Night had fallen, and the camp was now properly set up. Several campfires flickered within the clearing, and the tents were arranged in a semicircular formation allowing constant surveillance in all directions. Although the atmosphere was still tense, there was no longer any disorder.
Hermes stood beside one of the main campfires, a map spread out on a flat rock. The adventurers in his family surrounded him silently, listening attentively to his words.
Bell sat silently by another campfire, hugging his knees, glancing sideways at the group gathered around Hermes. Although he wasn't directly involved, he didn't miss a single detail of the conversation.
"The objective is simple," Hermes said, pointing to an area on the map. "Locate the main entrance to the ruins where Antares is hiding. Don't fight, don't attract attention. Just reconnaissance."
A murmur of assent ran through the group.
Hermes continued, his voice serious:
"We need to send a small team. We don't need to make any noise. Just watch and come back. If they see anything moving that's bigger than a wild boar, then come back immediately. We don't want to alert Antares before it's time."
A few glances crossed between the adventurers, with tense expressions.
"What if Antares sees us first?" someone asked, briefly breaking the silence.
Hermes smiled somewhat mischievously. "Then run. Very fast."
A nervous laugh came in response, but the nervousness was evident.
Bell looked away, staring at the flames dancing in front of him. Part of him wanted to volunteer to go, but he knew he had to conserve his strength right now. The burden carried by him was too great to act impulsively.
Not far away, Hestia and Artemis were conversing quietly. Every now and then, Artemis glanced at Bell, her expression complicated, while Hestia continued to frown, clearly still upset about everything that had happened.
Hermes rolled up the map with a swift motion and gave his final command.
"They're leaving in five minutes. The rest of you stay alert. Tomorrow, we'll move."
The air grew thicker, heavier. The entire camp seemed to hold its breath. Bell, without taking his eyes off the fire, mentally prepared himself for what was to come.
As the meeting ended and the small scouting team departed silently into the darkness of the forest, the camp began to quiet down. Conversations quieted down and
Many started heading towards their tents, knowing they would need every ounce of energy for the next day.
Bell, still somewhat lost in thought, slowly stood up from his place by the campfire. He yawned, feeling fatigue fall over him like a heavy blanket. He hadn't had a real moment of rest since all this had started.
Hermes, who was standing nearby, gave him a look and jerked his thumb toward one of the larger tents.
"Come on, Orion, we share a tent. You better sleep well."
Bell nodded, without much energy to argue or question the nickname, and followed Hermes. He entered the assigned tent: it was spacious, but not enough to allow for luxuries. Already inside were Asfi, who was sharpening a small knife with automatic movements, and two other adventurers who barely murmured a greeting before settling into their seats.
Hermes plopped down in a spare corner, with his usual "everything's under control" attitude, and began pulling a small flask of liquor from his backpack, earning a disapproving look from Asfi.
Bell, not giving it much thought, simply found an empty spot near the edge of the tent, rolled up his cloak as a makeshift pillow, and flopped down onto the ground, covering himself up to his neck.
As he closed his eyes, he managed to hear some muffled voices outside. Probably Hestia and Artemis, who had been placed in another tent a little further away to give them privacy... and avoid further embarrassing incidents.
With the murmur of the wind through the trees and the residual warmth of the campfires, Bell fell into a deep sleep almost immediately, knowing that at dawn, everything would change.
In his dream, Bell floated in nothingness. A dark, warm void surrounded him, but there was no fear, no anxiety, only a strange peace that held him suspended, as if time itself had stopped.
his body, or at least what he perceived as his body, emitted a faint silver glow, as if he were a star lost in an endless sky. He couldn't tell if it had a shape or if it was simply light... but he didn't care.
The feeling was pleasant, as if all the weight I normally carried—the expectations, the fears, the responsibilities—had vanished. I just floated, aimless and without purpose, in absolute silence.
For a moment, he thought he could hear something. A faraway melody, like a whisper carried on a nonexistent breeze. He couldn't make out the words, but the tone was warm, inviting... familiar.
Bell didn't know how much time he spent there. It could have been seconds or years. But in that place, that didn't matter either. He simply existed, glowing softly in the vast darkness.
Suddenly, in the midst of that perfect calm, Bell felt something different.
Something—or someone—was holding him. Two enormous, yet incredibly gentle hands lifted him with an almost reverent gentleness. Bell couldn't quite see their contours, but he knew they were there, warm and protective.
Before he could wonder what was happening, he was cradled, like a baby. His small body of light rocked slowly, and a soft humming began to fill the void.
