Danmachi: God of Heroes

The echo of the impact still resonated in the ruins of the street. Dust floated in the air, forming a thick fog that obscured Alfia's silhouette. Her cold eyes remained fixed on the two adventurers in front of her, without a trace of emotion.

Riveria ran her hand over her temple, feeling the warmth of a trickle of blood running down her cheek. The blow had been brutal. She could still feel her bones vibrating with the resonance of Alfia's magic.

Gareth, for his part, sat up with a grunt, brushing the debris off his shoulders. His axe was still trembling from the impact.

"If that's your limit, then there's no point in continuing."

Alfia's voice sounded like an unquestionable judgment. There was no arrogance in her words. Only absolute certainty.

Gareth gritted his teeth. "Tsk… and to think you were once called a hero."

Riveria raised her staff, her gaze steely. "We don't have time to try to reason with you. If you're with Evilus, then we have no choice."

Alfia tilted her head slightly, as if watching two children trying to challenge an adult.

"Good."

There was no warning.

"Gospel."

Another roar of pure sound struck them with the fury of a storm. The ground cracked. Windows exploded into a thousand pieces. The air itself seemed to buckle under the pressure of the attack.

But this time, Riveria had already begun to conspire.

The air vibrated with magical energy as Riveria's voice rose loudly. Her staff radiated a biting cold, and the temperature in the area dropped drastically. Her most powerful magic was on its way.

"Herald of the end, white snow. Form whirlwinds before twilight—"

But Alfia was already on the move.

The veteran of the Hera Familia had no intention of letting her finish.

"Gospel."

The only song needed to unleash her magic.

The world exploded with a deafening roar. Invisible shockwaves swept through the area with brutal force, impacting the air with the violence of a thunderstorm. The entire street shuddered.

Riveria felt her concentration shattered immediately. A sharp pain hit her chest, as if her own body were resonating with the explosion of sound. Her chanting caught in her throat, her knees buckled, and her staff fell from her hands, clinking to the ground.

Gareth cursed, forcing himself to move, but Alfia gave him no respite.

Another burst of power.

"Gospel."

The sound hit the dwarf with overwhelming force. His greataxe rose in a desperate attempt to block, but it was useless. The sheer pressure of the attack threw him backward, sending him rolling on the ground like a rag doll.

Buildings shook. Windows splintered and shattered from the brutal resonance of Alfia's magic.

Riveria gritted her teeth, trying to get up. Her body was still vibrating from the force of the impact. But when she looked up, the first thing she saw was Alfia's silhouette walking slowly toward her.

Each footstep echoed with an ominous clarity, as if the world itself synchronized with its presence.

"Don't get distracted." Alfia's voice was calm. "If you can be interrupted so easily, you'll never manage to cast a spell against me."

Riveria felt a chill run through her.

That woman didn't just have overwhelming magic.

She knew perfectly well how to counteract that of others.

The echoes of Alfia's attacks still rang in the air when Riveria managed to stagger to her feet. 

Her vision was blurring from the brutal vibration that had shaken her entire body. Beside her, Gareth sat up with a grunt, spitting blood. His armor was cracked, his axe trembling in his grip.

But Alfia gave them no respite.

"Gospel."

Another burst of sound shook the air. The street itself seemed to howl as the invisible shockwave reached them. Gareth reacted first, planting his feet firmly and crossing his arms to resist.

It was useless.

The impact lifted him off the ground and slammed him into the side of a building with a deafening crash. The structure partially collapsed from the force of the impact, covering the dwarf in a cloud of dust and debris.

Riveria barely had time to raise her staff before another impact shook the ground beneath her feet. She felt her body shake from within, as if her very blood thrummed with Alfia's magic.

She gritted his teeth and tried to sing again.

"Herald of the end, white snow—"

"Gospel."

Her body convulsed in a spasm of pain. A brutal thunderous crash struck her chest like an invisible sledgehammer. Her vision blurred, her stomach churned, and her ears rang with a high-pitched ringing.

She fell to her knees.

Alfia watched her expressionlessly.

"I already told you." Her voice, despite its softness, was like a vibrant echo in Riveria's head. "You can't sing in front of me."

Riveria clenched her fists. Her body was trembling. Was the difference that great? She couldn't even cast her most powerful magic.

Gareth emerged from the rubble, breathing heavily. His gaze fixed on Alfia, filled with fury.

"Damn… bitch!"

He gripped his axe and propelled himself forward with impressive speed for someone of his size. His weapon descended with a force capable of splitting the earth in two.

But Alfia didn't move.

The sound exploded right in front of Gareth.

His body stopped dead in its tracks, as if he'd hit an invisible wall. His axe fell from his hands as his body shook violently. A roar of pain tore from his throat as the sound wave engulfed him, shattering his balance, his strength, his stamina.

Riveria watched in horror as Gareth fell backward with a thud.

A top-tier level 5, on the cusp of level 6, reduced to this in seconds.

Alfia sighed softly.

"Disappointing."

Riveria tried to stand, but her legs gave way. Damn.

Her magic was of no use.Her power was of no use.

And Alfia didn't even look tired.

The power difference was brutal.

Alfia looked at them with an impassive expression, as if the battle had already been decided.

"Orario has really weakened."

Riveria gritted her teeth. But before she could do anything, Alfia raised a hand.

The sound erupted once more.

The world became a whirlwind of pain and darkness.

Riveria felt her body thrown into the air, her vision blurred by vertigo. The shockwave had hit her full force, snatching the ground from under her feet.

Her mind processed the situation too late. Her magic had been interrupted. His defenses had been overcome. And now she was falling.

Until something caught her in midair.

A firm impact against another body, strong arms that held her precisely, cushioning her fall.

Riveria blinked, confused, and saw Veldrin's face.

He had jumped to catch her.

Before she could say anything, Veldrin descended nimbly, spinning in the air and landing on the ground with a controlled impact. He released her carefully, but his eyes were filled with alarm.

"What the hell is going on?" he asked, frowning.

Riveria took a moment to respond, her body still shaking from the force of the attack.

She looked beyond Veldrin.

Gareth was on the ground, his axe a few feet away. His massive body barely moved. The street was torn apart, deep cracks marked the ground, and nearby buildings trembled under the pressure of the battle.

At the center of it all, Alfia stood firm. Unfazed. As if she wasn't even trying.

Riveria gulped.

Veldrin noticed her expression and his alarm grew. "Who is she?"

