Lilith and the others were packing their belongings in preparation for their departure.
"I think that's everything," Zake said as he zipped up his bag.
Lilith glanced at him and noticed that one of the buttons on his shirt had been fastened incorrectly.
She walked over to him without saying a word and gently fixed it.
A smile immediately appeared on Zake's face.
"There," Lilith said with satisfaction. "That's better."
"Thank you," Zake replied softly as he reached out and held her hand.
Lilith smiled back.
Ever since they were young, she had always been the one taking care of him, especially during the time when he couldn't control his thirst for blood.
"Ahem."
Yvess deliberately cleared his throat.
The two of them turned to look at him.
"You can let go of my sister's hand now," he said.
Zake quickly released Lilith's hand and awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
.
.
Meanwhile, Zander stood before a towering bookshelf, silently scanning the rows of ancient black-covered books.
He pulled one from the shelf and slowly flipped through its worn pages.
A wave of loneliness washed over him as memories of Maddison filled his mind.
"You miss her, don't you?"
Zander turned around and saw Heberlin sitting by the window.
"We all miss them," Zander answered quietly.
"Yeah," Heberlin replied. "But let's be honest... you're the one who misses her the most."
Zander let out a weary sigh.
Heberlin stood up and picked up a goblet filled with blood.
"Why do the women we love always die?" Zander asked bitterly. "Are we cursed?"
Heberlin chuckled.
"Maybe." He shrugged. "Who knows?"
Zander just shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"You're both so dramatic."
The two turned toward the doorway.
Xenon was standing there with his arms crossed.
"Says the guy who's never even had a love life," Heberlin shot back.
"That's because I don't want to end up like you two," Xenon replied without missing a beat.
Zander lit a cigarette before looking at him. "So why don't you get yourself a girlfriend, huh?"
"Because protecting the people I care about is more important than chasing romance," Xenon said.
"Oh, listen to Mr. Noble over here," Heberlin teased.
Xenon rolled his eyes. "Why are we even talking about love? We're leaving soon, so stop wasting time and finish packing."
"Yes, boss," Heberlin said with a lazy salute. "We'll head out first."
He walked out of the room, with Zander following behind.
Left alone, Xenon slowly approached the window.
He gazed into the distance, his expression growing solemn.
He couldn't help but wonder...
How was his best friend, Aria, doing now?
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.
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Aznar Kingdom
Titus quietly watched the unconscious bodies of Hades and Spring.
"So, they were the last survivor of the Seasons Family?" Titus asked.
Aria nodded. "Yes. Some fragments of their memories were erased, and they were under Mirce Lorde's control."
"Lady Aria!"
They turned toward the familiar voice.
Akuma rushed over and immediately wrapped Aria in a tight hug.
"Auntie, thank goodness we finally found you," he said with relief.
Viel smiled warmly. "I'm so glad you and Uncle Cedrick are both safe, Auntie."
Behind them stood Mist, Xerxes, and the others.
"I'm happy to see all of you safe as well," Aria said with a gentle smile.
"We're fortunate we made it here in time," Xerxes replied.
Aria smiled in response.
Xerxes' gaze suddenly shifted toward Titus.
His eyes widened in surprise.
Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee before him.
"You don't need to bow to me, Xerxes," Titus said calmly.
Xerxes immediately stood.
"I never imagined you were still alive, Prince Titus," he said.
Akuma blinked in surprise.
"He's a prince, Brother?" Akuma asked.
"Yes," Xerxes answered. "He is the Prince of Hell. I've heard that Hell has been at peace ever since Prince Titus took command."
Viel froze.
"T-The Prince of Hell...?" Viel whispered.
Titus turned toward Viel.
To everyone's surprise, he respectfully bowed.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Your Highness," Titus said.
Viel stared at Titus in stunned silence.
Do I... really have another relative?
But the thought of his father, Leviathan, suddenly surfaced in his mind.
His expression darkened.
Even now, he still couldn't fully accept the truth...
That he was part demon.
And that Leviathan had been his father.
Aria broke the silence.
"Now we finally have hope of defeating the Mirce Lorde."
Everyone turned toward her.
"I can sense them... They're getting closer," she said. "Xylon and the others are on their way."
Akuma's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Aria nodded.
"Yes... but I still can't determine their exact location," she frowned. "The Queron barriers are interfering with my abilities. They're disrupting my senses and preventing me from contacting them."
"If that's the case," Mist said, stepping forward, "let's go find them. We should head back to the Fifth or Sixth District. They might already be there."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Just as they were about to leave, Aria's attention shifted toward Ira.
Her brows slowly furrowed.
Something's wrong...
Why did Ira's aura feel so strange?
And more importantly...
Why couldn't she read his thoughts?
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.
Back at the academy...
Xylon stood alone in the academy garden, quietly admiring the blooming roses.
They reminded him of Jade.
She had always loved roses.
Whenever he used his illusion magic to make crimson rose petals rain from the sky, she would smile with pure delight.
"Your Majesty."
Arden's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Xylon turned toward him.
"It's time for us to leave," Arden said.
"I see..." Xylon gave the flowers one last glance before nodding. "Let's go."
The two walked toward the others, who were already waiting.
.
"Your Majesty," Lilith called. "I saw something in one of my visions."
Everyone turned their attention to her.
"A portal to Hell has been opened," she continued.
Xylon frowned. "What do you mean? Who opened it?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Lilith replied. "But... I think I saw Titus emerging from it."
"Titus?" Xenon repeated in surprise.
"He's alive?" Xylon asked, unable to hide his disbelief.
Lilith slowly shook her head. "I can't say for certain. However, I learned that Hell now has a new ruler."
Lilith possessed the rare ability to witness events taking place in Hell, as well as foresee glimpses of the future through prophetic visions.
Xylon lowered his gaze in thought.
"If Titus is truly alive..." he narrowed his eyes. "...then what is he planning?"
Realizing there was no more time to waste, the group decided to leave the academy.
Their next destination was the Throne Palace.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, at the Throne Palace...
"Why haven't Hades and Spring returned yet?" Sheen asked impatiently.
"The Mirce Lorde ordered them not to come back unless they bring Aria with them," Tresvain replied.
Sheen folded his arms. "Then why don't we go help them?"
Owen smirked. "How kind of you."
At that moment, the chamber doors swung open.
Arkanus entered the room.
"I'll send several Undeads to accompany you, Sheen," Arkanus said. "Can you track them down?"
Sheen frowned. "Wait... why am I the one going?"
"Because I know you can handle it," Arkanus smiled confidently. "You won't be alone. A squad of soldiers and several Undeads will accompany you."
Sheen sighed in resignation. "...Fine."
He stood up from his seat.
Owen raised a hand, opening a swirling portal before them.
As Sheen stepped toward it, he glanced back over his shoulder.
"Tell your pets to move faster," a mischievous grin spread across his face. "I'm not a very patient person."
With that, he crossed through the portal.
Arkanus gestured for the soldiers to follow.
After they departed, he closed his eyes and concentrated.
Moments later...
From outside the palace came the eerie rumble of the earth shaking.
One by one, skeletal hands burst through the ground.
The Undeads were rising from beneath the earth.