As soon as Lance and his group were left alone, he turned to shout at Gerald and Zella.

“Why did you say that back there?!” Lance asked. “You want to leave? After everything that happened to get you back?”

“I have nightmares, Lance,” Zella replied listlessly. “Gerald too.”

“Nightmares? What are you even talking about?” Lance responded with clear confusion.

“You don’t understand how scary it is to have them, Lance. I see how I died every night and even when I’m awake I see terrible things, glimpses of that fog-filled place...Sometimes it even feels like my soul is going to be ripped away from me and I’ll die again. Sometimes I think that I’m already dead and I just haven't realized it yet. The only thing that reminds me that I’m alive is this…” Zella pulled open her shirt slightly and showed the shiny black orb embedded into her chest.

“Zella,” Sarah spoke without a clue as to how she could comfort her friend.

“No, you can’t go...After all, we waited for you to come back for so long...It was terrible for me realizing that I was the one who got you both killed and now...Gerald, you even have a wife, you wouldn’t just leave her behind.” Lance shook his head in denial.

“I think it’s safer if I’m not with her. If I stay the way I am now I’ll end up hurting her.” Gerald explained. What Zella described as nightmares were better labeled as night terrors that caused the one experiencing them to react as if they were in a battle. He feared that if he wasn’t careful he would end up attacking the one he loved.

“...How long do you plan on staying with Ira then?” Lance finally asked.

“No longer than five years. I hope that I’ll be well enough to return at that time.” Gerald answered.

Seeing Zella had yet to respond, the eyes of the group focused on her.

Gerald had someone to go back to, but Zella was different. Other than her friends there was no one that was relying on her. Her lips parted a few times but she couldn’t quite get the words until a few moments of silence had passed.

“Never.”

…

Like that a day passed and Ira found himself back inside of the familiar conference room. Though, this time Rhys had been brought along much to her surprise. Harper was left to watch the children since they were old enough not to panic when Ira wasn’t around for along.

“Who’s the first target?” Ira asked as soon as he sat down. Avery took a seat on his left and Rhys, not knowing where to sit, sat to his right.

“We’ve given it some thought and we think it’s best to attack the Diavol or the Tel’vians as well as the Forest Elves.” Sylun was the first to speak. Faint traces of exhaustion could be seen as she had been planning ever since Ira left the room the first time. Not just her but everyone who served under her stayed throughout the night. She pointed to a map on the table which outlined the cities for each country they sought to target with the exception of the Elves. Instead of a city a large portion of the Great Forest was circled as it was hard to pinpoint the exact location of some Elven territory.

“Why?” Ira inquired.

“The two weakest countries are no doubt the Diavol Republic and the Telvane Empire with the latter being the weaker one. As long as we can land a heavy blow to those countries their overall strength would weaken. Still, we should be wary of that magic formation that the Diavol used previously.”

“And the Elves?” Avery was the one to speak.

“We are under the assumption that most of the rations used to supply the army will come from the Great Forest due to its growth properties. Since you’ve taken sap from the World Tree it goes without saying the Elves are holding a strong grudge and would be more than willing to quickly grow food.”

“Why not strike all three at once?” Casey raised the question.

“Ah, that sounds good.” Ira immediately agreed. “Better yet, I’ll attack the Grenitian Kingdom.”

“What? No, that wasn’t what they suggested, Ira.” Avery responded.

Rhys showed dissatisfaction on her face as well as many others in the room.

“Why not?”

“Until we know what that stone sphere really is I don’t think we should attack the Grenitian Kingdom,” Avery said.

“So? I’m delivering a declaration of war in a way. I’ll be in and out within a few moments. I won't eat a city or anything I'll just rough someone up and make a scene.” Ira seemed determined to go.

“That isn’t necessary for us, Keeper. Since most of the continent will already think of you as pure evil we, as the ones who serve and worship you, can act as we wish. The situation was against us from the start so who cares if they complain about underhanded methods.” Sylun’s eyes turned cold as she thought of the entire continent that was united against them.

She provided the Grenitian Kingdom with Godsteel without knowing that there would be a day when they would use it against her which caused endless regret as well as anger. There was no way the Angels or the other countries would stop attacking even if they captured Ira as the Dark Elves held large deposits of Godsteel.

Ira leaned into his chair and closed his eyes while thinking. It was true that things could become extremely bad if he wasn’t careful but he didn’t plan on waiting around for the stone sphere to be used on him. All he needed to do was go to the Temple and leave a small message.

“I’m going,” Ira said stubbornly.

“Ira.” Avery began to speak. “If you show too much of your abilities they’ll be able to prepare better. Our best plan is attacking them preemptively, harassing them while they mobilize, and wiping them out in a final confrontation.”

