Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!Cira flew over the mountains, searching for the place where the doors of Hades were said to be found. However, the shadows and towering trees made it impossible to locate them, and she had no choice but to descend. As they landed, monsters surrounded them, their presence distinctly hostile. "What's wrong with these creatures? They look like they're about to attack us," Liona asked, her voice trembling. "Why are you so nervous? Do you not recognize me as their anointed one? The angel's blood flows within me," Cira replied, her confidence unwavering."Will we have to fight them?" Liona pressed, anxiety creeping into her tone. "No. Even if they don't recognize me as one of their own, there is something they will acknowledge," Cira assured her. With that, Cira pulled out the keys to Hades and raised them high. A faint glow emanated from the keys, causing the monsters to lower their heads and step aside, allowing them to pass. Liona, relieved, stayed close to Cira. She had no desire to confront an army of monsters. They trekked through the mountains, guided by the keys, in search of the doors of Hades.After walking all night, exhaustion weighed heavily on Liona. "Let's stop for a moment. I can't go on," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The doors are close; I can feel it. We can't stop now," Cira insisted, determination etched on her face. "Even with the keys of Hades, your body is still human. If you don't rest, you'll collapse," Liona reminded her gently. Cira longed to press on, driven by a fierce determination, but even the keys seemed to sense her fatigue. "We'll rest for just a moment," she conceded.Grateful for the reprieve, Liona watched as Cira leaned against a tree and closed her eyes. She wondered if Cira was truly asleep or if she was leaving herself vulnerable, exposed to danger. But this wasn't the right moment to act on her thoughts. Liona decided to bide her time, knowing revenge could wait a little longer. Liona lay back on the ground, close to Cira, and soon fell asleep. A sudden, powerful grunt jolted her awake. She opened her eyes to find a monstrous figure looming over her, its fangs bared. "Princess!You must wake up!" Liona cried, her heart racing as she searched for Cira, who remained asleep. Cira seemed tense, caught in the grip of a nightmare. Desperate, Liona shook her violently. "Wake up, Princess!" she shouted. Finally, Cira opened her eyes, confusion flickering across her face as she took in her surroundings. The growls of the monsters had pulled her from her slumber. Cira pushed Liona away and sprang to her feet, brandishing the keys of Hades before the creatures. They recoiled, momentarily intimidated. "Why are there so many of them?" Cira demanded."The monsters wanted to attack us," Liona replied, her voice shaky. "I gave you power; you should be able to command a few of them," Cira said, frustration creeping into her tone. It was true that Liona possessed power, but the sheer number of monsters surrounding them was overwhelming. She didn't want to argue, so she simply nodded. "I know. It won't happen again," Liona promised. "I didn't betray you to have you be a burden. Try not to hold me back," Cira said sharply. "Yes, Princess," Liona replied, swallowing her pride.Cira continued forward, and Liona followed closely, until they reached what appeared to be the remnants of a village. Great stone towers loomed around them, marked with strange symbols. Cira could feel the dark power emanating from these structures, and the keys began to resonate. "It's confirmed; these columns are the doors to Hades," Cira said, her excitement palpable. She approached one of the stone towers, recognizing the familiar markings. Cira took a moment to study the two towers, a broad smile spreading across her face.Liona, puzzled, asked, "What's happening, Princess?" "We found it! The doors to Hades, the gates of hell, are ready to be opened," Cira exclaimed. Abril embraced Lissana tightly, joy radiating from her. "Be very careful and don't make any reckless mistakes," she cautioned. "Yes, Mama," Lissana replied, her voice steady. "You are the hereditary princess; you must command when you enter," Abril instructed. Lissana glanced at Gabriel, her priestly assistant, unsure if she was truly prepared to take on such a responsibility. "Yes, Mama," she repeated, though doubt lingered in her mind.Abril tucked a lock of hair behind Lissana's ear. "I want you to be safe. Never forget that," she said earnestly. Lissana hugged her mother tightly. "I want you to come back safe too. I'll be waiting for you," she promised. "I promise we will return," Abril assured her. "Come here, Alessandro," she called, and he embraced her. "Return safely," he said, his voice firm. Abril released Lissana, her gaze turning to Gabriel. "Take care of my daughter and ensure she remains safe from harm," she instructed. Gabriel nodded, silently accepting the weight of her request.Alessandro knelt to Lissana and said, "Remember what your mother told you." "I will be strong," she replied, determination in her eyes. As Abril and Alessandro made their way to the training camp where their army was gathered, Abril asked, "Do you think it was wise to allow this to happen?" "Lissana is a very strong girl. Don't worry about her; she will be fine," Alessandro reassured her. "Yes, but I can't help feeling anxious. I don't want to leave our little one alone," Abril confessed. "Soon, we will return home, and we will be together again.Think of that when you feel worried," Alessandro said, offering comfort. "You're right," Abril agreed. When they reunited with their army, Alessandro spoke a few words of command, distributing teleportation scrolls as they prepared to march to the kingdom of Xurt.noveldrama