Exodus Files: Gates of Hell.

Chapter 17: To The Rescue.

"How can I trust you? This conversation itself could be a trap..." Zai stated, being cautious about the new persona she is talking to. Pordoj's eyes were staring at the Tenshi as if it is trying to search for her soul. For a moment Zai felt awkward. She checked the whole place if there were any enemies listening. Pordoj realized it and suggested "If you really think we are being watched, come with me..." the blacksmith then lead Zai to the cave, at first the Tenshi hesitated but followed suit. Once inside the cave, Pordoj created a wall of stone to block the entrance. The blacksmith's eyes glowed in the dark, making Zai feel shivers in her spine. Pordoj then took out a small globe that illuminated a white light. "So, now what?" Zai said still being doubtful.

Inside the globe, Shilu's current image appeared, Zai was surprised to see how weak the girl is "Seriously?" she said, looking at Pordoj, whose smiling and totally psyched out. Zai continued "How can you prove that this is real? As you've said you are a merger and you are the closest disciple of Gates." the tall entity knelt down and handed the globe over to Zai "Shilu is an important friend to me, this is the only way I know that I can help her escape from my master's cruel clutches." Pordoj said while looking in to Zai's eyes, eager to connect to her soul. The Tenshi felt the sincerity in Pordoj's words. "Okay, but if this is a trap I will personally chop off your tongue." Zai threatened the blacksmith. Pordoj gave her a smile and continued to explain the details of his plan "I will give the coordinates where the mergers' headquarters is..."

Gates' eyes glowed in the usually dark and gloomy throne room, motionless as if the monster's lifeless. Laraffa was peeping through the door when Archobos suddenly appeared and ordered the Phoenixid to move away from the door. As Laraffa walked away from the door, Archobos furiously kicked it open, without a warning, Gates' ruby blasted a slender and narrow beam of fire. Archobos effortlessly dodged the attack. "How dare you disrespect me!" Gates bawl out, standing from his throne while clenching his fist. "How can you let that whimsical disciple of yours to roam around and do whatever he wants?" Archobos talked back, grinding his teeth in anger "You're too easy on him!" Laraffa tried to intervene but the Trygerstryfe growled. "B-but, Archobos..." Laraffa tried to explain, but once again Archobos snarled "SHUT UP!"

The tyrant hovered towards the White Tiger. Archobos felt the dark, heavy aura that envelopes the armored entity. "Pordoj IS my disciple. You do not have any authority to question his actions." Gates said, his cold voice lingered in Archobos' chest, like a dagger stabbing the Trygerstryfe directly to the heart. Archobos gathered his strength and said "Your boy is carelessly taking out Shilu." Gates was uninterested of this information and turned his back. "Again, Stein, You do not have any authority to question his action, if I see anything wrong with what he's doing, I'm the only one who could question it and punish him...so mind your own business."Archobos bowed "Yes, my Lord..." and walked out the throne room in a bad mood, clenching his fist and grinding his teeth.

Meanwhile, back at the forest, Zai was trekking back to Sky Palace when all of a sudden she sensed someone was coming, she immediately ducked in the bushes and surveyed the forest for any form of threats. The Tenshi now holds a map in her hand of where they can skirmish their opponents and here she is squatting to deliver this information to the heroes. She was trying to be as discreet as possible but her heart started to beat faster, and her breathing heavier "Dang, why am I feeling afraid..." as the aura comes closer, she feels more nervous, without a warning the entity tapped Zai's shoulder, she was startled and unsheathes her katana. She was surprise to see that it was just Sora. The mage whispered "Is it true?" Sora's eyes glimmered with hope.

Zai gave Sora a nod and explained the encounter with Pordoj, after the long discussion, Zai shrugged and said "Well that's what that Pordoj guy said. I don't really trust him though..." Sora then grabbed Zai's hand and begged "Please, let's save my sister, I saw her image in that globe you're carrying...That's the real her!" Zai felt awkward towards Sora, she wanted to keep it a secret from her but ironically she was the first to know. "B-but I need to ask for Oni-chan's approval first" The Tenshi said while scratching her head. Sora shook her head in disapproval, grabbed Zai and replied "Please! Niv must not know this!" Sora's grip became tighter "He've done so much already...Watashi wa jibun jishin de kore o okonau hitsuyō ga."*

Days passed and the two young girls kept the information a secret, and made preparations in discreet. Each day, Sora and Zai would join the guild's training, stating it that they 'might' need to defend themselves in the future. Each day, the two strived to reach their fullest capacity. Arlaz immediately noticed their progress, he took care of them since they are more of the magic users. The old wizard gave them his toughest training regime yet. Although in reality Sora and Zai only trained for 3 days, in the timeless zone of Archive's Chancel, it took them 5 years worth of practicing and perfecting their skills.

One evening, Sora woke Zai up, "Oi, wake up, we have to go now..." The Tenshi's eyes wear still foggy when she sat up "What time is it?" Sora nodded her head and whispered "It's time." the two packed up and silently went out the palace. Pordoj instructed Zai to go back to the forest so he can give her final instructions before infiltrating the Merger's base. As they arrived at the rendezvous, Pordoj was waiting already. "Zai, I thought you were the only one coming." Pordoj asked the Tenshi, smiling at Sora while scratching his scalp "Sorry, she insisted to join us." Zai quickly responded "She's Sora, Shilu's sister."

Pordoj was surprised, his glowing red eyes shone brighter "So, you mean this is the Sora that Shilu is looking for?" the blacksmith comes closer to the girl and inspects her "I see, you are indeed Sora. I saw your picture in Shilu's locket. Anyway, we must hurry, I just sneaked out and my master might find this out." As the newly formed party enters the forest, a shadowy image watch over them from afar. The entity then mumbled "I must report this at once." before summoning a rock dragon and flew away.

Note:

Watashi wa jibun jishin de kore o okonau hitsuyō ga = I need to do this on my own.