"That does sound quite harrowing. If there are more people of your caliber joining this fight things may end up disastrous."
"Not just may. It already happened once and most of the lower realms were torn apart in the process. We joined the fight late and by the time we started taking down the light alliance's forces the damage was already irreversible."
"And then, what happened after that, master?"
"We set up a barrier around the surface world and went into hiding for a couple of centuries on the surface world. Down here a few millennia passed and the lower realms were remade. Then some things happened and we came out of hiding. Since those guys of the light alliance were still trying to breach the barrier we decided to take over as many realms as possible and prepare to ruin their invasion."
Sol seemed very interested in what had happened in the past. I could only assume that his reasoning was connected to his birth. If he was the first world god born within this realm he had probably received some knowledge from the main world will.
Whatever he had been shown or told was probably like an incomplete puzzle and I had the missing pieces.
Prince Gideon had been quiet for a while now but he didn't want to sit aside while we talked any longer.
"Lord Raven, you said you joined late. Who fought the light alliance before you?"
"Interesting question, prince Gideon. I am not quite sure of all participants but the divine beasts of these realms were said to have led the charge. They were also the ones who convinced us to go into seclusion for a while."
"You keep talking in plural form. Who are the others you speak of?"
"My friends."
"Just friends?"
"Well, we are also part of an organization if that is what you mean. We are part of the gray empire, one of the three leading forces controlling the multiverses."
"That sounds quite scary. Is the light alliance also one of the three?"
"Yes, the three forces are the gray empire, the light alliance, and the dark alliance. Between these three there is a three-way conflict and I doubt this will end in anything but bloodshed."
"If we were to hypothetically join you, what would your next move be?"
"For now, nothing. Except for the few vessels that escaped, the majority has been dealt with and your brother is temporarily out of the game. I am planning on checking in on my friends and seeing how they are progressing. Sol, I trust you to hold the fort here."
"Hold it right there! Some of those things escaped?!!"
Prince Amon was immediately on his feet and ready to storm out of the room. I sent a weak current of wind to knock him back into his seat.
"Yes, a few vessels are missing. Most likely they are now under the direct command of the dark fog source. But they shouldn't pose too much of a challenge since they are fewer in numbers."
"How many?"
"Maybe around ten."
Prince Amon was gritting his teeth and his hands were gripping the arms of his chair with enough force to make them crack. I was sure that if he didn't know that I would make him sit again, he would have already run out of the room by now.
"Look, the situation may seem unfavorable but there is some good news. With this situation, you two will be able to confront the threat together. Prince Gideon will be able to learn more about commanding an army and prince Amon will be able to destroy the threat."
Both princes seemed very unenthusiastic about my proposal but that wasn't my problem. I threw a heavily engraved compass to prince Gideon and stood up.
"This compass can help you detect bodies of dark fog. Be they pawns, vessels, monarchs, or the source itself the needle will point towards the closest one. If it starts to fidget like crazy you are either surrounded or inside the source. Best of luck. And Sol, I might send one of my friends to take care of things here. They will tell you that Raven sent them and you will treat them as you would me."
Old man Sol heard my words and bowed deeply.
"Your wish is my command. Though I must say, I am not fond of serving people that are weaker than myself."
"Haha, all my friends could end your existence in a matter of moments. I simply don't wish to bother them with needing to mop the floor with you."
"I understand. Is there anything I can do for you before you leave?"
"I need some directions. Where is the portal to the jungle realm?"
Sol didn't seem to know and looked over to prince Gideon. The prince himself didn't look like he knew either. It was prince Amon who unceremoniously pulled out a map and spread it on the table. He pointed at the capital and drew a straight line to a faraway town that looked odd on the map. Probably a military base that functioned as a town to house the soldier's families and some merchants.
"That is all then. I shouldn't be gone for too long but you never know what luck has in store for you."
With a clear destination in mind, I quickly left the palace without being noticed and took off into the sky. The town was a long distance away from the capital but the distance wasn't much of an obstacle for me. Space began to bend under my will and the distance became shorter and shorter. Before I knew it, I had already arrived.
The portal was easy to find. The spatial fluctuations coming from a large tree were hard to overlook. The tree had a naturally grown opening that led deeper inside. Nobody was blocking the path, so I quickly slipped past the guards and flew through the portal inside the tree.