Silver sat and scowled. He was quite angry about Ezekiel’s murderous rampage and felt like no one cared. It was all about Ezekiel like he was the most important thing in the world. As they babbled on about what happened between them, he finally stood and interrupted, “He does know that he’s a murderer. Right? Has he said anythin’ ‘bout that?

  Dante gave him a knowing gnce, and then back to the dragon-man, “Ezekiel… I know you were afraid of Sophitia and had a lot of power coursing through you. But you did kill a lot of the Chimeran people because of that. Did they attack you or something and you retaliated?”

  Ezekiel's eyes glowed with embers of torment and regret. Overwhelmed by memories of his fear and power-induced sughter, the grisly feasts where he had devoured hundreds of Chimerans without mercy. He slowly sank onto a weathered stone. His rough and remorseful voice trembled as he began, "All of the faces of those I destroyed. Every Chimeran I consumed, every life I snuffed out in that haze of madness, it will haunt me forever. I lost control of all my actions when I came to this world. I cannot possibly ask for forgiveness. I have made an enemy of myself to you all this day.”

  Dante leaned forward, "Are you trying to apologize? I don’t think you can say sorry enough for the crimes you committed. Silver, what do you think… what is the punishment for murder, especially for this level?”

  “Eh… eye for an eye is w… There’s also that bounty. Can sure get a lot to drink for that…” Silver had a greedy eye.

  “Alright well, I don’t think killing him will help us here. Remember… ultra-powerful Goddess trying to kill us all? I need him alive to help me figure things out.”

  “Ah, right. Well. The only thing I can think of is a royal pardon but–”

  “So, Queen Artemis just needs to pardon him? That settles it then! We’ll see Artemis and get this all sorted. Sound good, Ezekiel?”

  Ezekiel felt so ashamed for what he had done, he hung his head. “I suppose for starters, I will attempt to redeem myself by helping you.”

  Dante nodded with agreement, “Alright, so do you remember anything before this whole… massacre?”

  His eyes darkened with painful recollection as he confessed, "Yes… I recall, something happening. It caused me to be ensved to a fury I could not control. I felt that everything was my enemy. So much power coursed through my body, I became Massa, my rger form that you have witnessed. Oh woe, I still taste their blood and hear the echoes of their final cries. I know that apologies are empty against such acts and that no words can remove this burden.”

  “So what do we do? Sophitia is still out there. She destroyed my world. She destroyed yours too? We have the same power but she far outcsses me in every way so what is she? You said I looked like them, the Demontians, what are they?”

  “I am compelled to share my story, even if it damns me further. My story should answer all questions you may have and perhaps give us the next best move." His voice wavered, and for a moment, a piece of glittering sand betrayed his otherwise steely fa?ade. Dante assumed it was this being's version of a tear. Turning his gaze away from Dante, he continued in a hushed, anguished tone, "I must ask. Have they followed you? Tyr… Sophitia? And the smaller one, Sylvaya? I know them, especially Sophitia at a very deep and personal level but they are dreadful, every one of them."

  "I don't know. We got separated when I touched your amulet and… somehow summoned you. I met your brother and he–”

  Ezekiel's fiery eyes widened and he was happy for a moment, "Ozma!? He lives!? Did you meet him? How is he? Is he well!? Oh happy day, I am not the st one of my kind after all!"

  "Uh. If that's his name, he seemed a bit… odd. Nothing at all like you. I couldn’t even see him when I met him. He’s in the Flow of Time now. Though I have no idea how I got there or go back to it."

  "Flow of Time… yes. Yes, that makes sense. Oh, pardon my interruption, continue winged one of modution."

  "Oh uh, my name is Dante. Anyway, I touched the amulet. An explosion happened and sent Sophitia who knows where. Then I met your brother, and he sent me here and told me to find you. Tyr told me to find you too as you could help me."

  "Tyr, she is… enigmatic. I recall something happening, a deep and burning sensation coursing through my entire body. It was not like our Elemental resurrection. So that must have been you. Yes. I do recall. I do not ask forgiveness, for I know I do not deserve it, but I must tell you my story if you are to understand this madness." His eyes motioned briefly toward Silver, whose expression remained inscrutable, a mix of wariness and an inability to comprehend Alphin's tongue.

