Quentyn shook his head and explained, “No, that’s not how it happened. Xanthakos did indeed save us and spared us from death. However, since we were freed, he forced us into submission. We had to comply with his arrangements, hide the truth, and complete his tasks.”

James inquired, “What tasks?”

Quentyn looked at Quintuis and urged, “You should explain.”

Quintus took a deep breath and said, “We were asked to train immortal warriors for him and put together a powerful army to help him overthrow Zymurgy, seize control of the Forty-Ninth Heaven, and claim the Wuia Palace to return control to mortals.”

James looked at them thoughtfully. After a moment, he waved and said, “Rise and speak.”

Quintus and Quentyn exchanged glances, expressing their gratitude before slowly rising from the ground.

Observing their bloodied and gravely wounded state, James waved his hand, casting two beams of light that promptly healed their injuries.

Witnessing this miraculous recovery, Quintus and Quentyn