CHAPTER 18: IT'S TIME FOR SOME RETRIBUTION:

In the dimly lit chamber, the air was thick with tension as the group gathered around a massive, ancient table carved from the wood of the Whispering Trees. They were strategizing their next move against the nefarious High House Council who was elusive. The flickering candlelight danced off the faces of Simon, Dragon Eye, Kenif, Maxwell, Tanya, Jamia, Joss, and Yontin, each wearing expressions of determination and fear.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as a gust of wind swept through the room, heralding the arrival of an unexpected visitor. A muscular warrior, with skin like polished obsidian and armor that shimmered like starlight, appeared out of nowhere. He knelt before Alexi and Marcus, his powerful presence demanding attention.

"Greetings to you, Lord Marcus and Lord Alexi. My name is Sandyon. Lady Jane has sent me here with urgent news: we have captured the High House Council members before they could escape to their planet, Celestian. Luckily, we stopped them just in time."

Alexi's smile illuminated the room. "This is great news!" he exclaimed, turning to the rest of the team. "We must act swiftly."

But as the excitement pulsed through the room, Alexi's expression darkened. "However, I cannot take all of you to the Outer Realm," he said with a frown. "The most I can take is two of you."

"Why can't all of us go as well?" Simon interjected, his voice rising with a mixture of frustration and disbelief.

"Because, if we take you to the Outer Realms, you may never be able to return. The realms are intertwined with ancient magic, and once you cross over, the threads of your existence here will become fragile. We cannot risk losing you all."

Marcus replied, his tone serious, "We understand the risks, but we cannot let them go unpunished."

The room fell silent, the weight of Alexi's words sinking in. Each member of the group exchanged glances, their fears and hopes colliding like storm clouds.

"I will go as well," Yontin said, then knelt in front of Jamia. "My Lady Jamia, it has been an honor to serve you and the Wolfect Family. However, this is where I must part ways. Until I can become strong enough to protect you and young Master Kenif, I will not return."

"Yontin, you can't-" Jamia started, but Yontin shook his head, a look of determination on his face. "It is my duty," he insisted, his voice firm.

"As you wish, Sir Yontin, but make sure you come back. You are not allowed to die, and make sure you return as powerful as a God," Jamia said with a smile to the man who had been her protector for over forty years.

Alexi stepped forward, his face solemn. "This is where we part ways. I am truly sorry things turned out the way they did."

With that, Alexi, Marcus, Sandyon, Yontin, and Dragon Eye vanished in a flash of brilliant light, leaving the remaining members of the group behind, their resolve strengthened yet heavy with loss.

When they arrived in the Outer Realm, the air was charged with tension. They stood before a makeshift prison where the Southern Council members were tied up, struggling to break free.

"There is no escape for you," Marcus growled, fury glinting in his eyes. "You will die here today."

Without warning, Marcus drew his sword, the blade gleaming ominously in the dim light. The first strike was swift and decisive; he killed Natly, followed by Jake and Tana, their screams echoing in the air. "This is for my son and daughter, and my beloved wife," he declared, tears of blood streaming from his eyes, mingling with the dust of the realm.

Alexi, fueled by the same vengeance, rushed forward, his blade finding its mark as he killed Peter, Merry, and Patrick. "This is for my daughter, my wife, and my unborn child," he cried, his grief palpable in the air.

With six of the seven council members dead, only one remained—Roland, the last Council member, who was now trembling with fear. Marcus and Alexi stood before him, swords at his neck, their resolve unyielding.

"Do you have any last words?" they asked in unison, their voices a chilling echo of the wrath that had gathered within them.

Roland's eyes widened in terror as he stammered, " Wa...Wai ....Wait.... Wait! Don't kill me, I Know of away for you to get your families back. He said fearing for his life.

That's impossible they are long gone, don't play games with us. Marcus and fury written on his face as he grabbed his sword tightly.

Wait! I'm telling the truth there is away . Rollins said panicking. Have you ever heard of the legend of the forgotten message?

The words hung in the air, a sudden stillness wrapping around them like a thick fog. "It is said to have belonged to the God of Time, and it has the power to rewrite history," Roland continued, his voice quaking but gaining strength as he sensed their intrigue.

"Rewrite history?" Alexi echoed, skepticism etched on his face. "How do we know you're not lying?"

"I'm not lying, I am telling the truth." Rolan cried.

"You conniving little snake, Then were is it?" Marcus asked. " There is no way you, would know about this, and not know we're it is" Marcus said with a frown.

"Your right about that Mark, Yontin, dragon eye search his pocket. Alexi said.

As Yontin and dragon eye, searched Rolan's pocket they found Two golden.

Are those, Medallions rings?" Alexi asked, holding them up to the light. "What do these have to do, with the Forgotten Message?"

Roland's eyes flickered with a mix of relief and fear. "They are the keys that will take you to the Forgotten Message. Just placed them a pon your fingers, and it transport you to the forgotten message. Where you can, make your wish, and that is all I know I swear. He said his heart racing.

"That's good to know, However, we are still going to kill you." Marcus said, his voice low and dangerous.

In an instant, Roland's fate was sealed, his final breath escaping in a choked gasp as the swords of Marcus and Alexi found their mark.

As the echoes of their vengeance faded into the night, the glowing medallions pulsed in Alexi's hands, their power undeniable. "We have a chance," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and dread. "But we must tread carefully."

As they prepared to activate the medallions, Yontin spoke up, "What if the Forgotten Message gives u the power to change not only our past but the very fabric of the future? Are we ready to bear that weight?"

"It doesn't matter, I'm ready to do whatever it takes to bring back my family."Marcus replied, a fire igniting behind his eyes.

"Lady Jane! Sir yontin, wishes to be stronger, and dragon eye need a new place to live. Can you assist them." Alexi asked.

"Lady Jane knelt down, before Alexi." My Lord, It would be and honor to do so. She reply.

With a nod of agreement, Alexi and Marcus placed the medallions rings on their fingers and felt the world around them dissolve in a kaleidoscope of colors.

In a blinding flash, they were transported into a realm lost to time, a place where the air shimmered with potential and the ground pulsed with ancient magic. Before them stood a colossal, ethereal figure—the God of Time himself, cloaked in robes woven from the very fabric of the universe.

"Welcome, seekers of fate, I am Meco the god of time. As rewards for your long travel I shall gran you one wish each

But be warned every choice has consequences. Choose wisely."the God intoned, his voice resonating like thunder.

To be continued…..