  "But first," Ezekiel pleaded, barely above a whisper, "Let us find refuge. My mind is not yet strong enough to show you my story."

  “Show?” Dante asked.

  “Yes, all will make sense in time. Please.” He said, standing to his feet. They were about to start walking when one of the Chimeran mercenaries quickly approached.

  “Lord Sebooro! Please, wait master!” A Ferenzial mercenary called out.

  “Uh, yes?” he replied, trying to shake off the fact that he was pretending to be someone else.

  “Lord Sebooro, what of the dragon? Where did it go!?”

  “Oh. Uh.” He looked around, They didn’t see what happened. They must have been in some serious shock. He thought, I’ll just make something up I suppose. “The dragon has been sin! Yes. He turned into dust after the final blow was made. See here?” He pointed to the glittering sound spread about, “Yep, you can all rest easy now!”

  The mercenary looked on and saw Ezekiel standing with them.

  Dante, thinking quickly, “Ah, yes this, uh, Rezzo, performed the finishing blow. All hail Ezekiel! The Dragon Syer! Now, you should probably gather all that have been injured and carry them to the next closest town.”

  The Ferenzial looked around, “There aren’t many survivors. There is a small troop of us that were able to hide. But as, We must make haste to the elders and let them know the good news!”

  “Ah, yes, please do so. We’ll catch up. We still have some things to figure out.”

  “Aye, yes milord, thank you, Lord Sebooro, for your valiant efforts. And please, do not feel too bad for the outcome. We couldn’t have done this without you and… Ezekiel, the Dragon Syer!”

  The Ferenzial and several of the surviving troops departed from the burnt woods. Silver, standing silently nearby, could only watch in bewilderment. Ezekiel finally noticed that the ninja wolf could not understand him. "Dante, forgive me, I should have mentioned this earlier, I can teach him the Alphin tongue, he may find soce in understanding. He just needs to stay still and calm…"

  Dante nodded. "Alright, listen, Silver. Ezekiel here says he can teach you the Alphin nguage, it might sound like a bunch of mystical mumbo jumbo at first. Maybe that will help you ." He offered Silver a gentle smile to ease any skepticism.

  Silver scratched his head. "I don’t know Dante… I’m still a bit on the fence with all this. Sure, we found ya friend but… this is just too much.”

  “One second Ezekiel, I need to talk to my friend here.”

  “I shall wait aside.”

  Dante pulled Silver away, “Look… I know it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but Ezekiel is not a mindless killer. He was afraid and there was too much power coursing through him. I think part of that could have been from me when I touched the amulet but I can’t be quite sure.” He said, trying to think of some kind of analogy, “Let’s see, imagine an animal cornered in fear. An. Extremely. Powerful. Animal. He’s not a bad guy though, just lost and confused. He’s going to tell us his story but we need to find a calm and quiet pce to go. I just want to make sure you can hear what he says. Why not hear him out before we condemn him, yeah? Trust me, I don’t quite trust him either but he’s the only one that knows anything about the person that did this to me, so I at least want to hear him out. Okay? Can we just agree on that?”

  “Shucks, well if you put it that way. I s’pose I’ll give it time… Sure, what the hell.” Silver said graciously.

  “Thank you! Ok, Ezekiel. Silver is ready.”

  Ezekiel inclined his head, "Silver," he began, "with this ancient touch upon your mind, I shall bestow upon you the nguage of my people, the Alphins. Let the wisdom of time embrace your soul, and you will hear the music of the cosmos." His calm demeanor radiated a soothing aura that eased the tension.

  “Was that some kind of incantation?” Dante asked.

  “Eh, I suppose.” Ezekiel smiled with a sharp tooth sticking out.

  “Alright, Silver, just hold still and stay calm. He’s going to touch your head.”

  Silver winced and his eye widened as the ancient being gently id a massive, scaled cw upon his head. "Well, I'll be… feels like I got a story pyin' in me head," he drawled, trying to keep the amazement from turning into outright arm.

  Dante watched the exchange with a quiet nod. "There you go, Silver. Just let him work his magic," he said, his tone mellow yet encouraging.

  After a few moments of silent communion, a gentle transmission of words and thoughts that transcended ordinary speech, Silver's eyes cleared. He blinked slowly, a new understanding dawning on him.

  "Do you understand me now, Silver?" Ezekiel asked cautiously.