The melody was simple, tender, and seemed to envelop him like an invisible blanket. There were no words, only lulling notes that seemed to promise him rest, safety... unconditional love.
Bell closed his eyes, letting the sensation take him away. Never in his life had he felt something so pure, so infinitely warm. As if all the pain, loneliness, and doubts that had once plagued him were being torn away one by one and replaced by absolute tranquility.
The darkness continued to envelop him, but it was no longer empty. It was like standing in the lap of the world itself.
Bell opened his eyes abruptly, his body still heavy from deep sleep. Before he could understand what was happening, he felt someone unceremoniously lift him out of bed.
"Huh?!" he stammered, still half asleep.
Asfi, with her usual strength and without a trace of patience, carried him as if he were a sack of potatoes, walking hurriedly towards the exit of the store.
"Order of Hermes. There's no time for formalities," she blurted out, without pausing.
Bell could barely see Hermes outside, moving quickly as he gave hurried instructions. The other adventurers were also mobilizing, gathering weapons and preparing.
Within seconds, Bell found himself in the center of the camp, in the makeshift meeting area, still trying to shake off the drowsiness of sleep. The atmosphere was tense; something urgent had happened.
Bell blinked several times, shaking off the lingering daze until he finally woke up completely. He stood at attention, just as Hermes, with the most serious face Bell had ever seen, raised his voice to everyone gathered.
"The scouting party reported that there are too many giant scorpions guarding the ruins," Hermes reported gravely. "One of them broke away from the group to come and ask for help. They're holding out, but they won't last long."
A murmur of concern swept through the camp like a gust.
Then Artemis stepped forward, her expression cold and determined. "We can't wait any longer. We must launch the assault right now, before the enemy numbers grow or the scouting party is wiped out."
Hermes nodded after only a second of silence, his gaze meeting hers. "You're right. We can't afford to waste any more time."
Without wasting any more words, he began giving quick instructions to prepare for the immediate advance toward the ruins.
The battle against Antares was about to begin.
…
Bell and the others shot out of the tunnel he'd created, landing on solid ground with a thud.
Barely back on their feet, they found themselves facing the ruins they'd been told were Antares's lair. The landscape was bleak: crumbling stone structures covered in twisted roots, and a heavy feeling in the air that made even breathing difficult.
About thirty meters from their position the scouting party they had sent out earlier was fighting desperately.
Three figures were surrounded, fighting against several of those giant mini Antares scorpions. Although they bravely resisted, it was clear they were on the verge of collapse.
But for every monster they felled, it seemed like two more took its place. Their strength was clearly running out.
Hermes wasted no time.
"All hands, ready for combat!" and the entire group prepared to launch into the rescue.
The battle was just about to begin.
Bell charged forward alongside the Hermes adventurers, immediately closing the distance against the scorpion tide. The battle erupted in a roar of steel and shrieks.
Wielding the spear he had received from Artemis, Bell moved like an extension of the weapon itself. With a swift thrust, he pierced the carapace of a normal scorpion; the creature let out a dry screech before dissolving into a cloud of dark dust, dropping its magic stone to the ground.
Bell twirled the spear in his hands, confident, but he didn't have much time to savor his progress.
From the tumult of enemies, larger, heavier scorpions emerged, with a single glowing eye in the middle of their heads.
These did not move erratically like the others: they were methodical, brutal, their attacks could shatter rocks upon impact.
"Beware of the one-eyed ones!" Hermes shouted from the rear. "They're much stronger than the normal scorpions!"
Bell nodded, dodging by sheer inertia one of the enormous pincers that crashed into the ground, kicking up fragments of stone and earth.
He gripped the spear tighter, his feet sliding on the ground to maintain his balance.
The spear, light but firm in his hand, seemed to vibrate slightly, as if encouraging him to keep moving forward.
Tabitha, the cat girl, ran past him, nimbly attacking another of the lesser monsters.
"Don't freeze, kid!" she said, smiling as she disappeared into the tide of enemies.
Bell took a deep breath. He knew that normal scorpions could be brought down quickly with a clean stab, but one-eyed ones would require much more than brute strength.
He would have to rely on the spear Artemis had entrusted to him… and on himself.
In the heat of battle, as his spear tore through the horde of scorpions, Bell felt a strange tug at his mind, a tickling in his chest.
A voice, almost whispering but unmistakable, echoed in his head:
[Divine Blessing of Danger Sense]: Detects when you or a nearby ally are in imminent danger.
