Hades finally decided to pull his gaze from the statue, fixing his sight one Elara, "I know alot more than those pretty squabbles of this kingdom
as a matter of fact I know the infight is useless and uncalled for as both factions draw their power from the same source, the same goddess. it are merely two sides of the same coin, each believing they are the chosen ones."
Elara eyes widen for a brief moment from the enlightenment but soon a hint of resignation appeared in her eyes.
"Indeed. But as with all things, there is a balance. The priests, with their focus on exorcism, keeps the darkness at bay. We, the mages, with our understanding of the world's hidden forces, ensure that the balance is maintained.
without our effort, their battle against the dark force would prove more difficult, thus we shouldn't be underrated by them"
"umm, I see. so is this darkness you speak of?" Hades asked, his gaze more piercing, as his eyes seems to reflect the shadows that clung to him. "This dark force you mentioned the priest focus on exorcising, what is it?
it happens to be the only information I can't get my hands on, its as if an oath is in play here, keeping all information of it even from the dead"
Elara's expression grew somber. "They are a remnant of an ancient evil, a force that seeks to consume the world in darkness. They call themselves the Shadowborn, and their power is drawn from the very essence of despair.
unfortunately, its just as you've noticed, not many information is known about them. not with the living or the dead as we've tried summoning magic to commune with the dead for information
but it came as a shock to us that nothing could be retrieved, even from those that had faced this abomination and died in the cause if its battle"
"Shadowborn," Hades repeated, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "A fitting name for those who dwell in the shadows, seeking to consume the light."
"anyway, it won't be for too long as a prophecy spoke of a solution and an end to the reign of those abomination"
Hades paused, letting the silence hang heavy in the air before he continued. "Tell me, Elara, what is this prophecy and what does it entails?"
Elara's gaze shifted, her eyes reflecting the distant stars. "The prophecy is old, a tale passed down through generations now. it appeared three hundred years ago and spoke of the emergence of those who carry the blood of Aurora
Those who will wield her power in ways never before imagined. The true born of Aurora, destined to reshape the world, to bring forth a new era of power" her voice filled with glee and envy as if wishing she could be one of them
"And what of these children?" Hades pressed, his voice a low growl. the thought of him assuming the position of Aurora offspring really had a naught knack on him "Where are they now? What is spoken about them?"
Elara's expression turned distant, her eyes filled with a sense of foreboding. "That, my dear, is a mystery that only time will reveal."
Hades's gaze turned cold, his eyes reflecting the darkness that lay within him. "A mystery, indeed," the chilling undercurrent sent fear down Elara spine. "But one that I intend to unravel."
He rose from his seat, his shadow stretching across the floor like a grasping hand. "Thank you for your time, Elara. I have much to ponder."
As he turned to leave, his eyes met hers, a flicker of something dark and dangerous passing between them. "Remember, Elara," he said in a low whispering tone, "the world is a stage, and the play has just begun."
With that, he vanished into the shadows, leaving Elara alone in the grand hall shock by his sudden disappearance but shook her head at her stupidity as that is also a trick can do
it goes to show this stranger is on the same level as herself if not a bit stronger, how which she knew how wrong she is.
she turn towards the spot Hades once stood as her gaze seems to see through the wall, fixed on the distant stars.
her mind filled with a sense of unease. The prophecy, once a whisper in her mind, was now a storm brewing on the horizon. followed by the determined declaration of the stranger she just met.
....
meanwhile back at Storm giant region the air crackled with the raw power of the storm as Zeus, astride Alden soared through the swirling clouds.
Below, the world stretched out like a tapestry of emerald green, dotted with the silver threads of rivers and the sapphire jewels of lakes. But even this breathtaking view could not distract Zeus from the weight that pressed upon his heart.
Alden, sensing his unease screeched softly, his wings beating a steady rhythm against the wind. Zeus recollecting himself patted his golden mane, offering a silent reassurance to his companion.
They flew through the heart of the storm, crossing over with much difficult due to the law of nature surrounding the storm cloud
if Zeus wasn't the lord of the sky, he sure wouldn't have been able to make it through, arriving at a place hidden from the eyes of mortals, a place where the ancient magic of the world still pulsed strong.
They soon landed before a massive cave, its entrance carved into the heart of a mountain. The air here was thick with the scent of ozone and the rumbling with strong vibration force.
Zeus dismounted, his hammer, resting upon his shoulder. As He stepped into the cave, the darkness swallowing him whole.
His figure navigate the dark cave while his eyes adjust to grant him virtual and there right before him when he arrived at the heart of the cave is her ancient but graceful figure
undermining her being chained to the wall, she still exude an air of outworldly brilliance. Her scales shimmering with the iridescent hues of a thousand sunsets as her eyes seems to hold the weight of ancient knowledge
"Zeus," she called out to the dazed Zeus, her voice a low rumble that shook the very foundations of the cave. "You have returned."
Zeus nodded, his gaze meeting hers. "Ignis," he replied, his voice filled with a mixture of respect and apprehension and desire. "It has been too long."
The feelings rumbling through his heart every time he set his eyes on this ancient dragon of immense power is unexplainable.
he couldn't tell if this is the innate coding of Zeus DNA within him, after all mythology history stated this guy live every thing beauty and always want to posses it
And that is the feeling he is having right now, jut wanting to posses her for himself but that in its self is impossible as their relationship is a fragile one
built upon a foundation of shared knowledge and a mutual understanding of the world's ancient secrets. there is also a sense of unease, a feeling that they were walking on thin ice, each wary of the other's intention.
they chance on each other the last time he venture into this part of the beyond, he never expected to met such a powerful being chained here
from all indication he isn't ready to release her not t mentioned he doesn't even know how as this seal seem way above what he could handle for now
but he believe he could once he fully awakens and assimilate his bloodline and the rich archive of knowledge with it.
also with the Apple of time he might get to know her better as he knew nothing much about her other than what was written in the book of secret about her
it was said she had once wage war against everyone in this world in ancient time and almost destroyed the world from her rage
only then did a miracle happened as she suddenly just disappeared, leaving those around during that era wondering what must have happen to her
he was shock sh is the same Igris he had read about when he was studying the dynamics and past history of this world. he didn't know how she got here or was trapped with her Powers sealed
he could only speculate it has something to do with Aurora, leaving him to wonder how she achieved it since she can't come to this world herself
the very reason he had hidden his connection with the goddess away from her, having decided to leave those thought for now, hoping to address them on a later date.
he spoke if the reason he came here, "I have come seeking your wisdom Igris," Zeus said casually, but his tone betrayed his demeanor as his voice were filled with a sense of urgency.
"I have been tasked with a daunting responsibility, a burden that weighs heavily upon my soul" He went recounted his conversation with Hades, the looming threat of war and his thought on thing.