  “Aye, yes…” he nodded.

  “Great. I am the one known as Ezekiel, one of the st of my kind, the Alphins.”

  “Aye… Silver’s me name. Treasure huntin’s me game.”

  Ezekiel bowed, "It is settled th–” He stopped and looked around at the bodies and pieces strewn about. “Dear Silver. What is your custom of the dead? When an Alphin dies, they turn to sand so I did not think about this until now.”

  “A warrior’s burial. Burn to ashes.”

  “Well... Ezekiel. Shall we?” Dante said, holding his hand out.

  “Indeed.” The dragon man said as he began to pick up the bodies that were not melted to the ground and set them next to each other. The ones in pieces he tried to find where the rest of them ended up. A while ter, the mercenaries were lined up. Ezekiel took in a deep breath, then, blew emerald fmes upon the corpses. Once the fmes consumed the bodies, he took a step back to contempte his actions and hung his head in remorse.

  He then turned to Dante and Silver, “We need to find a pce of soce. My mind is still fring from before and I cannot expin my story with mere words."

  "Well now," he said slowly, "There's a den nearby, not far from here. I use it for me naps n' purposes."

  Dante grinned, his voice light as he replied, "Sounds like a pn, my friend. Let's get some shelter, and then we can unravel these mysteries."

  Ezekiel's voice murmured, "Indeed. Let us retreat to this haven."

  The three trudged through the wastend of bckened trees and scorched earth, the scent of ash and smoldering wood clinging to the air. Each step crunched over brittle remains, the once-thriving forest now reduced to a skeletal graveyard. Time stretched as they pressed forward, the charred desotion seeming endless. But slowly, the world began to change.

  “I s’pose askin’ ‘bout the amulet…”

  “Yeah. Not happening.” Dante ughed.

  “I figure…” he ughed too.

  The scent of fire faded, repced by the crisp, earthy aroma of fresh greenery. The ground softened beneath their feet, no longer covered in soot but in moss and fallen leaves. Sparse patches of green thickened into dense foliage, and soon, towering trees loomed overhead, their canopies whispering in the breeze. Birds called in the distance, the first true signs of life since they’d left the forest of ashes.

  "In here's me den. C'mon, follow me." The old coot excitedly waved his paw for them to follow.

  Silver’s den was well camoufged despite being a dipidated old hideaway. At first gnce, it appeared dreary and abandoned. Then he opened a hidden door and led them inside. Dust clung to every surface, and the low light revealed creaking wooden beams and faded tapestries long since forgotten. But with a bit of effort, Silver quickly spruced the pce up. He swept away the dust and rearranged a rickety chair and a small, well-worn bed until the den exuded a rough, comforting charm. Off to one side, an alcove held an array of ninja weapons, tricks of Silver's trade. His eyes lit up when he discovered his prized climbing cws neatly tucked away.

  "There they are!" Silver excimed, holding the gleaming cws close to his chest as if reunited with old friends.

  Soon after, Silver lit a roaring fire in a battered hearth, its fmes dancing shadows along the walls. They settled in a rough circle around the fire. For a moment, the only sound was the steady crackle of burning wood and the low murmur of the sunsetting world outside.

  Finally, Ezekiel spoke again, his voice low. "Let us rest now, and when the time comes, I will reveal the tale of my fall."

  Dante offered a small smile, "We're with you, Ezekiel. We'll take this one step at a time."

  Silver grinned, his eyes reflecting both relief and a spark of mischief. "Well, I sure am gd to be out of that chaos for a spell. Let's get some rest and maybe a hot meal."

  And so, the three settled into the modest comfort of Silver's den, each of them silently preparing for the long night ahead in which the past and future would collide. They did not know what to expect. As Ezekiel said he was going to show them his story. They sat in quiet retrospect.

  As time passed, and they regained some strength, he unveiled his unique ability to share glimpses of the past. He can bring the mental psyche within his mind to relive his memories. Gathered in a circle, he focused his energy, enabling them to witness the memories buried within his mind.

  The Alphin closed his eyes. A quiet intensity filled the space as a subtle, resonating energy began to pulse from within the mysterious creature. Dante and Silver felt a deep, tangible vibration that seemed to bind them together in anticipation.

  Dante broke the silence, his voice soft but steady. "You're about to share your story, right? I can feel something stirring in the air."

