In this poignant moment, Athena focuses intently on stabilizing Shigenori, her hands glowing with divine energy as she channels everything she has into combating the hell poison.
She knows she's running out of time, but the determination in Kirashi's voice spurs her on. Kirashi, clutching Shigenori's hand tightly, can't help but let all the pent-up emotions pour out. She's been hiding her feelings behind her tough exterior for so long that the flood of guilt and love is overwhelming.
"You can't just leave me like this," she sobs, wiping away tears. "I know I didn't always show it, but I need you here. I need you to keep annoying me, to make me laugh when things get too hard, to remind me what it means to keep going. We've been through too much together for it to end like this. Just... just hang on."
Athena casts a worried glance at Kirashi, then back to Shigenori, whose breathing is shallow and ragged. The poison is relentless, spreading through his veins like wildfire. She can feel the malevolent energy within it, an energy that resists all attempts to purge it from his system.
"Kirashi," Athena says, her voice low but steady. "You need to keep talking to him. Reach out to him in whatever way you can. His spirit might hear you, even if his body is fighting for every breath."
Kirashi nods, her fingers gripping Shigenori's hand even tighter as she leans closer, her voice quivering. "Remember when we were kids, and I promised I'd always look out for you? I didn't do a great job at that, did I? But you can't leave me now. We're in this together. You fight, Shigenori. For me, for us."
Athena keeps working, her face lined with concentration and worry. She's pushing herself to her limits, drawing on every ounce of power she possesses to hold back the poison and prevent it from spreading further. The weight of Kirashi's words resonates with her, a reminder of the profound connections humans share, something even the gods often fail to understand fully.
In this emotional moment, Shigenori finds a last bit of strength to reassure Kirashi, touching her face as he tells her she's always been a good sister. Kirashi's intense crying slows, yet the weight of the situation remains heavy. Suddenly, a rift appears beside them, and Hermes steps through, his presence both comforting and urgent.
Hermes relays the news from the all mighty god: they have permission to travel to the heavens, where they can treat the hell poison afflicting Shigenori. However, Hermes emphasizes that time is of the essence—if Shigenori doesn't survive the journey, the consequences are grim.
They have no room for delay, as failure means Shigenori will face immediate execution to prevent any further spread of the poison. Athena takes in the gravity of Hermes' words, nodding resolutely as she prepares them for the swift journey to the heavens.
As the portal begins to form, Athena places a reassuring hand on Kirashi's shoulder. "We'll do everything we can," she says, steadying her voice. With a glance back at Shigenori, Athena summons all her healing strength and focuses it on stabilizing him for the trip. The light around them grows as they step closer to the rift, their destination set, with hope resting in the heavens.
Raiden, Zohar, and Kaito are jolted awake by the sudden pounding on their chamber door. The persistent knocking is accompanied by a loud shout, "Wake up! You're late!" echoes the voice of an angel standing impatiently outside. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, they drag themselves out of bed, their bodies still aching from the intense training they endured the day before.
Groggy and stiff, the three friends exchange tired glances, each wincing as they stretch their sore muscles. "Didn't think I'd wake up feeling worse than I did after battle," Kaito mutters, rubbing his shoulder. Zohar nods in agreement, his eyelids heavy, while Raiden forces himself to move, gritting his teeth against the discomfort.
As they step outside, the angel eyes them sternly, arms crossed. "You need to get to the hall immediately," he says, his tone sharp and urgent. "You're already late, which means today's training will be even harsher on you." The angel doesn't wait for a response, already moving ahead and expecting them to follow.
With a collective groan, they pick up their pace, stumbling after the angel through the winding corridors. The weight of their mission presses down on them, adding to the fatigue that clings to every step.
They know they can't afford to fall behind, not with so much at stake. This morning's training is going to be grueling, but they brace themselves, knowing they must push through.
As they reach the grand hall, Raiden, Zohar, and Kaito barely have a moment to catch their breath before a booming voice fills the space. "What time do you call this?" Odin's voice echoes through the room, sharp and edged with frustration.
His gaze is piercing, his stance firm, and they instantly feel the weight of his disapproval. "This mission is far too important for you to sleep in," he scolds, crossing his arms over his chest. "This isn't some... summer camp, as you humans would call it. The more time we waste, the more time Lucifer has to gather his forces and strengthen his grip. Every second is precious!"
The three friends stand there, stiff and silent, not daring to speak up or offer excuses. Odin doesn't allow them to dwell on their tardiness for long. He strides forward, his voice firm but with a glimmer of encouragement.
"Today, you'll learn how to harness the powers within you," he says, shifting gears and moving into training mode. "Each of you has unique abilities, abilities that have been given to you by the gods. You'll find that your powers are different from each other's, reflecting who you are."
They feel a ripple of anticipation, tempered by the sting of Odin's rebuke. Raiden clenches his fists, determination flickering in his eyes as he absorbs Odin's words. Zohar's heart races, curiosity mingling with apprehension about the powers he has yet to understand. Kaito stands straighter, his previous grogginess replaced by a flicker of excitement and resolve.