From a distance, with the myriad symbols and flags waved, Athan knew they were enemies, and even teaming up like from his previous life.


    But then, they were also in a dangerous situation, as they couldn''t even nudge with their bodies slowly carved from the frosty sea, eating their bodies inch by inch.


    Looking around Mystique and the rest, Stravwuark and Ashtra were nowhere to be found, which he couldn''t help but think about where they were when she needed them the most.


    Even for a glimpse of it, it was far-fetched upon sensing their presence.


    More than anything, Athan''s forehead, and neck had a streak of veins, etching against his skin from the enemies that surrounded them. It was as bright as the sun at noontime how they overnumbered them, but even then, they became too wary of their presence.


    However, they all rattled when Arnold roared aloud, trembling the whole underground with his deep voice.


    "...Of all the people you have to aim, you all have to target my daughter?!"


    The moment they arched their necks, he already opened his grimoire, and he tore several pages at once with a formation of large multi-layered magic circles.


    Soon enough, it rained with spears of ice, almost covering his vision. The rain went non-stop, blasting with ear-shattering noises and crazy fog of ice.


    Athan had goosebumps all over his body, for his mind seemed to remember the altercations he had numerous times of Arnold from his past life.


    Even until now, the man may be quiet and aloof in general, but he transformed into another devil when he turned out beyond livid, especially when it was about his daughter.


    He became erratic, as he went to cast another round of spells.


    It was overkill to Athan. But he couldn''t dare say a word and gulped hard from the wrath of the Grand Duke of Blackwell.


    About a hundred thousand dropped without mercy, and when they were close to the ground, both landed as he waved off the clouds away from his sight.


    But then, he furrowed his eyebrows to a line when they were cocooned into a frozen block of ice, like the people they saw from above.


    Their last moments seemed to be staring horror-struck, like death from above.


    Though, as much as Arnold got upset, for he couldn''t mince them to bits for his utter satisfaction, his senses snapped out of it as his priority was none other than Mystique.


    Aside from the crackling ice heard, Arnold looked around as he said in gritted teeth, "What is the meaning of this?"


    "You''ve— Finally arrived—" A cough erupted behind the two of them; upon turning around was Nathan, who lurched from his stead with several cuts on his worn-out clothing, revealing his fresh wounds.


    Behind him were also twins, who leaned against a craggy stone block. Neither of them was healthy as they found themselves caught up their breaths.


    Arnold then turned around, rushing his steps to his only daughter, who was in Keiths'' arms.


    "Mysti!" he roared once again. Soon as he dropped to his knees, his arms trembled upon grabbing her as though she was a fragile glass. His palm tapped on her forehead and neck and checked her vital signs.


    Only he sighed in relief that she was far from critical condition, then embraced her like there was no tomorrow.


    He started to mumble inaudibly the moment he snuggled deep on her neck, and his back trembled from the sudden sob.


    Even from a glance, he noticed that she was burning up, and her father steadily absorbed her never-ending heat.


    Athan, once again, found himself appalled by what happened, this wasn''t the first time he saw from his two eyes how Mystique suffered for the greater good. He could only clench his fist, for he acted late, and not being able to do a thing.


    A secret base, with not one but almost all of the enemies combined, surrounding them left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    The moment his eyes landed at Keith, his blood began to boil, unseemingly charging at him with a fierce tug by his collar. Even though he was already limp, he didn''t care as he pulled him close as seethed in anger.


    "What in the damned hell happened here?!" Athan growled at Keith, whose eyes filled with anger and guilt, and only fueled his rage more than he ever bottled since.


    In a great timing, Nathan interrupted him as he often coughed, "It''s— Not as the grave— as you think in her case—"


    The Grand Duke of Forsberg was never the one to lie before him, and indeed, out of them all, she had far fewer injuries compared to them. Even then, her unconsciousness bugged him as well.


    After which, he let go of Keith and then let go of him, slumping to the ground as he hissed in agony.


    "You have a lot of explaining here to do..." After which, he went for his pouch, and grabbed several potions and medicines for a first-aid in this case.


    After chugging them, they heaved out of relief, wiping their mouth as their body began to glow, and almost got themselves better.


    "Your Highness," he uttered while helping Dusk take the potion for the meantime. "The battle ended long before you came here."


    Athan couldn''t help but blurt it out of turn, "What do you mean?!"


    "Mystique begged Ashtra to borrow his power, and froze everyone in here— as an eternal statue before bloodshed would''ve happened."


    Right now, Arnold perked up his ears, scrunching his face from what he heard. "So you mean he''s inside her, using her powers?"


    "... And Stravwuark…"


    "I have never heard of that ability—"


    "She knows it otherwise."


    This time, Arnold squinted his eyes as though he wanted to read the visage of Nathan. "You seem to have other concerns, what is it?"


    From there, he averted his gaze with a clicking tongue. "I''m sure you''ve known that she''s burning up..."


    "Yes, what about it?"


    "Fever dreams…"


    Soon as Keith uttered it, who now stared far away ever-so-blankly while he sat on the ground, it turned Arnold''s face to a deeper shade from the grimace.


    "You! How did you know that mythical curse?"


    "... Your Grace, please save her as I had once had it as well."