Inferno Ascended

By the following morning, they were surprised by the arrival of a huge military escort, and the Archigeos of Pharys, Lord Emilos of the Thespies family.

Glax noted the contrast between the two Archigeos, and thought it defined what each clan thought of the other. Lord Emilos was tall, with dark hair and eyes, and younger than expected. He was the consort of that Great Witch, and his good looks didn't surprise Glax at all. Although he wore armor and had a well-groomed physique, he looked more like an intellectual who was a warrior in his spare time than the other way around.

"As you can see, we pretty much have resolved the situation, Lord Emilos," said Demophon casually. "If I may suggest, you Cult of the Lotus sorcerers…"

"Lotus Eaters," Emilos corrected in a condescending tone.

"Yes, indeed. As I was saying, I suggest taking them to the capital without delay. They are exhausted. Civilians too. But none of them got hurt. Unfortunately, your warriors…" This time Demophon barely disguised his condescension when he mentioned the Pharysian warriors. Glax thought that, for a clan that wasn't exactly known for their warlike skills, they were as good as the Echelians. Besides, their soul orbs weren't left behind, either. But Emilos interrupted his fellow clansman.

"Were there no prisoners?" The pharysian Archigeos' gaze was on the flying ship docked at sea, a few meters below the cliff where the railroad for Hercules passed.

"Oh. No. Just one. The rest fled like the rats they are while we were still fighting the MECHAS." Demophon used the new word carefully. "My son Alexander and his master, Glax, captured that flying ship alone! Hehe!" Demophon put a hand on Alexander's shoulder, who couldn't even feign modesty.

"Hello, Lord Emilos. My master has been training me well. We just got back from Erimos."

'Ah, look at him, showing off the few hours we were at Erimos!' Glax snickered.

Lord Emilos raised an eyebrow, glancing at Glax, then at his father and sister. He looked again at Glax, who noticed a sudden nervousness in the Pharysian archigeos. The man spoke. "Well, congratulations! Wouldn't expect less from the famous Krotons! I'll send our navy…"

"Look, Emilos my old man," Demophon broke into a big smile and put his hand on the younger man's shoulder, who stiffened his body. "Alexander and Glax captured enemies of the empire and according to tradition, what they took is theirs."

Emilos pursed his lips. "Ah! Good call, my friend. Good call. Congratulations again. Just remember that this is a banned war artifact."

"WOW! I didn't even remember it!" Alekos exclaimed. Lais clapped her hands and her suitor puffed his chest out like a pigeon. His father agreed with the other Archigeos. 

"Of course, of course. Lord Glax is aware of this, and so is my son. But don't worry, they'll take care of it immediately."

Glax was static. Was the flying ship his, with everything that was inside? It is, from what Demophon was saying, it was 50% his.

They were working out practical details for the Echelian Archigeos to continue his journey to the capital, while Glax and Alexandre returned to the ship. They had to decide how to do this.

They quickly concluded that the best thing would be to take the flying ship back to Stimhena. However, even the Cyclops was their responsibility now. What were they supposed to do with the prisoner who didn't give a damn about them? And there was another important detail: none of them knew how to pilot a ship, let alone pilot a flying ship.

They found Kalista and the Cyclops talking, under the watchful eyes of Rasmus, Tychos, and Uniq. The two were talking about the ship.

"Do you know about ships, Kalista?" Glax asked when he understood what they were talking about.

She looked at Glax and shrugged. "I brought us here across the Sea of ​​Mists, so I must 'know' something."

The Valosian laughed heartily.

"What are you laughing about, you shorty? What's so funny?" The vselys lady narrowed her eyes.

"No. I'm just surprised at our luck. Do you think you could pilot this ship, in the air?"

"Eh. That's what I was talking to Xanthos here. I wanted to know the differences between a sea ship and a sky ship." She calmed down.

Xanthos said, "I'm not the pilot, I just helped develop the ship and this machine. I can only answer within my knowledge."

"Hey you two. Pay attention. We have to get this ship off Pharys immediately. If we take too long, we'll give them reasons to confiscate the ship. And arrest you."

"I don't want to go far from Pharys, Echelian. My brother is here and I want to find him." The Cyclops crossed his arms stubbornly.

