The white fire diminished. Viir and Rhenvar stood before Urithax.
Rhenvar pulled himself together. Wiping what tears remained from his face, hiding it as if it was an itch. His blood lingered on his hand and face.
"Sweet. So, mission accomplished? Good job, Viir." He gave her a thumbs up, the thumb tilted. "Knew I could count on you."
"Well, I am better than you~" Viir twirled midair, smug.
"Yes, you destroyed the Worldeater…" Urithax grumbled, his molten eyes dimming. "However, the gods of that world have denied you any power. No support. No praise. Nothing."
"The fuck? Why not?" Rhenvar scowled.
"Yeah!" Viir echoed.
"Because you killed everyone!" His voice shook the cavern.
"They were soooo boooring!" Viir spiraled around Rhenvar's head as a gleeful fairy. "First the detective dude died, then everyone started yelling, and I just impaled them with cursed spikes~"
She cackled.
Rhenavr smirked.
"I'd say that's a job well done, Viir." They high-fived.
Urithax covered his face with his clawed hand, groaning. "How did the one who dwells in shadows ever trust you two? Why couldn't she have sent her… the fallen one…"
(Huh? That sounded wistful.)
He raised an eyebrow. "No way. Do you… like Sinephilim?"
A puff of white fire shot from his nose. The air crackled. "I do not think of such things, eater of souls, we are kindred sprites."
"WOAH. Really?" Rhenvar grinned like an idiot. "Dude. I'm gonna tease the hell outta you. Or maybe I should tell her- "
"Enough! I do not!" He growled, smoke hissing between his teeth. "While you were busy ignoring subtlety, I discovered an urgent mission. One of the stronger worlds has been infiltrated. I believe you know who."
Rhenvar's jaw tensed. "Aucteros…"
"Yes. And worse… one of their favorites was just consumed. Devoured. Violently. In violet flame. Sound familiar?"
"…Corvessa!" He said excitedly.
Urithax nodded gravely. "It matches her method. Violet soulfire. Ritualistic. Soul enslavement."
"Pfft, sucks for them… anyways," He looked at Viir. "Guess we're up."
"Is this world gonna be boring too?" she yawned midair.
"No. It's a superhero world. Meta-humanoids run the place."
Viir lit up. "Oh damn, that sounds fun."
"Don't get excited yet," Urithax interjected. "The Gods have a condition."
Rhenvar crossed his arms. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"They want you to protect someone."
"Excuse me?"
"There's a girl. She's not very strong. But fate has entwined her with the Worldeaters. She cannot be killed, she holds the Worldheart."
"So… I'm a babysitter now?"
"This is a chance to prove you are not just a living weapon. Save her, and this world and more Gods may trust you."
"What's her name?"
"Bunnygirl."
Rhenavr stared. Then laughed. "Oh, come on. Seriously?"
"Prepare yourself, eater of souls." Urithax exhaled a column of white fire that engulfed him. "For this, is the real test."
****
Super Squad Headquarters.
He stood in a ruined room, humming with static. A girl was crying. Another woman, blue-skinned and glowing, held her protectively.
The blue one locked golden eyes with him and rose to her feet with hostile intent.
"Who are you?!" She barked. "How did you teleport in here!"
They were soaked in fear. But he could taste it. Their souls felt… strong. His instinct was to feed.
"I'm Rhenvar. One of you must be Bunnygirl."
She shoved the crying girl behind her. "Leave. Now."
"Rhen," Viir whispered, "she's shiny. Can I eat her shiny?"
"Not yet," he muttered. "Look, lady, I'm not your enemy. I was sent here to-"
He was launched backward into a wall, plaster and steel cracking around him.
"I told you to LEAVE!" The blue woman was glowing.
"Okay, rude." He shadow-stepped, reappearing in front of her. His fist hit her cheek; she shot through the wall.
"Oops…" He turned to the other girl.
(Brown ears. Rabbit-like feet. Shaking like a leaf.)
