Chapter 107: Preparations for the Swamp Underworld

Chapter 107: Preparations for the Swamp Underworld

Before the heroes travel to the Swamp Underworld, Zeth wants answers to his questions.

“Sasha had told me about a country ruled by vampires and other monsters to the northeast,” Zeth says. “Tell me about it.”

“The country is called Vandox, the easternmost country in the world,” Zaydra replies. “It can now be referred to as the Vampire Kingdom. It was originally a prosperous country, but during the Great Chaos, vampires and other monsters had taken advantage and moved into the country from Hell. Most of the fighting in the Great Chaos took place in this country. Both Mother and the Dark Goddess considered this country a priority. The monsters moved in quickly and easily took over the country while Mother was focused here. Following the end of the Great Chaos, Mother surprised everyone when she decided to make a deal with the vampires.”

“What!? A deal!?” Zeth exclaims.

“The deal was that if the vampires and other monsters stay in that country, and don’t try expanding, then Mother would not do anything to harm them or drive them out,” Zaydra says. “In reality, she had no choice. She was heavily weakened and didn’t want to put her army or humanity through another war. The only requirement is that they can’t be a base for the Dark Goddess.”

“But they’re from Hell,” Zeth argues. “How can they NOT be a base for the Dark Goddess?”

“Their loyalty to the current Dark Goddess is questionable,” Zaydra replies.

“What?” Zeth asks.

“The vampires there are creations of the current Dark Goddess’s mother, Zenta. They were loyal to Zenta, but if they were absolutely loyal to the current Dark Goddess, then why did they not come to help her in the Great Chaos?”

“That does make sense,” Zeth admits.

“However, I think they will make a move one day. Possibly in the next few years, in a decade, or even multiple decades from now.”

Zeth just stares at her for a moment after that comment.

“There must be so many people stuck there under vampire rulership,” Zeth says. “I don’t like that we’re letting them rule over that country.”

“Believe me, I don’t like it either,” Zaydra replies. “I think that rather than waiting for them to make a move, we should launch an invasion and drive them out. Unfortunately, that’s not up to me. But right now, that’s not important. Do you have any more questions?”

Zeth has a flashback to what Poleon said to him back in the mansion.

“Just remember that everyone has skeletons in their closet. That includes your mother, the Light Goddess. Actually, I’d say the Light Goddess has more skeletons in her closet than the Dark Goddess has. Remember that! Never forget it! Hahahahaha…”

Zeth looks down for a moment before speaking.

“…Nothing that can’t wait till later,” Zeth says, slightly frowning. “Let’s just focus on the Swamp Underworld.”

“Good,” Zaydra replies. “Then we are to make final preparations.”

***

A little bit later.

Zeth is sitting on a bench in Angel Sanctuary, lost in his thoughts.

“This is… a lot to take in,” Zeth thinks. “And yet, I know this isn’t even close to all the information I will need to know. But why couldn’t I bring myself to ask Zaydra about what Poleon said? Am I too scared of what the answer is? For now, I’ll move forward like everything is fine. I’ll ask Mother about it myself the next time I see her in person.”

***

Meanwhile, with Sasha.

Sasha is in a room by herself, getting ready.

She talks to herself. “Considering who my mother is, I almost feel wrong being here at Angel Sanctuary. But I’m not evil and will continue to support Zeth any way I can. He gives my life… purpose. He is the reason why I can live.”

She grabs a black leather jacket from a hanger and wears it over her gray shirt.

“I’m ready,” she says to herself with a serious expression.

***

Meanwhile, with Kurt, Emily, and Joe.

Kurt, Emily, and Joe gather in a large room of Angel Sanctuary, sitting on comfortable leather seats. Kurt is now wearing a gray sweater and jeans. Emily is wearing a light jacket and has a scarf on. Joe is wearing a dark green beanie and has a short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts on.

“Joe, you do realize it’s going to be colder out, right?” Kurt asks.

“Did you forget I use weather magic?” Joe replies. “I can handle it.”

Kurt sighs. “If you say so.”

“I assume the others are almost done,” Emily says, looking up at a digital clock on the wall.

Joe stands up and stretches. “I would assume so.”

***

Meanwhile, with Zaydra.

Zaydra is sitting in her personal room at a desk. She frowns with sadness as she stares at a small framed photo of her standing next to Harmona, who is holding baby Zeth.

“Zeth… I’m not going to let you die,” she says to herself. “I won’t let you die like what happened… to our older brother… Mother has had such horrible luck with her children. I’m the only one that nothing bad has happened to. Our older brother… Zenfaro… He is the only one of Mother’s children who does not have a human father… He died. If he were still alive today, he would be 242,817 years old. And now you could die too or be consumed. When you find out about our brother, don’t consider yourself a replacement.”

***

A bit later.

Zaydra is wearing a royal red uniform.

“It’s time to go,” Zaydra says just before she leaves her room.

***

Zaydra joins all of the heroes in the large room.

“Okay, it’s time,” Zaydra says. “We’re leaving. We are going to the Swamp Underworld.”

“Right,” the five heroes reply in unison.

What awaits the heroes in the Swamp Underworld?

Chapter 107 END
To be Continued in Chapter 108: Swamp Entrance