Bell barely had time to process it. Immediately, a powerful, almost primitive instinct drove him to turn to his right.
His eyes opened wide.
About twenty meters away, Laurier, the elf swordswoman of the Hermes family, was trapped. A wave of giant scorpions, like a tide of carapaces and claws, surrounded her. She struggled, slashing left and right, but it was clear she was about to be overwhelmed.
Without thinking, moving on pure reflex, Bell adjusted his posture.
He gripped the spear in one hand, feeling his other blessing—the Divine Blessing of Absolute Precision—take action.
Everything around him slowed: the roar of battle became a distant murmur, the movement of the scorpions became crystal clear, every tiny gesture of their legs and tails laden with venom.
Bell threw the spear.
The projectile cut through the air like a silver-blue lightning bolt. With a speed impossible to follow with the naked eye, the spear slammed right into the center of the group of monsters.
A dull boom echoed as eight giant scorpions were pierced, one after the other, in a straight line. The bodies immediately dissolved into dark dust, leaving behind only the magic stones, which fell to the ground with small clinking sounds.
Laurier, who had instinctively closed her eyes expecting to be crushed, slowly opened her eyelids as she felt the danger dissipating.
And then she saw it.
Bell, still running towards her, his white hair blown by the wind of battle, determination reflected in his ruby-red eyes.
In Laurier's eyes, it was as if a knight from an ancient legend had stormed onto the battlefield to rescue her.
A savior in the midst of chaos, who did not hesitate to risk himself to save her.
Laurier stood still, speechless, as Bell reached her side, his hand already reaching for the hilt of the sword hanging at his waist: the sword Hestia had given him.
Bell gave him a quick glance, making sure he was okay.
"Can you keep fighting?" he asked firmly, his voice steady despite the hustle and bustle.
Laurier, still a little dazed, nodded quickly.
Her cheeks flushed red, but she summoned her strength and took up her sword again, standing at his side.
Around him, the battle continued… but now, with a renewed flame of hope.
Bell didn't know it, but for some, at that moment, he had become more than just an adventurer. He had become a symbol.
Bell retrieved the spear in one fluid motion, wrenching it from the dusty ground where it had lain after scything through the monsters.
He held the spear for a moment, feeling it's familiar weight, but then, with a determined gesture, he settled the spear onto his back.
Now it was his sword's turn.
With his right hand, Bell drew the blade Hestia had given him long ago. The metal glowed softly in the red light of the battle.
His divine blessing of combat mastery was immediately present: as if he had trained only with swords his entire life, his movements became agile, precise, lethal.
Bell spun the blade in a small circle, getting used to the change of weapon, and without missing a beat, he launched himself back into the offensive.
Around them, the members of the Hermes family, Artemis, and the rest of the group were fighting fiercely.
The remaining giant scorpions, though still numerous, were quickly being overwhelmed by the group's coordination.
Bell, leading a small advance, pushed into the center of the chaos. His sword moved in rapid flashes: every slash, every thrust was fatal.
When the monsters died, they didn't glow or scream. They simply exploded into dark dust, dropping small magical stones that clinked onto the ground, like a light shower of broken glass.
Little by little, with effort and determination, they pushed the remaining creatures towards the edges of the ruins.
Finally, after several minutes of uninterrupted fighting, silence fell.
Only the sound of dust settling and a few labored breaths filled the air.
The group, covered in scratches, monster blood, and sweat, eventually regrouped in front of the dark entrance to the ruins, where they knew Antares was waiting for them.
Bell looked around, making sure no one had fallen. Artemis stood next to Hestia, both alert. Hermes, more serious than usual, was quickly counting his adventurers.
The first battle was over.
But everyone knew the worst was yet to come.
The group, still panting from the exertion of the previous fight, began to approach the entrance to the ruins.
The atmosphere changed immediately.
It was as if the air had become denser, heavier… as if a gigantic presence were lurking just beyond the threshold.
For Bell, it was even worse.
His newly acquired [Divine Blessing of Danger Sense] activated with brutal force.
It was like a deafening scream in his mind, a desperate alarm.
His whole body, every fiber of his being, told him one thing:
Run. Get out of here. Don't look back.
Bell gritted his teeth, pausing for a moment.
A chill ran down his spine, and his hand closed tighter around the hilt of his sword.
Around him, others also seemed to feel the change, although not with the same intensity.
The adventurers of the Hermes family looked at each other, exchanging worried glances.
