Priscilla had known her father for 11 years. And in that time, he had seen the man devote himself to the welfare of Zarturia’s citizens even at the cost of his own family.The Dr. Allister Payne whom Priscilla knew would have sacrificed his own life just to help the world live a day longer.And despite her traumatic childhood, there was no way in hell she could believe that her own father was the one behind the mass genocide.While Priscilla’s thoughts were still hanging in the balance, Xander had already made up his mind.“You’re just another faceless trickster,” he muttered in a heavy, unforgiving voice. “Our father perished inside the research facility during the night of the attack. Only Priscilla and I made it out alive.”Hearing her brother’s words gave Priscilla the much-needed assurance to back her own beliefs.“I have already dealt with Ixchel. I know what is real and what’s just an illusion. King Allister Payne is dead! You killed him along with the rest of our people!” she

“The brave brother. Always ready to step in front of his dear sister and play the knight in shining armor. How very heroic!” Xander’s doppelganger exclaimed in a mocking voice, casting a condescending glance at Priscilla. “But it isn’t the same with us. My sister can defend herself without my help.”“That’s right. My brother and I are equals in the arena. So, you haven’t done your sister any favor by switching sides,” Priscilla’s doppelganger jeered in her turn. “Come on, Xander. Let’s see if you are as brave as you think you are.”“I don’t need to be brave to face a slave like you,” Xander declared, holding his head high with an air of complete superiority.“You arrogant son of a gun!” Priscilla’s doppelganger launched into Xander, targeting him with a barrage of lightning bolts from her enchanted trident.But Xander moved like the wind, dodging every attack with effortless ease.The whole throne room lit up with flashes as lightning crackled all around.Xander weaved through the thu

Xander crossed his arms in front of his face, shielding himself as best as he could as the raging sandstorm blew over him.“You are nothing but a worm beneath my feet!” Azmat’s hoarse voice rang out from the distance as the sands began to shift.Xander pushed through, even as the sand rubbed against his skin, leaving rashes all over and tearing his clothes to shreds.“This is my world, little dragon. I control the ebb and flow of time itself!”“Then I will kill you in every world!” Xander’s voice boomed as he shot out of the sandstorm like a speeding bullet and drove his enchanted dagger straight through Azmat’s left eye.“You…are persistent…” Azmat’s human form distorted as something demonic took hold. He staggered back just as another shadowy portal opened behind him. “This isn’t the end, my Prince. It is only the beginning!” he cackled before taking the fall and disappearing inside. “You damn coward!” Xander rushed after him.As he jumped into the portal, it once more teleported h

As King Julius breathed his last, his flesh disintegrated into ash, and his bones turned to wisps of gray smoke.A spectral light jumped out of the decaying body and dispersed amidst the torrid black clouds, fulfilling the curse that he'd uttered.King Julian’s soul bound itself to Azmat’s, preventing the demon from shifting timelines and containing him to his infernal realm of origin.“Your whole family is gone now. Let me ease your suffering, Prince Xander,” Azmat rasped, fixing his bloodshot eyes on Xander. “Let me end your miserable mortal existence and reunite you with those you love so dearly!”Xander clenched his fists and stood up. He faced the demon who towered over him at over 11 feet, meeting his gaze with no sign of fear.“You ruined everything for us. But no more!” he replied, cold and dauntless. “This time, you’ll be the one who’ll learn the true meaning of suffering. No more tricks. And no more escapes.”“I don’t need any tricks! I am going to tear you apart, limb by bl

The rifts that had fractured the sky gradually disappeared, and the veil separating the worlds was silently restored.Time broke free from the binds of the cosmic trap, and nature returned to its normal state.The freshly fallen snow melted as the sun reappeared in the sky, banishing the storm clouds and ushering in the brightest summer.Reports from around the world mentioned how the storms were dying out, and the seas were retreating from the coasts.Life returned to the trees and the lakes, as time moved forward, untamed as always.As Xander’s chopper landed on the helipad of Kronos Tech’s new HQ, Dr. Lucy and the others rushed to meet him.Xander disembarked with Priscilla at his side.“Thank God, you’re okay!” Dr. Lucy ran into Xander’s arms and wrapped him in a loving embrace. “I was so worried for you. So damn worried.”“It’s over now. I have buried my past where it belonged, and we have all the time in the world,” Xander replied, kissing her on the forehead. “Thank you for alw