He soon found what he was looking for ; a sapphire gem stone which Lord Marvolio had given him in case he had to make an emergency exit from hell. The gem glittered at his touch and he was instantly transported back to Zenith.
Upon entering Zenith, the positive energy of the place immediately subdued a bit of his exhaustion. Using this, he attracted even more energy and revived himself to the extent he was able to use his powers again. The moment he acquired his goal, he rushed towards Zenith's castle.
Sensing Lord Alexuis's presence in Zenith, Lord Icarus, Lord Marvolio and Lady Arika rushed for him.
Beyond the lush orchards and waterfalls, the trio froze at the sight of Lord Alexuis when he managed to arrive at the castle gate. His face was devoid of all colours. His breathing was ragged and droplets of sweat were dripping down from his forehead. He was barely able to keep himself steady. All the energy he acquired was used up to get back to the castle. He was shivering from exhaustion as his consciousness slipped in and out of him.
" LORD ALEXUIS !! " Lord Marvolio yelped and dashed over to his side to support. On the contrary, Lord Icarus and Lady Arika seemed to have seen a ghost. They couldn't fathom as to how in all sense of sanity did Lord Alexuis ended in such a state. From the looks it was clear that Lord Alexuis was drained from his soul but, how??
They would have known if there was a case of him using his powers in hell.
So what happened??
Lord Icarus's heart sunk deeper and deeper into the abyss of suspension.
" LORD ICARUS!! DON'T JUST STAND THERE HELP ME!! " Lord Marvolio yelped again, snapping Lord Icarus and Lady Arika out of their thoughts when was failing to stabilize Lord Alexuis. They immediately rushed over to help.
Safe in Lord Marvolio arms, Lord Alexuis finally realized the troll those few moments of exposure had taken on him. He was on verge of a complete collapse.
Nevertheless, time was run out.
" So.. la.. ris... !!! "
" Go.. to.. Solaris.. now!! "
Having a full understanding of the fact that he was out of his limit, Lord Alexuis decided it was best to not hold the others back on his account. The sooner they act ; the better. Therefore, he tried convey as much as possible.
" Leave..me!!...Please !!! " He refuse to take help from Lord Marvolio because tending him would only delay things further.
" Not another word you, Lord Alexuis!!! Enough is enough!! " Lord Alexuis's refusal backfired sending Lord Marvolio into flames and earning a well deserved scolding for himself. Soon enough Lord Icarus and Lady Arika joined to help but, Lord Alexuis was in fix. He stubbornly refused help and repeatedly requested his plea.
" Please!!.. Lord Icarus.. you have to... go to Solaris... The Sacred Text..in...Danger!! "
" !!! " Finally when Lord Alexuis managed convey the full message did two gods stopped struggling with him.
Although, by then he was already laid down in one of the resting chambers of the castle.
" Please.... Lord Marvolio... The Sacred Text... That's the source of our problems... " That was all Lord Alexuis could convey before his consciousness slipped away completely.
Lord Icarus and Lady Arika quickly tended Lord Alexuis. They also created a protective barrier that would allow the process of recovery to be faster.
' So..la.. ris.. '
' Go...to....Solaris '
' Sacred Texts.. in.. Danger '
Lord Marvolio observed them from aside, his face was devoid of all emotion. Lord Alexuis's words kept repeating over and over in his head.
Leaving Lord Alexuis to rest Lord Marvolio and Lady Arika stepped out. Lord Icarus gave one last look before stepping out. ' Lord Alexuis, I don't know what happened with you down there and what it has to do with the Sacred Texts but, I do know that whatever it is it can't be good... '
" WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY DID GO WRONG WITH LORD ALEXUIS??? " Lord Marvolio immediately charged Lady Arika. He was trembling with rage. " YOU PROMISED THAT THE BARRIER SPELL WOULD PROTECT HIM!! " As soon as he said those words, the sky of Zenith turned red announcing an impending doom.
Lord Marvolio's personality took a sharp one eighty degree turn. He was no longer the simple soul he was known. Now he was an unstoppable force of destruction. Lady Arika cowered under his murderous aura. Those clear eyes that reflected an array of emotions now displayed rage and insanity.