  Ezekiel's eyes remained closed as he spoke, his tone measured and thoughtful. "Indeed. There is much I must show, I must caution you, that my past is burdensome. I have done terrible things that I do not deserve forgiveness for."

  Silver shifted in his seat, his gaze fixed on the fmes. "I may not get all that highfalutin' talk, but I know a thing or two about hard times. I've been in tight spots, and sometimes, you gotta face your demons head-on. So… what exactly are you tryna say?"

  Ezekiel opened his eyes slowly, meeting Dante's steady gaze and Silver's guarded yet sincere look. The resonating energy from the Alphin pulsed a little stronger, as if in agreement with their resolve. For a long moment, silence fell over them again. The fire's glow softened their hardened faces.

  The den faded away and Dante could feel that he was now alone in a strange crystalline room. Luminous, kaleidoscopic, and not a pce he has ever been. "Hello!?" He called out.

  "Do not fret, my friend, it is I, Ezekiel. You are within the recess of my mind. For I am about to show you my story."

  "Oh… wow, this is trippy." Dante couldn't move, he could only see.

  "Yes, it will feel like this for the entirety of the vision. But know that it is only a memory. You are completely safe from harm. But you may feel my pain and anguish as if it were your own."

  "Oh dear… okay. I'm ready. How about you Silver?"

  No response…

  "I sense that he is nearby, but I cannot tell if he can see this memory. Silver, do you hear me?"

  No response from the Ferenzial.

  "Well, I'm sure he's fine. Probably taking a nap, smoking his pipe, eating, or a mix of all 3. I’ll catch him up since he wouldn’t understand any of this anyway, I don’t think."

  Meanwhile, Silver stood, he saw his friends focused in some strange mental state that he did not understand. So he decided to find more food, load his pipe, and take it easy. He'll stay there in case they happen to wake up.

  Back in Ezekiel's mind, "Are you prepared, Dante?"

  "Yeah. Let's do this!"

  "Thank you."

  As though entering a dream, the crystalline room warped and went dark. Soon he woke and found himself immersed in the perspective of a child, his senses overwhelmed by the vividness of the scene unfolding before him. He was in a spacious, sunlit chamber adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of valor and harmony, Alphin heroism, and honor. The air was rich with the scent of blooming flora, and the gentle hum of distant melodies filled the atmosphere.

  In small cwed hands, he held a set of what he assumed were toys. They were delicate, crystalline figurines that shimmered with an inner light, each one representing a different aspect of the Alphin culture.

  As he pyed, a towering Alphin burst into a doorway; a majestic figure with scales that glistened like polished gemstones. It had wild eyes of excitement. In its rge cws, it cradled a strange capsule, a rge translucent container pulsating with a soft, ethereal glow.

  He felt himself excitedly jumping up and down trying to get a view of the capsule. The rge Alphin examined it.

  "What is it, Sir Grec?" the child inquired.

  "Not sure," Answered Grec. "I was inspecting the abandoned mine for any Xero remnants and found this strange object. I came back to get my tools to see if I could open it as I noticed there was something inside moving around!" He gently set the capsule on the floor.

  Grec darted to another room and came back with an unfamiliar object in his cw. He tapped at the capsule, trying to find some kind of crack or opening that he could pry it with. However, the capsule was completely closed. He carefully moved it around to refrain from damaging the contents inside. Until eventually the object opened with a hiss, not of his doing.

  A young girl, looking the same age as child Ezekiel, with long bck hair and ram horns fell out of the capsule, but Grec's reflexes reacted quickly and caught her before she hit the floor. He id her down gently. She was a rather strange-looking girl, the ram horns horns, her skin was a soft hue reminiscent of twilight. She was wrapped in a bluish robe and on her dainty wrist was a bracelet with strange lettering.

  Young Ezekiel gazed upon Sophitia with a mixture of astonishment and confusion. "Who and what is she?" he asked, his voice tinged with wonder.

  "Well now, let's see, she has a bracelet. Sophitia. Lina. Solversa." Grec nodded, "That must be her name."

  The 2 Alphins gave her some space, she wasn't breathing from what Grec could tell. "I wonder if she's alive?" He touched her rigid horns, “Her horns are hard like ours. She is not of Alpha…”

  Sophitia began to stir and made a slight groaning noise. Then her crystal eyes opened. She looked around at the two Alphins staring curiously at her. Then she smiled. She wasn't startled at all by their appearance. As though she knew they meant her no harm.

