Kingdom of Lichstein – Hanslet Mountain Range
We entered the cave, and thanks to my excellent use of that wish, I could see everything with perfect clarity despite the darkness. The air was thick and damp, carrying a faint scent of wet stone and ancient echoes. Melissa walked beside me; her breathing was soft, steady, matching mine, and the gloom itself seemed to part as we advanced.
We went deeper until we reached an area where two stone beds rested against the cavern wall. The silence was so heavy that even our footsteps felt intrusive.
Then something moved behind us.
A subtle vibration in the air. A restrained whisper.
And we were surrounded.
Two figures appeared—similar to Melissa in form, but with normal, dark hair. The dim light outlined their silhouettes: one taller, the other slightly smaller, both bearing eyes etched with centuries of existence. One had red eyes, the other yellow, and their presence radiated a strange blend of power and sorrow.
As for their overall appearance…Well, let's just say they weren't nearly as aesthetically pleasing as Melissa.
They spoke with voices that sounded… wrong. Old. Unearthly.
Stheno: —"Who are you?"
Euryale: —"What are you doing in this place?"
I straightened up, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the ancient energy vibrating through the air.
—"My name is Sam Raymond. And this is my friend, Melissa. We came seeking your great wisdom."
Stheno let out a hoarse laugh, as if the concept itself amused her.
Stheno: —"I haven't heard a joke in centuries… If you seek wisdom, look for the Sisters of Fate."
Euryale: —"They are known as the Moirai—or the Norns."
—"I'm sorry," I replied, meeting their piercing gazes, "but right now, you're the only ones who can help us."
Stheno's eyes narrowed.
Stheno: —"We have seen your friend's form… It is indeed a divine curse."
Euryale: —"And you are far too young—and far too weak—to do what must be done."
A chill ran down my spine.
Still, I didn't hesitate.
—"I know what I have to do. Kill Poseidon."
Both of them recoiled. The cavern trembled, as if the god's name itself had stirred something deep within the mountain.
Melissa looked at me, alarmed.
Stheno: —"You will never defeat the god of the sea."
Euryale: —"He is invincible while in water."
—"If the seas stand in my way," I said coldly, "then I'll destroy the seas."(I won't give that bastard a chance to fight.)
Stheno studied me carefully.
Stheno: —"Either your words are great because you can make them real…"
Euryale: —"…or because they are nothing more than childish fantasies."
—"I can do exactly what I say I will," I answered without blinking, my chest burning.
Stheno watched me a moment longer. Then her voice dropped to a whisper.
Stheno: —"Your answer lies in Atlantis."
—"What's there?"
Euryale: —"Sirens. Discover the secret of the sirens."
Stheno: —"If you succeed, return here."
Euryale: —"And we will do the rest."
—"Thank you for your wisdom, Gorgons."
Stheno tilted her head.
Stheno: —"If you wish, you may leave your friend here."
Euryale: —"She would be comfortable with us."
I turned to Melissa. The faint, spectral light reflected off her skin, and her eyes searched for reassurance.
—"Do you want to stay here?"
She lowered her head again, her voice trembling.
Melissa: —"I'll stay wherever you decide."
I looked at her for a moment longer, then turned back to the Gorgons.
—"Melissa is coming with me. And if you wish, I can take you both somewhere safe."
Stheno smirked.
Stheno: —"You're a bold little human… Fine."
Euryale: —"We've been confined here for centuries. It's time to leave, isn't it, sister?"
Stheno: —"Yes. We accept your offer, young human."
The air shifted.
The darkness itself seemed to stir, as if the mountain was reacting to their release.
It took three trips using Infinite Speed, but I managed to transport them all to the territory where my base was located.
***
Olympus — Sanctuary of Wisdom
Floating Island above Mount Olympus
The night was dying.
Below Olympus, clouds churned like a frozen ocean, concealing the impossible mountain that supported the floating island of the gods. Above, the sky remained dark, faintly wounded by pale blue hues that announced the coming dawn.
Inside the sanctuary, something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Athena paced back and forth barefoot across the cold marble floor, her breathing uneven. Her robe was disheveled—unthinkable for her. Statues of strategists, heroes, and scholars watched in absolute silence.
In front of her, the air was empty.
Too empty.
Athena: —"No… this can't be…"
She raised her hand sharply—the same commanding gesture she had used for centuries to summon golden screens.
Nothing.
No golden light.No system.No response.
Her fingers trembled.
Athena: —"Show me that mortal!" she commanded, her voice sharp enough to make kings kneel."Divine system—respond!"
A golden screen appeared.
But it showed nothing she sought.
Only silence.
The sanctuary itself seemed to mock her.
Athena clenched her teeth.
Athena: —"That insolent mortal…"—she whispered, fury and disbelief intertwining.—"He didn't just destroy my temple… I can't even observe him anymore."
She spun around, opening chests, pulling aside tapestries, rifling through shelves packed with ancient relics. Scrolls floated into the air. Sacred weapons clattered as they were shoved aside without care.
Athena: —"Where… where did I put it…?"
Her divine mirror.
The artifact she had used to observe the world before the gods' system even existed.
It had no limits. No rules.
"If I find it, she thought, I must be extremely precise… Where was he heading?"
But no matter how much she searched—it wasn't there.
Athena: —"Impossible… I never forget…"
For the first time in millennia, Athena felt something she had no word for.
Anxiety.
Then—
—"I'm sorry about your temple, little sister."
The voice came from behind her. Soft. Far too soft.
Athena turned instantly, instinct and war rising within her—only to stop when she saw who it was.
Hera.
The goddess of marriage leaned gracefully against a column, wrapped in a robe dark as night. Her expression was calm, almost kind. A small, measured smile curved her lips.
