They'd successfully pissed off Vexaeĩ to the point where the creature was chasing them through the forest. Ema and Jay, having found the clearing, led the way. Nikki and Xix made sure the creature stayed on their heels. One of Vexaeĩ's heads leaned in closer, smoke bellowing from its nostrils. Xix yelped, throwing up a crimson shield as fire shot toward them. The flames bounced off it and into the trees. The small group kept running, Ema quickly circling back to put out the fire. She rushed to catch up.

"Pick up the pace!" Xix yelled. "It's almost on top of us!"

"We're almost there," Ema panted. "Just a little further."

They charged into the empty clearing, all turning back to the Hydra. It crashed through the trees, ripping them from their roots. It stopped in front of the group and roared. The very air shimmered. The image of the empty clearing vanished, replaced with something that made the group forget about the beast baring down on them.

The clearing glowed with life-energy. A large spring-filled pond lay in the centre of the clearing, surrounded by all sides on golden trees. Its water glittered in the sunlight. The grass was no longer there, instead covered with many colourful flowers. They all gave off the loveliest scents one could ever imagine. Animals watched curiously from the pond, from under flowers, from the tree line.

"This place," Ema breathed. "It's . . . It's . . ."

Jay tackled her to the ground as a Hydra head clamped down where she'd been standing.

"I was going to say something like beautiful," Ema muttered from where she lay on her back, "but the moment is gone."

Nikki grabbed Ema's sword and charged. Vexaeĩ turned its attention to her. Nikki jumped into the air and, with a cry, slammed the hilt of Ema's sword into one of the heads. It slumped forward. Nikki glanced at Xix who nodded.

Xix charged her power, red lighting zapping around her hands. She raised her arms until she was in the correct pose, legs spread and hands held out toward the creature. She'd never done a spell like this before but, well, there was no time like the present to learn. Naka's voice spoke in her mind, giving her the worlds she needed.

Xix spoke in the Old Language: "I name you Vexaeĩ, Guardian of Orura, Keeper of the Secret Spring, Protector of the Power of Life. I name you Vexaeĩ, the Five-Headed Beast with Power of Elements. By the power of Naka, I bid you let us pass. We are of no harm, we come seeking guidance. By the Father of Life, I order you: return to your place of rest and continue to watch."

Red light left her hands as though it were smoke, overtaking Vexaeĩ. The smoke darkened. Vexaeĩ's movements becoming slower. It looked over the group once more before turning away and disappearing back into the forest. Safe, Xix fell to her hands and knees, panting.

Nikki braced her hands on her hips. "You couldn't have done that before we let it chase us?"

"Not my plan," Xix said, convincing her body to let her sit properly. "Vexaeĩ had to be in the Spring for us to access it. I think if I'd done that back in the forest, we'd still be standing in that empty clearing."

"Magic is so weird," Nikki said, shaking her head. "What is this, then, an alternate dimension?"

"Something like that," Jay answered, looking around in awe.

Ema, however, had overcome her initial amazement. "We have a spring. Where's a Goddess?"

"Behind you," a voice answered. The four spun around.

Standing in the centre of the pond stood a woman who could only be the Goddess Orura. She was dark-skinned with rainbow eyes and rainbow-tinted cream-coloured hair brushing her thighs. She wore a white off the shoulder dress, the lacey see-through skirt revealing white tights which matched the boddice. She wore no shoes and dangle diamond earrings which glittered in the sunlight. She had an air of pride about her and radiated confidence. This woman was powerful and she knew it.

Orura walked gracefully across the water, her feet barely creating ripples. She reached the land, walking through the flowers as though she belonged there. Which she did. The Goddess came to a stop before the four. Xix and Ema, out of habit, raised their hands to their heads, the back of one hand resting on their brow and the other against the palm. Palms of their hands facing outward, they bowed their heads slightly. Nikki and Jay gave the Deity a regular bow.

"Rise, Children," the Goddess said with a smile. She turned to her forest and sighed. "While I am sure you have your reasons for coming, I do not appreciate damage done to my forest." A wave of her hand had the trees fixing themselves.

Naka's voice echoed in Xix's mind. "Classic, Orura. No one does damage to her property. She almost as scary as her sister!"

"So lovely to hear from you, too, Father," Orura tutted. "Yes, I can hear you in there. Why have you brought your darkness to my home?"

"We have come seeking guidance," Xix said, cutting Naka off. "We need help to find someone who would know what is happening."

Jay nodded. "Yes, we need to find someone who would know what is causing this whole issue with Creation, uh—"

"Fracturing?" Ema offered.

"Fracturing, and if there's anything that can be done about it."

Orura clasped her hands in front of her. "You came to me because my location is known."

"Something like that."

She nodded. "I would recommend speaking to the Ævum. They do exist, merely on a higher plane than your God Worlds. They can still be accessed."

Xix grimaced. "Yeah, we tried them first. They showed us they exist but said there was nothing they could do. Well, they more said, 'we won't help you' and vanished."

"I see." Orura became thoughtful. "There are four others you can speak with – Vivus, Thecuras, Ixasis or Oluaz."

"Who?" Ema asked Jay.

"Deity of Winsdom," he answered.

"Ah."

"Thecuras can be found in places where the past is important. Last I heard, she took up residence where a system named Hetsipara once existed, but that was ages ago. Vivus can only be summoned by Mother and Father, but only if they wish to be disturbed. This can only be done in a place important to Balance, which they know full well." She glared pointedly at Xix, though it was obviously directed toward Naka. "Ixasis you will not find easily. They only come if they deem it necessary, and that almost never happens. As for Oluaz, I would recommend a place where knowledge is valued above all else."