  "Uh, hello, little thing. Can you understand me?" Grec asked the girl, hoping she would understand him.

  "Yes," Sophitia answered.

  Ezekiel, his spirit swelling with an emotion he couldn't quite name, knelt before her. "You are... different," he said softly.

  Sophitia extended her hand, her touch gentle yet firm. "Different, perhaps," she replied.

  The memory paused, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on. That's Sophitia!? She's nothing but a child!" Dante excimed.

  "Indeed, I met Sophitia as a child. Patience, immerse in my story, and you will come to understand."

  "Right, sorry, continue!"

  "Well, I'll be. What kind of creature are you exactly?" Grec asked.

  "I… don't know," Sophitia replied. "I do not have any memory. Not even my name."

  Young Ezekiel pointed to her bracelet, "Looks like your name is Sophitia."

  The young girl gnced at her bracelet, she stared at it for a moment to regain a sembnce of a memory. "I can't remember. I am sorry. I don't know where I came from or why I am here."

  "You sure are intelligent for someone so young. I'd better inform the Grand Elder of this. You'd like him, he's real nice." Grec insisted.

  "We get to see Dad!" Young Ezekiel said excitedly.

  "Yes, yes, we can do that. Just don't bother your father too much there, Zekey."

  "Maybe Ozzie will be there!?" Ezekiel is still ever so excited.

  "Maybe! C'mon, let's go. You kids hold my cws, and we'll be there in seconds."

  The two children grabbed hold of Grec's cws and in moments there was a fsh and the entire scene changed.

  After the blink, Ezekiel finds himself in a castle room. The floors, paved with enormous, faceted diamonds, refracted ambient light into prismatic bursts that mimicked the fsh of a storm's bolt. Each step on the crystalline surface sent ripples of shimmering brilliance along timeless corridors.

  “Welcome to the Castle of Sky, Sophitia.” Grec announced. “it’s quite the immacute pce but you’ll get used to it. If you want.” He said with a grin.

  She wandered through the halls, her gaze drifting over the walls as if searching for a memory just out of reach. There was no fear in her eyes, no hesitation—only the quiet certainty of someone who had been here before, even though she knew she hadn’t.

  “Sophie… is this a pce you’ve been before?”

  “No… it's a beautiful pce. I was wondering if it was familiar. But it's not…”

  The walls were etched with complex designs and patterns that resembled the jagged strikes of lightning frozen in time. They were intertwined with delicate, flowing motifs that echoed the ceaseless movement of the wind. Glowing gemstones were embedded in the walls at intervals, their colors shifting with the ambient energy, from stormy blues to brilliant silver fshes, lending the space an otherworldly luminescence.

  Long hallways opened into vast chambers, where the air pulsed with a charge of pure energy. In one room, an expansive library housed rows upon rows of ancient tomes, their pages softly illuminated by a light that emanated from the very atmosphere. In another, relics of forgotten eras floated in midair, suspended by forces as invisible and unpredictable as the wind itself.

  Every surface of the Castle vibrated with the power of its elemental theme. Here, the echo of distant thunder was never far away, and gentle breezes stirred the crystalline dust that bnketed every corner. It was a pce where science and magic intertwined—a sanctuary sculpted by the raw energy of lightning and the ceaseless breath of the wind.

  As Grec and the kids passed through the halls, a small voice could be heard excitedly bouncing through the hallways.

  A stout Alphin child with fiery blue hair came bounding over to them, "Zekey! Your back! How was your-" The boy gnced over to Sophitia, who was standing beside Grec. "Who is that!?"

  Grec leaned down to the Alphin boy, "Ozzie, it is so good to see you. Meet Sophitia. I found her alone in some kind of capsule and thought it's best to bring her to your father."

  "Oh… I see… okay." Ozzie excitedly pulled at Ezekiel's cw, "C'mon Zekey, let's go py!"

  Ezekiel looked up at Grec and nodded off in approval. "Can Sophie come too?"

  "Sure, I can report this to the Grand Elder. Have fun kids, why don't you show her around?" Grec waved them off and made his way to the throne room.

