"I believe you need to continue training as a group, visit the elves and pass on this information to all of your allies. Helen and Eris are in Obsidian Hallow and their princes are planning on tracking your party."
"How can we stop the tracking?" Sora asked.
"It's not possible. Pretend to not notice them. Don't keep all of your gods and goddesses in one place."
"Funny. That's what Levi told us when we met before we came here."
"Ah, yes. The Steele family. The Uthra army is strong but lacks a formal leader. I believe there are open seats for Uthra on the Council."
"We really need to start meeting more regularly. We thought it might be too dangerous." Brie said.
"Just make sure Celeste is somewhere safe. Even if they can track you, their response time will not be instant. Formulate a plan. They cannot find nor can they see the elven barrier. They also cannot track inside their barrier. You should live there."
"That would be insulting Athena and breaking our vows as absolute rulers. Thank you so much Lox. Your information is priceless."
"You are a great couple. You're welcome." Lox said happily.
"Leila, my love. I am sorry you must face this without any of us. I know you've been lonely for 2500 years. It's been a joy to watch you meet friends and form bonds with your party. You will encounter more, I'm sure. If you ever wish to see someone…"
"Stop! I don't wish to see anyone. Why were you listening when I talked to Jubelle at the wedding?"
"You misunderstand. We are always with you and watching. Unless we are asleep, time flows differently here. One hour of your time is a day here. So if we sleep, we only miss about 20-30 minutes of your day."
Leila felt the warmth in her heart. 'I knew I wasn't imagining things. I felt so much more powerful in my dragon form.'
"Do you have any indication of who the traitor may be and what is Athena doing about it?" Brie asked politely.
"She wants to keep everything a secret. I only know because when I told her you were coming to our homelands, she asked me to meet you here to inform you."
"What's life in Paradise like anyway? Are the kids growing? Are they behaving? What about the rest of our dragon family?"
Lox laughed. "One day you will find out. That is not for me to tell. Although, our souls continue to grow, even in Paradise. Be well, all of you. Your friends are returning with your gear. I love you Leila. Sora please unlink."
'Release'
Leila looked surprised but shook it off. 'Must be a god thing.'
*****
"Brie. This message is directly for you. Sora, if you don't mind. She will use the whisper spell."
"Sounds good! Thanks again. Talk to you soon babe!"
"Lockheart's whisper. Brianna Lockheart and Loxus Fury."
"Sorry to be secretive, but you are the hottest topic in Paradise right now. Congratulations on passing the trial."
"Thanks, but I know that's not what you wanted to talk to me about. I'm sure it involves Sora?"
"It involves all of you. It will always involve all of you. I just thought you were the best person to tell."
Brie blushed. She couldn't understand why everyone in Paradise kept thinking and talking about her. The women of Exteria started showing their love and appreciation for her again after the elven and chimera recruitment.
"Ok. Please tell me."
"Sora asked you to promise him to prevent him from abusing his eye power. This must absolutely come to fruition. The Steele family had another vision of the prophecy."
"It's good he is self aware about it though, right? What was in the vision?"
"Yes, that's a good sign." Lox answered.
"There were two again. I won't spoil the first, but it ends with children for you two. I know that's been weighing on both of your minds and you both want them, so rest assured the savior version has a happy ending."
Brie smiled and held her heart and teared up with joy. She prepared herself for what came next.
"Ok. What about the destruction?"
"Aphrodite informed me she showed you visions of him destroying the world. This still happens but he also freezes time and forces you to stay with him forever. You, Levi, Sasha, Leila, Julius and Narissa will never be able to pass on to Paradise."
"Oh no! Why wouldn't we be able to move on to Paradise?"
"Exteria will be destroyed and they will be frozen in time. They will have visions while frozen that make them feel guilty for failing the world. You will be stuck with him and you hate him for it. This makes him angry and it tortures you."
"I will not let that happen! I cannot let that happen. I will not let your wife, my best friend or anyone suffer that fate. Sora has too good of a heart to be that cruel. What triggers that prophecy? The first set didn't show a reason, just the outcome."
"The same holds true this time."
'If I'm alive, what could possibly cause Sora so much pain and anger he would snap?'
"I'm sorry but I can hear your thoughts. This is a mystery. Usually prophecies show two outcomes with a moment or moments that build to someone snapping. Someone is messing with the visions by blocking certain parts."
"Thank you for telling me. What should I tell Sora?"
"The truth of course! I just wanted to speak to you alone to reassure Athena your mindset remained clear. Thank you for being you, Queen Lockheart. More importantly, thank you, Levi, Sasha, Jubelle and Sora for my family and on behalf of the dragons. Rescuing Leila caused nightmares to end. Remember, one hour for you is a day here. Imagine watching Sora suffer through 2500 human years in super slow motion, with no end in sight. Goodbye!"
Brie felt the presence leave. A shiver ran down her spine.
'Why end such an amazing tale by leaving like that?'
"Hey Sora!"
*****
In an unknown location:
"It's done. I did as you asked. Will you please send my children back to Paradise?" Loxus pleaded with the masked god.
"A deal is a deal. They are there now."
"What is really going on?"
"You are on a need to know basis. Your work in Paradise has been top notch. You know I can always take your children again."
"You know I'll do anything to prevent that. I just don't understand why you would have me tell them all true and valuable information. If you want Exteria's downfall, why help them?"
"Sometimes the best laid plans require a unique discernment."
"Well I'm clearly missing that perspective. May I return to Paradise to see my children?"
"Yes but your duties remain the same. Any and all information you feel valuable you will pass on, or I'll take your kids with me and pry your memories from your soul."
"That won't be necessary. I serve you willingly. Send me back please?"
"I will. I will summon you back when needed. Be prepared or else."
Loxus took a deep breath as he finally returned to Paradise.
'That god makes no sense! It's like he's helping them but claims to be trying to destroy Exteria. I'm just glad no one picked up that I aided them with the titans. I don't serve him willingly, he's taking my children!'
"Dad!" Loxus heard before two souls gave him a warm hug.
"It's so good to see you two. The god didn't hurt you, did he?"
"Nope! He said our dad asked him to watch us because he's doing important business to help restore the dragons. He let us do all kinds of fun things!" Tej, his oldest son exclaimed.
"He even let us have our dragon bodies back so we could fly and grow!" Savannah, his daughter mimicked the flying motions as she spoke. "Maybe we will get to see Mommy again soon with daddy's important job!"
Lox used his joy from seeing his children to mask his rage.
'This god is a monster, whoever it is.'