His ancient shelter

The rhythm he imposed on them became so violent that she thought she would come out broken at the end of their embrace. But after he came into her, reaching together into the crystal ocean above, she noticed in amazement that her strength had returned.

- It should be enough to keep you going until the end of this battle.

They got up together, a big blue bird came to inform them about the enemy.

- That's the signal. Let's go, baby.

- Yes.

Thanks to Seurus' magic, the veil of darkness faded slightly, to help the couple find their way more easily.

And while Ariadne watched this terrible and probably painful scene for all those who were locked up, she remembered with lucidity the atrocious period of kistarat, Zeujor's darkest sin. But she now understood that the time of Azhewo's so-called treason, for which he was accused and convicted, was an injustice that deserved madness. This abusive punishment that he agreed to take on, because he thought he had to, was now devastating Ariadne more than her sublime lover could ever imagine.

- Ariadne, are you all right? Asked the latter, worried.

Tenderly, Ariadne stroked his black hair, kissing it.

- I'm fine, you don't have to worry. Really, she insisted as he gave her a sceptical look. Moreover, why will I still feel bad when I have finally become strong and, above all, I have obtained the power to tame you. From now on, until the end, your life is mine Azhewo.

The fallen prince finally smiled at her.

- I see. But you promise you're not tired?

- Yes.

- So let's keep going.

But instead of continuing their journey, Azhewo looked at her as he stroked her face, her long hair and bent over to kiss her. Ariadne closed her eyes and responded with all her heart to this kiss when she heard his thoughts. She let herself be immersed in passion by listening to the words of her love.

"Ariadne, if the world I loved needs my light to be saved, then I will use it again, with my magic to give it peace. I hope that this will be the case. But just so you know, I no longer feel the slightest fear, because my inner light was the priceless thing you helped me to discover and carry. And now I am ready to fight again by my brother' side to fight evil and restore order. And I am now convinced that you have told me the truth throughout our story. From the moment our eyes met until we had to separate, and even after that, it was all truth. You offered the person so lost and alone that I was, everything that a woman would ever be able to offer. How could I ever thank you? I would simply be tempted to believe that you too are aware of reality. That you are of all, my greatest love. And this, to the very end.

- Seurus opened the way for me. I could take care of the rest now.

- But where are Astieme and the master? We didn't see them anywhere.

- You worry too much about these people. They're as tough as nails. A little too much for my own good.

- But......

- But what? What? What are you still going to argue about now? We'll see them soon enough. For the time being, Ariadne is staying behind me, because the battle is going to be very hard.

- Yes, Azhewo.

Azhewo created a huge tunnel through the sails of darkness that surrounded the palace. The dust filled the atmosphere and suffocated it horribly, no life moved in it, everything was plunged into an endless sleep.

Suddenly, a sinister voice reflecting a deep boredom came out of silence and resonated terribly in space.

-You have come, Your Majesty.

Azhewo straightened up.

-Yes, I'm here, as you can see.

- You couldn't help yourself, could you? Always like that! Always fighting your dark nature.

- What do you want, Azhewo replied, indomitable. I'm so made. A true invisible hero.

- And this woman who accompanies you must love you infinitely to accept you as you are.

- You can say it again. But although your voice is more than eloquent, I command you to go out and show your pitiful face... Ytel.

- Okay, Ytel nodded with a calm that did not bode well. But in fact, I forgot, he came back with a false innocence. That's true. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I forgot you're no longer Emperor Azhewo. So I no longer have to obey you or call you with a title. You have no idea what drives people to horror.

- Oh, that's where you're wrong, Ytel, and besides, you're perfectly aware of it. Refuted Azhewo calmly. Because I have also committed various sins, all unforgivable, because of my anger and hatred towards the world. Sins so ugly that I was expelled from my own empire to be plunged into a world without light and hated forever.

Then, without wasting any more time in vain discussions, Azhewo irradiated with a dark light, the ground under his feet liquefied, emitting a thick black smoke, then a portal formed and opened, from which came out with horror a giant monster. A huge flying monster, with smooth and spotted skin, with a huge head crowned with a royal mane. Mounted on his beast, Azhewo held Ariadne firmly by her magic, as the waves of evil began to spread everywhere. They flew as high as possible to escape the thick sails that their powerful enemies were spreading everywhere.

- Ariadne, stay here on Pokoluz. I'll be right back.

- No, I want to come with you!

No... - No... No. With my condition, I would never have enough strength to fight Ytel and protect you at the same time.

Ariadne became angry.

- I don't need Azhewo's protection. And besides, I'm a princess. I don't care about your permission, I have the right to do what I want.

The fallen emperor, elevating them to heaven in an eloquent gesture, did not even bother to answer, but cursed inwardly the obstinacy of women, and his in particular.

He jumped out of the beast and disappeared into the ocean of black mist, leaving the princess alone.

- Azhewo!

The situation was similar to the previous one with Master Mertillo from Venezia. But this at the time, without explaining herself, the young princess had the feeling that the magic was more macabre and powerful.

Later, the metal giants came with strength to strengthen the struggle of the imperial brothers. Ariadne was happy and extremely relieved to see the help finally coming.

- Finally a little help. She shouted as she sighed. It's about time.

-Polokuz, go get Azhewo. Ariadne ordered, with terrifying authority.

-No! The beast was hesitating. The prince said.......

- That's an order, Polokuz.

Flying fast, Ariadne and Polokuz did their best not to let themselves be wrapped in the viscous limbs of the black mist. They gradually moved closer to where Azhewo had landed a few moments earlier, when a spectacular earthquake occurred, followed by an explosion in the left wing of Zeujor Palace. The people, prisoners of darkness, were all unconscious, suffocated by the powerful spell. The prison of smoke thickened and absorbed the energy and magic of each being enclosed within it. Polokuz followed the emperor with caution and sneaked in with a surprising dexterity and speed in relation to his size through debris and dangerous obstacles.

Ariadne, for her part, had eyes only for her lover. He was so strong that she could only be dazzled by it. But his breathing became irregular because of his progressive fatigue.

Finally, he stopped and talked to someone about a huge beast covered with sharp points and spitting out a sea of acid.

- Such power, Your Majesty. I expected nothing less from you. A power that even surpasses my vision. But in my opinion, no one has the right to be that strong.

Azhewo shrugged his shoulders.

- I regret that this is a problem for you, of course, but it doesn't bother me because I like power. And it belongs to me. And that's all that matters.

- What a beautiful arrogance. You must really be loved to the point of being crazy about it.

- And, you have no idea how much.

- So, may they all forgive me, all those beings who could not help but love you to the point of losing themselves, because I will break their hearts by breaking you.

- If you succeed, you will never be forgiven. But between us, you shouldn't be too forced, because their hearts are already damaged, ... and for most of them, despite all my will and what I tried to do to prevent it. How ironic, but anyway. Now, nothing you can do will add to that grief.

Ariadne finally saw the infamous sovereign leader of the unregarded Mertillo. One of the black princes of Veneze and undoubtedly one of the most dangerous beings in the galaxy. His inner night was darker than that of Venezia.