Kaizen glanced at Cephal, realizing the intensity of his anger. The man's presence felt like a storm about to explode, and Kaizen knew he would need all of his diplomatic skills to deal with the situation.
"Cephal," Kaizen began, trying to keep his voice calm, "I understand that you're angry, and you're right to feel that way. But we have to work together if we want to save this world."
Cephal narrowed his eyes, anger still burning in his eyes. "Work together? After what I've been through? Do you really think it's that easy?"
Odin, watching the exchange, remained calm, but his imposing presence dominated the hall. He intervened, his deep voice cutting through the tension in the air. "Cephal, what happened was necessary for you to understand the gravity of the situation. Now, more than ever, we need your strength and intelligence."
Cephal took a deep breath, struggling to control his anger. Finally, he gave in a little, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Very well, Odin. But if this goes wrong, don't expect me to stand by your side."
"That's understandable," Odin replied, nodding. "But I believe that together we can find a solution."
Kaizen, realizing that it was time to leave, turned to Odin. "So what are we going to do?"
Odin looked at them both with a penetrating gaze, as if he were judging their souls. "It's time to go," he said simply.
With a snap of his fingers, a portal began to form beneath Kaizen and Cephal's feet. It felt like the ground was dissolving, and in an instant they were sucked into the vortex. The sight of Odin's Great Hall disappeared, replaced by a whirlwind of light and shadow.
When the dizziness finally passed, Kaizen and Cephal found themselves in a very different place from Asgard. They were in a vast, abandoned arena in Mibothen, a place Kaizen recognized immediately.
The arena was covered in a thin layer of dust, and the wind blew through the empty stands, creating a haunting sound. The stone walls, now worn down by time, still stood imposingly around them. Ancient iron gates still hung from the walls, casting long, flickering shadows across the room.
Kaizen took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air in his lungs. "We're back," he said, more to himself than to Cephal.
"Yes," Alaric replied, "but we must act quickly. The other Evolved are not as understanding. They see this world as a resource to be exploited, not a place to live."
Kaizen nodded, sensing the urgency in Alaric's voice. "So what's the next step?"
Alaric walked to the center of the arena and joined Kaizen. "We need to call a meeting."
"Call a meeting? How do we do that? I only know two other Evolved besides Cephal." Kaizen said.
Kaizen looked at Alaric, taking in his words with a mixture of hope and suspicion. The arena around them was silent, but charged with a palpable tension. The imposing architecture of the stands, now deserted, seemed to echo the ancient glories and battles he had witnessed.
The sky above, tinted orange by the setting sun, cast long, dramatic shadows over the scene, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and mystery.
"How exactly are we going to call this meeting?" Kaizen asked, his voice soft but firm. He still remembered Alaric's words: "The other Evolved are not so understanding."
Alaric stepped forward, his posture showing determination. "Odin told me that he would send the coordinates of some of the Evolved that can still be persuaded. All we have to do is send messages to those locations, informing them of the time and place of the meeting."
Cephal frowned and slowly crossed his arms. "And how will we know if they really come? What if they think it's a trap?"
Alaric turned his gaze to Cephal, maintaining eye contact without blinking. "That's a possibility. But if we don't try, we're doomed before we even start."
Kaizen considered Alaric's words. He knew that convincing the Evolved would be a challenge, but he also understood that the urgency of the situation didn't allow for hesitation.
"Very well," he said finally. "What are the coordinates?"