"Leila that flame is my parents and they often give us clues via visions, they never explain anything directly. Why would you not know one existed, though? Weren’t you always Queen of the dragons?" Ignis explained.

"From what my parents told me and what I remember, yes. I was the first Queen and granted the title because I was the first to change into human form. Other dragons existed before me but I think I would know if phoenixes and dragons met."

"How often does Indra hang out in that flame? Does it give it food and power or something?" Julius asked curiously.

"Once or twice a month. Yes, it feeds them. We used to have plenty of donors. We were created from Earth’s sun exploding. I don’t see another sun exploding anytime soon and I’m certain there aren’t any souls left. They would have appeared to the flame by now."

"So what exactly happened here? Azazel, Eris, Helen and the Titans just came through and killed everyone and absorbed their power?" Leila asked.

"Yes but I still can’t figure out why they created unnatural rain. It can’t be random. If anything, when water hits our bodies, it just strengthens us, so unless they were just trying to give us more power..." Ignis said while shaking his head.

"Even a small power up benefits them, but I agree it’s odd. Rain requires a large amount of magical power from the goddess duo. Maybe they were trying to wash away and hide something?" Bishop said while stroking his mane calmly.

"You stroke your beard a lot," Ignis joked. "Even if I wanted to grow one, it’d just be fire."

Bishop laughed. "It comforts me when I’m deep in thought or just need to relax. My brother used to do it all the time too. I miss him."

"Sora and Brie told us about him. Isn’t he in Paradise now?" Rissa lit up with joy when she asked. "I just realized how many people from Exteria are there."

Indra flew into the room and perched on his brother.

"What do you mean the unnatural rain was a distraction? What did it draw our attention from? Weren’t we distracted in battle?"

"The drones. It slowed the drones and allowed titans to smash them quickly. Obviously they didn’t want one finding something. Maybe we should start in areas drones didn’t make it to?"

"Great idea!" Ignis said as he grabbed his tablet from his backpack. He reviewed the footage from that day until Indra told him to stop and rewind.

"What am I missing?" Ignis asked

"Right there. Stop." Indra said.

"What do you think they’re talking about? Why would they want to relive that day?" Leila asked.

"I’m sure they can speak or hear each other telepathically. Let’s let them concentrate." Bishop said while putting his finger over his mouth.

"Oh my. How did you notice that?" Ignis asked.

"Rewind 5 seconds and watch what happens to the three drones heading Northeast."

Ignis rewound the footage and watched it in super slow motion. Three separate drones turned and headed where the unnatural rain fell slightly more heavily. One of the drones, just for a split second, showed a stone with a rock etched with a very tiny dragon imprint before being destroyed.

"They thought they would completely destroy the planet so they didn’t think they’d need to cover up anything else! Why wouldn’t they notice their mistake and have Eris, Helen or Azazel return to the spot and destroy the stone?"

"Because you flew away and I’m still on the planet. The last time they saw us, Azazel thought he killed you and you viewed his thoughts and memories. You told me they’re going planet to planet to power up. They’re probably on a timer."

"They are. Sora told us. Great catch brother! Do you know where this stone is?"

"Yes, I do. But if I’m not here or they don’t see me for a long time, if someone’s watching, they’ll get suspicious."

"What’s with this paranoia about someone watching? I don’t understand?"

"Did you not tell me Sora and his family are assisting Athena in Paradise? Enemies could be watching from Paradise. Hades could create another realm, we just don’t know."

"Fair point. Can you explain to me where to go?"

"Yes."

Indra explained how to reach the stone while Ingis took notes. The others watched in amazement at how quickly Ignis worked on his specialized tablet. It was a unique tablet with features they’d never seen.

"Ok everyone. The five of us will take a capsule and Indra will lay out in the sun like he normally does. I know where to go. We only have 12 hours and it’ll take me some time to find this. We need to set a 10 hour timer to ensure we return safely." Ignis explained.

"Indra is worried someone is watching us and reminded me Hades could create another realm to spy from."

"Should one of us stay back to teleport to?" Julius asked.

"Actually, I think you and Rissa should stay back with Indra. I’m not sure you two can handle the extreme temperatures. Bishop, Leila and I can handle the heat. Leila will fly us, which will help us significantly."

"Understood." Julius said while he put his arm around Rissa, who felt embarrassed. "Here, take these and eat them. I’ve given you each a food, water and masking capsule."

They passed around a water bottle to eat the capsules. Once Leila swallowed hers, she sprinted out and changed into her dragon form.

Julius and Rissa each ate the same capsules, just in case.

Indra lazily flew outside and landed by the fire. He was the only one not masked. Unfortunately, the group didn’t realize how accurate Indra’s concerns were.

Bishop and Ignis sprinted out and jumped onto Leila. She began flying in the direction Ignis shouted out. About 2 hours later, they finally found it.

"Leila! I see it, land right over there and let’s take a look!"

*****

"SHIT." The masked god yelled in anger as he created a table and smashed it. "How the FUCK did they find that?"

Hades appeared. "What’s wrong? I sensed a great surge in anger."

Hades scanned what the masked god was watching.

"Apparently Ignis decided to bring a group back to investigate Solstice. They took special magic capsules to mask themselves. There are very few gods that can see through them, like Chronos, Athena, you, myself and a few others."

Hades squinted. "I thought Leila had a memory block implanted, causing her to forget about the interaction between the phoenixes and the dragons?"

"It’s still there, but that ring on her finger suggests she and Ignis are an item. If they mate, who knows what will come out of her. The last thing we need is a hybrid phoenix race. We also don’t want dragons or phoenixes reborn."

"This could be troublesome. Want me to send someone?"

"Not yet. No use revealing we know what they’re up to. Look at the other groups as well."

Hades scanned the other areas the masked god zoomed in on and saw the other Savior groups visiting different areas.

"What in the hell are those Lockhearts up too?" Hades said calmly. "Do you think it’s possible they’re in Paradise?"

"Wouldn’t we know by now?"

"True. Someone would have told us, unless Athena blocked leaving."

"Why would she do that? That traps everyone and she doesn’t know this realm exists. I know that for certain."

"Never say never with Athena. She’s too kind sometimes. She should have shattered my soul when she had the chance!" Hades cackled. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Until next time!" Hades laughed as he teleported away.