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Chapter 70 - Encountering Sarai and the Conquest of Helios.

Prelude to Chaos: Helios Awaits

Outer Space – 24 Hours from Planet Helios

Zaidon, the infamous alien space pirate, lounged on his throne aboard his colossal ship,

drumming his clawed fingers against the armrest. His gaze was fixed on the holographic

projection of a planet—Helios. "I was told by that shaman," Zaidon mused, a glint of

excitement in his cold, crimson eyes, "that this planet harbors a powerful being named

'Zaiyal.'" Suddenly, his fist slammed down on the armrest, reverberating through the

metallic hall. "I can hardly wait. I'm so excited!" But beneath his bravado, Zaidon was an

empty soul. He had conquered the cosmos of his own galaxy, ruling for over a

millennium, yet victory had turned sour, and his victories felt hollow. Boredom gnawed at

him like a relentless parasite. "I think it's time we had a little fun at the expense of these

Helions," Zaidon sneered. "This Zaiyal character better be as formidable as the stories

claim."

The Demon Realm

In a dark and twisted citadel, Dreadmarch knelt before the throne of Demi, the Demiurge,

who sat perched high above the Archons, her ever-present smirk a testament to her

confidence.

"What is the meaning of your arrival, Dreadmarch?" she asked lazily, her chin resting on

one hand. Dreadmarch trembled slightly. "Our spies confirm that Zaiyal and Talus have

grown significantly stronger. We must aid them in safeguarding Helios by confronting

Zaidon and his forces. Afterward, we should seal off this world and prepare. You aren't

even complete yet. You'll need at least another year to ascend to the true God of this

realm."

Demi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Fine, fine. When will the pirates arrive?"

"Twenty-three hours," Dreadmarch replied. "But we have hope you see, when Nova

arrived on the planet he revealed to Ungar and Narcis what he had been working on with

Sarai for years at a lab he had on Earth-02, our spies have confirmed this." This piqued

Demiurge's curiosity. "You see Nova has been working on a hybrid of human and elves

who he will forge into a super being capable of conquering the Universe, there is merit to

this if he completes this project, there is no doubt that his race will be destroyed." This

stunned Demi, "Can we destroy the lab?!" Dreadmarch shook his head. The only good

news is Nova is unveiling several of these prototypes to fight off the space pirates. Nova

is a sociopath with an iron will, he will stop at nothing until he reigns over everyone and

everything like a god. Therefore, he is currently your most dangerous rival. Demi simply

acknowledged this fact but was deeply frustrated she simply said:

"Good. Let everyone rest—we'll have a long day tomorrow."

On Helios

The bustling markets of Helios were alive with color and energy as Qayyim

guided the eclectic group through the streets. Sun Wukong, wearing a hoodie and

designer jeans, licked an ice cream cone with childlike delight. "It's been a while since

this Old Monkey has tasted food like this. What do you call it?" "Ice cream," Qayyim

replied with a shrug. Sun Wukong grinned and devoured the cone in a single bite.

"Delicious!" Erlang Shen, dressed in a hipster-inspired outfit complete with round

glasses, adjusted his frame as he walked alongside Talus and Daniel 02, who wore

matching red-and-white designer attire. Meanwhile, Ungar, clad in his usual imposing

armor, had no interest in fashion. They arrived at a grand mosque, its towering minarets

gleaming under the sun. The sign outside read: "This mosque welcomes orthodox Sunnis

and Shia. All imams follow one of the four schools of Sunni law: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i,

or Hanbali. Please respect all worshippers." Ungar crossed his arms, gazing at the

structure. "This must be the place. I passed a Catholic mosque for Catholic Muslims a

block ago, but this one seems more traditional." Sun Wukong giggled, "Just as my master

and my brothers had brought the scriptures of our master Buddha from India in the west

to China in the east we once brought the scriptures of the Muslims in the west to the

Muslims in China in the east, we did the same thing with the Jews and Christians of

China on two separate Journeys. So this Mosque is actually quite familiar. Me and the

Tang Monk and my brothers visited the Muslim temples of Samarkand, Bukhara,

Baghdad and many other cities." Erlang Shen said, "I am aware of that, I believe I played

a part as I was ordered by Lord Tagatha (Buddha) to do so." The minarets of the Mosque

seemed to be almost golden as the green trees were glistening behind them and the birds

were flying around and chirping gracefully. Talus thought the whole thing was ridiculous

and a waste of time. Talus for his part was endlessly bored and he thought the whole

thing was an exercise in meaninglessness.

Inside, the group joined the noon prayer (Zuhr), with the Imam reciting verses

from the Quran in melodious Arabic. Qayyim, who remained outside reading a book,

waited patiently as women were not allowed within.

