(MalexMale) The Crimson Immortal [Crimson Immortal Series: Book 4]

21: To the Devious Queen's Domain

Every day for five days Zhil pushed himself to the brink of destroying himself. He'd start early in the morning and work late into the night. Each attempt brought him closer to his goal. He didn't care if he lost time because they would soon save Sei. On the third day, he lost consciousness for a time. Luck was on his side not only because the period of time he lost was short but he also noticed it. By the fourth night, Zhil had managed stabilized rifts outside of Sei's domain. He was pushing himself even harder on the fifth day, focusing solely on places far out of reach. Most attempts ended in him being slammed against the ground otherwise very few he was able to maintain. The distance seemed to be the crux of his problem when creating a rift. So he changed tactics by rifting to the edge of Sei's domain. It was his hope that by narrowing the distance he could stabilize a rift within Mysia's domain.

By the time dusk arrived on the final day, Zhil was on his last ounce of energy. His head throbbed, his body ached, and his limbs barely wanted to cooperate, too sore as if he'd been weighted down by a pile of stones.

Zhil took a slow deep breath and felt the soul energy filling his veins–the magic glowed lightly beneath his skin. Zhil found the glow particularly odd, in the past when his skin glowed he was near his maddening destruction. He struggled with enraged feelings and wanted to destroy everything and himself. But now he didn't feel the fluctuation in his emotions or that sense of destruction. The glowing had become who he was as a true soul mage. However, It did make him snicker at the thought of how the Mage Hunters would react seeing him with glowing skin and in control of soul magic. Sadly, the world had been thrown into chaos and Mage Hunters didn't have time to find and punish violators of magic anymore.

The last light of the clouded sun's warmth faded below the horizon when Auran arrived with Lecia and Lios in tow. The three were dressed in dark clothing with hoods that shrouded their faces. The night was warm accompanied by a cool mist brushing off from the nearby waterfalls. Zhil had just taken a seat, panting heavily, having just successfully opened a rift into Gytuana. As he strained against the magic he could see the dust flecks rising off his fingertips. He held the rift open for ten seconds before closing it. It had been stable enough and gave him the courage that he'll get Auran and the others into Mysia's domain.

"Zhil, how...are...you feeling?" Auran asked as he knelt down next to him. More dust particulars floated off Zhil's shoulders. It made the Lich King concerned.

Zhil laughed lightly and leaned back, "I'm exhausted, I hurt everywhere and I'm pretty sure I have one attempt left tonight. So you better make use of it."

Lecia huffed, annoyed having to comply with Zhil's help. She still disliked him. He was an accomplice in the chaos that Mysia had given them. Sooner or later he was going to find his end whether it'd be secretly by her hands or by some other Immortal.

Her face scrunched in resentment, "How can we be sure you won't rift us straight into Mysia's hands?"

Zhil threw out his hands wide, "You can't. I don't know who will be on the other side," he spoke plainly followed by a fake laugh.

Lecia glared and shot a look toward Auran silently stating see he can't be trusted. Auran brushed her off and gave Zhil a smile to match. He started to like the soul mage the more he interacted with him. Lecia had been drawing on his last nerves so it was pleasant to have someone tease her.

Zhil placed a hand on his hip, "Look, I'm going to open a rift to a place near where I was held. I was blindfolded when I came into and left her domain. I was rarely able to leave my room except for a few instances," he explained. Lecia still expressed doubt which made Zhil huff, "I want to save Sei, probably more than any of you."

"What makes you think we're going to save him? Have you forgotten everything he has done?" Lios interjected full of animosity.

Zhil was confused, Auran said they were going to save him, "You lied to me?"