…

When Alex opened his eyes, he found himself in an unknown place. The setting sun came in his view. Standing on water, there was a vast stretch of small grass all around, the sky looked beautiful making him feel at peace. The veins and all the infectious things were gone. He looked to his right and found Xerxes Moon, one of the strongest mages of Emerald at one time, also the one who’s soul was trapped in the soul stone.

“Whoa! Clean much.” Alex said surprised by his look. He was the same person with black fur he saw in the portrait and he was also the same person who was chained in that house’s basement and called for Alex’s help.

“Looks like you got a new hairdo since I last saw you at the… basement.” Alex commented as none of the previous disheveled clothes and hair could be seen on him. He was now the same as when he looked in the portrait, tall, strong and exquisite robes.  Xerxes only gave a small smile.

“Where are we?” Alex asked as he looked at the sun.

“I am also here for the first time.” Xerxes said in his well matured voice.

‘Whoa he sounds like Arsalan from Narnia.’ Alex thought.

“Can I ask why did you decide to help me? You could have simply used the bond severer and saved yourself. But you actually followed through my request.” Xerxes asked as he looked at Alex gazing at the sunset calmly.

Alex thought back to the time he fainted in Blake’s vault. Xerxes had contacted him then and asked for his help to save his life. He had simply made Alex knowledgeable about how to break the curse of the stone by destroying the soul itself. It was with the help of bringing his soul close with his body again. Before he turned into the stone, Xerxes had planted a certain spell on his body. He just wanted to be close enough to activate it!

But at the end of it all Xerxes could only put forward a request, he never expected a complete stranger to actually take the risk of offending several major powers and save him.

“I am a little good at math, so I already calculated my odds of surviving, they were zero. As to why I helped you, I just didn’t have a strong enough conscience, to live happily in heaven knowing I left a soul back to remain trapped forever.” Alex replied.

“Is that the truth?” Xerxes asked narrowing his eyes a little doubting his words.

He had a rough idea on why Alex helped him. At the time when Alex seemed to have almost lost to Nozark, he had suddenly begun to hear a humming sound. That was without a doubt Xerxes reaching out to him. Because of that little melody there came an inexplainable vigor in him banishing away all his fears which allowed Alex to stood back up. This was Alex’s way of repaying him.

Not to mention the many memories of Xerxes, of his family’s situation after him disappearing, him being buried here, all the abuse people threw at his grave… which he saw in his dream due to his bond with the stone helped Alex in making his mind to try and help him.

How did Xerxes know for certain? The stone’s powers came from Xerxes himself; he was the best soul magic user there was. Not to mention he had already read the thoughts of Alex’s soul. He just wanted to hear what Alex’s answer would be if he asked him point blank. A smile appeared on his face as he felt satisfied with it.

“Mhm, though don’t get me wrong I am not particularly kind, just thought a good enough deed would increase my chances to go to heaven. Well regardless… I don’t think I am alive anymore. Besides… I get to meet someone dear to me.” Alex said the last statement with a bitter sweet smile.

“I cannot truly thank you enough, …you remind me of another human like you.” Xerxes said as a smile found its way on his face.

Sighing Alex said, “So, what do you say we hang out in heaven, you tell me about your side, I tell my side, w—

Alex suddenly found himself drifting back. His vision was getting all foggy and white.

“We can surely do that, but when it’s your time to come. For now, do me one more favor, take this memory to the Council head, that brat Augustus will handle the rest.” Xerxes said a small orb of white light the size of rice grain flew from his palm and floated over to Alex only to rest in his palm.

“Also, here’s a gift from me.” Xerxes said as a necklace formed around Alex’s neck.

“Gather strength Alex…ore…th…reats a….re com…. ing…” These were the last words Alex heard as he lost his consciousness.

Alex woke up suddenly gasping for air. As he did, he found Merissa and the Council girl’s face hovering above him. They were saying something which was barely audible to him.

A few seconds back the light had ceased and Alex lay on the ground seemingly lifeless next to the grave. Merissa and Rose went over to check on him only to find that he was dead or so they had thought.

“Alex! you alright?” Merissa asked as she clutched his arms tightly.

“A-Almost passed over to the other side.” Alex said as he got up.

“Where’s Nina?” He asked.

“She’s alright just unconscious.” Rose pointed towards her resting against a pillar.