Chapter Text
In the distance of the empty space, a farmer stood in the middle of the emptiness. He has grey skin, light lavender eyes and dark purple hair. His face and arms were covered with old scars that had healed a long time ago. He found himself in that empty space. The atmosphere is heavy and eerie, the floor below him is dark grey. There is nothing else, no plants, no animals, no buildings, nothing. He stood there, bewildered, trying to make sense of his surroundings. It was as if he had been transported to a desolate void, a lifeless expanse devoid of any signs of existence. The silence weighed heavily upon him, suffocating his every breath. Before he could do anything, he hears a slimey sound behind him, his eyes widen as he slowly turns around.
In front of him stood a tall and slimey creature with black goo all over its body. Its eyes are purely white with no pupils, its limbs are long and out of proportion, its crocodile-like mouth is full of sharp and keen teeth. It's Malachi, the creature behind the chaos and destruction on the kingdom and the farmer's home. Malachi's presence sent shivers down his spine as he recognized the creature from his fragmented memories. The darkness that enveloped the void seemed to amplify Malachi's malevolent energy, making it appear even more menacing. His heart raced, and he instinctively took a step back, his body trembling with fear.
"Mala-Malachi? What... What are you doing here?"
The entity slithered closer to him, its presence becoming more menacing. It hissed in a low, guttural voice.
"How naive of you..." It chuckled. "You really thought you could protect your loved ones from me?"
The farmer's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the meaning behind Malachi's words. It was true that he had tried his best to shield his kids and friends from the chaos, but he had failed. The guilt weighed heavy on his heart as he realized that his actions had unknowingly put his family in danger. His mind is filled with fear, he speaks again.
"What do you want from me? What have you done to my kids?"
Malachi's grotesque smile widened, revealing rows of jagged teeth.
"Oh, your sons... They are safe... For now at least..."
Its tail swung from side to side, its figure towered over him. The farmer's eyes narrowed with suspicion, his fear giving way to determination. He couldn't trust Malachi's words, not after the chaos and destruction he had witnessed. He needed to find his sons, to ensure their safety and bring them back to the familiar warmth of their home. Summoning every ounce of courage, he took a step forward, defying the oppressive presence of Malachi.
"I won't let you harm them!" He said with determination, his eyes filled with anger now. Malachi's smile grew wider, its eyes narrow. It moves behind him, making circles around him like a predator circling its prey.
"And why do you care about them, Jimmy? You didn't care before... Why do you care now?"
The farmer paused for a moment, memories of when him and his ex-wife were still happy together. The laughter of his children filled his ears, their smiles etched vividly in his mind. But things turned to the worse when his wife and him started to have fights, some getting physical in which left him with scars and cuts on his face and arms. It was long insufferable months before they divorced, but even after that he still wasn't himself. He never was there for his sons emotionally and ignored their needs.
"I-I made a mistake before... But that was because of a rough time, I wasn't myself..."
Malachi's eyes darted with amusement as he listened to the farmer's confession. The creature seemed to revel in the farmer's vulnerability, relishing in the power it held over him. It circled closer, its movements unnaturally fluid as if dancing with a sadistic glee.
"You expect me to believe that a mere change of heart can undo the damage you've caused?" Malachi sneered, its voice dripping with sarcasm. "You can't change the past, you foolish entity! Your negligence has consequences."
He turned his gaze away from the large beast. His past always haunted him and he regretted it. He couldn't face it.
"I-I..." He couldn't find the right words. Tears welled up in his eyes as he struggled to find the strength to face his past mistakes. The weight of guilt and regret threatened to consume him. The creature's smile stretched more, a hint of pleasure of the father's unability to come to terms with his past. Malachi slithered closer to Jimmy's back, its hands gripping his shoulders and its face moves close to him. The menacing creature's claws echo through the vague space they were in.
"You know... Your ex-wife was right... You are patheric... You are weak and worthless."
Malachi's words pierced through the farmer's already vulnerable state, reopening wounds that had never fully healed. Jimmy's body tensed at those words, his veins coursing with a mixture of anger and hurt. Malachi's words struck a nerve deep within him, reigniting the pain of his past failures. Memories flooded back, of heated arguments with his ex-wife where hurtful words were exchanged and the voices of their children trembled in the background.
His resolve began to crumble under the weight of his pain and self-doubt. It felt as if the darkness around him was consuming him from within, sucking away any semblance of strength or hope. Tears stream down his face as he succumbed to the overwhelming emotions.