"Thecuras and Oluaz sound like our best chances," Nikki said, crossing her arms. "I mean, there are plenty of places that value knowledge but some to have a higher value than others. And when you say Hetsipara I would assume you mean the one a certain Naiu'Idis destroyed?"

"That is right," Orura said. "She has taken a liking to that memory for reasons I do not know."

"It would be full of lost memories," Jay reasoned. "Queenie did a number on it. Might even run into Iniq in a place full of lost souls."

Orura's nose crinkled. "Should you run into my sister, perhaps it be best you not mention where your information came from."

"They've never gotten along," Naka explained to Xix. "Exact opposites. Life and Death. Where one is, the other always follows."

"We have our own way of keeping Vivus appeased," was all Orura said. "I hope they can be of more use to you. The only affairs of Creation I know revolve around the balance of Life." Her rainbow eyes darkened. "My sister's power grows stronger as more are lost to the Void and the trouble it causes. I would recommend finding the others sooner rather than later."

"Thank you for your help," Xix said. "We will be leaving now."

The Goddess lowered her head and turned back to the Spring. This time, instead of walking on the water she disappeared into it, dress and all. There was nothing left, not even a ripple or bubble.

Nikki huffed. "Well that was entirely not helpful."

"At least we got some locations," Xix said.

"Divide and conquer?" Jay asked.

Xix shook her head. "We should return home first and fill the others in what we've found out. Then we can do the whole divide and conquer thing."

"Hey, look at you!" Ema laughed, punching her friend's shoulder playfully. "Queen with a plan."

Xix rubbed her arm with a slight smile. "That is the general idea." She snapped her fingers, a swirling portal appearing next to her. "Now that we have Orura's permission, shall we leave?"

* * * * * * * *

Everyone was waiting for them in the main Meeting Room of the Palace. Well, everyone currently on Lyriumia – Hathor and her friends, Amneris and her Court minus Kayla who was M.I.A., and the half of Horus' gang who weren't in the Void. While Amneris had been rescuing her daughter and Isaiah, and picking up the others, the rest of her Court were searching for Kayla with little success. They were going to return to that as soon as this meeting was over.

"I still say divide and conquer is our best plan," Jay said.

"And shockingly, I'm agreeing," Amneris said, sounding surprised with herself. "There's too much to do and I doubt we have a lot of time to do it."

"The God Worlds are probably the only places that are safe," Zoe said.

Mel nodded. "Lyriumia and Terpola have the least effects so far. It's possible this is just a delay but, for now, these are the safest places."

"What's on the agender?" Axel asked.

Xix placed her hands on the table. "We have four tasks. One: track down these Primordials and see what they know. Two: see if there's any way to get our people out of the Void. Three: see if there's any way to stop this damage, which ties back in with point one. Four: figure out where the heck Kayla ended up. Not necessarily in that order."

"If Kayla was in serious trouble, we would've sensed it by now," Dan said. "My guess is she ended up somewhere else while trying to get back. She's resourceful, probably on her way back as we speak."

"Mel, Zoe, Axel, Carmin and Dan can continue on research and finding Kayla," Amneris said. "You guys are best suited for it. Ema, can you help them out as well?"

"Sure," the Fae said.

"Colt, Leo, Nikki and I can handle Hetsipara." Amneris' eyes narrowed. "I have to clear my name somehow." The three wisely decided not to answer.

"I can take searching places of memory," Xix said. "I've got a few ideas, though I'll be needing help from Sky. I think it would be best if Troy and Hathy come with us as well."

"We can do that," Xix said cheerfully, sharing a smile with Troy.

Jay sat back. "I can take places where 'knowledge is valued'. Anyone want to come with?" Maddie, Kindra and Valria raised their hands. "Got my team."

"What about the rest of us?" Isaiah asked.

"We're the other branch of research mode." Mel pushed their hair behind an ear. "We will handle the history and cause. The rest of you can look into ways to access the Void, and if we can find the others."

"And look for Kayla while we're at it," Imogene said.

Amneris jumped to her feet and clapped her hands. "We've all got chores so let's get—"

The air begun to vibrate. It swirled into silver, disappearing into a black portal above the table. From it fell three figures. They all groaned, laying on the table as the portal closed.

"Well," Imogene said, "I don't think we have to go Kayla hunting."

The Zer in question raised her hand from where she lay. "Present." She pointed at her companions. "They need a lift home."

Amneris burst into laughter, falling back into her chair. Everyone stared, including the three newcomers. One in particular was glaring. "You have no idea what we went through to get here," Yinepu growled.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Amneris fanned her eyes with her hands. "Can't believe you got caught up in this. Please tell me Kay had to rescue you. That would just make my day."

Kayla sat on the edge of the table. "Actually, Ammit saved us." She scratched the creature in question under the chin. "Yes, you did! You kicked lion butt!"

"And should get back home before someone notices they're missing." Leo tapped his foot impatiently. "You two can have tea and gossip after we save the world."

Amneris pouted. "Spoil my fun." She snapped her fingers. A new portal opened, this one silver instead of black. "One portal back to the Hall."

Kayla hugged Ammit tightly and kissed her head. "You be a good demon for your boss, okay?" She handed her back to Yinepu with a smile. "It was nice meeting you."

"And you," Yinepu said. "Next time we meet, let's not get caught in an eternal desert."

"Agreed." They embraced. "Look after yourself. Both of you."

Yinepu pointed at Amneris as he stepped through the portal. "You have to stop this thing before it destroys everything." Amneris saluted. He vanished.

Kayla took up the empty seat. "So, what did I miss?"