The desert like always is hot beaten by the yellow sun. The winds keep blowing and the surrounding was only sand.
There is not much life other than the lizards that hides under the sun or the gigantic scorpions that burrows itself deep under the sand.
Once in a while one could see a sandstorm a mile away. It was a dangerous region to live even a harder region to traverse.
But then something happened in that dangerous region. Far away from civilization and people, something is formed out of thin air.
It was like reality was tear apart and something is coming out.
A blue portal opens up in the wide desert. The golden sand was first sucked into the portal but then regurgitated outside back again.
Energy emanated out from the blue portals and dark clouds are gathering on top of the portal appearance.
It booms and it howls.
Then appearing from that portal was a man clads in black, dashing and domineering. Celestial Presence roiled out from him as waves of energy keep undulating from him the signs of Laws inside him.
He looks in front of him with his eyes that shone with brilliance. He steps out from the portal, looking cautious and vigilant.
Death aura wafted around him, the sand swirls and dissipate when the man in the hood step out from the portal.
The harsh wind of the desert that was about to blow him was instantly dissipated with one wave of his hand.
His eyes were cold and his stature was full of power.
Then behind him appear another man. On the man face could be seen trace of fatigue. But he is also energetic.
The man face was kind and making the people looking at him feels trust.
Blue lightning coils around him and when he step out from the portal the sand beneath his feet crystalize because of the heat of his feet.
He just bitterly smiles.
‘It seems I have overtaxed myself.’ He said to no one in particular just stating his current condition.
The man in black hood is still looking around his left and right and still vigilant as ever. He then looked at the man with the lightning.
‘We’re here.’ The man with the lightning coiling around him said.
‘You’re sure?’
‘This time I’m sure.’ The man with the lightning reply while scratching the top of his head in embarrassment for his past blunders.
Well, he said blunders but the man in the black hood prefer calling it a big mistake.
Running through the time space continuum and other universes is a dangerous task especially when you landed in other Earths.
‘That’s what you said the last time. I’m sorry, if I’m not filled with confidence.’ And the man in the black hood chuckles a bit.
The man with the lightning coiling around him was red in embarrassment and looking apologetically at the man in the black hood.
‘You’re really sure this time? The last time we were stranded in a very bizarre world.’ The man in black asked again, this time he is no longer joking.
He has spent many months on that world.
Then the man in lightning come closer to the man in the hood and patted him on the back.
‘This time I followed the trail of energy perfectly. We are not lost this time.’
‘But this place is weird.’ The man in the hood remarks.
‘This doesn’t seem like Earth Prime. It doesn’t feel right.’
The man in the hood was Azief. And the man with blue lightning coiling around him is Will the Dark Speedster.
They have returned home.
They almost couldn’t believe it.
That they could be home in one piece after a grueling and life threatening experience in this other world where they were stranded.
Messing with the fabric of time and space is truly not a good idea.
Azief look once again in front and then he turns back to see Will again. And Will nodded again.
Azief turns back his eyes to the wide desert in front of him.
The reason why Azief doubts that he is in Earth Prime is because if Will was following the energy trail of the Universe Orb then he should have appeared beside the ruins of the Temple where he fights the Asura.
At least that was what the Al says to him a long time ago.
If he has the Universe Orb getting home would be easier but the consequences of using the Universe Orb was that it creates a door, an access point from the Earths he visited and other Universes.
Using the Universe Orb, he will create a door for anyone else to come….for anyone to conquer.
If Azief uses it to return to Earth Prime, then who knows what would happen in a couple of years.
Maybe one day, the Seresian will come to this world…or maybe a more deadly predator that will come conquering his Earth.
The Price of his power would be the destruction of a planet. And that is a price Azief isn’t willing to pay.
So, unhesitant, he crushed the Orb so no longer any of those Universes he visited will be connected by the Streams of Reality.
The access point shattered and the road leading to other universes crumbles. At least, he gained something from his journeys.
Wisdom. He closes his eyes and remembers all that he has endured in the five years he left home.
He was reminded of his great adventure in the Seresian World, remembered the Demonic King battles that shakes the stars and he remembers his life in Earth two with colorful people like Alexander King, Sasha Makarov, Dr Chandra and many other who he have crossed path with.
And then he remembers Lee Na Eun, knowing he could never return to her unless he could live with the idea that she would be put in harm’s way.
They have to move on now. She has to live. And he has to live. Leaving her was not easy. Leaving anyone was never easy.
In those five years, Azief live a life that anyone would envy him. He has everything in that life.
A friend who is loyal.
A lover who loves him very much.
Wealth that surpassed anyone.
He was at the top in that world. In that world, he lives a good life. And Na Eun was his most happy memories.
And leaving her was his worst memories of Earth two.
But not for a moment, Azief regret loving her.
Even though parting with her gives him pain.
It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Somehow, Azief will endure it.
And she also has to endure it. And live. This prayer is one of the most sincere prayers Azief has ever pray.
He hoped that in whatever world she lives in, she would be the woman he remembers. Strong and kind.
But in front of him now was large desert, golden sand covering the land like the boundless sea.
Will look at the desert and sighed.
‘I have to check in with some people.’ He said
Azief nodded as he also looks at the desert his body is already beginning to float.
‘Good luck to you.’
‘Good luck to you too.’ Will said.
Then as he has floated five meter from the ground he looks at Will and ask
‘You’re not interested in my offer?’
‘Joining you?’ Will said, chuckling a bit.
‘Hmm’ Azief replies.
Will contemplate for a moment but then he laughs.
‘Maybe in another year. I have someone I want to protect.’
‘Lily?’
He smiles. Azief also smile.
‘Then, I’m going to be looking for you in a year.’ Azief said smiling looking at his old friend.
‘Ok. I’ll be waiting’ Will said.
Azief then said.
‘It’s fine. We’ll meet again. Go.’
‘Thanks’ Will said and then he activated his Speed and blue lightning covered the ground he was stepping on and crackling electricity sound could be heard from his body and then as he moves his feet, a gust of wind exploded as he quickly disappeared from where he was standing.
The gust of wind makes the sand explodes and Azief who was nearby the scene just blows wind from his mouth and the sands was blown far away from him.
‘Heh.’ He chuckles.
‘Like always, he is inconsiderate to me.’ Then he looks to the sky and he shot off to the clouds like thunder.
As he was flying, he was smiling.
He was truly home. And the first thing he needs to do is to do some reconnaissance and then be united with his friends.
He has returned. Lord Shadow has returned.
***