The entrance to the ruins, a large opening of broken stone, now looked like a gigantic mouth ready to swallow them.
Bell swallowed, trying to calm his breathing.
His instinct screamed, but his determination did not waver.
"We can't give up now," he thought, remembering all the people who trusted him.
With renewed resolve, he took a step forward, crossing the threshold with the others.
The darkness within the ruins welcomed them… and something else, invisible but palpable, was watching them.
Waiting for them.
As soon as they took a few steps into the ruins, Bell's discomfort skyrocketed.
The divine blessing of danger sense roared in his mind like a war bell.
Without thinking, Bell shouted loudly:
"ABOVE!"
Instinctively, everyone looked up to the sky.
From the darkness above, arrows of pure light began to descend. They weren't simple beams or projectiles: they were like arrows made of pure energy, shining with blinding intensity as they streaked through the air at deadly speed.
The rain of arrows continued to rain down from above, but the group managed to dodge, albeit with difficulty. The projectiles flashed brightly, almost momentarily blinding those who didn't manage to dodge quickly enough.
When the assault finally stopped, the air was still thick with residual energy, and the group fell silent, breathing heavily. No one had been harmed, but the tension of the attack made it clear they weren't being attacked by simple monsters.
"What was that?" Asfi asked, still looking cautiously up at the sky.
The air was tense, and everyone felt the presence of something dark lurking.
Bell, still feeling the danger, looked toward the ruins, knowing this wasn't a common fight. Something far more dangerous was waiting inside.
Everyone moved forward cautiously, descending the stone stairs that led deeper into the ruins. The atmosphere was filled with palpable tension, but for now, there were no more attacks.
The walls of the stairwell were covered in red moss in places, and liquid drops of moisture fell to the floor, breaking the silence. As they descended, the light from the torches they carried illuminated only a fraction of what seemed like a vast underground labyrinth. Shadows danced on the walls, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.
Bell, though confident in his ability to react quickly, couldn't ignore the unsettling feeling surrounding him. His eyes scanned every corner, expecting the worst, as the Blessing
divine sense of danger remained active, as a constant reminder of the imminent threat.
"This place… seems even stranger than I thought," Hermes spoke, tone grave, as he continued to advance at the front of the group.
The stairs seemed endless, and when they reached the top, they found themselves in a wide stone hallway. In the distance, a faint light could be seen emanating from a large hall at the end of the corridor, but something in the air was different.
Bell noticed that the intensity of the Divine Blessing of Danger Sense was increasing, as if the proximity of something terrifying was very close.
"Get ready," Bell said softly, feeling his body tense with every step they took. "Something's not right."
Artemis suddenly crouched, a hand pressing against her chest as if the pain was crushing her. Her breaths became shallow, and for a moment, Bell thought she might faint. His instinct led him to quickly approach her, but before he could place a hand on her shoulder, Artemis struggled to her feet, and though her expression reflected some discomfort, she managed to remain upright.
"I'm fine, Orion," she said, her voice softer than usual, looking at Bell with a slight smile that didn't quite hide her discomfort. "Thank you all the same."
Bell, still with the concern evident on his face, couldn't help but look at her for a moment, noticing the way her chest was moving rapidly and the slight pallor on her face. However, Artemis didn't seem to want any more help and straightened completely, now looking straight ahead with determination, as if the momentary pain had never existed.
They continued forward to what appeared to be the center of the ruins. The monstrous figure of Antares loomed before them. A monumental scorpion, its size so imposing that it seemed the ground itself trembled with its every movement. Its gigantic legs sank into the ground like columns, and its enormous tail arced upward, ending in a stinger that could destroy everything in its path. The monster was an apotheotic beast, far larger than any creature Bell had ever seen before.
The room fell silent as everyone stared at the crystal suspended above Antares's head. Inside, the figure of a trapped Artemis remained motionless.
Before anyone could say anything, Artemis of the group, who had been walking right behind Bell, stopped abruptly. Her face instantly paled, and her hand flew to her chest, as if something was pressing on her heart.
"Artemis!" Bell shouted, but she could barely get a word out. The goddess doubled over, her eyes narrowed in pain and her hands pressing against her chest.
The group stood in shock, not knowing what was happening. Bell tried to get closer, but at that moment, a deafening roar echoed throughout the room. The sound seemed to be coming directly from the
of Antares, who, raising his monstrous tail to the sky, roared once more, this time with a fury that made the very structure of the ruins tremble.
