The leader of the heroes — Kael, the arrogant blond fire-user — suddenly snarled and launched a surprise attack without warning.
A roaring pillar of divine flame erupted from his palm, hurtling straight toward Lukas's back at point-blank range. "Die, you pathetic worm—!"
CLANG!
Mira moved faster than sight. Starfang flashed once in a perfect arc of silver-blue moonlight. The flames shattered harmlessly against an invisible wall of her defensive magic, the explosion scattering into harmless sparks that rained down like dying fireworks. She stood protectively in front of Lukas, fox ears flat, tail lashing, emerald eyes burning with cold fury.
"You will not touch him," she said quietly, voice like steel.
The other three heroes and the guards froze in shock. Kael's face twisted in rage. "You dare—?!"
Before anyone else could move or speak, you placed a calm hand on Lukas's shoulder and spoke clearly, voice carrying just enough cosmic weight for everyone present to hear:
"Brother… you take care of them. Show them a little fraction of your power."
Lukas smiled — small, calm, and terrifying.
"Gladly, big brother."
He took one step forward.
The air around him warped.
A tiny fraction of his Cosmic Lord power leaked out — not even one percent.
The ground beneath the four heroes and their guards instantly turned pitch black. Hundreds of shadowy hands erupted upward, gently but inescapably wrapping around every ankle, wrist, and throat. The heroes' divine blessings, horses, and weapons all froze mid-motion as if the laws of reality had been paused just for them.
Kael's flames died in his hands. The other heroes' eyes widened in pure terror as they felt an overwhelming, suffocating presence — something far beyond S-rank, beyond gods, beyond anything they had ever imagined.
Lukas's voice was soft, almost polite:
"You called me useless. You made me walk while you rode. You laughed at me every single day.
I could erase you all from existence right now… but my big brother only asked for a little fraction."
The shadows tightened just enough to make every hero and guard drop to their knees in the alley, gasping, unable to speak or move. Their once-proud faces were now pale with animal fear.
Liora stood behind Lukas, silver hair flowing, eyes wide with awe and devotion. Mira sheathed Starfang and stepped back to your side, tail curling proudly around your leg.
Lukas glanced at you, still calm.
"They're yours to decide now, big brother. I only showed them a taste… as you asked."
The four heroes — once arrogant gods among men — were now trembling on their knees in the dirt, staring at your little brother like he was the end of the world.
The entire alley was silent except for their ragged breathing.