[The Netherworld]
Zephra stood before Allura with a terrifying grin on her face. She raised her hand and a black magic circle appeared above her. It rose to the ceiling and the spheres on the alters in the corners glowed, floating up. Black magic seeped out of them and slowly the atmosphere in the room became darker.
Allura glowed with ohra. Her ohra was being sucked from her and mixing in with the black magic in the room.
"I will just take away your core and break the barrier. I apologize for any possible risk to your life." Zephra spoke in a sarcastic tone and a mischievous look in her eyes.
Her heart pounded harder and harder in her chest with each passing second. A piercing pain as though her heart was being squeezed and shrinking in her chest extended to every part of her body, paralyzing her. She felt the her mind growing hazy and her body becoming numb. She closed her eyes and a memory that flashed in her mind was of her brother.
"You have a black stone inside you. It's sealing your power." Remembering those words was like a glimmer of hope to her. "I am sorry brother, I hope I will see you again in the future. Goodbye. I am sorry I have never said, I love you brother." silent tear fell down her cheek as she uttered this words.
Allura ignored the pain absorbed the magic swirling around her. A spear shot in her back and pierced her through the chest from the back. She coughs up blood and raises her head. With distorted vision she realized a black spherical rock at the tip of the spear. A pained smile curved up on her tired face and she lost consciousness.
Allura 's ohra grew larger, building a swirling torrent of power around her. Zephra 's face changed to a surprised one in that moment. Her magic circle flickered and scattered to pieces. The floating spheres fell to the ground one after the other. One of them cracked, another shattered to pieces while the other two were caught by Zephra with her magic.
"Nooooooo…!!" Zephra's loud and sinister scream filled the room.
The swirling torrent of ohra cracked the space around Allura and swallowed her up. Zephra is left on her knees with her hand stretched out into empty space.
"My queen, are you okay..!?" Shelia walked in when she heard the scream. She was surprised to find Zephra alone in the room.
"We're leaving now. Activate the seal, I am going to break it while I still have the power and time to do it." Zephra got up and dusted herself.
"But my queen, we don't have enough forces to challenge the surface land. I fear we are —"
"This is the perfect time to attack as any other. We have the horsemen at our back and call. Do as you are told, least you are disposed of." Zephra lashed out at her and walked out of the room in haste. Frustration was eating away at her and she wasn't in her best thoughts.
Shelia walked out soon after her. To follow her orders.
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[ Imperial Grounds- Astron]
"Lord Heli, I would appreciate it if you went back to your domain. You have overstayed your time her. And I'm sure you yourself can see that." Zarten who was walking into the throne room with Lord Heli stopped by the base of the stairs and looks at Heli by the corner of his eye.
"I may have been silent to this point Zarten. But I'm well aware of the trouble that is approaching. I didn't come here for a stroll you know. I came here to put an end to —"
"You will not. Our battle is approaching. We primes are to stay out of this one." Zarten snapped at Lord Heli with a firm voice. "And if I am to repeat myself. You are to go back to your world this instant." Zarten 's gaze became sharp and commanding. Now he was more of an authority figure than ever.
"You've just become way too serious. I will leave, but if I decide I am not a part of your little game with Apotheus, I will put an end to it all with my own hands." Heli and Zarten looked intently at each other.
"I hope this is the last time we have a talk about this. I do not take well to threats." Zarten turned and went to his throne where he sat majestically.
Lord Heli scoffed and turned to leave. He walked to the door and it creaked open. Rouchefort walked in with a guard behind him. The doors closed behind them.
"Your highness. The gates of Netherworld have begun to appear all over Crysteria. It is only a matter of time before she activates the magic circle that opens them."
"Then get the Elite Force ready. Secure all possible gates. Have Ryuga ready to awaken Armageddon. Make sure Irla doesn't know know about this. Also, Ryuga will not be in combat. I want him to seal Zephra away at all costs." Zarten gave his orders.
"If I may ask your highness. How is she planning to open the gates. We have the grimoire of thousand paths." Rouchefort asked in confusion.
Zarten looked at him without an answer for while contemplating on whether to give him the honest answer. "Allura Ryuga will be the catalyst. Her core will be used to break the barrier around Netherworld. That being said, she may already be dead. If that was all, you may leave."
Rouchefort left without asking further. As a parent and someone who got to know his trainees well, he couldn't agree with the emperor 's method of letting an innocent girl die. But as someone who saw his absolute allegiance to the empire and Zarten Reign, he would never get in the way of what should be done. He clenched his fists in frustration.
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[The Prison Cells Below Astron]
Ryuga layed on the stone bed unconscious. Black chains made of special steel and a rock that seals of one's power, are tied around his ankles. His hands are covered by a black ball made of the same thing.
He twitched and rolled over, falling to the floor. He opens his eyes slowly and sits up. A sharp pain spreads from the back of his head and he hissed in pain. He moved his hand to try and touch the painful surface but realised something was covering his hands. "What,,,, what is this? And what is this place?" He looks around trying to find something familiar. But he soon noticed that this was not any familiar place, but a prison.
"Anybody here!! Get me ouuut of here." Ryuga shouted his lungs out, calling out to whomever was outside.
The door creaked and Ash walked in his combat uniform. He walked in and stood by the bars. "Ryuga, you need to stop please."
"What is the meaning of this Ash? How did you let this happen."
"What do you mean. I failed to protect her. So I decided I will join the empire. The war has begun. But I'm sure you foresaw this. And you said nothing!" Ash gripped the bar hard looking at Ryuga with pained eyes.
"You loved Allura. That is why you are looking for someone to blame. I would do anything to protect my sister. And I did what was possible."
"What, what what! What is it that you did? You let her fall into their hands knowing her power…!!" Ash lashed in anger and grabbed Ryuga by the collar.
"I will warn you to never touch me like this again." Ryuga headbutted him, getting loose from his grip.
"Another thing, the horseman knew. He's someone you and I both know." Ryuga looked at Ryuga looked him directly. "Selena Klein"
Those two words, hit Ash like a wave. He took a few steps back and supported himself by the wall. He leaned by the wall and slowly went down, sitting on the floor.
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