the hero who saved them was no longer present.

He took his father-in-law and entered a military building. The people inside were long evacuated and the vast building was reserved for their use.

Evander silently looked at Varian.

The two of them didn't share a single word until now. Varian seemed to be angry. His gaze showed that he's pissed and he almost seemed ready to beat someone up. Evander thought it's because Varian was still angry for what he did to Sia. But he didn't hate Varian for that. He's just relieved and surprised.

The young man he had seen just a few months ago…he's now holding his shoulder and supporting him.

Evander could still remember the guy who entered his office and not so humbly stated that he's the best genius humanity got.

Varian had grown. Not only in strength but also in his character and temperament.

Walking beside him, Evander didn't sense a cadet who'd still be in his first year but a warrior who made the battlefield his home.

Compared to his old self, Varian now had a composure and temperament hard to describe. Even though he remained silent, he inspired awe.

'I am really getting old…' Evander let out a deep sigh prompting Varian to check his condition.

After confirming for the sixth time that he's fine, Varian took him to a room and gave him some precious herbs from his inner world.

During the whole process, neither of them uttered a word. Evander didn't object and took in the shining blue leaves.

Varian didn't even stay for a minute and stormed out of the room, making Evander wonder how much Varian actually hated him.

But he couldn't think more as all his serious injuries healed in a few breaths and two girls stormed into the room.

Sarah looked at her father on the bed and covered her mouth. Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes as her body shook.

Evander's face lit up seeing his daughter. She's safe! The daughter he thought he lost was perfectly fine!

Even though he saw her during the fight earlier, seeing her up close put down the last worry in his heart.

Evander opened his mouth for the first time to speak. But after noticing Sia, and remembering Varian's anger, he sighed and lowered his head.

To his surprise, Sarah rushed into his embrace and stared crying. "Father…"

Evander felt his heart melting. But he didn't cry. He didn't want to show his daughter his weak side.

He just let her hug him and cry while he stroked her hair gently. They didn't talk much but the daughter and father felt at peace.

"Thank Heavens you are fine." Sarah said as she sat on the side of the bed and held Evander's rough hand.

"No, thank Heavens that you are safe after falling into a space crack." Evander shook his head and sighed. "And you too…Sia and Varian too. I'm really glad you're all safe. Really…"

"Me too, master." Sia's reply caught Evander off guard. "I was worried about you after we disappeared."

"I…" Evander stared at Sia, unsure of what to reply.

"It's fine. It was not you back then. I forgave you." Sia shook her head. "Or I wouldn't have sent the potion."

Evander stayed silent for a few moments before his shoulders slumped and he smiled. "…Thank you."

He looked up at her and said. "I still want to make up for you. Is there anything I can do?"

Sia looked at Sarah who rubbed the corner of her eyes and pouted. But she eventually relented.

Sia took Evander's hand and gave him a bright smile. "Then I have something to ask for. Something you can do."

Evander sat up straight in the bed and asked. "Yes?"

"Walk me down the aisle." Sia smiled.

"…Yes?" Evander blinked his eyes.

"Sarah will have her father with her to walk her down the aisle. Not me. So, I thought I should ask my master for help. You'll help me, right?"

"Of course, I would! I'm glad to…but I…." Evander stuttered as he glanced at the door with regret. "Wouldn't Varian mind?"

The girls were surprised. "Why would he?"

"He's angry with me." Evander sighed. "He's very pissed, almost like he wanted to attack me. I wonder if he'd even like me in his wedding, much less the aisle."

Sarah and Sia looked at each other before they shared a laugh, dumbfounding Evander.

"He's angry, yes." Sia clutched her stomach and bent over as she tried to suppress her laughter. "He's angry at his new tomb. He went to demolish it."

Exactly at that moment, a neighborhood on Mars was shaking as a man was shouting at the top of his lungs. "Bitches, stop building me tombs!"