Sarah says, "If you aren't taking the Pillars, then who are you going to take along with you?"
Azreal answers, his tone calm but resolute. "The Six."
Sarah blinks, almost startled. "The Six… I totally forgot about them. They will surely be delighted to be of use after such a long time. Just hope they haven't gone rusty."
Azreal shakes his head. "No, they haven't. So let's call them."
Sarah nods firmly. "I will assemble them then."
Azreal says, "In the meantime, I will go to the archive."
Sarah inclines her head. "I will be off then," she says, and disappears with a faint chime.
Azreal stands, raising one hand. He snaps his fingers and a dark gate forms before him, swirling with shadows. Without hesitation, he steps inside. The portal folds shut behind him.
Arian landed gracefully, wings folding as Aria slid down from his back. She dusted herself off lightly, and Arian reverted back into his smaller form.
Blight approached with a bow. "You're back, Lady Aria. Allow me to escort you to your room."
Aria nodded, and together they walked until they reached her door. She entered, closing it softly behind her. Sitting in her chair, she turned toward Arian.
"Arian… what do you think about Lord Hermes?" she asked thoughtfully.
"My thoughts?" Arian tilted his head. "I can't say much. All I know is he's different from most of the Gods. He feels more like a brother to Lord Azreal than just a friend."
Aria nodded. "Yes, I noticed that too. But what shocked me was when he apologized and bowed to Nena."
Arian gave a small smile. "Because he sees her as a motherly figure. Just as Lord Azreal sees Nena as his mother, Lord Hermes does as well. They both respect her deeply. To us, Lord Hermes is a God, and Lord Azreal is the King of Hell… but to Nena, she sees only her two children."
Aria's eyes softened. "I see… that's lovely."
But Arian noticed her tone carried a weight. He tilted his head. "What's bothering you, Aria? You're not as lively or cheerful as before."
Aria sighed. "Arian, Lord Hermes seems kind and warm… but the rest of the Gods don't seem like they're like that. Why is that?"
Arian gave a small shrug. "Everyone has their own personalities. Not everyone can be like Lord Hermes. Every being has traits that set them apart from the rest."
Aria frowned. "But they should all be like him. If they were, some things would never have happened. The war… Selmora coming to Hell… Yuzara being sealed and now living inside me… the Key being stolen… Zarion's betrayal. None of it would have happened."
Arian looked at her with steady eyes. "Everything happens for a reason. We can't change what has already been done, Aria. Selmora came to Hell, yes, but look at her now—she's living happily. She's in charge of the Fourth Gate, she's made a family with the other Pillars, with Lord Azreal, and even you. She now considers you her sister.
Yuzara… she didn't die. She lives on inside you. And one day, she will become part of you. The question is—are you ready to accept her? And is she ready to accept you?
Aria, everyone has found their way forward. I don't know why you were sent here, or why you bear the God's Mark, but what I do know is this—you must always do what you feel is right. Forget the past."
Aria's lips curved faintly. "Thank you, Arian."
Arian sighed, muttering, "I can't believe I've started giving lectures."
Aria chuckled softly. "What's wrong with that?"
"I've spoken too much already," Arian replied. "I'm going to rest." With that, he disappeared.
Left alone, Aria lowered her gaze to her hand, gently tracing the mark glowing faintly on her skin. "My purpose for being sent here… huh?" she whispered to herself.
A portal opened, spilling out shadows. Azreal stepped out, the gate closing quietly behind him.
Orvath bowed his head. "Good day, my lord."
Veymar also inclined his head with a smirk.
Azreal's eyes moved toward him. "Veymar. You're here as well?"
"Yes," Veymar replied, smiling lightly. "I've just realized science is a fascinating field."
Azreal gave a small nod. "Good for you."
Orvath asked, "My lord, what brings you here?"
Azreal's tone grew serious. "A case has been assigned to us. Humans are dying unnaturally. They're transforming into Infernals… but dying in the process."
Orvath frowned. "Infernalization? How is that possible? Could it be the Evolutionalist? Or Zarion?"
Azreal shook his head. "No. Zarion is gone, and so is the Evolutionalist. But it's possible their influence lingers. That's why we're going to investigate. Orvath, I want you to come with me to the world of the living. We will investigate together—with our other allies."
Veymar's smile widened. "Can I tag along, Lord Azreal?"
Azreal's voice was firm. "No, Veymar. The Pillars must remain here to guard their gates. You never know when an enemy will seize the chance to strike."
Orvath tilted his head. "If the Pillars won't be joining, then what allies did you mean?"
"The Six," Azreal answered.
Orvath blinked in surprise. "The Six? Well… I suppose they could handle it. They are, after all, second only to the Pillars."
"I have already sent Sarah to summon them," Azreal said.
Veymar chuckled, though his smile carried something darker. "The Six, huh? Fine, I'll stay behind."
Orvath glanced at him. "What's wrong, Veymar?"
"Wrong?" Veymar's smile didn't falter. "Nothing at all."