  Ezekiel grabbed Sophitia's dainty hand and gently pulled her along, "C'mon Sophie, you gotta see this!" He led her into the room with the strange floating relics. They gazed in awe at the objects.

  "Zekey, so how was your training? Do you think you'll ever be an Elemental like Sir Grec?" Ozma inquired.

  "I hope so! But… he's pretty powerful, so I don't know." Ezekiel replied happily.

  Sophitia looked on in silence and then became curious, "What is an Elemental?"

  "Oh, uh, Zekey?"

  "An Elemental is an Alphin who has come of age that has undergone the Trial of the Elements and has gained supreme power granted by the Essences to become a Protector of the Material Realm." Ezekiel recited.

  Sophitia looked on quite impressed but unsure what more to say, "Oh. I see."

  Ozma then went on and on about his training with Fetzia and her ability to manipute time. The dream-like state faded away and seemed to fast-forward.

  Dante could see Ezekiel's life pass by as the children grew. Ezekiel, Ozma, and Sophitia became inseparable. Ezekiel continued his training under Sir Grec while Ozma trained with Fetzia. Ozma and Ezekiel became stronger every day. Sophitia never did regain her memory. So she just lived amongst the Alphins. Content and accepted by them all.

  Eventually, the kids become teenagers. No longer did they py with toys or tell spooky stories. They spent many a day at the Castle of Sky together. Everything seemed to be going great. Sophitia was becoming a beautiful young mysterious woman. Ezekiel, a strong Alphin, and his brother, Ozma, also quite dashing himself.

  The day had finally come when the Alphin brothers reached the age necessary to undertake the Trial of the Elements to become full-fledged Elementals. The dream state stopped fast-forwarding, indicating that something important was about to happen.

  "This is the day that changed everything between the 3 of us," Ezekiel expined as the dream state moved forward.

  Following in Grec’s footsteps, Ezekiel took on the role of a mine inspector, frequently searching for the rare material known as Xero. Once prized for jewel crafting, Xero had long since run dry, but every so often, they scoured the mines in hopes of uncovering any remaining traces—so far, to no avail.

  With the Trial of the Elements approaching, Ezekiel, Ozma, and Sophitia decided to visit Vogoya, Grec’s hometown before their training intensified. Along the way, they would stop by the abandoned mine for one st inspection, as ordered.

  The mine y in wait, everything seemed to be peaceful and serene. However, before turning a corner, they caught sight of three demonic beings lurking within the entrance. The 3 dropped to the ground and pulled themselves behind the corner of a dipidated building.

  The tallest of the three, with long horns and a massive sword simir to the one Sophitia had used to stab Dante, seemed to be looking for something or someone.

  Then, it spoke, "Project S.L.S. is somewhere on this pnet. Boccos, Phobos, I want a full report of your findings!" decred the sword-wielding fiend.

  Boccos, with horns on the sides of his head and no visible weapon, spoke in a mechanical tone, "There are no visible signs of the target. However, the signal is quite strong in this vicinity according to the readings from the Celestia."

  The teens looked at each other, confused, but Sophitia's eyes were wide with dismay.

  "And what is the status of the seant?" The long-horned creature added.

  "The seant appears to be fading, we will need to find a repcement to prevent the viral from breaking free."

  "Bah… how about you Phobos, any luck?"

  Phobos, with ox-like horns jutting forward and wielding a sinister scythe, rashly replied, "Well, it wasn't in that pitiful little vilge… so I torched it… No more pces for the rat to hide! Heheheheh!"

  Ezekiel and Oma's eyes widened, "Did he just say he torched the vilge?!"

  Tears were hanging in Sophitia's eyes, "I…"

  Ezekiel grabbed her shoulder with his cw, "Sophie, are they familiar to you? Don't worry. I will protect you. Always!" He assured her. Dante could feel that Ezekiel's mind filled with soft thoughts of her. It was obvious; he was in love with her.

  The leader snarled, "You useless twit! You were supposed to remain inconspicuous! Baphomet will surely have our heads!"

  Phobos chuckled to himself, "I'm sure he'd understand my methods, Xiphos, you are too uptight. Loosen up."

  "There are a rge amount of the lower lifeforms en route from the dense popution area." Boccos interrupted.

