2024 - Emergence Point

A tempest of rage and grief consumes Ayaz, his heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. He unleashes a flurry of sharp ice daggers, each one an expression of his raw pain and fury, striking Ikaris with unerring accuracy. "Tell me, Ikaris!" he spits, his voice laced with venom. "Who gave you the right to kill my boyfriend?!"

Ikaris retaliates with his searing laser beams, but Ayaz is quicker, conjuring a formidable tower of ice spikes as his shield. The icy barrier absorbs the onslaught, sending a cascade of glimmering shards into the air, each one a reflection of his pent-up sorrow.

"You have to admit, I'm getting better at this," he taunts, trying to mask the turmoil within. With a flick of his wrist, he launches a wave of ice that encases Ikaris, freezing him in place. Ayaz's heart races as he teleports directly in front of Ikaris, gripping his bicep fiercely with one hand while cupping his face gently with the other. His golden blond hair glows, the heat of the volcano contrasting with the chill emanating from him.

In that instant, a flicker of something unspoken passes between them. Ikaris's eyes widen in surprise, caught in a trance that Ayaz desperately tries to exploit, willing him to freeze completely.

"Enough!" Ikaris growls, breaking free from the trance with sheer force of will. He seizes Ayaz by the throat, anger radiating from him as he unleashes a devastating blast to Ayaz's chest. The impact sends Ayaz crashing to the ground, pain exploding through him like molten lava. "Bloody wanker," he gasps, clutching his wound, the taste of blood mingling with ash in his mouth.

Makkari rushes to his side, her fierce spirit shining through as she helps him to his feet. "Get up, Ayaz!" she urges, and he nods, his resolve hardening. Before he can fully regain his footing, Makkari darts into Ikaris, slamming into him with the force of a meteor, causing him to stagger. Seizing the moment, Thena follows up with a powerful kick, sending Ikaris hurtling into a jagged rock that splinters upon impact.

Thena's punches rain down on Ikaris, her face a mask of fury as she attempts to slash at him with her sharp weapons. "You think you can get away with this?" she screams, each blow filled with pent-up grief for their fallen comrades.

"Thena, stop!" Ikaris growls, his voice a low snarl as he swings a fist toward her. But Makkari is there, catching Thena mid-fall, her expression a mix of concern and anger.

Just then, a familiar figure bursts into the chaos, attacking Ikaris with the intent to absorb his energy. It's the same Deviant that had slaughtered Ajak and Gilgamesh, now transformed into a more formidable foe. The creature radiates power, its form more human-like, cunning, and deadly.

Phastos quickly reacts, firing at the Deviant from his machine, the urgency in his eyes evident. Focus unwavering, the weight of their fallen friends driving his determination.

"Why are you helping Ikaris?" Thena snaps, a mixture of disbelief and anger in her voice.

"Because if it absorbs one more Eternal's powers, it'll become unstoppable!" Phastos retorts, eyes locked on the Deviant.

"Too late," the Deviant snarls, showcasing its new power. Golden cosmic energy flares around its arms, forming a menacing exoskeleton that gleams ominously in the volcanic light.

"Thena, he's trying to provoke you. Don't-" Makkari signs, but her pleads fall on deaf ears. The Deviant lunges at Makkari, attempting to absorb her powers, but Phastos intervenes, blasting the creature into a nearby cave as Thena follows, her fury now a laser focus.

"Where's Sersi?" Ikaris's voice cuts through the chaos.

"Always underestimated her, haven't you?" Ayaz snorts with a smirk.

As the rumbling of the volcano shifts to an eerie silence, Ikaris's attention sharpens. He ascends into the air, intent on finding Sersi, but Phastos is ready. With a swift motion, he activates a device, slamming Ikaris back to the ground and pinning him down with a burst of inventive genius.

"Boss. I don't know about you, but this is really satisfying, right?" Phastos taunts, a smug grin plastered across his face.

"Let me go, Phastos! I can't let her do this!" Ikaris roars, his desperation palpable, a shadow of the man they once trusted.

"I don't think so." Phastos tightens the device's grip, forcing Ikaris to his knees, his earlier bravado replaced with helplessness. "I've been waiting to clip your wings for a long time, Ikaris!"

"I can kiss you right now, Phastos," Ayaz smirks, relishing the sight of Ikaris rendered powerless. A dark satisfaction blooms within him, overshadowing his grief for Druig.

"Sorry, I'm taken and happily married to my husband," Phastos replies, laughter lacing his voice, but it carries an undercurrent of seriousness.

"You wound my bloody soul," Ayaz feigns offense, clutching his heart in mock despair, the tension momentarily lightening.

"Ayaz, there's no other way. It's now or never," Phastos insists, his expression grave as he turns to Ayaz, urging him to take action.

"Ayaz, wait! You know this planet isn't worth sacrificing a Celestial!" Ikaris shouts, desperation creeping into his voice, but Ayaz feels only cold resolve.

"Oh, wow, I wish I'd thought of that," Ayaz retorts, his golden eyes glinting with defiance. "Oh right, I did."

"Ayaz! Think wisely!" Ikaris screams, fighting against the device that binds him, but Ayaz is beyond reasoning.

"Ayaz, just go!" Phastos urges again, and Ayaz feels the tether of his patience snapping. His chance to toy with Ikaris is slipping away, and yet the simmering rage within him burns hotter.

"Hope you enjoy the view of me sucking the life out of your precious Celestial," Ayaz taunts, a wicked smile curling his lips as he disappears into the air, dark grey clouds of smoke swirling in his wake, leaving behind a world on the brink of chaos.