Finding Paradise: Heavenly Ascension

The town bell tolled, its deep, resonant sound spreading over the city like a summons from the heavens. Joel clenched his fists, the unseen evil's last words echoing in his mind. Two corrupted individuals, hidden within the crowd, would kill the Emperor during the prayer. He didn't know who they were, and he didn't know how to stop them. But one thing was clear—he had to act fast.

In the quiet of his room, Joel turned to Seo Hye-jin, who was preparing to leave. Her posture was tense, her hands glowing faintly with protective magic as she readied herself for the task ahead. Lillian sat on the bed, pale and trembling but awake, the corruption still lurking within her.

Before Seo Hye-jin could step out, Joel grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not harsh. "Wait," he said, his voice low and urgent.

"We don't have time for this, Joel," Seo Hye-jin said sharply, pulling her arm free. "You heard what it said. We need to go now."

"I'm not letting you walk out of here until you promise me something," Joel insisted, his tone more forceful than usual.

Seo Hye-jin froze, her eyes narrowing. "This isn't the time for whatever this is. If we don't stop this, the Emperor will die."

"I know that," Joel said, stepping in front of her. "But you need to promise me you won't tell anyone what you heard back there. About me. About Stacy. About anything."

She glared at him, her patience clearly thinning. "Are you serious right now? You think I care about your secret when there are lives at stake?"

Joel's hand darted out, grabbing hers again, and this time his expression was unyielding. "I'm dead serious. Promise me, Seo Hye-jin. Promise me you'll keep my secret."

The fire in her eyes softened slightly as she saw the desperation in his. For a moment, she hesitated, then let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. I promise. But don't think this means we won't talk about it later."

Joel nodded, releasing her hand. "That's all I needed to hear."

She gave him one last look before turning toward the door. "Let's go. We've already wasted enough time."

---

The square was alive with activity, the prayer gathering drawing people from every corner of the city. It seemed peaceful at first glance—families standing together, guards stationed near the Emperor, and priests chanting softly as the Emperor ascended the platform.

But Joel's chest tightened. The unseen evil's warning loomed over him like a shadow. Somewhere in this crowd, two corrupted individuals hid, waiting to strike.

"We're looking for something… off," Seo Hye-jin said as they moved through the throng of people, her voice just loud enough for Joel to hear. "Corruption leaves traces. You'll see it in their eyes or feel it in their energy."

Joel glanced at Lillian, who clung to his sleeve, her face pale. She was awake, but the corruption within her seemed to weigh heavily on her. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Stay close to me."

Lillian nodded weakly. "I will."

As the Emperor began his prayer, Joel's eyes scanned the crowd. At first, everyone looked normal—heads bowed, eyes closed, murmuring prayers. But then, his attention caught on a man near the steps of the platform.

The man stood too still, his head slightly tilted, his lips curling into a faint, unnatural smile as the Emperor's voice rang out. Something about him made Joel's skin crawl.

"Seo Hye-jin," he murmured, nudging her. "By the steps. The man in the black robe. He's… wrong."

Seo Hye-jin followed his gaze, her own brow furrowing. "You're right. His aura is… strange. It's faint, but it's there."

Before they could act, the man moved, slipping through the crowd toward the platform with slow, deliberate steps. Joel tensed.

"Stay here," he said to Lillian, his voice firm.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I'll handle it," Joel replied, already moving toward the man.

---

Joel approached cautiously, weaving through the crowd. The man didn't notice him at first, but when Joel grabbed his arm, the stranger froze. Slowly, he turned, his eyes meeting Joel's. They were dark, almost lifeless, and yet they gleamed with a sinister light.

"Who are you?" Joel demanded, his voice low.

The man tilted his head, his smile widening unnaturally. "Just a humble servant," he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

Joel's grip tightened. "You're not fooling anyone. What are you planning?"

The man's smile twisted into something darker. "Oh, you'll see soon enough."

Before Joel could react, the man let out an ear-piercing shriek, his body convulsing violently. The crowd screamed and scattered as dark energy erupted around him. Then, with a sickening crack, giant spider-like legs burst from his back, shredding his robes. His mouth stretched unnaturally, splitting into mandibles, while his human body twisted grotesquely, fusing with his monstrous appendages.

Joel's stomach churned as the creature let out a guttural roar.

"Joel!" Seo Hye-jin shouted, her voice full of urgency.

Before he could respond, another scream tore through the air. Joel turned to see a woman near the platform transforming in a similar manner. Her arms elongated into serrated pincers, and her torso twisted grotesquely as black ichor dripped from her form.

The Emperor, standing on the platform, drew his sword. Its blade gleamed with divine energy as he stepped forward, his expression unshaken. "To arms!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.

---

Joel darted toward the spider-like creature, narrowly dodging one of its massive legs as it crashed into the ground. The Emperor leaped down from the platform, his blade slicing cleanly through the air as he joined Joel in the fray.

The creature let out a shriek, lashing out with its legs. Joel rolled to the side, landing a solid punch to its torso, but its chitinous armor absorbed most of the impact.

"You fight well," the Emperor said, his blade slicing through one of the creature's legs with precision.

"Likewise," Joel grunted, dodging another strike.

Meanwhile, Seo Hye-jin focused on containing the second creature. Magic crackled around her as she conjured barriers and chains of light, trying to immobilize it. But the creature was relentless, its pincers snapping at her shields.

"Lillian, stay back!" she called, glancing over her shoulder.

Lillian stood frozen, her hands trembling as she watched the chaos unfold.

"Focus!" Joel shouted, narrowly avoiding a blow.

The Emperor drove his blade into the spider-creature's side, drawing a screech of pain. "We need to finish this quickly. These abominations won't fall easily."

Joel nodded, his mind racing. As the battle raged on, the corruption's madness became more apparent. The creatures fought with a frenzied, almost mindless aggression, their movements erratic and unpredictable.

Seo Hye-jin managed to bind the second creature, her magic forcing it to the ground. "Joel, now!" she called.

With the Emperor distracting the spider-creature, Joel leaped onto its back, driving his dagger into the base of its neck. The creature thrashed violently, letting out one last ear-splitting screech before collapsing.

The square fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the survivors. Joel and the Emperor stood over the fallen creature, their weapons dripping with ichor.

"It's not over," Joel said grimly, his gaze shifting to Lillian, who stared at the scene with wide eyes. The corruption within her seemed to stir, but can't emerge if only she is unconscious.

"We still have work to do," the Emperor said, his voice steady but firm. "And we will need answers."