When the service ended, a thunderous crash echoed through the air. Rushing

outside, the group found a monstrous spider wreaking havoc. Talus stepped forward and

dispatched the beast with swift precision, earning the gratitude of the Imam, who gifted

them dates as a token of appreciation. Reunited after their visit, the group prepared for

the impending arrival of this space pirate and his armada. The hours ticked away, and the

weight of the battle to come pressed heavily on their minds. Nova had recently returned

home with which is why Ungar and Narcis were home and with someone else, who was

waiting for them at the compound. It was 'Sarai.' Ungar got in a fighting position, "I

know we spoke to you back on Earth but who really are your essence is not a demon like

Daniel's has become but it's not the Sarai we knew either." Nova laughed, "That's

because I grew him, he was discovered by me just by chance, well a piece of his DNA at

a University to the South on the Alorian Islands." This shocked Zaiyal, "That's where we

all went to school and met 1,000 years ago. Now it all makes sense. Why are you

growing people though answer me Nova!" Nova smirked, "I'm a scientist I dabble in the

unknown." Nova was caught off guard by Qayyim, "Who's the girl?" Zaiyal explained

that this was his 'Nova's' daughter and Zaiyal's future wife. Nova scoffed, "I've never

had relations with a woman and I donated my sperm to a bank no less than 2 years ago

there's no way I have a full-grown daughter." Sir Rhyme jumped in, "She's the child you

had from the sperm bank in the future." Sir Rhyme went on to explain everything,

everyone was skeptical if Nova would believe them but to everyone's surprise he had no

trouble in believing this tale in fact he was enthralled. "Really? So you're my daughter.

Tell me how you made it back to this time." Qayyim without missing a beat said, "via a

time machine you created father." Nova said calmly, "Naturally, I'd be capable of

creating a time machine." This statement angered Zaiyal, Red Ace, Green Wisp, Sarah,

Noah and Kai, but Qayyim simply said, "No, everyone was killed in my time, you never

accomplished your dream of world domination but you often talked about it before your

demise." Nova stepped back without a light sweat pallet dripping from his face as his

voice began to quiver, "My god. We're all killed in your time. This can't be true?" Ungar

interjected, "She speaks the truth, she is your daughter from 20 years in the future, I

could sense it upon meeting her which is why I sent Cthulu to pick up something... Well

it looks like he's arriving now." Cthulhu flew down with an infant in his arms. Ungar

explained that this infant was Qayyim as a 2 month old baby. Nova laughed "interesting

so you're pregnant with Zaiyal's future child, additionally you'll have to raise yourself

from 20 years in the past. Well, have fun, I have work to do." Ungar grabbed Nova, "Oh

no you're taking Qayyim and Qayyim and Zaiyal you better go with them too. Better yet,

let's all go, it's about time you showed everyone else the secret weapon that you showed

me and Narcis on Earth 02." Nova scoffed, "Alright everyone follow me, we're heading

into my laboratory." In the basement of the compound everyone found clones of

everyone, Ungar, Talus, Zaiyal, etc. as well as Nova himself. Nova smirked, "When these

Space Pirates arrive there in for a rude awakening, behold my army."

A future premonition:

Meanwhile...

Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth in the past in the year 2133 A.D. A young man

in Japan named Yoko who went to an Evangelical Christian school in Osaka was reading

in the High School Library when she stumbled upon a bizarre book "The World Beyond:

The Secrets of the Occult." She opened the book but as she did an incredible spell was

cast and the girl was taken into the book. He was reborn as an elf girl with white hair on

Helios [which she did not know of at the time] approached by another elf girl named

"Logos," who noticed that she was distraught. "Are you okay?," she said.

24 hours later:

As the call to arms echoed across South City, a coalition of humanity's finest

warriors and their otherworldly allies assembled to confront the alien invaders. Nova's

computers pinpointed the armada's landing spot, aligning precisely with Qayyim's dire

prediction—an event she had witnessed firsthand in her own timeline. Ungar was the first

to arrive, his sharp senses detecting the alien mothership's overwhelming energy long

before it breached the atmosphere. Soon, others joined: Daniel, accompanied by the

enigmatic Demiurge, the fearsome Dreadmarch, and the stoic Oghuz, all sworn defenders

of the Gnostic cause. Zaiyal appeared next, his characteristic smirk as sharp as his blade.

"So these clowns decided to show their faces on the battlefield," he remarked dryly,

nodding at Demi, who grinned wickedly in return. "Of course we did," Demi said, her

voice laced with mockery. "By the way, where's Talus? Don't tell me your favorite crush

bailed." Zaiyal rolled his eyes, unable to resist a quip. "Relax, Demi. He'll be here.