Riveria inhaled sharply and stood up straight, staring at him.

"Listen to me, Veldrin." Her voice was firm, authoritative. "Get away from here."

Veldrin frowned.

"What?"

"You can't be here." Riveria gripped his arm tightly. "If Gareth and I can barely hold on, you don't stand a chance." Veldrin gritted his teeth.

"I'm not running away."

"It's not about running away, it's about not wasting a life in vain." Riveria looked at him sternly. "We're the only ones who might be able to stand up to him. Don't interfere."

Veldrin's jaw tightened. His pride burned at those words, but the weight in Riveria's voice was undeniable.

It wasn't fear.

It was a cold judgment.

Riveria was pushing him away because she truly believed the power difference was so overwhelming that any attempt on her part would be meaningless.

Veldrin looked at Alfia.

She simply watched them, completely calm, as if nothing they did could surprise her.

Something in his gaze chilled her blood.

Riveria shook him lightly.

"Veldrin."

He closed his eyes for a second.

I didn't want to accept it.

But he knew that Riveria wasn't talking in vain.

With a frustrated sigh, he pulled away.

"You… don´t die "

Riveria gave a slight smile.

"I don't plan on falling here."

Veldrin clenched his fists and took a few steps back, moving away from the center of the battle.

Riveria turned her gaze to Alfia and strengthened her resolve.

She couldn't afford to fail again.

Riveria closed her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply as the mana around her responded to her call.

I wouldn't make the same mistake.

Her voice rang out firmly, magic vibrating in the air as she recited her chant:

"Gather, breath of the earth – my name is Alf."

A golden-green glow enveloped her body, traveling through her wounds and strengthening his resilience. Her body stopped hurting. Her energy stabilized. Her mind cleared.

She was ready.

Riveria looked up.

Alfia watched her with the same imperturbable expression, as if she were waiting.

The elf clicked her tongue.

That air of superiority…

Riveria raised her staff with determination.

"Don't underestimate me."

And with that, she launched back into the fight.

The ground was shattered, and the air vibrated with the echo of Alfia's devastating attacks.

Riveria and Gareth gasped, their bodies covered in wounds, blood staining their clothes. But they remained standing. They couldn't afford to fall.

Alfia, on the other hand, was immaculate. Not a wound, not a drop of sweat. Just that cold, dispassionate gaze.

Riveria felt a chill.

This wasn't going well.

However, before they could react, the Evilus mage abruptly turned on her heels and raised her hand.

"Gospel!"

The air exploded with a deafening roar, the sound pressure devastating the street.

But… it wasn't directed at them.

Riveria and Gareth could barely process it before a burst of crackling blue energy tore through the smoke and debris, heading like lightning towards Alfia.

A spell.

A surprise attack.

The white-haired woman turned immediately, her dress fluttering in the air. But it was too late.

The impact hit her full on.

The mana blast enveloped Alfia in a blinding glow. For a moment, her silhouette was lost in the glare, her body trembling as it hit the shock.

Riveria and Gareth opened their eyes in disbelief.

Had anyone managed to reach her?

But it wasn't just that.

Alfia emerged from the smoke, her dress billowing with the movement. Her expression was still cold, but now her brow was slightly furrowed. Something had changed.

Riveria felt it immediately. The flow of mana in the air was no longer the same.

Alfia… wasn't so overwhelmingly above them anymore.

Riveria narrowed her eyes. Her magic… had weakened.

No, not weakened.

Disrupted.

"What was that?" Riveria thought, her mind racing.

A surprise attack. A beam of dark energy that filtered through the chaos and struck Alfia without her being able to dodge it.

It wasn't common magic.

Riveria felt a chill as her mind made the connection.

A curse.

An anti-magic.

And then, she saw the person responsible.

Veldrin stood there, standing on the rubble, his hand still extended toward Alfia. His expression was grave, but his relaxed posture indicated that it hadn't been a mere desperate attempt.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

Alfia slowly turned towards him.

"You…" Her voice was a dangerous whisper, but Riveria caught the slight change in her tone.

No surprise. No anger.

Veldrin lowered his hand, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"What a pity, isn't it?" His tone was light, but his smile held no trace of humor. "Looks like you can't play with us so easily anymore."

Alfia remained motionless, her gray eyes analyzing the situation. Although her expression remained cold, Riveria couldn't help but notice a slight change in her posture.

Veldrin had done something neither Riveria nor Gareth could do: interrupt her magic.

Riveria wasted no time.

"Gareth."

The dwarf nodded without further ado. They both understood what they had to do.

Veldrin, on the other hand, was tense, his hands clenched into fists.

"Don't say it." Riveria cut him off coldly. "If you start hesitating, it will cost us our lives."

Veldrin gritted his teeth.

He wasn't stupid. He knew a single blow from Alfia could kill him. He knew Riveria and Gareth would protect him, distracting Alfia so he could cast his spell.

I knew I was a burden in this fight.

It was a suffocating feeling.

But still…

"Don't waste what you've done." Riveria glanced at him. "Your spell gives us a chance. Don't make us regret trusting you." Veldrin exhaled slowly.

Yes. It didn't matter what I felt at the moment.

It couldn't fail.

Alfia looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

Riveria and Gareth advanced at the same time.

Gareth charged like a meteor, his axe whistling through the air. Riveria conjured a blast of wind, forcing Alfia to react.

Alfia moved fluidly, dodging Gareth's axe and gliding through the air to avoid Riveria's magic. But the elf had already expected that.

"Vas Windheim!"

The air became a whirlwind. The temperature changed suddenly.

Alfia clicked her tongue and reinforced her body with magic, but she still had to slow down for a moment.

A moment.

It was enough.

"Veldrin!"

The elf did not hesitate.

He extended his hand.

Dark energy gathered in his palm.

Shadows twisted in the air.

The spell was born in a whisper.

"Burn mana."

The black lightning shot out, swift and sharp like a spear of darkness.

Alfia spun around at the last second, but the energy caught her glancingly, enveloping her right arm in a dark glow.

Riveria saw the change immediately.

The flow of mana in Alfia's body was disrupted. Her magic became erratic.

She felt it too.

He frowned.

Veldrin noticed his expression and felt a small spark of satisfaction.

But his heart was still heavy.

He hadn't managed to hit her completely.

Her spell was crucial, but it was just that. A support.

Without Riveria and Gareth, I'd be dead.

It was frustrating.

But I didn't have time to think about that.

