Chapter 16: Preparing for the Underworld

Chapter 16: Preparing for the Underworld

Xander, Lillia, and Sophie knew that their mission to defeat the Dark Lord and rescue the Emperor would not be an easy one. They needed to prepare themselves for the dangerous journey ahead.

As they sat together in their hideout, strategizing their next move, Merlin suddenly appeared before them.

"Xander, Lillia, and Sophie," he said, his voice grave. "I have important information for you. The Queen of frata wishes to speak with you regarding your mission."

Xander and his companions were taken aback by this news. They knew that the Queen was a powerful ally, but they had not expected her to reach out to them.

Without hesitation, they agreed to meet with the Queen, and Merlin led them to her palace.

As they entered the grand halls of the palace, they were met with the sight of the Queen sitting on her throne, surrounded by her advisors.

"Xander, Lillia, and Sophie," she greeted them, her voice regal and commanding. "I have been following your mission closely. I know that you seek to defeat the Dark Lord and rescue the Emperor from his clutches."

Xander and his companions nodded in agreement, their determination clear on their faces.

"I have a gift for you," the Queen continued, motioning to one of her advisors.

The advisor approached them, carrying a small, ornate box. As he opened it, they saw that it contained three amulets, each glowing with a faint blue light.

"These amulets will protect you on your journey to the Underworld," the Queen explained. "They will shield you from the dark magic of the Dark Lord and his minions."

Xander, Lillia, and Sophie gratefully accepted the amulets, placing them around their necks.

"We will not let you down, Your Majesty," Xander vowed, his voice filled with determination.

The Queen nodded in approval, a hint of a smile on her lips. "I have faith in you," she said. "Now go, and save the Emperor."

As Xander and his companions left the palace, they knew that they had a long and dangerous journey ahead of them. They needed to make careful preparations before venturing into the Underworld.

As they sat together, discussing their plan of attack, Frata suddenly appeared before them.

"Xander, Lillia, and Sophie," he greeted them, a serious expression on his face. "I have important information for you regarding the Dark Lord."

Xander and his companions listened intently as Frata explained the Dark Lord's powers and weaknesses.

"He draws his strength from the souls of the dead," Frata explained. "If you can sever the connection between him and his source of power, you may be able to defeat him."

Xander nodded, his mind racing with ideas. "We need to find a way to enter the Underworld and cut off the Dark Lord's supply of souls," he said.

Lillia and Sophie agreed, their minds already working on a plan.

As they made their preparations, Merlin appeared before them once again.

"Xander, Lillia, and Sophie," he said, his voice urgent. "Time is running out. You must make your way to the Underworld and rescue the Emperor before it is too late."

Xander and his companions nodded, their determination steeled. They knew that they had a difficult task ahead of them, but they were ready to face it head-on.

With their amulets around their necks and their plan of attack in place, they set off towards the Underworld, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

A While later---

Xander, Lillia, and Sophie stood before the Old Sage's hut, preparing to embark on their journey to the Underworld. The three of them were dressed in dark, practical clothing, ready for the challenges they would face in the realm of the dead.

"Are you sure about this, Xander?" Lillia asked, her voice tinged with concern. "The Underworld is not a place to be taken lightly."

Xander nodded, trying to keep his own nerves at bay. "I'm sure. We have to find the remaining artifacts before they fall into the wrong hands."

Sophie shifted nervously from foot to foot, her eyes darting around the quiet clearing. "Do we have everything we need?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Xander patted his pack, feeling the weight of the remaining artifacts inside. "We have everything we need," he said, with more confidence than he felt.

Just then, the door to the Old Sage's hut opened, and the wise old man stepped out. "Are you ready, young ones?" he asked, his voice calm and measured.

Xander nodded, his throat feeling dry. "We're ready," he said.

The Old Sage looked at each of them in turn, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and concern. "Remember, the Underworld is a dangerous place," he said. "But with courage and determination, you will succeed."

Lillia stepped forward, placing a hand on the Old Sage's arm. "Will you come with us?" she asked. "We could use your guidance."

The Old Sage smiled, his wrinkles deepening. "Of course, my dear," he said. "I will accompany you as far as I can. But remember, there are things in the Underworld even I do not know."

The four of them set off into the forest, the Old Sage leading the way with his walking stick. The path wound through the trees, the air growing colder and more oppressive with each step they took.

As they walked, Xander couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He kept turning around, scanning the trees for any sign of danger. Lillia noticed his unease and placed a reassuring hand on his arm.

"Don't worry, Xander," she said. "We're in this together."

Xander forced a smile, grateful for Lillia's support. "Thanks," he said. "I just have a bad feeling about this."

Sophie looked up at them, her eyes wide with fear. "What kind of things will we find in the Underworld?" she asked.

The Old Sage stopped walking and turned to face them. "The Underworld is home to all manner of spirits and demons," he said. "But you must remember, they are not all evil. Some may even help you on your quest."

Xander nodded, feeling a little better. "Thanks for the advice," he said.

The path grew steeper and rougher as they approached the entrance to the Underworld. The Old Sage's walking stick clicked against the stones, a rhythmic sound that provided some comfort in the eerie silence.

At last, they reached the entrance, a gaping hole in the ground that seemed to lead to the very depths of the earth. Xander took a deep breath, feeling a sense of foreboding wash over him.

"We have to go down there?" Sophie asked, her voice trembling.

Lillia squeezed her hand. "Yes, we do," she said. "Are you ready?"

Sophie nodded, her face pale. Xander took one last look around, then followed Lillia and Sophie into the Underworld, with the Old Sage close behind.

See you at Chapter 17