Chapter 28: He Arrives

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Zane: " They're gone... They're lock away in the Nether for now and they don't know where you are. Just calm down."

Before Zane lay back, he saw a figure in the shadows that caused him to jump, but it turned out to only be Zoey.

Zoey: " Wow, you're jumpy. Never thought I'll see the day of the formal Grand High Priest Zane scared out of his mind."

Zane: " You'll be on edge too if you were able to stole the Relic of the Shadow Lord and not knowing when he and his Shadow Army will find a way out of the Nether!"

Zoey: " You're right. I'll be on edge and scared out of mind."

Zane: " *scoff* Please. I'm not scared out of my mind. What do you want any ways?"

Zoey: " Aphmau wants to check on the Nether Portal. Since you know the Nether more, she wanted me to tell you you're going to be going with her to Bright Port."

Zane: " No way. I'm not going anywhere near that thing, especially when I'm on the run from the Shadow Army for pulling that stunt down there. I'll be lucky if they'll give me a merciful death for Pissing the Shadow Lord off by stealing his prized treasure."

Zoey looked away, she understand why Zane wouldn't want to go with Aphmau and a few others.

Zoey: " I understand you don't want to go, and I'm not forcing you to go either. I just wanted to tell you want Aphmau suggested."

Zane was quiet as Zoey left. He let out a long sigh shortly after he was left alone. Later, before Aphmau left for Bright Port with Garroth, Katelyn and Emilia, Dante was also there, but he was there to set the group off. They were stopped by someone when they were loading the boat with a few things they were taking with them.

The person: " Have room for one more?"

Everyone looked over and saw Zane, he was wearing a black coat with a hood so no one would notice him. Aphmau smiled but Dante wasn't that happy to see Zane at the docks.

Dante: " What is HE doing here?"

Aphmau: " I asked him to join us."

Dante: " What?! Why?!"

Emilia: " Zane is one of the few people who knows more of the Nether than us and he going to check up on it to make sure that the shield is still up."

Dante: " Then why not let me come instead of Him."

Garroth: " We appreciate it, but you're the Head Guard, and it's your job to protect Phoenix Drop while we're away."

Zane: " Besides, considered this as my thanks for letting me stay in Phoenix Drop."

Dante looked away and glared at the ground a bit. Zane got aboard the boat, he looked at Garroth for a moment, the two brothers were quiet, not knowing what to say and were a little awkward next to each other. But they shake it off and continued their voyage to Bright Port. After some time, the group were approaching the shores of Bright Port.

Aphmau: " You might want to put that hood on, we're about to reach the docks."

Zane nodded and pulled the hood up. Everyone took a deep breath and walk to the city of Bright Port. Zane kept his head down, but he couldn't help but look up to look around, like Phoenix Drop, it change a lot the last time he passed through it. When they got to the area where the Nether Portal was being held, they were greeted by Lucinda.

Lucinda: " Aphmau, you made it."

Aphmau: " Of course I did. So how is it?"

Lucinda brought the group inside as she talked.

Lucinda: " Well, although we were able to get the shield back up after Zane came through the Portal almost two months ago, I noticed that something isn't right about the spell. It's weakening a bit."

Katelyn: " What? That can't be right, you strengthen the security after Zane got through, how is it already getting weak?"

Lucinda: " That's what we're trying to figure out."

Aphmau: " Do you know what could be causing it?"

Zane: " No. I don't know if the Shadow Lord is doing this or a few of his followers are casting weakening spells to get through."

The group came in front of the Nether Portal, Zane felt uneasy and place his hand over his chest where Concubine slashed him and left a scar when he was running away from the Shadow Army. Everything seem to be fine, but something seem off a bit.

Emilia: " Well, it doesn't look damage or anything."

Zane: " This is how it is on this side. We don't know what's hiding on the other side of the Portal. Which worries me because even with your Protective shield up, there's a chance that someone can still get through."

Before anyone could say anything, it started to get a bit windy, clouds started to appear when it was completely clear skies moments ago. The air smell bitter and Zane felt his heart race. Mist started to come out of the Nether Portal, everyone whipped around and turn pale seeing the mist.

Aphmau: " Lucinda, what's going on?"

Lucinda: " I don't know. What's Going On? Is The Shield Still Up?!"

A Guard: " We don't know Ma'am, but we'll get on it."

A few guards came out and surrounded the Nether Portal, Zane swallowed as a figure came out. Something was terribly wrong, the Protective Spell was down, allowing the Shadow Army to go through, but only one figure came out, but that figure made everyone's blood turn cold and their hearts stop. There, limping through the Portal, was the Shadow Lord himself, still in Aaron's body. Aphmau started to breathe heavily.

Aphmau quietly: " A-Aaron?"

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