Alfia took a deep breath and took a step forward.

"So that's your card, huh?" His eyes glittered with something resembling interest. "An antimagic spell… How annoying."

Veldrin swallowed.

Alfia smiled.

"Let's see how much longer you can keep shooting."

And then he attacked.

The air vibrated with an invisible roar.

Veldrin barely had time to move before the impact hit.

BOOM!

The ground exploded behind him, fragments of stone and dust flying in all directions.

Satanas Verion.

Alfia's magic didn't need to be seen to be deadly.

It was pure sound, turned into destruction.

Veldrin rolled on the ground and jumped to the side, barely avoiding another blow that pulverized the cobblestones where he had been a second before.

Again.

Again. Again.

The attacks came without pause, each burst of sound tearing through the air like an endless storm.

And the worst part was that, even if he dodged everything, he couldn't avoid the pain that came with each explosion.

His ear was ringing.

A high-pitched whistling sound pounded into his head, piercing his skull with each new shock wave.

No matter how hard I tried to block out the noise.

No matter how much he tried to harden his body with magic.

Just listening was a punishment.

His vision began to waver.

He felt a wet heat on his cheeks.

He didn't need to touch it to know what it was.

Blood.

The fragility of the elves.

Their acute hearing, their superior ability to detect the most subtle sounds… All of this was a blessing in calm times.

But against an enemy like Alfia… It was a curse.

"Does it hurt?"

Alfia's voice drifted through the thunder.

Veldrin gritted his teeth.

He threw himself to the side, feeling another blast graze his back.

His balance was failing.

The blood trickling from his ears made every movement more clumsy, as if the whole world were moving out of time.

But I couldn't fall.

If he fell, he died.

"Hmm…"

Alfia watched him with her head tilted.

There was something strange about his expression.

It wasn't a joke.

It wasn't contempt.

It was curiosity.

"You're fast," he murmured, his tone almost sounding like a compliment. "Fasteners than someone at your level should be."

Veldrin gasped, not responding.

Alfia raised a hand.

"But you're still an elf."

"GOSPEL!"

The explosion was stronger than the previous ones.

Veldrin jumped back with all his might, but even in midair, he felt something invisible hit him full on.

As if a giant wave had fallen on him.

He was thrown backward, spinning uncontrollably in the air.

And when he landed, he could barely stand.

His legs were shaking.

His breathing was irregular.

And his blood kept flowing, hot and sticky.

For the first time, he thought he might actually die.

For the first time, he felt afraid.

Gareth landed in front of Veldrin with a brutality that made the ground shake.

The dwarf wasted no time.

He slammed his axe into the ground and a wall of rubble rose up, blocking Alfia's line of sight for a moment.

"Stay on your feet, boy!" roared Gareth. "Don't fall on us now!"

Veldrin, staggering, felt an iron hand grab his arm and steady him.

His vision was blurred.

The world kept spinning around her, the sound distorted into a chaos of beeps and echoes.

But he could still move.

He could still fight.

Across the plaza, Riveria's voice began to rise above the din.

Ancient and majestic power resonated in every word.

Alfia didn't stay still.

As soon as Riveria began her chant, the Hera veteran raised a hand and Gospel roared from nowhere.

Riveria felt the vibration before the attack reached her.

An invisible blast of pure sonic force collided with his magical barrier.

The flashes of light from her spell fluctuated.

"Herald of the end, white snow."

Riveria narrowed her eyes, forcing herself to continue.

Alfia clicked her tongue and fired another sonic boom.

The barrier creaked.

Riveria gritted her teeth.

"Forms whirlwinds before twilight."

The air began to cool around them.

Veldrin, still reeling, felt the change in temperature and knew that Riveria was betting everything on this attack.

Alfia frowned.

The shockwave of his magic hit like a stampede.

Riveria was forced to take a step back, but she didn't give in.

"Fading light, frozen earth."

Frost began to form under their feet.

But then, another blast of sound hit her full on.

His concentration was broken.

Her spell dissipated in a gust of wind and incomplete snow.

Riveria felt a burning in her chest.

Gareth cursed loudly.

"Damn! Riveria!"

Alfia lowered her arms, calmly watching as the high elf panted, her eyes narrowed.

"You're strong," Alfia said emotionlessly. "But not strong enough."

Veldrin knew this was madness.

But if he didn't do something, Riveria and Gareth wouldn't be able to beat Alfia.

He took a breath and adjusted his grip on his new glaives.

The retractable blades flashed in the moonlight as he launched himself at Alfia with all the speed his body could muster.

It was suicide.

I knew it.

But he couldn't just sit idly by.

Alfia noticed it immediately.

Without even turning around, Gospel roared.

Veldrin saw the invisible energy condense.

And in that instant, time slowed down.

I could see every particle of dust in the air, every blade of wind that stirred with its movement.

I could see the slight movement of Alfia's lips as she whispered the spell.

I knew he was dead.

I knew I couldn't dodge.

Then his body moved on its own.

There was no thought.

There was no strategy.

Just reaction.

A side step.

A twist.

Her silver hair whipped around as the blast of sound passed inches from her ear.

[Evasion activated]

The ground behind him exploded with a deafening crash.

The shock wave pushed him, but he was already moving.

Alfia frowned for the first time.

"That…?"

Veldrin didn't understand it either.

But I wasn't going to waste the opportunity.

His glaive cut through the air with a lethal whistle, searching for the opening.

Alfia dodges with ease.

But for the first time in the fight, she seemed to have been taken by surprise.

And that was worth more than any attack.

Veldrin landed with a slide on the destroyed ground, still feeling the tremor of the shockwave behind him. He didn't understand how he had dodged that attack, but he didn't have time to think about it.

I had to keep attacking.

As Alfia easily deflected his glaive, Veldrin jumped back, moving out of her immediate range. He had to cast another Mana Burn.

Gareth understood the play immediately.

The dwarf roared and charged forward, his massive axe rising like a meteor before coming down with a crash that shook the ground.

BOOM!

Alfia dodged with a graceful footwork, but Gareth gave her no respite.

Each blow from the dwarf was an explosion of brute force, shaking the air with a thunderous impact.

Alfia, for the first time in the entire fight, was forced to move constantly.

And Veldrin wasn't going to waste the opportunity.

He concentrated, feeling the mana burning through his body, channeling it into his spell.

"Burn Mana."

A dark blue ray shot out of his hands.

