Chapter 653 The Nine Layers Rebuilt Pt1
"I guess there's nothing to worry about, right?" Cestia asked, one of her eyebrows hitched upward in skepticism, but then her expression softened at my enthusiastic nod. "I suppose a peaceful Underworld doesn't sound too bad."
"Could you just fix up Leo before we head out?" Xieus asked, embracing Rem and casting a worried glance toward the crystal structure that held the demonic being that was once Leo. Even in its monstrous state, I could see a glimpse of the friend I had known, which steeled my resolve.
"If it was only that easy. For now, I will have to seal him away and try to figure out how to completely remove all the chaos that is infecting his body. I had been hoping that sealing him off like I did would have returned him, but that hasn't been the case yet. My only option is to put him to sleep and seal him deep in the heart of my astral island," I explained, and Capricorn came up to me and gave me a hug.
"I am sorry that we couldn't stop Kadeon from using us against you. All of us hated lying to you, but it tore him apart the worst. The two of you were so close on Prime. Even though he was your guard, you still treated him like your brother, and Leo never forgot that," Capricorn said into my chest as I stroked the white hair between her horns.
"I know, Capri," I murmured, tightening my hold on her. The guilt that gnawed at my insides eased slightly, replaced by a fresh wave of determination. "And I promise, we'll bring him back."
As we broke off the embrace, the Zodiacs shifted uneasily, Xieus and Rem still quiet by my side. Regardless of Leo's current situation, we were still a family, and families stuck together, no matter what.
"For now, I will be sending you all back up to The Mortal Realm of the Goddesses. I think that the gods up there are all busy getting ready for a big event, so I would like you to help everyone. Tallia and Eliza will help get you settled in, and I will take care of Leo," I said, resting a hand on Xieus's shoulder. She looked up at me, her eyes glinting with unshed tears. "Don't worry, we will have plenty of time to talk later. I really just want to get everything finished down here so I can head back up top. I have been gone for far too long, and I am seriously missing everyone!"
Xieus nodded, dabbing at her eyes before offering a watery smile. "Thank you, Galio. We...we all have faith in you. You brought back the Underworld from chaos once, you can do it again," she declared. Rem and the Zodiacs echoed her sentiment with firm nods and encouraging smiles.
Feeling a bit lighter, I turned to look at the transformed Leo, encased in crystalline armor. I reached out, creating a small portal beneath the crystal structure, and sent him to my astral domain. I could sense his demonic aura dispersing, safe and contained for now. Solving Leo's predicament would be a task for another day. Right now, I have a realm to rebuild.
As I waved my hand, creating portals to the Mortal Realm for Xieus, Rem, and all the Zodiacs, I felt the weight upon me. I felt the sheer necessity to rectify the mess that I partially contributed to creating. I was the God of this Realm and the responsibility fell upon me.
"No pressure, right?" I muttered to myself, my mind already racing with grand plans of restoration.
While I had explained things to the others, I was still trying to decide what I wanted to do. The Underworld was different than the world above in the respect that it wasn't set like the world above. My only guess was that this was a twisted place created by Kadeon after this reality came into being that we were all stuck in. That gave me an unlimited amount of flexibility and power when it came to changing it.
"Alright, First thing is to go over what we have right now," I said out loud. "The first layer should be at the top, and that was the Lava Lake, so I might as well work with that."
With a wave of my hand, that entire layer became a destination resort that stretched for miles in all directions. This place would allow for manifestations of any recreational imaginings, from swimming in vast oceans to hiking through extensive landscapes and indulging in exotic food and shopping experiences.
"The second layer, hmm." A thoughtful hum escaped my lips as I scanned the model. "Ahh yes, the Slumbering Layer. Demons who were tired of the constant death and torture came to rest on this layer so they didn't have to partake in the atrocities of the underworld." A soft smile graced my lips as I recalled the somber atmosphere of the layer. "It was hauntingly beautiful and so quiet. While I like the idea for the layer, I would prefer that it be less permanent," I said, and then thumbed my chin until a light bulb appeared above my head. "Ah! That is what I will do!"
"Wonderfully done," I clapped my hands together, flaring golden, divine energy through the model. The Slumbering Layer morphed into a retreat of tranquility, a sanctuary for the renewal of mortal and astral beings alike. Here, they could find respite, heal, rediscover themselves, and return, rejuvenated.
"Next, the Third Layer Of The Lethal Labyrinth," I muttered, my brows furrowing in thought. This was where the Raging Bull clan lived, where I helped save them, and rebuild their town after they had run away. Sadly, only to have the hellion wurm, Martha, who had tried to destroy the place in the first place, fart, and destroy everything in the end.
"Perhaps turn it into something safer," I mused, my hand swiping over the model as sprawling forests and serene bodies of water replaced the treacherous labyrinth. The new Third Layer turned into a land of exploration and adventure, teeming with docile wildlife and flora.
Follow current nov𝒆ls on freew(𝒆)bnov𝒆l.(c)om