Dangerous.
Athena: —"This is not the time for sarcasm," she snapped.
Hera: —"It isn't,"— Hera replied, inclining her head slightly.—"And yet… I couldn't help remembering old times."
Athena frowned.
Athena: —"It can't be… Are you referring to him?"
Hera's smile widened just a fraction.
Hera: —"Hard to forget when he first appeared," —she said, her eyes gleaming with ancient memory.—"He didn't fit either… The one who shook the balance of every zone."
A chill ran through Athena—one she refused to acknowledge.
Athena: —"Do not compare that… mortal… to that phenomenon."
Hera: —"I'm not," —she replied calmly.—"I'm just saying the pattern feels… familiar."
Silence fell between them.
At last, Hera straightened.
Hera: —"Changing the subject." —Her tone turned formal.—"Hades and Sister Persephone have arrived."
Athena froze.
Athena: —"Tonight?"
Hera: —"Moments ago," —she confirmed.—"And they didn't come out of courtesy."
Athena closed her eyes for a second.
Athena: —"Then Zeus…"
Hera: —"Will summon you," she nodded."In a few hours. A secret meeting. A very important one."
The word secret carried more weight than it should have.
Hera stepped closer, lowering her voice.
Hera: —"Prepare yourself, sister. I don't think what happened in Ataxia will be seen as an isolated incident.All the gods, across every zone… are restless now."
Athena clenched her fists.
Athena: —"He's just a mortal. A very strong one—but still mortal. Not an immortal, not an incarnation, not him. This shouldn't cause such unrest."
Hera studied her carefully. Then smiled again.
Hera: —"You're right… and yet, here we are."
She turned and began to leave.
Before disappearing between the columns, she added:
Hera: —"Oh—and if you find your mirror, sister… good luck locating that mortal."
The sanctuary fell silent once more.
Athena inhaled deeply.
Slowly. Carefully.
Then she lifted her gaze toward the hidden sky above the floating island.
Athena: —"Sam Raymond…" —she whispered.—"What exactly are you…?"
And for the first time since becoming a goddess—
Athena wasn't formulating a strategy.
She was searching for answers.
***
Bepnis Strait
Mount Albur (Hidden Base)
The moment we arrived inside the base, Artia detected them.
And almost killed them.
They only survived because I reacted instantly and ordered Artia not to attack or harm them in any way.
The Gorgons were stunned by the technology spread across the territory. Blue holographic light, structures under construction, the constant hum of machines—everything looked like magic to beings from another era.
I ordered Artia to immediately build them a house on a charming hill within the city's territory, one with a beautiful view.
The terrifying part?
It took Artia roughly fourteen minutes.
There was no furniture yet—the construction had been rushed—but both of them agreed to stay.
I took Melissa deeper into the base. She couldn't stop looking around, her expression caught between confusion and wonder. Her emerald eyes reflected the glow of the screens as they followed the moving structures.
Melissa: —"How could someone like you ever notice someone like me?"
I laughed softly.
—"Hey—don't forget I'm still a slave."
Melissa: —"But what kind of slave lives like this…?"
—"Opportunities belong to the bold."(That was the motto of an extraordinary strategist.)
Melissa: —"Don't give me that… Sam, why did you help me?"
We were walking toward a white room, filled with a faint hum. According to Artia, it was where she could be examined properly.
I stopped and answered her honestly.
—"When I saw a heart like yours… I don't know. I wanted to protect it. I can see how hard you work to keep it intact, and I just wanted to spare you that burden."
Melissa: —"But I don't understand… Do you really plan to challenge the gods?"
—"They reminded me of something," —I said quietly.—"And I'm not letting it go."
Melissa: —"Why? Who does all this for just a friend?"
—"I do."
For the first time—even if only for a moment—I saw a genuine smile on her face. Her cheeks flushed.
I knew she liked the answer. I also knew she was trying to hide what she felt.
—"Stay here. Artia will run some tests."
[I must warn you, Marshal, my data on genetic engineering is limited.]
—"You'll just examine her, Artia. Then tell me her condition."
[Understood, Marshal.]
Melissa: —"Where are you going?"
—"To talk to a friend. He'll take care of Nana."
Melissa: —"Then… you're leaving me alone?"
I took both her hands. They were cold, trembling ever so slightly.
I looked straight into those emerald eyes—filled with fear, tenderness, and pain.
—"From today on, you won't be alone.I won't be gone long. I promise."
She bit her lower lip. I knew what she wanted.
She closed her eyes, and for once, her snake hair didn't get in the way.
I never thought it would be so hard not to kiss someone—but I couldn't.
It was too much.
As she slowly leaned in, full of expectation, I thought:
"I can't.First: I don't even know what happened to my previous life—am I dead or not?"
"Second: this body is twelve. No way in hell."
"Third: I can't betray Liliana. Instinct alone isn't enough to break that code."
I turned my face aside and caught her kiss on my cheek.
—"Alright. See you soon."
I left the base.
But when I looked back at Melissa, it hurt to see her suffering. I knew she probably thought I hadn't kissed her because she was a monster.
"Damn it… why can't I ever have an easy path? It burns to see you like this."
I took a deep breath. I had to stay in control.
On the way, I asked Artia:
—"Artia, did you finish my request?"
[The passenger ships are fully prepared.]
—"Maximum capacity?"
[Approximately nine thousand per vessel, Marshal.]
—"Good. Can you take them to Atris?"
[Understood, Grand Marshal.]
—"I'm going to see old man Bang… Quincy, you know what to do."
[Of course, Master. (≧▽≦)]
—"We're heading back to the city of Atris."