"Even if I do it, are you prepared to face the consequences? Violating a god's destiny is a grave offense." Arthur was still undecided. "Your health condition is already bad; you have a lot at stake, your majesty. Using the power of darkness always ends badly."
Arthur glanced at Valeska; this was the first time he had ever seen Ares show such expressive feelings. His eyes went of great loss, hurt, and devastation. As the crown prince of the Alverton empire, since childhood he had been forced to act decisively, coldly, and put aside conscience. Arthur did not fathom how in the mortal world there was someone who possessed celestial soul life.
Made her his fated mate.
In the history of the Netherworld, no mortal creature had ever broken through. His madness always gave Arthur a headache to the point of losing his mind.
Oh, Lady. What have you done to His Majesty? How could you have changed him?
"I beg you, think about it once more. Your life could be in minefield." Arthur added, "Even this lady's soul could be lost; at worst she will be trapped in the Dark World forever; there will be no turning back. If you...love...her. Do you have the heart to make her suffer?"
Ares was adamant on his stance; no one could change his mind. While wearing his proud armour when facing the war. "I'll take that risk. I have failed to protect her, if in the Netherworld there is a chance for her. Then I'll do it. Even if my life is at stake, it's my business." Ares commanded in his deepest voice. "Open the portal now, Arthur. I can't breathe now."
Arthur let out a long sigh. Ares was stubborn. Closing his eyes briefly, Arthur then pointed at Slater Volkan, "Call Az and Finn right now; I need their help to open the portal."
Slater had watched Valeskaintensely since his arrival in the mortal world; he nodded obediently, his hand emitted a green light, and pressed his head. Slater shut his eyes briefly.
Ares warmed Valeska using his imperial furry robe; even though a flood of blood was seeping, Ares did not care. His stumpy fingers gently caressed her cold, ashen face. Ares remembered many things that had happened, though brief, but amazing. V's voice was always cheerful sounding in his head; her smile and laughter showed the sparkle of adorable light around her. "I'm sorry, V. It won't hurt; we'll just be separated for a while. You're a tough and strong lady. This is the only way I can save you. I swear, if you come with me—there will be no more suffering for you. No more tears will fall from your bright eyes."
The magic circle of Asteria's portal opened wide as Az and Finn emerged from within the blinding blue light. They kneeled respectfully before His Majesty Halvard. "Our full respect to the great sun of the Alverton empire."
Finn glanced at Arthur. "You called us?"
"Help me open the portal of the Forbidden Grimoire."
Az and Finn glared in fright, hoping they had heard wrong. The problem was that the portal was... They were confused to witness His Majesty cradling the corpse of a lady in his lap.
Anyone would be as perplexed as Arthur.
"Don't ask questions; this is his majesty's order." Arthur emphasized deathly. "Whatever you see today, pretend it never happened. This is a secret oath that you must guard with all your soul. If one day I hear of this situation being leaked to the public of the Alverton empire, then you will be held responsible with life and blood. Understood?"
They stomped their feet and hands in unison in an alert position as an oath of approval.
"Your Majesty, hand over your blood." Arthur took out the inter-dimensional goblet using his magic power.
The bloody crystal controlled a spirit cup. Using the power of darkness that requires a great sacrifice of life. The blood of Ares has made a pact with the lord of shadows.
Ares clenched his fist, squeezing out his own blood. Blood seeped from the cuts on his hands, filling the inter-dimensional goblet to half empty.
Az formed an Arcanist Seal magic that emitted violet light, opening the Forbidden Grimoire portal was not a pleasant thing, it would be worse for His Majesty when he met the shadow lord later. Everyone was worried about him, but Az could do nothing yet obey the emperor's orders.
The inter-dimensional goblet flew through the air; Arthur placed it carefully on the Arcanist Seal's throbbing core. The inter-dimensional goblet glowed; fresh blood flowed from the rows of bloody crystals. Spreading it to all vital points of the arcanist seal.
Arthur, Finn, and Az transferred their magic mana power. The three dazzling primary lights shone through the night sky. The rainstorm stopped, and a strong gust of wind replaced it. They united the power of magic mana to form a shadow element.
The Arcanist seal erupted; violet flames lashed out at all corners of the magic circle pattern, then widened until it finally outburst—resurrecting the Forbidden Grimoire portal that was firmly bound by the spirit chain.
The chain of scorched, smoky spirits moved, breaking away. The mysterious figure of the shadow's lord emerged from the peculiar black mist.
