Strings Of Domination

"...A golden tree?" Miles raised a brow when he saw the small tree inside the small pot, confused as he didn't know why the King of the Sargon Family, a powerful existence needed their aid to acquire something so... ordinary.

King Helio, however, remained calm despite guessing the thoughts of Miles and quickly began to explain, "Perhaps you are confused and have many questions as to why you are the ones helping me even though I have others way stronger to help me, but you will understand soon enough."

After King Helio said those words, he quickly waved his hand and made the hologram before the three to change images, now showing a huge forest which not was filled with dense fog but just a single tree alone was as thick as five humans put next to each other and as tall as the biggest building on Planet Gaia!

"What you can see currently is a special region on Planet Amnar, known as the Lost Forest."

"Special? Why is it special? Except for the size of the trees, I don't see anything special about it." Miles asked his thoughts out loud, immediately earning a small and brief chuckle from Ayanna on Helio's side.

King Helio, on the other hand, kept his serious facade on and replied, "Indeed, the Lost Forest except for its extraordinary size shows nothing out of the place for the first glance, but once you enter it, if you can at all, then that belief of yours will quickly change for sure."

Then, with another flick of his wrist, King Helio changed the image once again, but this time it was a short video feed. The video showed as two individuals stood next to each other at the very edge of the forest before they began to walk forward, however, once they reached the dense fog, strangely, both of them were knocked back, almost as if they have been shot by some sort of power!

"As you can see, not everyone is capable of entering the Lost Forest as anyone that is on or above the peak Warmaster Rank will be repelled back without exception. Of course, there are unique items inside the forest that can be found and brought out with which later on those that couldn't go inside now could, but those are extremely rare and also have a time limit on them which only allows individuals to enter the Lost Forest for only a short duration."

Ayanna on Helio's side nodded and quickly added, "That is true, however, this is only the start and the greatest issue starts once you enter the forest."

"Yes, as once you enter the Lost Forest, it will be akin to entering an infinite maze where once you get lost, no hope will remain for you to escape." King Helio nodded and added, "Furthermore, inside the Lost Forest, and especially inside the Lost Ruins which is located inside the Lost Forest, unique creatures and beasts alike known as Lost Souls wander and kill anyone alive!"

'Lost Souls?' Nash's ears perked up a little once he heard the name 'soul' and couldn't help but ask, "These... Lost Souls, what type of creatures are they?"

King Helio shifted his gaze at Nash and after remaining silent flicked his wrist, changing the projection into several images, each showing different creatures and beasts.

There was an overgrown bear with claws and teeth akin to steel, a huge deer with six legs, a swarm of spiders each as small as a finger, and a floating entity that looked like a screaming ghost. However, while each and every one of them looked terrifying and different in size and look, they had one single thing in common.

And that was their slightly half-transparent body which also glowed and emitted a gentle blue light!

"These are... the Lost Souls?" for the first time, Amy talked and asked, but if one would be able to see her complexion, they would be shocked completely to see just how pale she looked at the moment!

On the other hand, Nash's eyes were shining as if they were containing hundreds of stars within while his body even trembled from pure excitement and joy!

'Oh? He looks pretty eager.' King Helio narrowed his eyes once he noticed the way Nash's eyes looked but decided not to ask and instead continue speaking, "Although we don't know how or through what way these creatures come to life, we happened to collect just enough information about them to know that they not only have no physical bodies, hence they cannot be killed through normal means, but they also have similar powers, allowing them to kill their enemies by invading the body and destroying them from the inside."

"I wonder if it hurts or they die instantly," Miles mumbled, resulting in everyone looking at him in silence and with complicated gazes.

"...Anyways," clearing his throat, Helio waved his hand again and said, "Your objective will be to enter the Lost Forest, reach the Lost Ruins, and find the golden tree before leaving and bringing it back to here."

"And how do we find the Lost Ruins and the golden tree? Also, how do we find our way back once we succeed?" Nash asked after pondering.

"With this, you will be able to find the Lost Ruin." King Helio gestured toward the side, from where a figure wearing deep blue armor emerged with a small scroll in hand.

"That is a map, one that we have created over the years. It will help you get to the Lost Ruins and also get out of it. As for the golden tree... You must find it on your own accord, naturally."

"I see." Nash nodded as he accepted the scroll.

"Well then, if you have no other questions, follow Silva. She will bring you to Planet Amnar."

'Silva?' Nash, Miles, and Amy raised a brow when they heard the unfamiliar name, but it was not long before a stunning Slayer woman, just slightly less beautiful than Ayanna appeared on their side out of nowhere and bowed with respect with one hand before her chest while the other one was placed behind her back.

"My name is Silva, it is my pleasure to meet with the three of you. Please, follow me."

The three watching as Silva began to walk toward the exit looked at each other, but as they had nothing else to ask nodded and quickly followed Silva from behind.

"How interesting." once the three were out of sight, Helio showed a small smile, one that was quite a rare sight from him.

"...Dear? Did you notice something?" Ayanna on his side looked at him with a slightly raised brow.

"Don't you find it strange that the I mentioned the Lost Souls, Emerald's behavior instantly changed? Also, except for asking what kind of creatures they were, he didn't ask what their weakness is or how they should kill them!"

Ayanna's previously raised brow now lowered into a deep frown and after thinking for a while she nodded and said, "Yeah, now that you mention this... It is indeed strange. Perhaps they forgot to ask?"

King Helio's smile widened upon hearing his wife's question, and after leaning back a little more against his throne, he said, "Who knows...."