To Arda

"Royal Elementals enslave spirits to craft such things for them, and this..." he gestured at the garment saying, "was made by a flame spirit I freed, know that it was being crafted for a royal flame elemental brat and it is yours now." Solara's eyes seemed to glow with happiness, she knew how much Ra wished she would wear clothes, and now it seemed she didn't have to sacrifice her own desires to please him. "Thank you," she said gratefully. Duat was dismissive, "think nothing of it," he said smiling. 

Ra stroked Solara's hair as she stared at the dress with a pleased expression, "well, go put it on," he urged laughing, and Solara ran out of sight, her hair dragging on the ground behind her before it too disappeared from view.

Ra turned back to his father, "So, why are you here?" he asked getting right to the crux of the matter.

"Ah, now that...is a long story," he said, "the important bit is for one I need your help," Ra adopted a confused expression, which quickly turned suspicious. "My help?" he asked cautiously, to which Duat nodded, "Yes, yours, has to be you. In fact, even if we weren't family it would still need to be you, though that would make things more difficult." he said slowly, then shaking his head he said, "Okay, the gist of it is the Paladin Order on Arda was dispatched by the Ardian Church to purify a catacombs that a group of children accidentally unearthed. This catacombs is suspected of being the final resting place of the 9 Paragons of Arda. This means nothing to you but Ardic warriors worship these 9 historic figures, statues of these figures can be found in every home, church, and castle. They worship them as if they were celestial deities." Ra knit his brows, "Were they?" Duat shrugged, "Who knows! the important thing is that they were immensely powerful in their time, these 9 worked together to unify 4 divine realms, and on it they built the Kingdom of Arda." 

"They sound amazing," said Ra, "but what's the catch," Duat looked sheepish, "Er," he scratched his beard, "Haha, uh, there's a seal on the place." Ra mumbled, "A seal?" 

Duat's expression grew grave, "I suppose you could call it a barrier, it has been tested extensively, those too old sustain heavy damage if they attempt to enter, and those too weak soon die. It has been made quite obvious that a youth boasting considerable strength must enter to explore the place." 

"And that's why you need me."

"And that's why I need you."

They said simultaneously.

"One condition," said Ra.

"I would expect nothing less," Duat said, grinning.

"Tell me about Avaris and Pelagis."

Duat's face darkened, "Where did you hear that name?

"I heard them both in the Sudain Kingdom, they were battling between realms and I happened to be nearby." Ra said quickly.

Duat seemed to age visibly as he pondered how much he should tell his son, in the end he settled for the most generic description.

"Pelagis is a word that literally means 'Sea of Evil' but he was not always named such, Pelagis was once an Ardian by the name of Pan, as human as you or I and just as mortal. However, he possessed mediocre talent, and when the church informed him he would never become Full God; Pan went insane, secretly, he plunged himself into magicks of the most vile practices. Take what you know of dark magic and understand that it is a mere imitation of darkness and not true darkness. True darkness cannot be explained by any words I can offer you and it is my greatest wish you never need to experience it."

Ra felt revulsion mounting in his throat but he swallowed it and pressed, "Then, how powerful is he?" Duat shook his head, "The time when it was possible to measure his power by our standards has long since gone, but if I had to guess I would say he is at the standard of a Major God." Ra grew excited, "Wouldn't that mean he's weaker than you?" Knowing where this was going, Duat shook his head sadly, "I cannot touch him..." Ra's face fell, "Why not... surely you can..." Duat continued to shake his head and as he did so he raised his shirt.

Ra stumbled backward until he fell to sit on the ground. 

It was purple, black, and green. A sinister aura permeated throughout the wound, it was so disgusting Ra had to fight to keep from throwing up. "I am containing it..." Duat said sadly as he pulled his shirt down again. "But this curse...it's powerful, and it's origins are not known to me...I cannot find a cure." Ra was stunned, then scared, and finally he felt a rage well in his heart that consumed everything. His voice was cold, "Bring me and my friends to Arda," he said frostily, "In one year I will have his head." Ra swore as he raised two fingers to his lips and kissed them, he turned his hand and kissed the back of his fingers and then raised his hand to the sky. "1 year," he promised.

Saying so, Ra opened a spatial gate and from it came Bast, Merlin, Xaria, Gwyn, and Morrigan.

"I have a mission," said Ra icily, "if you plan to follow me then stand by my side, if you wish to remain then tell me where you would like to go." Gwyn and Morrigan were already laid at his feet, and Bast had also somehow wound herself around his arm. In the end none of them chose to leave. "Solara," Ra called, and a beautiful golden bird flew out of the trees to land on his shoulder. Ra nodded at his father, "Take us there." he said, "I'll deal with your catacombs, then I'll deal with your curse." he said resolutely.

Duat felt immense pride build in his chest as he nodded at his son, he waved his arm, there was no sound or light, no rush of wind, but their surroundings had changed. They found themselves in a magnificent city, and after asking around they learned they were in the Capital City of Arda, Helwyr.

"Come on, I want a word with the Queen," said Ra sounding very detached despite the beauty and splendor of the city. The others followed him quietly as they made their way through the crowded streets.