Ares coughed, thick blood seeping from his nose. Although his heart was burning, Ares was still able to endure it.
Shadowy Ancient Mage, the mysterious dark magic featured, cloaked in darkness, malice, and immense power. Black robe, blending into the misty void. He carried a violet orb staff in his left hand.
Ares and the Shadowy Ancient Mage's gazes clashed sharply.
"Allow her to cross." Ares stated sternly, undaunted by the flat, arrogant tone. He didn't care even if the creature was the master of the forbidden grimoire. Instead, Ares turned and threatened him. "I sacrificed my blood and life for her; bring her safely. As if not, I'll hunt you down whatever it takes."
The Shadowy Ancient Mage's violet orb staff flashed and pulsed powerfully; he lashed out at Ares' arrogance. Striking him with a sacred darkness energy blast that rushed towards him.
[Sacred dark energy blast shot out viciously!]
Ares dodged in time, the Shadowy Ancient Mage's attack shattered part of the valley in a deadly dark blast, which sucked in anything, pulverized it into dark matter fragments, and shook the entire land.
Arthur was worried about Ares, but he couldn't lend his magic a helping hand as His Majesty hated it when someone interrupted his business. Even when fighting against the Shadow Lord, Ares still embraced the lady's corpse. Arthur had to realize that Ares had fallen for a human.
Arthur deeply regretted letting Ares go that time. After all, it was the lady who had made things tough for Ares, just to give him life.
You should never have met...
Light absorption: the Shadow Lord orb staff absorbed the power of lightning in the sky; the blast struck of the line of lightning that chased Ares, pounding anything in the way, splitting the land, and blowing everything away.
[A line of lightning scorches and destroys the land.]
Ares took out both of his gigantic dragon wings, warded off the force of the lightning that erupted violently upon impact, and protected Valeska in his arms.
[Ferocious explosive burst out.]
"Your Majesty!" Arthur roared, blocking his vision. Even though the magic shield protected them still, the impact of the powerful explosion cracked Arthur's magic shield and created the destructive wave.
Thick black smoke soared, pebbles scattered in the air, but defeating Ares was not as easy as tearing paper. Ares was still standing strong, with both gigantic dragon wings blazing black flames.
The Shadowy Ancient Mage grew even angrier, taking a teleportation leap using umbrageous teleportation, an eruption of small cores appearing right above Ares' head; the Shadow's Lord orb staff glowed brightly—shooting out a violet flame darkness bomb that blew Ares away in a second powerful fire eruption.
"Do something, Arthur! His majesty could die!" Finn shrieked in exasperation, but no one was able to get involved in this grand battle.
The violet spectrum of light vanished, leaving puffs of dust and flakes of fire flying through the air. To his surprise, Ares' left wing was torn off, fresh blood seeping from his head. Ares' dark hellfire power was able to withstand the Shadowy Ancient Mage's orb staff that wanted to stab and destroy Valeska; Ares became even more smoldering—cornered the shadow lord.
"You dare touch her. I'll kill you!" Ares growled. "Let her cross!"
A strange silence fell; the intense hateful light emanating from the violet orb went dimmed. The Shadowy Ancient Mage's dark gaze now focused on V's; for a long time, then he finally lowered his orb staff, then retreated with a gust of wind.
Ares took that as approval, though he was not sure why the shadow lord's reaction seemed strange earlier.
The shadow's lord spread both his hands; the violet orb staff floated and stuck in the center of the Forbidden Grimoire's magic seal circle. The wind blew strongly; the portal opened wide and showed a fiery red light.
[Violet and red jets flash through the night sky.]
It's time...
Ares grasped Valeska's fingers, speaking through soft tones. Hoping her soul would hear him. Ares let out a long breath. His arms envelope V, approaching the Forbidden Grimoire portal. "I'll see you soon, V. I promise, I'll find you wherever you are. If I have to, I'll burn the whole world with the rain of flame—only to find you."
Ares led Valeska through the portal until the light spectrum of the Forbidden Grimoire's seal grew enormous and more dazzling—blinding anyone's eyes. It happened so fast; a white light studded with magnificent stardust decomposed V's body.
Until her figure was completely gone from Ares' embrace, leaving a void but full of hope, and the Forbidden Grimoire sealed shut.
"Let's go home, Arthur." Ares uttered deadpan, his gloomy look gazing up at the night sky. "They can kill my parents, but would never kill me. I don't wanna miss the defeat of Fenwick's face."
***