Exodus Files: Gates of Hell.

Chapter 24: In Her Eyes.

The Netherplains achieved peace at last. The mergers' threat was finally annihilated, leaving only the remnants of the castle fortress in Arktica. The Sky Palace immediately rebuilds their own headquarter while they investigated for clues of the enemies' true agenda and were able to gather all the crystal pillars. Niv and the gang have decided to help in reconstructing the Palace while Arlaz coped up with his children and decided to stay under Mu's supervision. Ramiro have decided to leave and go back to his "present" timeline.

Doer was standing in the Sky Palace's balcony. He was all alone, sunk in his deep thoughts. The Sky Palace held a victory party for the heroes and it was indeed a big celebration. Mitsu and Niv were eating like they were starved to death and digs in at everything in sight, consuming almost every food on the buffet table; Orange was trying to hit on some of the female angels, while Zai was hanging out with the sisters. Reech approached the Unicus, reaching out a glass of Netherplain's finest wine.

"Finally, it's over." Reech said as he lean over the balcony. The golem was staring at the bright, solemn moon as he sighed in relief. Three days have passed since the battle in Arktica ended, but to him it was like yesterday. For a minute, Doer gazed at the sky as well, fixated at the stars that covered  the night sky, he then replied "I am just bothered. What if it's not over? What if this is just the beginning?" Reech lit up a stick of cigarette, look up at the assassin and laughed "We've killed Ikezubo, and every single one of the four big baddies are dead. Even Gates perished. What's to worry about?" Doer looked away. The Unicus the sip a little of his drink and replied "Hopefully."

Niv, stuffed and contented, finally left the buffet table and searched for Sora. For days now he was feeling kinda funny. The Oni prince developed a huge crush on the girl; for decades he've met women of all kinds but Sora's innocent smile captivated him. The crowd seem to be like hallow shells to the Demon as he searched for her. As he spotted her with Shilu and Zai, he trotted to them and held Sora's hand "Oh, hi Niv." she said, slightly startled. The wind mage's face started to turn red. Niv blushed as well as he looked at the girl's smile. He then gave the girl a bouquet of flowers and said "Can we talk for a minute?"

As soon as the wind maiden nods her head, the Oni grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of the crowd, and lead Sora outside the Palace. They were standing in the middle of the garden, just the moon watching at the two youth. Niv held Sora's hand tightly, like he never wants to let go of the opportunity to be with her. The Pinkdevil was lost for words. Sora giggled as she notices that Niv can't speak. Niv's face felt hot, totally caught of guard. The two stood in the garden for a few minutes in silence. Niv gathered his strength and finally got the courage and said "Can y-you be my girlfriend?"

Back at the Palace, Arlaz was looking for his children. Shilu immediately waved at him. Arlaz swiftly approached the Santelmo and whispered to her "Come with me, child, I need to tell you something." Shilu nodded her and followed the Monsoon Lionheart. Zai didn't want to be left behind and asked "Hey, uhm, can I come?" At first Arlaz didn't want the Tenshi to listen to their conversation, but Shilu insisted. As soon as they got far from the crowd, Arlaz faced the two and started confessing "Remember your skill, Shilu? You can read one's past just by looking at them." Shilu replied "Yes, master...What about it."

Arlaz stood before the two maiden silently. "I read your past and found out you were one of the Heroes of The Endless War; you even fought the League of Darkness alongside Niv's father, Larcronus, right?" Shilu said, looking at Arlaz, trying to read any signs of any violent response. The elder elf replied while placing his hands behind his back "Ah, I see...and you saw where we kept the crystal pillars, am I correct." Shilu then realized, the memories that she saw, flashing before her eyes. The Santelmo was shocked of what she found out "You mean, Gates really intended to kidnap me?" Arlaz just sighed this time.

"The Alliance Of Light knew that this day will come, so we have kept the pillars away from the world to make sure that the Dark Lord's minions will never trespass Earth." The wizard said, this time facing his student and the Tenshi "But, I made a spell, and hid one of the pillar's location, even from myself..." Zai then interrupted "Then, who is the only who knows about the last pillar's whereabouts?"

For a moment, Arlaz Winslogg stared at Zai and Shilu blankly, it was as if he was buried in his own thoughts. He grabbed Shilu by the shoulders and embraced her tightly "Forgive me for what I've caused you, my darling. If I only knew that Gates would appear, I shouldn't have involved the two of you."

Shilu's eyes widened as the fact finally came to her. She pushed Arlaz away and panicked "Where did your brother took my sister?" she asked the Tenshi, as her cold sweat crawled down her face.

The Dark Knight was full. After raiding the buffet table, Mitsu decided to get some fresh air and maybe look for something that will interest him. He strolled outside the ballroom. As he walks, he still tried to remember where he met Guk. "Those eyes. I can feel that he is familiar, and he is from my past but heck I cannot recall where and when." Finally, it hit Mitsu, as if a light bulb lit up in the back of his head, he now remembered the Torturkian prince. But he was puzzled. "That can't be true...That Torturkian was small and malnourished...How could that be right." Mitsu murmured as he looks down on the ground.

Suddenly a familiar voice echoed from afar "HELL YEAH I AM THAT GUY, ALRIGHT!" The Dark Knight was surprised, but even before Mitsu could react, a huge rock axe directly hits the cursed one in the head. As the Dark Knight loses his focus, a water dragon swallowed him whole and flung him off, sending him plummeting down the rocky mountain.

"I can't." Sora replied to Niv. Like faith was playing tricks with Niv, fireworks stated to light up the sky, Niv was dumbstruck by the girl's answer. He felt like a vacuum vortex sucked his heart, twisting it inside. Sora shyly took Niv's hand and said "I'm sorry but I like someone else...But we can still be best friends...right?" Niv was speechless but gathered all his strength. The Oni faked a smile and nodded. Niv then realized that he was somewhat special in her eyes...though not in the 'level' he wanted to be. Sora was looking up the sky, watching the fireworks display and was truly captivated. Niv stared at her, feeling this awkward pain and happiness. The girl then looked back at Niv and stared directly to his eyes and shared "I wanna go back to that place that Sensei showed me when I was a kid..."

Niv was puzzled. For moment, he was dumped by the girl he likes, and now she starts to talk about something really unrelated to what just happened. "Hmm? Why?" was the only thing Niv can say, trying to stay connected to the conversation.

Sora gave Niv a sweet smile and continued "When I was young, Sensei took me to this haven. It was astonishing beyond words. I can't explain the joy I felt that day... The solemnity of the place was really amazing...Flowers and trees bloom everywhere...The water is really clear and cold...plus the cherry blossoms...and there was this crystal pyramid...it was really huge and beautiful...I wanna go back to that place with you and my sister someday."

Gates then interrupted as he descends from the sky "You will, my dear...For you will take me there." Niv and Sora were alarmed. The armored tyrant is alive.