Chapter 290: Preview of Hell.
"Goodness me, this is a lot," Arla stood amazed as she stared at the multitude Sol had returned with.
Unlike the first times with the individuals that he brought directly home, he had taken them all to Keele's planet and then summoned his family along, the planet rested comfortably in Earth's universe far enough that human ingenuity would take hundreds of years to even find them, but close enough that he could always find them in the night sky at a glance.
Unlike Earth which was divided into countries and races, Keele's homeworld, Rhoss, had long foregone such segregation after many wars and mistakes along with the occupation of the Emporium forced them to work together, they had a singular representative that the people had decided upon after carefully studying him for years.
While the Zenith of Rhoss was not related to Keele in any way, the woman shared a close relationship with him as she was the one directly responsible for preventing a complete Emporium occupation of her homeworld by joining their ranks; she held a title similar to that of royalty there and above even the Zenith's her word was law, but she had never before exercised use of such authority for the sake of peace.
"Lord Kree," Keele greeted him with a small salute standing casually and dressed the same. "It's good to see you after all these years," She smiled at the robed man approaching. "He looked to be in his late forties at most, with a head of short brown hair and dark azure eyes and his wardrobe was a robe resembling a pope but his mitre was rounded with a crest nobody had ever seen before.
"Milady, it is an honour to be graced with your presence after all this time," He extended his hand and took hers, kissing her fingers and lowering his head. "You look the same as the last time I saw you."
"LAW keeps one's youth." Keele chuckled and then stood at his side and gestured to Sol and Ikaris who walked hand in hand.
"Lord Kree," Sol extended his hand, but the man lowered his head and kept his hands to his side, bending a perfect ninety degrees and sucking in a breath.
"Please, I am not pure enough to lay my hand upon the Godslayer that liberated Rhoss from the clutches of the Emporium and brought our dear Keele back to us," The man took the headwear off and held it to his chest in what was supposed to be the highest gesture of respect on Rhoss.
"You don't need to be so formal," Sol raised a brow, looking at Ikaris but she seemed to enjoy the gesture as the man turned to her and repeated his action a second time and then slowly went on his knees placing his mitre on the ground before them and lowering himself in a perfect kowtow.
"Master Vestic, Princess Ikaris," Kree stayed in that position while Keele at his side took a knee and smiled with her eyes closed. "I was elated when I received word from our lady that you had a request, I am happy that you considered us for such an important ordeal.
"You may raise your head, Lord Kree," Ikaris spoke, and the man quickly took his headwear and stood again, as did Keele.
"It is an honour, your holiness, to be able to house your sacred people in our humble world; I am touched."
"Gods, this man is even more respectful than me," Arla sighed with a soft smile while Dina at her side huffed hopelessly; both of them stood a few paces behind Sol and Ikaris, behind them Cecelia stood with her sister and Hudor and then behind the three leaders of the Éloén clan was said clan, Sol had created a great park upon arrival and left them to explore it freely while he and the Zenith of Rhoss conversed.
"Considering who Master is and what he represents to them, it makes sense though," Dina answered, and the elf nodded in agreement. "If Master and Ikaris had arrived on Arkadia with this kind of power and solved all their problems overnight they'd have revered them just the same."
"Most certainly," Arla nodded.
"Cecelia," Ikaris called for her beckoning with a wave of her hand and the requested woman promptly excused herself from her sister's company and joined the four.
***
"I wonder just how much you understand," Sara sat with her hands in her lap and a calm smile as she watched Talia holding her hands above her and reaching for a small floating mass of light that she had created to keep her distracted until she fell asleep.
"Papa."
"Of course, Milady did an excellent job of teaching you to say papa, but can you say Sara?" Sare opened her eyes and looked at Talia who had gone still. "Hm..."
"Are you talking to the baby again?" Sol walked through the doors, and following him were Ikaris, Arla, and Dina. "I told you she already understands everything you say, she just hasn't learned how to form her words yet."
"Master, that is quite the chilling thought," Sara chuckled as she stood and gave them all a bow, then looked to the doors expecting more company. "Where are the others?"
"They're back on Rhoss with Keele," Dina answered. "They suggested spending a little time away from Earth to give us more space, not that it matters; they'll be back in a few hours anyway.
"In the meantime, it feels like we have not truly had our home to ourselves in a while," Arla smiled and rolled on the floor stopping before Talia. "Everyone will be getting busy again soon from now..."
"You included," Ikaris spoke up and the elf raised her head. "Sol will be busy keeping an eye out for Umbra and refining his control over the collective, thereby strengthening himself, which means it will be myself and the two of you in charge of everything related to the Emporium unless something happens which he absolutely must step in to resolve.
"I never imagined I'd be a part of it, the enemies you are facing are many times stronger than Dina and myself," Arla furrowed her brows in worry.
"I'm aware, and I am also aware that the real reason you are not stronger, Arla, is because you have barely pushed your limits in recent times," Ikaris retorted with her brow raised as well. "I understand what it is like to only live through warring times, but that just won't do, not anymore; I need you as my left hand to pick up your staff and grow with me."
Arla sat there with an unusually determined expression gracing her; her eyes glistened with traces of mana, and her sigils all resonated with Ikaris's as she nodded seriously and clenched her fist. "Understood, Milady," She replied to Ikaris's call to arms. "I will break through the veil and achieve new heights in your name."
"And you as well, Dina, you've become lazy because you keep getting praised for your talent and growth, but you need more; I need more out of you," Ikaris looked at the other. "What I want right now more than anything else is your strength."
"I won't let you down, Milady," Dina smiled and clenched her fist as her sigils and mana reacted to Ikaris as well, and then the aforementioned slowly turned and looked at Sol.
"Should I also say something cool to add to the moment?" Sol asked sitting up and clearing his throat when Ikaris and Arla nodded while Dina rolled her eyes at their antics.
"Ahem, alright, you three, Ikaris, Dina, Arla, I have big hopes for the three of you, I know you wont be alone but I can't help but worry nonetheless, so just know, when you're out there; all you need to do is call my name, I'll come running, otherwise though, you got this," He gave them a thumb's up and Ikaris chuckled and shook her head.
"That was a little cringe, even by your usual standards, love," The goddess smiled and kissed Sol's cheek. "Remember though, you have one task to carry out before you pass those reigns entirely," Ikaris raised a finger at him, and Sol's eyes slightly narrowed after he realised what she meant.
"Of course, how careless of me; I was here ready to start another chapter of my life when such a crucial event had yet to happen," Sol snapped his fingers whilst thinking of the several thousand signatures his mana could easily lock onto. "I still have a promise I need to fulfil," Sol spread his palm and stared into it.
"I did say a week, though, so for the time being, they have no choice but to suffer under the impression and impatience of promised doom; it can be considered hell before their true hell."
"That's if such a place will even accept them after their bodies have been entirely eradicated from existence."
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