Chapter 529 - Rescue

New Chapter for the Highest Tier (June 2021)

******************************

Archdemon Empress Luna

******************************

"The fire is growing out-of control, husband." Luna murmured as she fisted the fabric of Apollyon's chest while her other hand clasped on his waist.

Eyes widening, her lips parted with shock when she found out that it didn't burn any of the carpets and other things in its brilliant blue at the base, roaring with an orange blaze wrapped in dancing gold as if it was a seductress, calling out to her to swoop in and save those Summer Fairies who were trapped as they cried in agony.

Her mouth went dry as if she couldn't bear to look at the Summer Fae.

Breathing hard, her mouth went dry from the exertion of willing herself to drive the living nightmares bombarding he mind. 

Flashbacks of her experience in Hell with the Archdemons all came back to her.

This wildfire appeared like how Hellfire can torment these poor souls without a choice.

No one helped them as they endured the pain from their skin peeling from their bones while everyone watched them like freaks displayed on the show.

They couldn't avoid it.

They couldn't escape it.

Luna could only stare at it hopelessly while the remaining aristocrats who were brave and powerful enough not to leave, to run away and hide in whatever hole they can hide with instead of helping their fellow noblemen and women.

Shame on them! 

Finally, Apollyon voiced out the truth that everyone was afraid to mention. "Nothing is happening!" 

The Summer Monarchs invoking the rain from the clouds they have gathered on the ceilings of the Great Hall was useless.

When Apollyon and Luna got closer to the large fire, she thought that it had a mind of its own from the way it shifted about.

Literally.

Every Summer Fairies in the Great Hall noticed, and they were all frozen in place, not knowing what to do to help when the one solution they have in their mind wouldn't work.

"We need something stronger than this. King Oberon." Apollyon urged him. He even dared to taunt his grandfather to make him decide faster. "You aren't losing your infinite power with old age aren't you?" 

Luna didn't think it was a good idea but, maybe a grandson had some privileges.

Apollyon could get away with this. 

"I am the King here, grandson." King Oberon declared in a loud booming voice. "I am the commander of the Faerie Sentinels here."

It appeared that Apollyon didn't care if the Summer King thought that he was challenging his reign as he waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Tell your minions to close all the exits in the Hall, King Oberon. We need to make the rain stronger and create flood. We must fill them until it leveled our chest to kill this fire."

She figured out that this was a different type of fire, indeed.

This must be a type of Hellfire which only burned moving creatures if it got too close, the tiny ball of flames jumping out from the source once it got its sight on the target, clinging into the Summer Fairies'  clothes like leeches until the flames devour them alive.

It knew where the people were as if it could sense its perceived enemies.

It was either that or someone was manipulating the fire out of his sheer will.

She brought her fist to her lips and bit her knuckle, glancing at each of the fairies' faces circling the wildfire with suspicion as they strengthened the rainmaking ritual.

She wondered if the culprit was there all along, controlling this eternal fire and blending in among the crowd, treating them like fools.

"I have to get in the fire, Apollyon."

"Wife." Apollyon's face was devoid of expression when he stared at her. "Are you out of your mind?"

She replied silkily. "Would you approve if I said 'Yes'?"

He squeezed her forearm, and then it gentled. "You annoy me when you act like this."

"You need to care about other people, husband." Luna dared to smile even if her heart was pounding in her ears.  "We aren't the only people who live in this world."

Bending his neck, Apollyon dug his fingers at the back of her head, and his mouth swooping in for a torrid kiss, "Do whatever you want. I will do what I want. Later." 

******

Can an Archdemon like her survive this strange fire?

The Summer Fair Folk represented the element of fire, and they celebrate this traditional ritual during the Summer Solstice.

The First day of Spring was called the 'Ostara' while the first day of Summer was known to be'Litha.'

Luna knew about this since one of her dance partners droned on and on about it due to excitement since 'Litha' was just two weeks away from Princess Ourania's engagement party.

At that time, she fought the urge to roll her eyes.

She forgot that Fae's rank was in the hierarchy, but she could tell that he was excited to travel to the Human Realm.

He informed her that the veil would be thinner during the summer solstice.

She would have told him to be careful what he wished for because he did get it. But that didn't mean the Summer Fae would nod their heads in approval if some madman desired to go overboard with the celebration and burn creatures alive for the sake of his enjoyment.

It was similar and different at the same time.

Well, she could say that this eternal fire couldn't replace the bonfire, the screams of the victims suffering couldn't be compared to singing lively music and most of all, Luna wasn't dancing on top of the fire, she was inside the wildfire to save the Fae aristocrats who can still survive from the major burns.

She was careful not to inhale.

Luna couldn't feel any pain when she leaped unto the blazing flames as she thought.

No one from the Summer Monarchs or anyone at that stopped her from doing so.

She could hear their amazement that some of them almost stopped chanting when they saw the flames licked and rose around her form, but it didn't consume her.