The clouds began to move faster, and the mountains beneath Epona, Sol, and Mitras started to tremble. The air grew heavy, and an overwhelming heat began to suffocate the gods.

  “That power… it’s Tania’s!” Epona shouted in shock.

  Mitras and Sol were left speechless.

  “They’re far too powerful,” Mitras said, astonished.

  “When I first met them, I never imagined they would reach such heights.”

  “That is why our majesty Athena trusted them so deeply,” Sol replied.

  “But… something isn’t right,” Epona said anxiously.

  “She always knows how to control her power, never wasting her energy like this. Something is wrong with her.”

  “Do not worry, Epona,” Mitras said with a confident smile.

  “With power like that, no one could possibly defeat her.”

  “Yes… however, don’t you feel that time is moving faster?” Sol asked, watching the clouds and the sun shift unnaturally.

  “You’re right. Tania is raising her level too high, and this dimension is responding to the average divine output of all of us,” Epona said, deeply concerned.

  “She knows what she’s doing,” Mitras replied, placing his right hand on Epona’s shoulder.

  “Trust your friend.”

  Still troubled, Epona nodded.

  The gods continued flying over the mountain range. Because the dimensional barrier hovered so close to the peaks, flying was difficult, and they could not clearly see the Areopagus. They were forced to cross one mountain after another.

  The mountains below were completely covered in snow, despite the planet’s low humidity. Some were volcanoes, and several began to emit smoke due to the immense power Tania was unleashing on the far side of the planet.

  “This isn’t good—the smoke will block our vision,” Epona warned.

  “No problem. I’ll handle it,” Sol said cheerfully.

  He placed his hands over his chest, forming a cross with his arms, and declared:

  “In die plenae luci.”

  At once, the volcanic smoke dissipated, and the surroundings became as clear as a bright day.

  “That’s incredibly useful,” Epona said, surprised at how drastically the environment had changed, despite the apocalyptic chaos Tania was causing.

  “I can create a small reality where the sun always shines,” Sol said proudly.

  “It also helps amplify my combat abilities.”

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  “Incredible… you didn’t stutter,” Epona noted.

  “Well… when I get really excited, I… I speak just fine,” Sol replied shyly.

  They all laughed—until they suddenly felt two immense energies approaching from behind.

  “Epona,” Mitras said sharply.

  “Do you remember when we told you we would be useful to this mission?”

  “What do you mean, Mitras?” she asked.

  “I want you to go on ahead,” he said grimly.

  “No matter what happens, do not look back. Do not return.”

  “I can’t!” Epona shouted.

  “I came to save a friend, and I will not allow two more to die because of him!”

  Mitras stared at her with cold resolve.

  “I am not asking you,” he said sternly.

  “I am ordering you—as your superior and as your mentor, however brief that role was. Go forward and reach the Areopagus. That is an order!”

  “I don’t care—I’m staying!” Epona snapped back.

  “Do you realize how deeply you’re offending us, Epona?” Sol said angrily, as she glared at them defiantly.

  “Do you know the last thing I said to Anpiel?” Epona cried, tears welling in her eyes.

  ‘I told him not to come back. That’s what I said.’

  “I don’t want to lose anyone else!” she screamed.

  “We will not die. That is a promise,” Mitras said with a smile.

  “They’re stronger than Al-Qaum,” Epona replied bitterly.

  “We know,” Mitras said, still smiling.

  “And you couldn’t even—” Epona began, but Mitras cut her off sharply.

  “Epona! Do you think Athena cares about the malakim Ares slaughtered? Do you think she cares about our lives?”

  Epona stared at him in shock.

  “That bitch is a cold, manipulative monster. She feels nothing for those who die at her side. She sent us to die in this hellhole just to please you—her new toys. Can’t you see it? Your power far surpasses that of everyone here. You have a future with her. We are expendable. Countless malakim have died like trash under her command, and she has never felt a thing. Did you believe her performance? We came here to die—so you would trust her, so you would join her ranks!” Mitras shouted furiously.

  Epona was left speechless.

  “Our job is to make sure you do not die and that you reach Ares,” Sol said quietly.

  “I’m not like her. I never trusted her,” Epona sobbed.

  “I care about you, whether you’re weak or strong. Please—let me fight with you. Please!”

  But Mitras and Sol turned their backs on her.

  “Leaders must accept that their soldiers will die. That is the cruelty of life,” Mitras said calmly.

  “But we will not die, Epona. We follow you. We protect you. Not for Orniskem—but for you. You are our inspiration.”

  “If anyone can defeat Ares and his strongest Keres,” Sol added,

  “it is you.”

  “Guys…” Epona whispered through tears.

  “Anpiel is waiting, princess,” Mitras said, turning back with a smile—the smile of a man ready to die.

  “Thank you… for everything, Epona,” Sol said softly.

  Epona closed her eyes and turned away.

  “Please don’t die,” she said, tears streaming down her face.

  “Don’t shatter my soul any more than it already is.”

  She flew away.

  At that moment, two of Ares’ Keres appeared before Mitras and Sol, descending from the sky and stopping in front of them.

  They were Keres Number Nine, Zalmoxis, and Keres Number Eight, Shaushka.

  Zalmoxis wore a long white tunic with red accents and wide sleeves. His hands were covered by ornate bronze gloves. His head was topped with a strange orange hat ending in a hooked point. In his right hand, he carried a massive double-bladed axe—so large it seemed bigger than the god himself.

  Shaushka wore a towering conical helmet and golden-red plated armor that covered her chest and flowed into a skirt. Beneath it, she wore a red dress. In her right hand, she held an axe like Zalmoxis’, though smaller.

  “We are the Keres Zalmoxis and Shaushka,” Zalmoxis said coldly.

  “Your lives do not interest us. We have come for the girl.”

  “If you do not interfere,” Shaushka added,

  “we will spare your lives and allow you to retreat.”

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