Pain swept over him, but Gamma was experienced. He knew which pain was real injury and which was merely the seed's intimidation. He precisely avoided the vital points and ruthlessly excised the intrusion.
Three minutes later, the second seed was completely stripped away and annihilated.
"Time's up..." Alpha's voice was so weak it was nearly inaudible.
The Time Cage began to collapse. Frozen time resumed its flow, and Alpha dropped to his knees, utterly drained. Using that forbidden skill had cost him the essence of his life.
Zeus could finally move.
He fell from his throne, dropping to one knee and gasping for breath. When he raised his head, clarity had completely returned to his eyes, and that majestic, righteous light was rekindled.
"I... am free..." Zeus's voice trembled.
He looked at Gamma and Alpha, tears welling in his eyes. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I did so many terrible things..."
"It wasn't your fault." Gamma stepped forward and helped him up. "The Lord of the Void exploited your ideals."
"But I gave those orders. I controlled those soldiers." Zeus spoke in agony. "I destroyed everything I built with my own hands and harmed so many innocent lives..."
"Then make amends now," Alpha said weakly. "The Dawn Plan has already begun, and the Alliance is back in our hands. You are the First Creator. Only you can deactivate the central control system for the Consciousness Seeds."
Zeus wiped away his tears and rose to his feet. Guilt in his eyes turned to resolve. "Tell me what to do. I will spend the rest of my life atoning, no matter the cost."
"First, remove the seed control from everyone under its influence," Gamma said. "Where is the central system?"
"At the Void Hub, on the eighteenth underground level of Alliance Headquarters," Zeus