There's no way he'd miss an opponent this strong. Who knows? When he's done

mopping the floor with this creep, maybe he'll even give you a kiss." Demi's grin

faltered, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "As if! I just want to beat the snot out of

him after this mess. That's all!" she shot back, sticking out her tongue in defiance.

As more warriors rallied—Qayyim, Nova, the legendary Sun Wukong, the eldritch

Cthulhu, and others—the battlefield buzzed with tension. The moment Zaiyal shouted,

"Brace yourselves!" the air itself seemed to hum with power. A colossal mothership

broke through the clouds, its metallic surface glinting ominously as smaller alien fighters

swarmed the skies. Within the mothership, Zaidon, the alien commander, observed the

scene with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "Interesting," he mused aloud. "How did

they know I would be here?" He activated the ship's loudspeakers and addressed the

gathering below. "Well, this is surprising! Clearly, you all knew of my arrival. How?"

Qayyim stepped forward, her voice carrying over the din of the battlefield. "I came from

20 years in the future. In my timeline, your invasion cost countless lives, but this time,

we're here to stop you." Zaidon threw his head back in laughter, his deep voice

reverberating across the field. "Ah, so I see! I must've won in your timeline, then. Tell

me, is that why you returned? To stop my inevitable triumph?" "Don't flatter yourself,"

Qayyim snapped. "A far greater threat emerged after your death. We're here to make sure

you don't take innocent lives this time." Zaidon's laughter ceased, his expression

darkening. "Fair enough," he said. "But if you wish to challenge me, prove yourselves

first! Fight my warrior, Xenos. Let's see if you're worthy." With a gesture, he summoned

a towering rock monster that roared as it descended to the battlefield. Xenos wasted no

time, charging straight for Talus, who blocked the creature's strikes with deft precision.

Talus's calm demeanor only fueled Demi's competitive fire, and she rushed in, fists

blazing. "Stop hogging the fight, Talus!" she barked, launching her own attack. Talus

growled, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "Buzz off, kid. This one's mine!" Their

bickering nearly cost them as Xenos unleashed a shockwave, temporarily stunning them

both. But Talus recovered quickly, delivering a thunderous punch that sent the rock

monster flying. He turned to Demi, his grin infuriatingly smug. "See? Told you I've got

this." Demi crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Fine! Keep your stupid fight. But don't

come crying to me when he flattens you." "Admit it," Talus teased. "You'd miss me too

much.""Oh, please!" Demi shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You know what?

I hope he squashes you, you jerk!"

As Qayyim moved to intervene, Zaiyal stopped her with a raised hand. She

hesitated, her gaze questioning. Why hold back? Zaiyal thought to himself, I know you,

Talus. You're too proud to let anyone else take your battle. Once, I saw that pride as

arrogance, but now I see the truth. You're a warrior—one of the greatest I've ever known.

The battle raged on, Xenos roaring with renewed fury as the skies rained alien forces

upon the gathered heroes. This was only the beginning of a war that would test their

strength, resolve, and unity.

Talus was ready to battle this rock monster and he did not disappoint. At one point

it seemed as if the battle was almost over. Kai shouted, "Yes the battle is over!!" Sarah

for her part was excited as well, "Yeah Talus has him on the ropes." Sir Rhyme shook his

head, "No, you're wrong." The two of them laughed, beginning to jest that Sir Rhyme

didn't know what he was talking about. Ungar shouted back, "No he's right! Damnit

Talus you're always getting way over your head!! When will you learn you fool!" As if

right on cue, Talus began to be beaten to a bloody pulp until finally he was knocked into

the earth. Talus began shaking in pain, "Unbelievable, how could he be this strong?"

Suddenly he began to grow angry, "YOU PETULANT FOOL! YOU DARE SHED THE

BLOOD OF A MEMBER OF THE DEMON RACE!" Talus leaped back and began to

fire energy blasts everywhere. The rest of the heroes began to leap back. Far off in the

distance... a camera crew was there. "Just in folks a large intergalactic armada has landed

on the planet's surface and a group of unknown warriors seem to be taking care of

business. A little man with white hair, pointed ears and white skin is doing his best to

take down this alien but he has his work cut out for him. After this was over, Talus began

to stammer as the monster appeared directly in front of him. Talus flew upwards and

began to shout, "I am the ultimate life form! There is nothing stronger than me!! You're

finished!! You're all as good as dead!!" Talus began to charge up his power. The planet

began to shake, to the point that it even concerned Demi. Talus began to laugh

manichaelly. "Lest you think you ever stood a chance against a SUPER ELITE!!" Talus

unleashed his energy blast which engulfed the entire sky, the blast would destroy the

planet [about 10 times larger than Jupiter] about 50 times over. Ungar shouted, "Talus

what the fuck are you doing?! You'll destroy everyone!!" The creature without flinching

kicked the ball of energy into the sky without breaking a sweat. Talus dodged it just

barely and the blast lit up the entire sky. Talus began to shake in fear. Until he shouted out

from below, "Talus that's enough of your shit!! We need to finish this quickly." Talus

looked below, it was Qayyim who said this. Talus began to bark back but Qayyim uttered

a single word that sounded like a demon speaking, "Silence!"

