---
Kyle staggered through the grand castle gates, tears streaming down his face. His heart pounded with a mix of fear and anger, each step echoing against the cold marble floors.
Ashley rushed to him immediately, her voice sharp with urgency. "Where is Paul, Kyle?"
Through his sobs, Kyle could barely manage a reply. "They… they took Paul away."
Sai's eyes widened, shock rooting him in place. "What… how?"
Ashley's anger flared as she turned to Kyle. "Weren't you supposed to be by his side?"
Riley placed a calming hand on Ashley's shoulder. "Ash, calm down."
Calm? Ashley couldn't even think about calm. "How can I be calm when our only hope to bring peace is gone?"
Valot's voice was measured but heavy with truth. "Our king stood no chance against them."
Ashley shook her head, furious. "I don't care. We just have to see him. Now he's disappearing again… I can't take it!"
Ezra stepped forward, trying to make sense of the situation. "What did they say, Kyle?"
Through ragged breaths, Kyle explained, "I lost consciousness while they were fighting."
Valot frowned. "But Paul could take on Valefar one-on-one…"
Kyle shook his head. "Someone else was with Valefar."
Ezra's eyes narrowed. "Kidnapped? Why not kill him?"
Valot's expression turned grim. "They need Paul for something."
Stellavore's voice cut in, low and serious. "Something about a Supreme Being awakening."
Ezra's brows shot up. "Impossible. Supreme Awakening only happens to those with a special gift. That's why they took Paul."
Ashley's frustration boiled over. "Start talking now, Ezra!"
Ezra's tone softened, almost apologetic. "Paul has the Mother of Nature resting inside him."
Sai's eyes went wide with understanding. "With her powers, they could become a Supreme Being."
Valot added, "But the problem is Paul can't control Mother of Nature's powers yet."
Ashley slammed her fist down. "Stop all this discussion. We need to save Paul."
Riley nodded. "We are thinking, Ash, but…"
Ashley's gaze hardened. "Think better. If Paul isn't here, we're going to lose the battle with the realm leaders."
Ezra's voice dropped, heavy with weight. "The only person who could take on an Underworld Ruler is…"
Maria stepped forward, her tone calm yet determined. "Catherine… Paul's mother."
Riley's eyes widened in shock. "What? We can't… Paul said we shouldn't tell his mum he's alive!"
Ashley turned toward Maria, her voice sharp. "I will go to Earth to tell her."
Kyle stepped forward, his authority unwavering. "Sit down, Ashley."
Ashley refused. "No, I will not."
Kyle's voice hardened. "As the right-hand man, I command you to."
Rahm, standing silently behind him, added, "Time is of the essence, Kyle. If she's our only choice, then we have to act."
---
The Underworld Realm
Valefar's voice boomed, cold and condescending. "Wake up, stupid human."
Paul groaned, slowly regaining consciousness. "Where… am I?"
Valefar sneered. "You're awake. Welcome to the Underworld, human. Be grateful."
Paul struggled against the heavy chains binding him. "Using chains won't work."
A guard bowed. "My lord, Lord Valecton is calling for you, sir."
Valefar's lips curled into a smirk. "Alright. Enjoy yourself, human. Let's see if you can break free."
---
Back in Aethoria Realm
Ashley paced impatiently. "Are you done planning anything yet?"
Maria gently touched her arm. "Can I talk to you for a moment, Ashley?"
Ashley nodded reluctantly. "Yes."
Maria glanced around, her voice soft but firm. "Please excuse us. You need to calm down, Ashley. Trust your brother. He will come up with a plan."
Ashley scoffed. "My brother is a bad decision-maker."
Riley raised an eyebrow. "Are you done calming down yet?"
Ashley huffed. "Yes."
Kyle stepped forward, voice steady. "You're right, Ash. We need Paul's mother for this."
Ashley's eyes widened. "The only problem is… how are we going to get to the Underworld?"
Sai spoke up. "Before that, wouldn't the realm leaders know Paul has disappeared?"
Ezra nodded. "I'm maintaining Paul's fearsome aura. I can even create a fake Paul to sit on the throne while we rescue him."
Rahm crossed his arms. "Alright. That's settled. Let's go rescue our king."
Valot asked, "So who is going to tell Paul's mother?"
Kyle stepped up. "Ezra will go."
Ashley protested. "I will go."
Kyle shook his head. "No. Ezra must tell her everything he did to her son. He's the one who caused her depression."
Ezra inclined his head. "I will leave at once, right-hand man."
Kyle nodded. "Please do."
Rahm grinned. "Now that's how a right-hand man should act."
Kyle turned to Sai. "You and Valot prepare our weapons. We are attacking at full capacity."
Ashley finally allowed herself a small smile. "Alright. Some progress."
---
Portal Opening to Earth Realm
Catherine knelt by a grave, her tears falling silently.
Ezra's voice was soft. "It's been five years now, hasn't it, Cate?"
Catherine spun on him, anger flashing in her eyes. "Don't you dare call me that again."
Ezra held his hands in surrender. "I'm here to confess something important."
Catherine's eyes narrowed. "Confess? I thought I told you to leave me and my family alone." She turned to walk away.
Ezra called after her. "Paul is alive."
Catherine froze, disbelief etched into her features. "You must be joking. I saw my son's dead body."
Ezra's tone was calm. "Let me explain. To keep you safe, I removed the body enchant you placed on him and created a fake body."
Catherine's hands shook. "You did WHAT?!"
Ezra continued, "You said you didn't want anything to do with realms again."
Catherine's voice softened slightly, tinged with fear and hope. "Where is Paul now?"
Ezra's expression darkened. "He's been kidnapped by the rulers."
