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The Creator's Games
Chapter 17 : An Unexpected Return

Chapter 17 : An Unexpected Return

Rael and Arut were about to leave when a familiar chill swept through the air once more. Ice crystals formed around them, and Leviathan reappeared, her expression unusually tense.

"I forgot something," Leviathan said, her tone uncharacteristically serious. She handed Rael a small, ornate letter sealed with a black wax insignia. "This must reach Raphael. It's imperative."

Rael, taken aback, accepted the letter with a nod. "But why? What's in this letter?"

Leviathan shook her head. "There's no time for questions. Just make sure he gets it." With that, she vanished into an icy mist, leaving Rael and Arut standing in bewilderment.

Rael stared at the letter, feeling its weight in her hand. "What do you think it means?"

Arut shrugged, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Whatever it is, it seems important. We should find Raphael quickly."

Meanwhile, Raphael wandered through the dense and eerie Necromella Forest, his usually sharp sense of direction failing him. The forest seemed alive, its shadows shifting and whispering secrets that tugged at his mind. Every step he took seemed to be absorbed by the forest, his presence a mere ripple in its ancient depths.

"Damn it," Raphael muttered to himself, frustration clear in his voice. "How did I end up here?"

The forest had a way of distorting reality, and Raphael found himself caught in its labyrinthine paths, unable to find his way back to the Celestial Palace. Every turn seemed to lead him deeper into the forest's heart, where the air grew colder and the light dimmer. The trees, gnarled and twisted, seemed to lean closer, their branches whispering unintelligible secrets.

Rael and Arut flew as fast as they could towards the Necromella Forest, the urgency of their mission spurring them onward. The letter felt like a ticking time bomb in Rael's hand, its importance growing with each passing moment.

"We have to find Raphael before it's too late," Rael said, determination etched on her face.

Arut nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "There! I think I see the forest ahead."

As they approached the dense canopy of the Necromella Forest, they slowed down, the oppressive atmosphere making it difficult to navigate. The trees loomed high above them, their branches twisting like skeletal fingers. The deeper they went, the more the forest seemed to close in around them, the path becoming a dark, narrow tunnel.

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"Raphael!" Rael called out, her voice echoing through the silence. "Raphael, where are you?"

The forest responded with a whispering wind, carrying with it the distant rustle of leaves and the faint sound of a stream. Arut tightened his grip on his weapon, his senses alert to any movement.

"Stay close," he advised. "This place plays tricks on your mind. We can't afford to get separated."

They pressed on, guided by the faintest of trails. Every now and then, Rael caught glimpses of what looked like footprints in the soft earth, signs that someone had passed through recently. Her heart pounded with a mix of hope and fear.

Suddenly, they heard a familiar voice, faint but unmistakable. "Rael? Arut?"

"Raphael!" Rael shouted, relief flooding her voice. "We're here! Follow our voices!"

The shadows parted slightly, revealing Raphael stumbling towards them, his face a mixture of confusion and relief. He looked disheveled, his usually pristine robes dirtied by the forest's grime.

"Thank the heavens," Raphael breathed. "I thought I'd never find my way out of here."

Rael quickly handed him the letter. "This is from Leviathan. She said it was imperative that you get it."

Raphael took the letter, his expression turning serious as he broke the seal. He read its contents quickly, his eyes widening with each passing second.

"This... this changes everything," Raphael murmured, looking up at them. "We need to return to the Celestial Palace immediately. There are preparations that must be made."

Arut frowned. "What does it say?"

Raphael folded the letter carefully. "Leviathan has provided crucial information about the Creators and their plans. We have to act fast. I'll explain on the way."

With newfound urgency, the trio took flight, the oppressive grip of the Necromella Forest falling away behind them. The sky opened up, and the Celestial Palace gleamed in the distance, a beacon of hope and sanctuary.

As they flew, Raphael recounted the letter's contents. "Leviathan has revealed that the Creators left behind a series of artifacts, each one a key to unlocking their secrets. The book Gabriel found is one of these artifacts, but there are more, hidden in realms only accessible through specific rituals and symbols."

Rael listened intently, her mind racing. "And Michael? Is there any news about him?"

Raphael nodded. "Yes. Leviathan's information confirms that Michael is trapped in a realm created by the Creators themselves. The artifacts are not just keys to knowledge, but also to his prison. We must find them all to free him."

Arut's eyes hardened with resolve. "Then we have no time to lose. Let's gather our forces and start the search immediately."

The Celestial Palace loomed closer, its gates opening to welcome them. They knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger, but they were more determined than ever. United by their mission, Rael, Arut, and Raphael prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead, their hearts set on uncovering the secrets of the Creators and rescuing Michael from his dark prison.