Chapter 135: 2.12 Pasadise (6)
Athena smiled and shook Lox’s dragon hand.
His children noticed he was starting to cry and were confused.
"What’s wrong dad? You’re doing that really important job for the masked god who let us grow as dragons again! He promised us that as long as you did your job, dragons would exist on Exteria again!" Lox’s oldest son said proudly.
"Yes, your Father is doing a very important job but it’s not for the masked god. He’s secretly been working for me to expose the evil in this world," Athena lied out of compassion. "Will you two please go play with Xander out back? We have some adult things to talk about."
"Sure! Come on Xandy! Let’s go play!" they said as the three of them started to run out toward the backyard.
"Xander, one moment please. Can you please open a portal to Leila?"
"Where is she? The mansion?" Xander asked curiously.
"Yes, go ahead dear," Athena said politely.
******
Xander opened the portal and Leila was lying in bed. She jumped up in surprise and Lox turned into his human form.
"Hello beautiful. It’s been too long!" Lox said with a large smile.
Leila charged through the portal and hugged him tightly. "Lox, what’s wrong? What’s happening? Why does everyone look so sad?"
"I wasn’t completely honest with you when we met at the ruins. I gave three hints I wasn’t supposed to, but I’m glad your party picked up on them and glad I got away with it. I’ve been forced to work for Hades and the Fallen, reporting to a masked god and recruiting others to join their cause. Because of my actions, they recently made ruptures in Paradise. He took our children, Leila. I didn’t know what else to do!" Lox began sobbing while hugging Leila.
"Hey, hey... it’s ok my love. You were put in an impossible position. What are you so worried about now, though? You’re with Athena and the children are safe."
"I have to report to the masked god and he’ll surely know I’ve betrayed them. Hades will shatter my soul. I’ve seen you and Ignis. He’s an amazing person. Please don’t hold yourself back because of me. I won’t exist anyway." Lox said, as he finally stopped crying and smiled. "You’re the best thing that happened to me, we spent so much time together and have the most beautiful children in any world. Skylar is going to look after them for now, but when you and Ignis finally pass on to Paradise, make sure you take care of them, ok?"
Leila sobbed as she held onto him dearly. Everyone in the room started tearing up, including Athena. Brie finally went and sat on Sora’s lap, gave him a kiss and hugged him tightly.
"Athena, does he have to do it? Are they really going to shatter his soul? Isn’t there anything you can do?" Leila pleaded.
"I’m afraid I cannot. In order for us to ensure the safety of Paradise, Limbo, your universe and all the others, we must find out who is behind this mask and how many people in Paradise must be sent away." Athena said while giving Leila and Lox a hug. "I’m very sorry, I wish there was another way."
Leila sighed. "I wish the elves were around to give us their blessing, but we were already married so that wouldn’t work. Could Xander do anything? I know, I sound desperate here."
Lox laughed. "It’s ok Leila. Although my soul will not physically exist, as long as you and our children have memories of me, I live on. I love you very much. It was great seeing you. I’m sorry you can’t see our children, but you’ve already been here too long, you must go!"
"I love you Lox!" Leila said as she kissed him one last time.
"Well, it was nice seeing everyone! Brie, Sora, hurry back!" Leila said as she dashed through the portal, which closed behind her.
*****
"Ok Lox, please explain in detail what is happening and do you know where this masked god’s secret realm is?" Athena asked kindly.
"Unfortunately, I do not. It’s completely black and the masked god has several devices that show any activity on any planet that he wants to see. Eris, Helen and Azazel are currently taking over their eleventh planet. They are hated by almost everyone in the Fallen. Hades recently shattered a masked goddesses soul, who turned out to be Tiamat, so Sora and Brie will be the last couple ever blessed by the elves." Lox explained calmly.
"Recruitment went smoothly. There are over 70 gods and goddesses in Paradise right now, which I can assemble for you. Please, don’t hesitate to shatter their souls."
Sora should do it." Cyrus interjected bluntly.
"He should be the one to do it because they’re after his family and his power. I just have one question." Cyrus paused briefly, ensuring his tone came across properly.
"Do you want Sora to absorb their lifeforce? He can keep it, split it between Brie, Xander and himself or pass it on to you, your Majesty."
"But that’s not who Sora is!" Brie cried.
Sora was speechless. He wasn’t opposed to the idea but he didn’t want to come across as a power-hungry jerk. He just didn’t have the words to explain that and was grateful Xander teleported back into Athena’s living room.
"It’s still dada, mama. He’s still dark gold. You are too. You must help him. Remember, it’s not the magic or the power that makes someone good or bad, it’s how they use it."
Athena smiled. "I do not wish to shatter souls. Sora, this will only amplify that target on your back. Are you willing to shatter the souls of 70 gods and goddesses?"
Sora started massaging Brie’s shoulders while she sat on his lap.
"I’m going to need your help babe. Xander’s right, I can’t do this by myself. I know it sounds cruel, terrible and unethical. But if Lox is willing to give up his soul to protect Paradise, Exteria, and the other universes, we should take this opportunity to ensure the amazing souls of this beautiful afterlife understand traitors will not be tolerated and understand how kind our Majesty truly is."
"Sora, what you’re asking me to do, I don’t know if I can. Aphrodite, Cyrus, Jessica, what do you think?" Brie asked, sadness resounding from her voice.
"You’re here to learn what being a goddess truly entails. We serve Athena to ensure the souls who pass on to Paradise live a safe, happy afterlife. Others protect Limbo and provide trials for those wishing to atone for their sins. Sometimes things aren’t always as clear cut as good and bad." Cyrus said confidently.
"If they were willing to rupture Paradise for a full scale invasion, why would you not take their lifeforce to ensure you’re strong enough to face whatever enemy stands in your way of protecting our Majesty and the people?"
"I agree with my husband. Athena does far more than any of us will ever know and appreciate. Do not think of absorbing their power and lifeforce as evil, think of it as a punishment for those who dare betray our Majesty’s Paradise and the love it symbolizes." Aphrodite said poetically.
"You and Dada can do it! I can help, too." Xander said while flexing his muscles.
Jessica laughed and smiled. "I’m not a goddess, but I know all of them work very hard every day to ensure our safety and happiness. Brie, you must not view it as stooping to your enemies’ level! You’re doing it to protect us!"
Lox laughed. "I know five other rupture sites have started forming. The masked god doesn’t do a good job of concealing sensitive information on his monitors and I always pay attention to what he’s doing."
"Do you or anyone else know who the masked god is?" Athena asked.
"Hades is the only one I know that is aware of who he is. It’s someone very powerful, intelligent and who uses a voice modifier. At first I thought it was Apollo, but he visited us one day, so that rules him out." Lox said with a sigh.
"I thought it may be one of your siblings, then I thought Chronos, but Chronos doesn’t make any sense. He wouldn’t need the tools the masked god uses. He would also be able to hide his identity from Hades. I wish I could be of more assistance."
They sat and pondered the possibilities. Who could it be?
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