Chapter 219

[Third Person's PoV] 

Epsilon's eyes darted side to side, struggling to track the intense battle before her. "Should… should we intervene?" she whispered, tension straining her voice. All she could catch were flashes of their clashes, the sound of weapons meeting and the aftermath of powerful strikes echoing in the air.

Gamma shifted uneasily beside her. "I don't know… won't we just get in the way?" Her gaze, like Epsilon's, could barely keep up with the speed of the combatants, her expression a mixture of awe and apprehension.

Meanwhile, Alpha held Celeste close, her arms wrapped protectively around the child. A faint, serene smile graced her face, though her eyes narrowed with a steely confidence as she glanced at the others. "Have faith in our lord."

Delta, crouched on all fours, let out a fierce growl. "Delta's going to join in! Delta's not afraid to help out Bossu!" She tensed, her body coiling like a spring, then leapt forward with a fierce battle cry, determined to reach the battlefield.

But just as she launched herself, a shadowy figure materialized directly from her own shadow, an arm shooting out to catch her by the back of her outfit. Suspended mid-air, Delta froze, her hands and legs stretched out like a puppy trying to escape.

"Eh?" she squeaked, looking back at the hand holding her. "Let go of Delta!" she shrieked, kicking and clawing at the air.

Everyone's attention turned to the figure restraining her, and a heavy silence fell. The presence was palpable, its aura overpowering and dark. Epsilon felt her heart race.

"Lord… Shadow?" Beta asked, her voice barely a whisper, filled with uncertainty.

"That can't be," Epsilon murmured, straining to listen to the ongoing battle. "I can still hear his blade clashing with the Knight out there…"

Alpha's gaze sharpened as she held Celeste even closer. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice laced with a wary edge.

Through the figure's hood, only a pair of glowing royal-purple, dragon-like eyes were visible, casting a haunting light that made them all shiver. Delta squirmed in his grasp, fangs bared and claws extended.

The figure finally released her, letting Delta land with a soft thud. She spun to face him, a low growl escaping her throat. "My daughter," he spoke, extending his hands toward Alpha.

Alpha eyed him suspiciously, still holding Celeste protectively. "How do I know you're really her father?"

Delta didn't wait for an answer. With a fierce roar, she lunged at the figure. He let out a quiet sigh, and in an instant, Delta froze midair, limbs rigid and suspended like a marionette.

"Uhhh… guys?" Delta stammered, her eyes wide with confusion. "Delta can't move."

In a swift motion, Celeste was pulled from Alpha's arms by an unseen force. Alpha gasped and reached out, "No!" But Celeste was already floating over to the figure's outstretched hands.

The figure's gaze flicked to Alpha, a faint hint of annoyance in his expression. "You're awfully protective of her, considering you don't even know her name."

The figure held Celeste close, placing a gentle hand over her face. A purple light enveloped them both as he seemed to channel some kind of restorative energy into her. Slowly, Celeste's eyes fluttered open. When she recognized the figure, her face lit up in joy. "Daddy!" she squealed, reaching up to touch his face.

Then her smile faltered, confusion clouding her eyes. The figure pinched her nose, making her yelp softly.

"Are you seriously so dense you couldn't tell the difference between me and a stranger?" he chided gently, an amused scoff escaping him.

"Eh?"

The others watched in shock as the figure continued talking to Celeste as if she were answering him back, though they couldn't hear her responses.

"Of course that wasn't me!" 

"Just because someone wears the same clothes doesn't make them me."

"Celeste, sweetheart, my little princess, I thought you knew better. I'd never do something like that to you."

Tears welled up in Celeste's eyes, and she sniffled, burying her face against his chest. The figure held her close, gently patting her back. Alpha finally let out a sigh, her suspicions melting. "Judging by her reaction… I suppose you really are her father."

Beta's gaze was still wary, narrowing as she studied him. "But that doesn't explain why you look just like our lord."

The figure rolled his eyes, reaching up to pull back his hood, revealing his face to them fully. Their expressions turned to shock, eyes widening in disbelief.

"That's because I am your lord, Beta," he stated matter-of-factly.

"WHAAAAT?!"

Alpha's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. "No one outside of our circle knows our lord's true face… it couldn't be an imposter."

"I'm from–"

"From the future?!" Beta interjected, a hopeful gleam in her eyes.

"What? No," he replied with a raised brow. "I'm from an alternate dimension." He shook his head as Beta blushed, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment.

"But first things first," he continued, handing Celeste back to Alpha, who carefully took the child, wiping away her tears.

"Igris, return," he commanded, his expression hardening. Instantly, Igris appeared before him, kneeling with his sword in hand, head bowed.

"My lord," Igris intoned respectfully.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed through a massive hole in the wall. The original Shadow strode in, frustration etched on his face. "Why did you just up and leave? I was finally about to–" His words died as his gaze landed on the duplicate standing before him.

Before he could react, Cid blurred into motion, closing the distance in an instant. Shadow barely had time to register the fist headed straight for his stomach. His eyes widened as he was lifted from the ground by the force of the blow. His armor cracked, shattering as Cid's fist connected with his torso, and blood burst from his mouth in a spray.

In real-time, Shadow's body was sent careening upwards, smashing into the ceiling before slamming back down onto the ground with a resounding, sickening crunch.

"LORD SHADOW!!" the group screamed in horror, rushing to his side.

Shadow lay crumpled, clutching his stomach, blood dripping from his lips. They all turned back toward Cid, their eyes filled with fury and grief.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!" Beta cried, tears streaming down her face, her fists clenched.

Cid held and rotated his wrist, his gaze cold and unyielding. "That fool dared to point a sword at my daughter and made her cry. The only reason he's breathing right now is because I allowed it." His voice was as icy as the look in his eyes.