Elara and Adrian ascended the narrow cliff carrying Marianne along, her focus sharpened on the task at hand. The rugged terrain demanded her complete attention, every movement calculated and deliberate. Yet, in a sudden and inexplicable moment, she felt a peculiar sensation wash over her, as if a void had opened up within her being.

Her hands, once steady on the climbing belay, faltered and their grip loosened involuntarily. A wave of disorientation swept through her, leaving her momentarily suspended between the solid rock face and the vast expanse below. Though she couldn't discern the source of this sudden weakness, the sensation lingered, casting a shadow over her ascent and stirring an unsettling emptiness within her soul.

Her sudden moment of weakness sent a ripple of concern through the group. Adrian, ever vigilant, noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor and quickly moved to support her.

"Be careful! What happened to you?" Adrian's voice had a genuine concern as he steadied her with a reassuring grip. "You seemed a bit off just now."

Elara blinked, trying to shake off the strange sensation that had gripped her. "I'm not sure, It's like... something just shifted within me, but I can't quite explain it."

Adrian had sensed a disturbance earlier, a gnawing feeling that something had gone awry with Alexander. But he hesitated to voice his concerns to Elara, so instead he said somethink else. "We're in this together, remember? Lean on me if you need to."

Meanwhile, Marianne, snugly secured in the specialized suit strapped to Adrian's back, remained unaffected by the strange sensation that had gripped Elara. With the treacherous terrain now behind them, she focused on maintaining her balance and supporting Adrian as they ascended the challenging climb.

As they reached the summit, an unsettling figure was waiting for them and Marianne's complexion paled instantly, "Is this real? What in the world is happening?"

Xyreon stood before them, perched at an altitude of over 2000 feet, an unexpected and ominous presence.

Elara and Adrian, unfamiliar with Xyreon, exchanged wary glances. "And who might you be?" Elara inquired with tone betraying a hint of suspicion.

"There's no time for pleasantries, Miss little human. I'm certain you're well aware of who I am and what I can do," Xyreon retorted sharply.

"Miss little human? Hahaha! What's this? A new term in the lexicon of dominants?" Adrian quipped, attempting to diffuse the tension with humor. Yet, a chill ran down his spine as Xyreon's demeanour remained unsettlingly calm. It was clear that this encounter was far from ordinary or dangerous.

"I would love to chit chat if time permitted. Sadly, it doesn't," Xyreon remarked casually, his tone belying the gravity of the situation. "Oh, and it appears someone is absent from our gathering. No matter..."

With a swift motion, Xyreon pulled Adrian like magic in front of him and grabed him by the neck, leaving the group stunned and speechless. Shock and disbelief washed over them as Marianne, already weakened by injury, succumbed to unconsciousness. Elara, though mentally prepared for anything, found herself overwhelmed by the unfolding events. "Stop! What's happening? Is this real?"

Each word uttered seemed to hang in the air, unanswered and surreal, as the gravity of their predicament sank in.

"YOU little ant!! Do you dare to show strength before me!!?" The voice boomed like thunder. And indeed, a bolt of lightning crackled through the air, striking Xyreon's back, causing him to recoil and release Adrian.

Xyreon's expression reflected a mix of terror, awe, and begrudging respect. However, the respect stemmed purely from fear and nothing more. It was inconceivable for Zeus to tolerate such a person. "You insignificant piece of garbage! I will unleash all my fury and sorrow upon you!" The slap was forceful and decisive, pinning Xyreon to the ground with staggering power.

The battle unfolding before Elara and Adrian's eyes defied their comprehension. Who was this imposing figure who appeared out of nowhere and dispatched Xyreon with such ease, as if swatting a fly?

The entire spectacle lasted mere seconds. Zeus reduced him to little more than a broken shell with his blows. As a form of punishment, he seared Xyreon's legs and bound him in a manner that would force him to confront his impending demise firsthand.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"I believe you're in the perfect spot right here. It would be futile to waste words on you, so I shall remain silent." In the blink of an eye, he seized Marianne, Adrian, and Elara, whisking them away into a void.

As Zeus deposited them on the ground, Adrian realized they had arrived at the exact location indicated by the map Alexander had provided.

"Incredibly enough, we're actually here!! Elara, we've arrived!!" He was overcome with exhilaration. The experience of teleportation, witnessing unreal powers, and the adrenaline rush of danger and tension had left him in a state of trance-like euphoria.

In vain, Elara's eyes fixated on Alexander's locket, suspended from Zeus' outstretched hand. The weight of its absence, the stark reality that Alexander was gone, settled heavily upon her.

