System's POV

Chapter 1479: Voice From The Past [Part 1]

The Aurora Stone emitted sparks as Thirteen carefully inscribed runes, line by line, on its surface.

His blink slowed, eyes intently locked on the stone. Understanding he was focused and in the flow, his lovers made no sound to avoid disrupting him.

Although curious about where the rainbow-colored stone had come from, they decided to wait until Zion finished whatever he was doing with it.

“Sherry, please drop your blood on this stone,” Thirteen said after a few minutes had passed.

“Okay.” Sherry didn’t hesitate to prick her finger and press it, letting her blood drip.

As soon as the crimson melded with the stone’s surface, the color of the Aurora Stone changed into orange. This lasted for a few seconds before returning to its original rainbow color.

Thirteen then continued carving more runes. After a while, he turned to Erica and also asked for a drop of her blood.

Erica obeyed with no questions, but she was dying with curiosity. She watched as the Aurora Stone turned blue the moment her blood touched it.

Just like what happened earlier, the blue color faded, and the Aurora Stone returned to its original color.

Every ten minutes, Thirteen would ask one of his lovers to drop their blood on it. Finally, it was Stella’s turn.

The moment her blood touched the surface of the stone, it turned golden. Thirteen then added more runes into it before dropping his own blood, temporarily turning the stone green—the same color as his eyes.

A sigh escaped his lips after finishing what he needed to do. He suddenly felt lethargic, drained of his physical, mental, and spiritual powers after adding rune magic to the Aurora Stone. But seeing it emit an iridescent aurora, he felt like it was all worth it.

“Are you alright?” Shana noticed that Zion’s face had turned pale, so she simultaneously cast recovery magic and pulled him into her arms, hoping he’d feel better.

“I’m fine,” Thirteen replied. “Just a little tired.”

The rune magic he used in the stone was very high level. He hadn’t dared to use his “Skip” ability, worried it would knock him unconscious for a few days. Given the urgent situation, he couldn’t afford to be unconscious for that long.

Stella took out a few potions from her storage ring and asked him to drink it. Knowing they were all of high quality, Thirteen didn’t hesitate to drink them one after the other.

A few minutes later, the colors on his face finally returned, and he no longer looked as pale as he had been earlier.

After a few minutes of recovery, Thirteen showed the stone to his lovers.

“I know all of you are curious about what this stone can do,” Thirteen said calmly. “But there are restrictions, so I can’t tell you everything. However, you can think of this stone as a tool that will help me face off against the Infernals while keeping you all safe.

Thirteen didn’t want to admit it, but he was immensely worried about his lovers suddenly getting attacked by opponents more powerful than them.

Since this would be an all-out war, he couldn’t possibly look out for them while fighting against the invaders.

He further explained that the Aurora Stone had the power to teleport his lovers within a five-mile radius around Thirteen in case they were to face an opponent they couldn’t possibly defeat.

With this, he could fight with a peace of mind, knowing his loved ones would be safe from harm.

The ladies felt touched. Even now, Zion cared for their safety. Although they were putting on a brave front, they also felt anxious. After all, this battle would be vastly different from the ones they had faced before.

“I’ll go back outside,” Thirteen said after he had recovered enough. “Forneus might get too anxious if I don’t appear soon.”

After asking Rocky to send him back to the surface, he came across a scene that made him smile faintly.

All the Celestials and the Fiends, except for Mammon, had all gathered to where Forneus and the others were waiting for Zion.

The moment they saw the teenage boy, Zaphiel, Belial, Pharzuph, and Rahab narrowed their eyes.

“Guys, take it easy,” Dantanian immediately stood between Zion and their former enemies. “We’re all on the same side now.”

Pharzuph chuckled. “For some reason, I feel a little assured knowing that Zion is now fighting with us, not against us.”

“I know right?” Belial grinned. He would never forget what Zion and his clone had done to him in the past.

Zaphiel still looked very annoyed and was even itching to give the teenage boy a piece of his mind. However, Cranky stood by the teenage boy’s side, ready to protect him in case someone dared to attack the latter.

“I’ll be honest—I’d rather sit this one out,” Zaphiel said with his arms crossed over his chest. “Whether it’s Mammon or not, I don’t care as long as we escape this cage we call Solterra.”

Zaphiel still had connections with the Warlord, Arkael, and their agreement still holds. So whether his colleagues won or not, he would be safe.

“Even so, I have to admit that you played your cards well, Zion Leventis,” Zaphiel sneered. “Just thinking of what Mammon’s expression looked like when he realized a mortal managed to trick him makes me smile. Well done.”

The Celestial even clapped his hands in praise, but deep inside, he wanted nothing more than to slap Zion for good measure.

“I know you’re angry with me, and that’s fine,” Thirteen replied. “If you want, you can go over to the Godfall Cradle and annoy Mammon for us. Since you’re technically an ally of the Infernals, I’m sure they wouldn’t hurt you.”

“Are you sure?” Zaphiel arched an eyebrow. “I can tell them that you’re all gathered here, just waiting for the right opportunity to strike.”

“Yeah, feel free to tell them.” Thirteen nodded.

Zaphiel then glanced at Cahethal, who held the keys to unlock the shackles that bound him.

The Celestial of Agriculture gave Zion the “Are you serious about this” gaze.

“Whether he is with us or against us, the overall situation will not change,” Thirteen answered. “At most, the Infernals will just gain another small fry among their ranks.”

The corner of Zaphiel’s lips. He’d always detested being looked down by others. The mere fact that a mortal dared to call him a small fry was enough to make him give Zion a death glare.

Forneus laughed and mocked Zaphiel by calling him a small fry. Belial joined the fun, and soon, the two Fiends were laughing together, which irritated Zaphiel to no end.

“Remember this, Zion,” Zaphiel said icily. “Watch your back because I am coming for you.”

“Okay.” Thirteen shrugged.

As soon as his shackles were undone, Zaphiel scoffed and took a step forward to leave. But the next second, a purple portal appeared behind his back.

And a voice reached everyone’ ears.

“It’s been hundreds of years, yet you’re still the same… Zaphiel.”

The Celestial of Heaven stopped in his tracks before glancing behind him in surprise.

The other Celestials and the Fiends also reacted to the voice they hadn’t heard for hundreds of years, reminding them of the time when they were still mortal men who had to ask the Gods for mercy to live in peace.

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