Chapter 120: Xander The Great (3)
The Savior party looked around in confusion as they tried to piece together what happened in the battle with the Ancient Titans.
"We were praying for Luna and Sora was fighting Tesarion. They were right over there." Levi said, pointing to an area with bones scattered awkwardly. "Why isn’t his body there and why are the bones rotten?"
"Also, it’s daytime and the sun was setting when we kneeled in our prayer circle," Jubelle added.
"Good catch. This is very strange. Let’s teleport to the Lockhearts for an explanation," Sasha suggested.
Ignis remained calm and tracked the family’s location via the party seal. "They’re grouped together a few miles from here. Sasha’s right, we should head over to them and ask them what happened."
Eagerly awaiting answers, they quickly teleported to the trio.
"Why the hell are they all asleep like that? It looks like they just collapsed mid-step. Are they ok?" Connor asked.
Levi, Leila and Sasha started sprinting toward a different member of the family.
"He’s barely breathing and his pulse is super low," Levi said as he pressed two fingers gently on Sora’s neck.
"My bestie’s in the same state. That’s what happens when a god visits them!" Sasha exclaimed.
Leila shouted, "Why is Xander half a foot taller and slightly muscular for a toddler?!"
"They’re sleeping, it’s about 15 degrees warmer, Xander looks like he’s almost 3 years old." Bishop said calmly as he stroked his mane.
"Is it possible the fight took that long? That doesn’t explain the bones, unless Sora melted him away with Lockheart’s Reign."
"Maybe Bishop’s right, does anyone have their cell phone with them?" Julius asked. "We should check the time and date."
Celeste overheard the conversation and realized an important detail only she would know.
"Hello everyone. I am still linked with Sora which means the three of them are sleeping. I’m going to check the mansion to see if there’s anything else that seems different. I’ll update you soon. Stay calm!"
Celeste appeared at the mansion and frowned at the state of the property. She beautified the yard, recreated the garden and brought the flowers back to life using creation magic.
As she walked inside, she rushed to her room and looked at her cell phone. She grabbed it, looked at it, dropped it while gasping, ’Oh no...’
"I need everyone to take a deep breath. Lucious, Sera and Iris, are you ok?"
"Yes, we’re fine. What happened out there?" Lucious responded calmly.
"Alright everyone. I don’t know what happened because I was also frozen in time, but before Sora used his spell it was January 19th, 2043. Today is May 5th, 2045. We have to wait for them to wake up. I wonder why all three of them would be asleep visiting with a different god or goddess."
Everyone in the party looked at each other, hoping someone had an answer. No one understood what that meant or how it affected them.
"Does anyone feel any different? I feel exactly the same as I did when we were praying, just not as sad because of all of this craziness." Rissa said shyly.
"Wait, what about Iris? She was born early that morning. Celeste, is Iris still a newborn?" Jubelle yelled.
Celeste teleported to the hospital room, where Iris laid in her mothers lap, fast asleep.
"Sorry to barge in, this was the easiest way to make sure time didn’t affect us."
"No need to apologize. I’m glad it didn’t. We would have missed Iris’ first year," Sera said with a small smile. "Poor Luna. She was such a sweet girl."
"Don’t be sad. Your newborn will feed off your emotions. Luna sacrificed herself to save all of us. Try to stay happy." Celeste said before returning to the others.
"The only thing we can do is wait until they wake up!"
*****
"This is new." Sora said calmly. "I’m glad we’re all in the same dream."
"Hello Lockhearts," Athena said politely.
"Hello your majesty. I’m sorry I lost control and tortured Tesarion. I’m ashamed and disappointed. Xander tried his best to help me and I ignored him. I failed you and my family. Are you here to punish me?"
Athena smiled. "Thank you for apologizing. I am not here to punish you."
"I’m glad you’re not punishing Dada. Thanks Nana Fena."
Brie kissed Xander on the head and looked at Athena, who seemed nervous.
"Why did you bring the three of us to the same dream space?" Brie asked politely. "How is this possible?"
"Sorry to interrupt, but time started flowing again the second I fell asleep, correct?"
"Your party is trying to understand what happened in the time they were frozen." Athena said with a kind smile. "As to why I decided to bring the three of you, that is because this is a unique circumstance."
"Is it because of my powers?" Xander asked shyly.
Athena chuckled and nodded. "I am offering you a short-term invite to Paradise. I need help identifying who is working with the fallen and who passes along the information to Helen, Eris and Azazel. This will also be a great opportunity for Xander to learn, practice and master his abilities."
"So you were watching when Xander explained his ability!" Brie said proudly. "Xander, would you be interested in meeting your dada’s parents?"
"Yes and dada told me to ask you about his life and said that you would tell the story better. Can you tell me while we’re in Paradise too?"
Sora smiled. He was glad Xander was feeling so much better.
"How long would we stay?" Sora asked politely.
"16 Exterian days."
"Yes Nana Fena, we will come to Paradise. Can we talk to our family first?" Xander asked.
The couple smiled and Brie said, "After today, the next time you see them, you’ll be an adult!"
"But I’ll grow up like a normal kid right?" Xora quickly frowned.
"Yes Xander. The three of you will experience the flow of time exactly as you would on Exteria. The only difference is your party will only experience 16 days." Athena explained politely. "You and your parents will grow tremendously. Keep that in mind when you return."
"Well, we’ll be able to watch them in slow motion and keep tabs on what Eris and them are up to. Any luck identifying where the fallen group stays, other than the Underworld?" Sora asked.
"Unfortunately I have not. Although, I am hopeful that you will have a keen eye because you are not accustomed to visualizing this universe from Paradise." Athena paused as Xander looked nervous.
"Xander, you have nothing to be nervous about. Your grandparents and I will be there and you’ll meet plenty of my wonderful family. Think of them like they are my party."
Xander smiled. "Thanks Nana Fena, so your party is family like our party is our family. Got it"
"I love when you call me that. Now go back to your party and talk to them. Tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in Exterian time, there will be a portal in your mansion in your bedroom. I’ll see you then!"
******
The family slowly woke up and everyone, aside from Lucious, Sera and Iris came over and started hugging Sora, Brie and Xander.
"How did you manage to fight that thing for over a year?! Xander you’ve grown so much!" Sasha said, excited to see them.
"A lot happened in a short amount of time. Xander tried to stop me from torturing Tesarion and lost control of time. Over a year and a few months passed in less than 2 minutes for Xander and me. I unlocked Brie and froze her and Xander as quickly as I could." Sora frowned. "I’m sorry for snapping like that."
"We all get angry sometimes, Sora." Ignis said with a smile. "You were upset you lost someone close to you. You wanted to ensure you protected the rest of us."
"I appreciate that, but I can’t take back what I did. We can talk about it at home."
"It’s ok dada. You said you’re sorry and you’re back to being good again." Xander said as he opened a portal to their living area.
"Wait, what do you mean he’s back to being good?! When was he evil?!"