Never again would she feel his reassuring touch, his presence beside her. Tears, unbidden, traced silent paths down her cheeks, their moisture pooling in the cradle of her hands, as if she could somehow hold onto the memory of him a little longer.

"Elara, you will have ample time to mourn your loved one. The situation calls for difficult decisions and important choices," Zeus's tone remained emotionless. "Take your friend with you and follow me."

In a surge of rage, Elara jumbed on Zeus like a tempest. "YOU KILLED HIM..!!" Her blows were fierce, but futile against Zeus's immovable form.

"Calm down, woman. I am not your enemy. I understand your pain, but now is not the time for recklessness. For Alexander's sake."

In the hearing of such words, she shook of her head, wiped away her tears and rose to her feet. A silent vow to honor Alexander's memory with her strength."Ok! Lead the way old man." Her voice became steadier now, resolved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With Adrian by her side, they carried Marianne and followed Zeus into a breathtaking cave. What awaited them within was beyond anything they could have imagined. Instead of ancient relics, they found a convergence of technology and nature, a sight that left them breathless with wonder and apprehension.

In the ancient cavern, lit by an ethereal glow, Zeus began to weave a narrative that spanned the ages. Elara, Adrian, and Marianne, drawn together by fate and the two of them listened intently as the god spoke with a voice that held the depth of thunder and the warmth of a distant fire.

"Thousands of years ago humanity thrived in a state of innocence and wonder. Your ancestors may not have wielded the vast expanse of knowledge you possess today, but their minds were open, like fertile soil, ready to receive the seeds of enlightenment. We, whom you might call gods, revealed ourselves to your ancestors around 3000 years ago. But we were not the first; Hathor and the deities of Egypt walked among humans even before us. Their stories, and ours, are written in the chronicles of your history and mythology."

A flicker of light danced in Zeus's eyes, reflecting a myriad of untold stories.

"Across the globe, numerous beings were revered as gods and goddesses. But the reality of our existence is far more intricate than the labels bestowed upon us by humanity. Whether we are truly gods, or something else, is a matter of perspective."

He leaned forward slightly, the shadows playing across his ageless face.

"Indeed, many among your kind elevated us to divine status, and we found no reason to dissuade them from such beliefs. However, it was always the few, those with heightened consciousness, with whom we truly communed. We shared our knowledge, our 'light,' sparingly, ever mindful of the delicate balance that must be maintained to ensure your prosperity and not your downfall."

Zeus's tone took on a note of solemnity.

"While some of us sought harmony with humanity, others were less kind. Nevertheless, we were all bound by a silent vow — never to overstep and dictate your destiny. Humanity is unique, destined to carve its own path through the march of time."

The mention of an impending threat captured their attention.

"We have long anticipated the arrival of another force, one capable of upsetting the balance. With our assembly fading, the equilibrium of existence teeters on the edge. We find ourselves at that critical juncture now my fellow travelers."

His gaze softened as he looked at Elara, conveying a deep empathy.

"Alexander perceived this critical moment six years ago. Although he didn't grasp every detail, he understood the scale of the danger ahead. His departure, though deeply painful, was a necessary sacrifice."

A sigh, heavy with unspoken sorrow, filled the cavern.

"I advised Alexander to share his burden with you, Elara. Yet, revealing such daunting truths is often harder than it seems. This realization, as always, comes too late."

In contemplation, Zeus's expression mirrored the countless cycles of human struggle and divine watchfulness.

"In the end, clarity emerges, usually when our journey nears its close."

As Zeus extended his hand, the locket passed into Elara's trembling grasp. Its weight far heavier with meaning than its physical form suggested.

"You and Adrian were his final thoughts."

Zeus's voice, heavy with the weight of unsaid goodbyes, filled the charged air. Elara's eyes, brimming with unshed tears, betrayed her stoic front, each drop a silent testament to her grief. Beside her, Adrian, overwhelmed by the moment, allowed his own tears to fall.

"The device Alexander entrusted to you carries the legacy of my lineage. And this, carries his. It's designed for IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), a way to preserve his essence and ensure proper genetic lineage."

Elara, reeling from the revelations, found herself caught in a tempest of shock and disbelief.

"This sanctuary, is a bastion of knowledge and safety. Beyond this point, you will discover truths that span the breath of existence. Though you may start as a few, your influence will ripple through the ages."

With a profound look that seemed to traverse time itself, Zeus imparted a final piece of wisdom,

"In the light, shadows are cast, and in glory, envy follows. My time in your tale ends here, as I must step beyond the archives of your history."