Kurgansk Mountain,
Northern Syria.
"The unfamiliar powers"
Walt, once Azra's absolute enemy and a notorious bully back in the 1900s, had resurfaced after all these years, an enemy Azra had long wished to forget. Despite appearing to Azra during the train wreck at the disruption when Azra escaped government arrest, he was now in direct contact with Kurgansk, the soon-to-be enemy. Was the future trying to challenge Azra after all the deeds in his past?
"It's time. The Majesty seeks your attention," Lyra's voice echoed.
The demon stood up, transforming his form into that of a human, Walt the longtime enemy. A fierce hailstorm battered the bridge leading to North Syria's border, blocking the only escape route and forcing the remaining inhabitants to take refuge in tunnels or any shelter they could find. From the depths, the underworld erupted, spewing thousands of demons onto Northern Syria's soil.
"I'm honored to accept his invitation," Walt said, escorting Lyra back to the underworld.
A powerful veil appeared inside Lyra's room of spells. Startled, Refel paused, instinctively hiding as fear overtook him. In an instant, Lyra and Walt emerged from the veil before it vanished.
"You never cease to amaze me, Lyra," Walt remarked, his voice softer than usual.
"Stop praising me," Lyra replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
"Oh, why wouldn't I? You're perfect. I might just ask for your hand in marriage."
Lyra chuckled coyly, her eyes briefly meeting his before turning away. Hidden from view, Refel observed the exchange through a broken mirror's reflection, his pulse quickening.
"That's enough, Walt. Let's go meet His Majesty, my father." Lyra insisted, breaking the momentary tension between them.
Refel's eyes widened as he recognized Walt's face. A long time face from his past! "Oh, my Lord... What is he doing here?"
The Palace
"His Majesty would be delighted to discuss the findings of the Yarn Stone with you," Lyra said, her gaze fixed on Walt.
"The Yarn Stone?" Walt's curiosity was piqued.
"A stone capable of stripping us of our abilities. We must destroy it to preserve our world, or it will consume us."
"You think my powers can break it?" Walt's brow furrowed, calculating.
"Yes. I mean that's how much, he trusts you."
Walt paused, staring at her intensely. Muscular and imposing, Walt's presence commanded attention, he had once been a champion of China's Kung Fu and Karate tournaments. He couldn't help but think about the countless battles he had fought, but this was different. This was not just a fight, it was a test of his very existence.
"Let's go see your Majesty." His footsteps raised eagerly assisting Lyra.
They approached Kurgansk's throne. High above, Lulu, the sinister bat, watched them intently.
"Your Majesty," Walt greeted, bowing slightly.
"Old friend," Kurgansk rose from his throne, supported by Lulu. "It's been a long time, Walt. I hear you're facing difficulties with the Yarn Stone."
"Can you manage it, my friend?" Kurgansk asked, his tone laced with doubt.
Without a word, Walt moved toward a vast stone hall chamber where a blue glow illuminated the walls. The powerful stone, encased in swirling energy, awaited him. Summoning a dark force, he enveloped the stone. A surge of energy rushed through him, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to yield.
"Kurgansk, lend me your power!" Walt demanded, struggling to control the force.
Kurgansk unleashed his own power onto the stone. The ground trembled violently, and chaos erupted. For the first time, the underworld was thrown into disarray. Rocks collapsed, demons were crushed, and Refel was injured from the room of spells.
"Ouch." Refel cried out, crashing against a wall.
"What's happening?" Walt muttered, his grip tightening.
The Yarn Stone began to rise, not by Walt or Kurgansk's power, but on its own. The light intensified, not even Lyra, Kurgansk or Walt could look at it, until a voice resonated from it:
"Relinquish this struggle, Kurgansk. Stop fighting a battle that's not yours."
The light dimmed back to its original blue light, leaving a tense silence. Walt glanced back at Kurgansk, unsure of what had just unfolded.
Refel's heart pounded. He couldn't comprehend what was indeed happening.
"Why can't I fight? If not for myself, then for the people?" he murmured, glancing at his hands, his martial skills intact, but his powers stolen by Walt—many,many years ago.
"If I'm to reclaim them, I must fight."
A flicker radiation from one of Lyra's objects above caught his eye. Grabbing a nearby iron bar, he struck at the flickering spot.
Suddenly, Lyra clutched her chest, grimacing.
"Lyra, are you all right?" Kurgansk asked, concerned.
"I feel weak, Father."
Kurgansk conjured fire in his palm, glaring at the prisoner. "Damn it."
In a burst of rage, Kurgansk hurled Refel against a wall.
"No!" Lyra cried, rushing into the room. "Don't kill him, Dad. He's useful."
Kurgansk hesitated, his fury slowly subsiding.
Footsteps echoed as Walt entered.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Lyra, I don't trust Refel. He may be hiding unfamiliar powers," Kurgansk muttered. "What if he's the one behind the yarn stone's resistance?"
"But he's valuable. You said so yourself—without him, we wouldn't have found the Yarn Stone."
Kurgansk glanced at Lyra, a hint of guilt in his eyes.
Refel coughed, blood trickling from his forehead. Lyra hurried to tend to him, using her powers to heal his wounds. Once stabilized, Refel fell unconscious. As Lyra turned to leave, a hand touched her shoulder.
"Walt," she whispered.
"Don't worry. I'll watch over Refel."
"But he—"
"It's fine."
Lyra hesitated but eventually left. Walt took a seat next to Refel, staring at him without expression. When Refel awoke, his eyes widened in terror at the familiar face.
"Refel. Long time no see," Walt greeted, his tone calm but unsettling.
{Suspenseful music builds}
Refel's fear was palpable, his mind racing with dread.
{Curtain}