Alfia felt the change in the air and turned, her sharp eyes catching the spell just before it reached her.

But it was too late.

Direct hit!

Negative energy enveloped his body, devouring his mana like a hungry beast.

Alfia frowned as she felt the sudden drain of her power.

Gareth smiled.

"Now then, witch! Let's see how you fight without your magic!"

And with a roar, he attacked again.

Gareth felt the difference immediately.

Alfia was still fast, accurate, and lethal with her magic, but without the same magical power as before, her attacks no longer made him flinch with each hit.

The dwarf advanced with a fierce grin, swinging his axe with a force that made the ground tremble.

CLANG!

Alfia blocked the blow with a sound shield, but this time it shattered on impact.

His expression remained impassive, but Gareth noticed.

"So without your magic, you're not so untouchable, huh!"

Alfia didn't respond. She just stepped back, raising a hand to cast another Gospel, but just as the magic began to form—

"Burn Mana!"

Another dark blue beam streaked across the distance, striking her a second time.

Alfia frowned.

The drain on her mana became more severe, and for the first time, she looked annoyed.

"Annoying."

With a single snap of his fingers, a sound wave exploded in Veldrin's direction.

The elf barely had time to react, jumping to the side as he felt the air tremble around him.

But that gave Gareth time.

The dwarf roared and launched himself into the attack again, his axe flashing in the moonlight as he forced Alfia onto the defensive.

It looked like they had a chance.

The air turned freezing in an instant.

As Gareth and Veldrin retreated, the temperature dropped sharply, and the sound of the wind turned into an icy howl. Small crystals of frost floated in the air like shattered stars, swirling around Riveria's figure as her staff emanated a blue light.

And then, his voice resonated with a solemn, unwavering tone:

"My name is Alf!"

It was as if winter itself had descended upon the city.

A colossal ice storm erupted from Riveria's location, expanding in all directions with a deafening roar. The magic took the form of a vortex of frost and biting winds, immediately covering the ground in a layer of ice that spread out like an icy tide.

Gareth managed to get away in time.

Veldrin no.

"Shit…!"

The wave of cold hit him before he could complete his final evasive move. His right arm instantly went numb, a burning, icy sensation running from his fingers to his elbow. He tried to move, but a thick layer of ice had already trapped him.

The pain was immediate. Her skin felt like thousands of ice needles were piercing her flesh, and every attempt to move her arm only resulted in a dry, cracking sound, as if it could break at any moment.

But he couldn't even concentrate on that.

Because in the center of the attack, Alfia was trapped.

The whirlwind of snow and frost devoured her completely, her silhouette disappearing into the white immensity.

Veldrin, still feeling the ice claim his arm, stared in disbelief at the spot where Alfia had been standing.

Did they make it…?

The icy whirlwind continued to roar, covering everything in a blinding blizzard. Snow swirled through the air like dancing blades, and the temperature had dropped to the point where the ground itself began to crack from the frost.

Veldrin could barely move. His right arm was still trapped in the ice, and the numbness was slowly giving way to a stabbing pain, as if his flesh were being burned from within. He gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the suffering, but his attention was fixed on a single point.

Where Alfia used to be.

Gareth had stepped back to a safe distance, watching the scene with a tense expression. Riveria held her staff high, her breathing ragged, but her eyes remained fixed on the storm she herself had unleashed.

The air began to clear little by little.

The snow flurries lost intensity.

And there, standing in the center of the devastation, was Alfia.

Unharmed.

"…Tch."

Gareth's click of his tongue was barely audible, but the silence that followed weighed like a millstone.

The ground around her was frozen to the ground, covered in a thick blanket of frost. However, right where Alfia stood, the snow didn't touch her. There was a kind of invisible field around her, a barrier of pure magical force that had repelled the worst of Riveria's spell.

Alfia's dress was slightly torn around the edges, and her hair looked a bit messy. But other than that... she hadn't suffered any significant damage.

Veldrin felt a knot in his stomach. Even after all that…

Alfia sighed softly, lowering her hand with an almost bored expression.

"Wow… Not bad."

Her voice didn't sound impressed. Nor annoyed.

Just… indifferent.

Riveria gritted her teeth.

"Mmm…?"

Alfia simply closed her eyes for a moment, as if she were deciding something.

"Well…" She sighed. "I guess that's enough."

Veldrin felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cold. "What…?" Gareth frowned. "What do you mean, 'enough'?"

Alfia looked at them.

She smiled.

"I have already fulfilled my mission."

The silence that followed was sepulchral.

None of the three immediately understood what she meant. But there was something in his tone—in the calm way she said it—that made them feel even more uneasy than before.

Veldrin swallowed. His instincts were screaming that something was wrong.

Alfia spun around as gracefully as she'd appeared. She took a step back… and then another.

Riveria didn't wait for an explanation.

"I won't let you go!"

She pointed his staff again, gathering her magic once more. Gareth also tensed, preparing to strike again.

But then…

The whole city shook.

A deafening roar echoed in the air.

And nine pillars of golden light suddenly rose up at different points in Orario.

The nine pillars of light illuminated the sky of Orario, extending like golden spears that pierced the clouds. It was a majestic… and terrifying sight.

Veldrin felt his skin crawl instantly. This wasn't ordinary magic. It was something else. Something beyond his understanding.

Gareth and Riveria were paralyzed.

The elf's eyes widened in disbelief, her expression twisting in horror.

"Not…"

The dwarf understood almost at the same time. "Gods…"

Literally.

It was addressed to the gods.

Veldrin saw the color drain from the faces of both veteran adventurers. Riveria stopped aiming her staff, her attention completely focused on what was happening.

And then… it happened.

A dull thunder shook the air.

And the pillars of light exploded.

Not like a normal explosion, no. It was something different. Something absolute.

There was no fire. There was no falling debris.

The pillars just… died away.

And with them, something else disappeared.

Veldrin didn't notice at first. But the silence was different now.

It was not the silence of a city in shock.

It was the silence of something that had been torn from existence.

Riveria fell to her knees.

Not from exhaustion. Not from pain.

Out of desperation.

Gareth also clenched his fists, his teeth grinding with suppressed rage.

Veldrin finally understood.

Nine gods… had been killed.

Deleted.

And their families, their children, their followers… had just lost their blessings.

Orario… had just been left vulnerable.

Alfia smiled.

"Now yes, we are done here."

He turned completely around, as if he was just going to walk away.

Riveria raised her head, her eyes filled with fury.