Orvath frowned. "You gave up too easily without even trying. That's not like you."
Veymar's eyes gleamed faintly as his voice dipped lower, though the smile remained. "I was already disappointed by the human Infernals. They didn't excite me in the least."
Orvath's brow furrowed. "But you ended the fight too quickly. You used your soul weapon."
Veymar's smile stretched wider. "You know how I am, Orvath. Weakness… bores me." His voice darkened, the air around him heavy, though his smile never wavered.
Azreal spoke flatly. "Then this case isn't for you, Veymar."
"Right," Veymar admitted, then tilted his head. "But tell me… where's Hermes? Since you're here, I assume he's free."
Azreal answered calmly. "Hermes has already left. He's no longer in Hell."
A smile stayed plastered on Veymar's face, but a vein bulged on his forehead. "That sly prey of mine… he got away." He turned, his cloak brushing against the ground. "I shall take my leave."
He walked off, and with a snap of his fingers, a portal appeared. He stepped through it, and it vanished behind him.
Azreal looked at Orvath. "So, what do you think?"
"My lord," Orvath said after a pause, "I don't think I can come with you to the world of the living."
Azreal's eyes narrowed. "And why not?"
"I'm still researching," Orvath admitted. "The human Infernals, the Hollow Realm, and Y'tharion's Mark. I haven't gotten far enough yet."
Azreal nodded slowly. "True. But if you aren't free, then what about Lexi?"
Orvath's eyes widened. "Lexi? My lord, are you sure you want to bring her?"
"Of course," Azreal replied. "She's your student, after all. Surely she has inherited your skills."
Orvath sighed. "Lexi barely leaves her lab. She's been assisting me with research on the Infernals."
"Then that makes her even more suited," Azreal countered.
Orvath exhaled heavily. "Fine. I'll take you to her."
"Lead the way," Azreal said.
Together, they walked deeper into the Archive, down long corridors stacked with tomes and glowing runes, until finally they stopped at a door.
Orvath knocked lightly, and the heavy door creaked open. They stepped inside.
The room was dim, lit only by faint blue glows from bubbling test tubes and strange runes etched into the walls. Books were stacked in precarious towers, pages spilling out. Glass containers filled with preserved eyes floated in murky liquid, lined neatly on shelves.
A sharp voice cut through the silence.
"Lord Orvath, I'm still working. No one should disturb me."
Orvath sighed. "Lexi, someone is here to meet you."
"The person can wait. My research cannot," Lexi replied firmly without looking up.
Orvath opened his mouth to insist, but Azreal placed a hand on his shoulder, silencing him. Azreal stepped deeper into the cluttered chamber. His eyes adjusted to the gloom, landing on the girl hunched over a desk.
Lexi was fixated on an ancient, worn book. With one hand, she carefully poured ashes into a thin test tube, her focus absolute.
Azreal moved behind her without a sound. As she tilted the ashes over the glass, his hand closed gently over hers. His breath brushed her ear as his voice rumbled low.
"Lexi… you've grown quite daring, haven't you?"
The familiar voice froze her. Her eyes widened, and she shot to her feet so quickly the test tube rattled against the table.
She bowed her head deeply, flustered. "Forgive me—I didn't realize it was you."
Orvath shook his head. "Now you're apologizing. You really should take more time to notice your surroundings, Lexi."
She puffed her cheeks slightly before blurting, "But Lord Orvath, you should have told me it was Lord Azreal! Look at this place—my lab is a disaster. I haven't even organized it."
Turning back, she lowered her head again. "I'm sorry for the mess, my lord. I'll clean it at once."
Azreal's crimson eyes softened. He stepped closer, his tone calm but commanding. "Forget the room. Lexi, I need your help with something."
Her glasses reflected the faint glow of the test tubes as she looked up at him. "My help? Anything, Lord Azreal. Just say the word."
"A case has been brought to me," Azreal said. "Humans… are turning into Infernals, but dying in the process. I require your expertise."
The moment she heard the word, Lexi's expression lit up, her exhaustion forgotten.
"Infernalization?" Her voice trembled with excitement. "Fascinating… I'll help, Lord Azreal. I'll give everything I have to this case!"
"Good," Azreal replied with a faint smirk. "That's what I wanted to hear." He turned toward the door. "Orvath will give you the details. Meet me at the Royal Palace."
"Yes, my lord!" Lexi bowed again, determination flashing in her eyes.
--- Fınd the newest release on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩
A chime echoed through a pitch-dark space as Sarah appeared, her glow illuminating the shadows.
"Lord Azreal has summoned you to the Royal Palace," she announced.
From the darkness, a deep voice stirred.
"Lord Azreal… has called for me?"
Heavy footsteps approached, and the figure stepped into the faint light. His eyes glowed like embers in the dark.
"It seems," he said with a thin smile, "I'm finally needed again, huh, Sarah?"
Sarah inclined her head. "Welcome back, Cain."