Lady Arika didn't have the answers of Lord Marvolio's questions for she herself was asking the same thing and she intended to find out the truth. Unfortunately, under Lord Marvolio's rage she doubted it would be right to say out loud.
" Lord Marvolio, please calm down!!! Your rage isn't going to help. " Lord Icarus intervene with force. " Besides, the barrier spell doesn't matter because Lord Alexuis won't be needing it anymore!! He has already accomplished what he came for. " Lord Icarus was known to be the most calm and patient. Rage was just not his thing. Nevertheless, there are exceptions and in those exceptions, Lord Icarus was at par with that of Lord Marvolio if not less. Loss of the seventh universal sages was one, this was the second.
Confusion crossed Lord Marvolio features for a split second still, Lord Icarus didn't miss it.
Encashing the opportunity, Lord Icarus pressed on. " You're simply wasting time, Lord Marvolio!!! Don't tell me you didn't hear what Lord Alexuis said!!! "
A poison neutralizes a poison...
Similarly, facing each others rage neutralized their own rage.
When the enraged Lord Marvolio heard Lord Icarus, his rage turned into confusion and Lord Icarus, seeing that he had achieved his purpose he calmed down as well.
" What you talking about?? " Lord Marvolio charged. Obviously he didn't hear a word Lord Alexuis said as he was more concerned with his condition ; Lord Icarus was not.
" Lord Alexuis insisted that we go to Solaris immediately. He even said something about the Sacred Texts being in danger."
" Lord Icarus is right. The Sacred Texts monitor the balance of power between heaven and hell. Solaris is the safest place in the whole of creation were they would remain unharmed. If what Lord Alexuis said is true then the balance of power is jeopardized to an extent beyond our expectations. " Lady Arika further added.
Lord Marvolio clinched his fist helplessly, then without a word he turned to his heels.
" Hold on, Lord Marvolio!! Where do you think you are going?? " Lord Icarus grabbed him by his arm to stop him just in time. A second later and he would been gone.
" To Solaris. " Lord Marvolio replied, unable to understand why he would ask the obvious. " We have to go to Solaris and save the Sacred Texts. The sooner; the better. "
" * WE * are going to Solaris, Lord Marvolio.. " Lord Icarus said specially emphasising the word *We* as he pointed himself and Lady Arika.
"..." Lord Marvolio gave him a rather blank, funny look that said ' I don't know what you saying'.
Lord Icarus felt like crying at this point while admiring Lord Alexuis's patience.
" Please try to understand, Lord Marvolio. With Lord Alexuis now out of commission it won't be wise for us all to leave for Solaris. We don't know what we'll find there but, I guarantee that whatever it is it won't be an easy feat. Therefore, only I and Lord Icarus will go to Solaris. Meanwhile, you'll have to stay here and watch over in case something happens and also have to step in if needs be. " Lady Arika explained in elaboration.
Lord Marvolio's frowned got deeper and deeper the more he heard Lady Arika. " Don't be so reckless!! What if something happens to you at Solaris?? "
" If worse comes to worse, we'll have you to deliver the ultimatum. Then go seek the Almighty for further guidance. I'm sure she'll help. " Lord Icarus further added and instantly left the realm of Zenith with Lady Arika before Lord Marvolio had any chance of stopping them.
A frightening calmness descended over the creation. It was the calm before the storm.
Lord Marvolio crused himself. Though he understood his priorities still, his felt frustrated for not being able help.
' First it was Lord Alexuis, now Lady Arika and Lord Icarus. Where will this all end?? ' Lord Marvolio was now seriously considering the delivery of the ultimatum. ' Do they really have to go through this?? '
At that moment, little did Lord Marvolio knew that even a total annihilation wasn't going to be enough to deal with their problem.
Concurrently, leaving Zenith Lord Icarus and Lady Arika arrived at the coast of Solaris.
Upon arrival, the were immediately greeted by an unpleasant wave of negativity....