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"Eugene, we'll tackle the issues as they arise."

"I don't really like people, but they have a good saying: 'For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest!' And then don't say that I didn't warn you."

"We'll figure this out. Now we have bigger problems."

"Like what?"

"The gate was open for almost a day due to the escape of Charon. Several hundred souls, and maybe even more, broke free. The Source is still safe. I sent off almost all the Guardians for its protection, and others are at the gate. There's no one else to defend the positions and reliquiae. Even the Oracle is left unguarded. The High Priests are nervous. They try to find out a bit more about the upcoming war, but they have to fight the newly-converted ones now and then. I understand that you need to rest, but I would appreciate it if you could help them out. We need a new prophecy, because no one knows where from the danger is expected to come."

Eugene nodded and, briefly saying goodbye to the Commander, went to the Grotto of the Oracle.

During the years of his service as a Guardian, Eugene had a chance to participate in thousands of battles against the rebels: evil spirits kept gathering in chaotic groups, uniting in small troops and trying to storm the entrance to the Source; against the rebellious demigods, who were hungry for power or pass to the Olympus; as well as against the army of the Nefarious. But every time he would come out of fights the winner, almost unharmed. Eugene never flinched and was not afraid of the enemy. He liked the battle itself and the feeling of danger, which he desired in every fight. He agreed to the craziest missions and never felt fear, only excitement. But now he was shocked by the scene.

He saw a bloody battle unfolding between not fully transformed souls and High Priests, whose ranks were thinning out every second. They desperately fought the enemy in an attempt to protect the entrance to the sacred Grotto and defend their treasure – the Oracle, who was the only creature with all the answers to all the questions.

Eugene knew that no one could hurt the souls in this state unless they would transform into something terrible. But he hoped that his Sword would help buy time for the High Priests.

"Move aside! Go to the Grotto! Seal the entrance!" Eugene screamed, pulling out his blazing Sword.

The souls hissed and recoiled. Heavenly light burned them, but did not hurt.

The High Priests rushed inside for conducting a ritual only meant for cases of emergency. There have been only two times in the history of Existence when the Seal was put on the Grotto so that no one could enter or exit it. The Seal would fall off only after the Oracle died inside the closed Grotto. The communication with the outside world was held by the High Priest with the help of the Oracle who could penetrate into the consciousness of any living creature.

Being left alone with the souls, Eugene grinned.

"It looks like it’s going to be the most exciting fight!" he only said.

The next moment, he rushed into the battle, knowing well that he could not defeat the enemy.

The souls hovered around, wanting to destroy the enemy, but fearing the Sword hardened with Zeus's lightning, which the Guardian wielded skillfully and tirelessly. Eugene drew arcs in the air around him, not allowing the numerous enemies to get close.

He suddenly recalled the words of his Commander of several hundred souls that escaped and now understood how wrong the estimated number was. There were at least one thousand souls right at the entrance to the Grotto, not mentioning those who went to the Source.

Soon, the streets of the cities would be flooded with demons, Murky Shadows, and Nefarious, and people, nymphs, muses, demigods, and the Olympians would start dying.

Eugene could hardly hold back the attack of the souls. It was new for him to feel pain, but it seemed to him a pleasant reward for the Seal put on the Grotto. He felt its integrity and fought fiercely. But soon, the powers began to leave the Guardian, his hands weakened, and souls used every spot to strike.

The Guardian could not open the portal when hundreds of souls were flying beside him. He watched their transformation and wished for it to happen faster, so he would be able to dip his sword in the flesh that would take its last breath. Now he only had to fight back.

Suddenly, the crazy idea came across Eugene's mind that made him wince. This call would cost him too much. Otherwise, he would not be able to get through the thick circle of rebellious souls.

"Melinoia!!!" he cried.

Hearing this name, the souls began to squeak as if they were placed in the fire and then rushed to the Guardian in an organized stream. They were tired of playing with him because now they were in serious danger. Their rage was all-consuming as they had little time left.

"Melinoia!!!" the Guardian cried once again. "For Heaven's sake, come!"

Only a second remained to the clash between the army of souls and the Guardian. He was not sure he would survive it. Closing his eyes, Eugene prepared himself for the inevitable, but nothing happened.

"Why did you call me?" he remembered this arrogant voice well.

The souls stopped and began to run away. The goddess of spirits did not seem to notice her wards, curiously looking at Eugene.

"I'm asking for help!" Eugene barely muttered. His injuries were not so serious that the words were pronounced with such difficulty, but asking for help from this woman was too hard for him.

"Really? Are you asking me for help?" the goddess pulled out the golden lasso and grabbed the disappearing souls that twisted, rushed about, screamed, but could not escape. "What will I get in return?"

Eugene looked up at Melinoia. Despite the fact that she was the goddess of spirits and lived in the dark kingdom of Hades, doing the dirty work, looking after the restless dead, entertaining herself by scaring mortals at night, she was beautiful. Many years ago, he admired her gloomy beauty and reveled in the caresses of the goddess with a black soul, but now he was disgusted with her.

Eugene thought about the price he was ready to pay the former lover for his life and winced. Once the only thought of the subtle caresses of Melinoia excited him, but now he was ready to die to erase those memories.

"I'll give you anything you want!" he sighed fatefully.

Eugene would never say these words if it was not a matter of life or death, but the Balance, the preservation of the Source, and the great war were at stake. He could not fail the Commander, who entrusted him with the mission he had never dealt with before.