~Chapter 5- Cruel God~

Lunahreim recalled one of his last conversations with Ranuulo during the great war long ago. They spoke of a forbidden ritual, one with the capacity to revive a person from the dead.

Ranuulo explained, "It would take the loss of many lives to perform such a ritual. There's a reason it's forbidden."

"What if Ralosia manages to take your life, Master? Surely, such a ritual should be performed for your sake?" Lunahreim asked.

"I know she will take my life, but I'll make sure that Ralosia falls alongside me. There will be no need to revive me then."

"But, without you-"

"The people of this world do just fine without me," Ranuulo paused, "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"I doubt that even Ralosia would stoop to such methods but... she may try to leave this world in ruin if she believes her life is forfeit."

"Then we would need you back!"

"...If... If I fall, and you believe that I am truly the only one who can restore the world, then you may do it. But don't make this decision lightly, Lunahreim. People who have been revived through this ritual... don't necessarily come back as they once were."

"What do you mean?"

"Being brought back from death... it corrupts the soul. I would not be the same as I am now. If I become a threat to the world, you'll have to take my life."

"There's no way I could kill you. Even if I wanted to."

"There is a way."

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Lunahreim watched as the newly resurrected Ranuulo made his proclamation to the world. Watched as he destroyed countless Sky Lands in seconds as a threat. The Ranuulo he knew was dead, replaced by this twisted and corrupt copy.

Red sparks were emitted from the God's hand, the one which gripped his sword indefinitely. Since his revival, Ranuulo had not released the sword, not once.

They gathered on the mountainous island where they used to meet with Ralosia. A trench ran through the center of the island, right along the equator. A throne stood at each side of it.

Lunahreim knelt, "My master, may I search for the girl on my own?"

Ranuulo flourished his sword and cut down the throne Ralosia once used before taking a seat on his own, "By all means. See if you can bring her here."

"Thank you, Master."

Lunahriem whistled for his crow and took off on it.

He'd been warned about performing that ritual. Lunahreim thought about the state of the Lands of Ranuulo and thought it was worth the risk. But it was just as he was cautioned - Ranuulo's soul was warped by the ritual, and had turned into a cruel God.

Lunahreim needed to find Corri. Not to present to Ranuulo, but because she might be the only one capable of stopping him now. He last saw her in Dialtown; he'd head there first. He headed to the Lands of Ralosia which now shared the same red and purple sky that Ranuulo's lands had.

From atop his crow, he passed over the oceans until he reached the Great Desert. When he passed over the Link Temple, he noticed a small group had gathered around it. He looked closer and saw it was his old students and their children.

How fortuitous, Lunahreim thought. Hopefully, Corri was down there with them.

He descended towards them and disembarked from his crow. He approached them cautiously. After everything that had taken place, they'd be right not to trust him.

They caught sight of him, and their faces turned to rage. His old students charged at him. Before Lunahreim had a chance to speak, Razan had darted toward him and sent a powerful punch into his gut. The impact created a shockwave that swirled the sands around them.

Lucar kicked him squarely across the face and propelled him back. Diva grabbed him by his cloak, flew him into the air before tossing him back down as hard as she could. He was sent rocketing into the sands, effectively burying him inside.

He crawled out of the sands, only for Vos to deliver several lightning-fast strikes to his torso. Lunahreim fell to his knees. He didn't fight back. He needed their help.

Razan delivered a strong kick that knocked Lunahreim back, bloodying his lip.

"Is this what you wanted all along!? To resurrect your god?" Lucar accused, gesturing to the blood-red sky hanging above them.

Lunahreim staggered to his feet. He was impressed by how strong his students had become. Even if he did fight seriously, he was no match for the four of them together. He spoke honestly, "I never expected this to happen."

Diva punched him across the face, and Lunahreim fell over again, "You'll never get Corri!"

Lunahreim got on all fours, "I'm not here for that. I need help. We need to stop him."

The four looked at one another, "You want to stop Ranuulo?" Diva asked.

"That is not Ranuulo! He has his body and strength, but not his mind. Ranuulo was a benevolent ruler, one who cared for all people. Not just his own. He would've restored this world to prosperity. But the ones that lives now is a shadow of his former self," Lunahreim explained.

The three teenage boys approached, "So, you're saying there's a way to stop him?" The blonde-haired one asked. Luanhreim believed it was Lucar's son.

Lunahreim staggered to a standing position, "Yes, the ritual I used to revive him was incomplete. Zantii was supposed to kill the three deities, but he only killed two."

"What does that mean?" Valr asked.

"The power Ranuulo wields is in flux. I see the way he grips his sword. It's with desperation. He can only access his original strength if he holds that sword. At least for now. If he releases it, his strength will wane. But we'll still need Corri to defeat him."

Lunahreim looked at them. Everyone was there, except for Corri.

"She's not here," The black-haired boy replied. Lunahreim recalled that his name was Aero. "She took off on her sparrow. Probably after Ranuulo."

Lunahreim's eyes widened, "On her own?! Damn it, that girl is rash! She won't be able to handle him on her own. We have to hurry!"

Lunahreim whistled. After a brief delay, several black-winged birds descended from the sky - his crows. He mounted one of them and gestured for the others to do the same, "We have to go, now!"