"Xanthos, why do this as a prisoner of the witch if there can be a better way? I promise to trade your brother's freedom with the Pharysians." Glax tried to put some sense into the Cyclops's head.

"Let me see... This won't be free." Xanthos questioned.

"Don't you know you're talking to the Mighty Glax of Valosia? Champion of Armorion, invincible, fought Sillabot, Megas, who destroyed several mechas, Chosen of the Gods, Savior of Stygia?!" Alexandre spoke with such excitement that his eyes bulged. Glax was starting to worry about the sanity of his fan club.

"Stop, Alekos."

"Yes, Lord Xanthos. You are big, but not two! He destroyed petty and sadistic exploiters, and saved innocent people!" Uniq took a step forward. And looked at Rasmus and Tychos. "Come on, tell him, Tychos. Go on, Lord Rasmus."

"He is loyal and keeps his promises. When I thought all was lost, he went to seek my cure in the most unlikely place. You must trust him. And respect him. He's small, but that doesn't mean anything."

"Ah, thank you, Tychos." Although everyone kept reminding him he wasn't tall, Glax was feeling embarrassed.

"He's crazy, but he can think of the best adventures. He always has a plan." Rasmus nodded to himself, satisfied with his definition of his best friend.

"Oh, stop, please. I don't need that kind of defense! Xanthos, take it or leave it. Either you return with us to our base with the ship, helping Lady Kalista, or you stay here and fend for the Pharysians alone. If you go, I will go to Pharys' palace and negotiate your brother's release."

"And what's in it for me?" Kalista asked.

"You too. You can be on your own here, with a price on your head, or go back to a place where you can have a shelter. I know where to find Malko, and I'll let him know where you are."

The two outcasts stared at each other for a moment, then turned to Glax. "We're going with you."

:::::::::::::::::::

With a sudden jolt, the flying ship lifted out of the water as soon as the anchors were lifted. Despite their grueling work as sailors, Glax and her companions managed to take off following the instructions of veteran captain Kalista.

There was a flight map on a disk near the helm. Xanthos said the Prometheans had made several close flights between Rhenum and the Abyss, but had not flown over near the mountains. Kalista made her own route over the valley of Partis and Valosia, towards Thepomesos, avoiding approaching the mountain ranges.

Glax wondered how long it would take the antichor to consume the machine, and if there was a way to clean it from the corrupting substance. The Valosian did not know if there was any salvation for that fabulous vehicle. But he hoped he could learn a little bit about how it worked before he had to destroy it. He imagined that this would not be the only flying ship of the Prometheans.

Glax was aware that he was constantly throwing balls in the air like a juggler. And he also wondered when he would have too many balls in the air to handle.

But at that moment, he watched with fascination as the pilot of the flying ship activated the compartmentalized side wings, which acted as sails that changed the ship's course. The Cyclops and she were in constant communication to make the flying ship work, and everyone else must be on hand to help them. This was their other condition to ensure a safe flight for everyone.

Out of the corner of her eye, Glax spotted one more person on the deck. She was leaning over the rail, staring at the landscape with her mouth open.

"Lais?! LAIS!!!"

"Ain, Glax…" Despite complaining, she flinched. Of course, she knew she had done something wrong. But Alexander ran to her to justify it.

"Teacher! I invited her!"

"Wow! It's so beautiful, Glax! Thank you, Lord Alexandre! I would never have such a wonderful experience if it weren't for you!" Lais spoke sweetly and didn't look much like the girl her big brother saw in particular.

"Hehe. It was nothing. I didn't want to see you sad after everything that happened on the train. Your first trip was totally spoiled by monsters!" the young Kroton spoke.

"Oh, what a silly romance. Spare me from it, you both!" Glax had noticed that his pupil had been strange since they boarded, coming and going in the cargo hold. "You're crazy?! And you, sis? I know Dad didn't let you come, how could you?!" Of course he knew that this was Lais' ploy, to keep close to Alexandre and ensure her marriage.

"NO PASSENGERS IN THIS SHIP!" shouted Kalista. "Only sailors! An extra pair of hands is always welcome."

Glax broke into a smile, while his little sis widened her eyes and mouth in an expression of horror.

"HEHEHEHE! She's going, Lady Kalista! She's at your service!"

"No, big bro…! Please don't."