Hellbound Heart



Despite her powerful magic, Alicia had still had to give up some of her power when she had accidentally been sent to the Underworld. It was a sobering thought to consider what she would have to give up for a longer stay in another dimension.

"This isn't going to be a brief visit to another world, so I'm certain the price she has to pay would be something precious," Gav added.

"Something precious?" Alex piped in.

"There are only three things considered most precious in the Underworld: soul, power, and memories. With Alicia no longer having her power, and since she obviously can't give up her soul, she could only have one plausible option now... her memories. Zeke will most likely let her memories be taken in exchange. Though that isn't actually the main challenge here since I believe Zeke isn't planning to take Alicia to the Underworld but somewhere else. Again, that's another complicated thing that will require a lot of sacrifices to work."

"Are you saying that you and Zeke had sacrificed something too for coming here?" Abi asked.

"We were summoned here. We didn't force our way to another world, so that's a different story," Gav answered simply.

"So, there's a big possibility that Alicia will lose her memories?" Abi mumbled before looking at Gav with so much worry in her eyes. "Please tell me that's not something permanent."

Gav looked away. "I don't know how Zeke will deal with all this, but knowing him, he must have something up his sleeve already."

"Of course," Alex breathed as he held his wife closer to him. "Don't worry, everything will be fine in the end." Alex whispered to Abi in a comforting tone. "This is Zeke we're talking about, after all. There's no way he'd let Alicia lose her memories and forget about him, Azy, and us forever."

She nodded, acknowledging Alex's agreement. "You're right, Zeke must have a solution," she repeated. However, a lingering sense of worry remained within her.

Turning to face her husband, Abi held his hands tightly as if seeking solace and support. "We can't just sit here and do nothing," she expressed, her voice now determined. "Gav mentioned that it might take years for them to return. We need to find a way to help them, Alex."

Abi's worry deepened as she contemplated the possibility of Zeke and Alicia being away for years. Even though this was for Alicia's sake, Abi just wanted to at least do something for Alicia to wake up. She can't leave just like that without even seeing or talking to her son!

Alex's gaze lifted to meet Gav's, seeking guidance and confirmation of the reality they were facing. Gav met his gaze nonchalantly, emphasizing the challenges that lay ahead. "She's right, it might indeed take years," Gav said casually. "I told you, this won't be an easy journey. It's not just the healing process that will take time. Alicia's path to return to this world, especially as a non-summonable being, will be a complex and arduous one."

Abi's grip on Alex's hand tightened as she began to plead with Gav, her eyes filled with hope. "If it's going to take that long... Alicia needs to wake up. It's crucial for the three of them to be together, even if only for a little while. Especially for Azy's sake. Can you and Zeke stay a bit longer? Just a little longer, so that Azy can have some time with both his parents before they leave?"

Alex chimed in. "You and Zeke are not ordinary demons. I believe you both are among the most powerful beings in that realm, if not the most powerful. Isn't there any way for you to extend your stay, even if it's just for one whole day at least until Alicia wakes up?"

Abi's plea and Alex's question hung in the air, their hope evident in their eyes as they turned their attention to Gav. They couldn't help but believe that, given the extraordinary powers possessed by Gav and Zeke, there might be a way for them to extend their stay.

But Gav fell silent, his gaze shifting elsewhere. Alex and Abi followed his line of sight and found Elle, receiving Gav's attention.

"That," Gav finally spoke, "should be up to that red-haired lady. She's the one who summoned us, so it should be her decision whether or not to keep us here for a little longer. If she's capable of doing so."

The revelation left everyone astounded, including Elle herself. She hadn't anticipated being at the center of this crucial decision. Her expression reflected a mix of surprise and contemplation as the weight of the situation sank in. She couldn't believe that the fate of allowing Azy to spend more time with his parents now suddenly rested in her hands.

"H-how?" Elle's heart raced as she approached slowly, her mind swirling. She had listened attentively to the conversation, absorbing every word about Zeke's decision to take Alicia away and the potential years of separation from their son, Azy. The thought of Azy being left behind tugged at Elle's heart, filling her with a profound sadness.

While Elle understood the necessity of saving Alicia, the idea of her leaving her son without even saying goodbye felt almost unbearable. The weight of that realization weighed heavily on her.

As Gav had mentioned that the decision was now in her hands, Elle felt a surge of determination and responsibility. She knew deep within that she had to do everything in her power to help Azy and his parents, even though she had no idea how to make it happen. Regardless, she was driven by an overwhelming desire to take action, to find a way to extend their stay, even if only for a little while.

"Please teach me how to do it," Elle told Gav determinedly, her gaze fierce as she held Gav's stare. "I'll do anything to make it happen. I just need someone, anyone, to tell me what to do."