Shadows Of Deception

The fire crackled softly in the center of the room as Mengi continued his story, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand untold tales. The air was thick with tension, every word he spoke shaping the world that Jin thought he knew into something far more intricate, far more devastating.

Mengi took a deep breath, his eyes distant, lost in the memories he was dredging up. "That night," he began, "when Atlantis fell, and our father made his ultimate sacrifice, everything changed. Despite his efforts to protect us, Jin, we were separated. In the chaos, Jiangshi found you before I could. He took you in, molding you, manipulating your mind. He saw you not as his nephew, but as the perfect vessel for his schemes."

Jin's fists clenched, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I trusted him," he whispered. "I thought he was family."

Mengi's expression softened. "He was family once, but he was consumed by his ambition long before you were born. After taking you in, Jiangshi hoped that his own death would force you to succumb to the demon within you. He wanted to push you over the edge, to break your spirit and unleash the full power of the Source. But you surprised him, Jin. You resisted. You forged your own path, even in the face of his plans."

Seiji, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, interjected. "And what about the Shadow Council? What happened after the Three Heads gave them their powers?"

Mengi's jaw tightened as he continued. "Once the Shadow Council became gods, their first act was to test their newfound strength. They descended upon a city—a prosperous city that stood opposite the Free World. They consumed it entirely, its people, its land, its essence. That city became the foundation of the New World."

Madagascar, who had been sitting quietly, finally spoke. "The New World… that's why it feels so different, so twisted. They turned it into a weapon."

Mengi nodded. "Jiangshi used his godly powers to separate it from the Free World entirely. That's why it can only be reached through a portal. The New World has been their harvesting ground, a place where they've been gathering energy to fuel the Resurrection of the Three Demon Gods. But they're far from done. That's why they won't stop until they've united the Free World and the New World."

"And Jin's power?" Shenlog asked, his voice low and steady. "Why do they need it?"

Mengi turned to Jin, his gaze heavy with both pride and sorrow. "Jin's power—the demon within him—is the final piece. It's the key to completing their plan. If the Three Heads are resurrected, the world as we know it will cease to exist. They won't just destroy it—they'll unmake it, reshape it into their vision."

The room fell silent, the enormity of Mengi's words settling over them like a stormcloud. Jin's mind swirled with conflicting emotions—anger, confusion, despair. He looked at Mengi, his voice trembling. "And where have you been all this time?"

Mengi sighed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his guilt. "I've been searching, Jin. Traveling across worlds, seeking allies, looking for answers. The Free World isn't the only one that exists. There are others—places you can't even imagine. I've been gathering knowledge, preparing for this moment. A future teller once told me that I'd find you in Blackstone, and I waited there for as long as it took."

Seiji raised an eyebrow. "So, you've been watching all this time, waiting for fate to intervene?"

Mengi nodded. "I knew you'd come, Jin. It was foretold. But I didn't just wait idly. I learned something important—something only you can do. You have the power to bring Atlantis back. Our city, our family, everything that was lost—it still exists, hidden within the seal our father created. Only you can unlock it."

Jin's breath caught in his throat. "Bring Atlantis back? How? I don't even remember any of this!"

Mengi took a step closer, his voice gentle but firm. "You don't need to remember, Jin. It's in your blood, in your very being. You carry the legacy of the Mayan family, of our father, of Atlantis itself. The power to restore it lies within you."

Before Mengi could continue, Jin suddenly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him in a tight embrace. The room stilled as Jin's voice broke the silence. "I don't remember any of this," he said, his voice trembling, "but I love you, Mengi. Big brother… thank you."

Mengi froze for a moment, caught off guard by the gesture. Slowly, he returned the hug, his eyes softening. "I love you too, little brother," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I promise we'll face this together."