Rodrigo landed as well, roaring like a wild animal that had just slain its prey.

  “Rui… are you alright?” Ana called out, slowly approaching him as he stared at her with confused, unstable eyes.

  Rodrigo suddenly vomited blood—

  and collapsed unconscious.

  Ana tried to run to him, but Athena grabbed her.

  “His blood is poisonous right now—don’t touch him!”

  Rodrigo fell to the ground, and his serpentine traits slowly began to fade. His breathing grew heavy, and his body temperature shot upward.

  “His body isn’t used to that,” Athena said, still holding Ana back.

  “Then we need to do something,” the dark-haired goddess insisted.

  Athena approached Rodrigo, lifted him into her arms, and gave him a small dose of ambrosia. Rodrigo came to, coughing violently.

  “Do you remember what happened?” the Greek goddess asked.

  The boy looked around, confused, as if he had no idea what had occurred.

  “I… I can’t remember anything after I got trapped in that serpent’s gas,” Rodrigo said, covering part of his face with his hand.

  “Rui, are you okay?” Ana asked as she hurried toward him.

  “He’s fine. His blood is back to normal,” Athena assured her.

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  “What happened?” Rodrigo asked, just as Epona approached. Tania remained at a distance, arms crossed.

  Ana opened her mouth to explain, but Athena spoke over her.

  “You defeated that creature with a hidden power—but you’ll need to train it,” she said firmly.

  “You were incredible, Rui,” Ana said, relief softening her voice.

  “And you saved my life, Rodrigo. Thank you,” Epona added.

  Rodrigo smiled softly.

  “I’m glad I could be useful… and that I helped all of you.”

  The goddesses—except Tania—returned the smile.

  At that moment, Loki materialized in front of them. He still wore his grayish cloak, his face hidden beneath the hood.

  “You damned brats… I can’t believe you defeated my forces. Looks like I’ll have to risk my life just to kill at least one of you,” the Norse god growled.

  Athena casually sat down on the ground.

  “What do you gain from fighting us? Still following Lel’s orders?” she asked.

  “That’s none of your concern,” Loki snapped.

  “And you’re aware Celtic gods will soon be coming for your head?” Athena added.

  “That is also none of your concern!” Loki barked back, increasingly agitated.

  “Since I couldn’t sacrifice you, I’ll at least kill one of you to advance my plan. So come on—fight me, all of you if you want,” he said, spreading his arms.

  “I’ll be your opponent,” Tania declared, stepping forward.

  “Very well,” Loki replied, removing his gray cloak.

  Beneath it, he revealed himself: a man with dark hair, violet eyes, and a short goat-like beard. He wore a black-and-purple helmet with two massive ram-like horns covering his eyes, a dark cape held by a brooch carved with the rune ?, a black-and-violet Viking cuirass, a black kilt, and dark boots with brown-folded trims.

  “You’ll be my sacrifice, then,” Loki said with a smile.

  Tania summoned her fire claws and lunged at him—

  but Loki simply made a few swift hand signs and shouted:

  “Fimbul-vetr (Dreadful blizzard)!”

  In an instant, a massive spike of ice erupted around Tania, trapping her inside a frozen stalagmite.

  “One down,” Loki said coldly.