"You must be Bunnygirl." He knelt. "I'm from another world, I was sent to protect you."
She trembled. "Against… that thing? That new crow villain?"
"Corvessa?" He nodded. "Yeah. Violet fire, crows, kiss of death. Totally unhinged. Pretty hot though."
Bunnygirl blinked, horrified.
"What are you?" She whispered.
He gave her a thumbs up. "A weapon forged from Gods-."
CRASH.
A blast of radiant light knocked Rhenvar through the ceiling. He soared into the sky, then slammed onto pavement with enough force to dent the street.
"The fuck-" blood exploded from his mouth.
The sky parted. She descended, cloaked in white energy, golden eyes burning.
"I am Starwoman. You killed one of our own. You will not take another."
Rhenvar stood, brushing dust off his black armor. "Oh great, dramatic monologues."
She ignited, hovering like a Goddess. "You villains always speak so casually. I've faced Variable, Sureshot, even Calamity."
"Cool story." He cracked his knuckles. "Look lady, I have a job to do."
Blood wings erupted behind him. He kept Souleater sealed.
(I'd rather not kill her. It seems she's a friend of that girl.)
(Thirst.)
"Let's do this."
He shadow-stepped again and slammed his fist into her stomach. She flew through an office complex. Glass shattered. Innocent by standers screamed.
"Damn… should've aimed for the sky."
She came back roaring.
She lifted Rhenvar with kinetic force, dragging him across the sky, then hurled him into an open street.
He rolled, skidding. Dust clouded the air.
(Okay. That hurt.)
He staggered to his feet. Something inside him coiled.
(Feed.)
(Don't. Not yet.)
He clenched his jaw. His fingers shook. Eyes twitched. Mouth watered.
(Keep. It. Together.)
But her soul… it sang to him.
(No. Not now.)
(Devour.)
He exhaled hard. Then he lost it.
Blood claws exploded from his arms. Crimson horns twisted from his skull like thorns. His wings stretched wider, flesh cracking. The blood red cracks in his armor split open, birthing a waterfall of blood.
His body screamed of pain. A devil clawing its way out of a coffin. His coffin. And he wanted her.
Starwoman hovered above, eyes wide. "What even are you?"
Rhenvar's voice was layered now, one calm, one monstrous. "Delicious!"
He screeched. His inhuman roar shook the area.
(Devour.)
(Drink.)
(Feed.)
Rhenvar lunged claws raked through Starwoman's energy shield. Her scream echoed with fear.
Rhenavr laughed. Her soul, it smelt good. He can't help it. He has to have it!
Starwoman crashed into the pavement. Gasping.
He landed on top of her. Pressed his claw gently on her throat. His mouth was inches apart from her eyes. Blood dripping from his lips.
She struggled, tears burning through the light on her skin.
He opened his mouth and started to feed.
(Drain.)
Her soul flickered. She screamed, not in pain, but in existential dread.
"Please…" And then.
CRASH.
Rhenvar was blasted across the city block. He tumbled through a bus, skidding across the asphalt next.
He coughed. Sat up. Snarled with a hiss.
A shadow eclipsed him.
A man hovered above. Cape flared. A golden "U" on his chest.
(Another strong soul.)
"I don't know what you are," he said coldly, "but you will pay for harming my friend."
Rhenvar grinned, licking his lips.
His soul was brighter than the sun.
(Feed.)
His snout started to form. Blood dripped from his exposed flesh. He was hungry.
Rhenvar laughed.
"Starwoman, are you ok?" The man shouted.
He wanted to watch them. He wanted them ready. Breaking them at the same time, it will taste so much sweeter.
"Ultimateman, that thing- it was- eating me- my spirit…"
He glared at Rhenvar. His soul shining even brighter.
(I can feel its memories.)
"Spirit… like Jeremy?"
(I can feel his anger. This Jermey. His soul aches for him. For his touch…)
(Love?)
Blood and saliva dripped from his new formed jaw.
(Delicious!)