“Well, you heard him—we have to go to his castle and defeat him there,” Horus said.

  “We could destroy it from here, couldn’t we?” Tania suggested.

  “I don’t see what you’d gain by doing that. Besides, I can sense that palace is protected by a dimensional wall—it would be impossible for us,” Athena replied.

  “Excuse me… I’d like to go up the volcano and rescue Anpiel,” Epona interrupted, her expression troubled.

  “I would li—like to acco… accompany you, Lady Epona,” Sol said, stepping beside her.

  Rodrigo felt a pang of jealousy. For a moment, he wanted to say he would go with Epona, but he knew his mission was to enter the castle. He was now carrying a totema—heavy, headache-inducing—but even so, it allowed him to fight at a higher level, possibly even higher than Epona’s.

  “I don’t see a problem. Just be careful,” Athena said.

  “Ep, I’d like to go with you, but I think my duty is to move forward and face Ares,” Rodrigo said, blushing as he stepped closer to Epona.

  “Don’t worry, Rodrigo. I’ll manage with Sol,” the goddess replied with a smile—a smile that once again made the young tannin uneasy.

  “Take care, okay?” Rodrigo said.

  Epona nodded.

  “And you too, Sol,” Rodrigo added, looking at the blond god.

  “No pro… problem,” Sol replied.

  “Remember to come back safe, Epona. When we win, we’ll throw a party in Ibiza with plenty of food and wine,” Tania said with a smile.

  “Wine from Normandy?” Epona asked.

  “From whatever region you want,” Tania replied, smiling.

  The horse goddess returned the smile sincerely. She felt as if Tania had lifted a huge weight from her shoulders—as if she were a different person now.

  Epona and Sol said their goodbyes and continued flying toward the volcano that rose above Areopagus, while the others headed for the palace.

  Stolen story; please report.

  As they arrived, a woman stood near the entrance to Areopagus. She was a beautiful goddess with dark blue hair and light blue eyes. She wore a crown with multiple spikes, from which a golden veil flowed, covering her hair and part of her face. She had two elegant golden earrings, a breastplate made of precious stones with golden accents, a long blue dress, and a belt of gold and gemstones with a rose-shaped jewel at the center. In her right hand, she held a pale blue rose.

  “Welcome. My name is Selardi. I am the Urartian goddess of the moon, and Ares’ Keres number three,” she said, bringing the rose to her nose.

  “We don’t have time to fight you. Move aside and we’ll spare your life,” Horus replied.

  “I’m aware I wouldn’t be a match for you, Lord Horus, or Lady Athena—after seeing how you defeated my two superiors,” the Armenian goddess answered calmly.

  “Then you’ll let us pass?” Athena asked.

  “My lord Ares is only interested in the red-haired girl with you. She is the reason I’m here. The rest of you may proceed, if you wish,” Selardi replied.

  “Are you joking? I won’t allow you to fight her!” Rodrigo snapped angrily.

  Tania placed her hand on the young tannin’s shoulder.

  “I can’t refuse a duel, Rodrigo. That would be cowardly,” Tania said.

  “But Tania—first Ana fell, and now—” Rodrigo replied, worried.

  “Rodrigo!” Tania shouted, silencing him.

  “I’m not the same Tania who attacked you like a coward. I am the Queen of Carthage, the Goddess of the Maghreb. I am a lioness who will always protect you—my little cubs,” Tania said as she stepped toward Selardi.

  Rodrigo swallowed. He still looked uneasy and worried.

  “Ana didn’t fall without reason. You must trust her and Epona as well—just as the three of us trust you in this difficult mission,” Tania continued.

  “But—” Rodrigo tried to interrupt, but Tania cut him off without turning around.

  “Do you think I lied about the party? Would I say something like that if I thought any of us would fall today? I trust you all, because even in my weakest moments, you stood by me. That’s why I have faith—and faith gives us strength and makes miracles happen,” Tania said as she stopped and transformed into her manticore form in front of Selardi.

  Rodrigo was stunned by the immense power Tania was emanating.

  “Are you done saying goodbye, Ramiro? It’s time to proceed inside the castle,” Athena interrupted. Rodrigo nodded, unable to take his eyes off Tania’s transformation.

  Rodrigo, Athena, and Horus hurried into the castle, whose main gate already stood open. The three gods disappeared from Tania’s sight as she prepared for battle.

  “Selardi, right? I’ve heard several stories about you—one of the most powerful deities of the Caucasus region, capable of controlling freezing itself,” Tania said, taking a combat stance.

  “And I’ve heard of you too, Queen of Carthage—the one who sacrificed hundreds of infants to use their power for her own benefit, laying waste to entire peoples and civilizations,” Selardi replied, pointing her rose at Tania as it froze over.

  “I think you have the wrong person. Those souls don’t belong to me—they belong to the world, and they will help me give humanity the future I love so much,” the Punic goddess answered.

  Both goddesses lunged at each other, beginning their battle.

  Urartu was an ancient Bronze Age civilization whose territory is partially located in modern-day Armenia.

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