Mike and Nicolas entered the chamber behind the council room.
In the center stood a large, glass-like orb. Colors swirled beneath its clear surface in mesmerizing, slow motion.
"This orb allows us to enter an isolated astral plane between our realm and the higher realm of the gods," Nicolas explained as he moved beside the orb. "It creates a projection of your soul, not your physical form."
He glanced at Mike. "Placing your hand on it will take you to the plane. You can then invite your god or others to meet with you. Though be warned, a god can choose to refuse the call."
Nicolas pulled out his phone and made a brief call, stepping to the back of the room where his voice was inaudible.
When he returned, he added, "Only beings from the higher realm can invite others into a joint astral plane. When the orb turns jet black, we'll both touch its surface."
"Alright," Mike nodded.
After a few minutes, the colors inside the orb began to swirl faster, darkening until the surface turned pure black, so dark it seemed to absorb the light in the room around it.
Mike and Nicolas reached out and touched the orb.
They felt their consciousness pulled inward.
In the dark
There was nothing but void, until a single white flame appeared at the center of a circle.
Mike opened his eyes and saw the flickering light. He approached cautiously.
Two human figures stood within the circle. One was Nicolas. The other, a middle-aged woman with long black hair and swirling eyes, irises of dark silver and obsidian. She smiled warmly as Mike stepped into the circle.
"Welcome, Michael. My name is Sofia, and I am the chosen of Nyx, goddess of night."
Mike nodded, guarded but respectful. "Nice to meet you. I'm the chosen of Bahamut."
"Oh, I know," she said, her smile deepening. "My goddess has spoken of him."
She turned toward Nicolas and Mike.
"Do we all agree to invite our gods into this meeting?"
They both nodded.
Are you going to join? Mike asked in his mind.
"Yes", Bahamut growled.
Behind Nicolas, storm clouds formed. They swirled into the silhouette of a man. Eyes of crackling blue lightning blinked open.
"I am Aether," the being said calmly. "Greetings, chosen."
Behind Sofia, the darkness rippled. A stunning woman with milky white skin and black hair stepped forward, her eyes the same swirling silver-black as Sofia's.
"Greetings," she said with a warm smile. "I am Nyx."
And then—
Behind Mike, black and red flames erupted in silence. Two massive draconic eyes opened in the darkness. As the eyes moved closer, the shape of a titanic dragon emerged. Black scales shimmered, reflecting the white flame in distorted patterns.
The enormous dragon head loomed behind Mike, filling the entire circle with heat and presence.
"I am Bahamut. First of the dragons," the deep, guttural voice echoed.
Nicolas flinched. Bahamut's body stretched far beyond the visible horizon of the void.
Sofia trembled slightly, sweat forming on her brow.
"Tone it down," Nyx said firmly, without looking back. "Do not intimidate the chosen."
"Weaklings…" Bahamut growled, but lessened his presence. The pressure eased.
Sofia and Nicolas both exhaled in relief.
Nyx turned back to Mike, her composure restored. "I asked Sofia to arrange this meeting to discuss recent events, specifically involving the goddess Hecate and your wife, Michael."
She walked to the edge of the circle and waved her hand, summoning a chair of black velvet from nothingness. She sat with grace, legs crossed, chin resting on one hand.
"One of my sons, Thanatos has made contact with your wife in the spirit prison where she's being held. He presented her with a key to escape, should she reach the door."
Mike's eyes widened. "She can escape? She can get away from Hecate?"
Nyx nodded slightly. "She has an opportunity. Perhaps… a trial. It will depend on her will to survive. If she fails, she will fade."
Mike clenched his fists. "Is there any other way? That's too much risk!"
"Only if Hecate willingly releases her," Nyx said gently. "Which we both know will not happen."
She watched him. "You should believe in your wife. She attracted Thanatos's attention. That's no small feat."
Mike lowered his head, his fists still shaking. He remembered her determination, her stubbornness. A flash of her face, annoyed but determined, trying to fix a leaking faucet. Refusing to stop. Then proudly announcing her success.
He smiled. A real one.
"She's very stubborn," he said quietly. "I believe she can do it."
Nyx's smile deepened.
"Good. That's the faith you should carry."
"But what about the witch?" Aether interjected, stepping forward. "She's trying to open the door—"
"Silence," Nyx said sharply. "She doesn't yet possess the items. Don't drag these mortals into her war with Olympus."
"What does it matter? The weaklings will die until those deserving survive," Bahamut growled. "Let her open the door."
Mike glanced between them. "What door are you talking about?"
"We will let you kn—"
"Tartarus," Bahamut interrupted.
Nicolas gasped. "The prison for the Titans?"
"Yes," Bahamut said flatly. "The witch is a Titan."
Nyx's expression tightened. "That's enough information for now."
"Do not order me," Bahamut rumbled. "I will share what I wish. Let the weaklings die and make my weakling stronger."
Nyx massaged her temple with one hand, then turned to face the others.
"We will inform you if Hecate acquires the items required to open the prison. For now, we must focus on helping the three of you grow your powers."