Deimos Dawson: heir of pantheon

rifts between worlds

Deimos led Nevaeh through the rain-slicked streets, both on high alert for any signs of pursuit. They arrived at an abandoned clocktower on the edge of the city - a temporary hideout Deimos had been using.

As they climbed the winding stairs, Nevaeh's eyes darted around, taking in every detail. "Nice place," she muttered sarcastically. "Very... mortal." Deimos ignored the jab, focusing on securing the area. As he activated a series of shadow wards, Nevaeh watched with grudging interest.

"So," Deimos began, breaking the tense silence, "the Nether Realm. What made you leave?" Nevaeh's posture stiffened. "I don't wanna talk about it..." Deimos was about to respond when a surge of dark energy rippled through the air. Nevaeh tensed, but Deimos remained calm.

"Father," he said, as Death materialized before them. "My children, together at last." Nevaeh snarled, her sai flashing as she dropped into a fighting stance. But before anyone could react, shadows suddenly wrapped around her ankles, dragging her down through a portal that opened beneath her feet.

"Nevaeh!" Deimos shouted, his composure shattering. Power surged within him, and he unleashed a massive blast of dark energy. Death moved swiftly, shielding Nevaeh from the blast. But as the energy dissipated, a pained cry echoed through the tower. A shadowy figure stumbled into view, obscured by the swirling darkness. For a split second, Deimos caught a glimpse of familiar eyes filled with pain and rage, before half the figure's face was engulfed in searing energy.

The air crackled with tension and unspoken recognition, but before Deimos could process what he'd seen, Death waved his hand. The world blurred around them, and suddenly Deimos, Nevaeh, and Death found themselves in a secluded glade, far from the city.

"What was that?" Deimos demanded, his mind reeling. "Who—"

Death held up a hand, silencing him. "There's no time. Listen carefully, both of you... The balance between realms is fracturing. What you just witnessed is only the beginning." Deimos and Nevaeh exchanged wary glances, the weight of their newfound mission settling upon them.

"What do you mean?" Deimos asked, his mind still reeling from the encounter in the tower.

Death's form flickered, as if struggling to maintain his presence. "The rift you opened to the Shadow Realm, Deimos – it didn't close completely. A Veil Stalker slipped through, and in that dark place, it... evolved." Nevaeh's eyes narrowed. "Evolved how?"

As if in answer, a bone-chilling roar echoed through the glade. Both siblings instantly dropped into fighting stances, weapons materializing in their hands. From the shadows emerged a monstrous creature – part Veil Stalker, part something else. Its body was bulkier, more muscular than the typical Veil Stalker, with pulsing veins of dark energy coursing through its form.

"By the void," Nevaeh breathed, her voice a mix of awe and fear.

"The Veil Stalker merged with a Shadowfiend," Death explained quickly. "They're primal beings of pure darkness that dwell in the deepest parts of the Shadow Realm. This hybrid... it possesses abilities beyond anything you've faced before."

The creature – a Veil Fiend – charged with impossible speed. Its claws raked the air where Deimos stood a moment before. He rolled to the side, slashing at the beast's flank, but his blade passed through as if it were made of smoke.

Nevaeh leaped in, her sai glowing with an otherworldly light. She managed to land a hit, drawing a roar of pain from the Veil Fiend.

"Physical and energy attacks combined!" she shouted to Deimos. "It's the only way to hurt it!" As they battled the Veil Fiend, Death's voice echoed around them: "You must seek the Crimson Seer. She holds the key to sealing the rifts and preventing more of these abominations from emerging."

"Great," Deimos grunted, dodging another swipe from the creature. "Any idea where we can find her?"

"The Crossroads of Worlds," Death replied, his form growing fainter. "But hurry. The barriers between realms grow weaker with each passing moment."

With a final burst of energy, Deimos and Nevaeh combined their attacks, unleashing a wave of shadow and light that tore the Veil Fiend apart.

As they stood panting, a shimmering portal opened nearby. Through it, they could see a bustling marketplace filled with creatures from various realms.

"This is where our paths must part for now," Death said, his voice barely a whisper. "Remember, trust in each other. Your combined strength is the key to saving both our realms."

Exchanging one final look of determination, Deimos and Nevaeh stepped through the portal, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in their quest for the Crimson Seer and the salvation of the realms.

The scene shifted to an abandoned clocktower.

A figure emerged from the shadows; his face half hidden in darkness.

"Look what he did to me," the figure snarled, stepping into the dim light.

His face was eerily familiar yet marred by severe burn scars covering half of it.

Death materialized; his hollow gaze fixed on the scarred visage.

"It wasn't intentional," Death said slowly. "He didn't know—"

"It doesn't change anything," the figure cut him off; his voice cold.

With a swift motion of his arm,a wicked blade materialized; dark energy crackling along its length.

Shadowy armor spread from his hand; encasing his entire arm.

The figure's eyes narrowed; his voice laced with menace: "We should regret our mistakes and learn from them."

Death remained silent; clearly conflicted.

"What do you intend to do?" Death asked slowly.

"Whatever's necessary," he replied; eerily calm.

"And let me be clear," he added; dark energy intensifying around him: "I won't hesitate to cut you down too."

Death remained silent; waiting for further instructions from this mysterious figure who shared their blood but not their mercy: