"Great, it's a pleasure to meet you. We'll take you somewhere safe."
The boy didn't seem to agree; darkness swirled rapidly around him, as if trying to protect him. Ada quickly stepped in and tried to disperse it, but it faded on its own after a few moments.
A son of Rutia? she wondered.
Darryl gripped the Blendbreed tighter and tried to pull him up.
"Are you the boy we've been looking for?"
Without speaking, Shirei simply nodded and allowed himself to be helped to his feet. Only then could Ada see him properly. He was tall, very tall, and his body appeared thin, more suited to agility than strength. His black hair fell over his face, but left just enough room to catch a glimpse of his irises. When their eyes met, Ada's first instinct was to flinch and shut her eyelids.
Purple.
Perfect, round, and bright purple eyes.
Only a fourth-generation god had such a peculiar shade.
Cragar! Ada screamed in her mind.
The other members of the group seemed to reach the same conclusion, and for a moment, they froze. Darryl was the only one among the four who remained rather impassive, almost as if he weren't surprised at all. He moved Shirei's arm around his shoulders and helped him take a few steps, which, under other circumstances, would have been quite a funny scene. Shirei was at least ten centimeters taller than the son of Corgi, so the latter wasn't providing much real support.
Elaine stepped toward them and crouched slightly on her knees to look him in the face. "I'm a healer. If you tell me your symptoms, I can try to heal you."
The daughter of Mardi smiled sweetly at the Blendbreed, who, however, gave her no response.
"Ada," Darryl gestured for her to come closer, bending his index and middle fingers, "can you take a look into the Interworld?"
The Blendbreed nodded and closed her eyes. With her mind, she traveled through her body until she reached her chest, where her heart beat strongly. Right nearby, she saw her divine particle shining and activated it. She felt the mana contained within it whirl rapidly and spread throughout her body until it reached her ocular bulbs.
When the Blendbreed reopened her eyes, the world around her had changed.
The sensations surged like a fierce hurricane, tossing her in every direction. It was like being swallowed by an endless vortex, where green, white, and black fused into a chaotic dance of indistinct colors. In the sea of that distorted dimension, Ada vaguely caught sight of Shirei's specter, but his form was altered, almost unreal. It was completely natural — the boy was still in the Mortal World, so she could only see him through the aether particles outlining his figure in negative.
He was wrapped in a green mist, while five spectral flames spun above his head, one closer than the others. Beside him, a dark mass floated in the air, revealing a sword that emitted a sinister aura.
Ada struggled to find her bearings, to find a stable point in that tumultuous ocean of magic and chaos. But despite her efforts, all she could perceive was the roar of the aether surrounding her and the unsettling presence of Shirei, hidden behind the dark veil of the Interworld.
"What do you see?" Havel asked impatiently.
The daughter of Rutia looked at Shirei and tried to describe what was happening. The Blendbreed was surrounded by a myriad of luminous green particles — the aether, in fact.
She shook her head and looked more closely; she was mistaken.
The particles weren't surrounding the boy, as they should have with a normal Blendbreed. On the contrary, they were being expelled from his body at great speed, almost as if he were blowing gas out of every pore.
"He's…" she hesitated; it couldn't be possible. "He's expelling aether into the Interworld."
Darryl grimaced. "He's in mana overdose."
"Overdose? What does that have to do with aether?"
The boy explained further after seeing the confused faces of his companions. "This place is one of the entrances to the Underworld. He must have come from there."
Ada nodded. She felt foolish — that's where she had heard the name before, and why it seemed so familiar.
"In the Underworld, the amount of mana is extremely reduced compared to the Mortal World. If he's used to so little, the mana present here is filling him up so much that it's overflowing."
What Darryl said made sense, but Ada couldn't help noticing a flaw in his explanation. All Blendbreeds could control mana, the magical energy that permeated the atmosphere of every world, but Shirei was expelling aether from his body.
According to what they taught at the Lilies Park, there were no beings truly capable of storing aether within their core.
It was impossible.
Aether wasn't considered a magical energy like mana; it was merely its residue.
She deactivated her powers and prepared to report the anomaly, but she was interrupted by an unexpected event.
The ground itself trembled beneath their feet. A deep, otherworldly, and menacing voice echoed through the area, piercing into the minds of those present.
"Come back to me," it resounded.
An irresistible call seemed to awaken ancient memories in Darryl. He knew to whom those words belonged, and he wished he hadn't recognized the tone shaped by that being's vocal cords.
As the ground cracked under the pressure of an unknown power, the voice continued with relentless determination. "We must destroy the gods. Come back to my side."
It was a promise: to bring destruction and rebellion, throwing the celestial world into a dance of magic and metal.
The Blendbreeds looked around, trying to deny the growing fear within them.
From the depths of the cracks that had opened in the earth, from the black waters of Lake Avernus, and from the shadows of the surrounding trees, creatures began to emerge that seemed to come directly from the most hidden zones of the Overworld.
Their structure was similar, but with some exceptions, distorted beings dominated.
Living deformities wrapped in tattered robes, as if torn from the very fabric of chaos. Their heads, devoid of any trace of hair or eyes, were as smooth as stone, yet not without expression. At the center of their faces, a gaping mouth revealed a long, serpentine tongue. Their bodies, skeletal and malnourished, were covered by taut and cracked skin, as if deprived of nourishment for eons. Long, sharp claws adorned their bony hands, ready to tear through the flesh and blood of the living.
Their movements were mechanical, stripped of all grace or fluidity, like puppets controlled by an invisible puppeteer. Every step was accompanied by a sinister sound; their bodies creaked and groaned under the weight of their own existence. Some had membranous wings, others dragged themselves across the ground.
Even Lake Avernus was coming alive, with aquatic creatures climbing out from its depths, their whitish gills quivering as they met the open air.
But what most alarmed the Blendbreeds was their cry — a heart-wrenching howl that pierced the ears of all present, as if their words came from a dimension beyond time itself, announcing their arrival with a delay of a few seconds.
Darryl widened his eyes and froze for a moment. Out of the corner of her eye, Ada saw the son of Corgi's hands begin to tremble frenetically. She was frightened too — probably all the Flowers of the Equinox were — but Darryl's reaction was too unusual.
He was the oldest Blendbreed of Lilies Park, one of the few in history to have surpassed twenty-five years of age without ceasing to fight.
The daughter of Rutia scrutinized his brown eyes for any clue, but found only fear.
However, the terror he radiated didn't seem caused by the creatures themselves, but by what their presence might signify.
Darryl stammered, like someone trapped within his own personal nightmare.
A faint voice escaped his lips, almost a whisper.
"Cronomorphs."
As all eyes turned toward him, the son of Corgi lifted Shirei's hair and stared at him. His facial muscles pulled his skin tight, changing his expression.
He knew him, Ada realized. Darryl knew why all of this was happening, and he was aware of the reason behind the appearance of those unknown creatures. It was Shirei's fault, but the Blendbreed didn't know why.
"The what?" Havel asked, stepping back.
"Do I really have to explain it in this situation?" the son of Corgi answered rhetorically. "We have to leave. Right now!"
Without wasting another second, the four members of the Flowers of the Equinox closed into a circle, ready to defend themselves from the imminent assault of the dark creatures. With their backs pressed together, they prepared for battle, their eyes locked on the enemies who approached with a menacing stride.
The creatures launched their attack, their twisted limbs flailing in unnatural movements as they rushed to overwhelm the Blendbreeds with their inhuman will.
The leader of the Flowers of the Equinox did not lose heart. Brandishing his axes, he answered the cry of the dark invaders.
"Bring it on!"
Darryl reached a hand toward him. "Stop!"
But it was already too late. Havel had charged into the attack.
The son of Sidal unleashed his bloodthirst and struck down one of the creatures with an upward blow. The Cronomorph howled, but its body collapsed to the ground only after several seconds, producing no sound when it fell. By the time the thud reached the Blendbreeds' ears, Havel was already on to the next enemy.
Ada cast a quick glance at her companions, then, taking a deep breath, followed their leader.
The daughter of Rutia sprinted toward some creatures heading for Havel's back. With one hand, she made an upward gesture, summoning the shadows that condensed from the ground in a surge of darkness.
She kept running toward the son of Sidal, launching the creatures into the air — they seemed to be repelled in slow motion, almost as if the frames of their animation were missing.
The leader of the Flowers of the Equinox faced a Cronomorph, which tilted its head while sizing him up.
Its cracked skin emitted a nauseating stench as it fixed its featureless face on the Blendbreed. Havel wasted no time and lunged, seeking to anticipate and counter any reaction from his opponent.
The Cronomorph responded by opening its jaws toward him and releasing a soundless scream.
Ada dodged the other monsters' attacks with feline grace, striking back at some of them as the battle turned into a spectacle of dexterity.
Havel managed to break through the creature's defense, slicing it in half with the blade of his axe.
Without waiting for a counterattack, he struck again with deadly precision.
With a triumphant roar, he cut through the heart of the dark monster, dissipating its essence into the atmosphere of the Mortal World.
But the boy's victory was short-lived, as more Cronomorphs approached, ready to avenge their fallen companion.
It was then that something ambiguous happened.
A shrill scream echoed through the air, throwing the son of Sidal several meters away. The Cronomorphs were already upon him, and before he could defend himself, they closed in to strike.
Ada's eyes widened, and she immediately moved her arms in his direction, channeling the dark flow into a wave that blasted them away.
The Blendbreed got back to his feet, unharmed. "Thanks," he said, panting.
With his axes still drenched in the blood of fallen enemies, Havel braced for the next round of battle, determined to fight to his last breath.
The Cronomorphs kept their distance, almost as if studying them.
Ada moved to his side and cast a glance behind her, where she saw Darryl running toward them.
What's happening? This isn't part of the plan, she thought.
She turned to find Havel's gaze, about to ask him what the son of Corgi was doing.
That's when she understood the problem.
The leader of the Flowers of the Equinox coughed up blood and bent over himself as countless claw marks appeared across his body. The armor he wore shattered under the sudden blows, and he lost his grip on his weapons.
Ada caught him, terrified, while Darryl gestured for them to move.
The Cronomorphs vanished in an instant and reappeared above them, ready to strike.
Darryl's flames set them ablaze, but the bodies merely fell to the ground, writhing.
The man, with Elaine's help, carried Shirei over to them. The daughter of Mardi supported Havel while Ada screamed, asking what to do, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.
"Darryl! What do we do!? Darryl!"
The son of Corgi ignored her for a moment, laying the bleeding leader on the ground, then turned toward her. The Cronomorphs vanished again.
"A barrier of darkness, now!"
Ada didn't need to be told twice. She reacted instinctively, raising her hands as magical energy coursed through her.
A wave of power quickly spread from her fingertips upward, forming a midnight-blue circle around the group.
The Cronomorphs hurled themselves against them, but darkness rained down, creating a dome that kept the Blendbreeds safe inside.
For a moment, the group held their breath, while claws tried to tear a breach.
The barrier held, cracking only slightly under the relentless assault.
They were momentarily safe, but the daughter of Rutia was unsettled by her inability to measure time properly.
In the dark reflection of the dome, she could perceive the terror in her companions' eyes.
Their figures trembled slightly, a sign that her divine core was affecting her vision.
She wouldn't be able to maintain control over the darkness much longer.
"What a terrible situation…" she muttered under her breath.
The sound of creatures crashing against the shield filled the air, accompanied by their guttural gurgling.
Elaine couldn't help but wonder if everything would truly be alright — maybe their time had finally come.
"What are these monsters?" she asked, her voice heavy with dismay as she watched the barrier tremble under the creatures' blows. She still couldn't understand how they had managed to hit their companion.
"It's their power," Darryl replied, his tone tight with tension. "Their attacks land either late or early compared to their movements, involuntarily shaping the temporal flow."
Ada felt a wave of panic rise inside her. "And you're telling me only now?!" she exclaimed, frustration clear in her words.
"I tried, but he charged ahead!"
