Exodus Files: Gates of Hell.

Chapter 15: The Refuge.

Sora was blushing, her pale face turned rosy. She felt that what she did to Niv earlier was wrong, and she let herself get carried away by her emotions. As she approaches the throne room, Arlaz appeared, emanating from a small gust. "I am deeply sorry, my child..." the old elf spoke with his calm tone, Sora shook her head and replied "It's okay, I'm also sorry for what I've said." Arlaz smiled and lead the way to meeting place.

As the doors open, the two were immediately greeted by the mess Gates left. Everybody was there, and now joined by Reech, Zai and Ramiro. Mu was in the middle and talking to the Sith when Sora progressed to talk to the Cherub. Mu immediately noticed Sora and excused herself and trotted towards the maiden, swiftly giving Sora a big warm hug "Oh gosh, you're okay!" Mu then put Sora down, knelt and touched the girls face "You got me worried...are you okay?" Sora turned red once more while Mu seem to check every limb if something's broken "I'm okay, Mistress Mu, and I do apologize if I made you worry so much" Mu suddenly noticed that she is acting out of character, she stood up and cleared her throat "Great! now that everyone's here, I would like to announce that we will stay here in Sky Palace so we can train against the mergers."

Mu then walks around Mitsu and continued "Ramiro here was able to contact us before hand to tell us Gates' motives, and since he was a part of the mergers, he knows the four guardians' powers and weaknesses." she then walked towards her throne and touched the crystal on the rest of the chair; a portal opened in the center of the room. "This portal will lead us to Archive's Chancel, a place that breaks the laws of time and space...we can be there for millenias but here in Netheria, It'll be just a minute..." Mu explained.

The Cherub continued "Archive, the Sorceress of Nostalgia, used to be one of us, she used this portal to store all of Netherplain's histories and tales, the all-knowing sorceress also made this sanctuary in order for her to watch the world in solitude...this endless and mighty room is the perfect place where we can practice our skills...aside from we can go all out, trash the place and everything...time is not an issue here."

Niv was not paying attention the whole time Mu explicates the details of the training. He was silent the whole time ever since they arrived at the Palace. Deep inside him he felt remorse, knowing that he could've done something to save his ally but left Shilu to die. Mu finally ended the discussion and the party dispersed while Niv was still absentmindedly stood in the corner. Sora took the opportunity to talk to Niv, the young mage tapped Niv's shoulder "Uhm, Niv..." The Oni was startled for moment but was able to get back to his senses "Wah! Oh, hey...about yesterday...I'm so so sorry abo-" Sora interrupted while she shook her head "No, it's not your fault, Niv, I actually wanna thank you...for saving me and for helping me see my sister." Sora's eyes were watery, and it was felt in her voice the depression she tries to hide, she managed to fake a smile, bow and walks away.

Once again the Oni was left behind. He clutched his fists, he was filled with anger, both for the mergers and himself. All of sudden, the whole room became pitch black. Though alarmed, Niv stood in the darkness calmly. He then heard a clapping from a distance. The Oni yelled "Who's there?" but he heard no response, and the clapping becomes closer and closer, as if it is walking towards him. He started to heat up by summoning his powers, covering his fists with lightning, although dim, he started to see an image of a man, clapping.

"Stay calm, Nivrae." the man said, still continues to clap, as if mocking the Demon prince "Do not be afraid..." he then crack a maniacal laugh. A spotlight then lits up above Niv, as the Oni regains his vision the image becames clearer, it is a Demonic clown. The entity's face is covered by a mask with a patterned stitches across it, with five horns on the back of it's head; equivalent to Niv's own horns. Niv was a bit surprised of what he is seeing, he asked the Demon "Who the hell are you?" and was answered by a giggly voice "Oww, don't you recognize me?" The Oni shooks his head "Aww...That's too sad..." The clown then teleports on Niv's back and places his hands on the Oni's shoulder "Poor me, nobody remembers me..." Niv then removed the clown's hands and interrogated "Cut it out and introduce yourself, or else imma gonna stick a shoe in your mouth."