Catherine's voice fell to a whisper. "You mean… the Underworld?"
Kyle stepped forward. "We need your help."
Catherine's eyes widened. "Kyle? No wonder your mother didn't search for you guys."
Ashley added urgently, "We lack the strength to face the Underworld rulers… four of them."
Kyle's tone was firm. "And we want your power to save him."
Catherine's eyes softened, determination replacing despair. "Of course he's my son."
Ezra nodded. "It's settled then."
Catherine shook her head. "It's not. First, let's head to the Castle of Creations."
Kyle bowed. "Please, let me handle that."
---
Portal Opening to Aethoria
Catherine entered the castle, a mixture of awe and command in her steps.
Valot whispered, "It's the king's mother."
The castle buzzed with murmurs. "Wow… we haven't seen her here in ages."
Ashley stepped forward. "We have a plan."
Catherine's gaze swept the room. "Good. But I need to know who kidnapped him."
Valot spoke. "Valefar and Valecton."
Catherine's expression hardened. "And what do they need him for?"
Kyle answered, "They mentioned something about a Supreme Being awakening."
Catherine's eyes narrowed. "That again."
Ashley whispered. "That again? Do you know what Supreme Being awakening means?"
Catherine's voice was calm but firm. "Yes. It's about a being ascending to a higher plane, like becoming a universe or more."
Sai's eyes went wide. "Being a universe… that means you can control an entire galaxy without restriction."
Rahm's face turned pale. "That's bad."
Maria greeted Catherine warmly. "Welcome, ma."
Catherine's gaze softened. "Kate? What are you doing here?"
Maria replied, "I will explain later."
Catherine nodded. "First, I will be taking charge here."
Kyle added, "Fine by me."
Catherine's expression grew serious. "From what I've heard from Ezra, I don't think an Underworld ruler can consume Paul."
Ashley's voice trembled. "What do you mean?"
Catherine explained, "When I was carrying Paul in my womb, he used to draw too much energy—both positive and negative."
Sai's eyes sparkled with understanding. "I see. Underworld rulers use negative energy—they can't counter positive energy."
Rahm nodded grimly. "Which means they want to use him to awaken someone else… a Supreme Being."
Kyle's tone was urgent. "We need to hurry to save Paul."
Ashley's voice faltered. "But Kyle said… half of Paul?"
Ezra's tone was grave. "They can consume Paul, Cate."
Catherine's voice was resolute. "Paul's negative energy alone is enough to supply all four Underworld rulers."
Usurper's voice echoed. "Then why did he lose?"
Kyle asked in disbelief, "How do you do that?"
Sai smirked. "Appear out of nowhere."
---
The Underworld Realm
Valecton asked sharply, "Are preparations done?"
Valefar shook his head. "No, almost."
Ukoballon's deep voice boomed. "Greetings, Lords of the North and South."
Valecton's eyes narrowed. "What brings you here, Ukoballon?"
Ukoballon's tone was cold. "To see how progress is going."
Paul's voice rang out defiantly. "Your plan will never work."
Valefar smirked. "Oh? From the looks of things, it will."
Paul commanded, "Mythol, attack them."
Valecton's lips twisted. "Impossible. It's not going to work. By the way… someone wants to meet you, Paul."
Heavy footsteps echoed through the chamber.
Harry stepped forward, a cruel smirk on his face. "Hello, Paul."
Paul's eyes narrowed. "Harry, you bastard… so you joined them."
Harry's laugh was cold. "Just like your fake mother, with that stupid temper."
As Harry Disappeared.
Cremoneth's voice was sharp. "Enough. Start already before his allies come to get him."
Paul was dragged to the center of the Underworld circle, struggling against his restraints.
Valefar's voice boomed, "Someone is coming!"
---
Dimensional Gate Opening
Catherine appeared, her eyes blazing with determination. "Get away from my son!"
Paul's voice trembled. "Mom? What are you doing here?"
Catherine's voice was steady, full of resolve. "You have a lot of explaining to do after this."
Kyle's fists clenched. "Time for a rematch, Valefar."
Valefar's eyes narrowed. "It's the pitiful human again."
Cremoneth growled, "I thought I told you to delete every problem."
Valecton snapped, "We didn't have time to do that."
Ashley stepped forward, launching a massive universal control ball. "Enough talking. Hand Paul over!"
Ukoballon's eyes widened. "What's going on here?"
Catherine's eyes flashed. "This one is bad news."
Ezra stepped forward. "That's Ukoballon."
Ukoballon's voice was cold. "Leave before things get gory."
Catherine's lips curved in a small smirk. "Ain't you a little too confident?"
Ukoballon's tone was low, measured. "I know a lot about you, lady Creation."
Catherine's gaze hardened. "What a pity."
Ukoballon sneered. "I heard from your elder brother that you drove him to the brink of death."
Ezra's voice was firm. "Just release our king!"
Ukoballon's laugh was harsh. "So that pathetic human is your king—Head of Creations, you must be."
Ashley launched her attack with precision, her eyes blazing. "Enough chit-chat."
Valefar's eyes narrowed. "It's that human again. Only human… you can't sense her presence at all."
Valecton's lips curved into a faint smile. "Hmm…"
Kyle's voice was steady. "They're the two that took Paul."
Catherine lunged to attack Valefar, but Cremoneth blocked her effortlessly.
Cremoneth's voice was cold. "Harry told us a lot about you, Catherine Stark."
Riley hissed under his breath. "That bastard was here."
Valecton nodded. "Yes, he even conducted the ritual for us."
Nighma's voice echoed ominously. "The ritual is complete, my lord."
---
Paul screamed in pain as chains of energy coursed through his body, dividing him into four pieces.
Valot's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and urgent. "We need to hurry!"
---