Chapter 426: The Forgotten Past - XX

[Music recommendation: Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood · Ramin Djawadi]

Around them, the guards struggled to their feet, coughing and shielding their faces as they tried to see through the thick clouds of dust.

"Where are we?" one of them asked.

Orin narrowed his eyes through the haze, taking in the jagged volcanic peaks, before his face paled completely. "This... this is the core of the fifth level."

Just then, a deafening roar shook the very ground beneath them.

Gavriel and Belial immediately pushed themselves to their feet, their bodies tensing as their crimson eyes fixed on something massive looming beyond the dust.

One by one, enormous white heads began to emerge from the haze.

Orin stared at the sight in disbelief.

When he finally found his voice, all he could manage was a breathless question. "Who woke him up?"

The remaining guards froze in absolute horror as the legendary, thousand-headed white serpent slithered into full view.

"Thalzaroth," Belial murmured, barely able to believe his eyes. "One of the guardians of the Underworld. What in the seven hells is it doing here?!"

Although Level Five was home to countless terrifying beasts, a select few belonged to an entirely different category... the ancient guardians. These primordial creatures had served as protectors of the Underworld since its very inception.

Their power was so immense that they could challenge even the Devil himself, while their sheer size was beyond comprehension. The colossal serpent that had attacked Hera during her coming-of-age banquet would have looked like a mere hatchling beside Thalzaroth.

These guardians were rarely hostile towards anyone. They remained in deep slumber for most of their existence, awakening only when they sensed a threat to the Underworld or when someone trespassed into the realm.

To encounter one of them here, in such a state of fury, was beyond baffling.

Gavriel and Belial realized the full gravity of their situation instantly.

Not only was tonight a full moon that amplified the beast’s raw power exponentially, but Gavriel was here without Bellarios by his side.

"We shouldn’t engage in battle, Riel!" Belial yelled over the deafening roar tearing from the serpent’s jaws. "Let us retreat!"

Gavriel’s expression darkened as he realized the full weight of what a deadly trap Azrath had set for them. He was painfully aware of how dangerous the situation was, not only for himself but for everyone accompanying them.

Clenching his teeth, Gavriel barked, "Don’t engage! Open the portals back to Tartarus!"

At once, the guards raised their hands and began conjuring portals.

But just as the first few began to take shape, the titan serpent let out a shattering roar. The massive red gemstone embedded in its main head glowed with a crimson light, forcing every portal to collapse instantly.

He blocked our portals!" Orin shouted in dread.

The serpent’s central head, distinguished by the enormous red gemstone embedded in its forehead, slowly lowered towards them. Its countless other heads writhed behind it as its voice thundered across the barren landscape.

"You cannot escape... disruptors of the Underworld! You shall pay with your blood!"

Deep frowns settled across the faces of Gavriel, Belial and their men. They had barely begun to comprehend the creature’s words when its central head suddenly lunged towards them with terrifying speed.

And just like that, the entire landscape erupted into chaos.

....

Back in Rios Palace...

The royal physician rose to his feet with a warm smile. "Just take ample rest, Your Highness. I am prescribing a mild tonic for you, which will relieve your symptoms shortly."

Hera’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Thank you for your assistance."

The physician bowed respectfully. "Congratulations once again, Your Highness. I’m certain His Highness will be thrilled with the news."

"Yes... please let me be the one to tell him," Hera requested softly, her eyes shining with emotion.

The physician chuckled, nodding understandingly. "As you wish, Your Highness. I shall take my leave then."

Hera nodded in response, and the physician made his way out of the room.

The moment the door closed, Bellarios pranced around the bed in delight, snuggling close against Hera’s side. "No wonder I sensed something different about your scent!"

Tears of joy welled up in Hera’s eyes as her hand rested gently over her lower stomach. "I can’t believe it... there is a new life growing inside me."

"Gavriel is going to be over the moon!" Bellarios exclaimed excitedly. Beside him, Ceri leapt in joy, causing Hera to burst into soft laughter.

Leaning back against her pillows, Hera let out a contented sigh. "I wish he had taken you with him, Bellarios. Then I could have told him to come back to me as quickly as possible."

"He will return to you regardless," Bellarios chimed in reassuringly.

Just then, a soft knock interrupted them. Vorra stepped into the room holding a silver tray. "Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Hera beamed at her friend. "Thank you, Vorra!"

Instantly, both Ceri and Bellarios let out low growls. Vorra’s eyes snapped toward Ceri before locking onto the small black dragon resting beside Hera.

She gasped in shock, backing up a step. "Y-Your Highness! T-there is another beast beside you!"

Hera gently patted both of their heads. "Be nice, you two," she coaxed softly before looking back up at Vorra with a smile. "He is Rio... um... Gavriel’s pet."

"Another p-pet...?" Vorra stared at the dragon in disbelief. She had never seen the Crown Prince with such a creature.

Meanwhile, Hera wondered if Vorra could see Bellarios simply because he was physically separated from Gavriel for the first time.

Still, she had no intention of revealing that the dragon was her husband’s soul beast. She refused to let word slip that Gavriel was operating without his beast. It was not that she doubted Vorra, but rather that she felt instinctively protective over her husband’s safety.

Seeking to redirect Vorra’s attention, Hera glanced at the tray. "What do you have there?"

Vorra offered a sweet smile. "I brought your meal. The physician instructed that you eat something light for your stomach before taking your prescribed medicine."