24 Missing

Long He knew what preparations Uion and Old Jun have done. The two knew all along that the whole battle was a trap, and have made the right moves.

Suddenly, Vomir shifted from killing Ilah's demigods to the alliance's ones. His servants did the same thing.

A demigod charged at Long He, trying to kill him. However, he wasn't aware that the full god was on high guard and was expecting these moves.

"To all gods and demigods of the alliance," came the growl of Old Jun in their heads. "Vomir is an enemy just as Ilah. We need to kill him as soon as possible, with the combination of our forces.

"Don't be discouraged. Vomir has reduced our army into only a few thousand, nothing more."

As the voice of Old Jun faded, he was followed by Uion's, "Remember that our side has over a hundred full gods and a million of demigods, while their side has only two gods and fewer demigods than us.

"We are the powerful and numerous ones, we need not to fear about them!"

The army cheered as they fought with higher intensity and power. The words of their leaders has lifted up their spirits.

After many hours passed since the betrayal, the battle was coming to its climax. Vomir closed on Long He, intending to kill the person who has insulted him many times now. He raised up his sword, preparing to strike immediately.

However, he didn't have the opportunity. Long He saw him coming through his godly sense, and knew the intentions of the war god.

Instead of hitting the head of Long He, he hit the Waterflame Sword. Vomir exerted more power in his strike, but Long He refused to give up. He fought back with equal force, but soon found it hard.

Taking the risks, Long He backed away when Vomir put more power. He raised the Waterflame Sword and threw it as a spear.

The sword pierced Vomir's heart, making him spit out a mouthful of blood. Long He approached him and was about to retake his sword when Vomir said, blood flowing out of his mouth, "How…. D-did….. y-y-you know?"

Then, Vomir's eyes were rid of any life, and his soul left his body to enter the underworld. Yes, even gods are to be judged!

Long He closed the dead Vomir's eyes and stood up. However, he had let his guard down for that moment, which brought him peril.

A demigod came behind him and hit Long He's back with her axe. Long He dropped to his knees, then passed out immediately.

Ding.

[Poison detected. Does the host wishes for the system to take it out of your body?]

However, Long He couldn't here the system anymore. The maiden took the weapon out of his back and went to fight.

…

The battle continued for days in non-stop. Everyone was getting tired of it, it had to stop right here and now!

And as if it was helping them to finish, planet Ancient Oak Grove couldn't stand it anymore. It finally exploded, leaving nothing behind, not even a speck of dust. It was no more part of existence.

The bodies of the dead, as well as of the living, were spread in the chaotic void. Those who could make their way home, did so; however, the ones that weren't able to return were forever lost, only to be found by their gods through the system.

Months passed, and some of the bodies couldn't be found. Long He's body was such a one.

His friends and family were constantly trying to find his body, but they finally give up hope. However, there were some that still had faint hope that they would find him.

…

"Waterflame!" shouted Khasdon.

"Do you hear us?" followed Iaris.

"Of course he does not hear us. Our godly senses are everywhere! We should have found him by now."

"I refuse to believe that you gave up searching for your friend!"

"I wish I could believe that his is still alive and well, Iaris, but…."

"But what? Look, if you want to stop, then I am not going to stand in your way, but I am not going to stop trying!"

Khasdon shook his head and took hold of his wife's hand. He dragged her towards planet Aquahelios, and she struggled to get her hand out.

The two reached the palace's great hall, where the closest people to Long He were grouped.

Uion was walking in circles, back and forth, in the middle of the hall. Yi'er was shedding tears, believing that her son is dead. Shen Hu was beside her, consoling her and trying to lift her spirits up by saying that Long He is well and alive.

When Khasdon and Iaris entered, a gloomy aura surrounded them as Uion stopped walking. He looked at them and said, "Did you find anything new?"

"No," said khasdon. "He is impossible to be found. We have searched through the void many times, even at the site of the destroyed planet."

"We could have found him if Khasdon didn't force me to come!" said Iaris.

"Your husband is right, my dear," said Uion bitterly, "I am losing hope myself. Day after day there is no news about Long He, it is as if he disappeared."

"Don't say that!" cried Yi'er, "I beg you, god Uion! Please continue the search! He'er needs your help!"

"My dear Yi'er. I have done what I can do. Even my system couldn't locate him, I am out of ideas now."

"So there is no hope left?" said Shen Hu.

"I sincerely don't know what fate has stored for us, Mr. Shen. But I think that you should forget about the possibility of Waterflame being found."

The sobbing of the mother continued in the uncomfortable silence. Shen Hu couldn't stand the grief anymore, and soon followed his wife in crying.

Suddenly they stopped. Turning their heads, they saw the mysterious, black cloaked, face hidden Old Jun.

"In fact," he said, "There might still be some hope. But not a high possibility."

"What are you talking about?" said Uion, doubt showing clearly in his eyes.

"I mean that I know where Long He is."

"Then what are we waiting for?" said Iaris, wiping the tears, "Let's go and get him."

She started to walk to the door, but stopped when Old Jun said, "He is in a place where only I could save him. None of you could, mostly because you are incapable of doing so."

"What about his system? Can't we send a message to him?" said Uion.

"The systems are useless in such a case. As I told you, you can't help me in saving him. You are to stay here and wait."

With that, he disappeared from the room, leaving everyone in confusion of what he had meant.