"You…!"

His voice trembled.

But Alfia no longer paid attention to them.

I didn't need it.

Because his work was done.

Just at that moment, the sky itself trembled.

Not by an explosion. Not by magic, but by a voice.

A deep voice. Immense.

It resounded from the highest point of Orario, from the top of the Tower of Babel.

A voice that belonged to no mortal.

"Sons of Orario!"

The tone was solemn, mocking… but with a crushing weight.

Riveria felt a chill run down her spine.

Gareth frowned, his instinct roaring in warning.

Veldrin swallowed.

And Alfia…

Alfia smiled.

"Listen carefully, for these words will mark history."

The voice spread like thunder throughout the city.

The adventurers, the merchants, the children hiding in their homes… everyone listened.

"I am Erebus. God of Absolute Evil." The air became heavy.

"And I declare my goal"

The silence lasted forever.

"The destruction of Orario."

The shaking on the ground still hadn't stopped.

The echoes of Erebos' laughter seemed to permeate every street of Orario, as if the city itself were absorbing his despair.

But Gareth moved.

With a heave of his heavy body, he approached Veldrin, who was still holding his frozen arm, wincing in pain. His pale skin was covered in a thin layer of frost, the ice clinging to him as if it were part of his own flesh.

"Hang on, boy!"

Gareth quickly examined the wound. The frostbite was deep, and although Veldrin could still move his fingers slightly, if he wasn't treated soon… he could lose his arm.

But Riveria…

Gareth turned to her. Riveria was motionless.

His gaze, normally calculating and full of wisdom, was fixed on the sky, where the last lights of the nine pillars still flickered, gradually dissipating.

Her face was pale. The trembling of her lips was evident.

Gareth frowned.

She knew what was happening. Riveria was an elf, a being whose life was guided by wisdom and logic. But this… this was beyond reason. Nine gods had died.

The very rules of the world had just changed.

And Riveria couldn't process it.

"Riveria!"

His voice boomed like thunder.

But she didn't react.

Gareth gritted his teeth. His friend, the wise elf who had guided so many, was in shock.

He couldn't blame her. He felt like his world had just collapsed. But there was no time for this.

With a grunt, he grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

"Riveria! Damn it, come back to yourself!" The elf blinked.

Gareth seized the moment.

"Veldrin needs help! His arm, Riveria!"

Veldrin's name seemed to be what triggered the reaction. Riveria blinked again.

And then he looked down.

His brain, still tangled in the horror of what he had just witnessed, found something to focus on.

Veldrin.

His arm… the ice…

"L-leave it to me."

Her voice was still shaking, but she was recovering.

She raised his staff.

They didn't have time to process what had just happened. But they had to move on.

Riveria closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to steady her mind. The weight of the moment continued to weigh on her, but focusing on something tangible, on a task she could accomplish, allowed her to push away the chaos for a moment. Her fingers tightened on the staff, and with a soft murmur, she began to recite the healing chant.

"Gather, breath of the earth – my name is Alf."

A pale green light began to envelop Veldrin's arm, slowly melting the ice covering it. The elf felt a stabbing pain as circulation began to return, as if thousands of needles were stabbing into his skin at once. His teeth clenched tightly, but he didn't say anything. He knew that if he moved too roughly, he could make the injury worse.

Gareth, standing beside him, surveyed the street with his axe still in hand, ready to react to any new danger. Although the battle with Alfia was over, the sense of threat lingered in the air. And with Erebos's announcement still echoing in their heads, they couldn't afford to let their guard down.

Veldrin finally exhaled as the pain began to subside. He slowly moved his fingers, making sure he still had control over them. The skin was still bruised and tender, but at least he was no longer at risk of losing his arm. He looked up at Riveria, who was watching him with an expression of stern concern.

"Can you move?" she asked in a firm voice, although her gaze betrayed the exhaustion she felt.

Veldrin flexed his arm slowly before nodding. "Yes, though I doubt I'll be able to hold my weapons properly for a while."

Gareth snorted as he crossed his arms. "You'd better not force anything. With what just happened, we'll need all the strength we can muster."

Riveria stood slowly, smoothing her cloak with a mechanical gesture. She looked toward the Tower of Babel, still burning from the remnants of the battle and Evilus's attacks. In the distance, the sounds of combat still echoed, but now they were more chaotic, more disorganized. The adventurers were still holding their own, but the psychological blow they had just received had weakened everyone's morale.

"We should return with Finn," Riveria said, adjusting her grip on the staff. "He'll try to organize the city's defense, and from what we've seen… he needs information on Alfia as soon as possible."

Veldrin nodded, though the mention of Alfia made his jaw clench. The fight had left a bad taste in his mouth. He knew his Mana Burn spell had been helpful, but in the end, he'd been more of a burden than a real help. The feeling of helplessness still weighed on him, one he couldn't ignore.

Gareth placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Don't make that face, kid. You did more than you know."

Veldrin didn't reply, but he didn't argue either. The image of Alfia walking away without a single wound remained in his mind. He still wasn't strong enough.

Without another word, the three began to move, leaving the battlefield behind. Orario was in turmoil, and although the city still held, the shadow of Erebos loomed over them.

Veldrin walked alongside Riveria and Gareth, but his mind was elsewhere. He still felt Xander's blessing, which meant his god wasn't one of those who had died with the pillars of light. However, that didn't mean he was safe.

Chaos had spread throughout the city. Evilus had attacked on multiple fronts, and while the battle against Alfia had been devastating, it certainly wasn't the only threat they had unleashed.

And Lili…

Veldrin clenched his fists.

Where was Lili in all this?

The last time he saw her, she was still hiding at the Familia headquarters, but now that Orario was under attack, had she managed to stay hidden? Or had she tried to search for him?

A pang of worry ran through her chest. Lili was smart and knew when to stay out of danger, but she was still a child. And if someone from the Soma Familia found her in the middle of the chaos…

He shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the present. First, they'd return to Finn. They needed to assess the overall situation before acting on their own.

But deep down, Veldrin knew he wouldn't be able to calm down until he saw Xander and Lili with his own eyes.

Veldrin stopped thinking about everything else and focused his attention on the present. What was in front of him was enough to keep his mind occupied.

The streets of Orario, normally bustling and full of life, now resembled a battlefield. Corpses were scattered, buildings collapsed, and the sound of fires consuming structures. Wounded adventurers tried to get up, some helping others, but many simply lay motionless, powerless to continue.

