Chapter 186: Setting the Stage

Chapter 186: Setting the Stage

The Poleon Investigation task force is on the move.

Zaydra and five angels are walking toward a mountain somewhere in southwestern Harmone. The six of them make up the task force Harmona created to investigate Poleon.

“Kerdon, you can see traces of divine plasma up this mountain?” Zaydra asks.

Poleon Investigation Task Force Member – Kerdon

Kerdon has slightly slanted blue eyes and short bronze hair. On his cheek is a tattoo of clashing swords. Like some angels, he has white wings. He wears light weight gray-colored armor, designed to prioritize movement.

“No, it’s more like I can sense it going inside the mountain,” Kerdon replies.

Zaydra’s Personal Guard and Task Force Member – Kren

“Makes sense,” Kren says.

Poleon Investigation Task Force Member – Bonetru

“I can cut us through the rocks of the mountains if need be,” Bonetru says with a grizzly voice.

Bonetru has buzzed black hair and green eyes. He wears sleeveless red armor and has tattooed markings on both arms. He has swords and knives of different sizes and designs attached to his armor.

Poleon Investigation Task Force Member – Ruby

“I’ll scout the area,” Ruby says.

Ruby has ruby-colored hair in a ponytail and ruby-colored eyes. She wears a very light weight dark red-colored armor. Her wings are ruby-colored instead of white.

“Alright, but do not engage any potential threat,” Zaydra replies.

“Understood,” Ruby answers while nodding.

Poleon Investigation Task Force Member – Sapphire

“I can scan for potential threats from here,” Sapphire says.

Sapphire has sapphire blue-colored straight hair and sapphire blue-colored eyes. She wears lightweight dark blue-colored armor and has sapphire blue-colored wings.

“Good,” Zaydra replies.

Ruby quickly moves into the wooded mountain area while Sapphire’s eyes glow, allowing her to scan the area ahead.

“See any threats?” Zaydra asks.

“No, just Ruby,” Sapphire replies.

It’s not long before Ruby comes back.

“I have scouted the area,” Ruby says. “I found something suspicious.”

“Then let’s move in,” Zaydra commands.

They all continue on, following Ruby.

***

In Heaven.

Harmona is outside and walking toward a temple. A female angel with short, light blue hair follows her. The angel looks like a young adult.

Harmona’s Personal Assistant – Diamond

“Are you sure about this, my Goddess?” Diamond asks.

“Yes,” Harmona replies with a serious expression. “We have to prepare now.”

They start walking up the short stairs to the temple’s entrance.

“But why?” Diamond asks.

“I’ve played my hand when I saved my son. Now the Dark Goddess knows I haven’t fully recovered and will likely launch her invasion within a year.”

Diamond gasps. “And you’re sure ‘that’ will work?”

“Yes.”

They reach the temple’s entrance and enter.

“Suppose that we still fail to keep the invasion portal from opening,” Diamond starts before asking, “What are our chances in a full-scale war?”

Harmona stops and looks back at Diamond, her expression grim.

“Zero percent… As we are now, we wouldn’t stand a chance against the forces of Hell in a full-scale war.”

Diamond gasps again, eyes widening in fear.

“So we must stop the portal,” Harmona states. “If we go to war, there is no doubt I will be killed in battle. Even if my heirs survive, they will not be ready to lead Heaven.”

“But you started leading Heaven at age 34,” Diamond replies.

“I didn’t take over in the middle of the largest war we have ever seen. The only heir that could take over in that situation is dead.”

Harmona lets loose a few tears, her own words hitting her hard.

Diamond stares at her in silence for a few moments before saying, “I understand.”

“Come,” Harmona says. “It’s time to wake him. Together, we will stop Dakame’s invasion.”

***

Back with the heroes in Reign City.

Zeth meets with his five friends inside a hotel room.

“RAG has been taken hostage by some mysterious demon boy,” Zeth says. “He’s using RAG as a way to force me into some tournament.”

“That’s it?” Joe asks, finding the reason to be underwhelming.

“I really don’t know why he wants me in it, but I need five other people to form a team.”

“You can count me in,” Sasha says, instantly joining in with a smile.

“Me too,” Kurt says with little hesitation.

“Me three,” Emily adds.

“Same here,” Joe follows.

“I still owe you anyway so you can count me in,” Keith says with a grin.

“There was something I need to do but I can put that aside for now,” Emily says.

“Then let’s go see that boy,” Zeth suggests.

The six heroes leave the hotel to go to where Zeth met the boy on the streets, and the boy is still there. It’s also still raining.

“Good, you came with a team,” the boy says, pleased.

Keith’s jaw drops slightly, widening one eye while squinting the other. “What the…? His hair looks like yours, Zeth.”

“Yeah, I realized that and I don’t know why. I assume it’s not because he is my biggest fan.”

“All in due time, Zeth,” the boy says.

The boy snaps his fingers, suddenly teleporting them to an outdoor area where the sky is red. There is a large stadium nearby, a part of buildings that make up its outer shell.

“Welcome to the Undead Underworld!” the boy announces.

“So, another underworld?” Zeth asks.

“Yeah, but this one reeks of death,” Keith says he waves his hand up and down in front of his face.

“That is because my mother is the Queen of the Undead and she is hosting this tournament,” the boy replies.

“Queen of the Undead, huh?” Zeth wonders, narrowing his eye a bit.

“Yes, and she absolutely loves death, even more than I do. You could very well die in this tournament.”

The heroes are now in the Undead Underworld and must prepare for the Chaos Tournament. What will the Task Force led by Zaydra find on Poleon, and how does Harmona plan to stop the Dark Goddess’s invasion?

Chapter 186 END

To be Continued in Chapter 187: Tournament Preparation