"Enough!" interrupted the daughter of Mardi. "At this rate, I won't be able to heal him. I can't absorb mana!"
Darryl looked towards Shirei, who was still struggling to breathe, clutching his chest with one hand. The situation was beyond critical; Ada would have to dissipate the dome, or Havel might not survive. But if she did, the entire group would be at the mercy of the monsters.
"You have to get out of here," he said resolutely. "I'll hold off the Cronomorphs. You return to Lilies Park and focus on Havel."
The boy coughed in response. "N-not happening."
"You have no say in this," replied the son of Corgi. "They have undergone Damnatio Memoriae. You can't fight them; you don't know them, and this is your first encounter."
Ada couldn't fully follow his explanation — she had never even heard of the Damnatio Memoriae he spoke of — but she knew he was right: they couldn't stay there.
"They only want him," he pointed at Shirei. "Leave them to me."
The son of Cragar and the son of Corgi exchanged a nod.
"You think you can handle it?"
Shirei inhaled and nodded.
"Then we have our plan."
The light green glow emanating from Elaine's hands faded. Ada looked at Havel's blood-covered body.
"I can't do it," declared the Blendbreed, her voice exhausted, a clear sign that her mana reserves were depleted.
Ada turned back to Darryl. "You have to survive."
The Blendbreed smiled and said, "I've got other things to do before dying."
"Okay, so, what's the plan?" asked the daughter of Rutia.
"You will deactivate the dome and open a portal to the Otherworld for you, Elaine, and Havel. Ammir will find you."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because he owes me a favor," Darryl retorted. "He'll find you."
"Then you'll join us at the park later?" Elaine asked for reassurance. "Are you sure you can fight and protect him?"
Darryl nodded, letting silence spread through the confined space where they had taken shelter. Ada could feel the dome draining her mana reserves at a frightening rate. "Then we are ready."
With a deep breath, the daughter of Rutia dissolved their protection.
The Cronomorphs howled in unison the moment the darkness was dismantled, but before anything worse could happen, a tornado of flames engulfed them all.
"Now!" Darryl shouted before hurling a fireball at one of the creatures.
Elaine quickly absorbed as much mana as she could and resumed healing Havel. Ada, meanwhile, began chanting the spell to open the portal: "O divine Ammir, immortal protector of travelers, grant us your swiftness to return home, and we shall be infinitely grateful."
Behind them, the landscape distorted as magical energy began swirling in a circular motion. A few seconds later, a cerulean portal stood open, awaiting them.
Ada rushed to Elaine and helped her lift Havel, who had since passed out. Before crossing into their escape route, the Blendbreed turned back to look at Darryl. The son of Corgi unleashed an explosion that drove the enemies away and locked eyes with her.
Shirei took a deep breath and was swallowed by darkness, a sign that he had transported himself into the Interworld. That must have been part of the plan they had discussed while she and Havel were fighting.
Ada didn't understand, but there was no more time.
The last thing she saw, before being transported to a deserted land of the Otherworld, were Darryl Fyreborn's eyes illuminated by the light of the burning flames.
When she blinked again, the entire scenery had changed.
She was now standing on a deserted beach shrouded in the darkness of night. The sound of waves gently crashing on the shore filled the air, blending with the sea breeze that caressed her face.
She rose slowly, spotting Elaine not far from her. Her friend looked on the verge of tears, her eyes brimming with confusion and fear. The daughter of Rutia approached her with an uncertain step, resting a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, even though she knew words could not erase the fear they both felt.
"Havel…" Ada whispered, turning her gaze to the still unconscious Blendbreed lying on the sand. Grains of sand covered his bloody skin, but the boy remained unresponsive.
"His heart is still beating," Elaine managed to say. "I can't do much else… but the mana of the Otherworld is slowly helping him."
Ada nodded. "The Berserker's Resilience… good thing he's Sidal's son."
"But we need to get back to the park. He won't recover without an ichor infusion, and for that, we need his brothers."
They could only hope Darryl had placed his trust in the right deity.
"A ladybug told me you need a hand," murmured a voice to their right.