Gareth frowned as they walked through the remains of the massacre. "I can't believe it… even the Ganesha Familia, which is the largest, has been affected."

Riveria gripped her wand tightly. "This was planned. Evilus attacked with precision and brutality. They didn't come just to cause chaos… they came to destroy Orario from its core."

The silence that followed weighed on the three of them.

Veldrin looked at the fallen bodies. Some were still holding their weapons, others seemed to have been taken by surprise. What caught his attention most was the number of high-level adventurers who had been killed. Even among the corpses, he could tell that many weren't simple novices.

This was not a simple terrorist attack.

It was a war.

And they were losing it.

When they arrived at the Loki Familia position, the situation was not much better.

The adventurers were gathered in a makeshift defensive formation, some grievously injured, others struggling to stay on their feet despite their exhaustion. Finn stood at the front, his spear in hand and his expression more serious than usual. Beside him, Raul and other veteran members tried to organize the adventurers and assess the casualties.

Further back, Ais watched silently. Her fists were clenched tightly, her small frame trembling, not from fear, but from a suppressed fury she didn't know how to express.

When Finn saw Riveria, Gareth, and Veldrin arrive, he immediately turned around.

"What happened?" he asked bluntly.

Riveria took a deep breath. "We met Alfia."

The name fell like a stone on everyone. Some of the adventurers surrounding them instantly paled.

Finn frowned. "Alfia? The executive of the former Hera Familia?"

Gareth nodded gravely. "That one. And he's still as monstrously strong as the rumors said. He defeated us with ease."

An adventurer gulped. "How long has he been with Evilus?"

Veldrin, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "I don't know if she's really with them… Before she left, she said she'd already fulfilled her mission. She didn't seem interested in continuing the fight."

Finn looked thoughtful, his calculating gaze moving between them. "If his goal wasn't to eliminate them… then what was?"

Nobody had an answer.

Finn sighed. "For now, what matters is regrouping and regaining some control. They attacked us by surprise, but the fight isn't over yet."

Riveria nodded. "We must coordinate with the other Families. Find out who is still standing and who has fallen."

Finn looked around, taking in the state of his Familia. "We'll split into teams and help stabilize the situation. But stay alert… something tells me this isn't over yet."

Finn looked at Veldrin closely, focusing on his arm and his general condition.

"Can you keep fighting?" he asked bluntly.

Veldrin blinked, surprised by the direct question, but soon understood the reason. Finn had not only noticed the wound on his arm, but he had also realized that he was alone.

"Your Familia isn't here," the pallum continued calmly. "If you stay with us, you'll be fighting under our command. I need to know if you're capable of continuing."

Veldrin gritted his teeth. His left arm was still numb, with traces of frost on his skin. He couldn't move it normally, which meant using both glaives in combat would be nearly impossible. But at the same time, he knew he couldn't afford to stay still.

He flexed his fingers with effort and took a breath.

"If you need me to fight, I will."

Finn studied him for a few seconds before nodding. "Fine. But if I see you being a burden, I'll make you back off."

Gareth crossed his arms, looking at Veldrin with a mixture of approval and concern. "You better not act brave. If you're hurt, say so."

Riveria, though still exhausted from the previous battle, approached and gently touched Veldrin's arm. She murmured a short spell, using what little healing magic she had left to relieve the frostbite.

Veldrin felt a slight tingling on his skin as the frost slowly disappeared.

"I can't heal you completely now," Riveria said seriously. "But at least you'll regain some mobility."

Veldrin flexed his arm. He still felt discomfort, but the stiffness had largely disappeared.

"Thank you."

Finn looked at the group one last time before turning his attention back to the situation. "We'll move in small groups. We're going to regain control of the city." The fight was not over yet.

Veldrin and the members of the Loki Familia leaped back into the fray, advancing through the shattered streets of Orario. Evilus had taken over several areas of the city, and every street had become a battlefield. Screams, explosions, and the sound of steel clashing with steel filled the air.

Veldrin, still feeling the discomfort in his arm, decided not to be left behind. He closed his eyes for a moment and activated Immolation.

Flames engulfed his body, but, as he expected, his frozen arm showed no signs of thawing. The logic was simple: his own fire couldn't harm him, so just as he couldn't burn himself, it couldn't melt the ice covering his skin.

But that didn't matter.

Even with one arm disabled, Immolation offered him an alternative. With his body engulfed in flames, his mere presence became a threat to his enemies. His glaive burned with ferocious intensity, and each slash he threw left a trail of fire, scorching any Evilus members who dared to confront him.

At her side, Gareth advanced like an unstoppable wall, felling enemies with each blow of his massive axe. Riveria, her face hardened with determination, cast attack spells and protective barriers, ensuring the group could advance without suffering unnecessary casualties.

Finn led the offensive with his spear, striking with surgical precision, eliminating ringleaders and keeping team morale high.

Veldrin spun his flaming glaive and slashed at an approaching enemy with a poisoned dagger. 

Fire engulfed him in an instant, reducing him to a charred corpse before he could even scream.

However, despite their successful advance, Evilus didn't give ground easily. Every corner concealed traps, improvised explosives, and fanatics willing to sacrifice themselves to sow more chaos.

Veldrin gritted his teeth. This wasn't just a battle. It was a massacre orchestrated to plunge Orario into hell.

The advance through the city became more difficult with every meter traveled. Evilus's forces fought not only with brutality, but with terrifying coordination. They didn't fight to win; they fought to destroy everything in their path.

Veldrin slid to the side, dodging a sword slash before kicking the attacker, staggering him. He swung his glaive in a wide arc, scything through the enemies with flames dancing with each slash. The feeling of his frozen arm was uncomfortable, but he'd grown accustomed to the dead weight.

Finn raised his voice above the chaos. "We can't keep fighting like this! We need to stabilize a point and regroup!"

Gareth, who had just smashed another enemy with his axe, grunted. "Easier said than done. They keep coming like rats."

Riveria raised her staff and quickly cast a barrier spell, blocking the blast that would have otherwise reached them. "If this fight drags on too long, we'll be exhausted before the real danger arrives."

Veldrin knew they were right. Evilus hadn't yet deployed his strongest fighters… which meant this was just the beginning.

"Then let's clear this area as quickly as possible and establish a defensive line!" Finn shouted, jabbing his spear into one enemy before turning and delivering a lightning thrust to another.

