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The dim dungeon beneath Asher's war-torn mansion echoed with silence, disturbed only by the distant sound of dripping water. The scent of smoke from the previous battle still lingered faintly, mixed with the iron scent of dried blood and dust.
In one of the reinforced cells sat Fin and Tony, bruised, weary, and still recovering from the mysterious surge of divine energy that had erupted within the lowest levels of the estate. Fin clutched his side, still aching from when he collapsed in the wake of his heavenly vision. Tony paced back and forth, calculating every step, his mind racing with possibilities as his hands and legs where chained making him not to move easyly.
"We need to get out of here, now," Tony said, stopping suddenly and turning toward his younger brother. "Before Asher figures out what happened and how it happened and when we are free we find the relics together."
Fin looked up. "But how? They have guards posted outside, and these cells—"
Tony cut him off, kneeling beside him. "Listen closely. I've been studying this place since they threw us in here. The guards change shifts every three hours. Between the shift change, there's about a 20-second gap when they're distracted at the gate post. That's our window. Thanks to my replication abilities am able to remember what the key looks like and relicate it using stone"
Fin furrowed his brows. "Even if we get past them, where do we go?"
Tony gave a grim smile. "Storage room six floors above us. I saw a panel while being dragged down here. Looked like an emergency exit built in during reconstruction. We get there, we're free."
Fin blinked, stunned. "And you figured all this out already?"
"I didn't survive the underworld cartels, the assassins guild and protect you all these years for nothing," Tony said with a hint of pride. "Now, when the guards start their handover, I'll make the stone carved copy key. When they go out, you strike the lock mechanism I saw on the inside wall. It's old tech. Can be shorted out with enough friction or energy burst."
When the Gaurds left Tony used his earth like abilities to make a copy of the key
"Now do it"Tony said while giving the keys to Finn and making another one to unlock himself when he was done he noticed Fin still struggling with the lock." What are you still doing Fin." "It's the lock mechanism it won't open "
" That means the mechanism is also backed up by a magic barrier that needs an enchanted key."
"So what do we do now Tony, we can't do enchanted magic"
"Don't worry I have a plan B.I'll fake a seizure. When they rush in, you strike the lock mechanism and we lock them and escape although this method will be too alarming but we don't have any choice."
As the shift began, Tony clutched his chest and collapsed, twitching violently. The guards outside cursed and fumbled with the keys, opening the gate in panic. Fin, heart pounding, did his part—charging the weakened runes along the cell wall with the divine pulse still echoing in his veins.
Crack!
The wall exploded with light as the lock melted. The guards turned in shock—but it was too late. Tony swept one's legs out, grabbed the sword from the other's sheath, and tossed it to Fin.
They were running.
Floor after floor, dodging patrols, slipping through cracks in the chaos, their breath ragged, knees aching—but the plan was working. They reached the emergency hallway.
Then came the click of a sword being drawn behind them.
"Going somewhere?" came the cold, unmistakable voice of Asher.
Guards swarmed the hallway within seconds. Fin and Tony were surrounded and outnumbered. They fought back with desperation, slashing and punching, but were quickly overpowered. Bloodied and bound, they were dragged to Asher's throne room where the embers of fire still flickered from the aftermath of the battle with Korrin.
Asher stood tall in the half-darkness, arms crossed, expression unreadable. The glow of his demonic eye pierced the room.
"You two really went through all this trouble... just to escape?" he said slowly, walking toward them. "I should kill you both for trying to betray my hospitality."
Neither brother responded, their faces bloodied, but eyes defiant.
Then Asher added something that made Tony's muscles tense, and Fin's soul nearly leave his body:
"I know about your mother."
Fin's mouth opened slightly in shock. Tony gritted his teeth but remained silent.
"I've already found her," Asher said, his tone like a blade. "And she's... quite fragile, isn't she? Weak, sick. Barely clinging to life."
Fin's breathing turned shallow.
"I've had her brought here... kept under protection. But of course," Asher added with a venomous smile, "accidents can happen. Especially when two boys keep secrets from me or tries to escape after s sparing their life. Tell me, what's the source of that... divine power? That ancient force surging in your veins? And who knows you might walk out of here with your your mom alive."
But Fin could no longer hold it in. He fell to his knees, tears streaking through the grime on his cheeks. "Stop! Please! Leave our mother out of this!"
Tony shouted, "Don't say anything, Fin!"
"Then speak," Asher said coldly, looking at Fin like he is looking at someone making a confession
"I... I was chosen," Fin stammered. "Chosen by them... the ones who exist beyond even the gods."
Asher raised an eyebrow.
"The Order of Existence," Fin whispered. "Seven... Bright beings that emits golden energy. They are the ones who maintain the balance of everything—good and evil, chaos and order, life and extinction. They chose me as a planetary guardian... a Champion... to protect Earth from a great threat and demons"
"Don't!" Tony shouted, blood dripping from his forehead. "He's manipulating you, Fin He is lieing their is no way he will find our mom's location so quickly!"
"I don't care!" Fin yelled back, sobbing now. "If it'll keep Mom safe... if it'll make him let her live... I'll tell him everything!"
Asher watched, quietly. Then his inner demon stirred, whispering through the darkness of his mind:
"HE'S NOT LYING... THOSE SEVEN... THEY ARE THE ORIMORDIAL BALANCE, THE JUDGES OF ALL. THEY EXIST INDEPENDENTLY FAR BEYOND GODS, EVEN DEMONS AND SPIRITS. THEY ARE THE REASON EXTINCTION HASN'T SWALLOWED THE UNIVERSE. ONLY FEW GOD BELIEVED THEIR EXISTENCE AND SOME GODS EVEN WORSHIP THEM.
Asher narrowed his eyes. The truth hit him harder than he expected. These boys... were entangled with cosmic beings who could rival the gods themselves if not overpower them. And Fin… had been chosen by them.
Still, he kept his cold demeanor. "Interesting. And why you? Why did they pick a scared little boy like you?"
Fin shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe because I didn't want power. Maybe... because I only wanted to save people. I don't know!"
Asher looked down at him for a long time, then turned and began walking slowly back to his throne.
"Well then," he said, "I won't kill you."
Both brothers froze.
"But your mother stays here," Asher continued. "Under my care. She will remain safe and well-fed... as long as you do exactly what I say."
Tony finally spoke again, blood in his teeth. "You're using our mother as leverage. How can you be so cruel and evil at the same time."
"Says the person who tried to assassinate the princess and the queen. Honestly the both of you wouldn't have been alife if you were useless to me, besides it's only your brother who is useful to me right now so watch how you speak to me cause I don't need you."
" And I'm making sure you don't run again," Asher replied coldly. "That power of yours, Fin. The Order chose you for a reason. And if I stand any chance at surviving what's to come... I need to be on their good side."
Fin looked up, still on his knees. "So you'll help me find the relics?"
"If it gets me favor with the Order," Asher said. "I'll help you. But don't mistake this alliance for friendship. Betray me again... and your mother won't be the only one who suffers."
Fin lowered his head.
Tony was silent, knowing they had no other option. He also feared that Asher might eliminate him anytime because he isn't that usefull.
Asher turned to his guards. "Clean them up. Treat their wounds. Feed them. From now on, they work for me."
And with that, Asher sat back on his throne, eyes distant, mind racing with possibilities.
The celestial and the infernal had begun to intertwine.
With the help the blood he absorbed from Tony he was able to get memories of their loved once and their weaknesses he also told the Gaurds to show them their mother without them knowing the location so that they will be obedient and not rebel against his authority and command.
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