The energy from Henry expanded and covered the surrounding area. As the energy grew bigger and brighter, the group was alarmed.
The Exalted One's eyes widened. He glanced and signaled at the female cloaked figure. Then, he quickly ordered the group to retreat.
Sabre was surprised.
The cloaked figures started to run.
Suddenly, an intense energy hit everyone. A huge explosion occurred.
Sabre took the explosion upfront.
The explosion was massive, and a large ball of energy was visible from a distance. A strong gale occurred, and a large crater was left. Everything in the crater was gone.
After a while, the dust settled. The sky was filled with stars, and a lone figure was standing underneath them.
It was Henry. He was still breathing but severely wounded. His eyes faintly glowed.
Henry, determined, walked towards the direction of his house. He muttered to himself that he had to get to his family. He was on the brink of death, and he could not fight anymore. He, tired and limping, had no choice but to walk.
As Henry approached his house, he looked around and noticed the bodies on the ground. They were unconscious and not moving. There was a huge hole at the side of the house. A large part of the wall was gone.
The brothers looked at him. Adelia was looking out the window. She noticed him and called out his name. Henry was relieved. He fell to his knees and smiled.
Stark ran towards his dad. The other two brothers followed.
Henry was on the ground, injured.
The trio stared at their father. They were confused and worried. They wondered if he was dead.
Henry opened his eyes and observed the sky. He whispered for the trio not to worry. He alleged that it was over. He stated that they were not in danger anymore.
In the sky, he noticed that there was a wisp of blue fire floating in the air. It was a unique flame. The blue wisp flew away.
Henry looked at his sons and asked if they were okay.
Suddenly, the world around him began to change. It was as if everything was fading. He saw his son's faces and his wife. The three brothers and his wife looked at him, worried. He heard muffled voices in the background.
A clear, feminine voice muttered that his feint victory was an illusion by the female cloaked figure. She declared that she would aid him.
In an instant, a familiar darkness surrounded Henry. He looked around and found himself in a strange room. He was standing on a platform, floating in an endless void.
There was a woman sitting in front of him. She was wearing a robe, and her hair was in a ponytail. She was staring at him with a solemn look.
Henry wondered who she was. He asked what was going on. He noticed a blue orb floating near her.
The orb was transparent, and it was emitting light. It had the symbol of an eye. It seemed to have some sort of a seal over it.
The woman realized and muttered that the orb used to be a blue flame. She explained that she was a higher power that oversaw The Sacred Forest. She continued that it was the most sacred and purest place on the planet. She asserted that there was an unforeseen event in the forest, she could not allow the forest to be in danger.
Henry questioned her about the forest and why it was important.
The woman elaborated that The Sacred Forest was the birthplace of many of the strongest powers in the universe.
Henry was surprised. He blinked and questioned what a universe was.
The woman coughed and urged him to forget.
Henry forgot.
The woman sighed and revealed that the forest was a place where a unique life-form was born. She concluded that the life-form was known as Ana.
Henry was confused. He questioned why he was hearing that name. He continued that his daughter was named Ana. She was just a baby.
The woman stared at him for a while. She looked down and asserted that time flowed differently for her. She divulged that he would forget about his baby. She muttered that she would erase his memories.
Henry was taken aback.
The woman elaborated that the people and creatures within the forest would not remember the events regarding her. She continued that it was for their own good.
Henry inquired if his family would also lose their memories with Ana.
The woman confirmed that their family would not remember anything about her, either. However, they would retain their other memories.
Henry thanked her for getting him out of the illusion but urged her to leave their memories alone.
The woman stood up and approached him. She placed her hands on his forehead. She reassured that the forest and the world would have its peaceful days because of his adopted sons.
Henry, concerned, questioned her about the future. He requested her to give his family a safe future. He begged her to do so.
The woman remained silent. She stared at him longingly and apologized.
In an instant, the woman vanished.
In the next moment, a large ball of energy engulfed the platform.
Henry yelled, and he was blinded by a bright light. He, confused, wondered what was going on.