“I also plan on going to Yeramesh to see if the Valkyries on that continent could assist us so we need time to prepare. If you cause too much damage they may move even faster in order to attack us. You also have to remember that the Grenitians are using teleportation arrays so it won’t be very long until the entire continent is gathered up.” Casey supported Avery’s reasoning.

Ira nodded as if he understood but his words remained the same. “I’m going.”

Reluctant expressions filled the room but no one tried to convince Ira anymore as it was clear it wouldn’t work.

“I’ll arrange three separate groups for the three targets. We’ll depend on you to send them there and bring them back, Keeper,” Sylun said.

“I got it,” Ira replied.

After a few more details were ironed out, the people in the room departed and orders were handed down.

As Ira was about to leave the room, Avery stopped him and everyone else took that as their signal to allow them some privacy.

“I don’t like it,” Avery said plainly.

“I’m not going to change my mind, Avery,” Ira replied.

“Then explain it to me.”

“There’s nothing to really explain, Avery. This place is my home and these people are my people. Our children also live in this place which makes me care about it even more...So, if the entire continent wants to destroy this place I can’t help but get a little upset.”

Avery looked into Ira’s eyes and could see how much it meant to him.

“Just be quick.” She said with a sigh.

“Of course.” Ira smiled brightly.

…

A few hours later, a small force was organized for each target.

Eloise and, surprisingly enough, Harper would lead the Werewolves to attack the Telvane Empire. Once Harper heard of the plan from Ira she immediately “volunteered” to go though it was better described as begging Ira relentlessly until he caved in. Hundreds of Werewolves would attack the largest Tel’vian city they could before retreating to the area and waiting for Ira to retrieve them.

Saren and Jydar would lead the attack on the Diavol. They had the most balanced and numerous group as it consisted of each race native to the Dark Elf Empire. Ira would have to go to them first as it would be harder for them to stage a withdrawal due to their numbers and lack of mobility.

Avery, as well as a most of the other Valkyries, would be going to the Great Forest since her flames were the only thing strong enough to start a wildfire. They would be the last ones Ira came to get as they needed to burn down enough of the Great Forest to make an impact.

The entire attack had to be done in less than an hour which made things a bit more troublesome. They would take advantage of the confusion and move before the Angels could investigate and then flee before any retaliatory attacks could come.

While everyone checked their equipment and went over the plans one last time. Ira gathered up his children.

“I’m leaving the city for a little while but I’ll be back before you know it,” Ira said with a warm smile. “Though it seems a bit ominous to say that with a lot of confidence.”

“I’ll look after them, Dad,” Raveria replied. Although one couldn’t tell, she wasn’t much older than her brothers but she carried herself like it.

“Good, I won’t have to worry then.” Ira kissed her forehead. He decided not to tell her that he would only be less than an hour.

“Can I come?” Valeryn asked.

“Me too?” Zephyr chimed in.

“No, both of you aren’t old enough.” Ira shook his head. “If I could take you I would.”

“But Ravi told me that you took her to the other continent when she was a little younger.” Zephyr pouted in protest.

“That’s different, Zeph.” Ira ruffled his son’s hair.

“...When you come back can you help me make a sword?” Valeryn asked quietly. It seemed that he was scared of Ira saying no, but his father had no such thoughts.

“As soon as I get back, I promise.” Ira smiled. “Just stay in the fortress until then.”

He hugged his children and was reluctant to let go but he was completely fine with leaving them in Rhys’ care. She was strong enough to protect them if anything went wrong.

‘Not that it would.’ Ira reminded himself. The Valkyrie Fortress inside of the Underground City was probably the safest place in the world.

Avery walked over to Ira and broke him out of his thoughts. She had her black pendant armor equipped so she was covered from head to toe.

“It’s time, Ira.”

“Mom,” Raveria jumped to hug Avery and Valeryn followed right behind her. Zephyr seemed unsure of what to do so he glanced at Ira who smiled and gave a slight nod. Zephyr ran to hug Avery and it was her turn to feel unsure of what to do. Beneath her helm, she made a slightly awkward expression but no one realized it except Ira who laughed to himself as he literally heard her expression change.

…

After sending his children off, Ira stood in front the force gathered.

“Alright.” One word from Ira was all it took for everyone to become completely silent.

“Since they’ll call us evil anyway don’t feel too bad about attacking them.” His words were meant for those unaccustomed to killing and war. “Go for anyone with weapons and anyone who looks important, leave the children alone. Don’t waste any time and get back to the same place you arrived as fast as possible.”

Ira finished speaking and the Dark Elves brought their fists to their hearts.

“As the Keeper wills it!” They shouted in sync.

Ira grinned and turned his attention to Avery who was to lead the Valkyries to the Great Forest. They shared a look and then Ira waved his hand causing the entire group to disappear from sight.

“Ira.” Casey approached.

“I got it.” Ira waved his hand once more and she vanished.

“...I should hurry up.” Ira stretched before teleporting away.