Suddenly, something impossible happened. A brilliant flash emerged from the crystal where the Artemis was trapped. A beam of pure energy shot into the sky, piercing through the ruins and reaching the moon in an instant. The light was blinding, and the speed with which the beam shot out left everyone breathless. The impact echoed like thunder, and as the light faded, a shower of light arrows descended from the sky, just as had happened before, but now with much greater force.
"LOOK OUT!" Hermes shouted, alerting everyone, but it was too late.
Arrows rained down upon them with inhuman swiftness. Everyone threw themselves to the ground, dodging the deadly energy blasts that slammed into the ground, leaving craters in their wake. Although no one was seriously injured, the pressure of the rain of arrows was overwhelming. The earth cracked, and the walls of the ruins began to crumble around them, the entire place shaking as if it were about to collapse.
Bell, seeing the danger, grabbed Artemis from the group, dragging her into a corner while the others ran to a safer area. The ground crunched beneath their feet, and the danger of total destruction was imminent.
"We have to get out of here, quickly!" Hermes ordered, as he watched the place begin to crumble around him.
The group, struggling to stay together, began to retreat rapidly, but Antares's fury didn't cease. As they ran, Bell looked back, noticing how the arrows of light continued to fall, destroying everything they touched. The structure of the ruins creaked and cracked, but they couldn't stop.
"Go, go!" Bell shouted, not looking back, focused only on escaping.
When they finally managed to reach an area away from the beast, the sound of the collapse ceased for a moment, but the danger remained. The group remained still, exhausted, their hearts racing with adrenaline. However, something else kept them on edge.
The sky was still filled with those arrows of light, but something had changed. Antares, from his position, seemed more enraged than ever. His connection to the crystal, to that trapped Artemis, was stronger than ever, and the danger had only intensified.
The group, still breathing heavily from their escape, stopped in a safe corner, far enough away from the immediate destruction that had just occurred. The sound of the crumbling ruins still echoed in their ears, but instantly, a heavy silence began to fill the air. However, this silence was interrupted by something far more disturbing.
Exploring the area where they had taken refuge, everyone's eyes fell upon a gruesome scene. The ground was splattered with what appeared to be dried blood and lifeless bodies. Several women lay sprawled, their clothes torn and their pained expressions frozen on their faces. The sight was horrifying, and the worst part was that there was no life in them.
But the most terrifying thing of all was the flag lying next to the bodies. It was a torn flag, stained and wrinkled, but still visible: the Artemis family logo. Everyone in the group fell silent for a moment, unable to process what they were seeing.
Artemis moved forward slowly, as if the scene had been writing a story she was afraid to know. She walked toward one of the corpses, a woman whose figure was barely recognizable, her long red hair intertwined with dust and blood. Artemis crouched slowly beside her, her hands trembling slightly as she gently stroked her hair, as if to offer her a final gesture of comfort.
The pain on Artemis's face was evident. Her eyes shone with a mixture of helplessness and sadness. "She was one of my daughters... and I couldn't save her," she said, her voice breaking. "Antares... took them all from me, one by one."
The group watched in silence, not daring to interrupt. They knew this was a private moment, a mourning of a goddess who, despite her power, could not save those closest to her. Artemis closed her eyes, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. "I am a goddess. I am supposed to protect my daughters, but… what can I do when I am completely powerless in the face of something like this?"
Bell, though concerned, took a step toward her, but paused before speaking. Artemis continued to gently stroke the fallen woman's hair, as if the connection between them was all that remained of that soul's life. The air around them seemed thick, permeated with the goddess's sadness and despair.
"I'm sorry…" Artemis whispered, unsure if she was speaking to the dead woman or to herself. "I couldn't help it."
Hermes, who had been watching silently from the sidelines, approached and placed a hand on Artemis's shoulder, a serious expression on his face. "We'll make it. But we need to be united and act quickly."
The group, aware of the gravity of the situation, nodded silently. The horrors of the ruins and the sacrifices of those fallen weighed on their hearts, but they also gave them one more reason to fight. The presence of those victims could not be ignored. Now, the battle was not only for survival, but for avenging those who could no longer defend themselves.
As the silence continued to hang in the air, it was Lulune who, unable to hold it any longer, raised her voice in doubt.
"What was that Artemis… the one with the crystal that Antares had?"
All eyes turned to Artemis, who was with them. She remained still for a few moments, as if gathering the courage to respond. Finally, she lowered her head, her expression filled with sadness.