When the light subsided, Henry found himself standing on the grass. He was in shock. He looked around and noticed his family's home. It was still in shambles.
Henry had snapped back into reality...
In the background, the cloaked figures were fighting the brothers.
A cloaked figure with a sword was swinging his sword at Stark.
Hafen, beside Stark, was thrown away.
Matteo, in the back, was knocked into a tree.
Adelia, inside the house, was watching her kids.
A voice called out for the brothers.
Henry turned around and saw Sabre.
Sabre's clothes were burnt, and his body and face were bruised. He was angry, and he declared that he would kill them.
On the other side, The Exalted One stood with a sword. They charged at the cornered brothers.
Henry's eyes were wide. He limped towards his sons. Still, he was injured, and he had lost too much blood. However, he was not going to give up. He was prepared to die for his sons.
Matteo, scared, yelled for his parents.
Henry, determined, reached his sons and pushed them away with a small wave of energy.
Sabre punched him through the stomach.
Henry coughed up blood and staggered. He took the blow.
Behind him, Adelia had jumped in front of The Exalted One and was stabbed in the gut. She was impaled.
Their sons screamed for their parents and watched in horror.
Adelia fell and was on her knees. She was bleeding.
The Exalted One stepped back. He smiled and ordered the others to stand down.
Sabre pulled his arm out of Henry and let him fall. He backed away and asked if that hurt. He snickered that it was what he deserved after hitting him with his last attack.
The backs of Adelia and Henry leaned against each other. As Henry sat on the ground, he coughed. His wounds were grave, and his blood was flowing down his body. Henry held his stomach. He looked at his wife and realized what she had done.
Adelia, smiling, looked back at him.
The couple held each other's hands.
Stark, Hafen, and Matteo rushed to their aid. They were in tears.
Adelia stared at them and smiled. She reminisced about the good times that she had with her family.
Like how she used to make her sons food, and their daily routine of helping her in the garden. Like how Henry would train their sons, and she would watch. It reminded her of when Henry was a young man with his master.
Adelia remembered how the brothers would argue, and then, they would play around seconds later. She recalled how they talked to and took care of Ana. Ana? She wondered who she was. Still, she felt like she met an Ana. Her sons were not her blood, but she raised them as if they were.
The brothers cried as Henry and Adelia struggled to turn towards them.
The parents hugged the trio.
Adelia kissed their foreheads. She looked at them and stated that they were her sons even though they were not her biological children. She apologized that it was probably the end for her. She muttered that she was sorry. She asked if they were alright.
The trio were crying, and Matteo bawled that she and Henry were the ones who were severely hurt.
Stark was in disbelief and could not accept their current situation.
Adelia reassured them that it was fine.
Henry urged them to survive. He continued that even though their lives were cut short tonight, they must keep going and see the outside world. He expressed that he was proud of them and would always be watching over them.
Adelia muttered that she knew that they would go out into the outside world. However, she hoped that they would be careful. She also hoped that they would not get into much trouble.
Adelia had no regrets. She was happy to be with her family. Her husband and sons were her whole world. Tears flowed down her cheeks. She was at peace and content with her life.
Henry looked at his wife. He smiled and cried.
Henry wondered what kind of people his sons would become. As they grew up, he wanted to be there to see them. He wanted to continue living and see their future. At the same time, he knew that in the future, his sons would live peacefully and have a wonderful life. He could not have been more grateful to have had them as his kids.
Henry was also ready to move on. He was satisfied with his life. Henry remarked that it was a beautiful night.
Henry and Adelia used their last ounce of energy to look at their sons. Henry, his face bloodied and in pain, stated that it was up to their sons now. Adelia smiled and reassured them that they would do well and not worry too much.
The trio were confused and wondered what their parents were talking about.
Adelia and Henry were slowly losing consciousness. They were struggling to keep their eyes open. They smiled weakly and uttered their final words, "I love you all."
The couple slowly closed their eyes. They leaned their heads against each other. An image of the future of their kids appeared before them. Adelia and Henry smiled.