The memories of his failed marriage and the pain inflicted upon his children swirled around his mind, intensifying the guilt and remorse he felt. He had always tried to shield his sons from the destructive relationship he had with their mother, but now he couldn't escape the harsh reality of his past mistakes. The weight of his failures pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe. Malachi observed with sadistic satisfaction as the farmer crumbled before him. The creature reveled in the farmer's despair, relishing in the anguish it had caused. It circled closer, its black gooey figure oozing with malevolence. It leaned in, its breath hot and putrid against the farmer's skin.
"See Jimmy... You are nothing. Just a pitiful excuse for a father." Malachi's voice dripped with contempt. "You thought you could protect your children, but you failed them just as you failed your marriage."
His shoulders sagged as he buried his face in his trembling hands. His body shook with each sob that escaped his lips. The weight of his past mistake felt unbearable, suffocating him. He falls to his knees, his legs feeling weak and numb. Malachi continued to taunt him, its voice echoing through the void. Its smile gets larger and larger, its eyes narrow with a sadistic pleasure. His mind was filled with regret and self-doubt, his heart heavy with the weight of his failures. He had always wanted to be a good father, to shield his sons from the pain he himself had experienced. But in his own brokenness, he had unknowingly perpetuated the cycle of agony.
His tears fall into the glassy floor, his refletion staring back at him, distorted by the ripples. He barely recognized himself anymore, his sobs echoed through the empty space. Malachi towered over Jimmy's back, its grin bigger than ever. His sadistic pleasure continues to grew as it feeds off the poor fatherr's helpness and regret.
"You're a failure, Jimmy. A lame and pitiful excuse for a father. Your sons will never forgive you for abandoning them, for the pain you've caused them." Malachi sneered, relishing in the farmer's despair.
"And why should they? You're nothing but a weak and worthless man." Malachi's voice dripped with malice, each word a dagger that pierced through Jimmy's already shattered heart. Its words become harsher and harsher with each taunt.
"You thought you could protect them, but all you did was push them further away." Jimmy, broken and battered, struggled to find a sliver of strength amidst the darkness. Through his tears and sobs, he managed to lift his head and gaze into Malachi's soulless white eyes. He knew that he had made mistakes, that he had failed his sons and his family.
They walked through the hallways, slicing and cutting the vines blocking their way. They come across a dark room, things were sprend across the room and vines were coming out of the walls and floor. They see Jimmy, the vines tangled around his body. His head was lowered and his dark purple hair covered his scarred face. Énaël and Elouan rushed to their friend's side, fear and concern etched onto their faces. Énaël cutted the vines that tangled him with a knife. They worked quickly, using all their strength to free Jimmy from the constricting grasp of the vines. They severed each vine, they could feel a surge of energy, as if the darkness itself were fighting against their efforts. But they pressed on.
Finally, with one last mighty swing of the knife, the last vine was severed and Jimmy fell into their arms, weak and trembling. They held him close. With tears streaming down his face, his eyes open slowly realizing that whole interaction with Malachi was just a terrible nightmare. Énaël and Elouan embraced their friend tightly, their love and concern palpable.
"We've got you, Jimmy." Énaël whispered, its voice filled with warmth and reassurance. Jimmy, still shaken from the nightmare, nodded weakly. He couldn't help but feel gratitude for his friends, who had come to his rescue once again. After a while of the embrace, he looked around. The vines were a type of plant he did not recognize.
"What are those vines?" He asked them.
"They're Dreaming Vines. They restrain and trap their victims and emit a calm and sleepy aura. They're known for giving you your most desired dreams or your worst nightmares." Elouan responded, its lavender colored hair waved with the picking up wind. Though relieved to have been rescued, Jimmy couldn't shake the lingering unease that the nightmarish encounter with Malachi had left him with. He couldn't help but wonder if the nightmare held a deeper meaning, or if it was a manifestation of his own fears and insecurities. He knew he had made mistakes in the past, but he also knew that he had taken steps to change, to be there for his sons, and to make up for his shortcomings. As he looked at Énaël and Elouan, their comforting presence and unwavering support gave him strength.
Then a thought came into his mind. When him and his sons were separated, they stayed with a group of entities and that group consisted of Elouan among others. His eyes narrow and his eyebrows furrow, he grabs Elouan by the collar of its light brown shirt.