"What you saw trapped in the crystal…" he said, his voice cracking slightly, "is the real Artemis."
The group held their breath, a chill running down their spines.
"I…" she continued, touching her chest with a trembling hand, "am merely a remnant. A small part of her soul, released by the spear to seek help. I am not the full goddess… only a shadow of who she once was."
The words fell like a heavy burden on the group. Even Bell, who didn't understand everything, felt the gravity of the revelation.
"The real Artemis is trapped," he explained, slightly raising his gaze to the enormous crystal suspended above Antares. "Sealed and used by that monster as a source of power… unable to free herself."
Artemis then turned to Bell, her gaze sad but firm.
"The spear I entrusted to you, Orion, is not just a divine weapon. It's a weapon that can even kill gods."
Absolute silence reigned for a few moments, broken only by the distant rumble of Antares.
Bell, still feeling the weight of the spear against his back, clenched his fists. He didn't know exactly how to do it... but now more than ever, he understood that he couldn't fail.
Artemis gave him a small, melancholic smile.
"Please, Orion… kill the real me."
Bell froze, not quite understanding, as a chill ran down his spine.
"What are you saying?!" Hestia screamed, taking a step forward, her voice thick with terror and rage. "Have you lost your mind?! Killing a god is taboo!"
Hestia's voice echoed throughout the ruins, laden with pure fear.
But Artemis slowly shook her head, never taking her eyes off Bell.
"I know," he said, with a sad calm. "I know about the taboo… I know what can happen. But I wouldn't hold a grudge against Orion." His voice became even softer, like a caress. "I could never hurt my dear Orion. Not even in the next world."
His words fell like a sacred promise.
"If you don't stop me… if you don't destroy the crystal and destroy Antares…" Artemis lowered her gaze slightly, whispering, "this world will remain in danger. I don't want my daughters' sacrifice… to have been in vain."
Bell clenched his fists tightly, his mind struggling to process it all. Before him, the kneeling Artemis was asking not for vengeance or justice for herself… but for salvation for everyone else.
After a few long seconds of silence, he lowered his gaze… and then raised it, his face hardened, laden with a seriousness that didn't seem his own.
Bell nodded.
A simple movement, but one that resounded in the hearts of everyone present like thunder.
Hestia stared at him with an expression of pure shock, as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard. Her lips moved silently, unable to find the words. Her face screamed without a voice, "I can't believe you agreed to that."
Hermes and his family members remained silent, their faces grave. No one dared to break the moment.
Artemis, on the other hand, smiled.
It was a warm, bright smile… but also filled with a deep sadness, like the last spark of a star about to go out.
She took a few steps closer to Bell, until they were face to face, her turquoise eyes filled with infinite tenderness.
"Thank you, Orion…" Artemis whispered.
She leaned toward him, her voice so soft it could barely be heard over the echoing ruins.
"When this is all over… when this body is gone… I'll wait for you," she said. Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes never left Bell's. "I'll wait for you up there… to celebrate our ten thousand years of love together."
Bell felt a lump in his throat, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand firm.
There was no turning back. He couldn't fail her. Not her. Not the daughters who had sacrificed themselves.
Not to the world he was supposed to protect.
A heavy silence fell over the group after Artemis's words. It was as if no one could even breathe.
But then, a roar pierced the air.
It wasn't Antares's roar. No... that roar was different. Wild. Distant. But it still shook the bones of those who heard it.
Everyone looked around, immediately tensing.
"That wasn't Antares…" Hermes muttered, face hardening.
Artemis, still weak, raised her head, her eyes shining with a mixture of confusion and alarm.
Without thinking, they all hurried out of their shelter, returning to the large central room.
Antares was still there, unchanging, its enormous tentacle-like lines beating gently, like a dark heart. But this time, there was something else.
Above, in the open sky that crowned the ruins like a monumental crater… a light.
It wasn't the pale light of the moon. It was something larger, something that shone like a second sun that had just been lit in the night.
Bell squinted, shielding himself from the intensity. Then he saw it.
A gigantic being of fire and an aura of pure power, slowly descending from the sky.
Yharon had arrived.
The very air seemed to burn with his presence, the ground vibrated softly beneath his claws, and Yharon's golden eyes, ancient and filled with suppressed fury, fixed directly on Antares.
Hermes, for the first time in a long time, paled.
"What the… hell is that?" someone whispered behind him.
But no one had an answer.
Only Bell knew that Yharon came to support them..
He arrived as an ally.
A ray of hope… wrapped in flames.