The Loki Familia intensified their offensive. Veldrin charged forward with the flames of Immolation, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. They couldn't afford to waste any more time.

But then, a thunderous sound shook the area.

But then, a thunderous sound shook the area.

Veldrin instinctively turned his head, his honed senses picking up on the source of the rumble. Amid the chaos of battle, a figure moved precisely across the rooftops of the ruined buildings. It was a tall man, wrapped in black armor that absorbed the moonlight, advancing with firm, unwavering steps.

Finn noticed it too and frowned. "That armor… can't be…"

The prum narrowed his eyes, following him with his gaze as the warrior moved with overwhelming ease, as if the destruction around him was nothing more than a passing landscape.

"It can't be who…?" Veldrin asked, still on guard.

Finn tightened his grip on his spear. "Zald. Former executive of the Zeus Familia."

Veldrin blinked. That name wasn't unfamiliar to him. The Zeus Familia, along with the Hera Familia, had been the strongest before the defeat against the Black Dragon. If this man was part of them…

Finn continued quickly. "If Alfia is with Evilus… then so is he."

Veldrin felt a chill. If that was true, then they were dealing with two individuals who had once been among the strongest adventurers in Orario. And if Alfia's power was already terrifying…

But, against all odds, Zald didn't stop. He didn't even glance in their direction beyond a brief glance before moving on, disappearing into the rubble and the night.

Veldrin couldn't help but frown. "Isn't he going to attack us?"

Finn seemed equally confused. "It seems like his goal was something else from the start… he's retreating."

"So…" Veldrin turned his gaze back to the battle still raging around him. "That means the worst is yet to come."

Finn nodded gravely. "Exactly."

Veldrin and the Loki Familia took advantage of the confusion following Zald's retreat. With each coordinated move, they advanced, pushing the Evilus members into a forced retreat. Finn led with impeccable precision, his spear piercing any enemy who dared to resist.

Gareth, still reeling from his fight with Alfia, wasn't far behind. With each swing of his axe, bodies were flung from the air or smashed against the walls with a terrifying crunch. At his side, Riveria, still visibly frayed, maintained a constant barrage of magic to sustain the offensive without giving them respite.

Veldrin, for his part, had joined the formation with his own unique fighting style. His right arm was still useless from the ice, but he compensated with Immolation, covering his body in flames and becoming a whirlwind of destruction. His fiery blade cut and burned at the same time, reducing to ash those who dared to get too close.

It was at that moment that a deafening roar shook the street. From the other end, a group of figures emerged from the shadows, accompanied by a beastly roar.

"Ganesha Familia, come forward!"

A man's powerful voice echoed above the chaos, and within seconds, the Ganesha Familia entered the scene. Their ranks were mostly made up of adventurers specialized in monster containment, but this time, their military discipline was focused on stopping Evilus's followers.

Leading them, a huge, muscular man in an elephant mask, Ganesha himself, laughed heartily as his adventurers swept the area in organized formations.

"Justice will prevail in Orario!" Ganesha bellowed, arms wide open, as if he were in the middle of a show.

Veldrin could barely process how ridiculous the god looked in such a chaotic moment, but he couldn't deny his effectiveness. The Ganesha Familia had numbers, and his arrival tipped the scales even further in their favor.

Finn wasted no time. "Seize your advantage! Push toward the city center and secure the plaza!"

The Loki Familia adventurers redoubled their efforts. Now, with pressure from both sides, Evilus was beginning to fracture. Its forces, though organized at first, were now showing signs of despair.

The tide was turning. But Veldrin couldn't help feeling that something wasn't right.

Veldrin moved forward quickly, still engulfed in flames, until he was a few meters away from the gigantic god with the elephant mask.

"Lord Ganesha!" he called, his tone serious. "What are you doing here? It's dangerous, you should be somewhere safe."

The god of the crowd let out a thunderous laugh, spreading his arms in a theatrical gesture. "I am Ganesha! How could I sit back while my children risk their lives for the city?"

Veldrin frowned. "That doesn't matter. If you die, all your Familia members will lose their blessing. 

It would be a disaster."

Ganesha tilted his head, as if considering her words, but then crossed his arms and replied confidently. "My children are strong. And if they're willing to risk themselves to protect Orario, how could I do less?"

Veldrin gritted his teeth. He knew arguing with a stubborn god was a waste of time, but Ganesha's temerity still frustrated him. Before he could persist, however, Finn approached, giving him a quick glance.

"You're not going to convince him," he said softly. Then he looked at Ganesha and nodded. "If you're already here, then make it count."

Ganesha pounded his fist into his palm. "Of course! My sons and I will bring peace to this city!"

Veldrin sighed, but ultimately decided to let it be. They didn't have time to argue, and the battle wasn't over yet.

As the offensive continued, a new presence joined the battle. A group of lightly armored adventurers wearing robes marked with the emblem of the golden scales made their way through the ruined streets, fighting with precision and discipline.

"The Astrea Familia…" Veldrin muttered, watching as the newcomers unhesitatingly charged at the remains of Evilus.

But what really caught his attention was a small, pink-haired pallum. Despite her small stature, she moved with impressive agility, taking down enemies with daggers in both hands. However, something was wrong. Blood stained her face, dripping from her ears and nose.

Veldrin quickly approached, slowing his own progress to get a better look at her. "Hey, are you okay?"

The pallum gave him a sharp look before wiping the blood with the back of her hand. "I'm fine. I can fight."

Veldrin frowned. He didn't need to be a healer to notice that his condition was far from ideal. "Your body says otherwise. If you keep pushing yourself..."

"I don't care," Lyra interrupted with a ferocious smile. "I'm not going to stop just for a little blood."

Veldrin watched her for a moment, assessing her determination. It wasn't empty recklessness, but ironclad conviction. Finally, he sighed and nodded.

"Just don't die," he said, before diving back into the battle.

Veldrin advanced through the chaos until he came across a familiar figure. With golden hair and a green robe, Ryuu swung his sword with surgical precision, dispatching Evilus's followers with terrifying efficiency.

Without exchanging words, Veldrin stood behind him, raising his glaives. They didn't need to speak; their bodies reacted instinctively.

They had trained together for days, and now, in the heat of battle, that experience paid off. 

Veldrin anticipated Ryuu's movements with ease, covering the angles she left exposed. When Ryuu dodged to the left, he swept at the enemies on the right. When she leaped to slash from above, he swung his weapon around to cover her back.