"Where are my sons?!" He demanded, anger burning in his eyes. Elouan's eyes widened, taken aback by Jimmy's sudden outburst. It stammered, trying to find the right words to respond.
"Jimmy, calm down!" Énaël interjected, placing its hands gently on his shoulders. "Your kids are safe, I promise you. They're with the rest of the group back at our hideout."
Jimmy released his grip on Elouan, a mix of relief and remorse washing over him. He took a moment to collect himself, realizing that his anger had momentarily gotten the best of him.
"I'm sorry, Elouan..." Jimmy muttered, guilt lacing his words. "I'm just scared for them. I don't want them to get hurt, or worse..." Elouan nodded understandingly, its three eyes filled with empathy.
"I know, Jimmy. But we're doing everything we can to protect them, just like you would. We won't let Malachi or anyone else harm them."
Jimmy took a deep breath, his anger subsiding as he let Énaël's words sink in. He trusted his friends; they had shown him time and time again that they were reliable and had his best interests at heart. And if they said his sons were safe, then he had to believe them. He wiped away his tears and stood up, his gaze focused. He was done wallowing in self-pity and being consumed by his past mistakes. It was time to take action and make things right.
"We need to go back to the hideout." He declared, his voice more resolute than ever. "We can't let Malachi destroy the whole kingdom, and I can't let fear paralyze me from protecting my kids."
Énaël and Elouan nodded in agreement, their determination mirroring Jimmy's. They knew that time was of the essence, and they couldn't afford to waste another moment. They quickly gathered their belongings and set off towards the hideout, their footsteps echoing in the empty expanse. As they made their way through the desolate void, the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive. The sense of emptiness and isolation weighed heavily upon them, but they pressed on, their resolve unwavering. Hidding from hostility creature they came across on the way, Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the hidden hideout. It was a small underground cavern, hidden away from prying eyes.
"We're back!" Elouan announced to the others entities.
The group of entities turned towards Jimmy, Énaël, and Elouan with a mix of relief and concern on their faces. They had been worried sick about their safety, not expecting them to return so soon.
A short entity with dull brown skin, an orange eye with a white pupil and oramge hair with a cyan strand of hair approached them. It had a white eyepatch and a missing right arm. It's Mercury, one pf Jimmy's friends.
"Thank Summoner, you guys made it back safely!" It said happily.
Jimmy smiled weakly at Mercury, grateful for their concern.
"Yeah, we had a rough time, but we made it." He replied, his voice filled with determination.
Mercury made a gesture for Jimmy to follow. They walked through tunnels, they passed by multiple entities, some were even from the neighboring kingdoms. As they walked, Jimmy couldn't help but notice the weariness in the eyes of the other entities. They had all been affected by Malachi's reign of chaos and destruction in some way or another. Their once vibrant and lively kingdom had been reduced to a desolate wasteland. Jimmy's heart swelled with a sense of unity and purpose as he watched the diverse group of entities come together, putting aside their differences for the greater good. They were determined to protect their kingdoms and defeat Malachi once and for all.
They reach a medium sized room, it was well decorated despite the short resources of the hideout. Inside the room is sitting two young kids, a 5-year-old boy with grey skin, blue hair and light blue eyes, playing with an 8-year-old boy with grey skin, purple hair and light purple eyes. They're Billy and Timmy. Besides them sat a tall figure who's whole appearance is pitch black with only his eyes being visible. It's John, a well known caretaker, playing with the two boys. John looked up as Jimmy and Mercury entered the room. His eyes lit up, relief evident in their eyes. Billy and Timmy jumped up excitedly, running towards their father.
"Dad!" They exclaimed, their voices filled with joy as they enveloped Jimmy in a tight hug. Jimmy's heart swelled with love and gratitude as he held his sons close, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief wash over him.
"Boys, I missed you so much! I'm so glad you're safe." Jimmy whispered, his voice choked with emotion. He kneeled down to their level, embracing them tightly. Tears start to stream down his face again. "I'm so sorry for everything. I promise to protect you from now on, no matter what."
Billy and Timmy, oblivious to their father's emotional turmoil, simply nodded and continued to hug him back. They giggled and peppered him with questions about their adventures in the hideout. Jimmy's heart was filled with a mix of emotions as he looked at his sons, so young and innocent, yet already affected by the darkness that had consumed their world. He vowed to himself that he would do everything in his power to keep them safe and shield them from any further harm.