  Xiphos sneered at Phobos, "Idiot. Let us disperse for now and reconvene ter." And with that, the demonic creatures broke off into the densely forested area and disappeared from view

  The kids waited a few minutes to ensure the monstrous creatures didn't return. Ezekiel then commanded "C'mon! Let's go to Vogoya and see what happened."

  Ozma nodded, doubt filling his mind. Sophitia nodded too but was trembling in fear. Ezekiel embraced her, assuring everything would be okay.

  Quickly, the three made their way to Vogoya, they discovered that their most loved pce on Alpha had been reduced to ashes admitted by the very creatures they had encountered at the mine. Ozma let out a piercing scream upon seeing Fetzia's bracelets lying in a pile of smoldering ruins. He picked up the bracelets and discovered that they were broken. He let out another cry as he held them close.

  Sophitia attempted to console him and apologize. But he pushed her away. "This is all because of you!"

  "Oz! That's not fair, we don't know that!" Ezekiel protected her.

  "How can you deny it, Zeke!? You saw them! They look like her! They're looking for something called Project S.L.S. Gee, what do we have here? A bracelet with the initials, S.L.S! Sophitia! Why did you come here!?"

  Ezekiel stood between them, Ozma's eyes wild with fury. Sophitia's eyes were saddened but shed no tears. "Ozma! Stop! Those monsters could still be nearby and-"

  "I DON'T CARE!" Ozma bellowed sparkling sand flowing from his furious eyes. He then unched into the sky and flew away toward the castle.

  Overwhelmed by the burden of the accusations, Sophitia fell to the ground. Ezekiel offered her soce. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "You promise you'll never leave my side?"

  Ezekiel excitedly procimed," I will never leave you!" He continued to embrace her. "I will fight for you to the end of my life. I will forever be your knight."

  Sophitia smiled. She knew how he felt about her.

  But their little love was soon enough interrupted. The scythe-wielding vilin appeared behind them.

  "Well, well, well… I had a feeling the rat would return to her hole! Come Sophitia, Baphomet has a new idea he's just dying to try out with you!" Phobos sneered.

  Just then the leader, Xiphos, appeared on the other side, "I must admit Phobos, you've redeemed yourself! Now come, Sophitia, time to go!"

  Ezekiel stood tall in front of Sophitia.

  "Oh, look at this whelp, are you going to save your little friend?" Phobos ughed hoarsely.

  Boccos then appeared on the other side of them. Ezekiel and Sophitia were surrounded. But he came with a warning, "Sir. Several entities approach. We will soon be under attack."

  Xiphos sneered, "Come, Sophitia, you don't belong here. You belong to us!"

  "No!" Ezekiel screeched as he poised himself.

  Phobos approached with his scythe pointed to Ezekiel's throat. "Listen, kid, you are vastly outnumbered and overpowered, don't try anything!"

  Ezekiel burst forward and struck Phobos squarely in the jaw. His powerful blow though simply bounced off of the creature's face. The monster counterattacked with his scythe, slicing down Ezekiel's face, neck, and chest. Sparkly sand spewed from the gash and the blow forced him to the ground. Phobos swiftly followed up with the bde pressed against the back of his neck.

  He knelt to the brink of destruction and prepared himself to be beheaded. Time seemed to slow down, he watched as Sophitia was pulled away by Xiphos' forceful grip. She reached out her hand to Ezekiel. His promise fell apart before his eyes. He hung his head in shame, forced his eyes closed, and waited for the scythe to fall.

  But it never did.

  The sounds of bdes cnging and fists cshing against otherworldly skin could be heard. Ezekiel quickly opened his eyes and looked up. Grec stopped the bde and cwed Phobos in the face and smashed the demon's chest with an open palm. The blow burst the creature away causing him to drop his scythe and roll in the ash. Grec then warped himself to Xiphos, with a triple kick to the head, the long-horned demon sprawled in another direction. Grec warped again and threw Boccos into some still-burning rubble with a csh. Finally, he warped to Sophitia and helped her up to her feet.

  "You kids alright?!" He asked with concern in his eyes.

  "Sir Grec! You're safe!"

  "Of course, why wouldn't I be? I just wish I got here sooner… but no matter. We're here now!"

  The demon creatures picked themselves up and surrounded the three with sneering and snarling.

  "How dare you touch one such as thee!" Phobos gred. "I ought to have your head!"

