Max, Luna, and Hana wandered through camp until they found a quiet hill overlooking the lake. The water reflected the sky like polished glass, and the distant sounds of training and laughter faded into something soft and distant.
They sat together in the grass, shoulders touching, simply taking it all in.
For a while, no one spoke.
"So," Luna said eventually, leaning against Max's side, "what now? From what I can tell, it'll be about a week before Percy gets here."
Max rested his hands behind him and stared out at the lake.
"We enjoy the peace while it lasts."
He glanced at the girls thoughtfully.
"I do wonder if you two have Charm Speak. That could get… interesting."
Hana smirked.
She leaned close, her lips brushing his ear.
"Hold me," she whispered—her voice layered with power.
Max's body moved before his mind could argue. He pulled her close and kissed her softly.
Then, without hesitation, he turned and did the same to Luna.
Hana blinked, then laughed.
"I didn't tell you to kiss her."
"True," Max said calmly. "But Charm Speak doesn't work on someone who doesn't want it to. I don't have any reason to resist either of you—so it works perfectly."
He smirked.
"Though I'm guessing you could boost it."
Hana's grin widened.
"Then make out with us."
Her voice carried the command again.
Max leaned in—then stopped, his body trembling as he forced himself to pull back.
"No," he said firmly. "Not here. Not now."
It took effort. A lot of it.
"This isn't the right place or time. Drawing attention this early would be a mistake."
Hana tilted her head, mock-threatening.
"Don't make me boost it."
"You won't," Max replied evenly. "If you do, we lose our privacy. And you know how little time we'd get together if that happens."
That stopped her.
The truth lingered unspoken between them. They were deeply bonded—almost dangerously so. Separate them, and the other would unravel. That dependence was exactly why they'd never taken medication before. Silence was worse than pain.
After a moment, Max spoke again, more serious.
"Actually… what kind of side effects do you have? One soul, two bodies—that's not exactly normal."
Luna tightened her grip on his hand.
"From what we were told, we're bound. Hana and I feel the same sensations. Same pain. Same injuries."
She paused.
"Damage is reduced, thankfully."
Hana nodded.
"We can talk to each other in our heads too. And if one of us dies…"
Max stiffened.
"You can revive us," Hana finished quietly. "But if you die… we can't bring you back."
Max exhaled slowly.
"That's… dark. But good to know."
He pulled both of them closer.
"So. Anything you want to do in this universe?"
Luna's eyes lit up.
"I want to meet the Occult Club. Koneko and Kuroka—cute catgirls. And Kuroka has huge—"
"Luna," Max said flatly, staring at her.
"What?" she shot back. "We're bi. We were each other's first crush. It happens."
Hana laughed.
"I want to meet Rias and Akeno."
Max stared at them both.
"So you're both perverts."
They immediately started smacking his arms, laughing.
"That was one of the first shows we ever got to watch outside that house," Hana said. "Those jiggles were life-saving."
Max groaned.
"Well… guess that doesn't leave me with much."
"All of them, obviously," Hana said sweetly. "We knew about your harem fantasies before we started dating."
Max froze.
"You left fantasy stories in your room the first time you invited us over."
"I thought I burned those," Max muttered, turning away to hide his bright red face.
Luna giggled.
"Oh, we kept copies."
She looked back out over the calm lake, her voice softening.
"But we'll make demands."
Max raised an eyebrow.
"Demands?"
She smiled.
"Take advantage of that deal ability of yours. Just give us a little time to decide what we want."
The lake rippled gently in the distance.
For now, there was no prophecy.
No gods watching too closely.
Just the three of them—together, alive, and finally free.