Sora noticed the titans communicated well and how quickly they shifted formations once they realized they were surrounded. Rather than moving forward, they started falling into a circle-like shell. Titans stood arm in arm, waiting for the next strike from the Saviors.

"Celeste, send a message to everyone to tread carefully. These are highly intelligent titans and they’re well led. We need to do something about their General. He’s incredibly powerful. Even if we take him down, the army won’t fall apart. I’m glad Jubelle and his team are making quick work of the demons and werewolves. Even Mindy is shredding some." Sora said calmly.

"Attention everyone. The General is the largest titan and this is an intelligent army of titans. Do not rush in. They changed their tactics and are in a formation I am not familiar with. Leila and Ignis try to cause damage to the surface around them. Maybe we can trap them or something?"

"That won’t work. You should link with Sora so he can send out messages to the party." Ignis suggested.

"Sora, will you please link with me so you can command the party? This back and forth stuff delays our response time. I didn’t think titans would use bow and arrows! Look out!"

Xander portaled the reign of arrows back into the center of the titans. Unfortunately, they bounced harmlessly off of their bodies.

Sora sensed Celeste’s presence, so he used his linking magic.

"Can we all hear each other now?" Sora asked telepathically.

"This is so weird, but yes. I am Koda. It’s nice to meet all of you. This is going to be a challenge. Our best bet is to play cat and mouse and try to get them to break formation. Can’t you use time magic, Sora?"

"We can all hear my companion? How in the name of Athena does your magic work Sora?" Connor said, shocked everyone could hear Koda.

"We all have our unique strengths, but I agree with Koda. Let Brie and I try something."

"What do you want to do babe?"

"Let’s combine our power and cast Lockheart’s Reign. Maybe the magic will be strong enough to burn some of the titans?"

"Mamma, Dadda I’ll help too. The three of us can do it together! I’ll portal the others away from the titans so they don’t get hit by our magic."

Xander opened 4 portals, each with a different exit about 200 feet behind where each group stood. They rushed through them as quickly as they could, but not all of them could make it through the portal.

"Nice job Xander, we can just teleport to our group leaders now. Good thinking. Don’t get frustrated you couldn’t hold it longer. Go cast that spell with your parents," Sasha encouraged him. "I’m not sure why but I’m assuming he can hear me.

*****

When Sora, Brie and Xander joined hands, they felt an immense boost in power flow through their bodies. The three of them shouted, "Lockheart’s Reign," and used their hands to manipulate the matter into the largest ball of magic produced on Exteria. It rapidly grew and climbed as it flew toward the titans and sweat began dripping from their faces.

"Just a little further..."

"Mamma Dadda I can’t hold it much longer."

"Stay strong, we’re almost there and then you can take a break for a few. Sora, we need to hurry. I’m losing control as well."

"Both of you let go, I can handle the rest." Sora said as he felt an enormous amount of pressure flow through his body.

’I’m glad they trusted me. They’re both already past their limit.’

Sora dropped to one knee as Xander and Brie’s balls of magic combined with the one he was controlling. He screamed as he pushed it to the apex of the shell.

The swirling magical matter burst into millions of pieces, burning Ancient titans. The putrid smell of burning flesh and sound of their screams made the party smile... temporarily.

Xander teleported back to Leila and the rest of the group and ate a food capsule.

"Xander?! Where are you?" Brie began frantically searching for him, oblivious to her surroundings.

"A-wooooo!" Luna shouted, landing in front of Brie, who didn’t see who was coming for her.

Luna grabbed Brie and threw her like a football toward Sora and Xander. Sora heard the howl and saw his wife flying through the air. He caught her and set her down gently next to his son.

"LUNA LOOK OUT!" Sora shouted in a panic.

The party teleported to Sora and watched Tesarion’s massive body lunge forward as he thrust his giant sword through Luna’s thick hide. She went limp as blood rapidly poured from her body and dripped off his sword.

"Stupid fucking wolf. I had the goddess right where I needed her." Tesarion screamed in fury. The Ancients broke formation and charged forward.

"EYE OF CHRONOS!" Sora shouted furiously, freezing everyone but Tesarion and his party.

"He tried to kill Brie and Luna sacrificed herself to save her. I’m going to fucking kill him." He screamed in anger. "Everyone stay out of this. Their General is mine."

"This isn’t good." Celeste said. "I hope he doesn’t lose himself."

Sora snapped. He teleported rapidly and slashed, cut, and burned illusions into Tesarion’s large eyes. Tesarion began shaking uncontrollably, causing him to drop his sword. Brie ran and began trying to heal Luna, who was barely breathing.

*****

"Brie... it’s o....k." Luna muttered before her eyes closed.

"YOU SON OF A FUCKING BITCH!" Ox shouted, charging toward Tesarion, only to be tackled by Jubelle.

"Ox... calm down. Mindy. She needs us. Come back to me, I love you."

Ox took a step back and transformed into his human form. Mindy was crying with several members of the party, including Leila. Ignis consoled her and Lionel smiled. ’I can’t be upset if someone else fell for her. Not when he’s such a great guy.’

Leila transformed back into her human form. Everyone, aside from Sora, teleported to Luna and took a knee.

"Everyone, please, get back. Sora is very dangerous in his current state of mind. Let him fight Tesarion. We should say a prayer for Luna," Koda said as he transformed back into his beautiful Husky form.

"Good job buddy," Connor said as he petted his companion.

"He’s right... She’s dead... and it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry everyone." Brie muttered before she cried hysterically.

Xander looked at his mom, looked at his dad, then saw Luna’s dead body. He saw meteors falling from the sky toward Tesarion and the group of ancient titans. He didn’t know what to do, but he knew his mom needed him.

He gave her a large hug while he spoke.

"It’s ok Mamma, it’s my fault. You were making sure I was ok."

Everyone in Sora’s party joined hands and didn’t hide their sadness. Sora looked at them. They were kneeling and praying for Luna and consoling his wife and child. He noticed their tears and froze them in time.

Tesarion watched the others stop moving and realized the leader of the Savior party was angry. He laughed and knew this was his opportunity to completely break Sora.

’I could be a hero. He’ll completely destroy this entire planet and Eris and Helen will gather all their lifeforces!’ he thought before he started taunting Sora.

"Oh, were you cheating on your wife with the little puppy? Did I break your heart? Poor Sora, the weakest god to ever exist, if you don’t count your whore of a wife. I told Eris you’re not worth the time."

’That’s not good. Both Dadda’s eyes are glowing,’ Xander thought as he broke free from his Father’s spell.

The reality Tesarion viewed was merely an illusion. Sora controlled reality and Xander knew only he could save his Father from doing something he’d regret.