  Grec readied himself. As did Ezekiel. "No, Zekey, now you must run. I will protect you from here. Others are coming to my aid so worry not! Now go. Run to the castle!"

  "But Sir Grec, I…"

  "It's Sophitia they want. We mustn't let them have her. Take her to the castle! Now go! That's an order!" Grec demanded.

  "Urgh!" Ezekiel grumbled as he reached for Sophitia's hand and was about to dash away. However, their path was obstructed by Phobos, his wicked scythe poised and a menacing grin on his face. Instinctively, Ezekiel positioned himself protectively in front of Sophitia. Phobos drew back his scythe to deliver a deadly blow but Grec materialized in a teleportation feat, arriving just in the nick of time. With remarkable agility, Phobos' scythe was intercepted, followed up with multiple kicks to the face, effectively preventing the bde from ever reaching Ezekiel. Once again, Grec's commanding voice pierced through the chaos, urgently instructing them to flee for their lives.

  They continued their desperate run towards the floating castle in the sky. In the distance, they heard a mighty roar emanating from Grec. The cshing of metal and the spewing of fmes. Ezekiel was filled with hope now as he knew that Grec would be fine. He could then see overhead an army of Alphins making their way towards the battle. Evermore creating positive vibes of survival.

  The Castle soared into view like a monument conjured from the very essence of a tempest. Its spires reached skyward, twisting and curving in elegant arcs that evoked the spiraling dance of wind and lightning that kept it aloft. The ever-turbulent storm beneath it, powerful enough to blow away the heaviest of objects soon gave way to allow them access to the front gates. Ezekiel picked up Sophitia, carried her up, and flew through the gates to set foot on the crystalline ground.

  There were a multitude of warriors prepared for battle. Lined up in rows, the Alphins gritted their teeth as they stayed at the ready.

  "I don't understand what is happening?" Ezekiel pleads with a passing soldier.

  The soldier was shocked, "Zeke! You look awful! Do you need to go to the infirmary!?"

  "What? Oh… this?" He looked down at the gouge in his body which seemed to stop flowing sand. "Just a scratch, I’ll be fine!"

  The soldier nodded in agreement, "Grand Elder Azul was just looking for you. After hearing about Vogoya being burnt to the ground, we sent for Grec and a small force of soldiers. Ozma came by just a moment ago saying that these creatures were looking for Sophitia… Please make haste to Grand Elder Azul!"

  "Thanks! We're on our way now!" Ezekiel waves goodbye to the soldier and leads Sophitia along to the castle chambers.

  Finally, they arrived at the heart of the castle, where a tall Alphin wearing a breastpte adorned with eight pristine gems stood before them. Ezekiel excitedly bowed himself as Grand Elder Azul, extended a warm welcome.

  Ezekiel knelt before Grand Elder Azul.

  “Arise, my son, you do not need to kneel before your father!” Azul decred.

  Ezekiel stiffened up, “yes father.”

  Azul squeezed his son's shoulder. “ At ease, son. I heard about the events at Vogoya. I’m sure Grec will report back with great news of victory!” He then looked over to Sophitia, her face distraught. “My dear, you have such a beautiful face. Do not be sad. You are safe now!”

  “Thank you, my lord.” Sophitia cracked a smile.

  “What is with you kids and your formalities, we are family!” The big Alphin raised his cws. “Why, I’ve known you when you were only this tall.” He said as he held his cw low to the ground.

  Sophitia smiled bigger, at least he was cheering her up.

  Ezekiel was happy to see his father, but his mind wandered about why they were summoned. “Father, why did you ask for us?”

  “Come now, a father has to expin why he wishes to see his son?” Azul shrugged.

  Ezekiel nodded impatiently, “Surely this is more than a friendly visit. I saw the soldiers outside.”

  “Yes, yes, just preparing our defenses from the recent attack.” Azul dismissed.

  Ezekiel looked around, expecting something to happen.“Right… so, why are we here?”

  “My son, have patience,” Azul said firmly.

  “What about those monsters!? Grec is out there fighting them!”

  “I’ve already sent a squadron to reinforce him. From what I heard, there were only 3 of those creatures. And from what you’ve already seen, many defend us here at the castle. We are safe here my son.” Azul remained calm and collected.

  “Well okay, do we at least know what they are!? And why they’re after Sophitia?”

  “The ones pursuing you are called the Demontians.” Azul began.