Talus began to shake with

fear as he began to levitate back towards the ground. Qayyim threw off her coat and

began to crack her neck. She then began to concentrate her Chi and already four celestial orbs could be seen concentrated in her body. After this she leaped into the air without

making a sound. With one blow the rock creature was blown to a thousand pieces.

Everyone shuttered in fear including Zaidon from his throne room on the mothership. For

his part, Nova was the most surprised that his daughter took down such a powerful foe

without just a single strike. More than anyone else, Nova looked like a ghost his paleness

was evident immediately upon seeing him.

The battlefield fell into an uneasy silence, the tension palpable after Qayyim's

devastating display of power. Fragments of the shattered rock creature rained down like

meteorites, glowing faintly from the residual energy of her strike. Even the most

hardened warriors felt the weight of her presence, her Chi radiating with an intensity that

distorted the air around her. Nova, ever the tactician, broke the silence. "Qayyim, that

was... something else," she said cautiously, her voice laced with equal parts admiration

and concern. "That's great father, But we still have the rest of the armada to deal with."

Qayyim descended gracefully, her gaze never leaving the mothership looming overhead.

Her voice was calm, but it carried a warning. "Zaidon is not to be underestimated. He let

us fight Xenos to gauge our strength. He'll be ready for us now." Ungar grunted, his red

eyes glistened like a red moon. "Then we strike before he has the chance. No more

games." Demi, still shaken by Talus's reckless power display, threw her hands up in

exasperation. "And what about him?" She jabbed a finger at Talus, who was catching his

breath a few meters away. "He almost got us all killed with that stunt!" Talus

straightened, brushing the dust off his shoulders with exaggerated nonchalance. "I had it

under control," he said, though his voice betrayed his shaken confidence. "Besides, I

softened it up for Qayyim, didn't I?" "Softened it up?!" Demi spat. "You nearly—"

"Enough," Zaiyal interrupted, stepping between them. His voice was measured,

but his golden eyes burned with authority. "We can't afford infighting right now. If we're

going to stand a chance against Zaidon, we need to work together."

Sun Wukong, who had been perched atop his staff nearby, smirked. "Zaiyal's

right. If you all keep squabbling, I'll have to win this war by myself—and we wouldn't

want that, would we?" His lighthearted tone drew a few weary chuckles, breaking the

tension. As Talus simply rolled his eyes. As the group began to regroup and strategize,

Zaidon watched from his command center, his fingers steepled as he analyzed the heroes'

every move. The holographic display before him replayed Qayyim's strike in slow

motion. "Impressive," he muttered.

"But power alone won't save them."

Beside him, a new figure emerged from the shadows—a lithe, insectoid being clad

in sleek, reflective armor. Its multifaceted eyes gleamed as it hissed, "Shall I engage them, Commander?" Zaidon shook his head. "Not yet, Xarelia. Let them think they've

won a small victory. When they step into the heart of the battle, then we'll strike. And

this time, there will be no escape." Back on the battlefield, Qayyim addressed the group.

"Our time is short. Zaidon will send more forces, and they'll only get stronger. We need

to take out the mothership's power core to weaken their fleet. Nova, can you locate it?"

Nova's fingers danced across her wrist console, and a holographic map of the mothership

flickered to life. "Got it. The core is heavily fortified, but if we can breach the outer

defenses, we might stand a chance." "Leave the breach to me," Oghuz said, his deep

voice resonating like thunder. The giant warrior hefted his massive warhammer, its

surface crackling with energy. "I'll clear the way."

"And I'll handle the swarm," Dreadmarch added, his shadowy form shifting

unnaturally as if he were more mist than flesh. "Their numbers won't matter when fear

takes hold." As the team prepared for the assault, Talus approached Qayyim, his usual

bravado replaced with something quieter. "Hey... thanks for stepping in back there," he

muttered, avoiding her gaze. "You really saved me." Qayyim regarded him for a moment,

her expression unreadable. Then, with a slight smirk, she said, "Just try not to blow up

the planet next time, okay?" Talus chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck.

"Yeah, yeah. No promises." The heroes moved as one toward the looming mothership,

the air crackling with anticipation. Above them, alien fighters swarmed, and the ground

trembled with the advance of Zaidon's reinforcements. The war for Earth had only just

begun, and the fate of the planet rested on their unity, their strength—and their ability to

confront not just the enemy, but the weaknesses within themselves.

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