Ada stumbled and fell to the ground as a figure appeared, smiling, on the deserted beach. Looking up, she saw Ammir, god of travels, shaking his head with casual boldness.
"You're here," Ada murmured, rising to her feet with a mix of respect and reverent fear.
"Yeah, I made it quickly, huh?" The god of travels nodded, sticking a finger in his ear, seemingly awaiting praise.
"I'm here to settle my debt… finally," he said calmly.
Without waiting for a reply, the deity snapped his fingers, and the landscape changed once again.
They reappeared in a familiar room: the infirmary of Lilies Park.
Havel was already lying on the bed, while Ammir was thoughtfully touching his chin. The god of travels sat cross-legged on the stool next to the cot.
"Mh, yeah, he should make it," he convinced himself.
"Look at the time!" he exclaimed before teleporting to the door of the room and waving them goodbye. "I'm leaving before Aena gets here, see ya!"
The god disappeared, leaving them speechless. Ada turned to look at Mardi's children present in the room, who had retreated until their backs were pressed against the wall.
They had finally made it home.
── ⋆⋅❂⋅⋆ ──
A message from Darryl arrived a few hours later through Ammir, and the Flowers of the Equinox were summoned to the Grand Manor to discuss it. Fortunately, Havel had recovered, even though he wasn't exactly in great shape.
Vacation is more important; we'll have enough time to recover, Ada thought.
The daughter of Rutia had gone to Lyceum's office ahead of her companions, hoping to confer with the goddess of love and ask for information about what had happened. Unfortunately for her, Aena was absent, and Lyceum confirmed that the Forbidden Heir had not yet arrived at Lilies Park.
So he's missing… she noted bitterly. We failed. We lost a Forbidden Heir, perhaps a really powerful Blendbreed…
Her thoughts were interrupted by Lyceum D'Agostini's voice as he read the letter that had just arrived. "Dear companions, I hope the situation at the park is not critical. On my end, I can assure you that the enemies encountered have been defeated. How is Havel? Has he woken up? I trust that Ammir arrived just in time."
"I'm fine, you idiot," replied Sidal's son. "I've been awake waiting for you for fifteen minutes already."
But before they could say anything else, Lyceum continued: "I know you're waiting for my return, but it won't happen so soon. There's something I have to do, so I'll be busy for a while. It's very important."
Elaine quickly stopped the rector from continuing to read the letter. "What does it say? We need to go to the Mortal World, it's our vacation!"
"I'm afraid he anticipated that question," he replied, adding, "I'll be spending the holidays alone this year, I need it. I'll come back as soon as I can. I repeat, it's important, believe me. See you soon, Darryl."
The Flowers of the Equinox did not take Darryl's letter well.
"What the hell does that mean?" Elaine snapped, crossing her arms with an annoyed expression. "He can't just disappear like that, without explaining anything!"
Havel, still visibly weakened, ran a hand through his hair with an exasperated sigh. "Do you think we should go look for him?" he proposed, looking at the others for an opinion.
Ada simply listened to the exchange with tightly pressed lips, then finally answered: "If he decided to go off on his own, I doubt we'll be able to find him easily."
There was something in that message that made her uneasy. Their team had faced difficulties together, yet now Darryl was distancing himself without a real explanation. Why couldn't he trust them?
After a few more grumpy comments from Havel, the Flowers of the Equinox decided to let it go for the moment and headed toward the exit of the Grand Manor, with Elaine still grumbling something about the terrible timing of Corgi's son.
Ada was about to follow them when Lyceum's voice stopped her. "Wait a moment."
She turned, surprised. The man was looking at her with a serious expression, holding another letter, smaller than the first. She let Havel and Elaine walk a bit farther before he whispered, "Darryl left this for you."
"Why didn't you give it to me earlier?" she asked, puzzled.
"I didn't want to risk the others coming in suddenly and seeing it. It's specifically for you."
The daughter of Rutia took the letter, opened it, and examined it. It had been written by Corgi's son as usual, but this time there was only a small message at the bottom of the page. A warning directed solely at her.
"Ada, whatever happens… stay on Shirei's side and take care of him. That boy needs it… and so do we."