The pace of their fight was relentless. An enemy tried to ambush them from the flank, but Ryuu flicked his wrist slightly, as if giving a signal, and Veldrin reacted instantly. His glaive pierced the attacker before he could even raise his weapon.

They were two shadows moving in perfect harmony, a language of steel and blood where words were unnecessary.

The battle began to wind down. With the Loki Familia leading the offensive, the Astrea Familia demonstrating their unwavering sense of justice, the Ganesha Familia imposing their numbers and discipline, and Veldrin moving with surgical precision alongside Ryuu, the remnants of Evilus in the area were either exterminated or forced to flee.

The last screams of the fanatics faded, some captured by the Ganesha Familia, others simply falling into the rubble of the ruined city. The survivors of Evilus retreated into the shadows, leaving behind the destruction they had wrought.

Veldrin exhaled, feeling the fatigue in his muscles for the first time. His arm was still numb from the ice, but the warmth of Immolation at least allowed him to move it with some clumsiness. He looked around.

The Loki Familia was beginning to regroup. Finn, still holding his spear, watched the scene with his calculating expression, making sure there were no immediate threats. Gareth snorted heavily, resting his massive axe on the ground, while Riveria checked on the wounded with her usual cool demeanor, though Veldrin noticed the tension in her gaze.

The Astrea Familia was also beginning to relax. Alise Lovell, their leader, ran a hand through her red hair and sighed, but her posture was still that of someone ready for another fight at any moment. Kaguya looked at the bodies of the fallen Evilus members with obvious contempt, while Lyra, despite being covered in blood, simply smiled wearily.

"Looks like we made it." Ryuu finally spoke, her breathing still somewhat ragged.

Veldrin nodded. But as his allies lowered their weapons, he couldn't ignore the feeling of unease that still ran through him.

The tension in the air slowly began to dissipate. Although the ground was still covered in rubble and blood, there were no more enemies lurking. Only the whispers of adventurers, the sound of dying flames, and the crackling of damaged buildings remained.

Veldrin let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the battle finally fall upon his shoulders. His body ached, his arm still partially numb, but at least it was all over.

The members of the Ganesha Familia began securing the area, rounding up the criminals they had captured and helping the wounded. Ganesha, with his imposing figure, surveyed the scene with a serious expression, quite unlike his usual cheerful demeanor.

Finn exchanged glances with Riveria and Gareth, making sure they were both fit to continue. The elf had already begun applying her healing magic to the most affected adventurers, while Gareth took a moment to rest.

At the Astrea Familia, Alisé smiled wearily, but with a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. Kaguya crossed her arms, surveying the remains of the battle with her usual air of superiority, while Lyra, still with traces of blood on her face, refused to remain still.

Ryuu stepped away from Veldrin and walked over to her companions, making sure they were all right. Veldrin, for his part, stood still for a moment, finally allowing himself to breathe calmly.

The city was wounded, but it had held its own. The attack was over.

Veldrin turned, ready to leave. Now that the battle was over, his priority was to find Xander and Lili, to make sure they were safe. But he had barely taken a few steps when he felt a sharp pain in his frozen arm. His body protested the sudden movement, and he had to stop for a moment.

Riveria, who was watching him with a frown, soon approached.

"Stop, I need to heal you before you do something stupid."

Veldrin tensed, knowing he'd be wasting time if he stayed, but also understanding that if he didn't, his condition might worsen. Still, when Riveria raised a hand, ready to cast her magic, Finn stopped her with a gesture.

"You've already used too much magic today, Riveria. You're too close to mind down." The elf seemed ready to argue, but Finn shook his head.

"It's not worth taking the risk now. Let someone else handle it."

Riveria clicked her tongue in frustration, but she couldn't refute Finn's words. Although her posture remained firm, Veldrin noticed the slight trembling in her hands, the accumulated exhaustion from the battle and the overuse of her magic. If she pushed herself beyond her limits, she would collapse.

"Then someone give him a potion," Finn ordered, turning his gaze to the nearby adventurers.

One of the Ganesha Familia members reacted quickly, pulling a flask from his kit and handing it to Veldrin. Without arguing, the elf took it and drank in one gulp. He felt the warm liquid run down his throat and a slight tingle on his frozen arm as the potion's magic began to take effect. It wouldn't be enough for a full recovery, but at least it would allow him to move more easily.

Veldrin closed his eyes for a moment, taking a breath, before speaking with determination.

"Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go."

Finn looked at him for a moment, assessing him, before nodding. "Go. But be careful."

Without wasting any more time, Veldrin turned on his heels and walked away, with one goal in mind: to find his Familia.

…

Veldrin moved through the streets of Orario with quick, steady steps, ignoring the pain in his arm, still raw from the fight. With every step, his mind imagined the worst: Xander injured, Lili in danger, his home reduced to rubble. He had to get there quickly.

When he finally spotted the Familia headquarters, a momentary relief washed over him at seeing it intact. There were no signs of fighting at the entrance, no bodies, no traces of destruction. Even so, the unease remained in his chest.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside, his eyes scanning the interior for any sign of disaster. That's when he saw it.

Xander stood in the center of the room, his clothes stained with blood.

Veldrin's heart stopped for a moment.

"Xander."

The god looked up, and noticing the alarmed expression on his captain's face, he raised his hands in a calming gesture.

"Relax, it's not mine."

Veldrin immediately approached, squinting at his god. While Xander had scratches and dust on his clothes, he didn't seem seriously injured. But the blood… Before I could ask, Xander sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"It's from Lili's."

Veldrin felt a chill run down his spine.

"What?"

Xander grimaced and pointed toward one of the rooms.

"During the chaos, a stray arrow struck her in the side. It wasn't fatal, but she lost quite a bit of blood."

Veldrin felt the tension in his body intensify.

"And now?"

Xander exhaled, his tone becoming calmer.

"She's out of danger now. I treated her as soon as she was brought here. I used a strong potion and made sure there were no traces of poison left in the wound. She's resting."

Veldrin closed his eyes for a moment, processing the information. The feeling of despair began to dissipate, although the worry remained.

"Who brought it?" he finally asked.

Xander smiled slightly.

"The same person who saved her. Someone from the Ganesha Familia found us and brought her here."

Veldrin nodded slowly, his mind still reliving the image of Xander covered in blood. He brought a hand to his face, feeling the exhaustion hit him harder now that he knew Lili was safe.

Xander patted him on the shoulder.

"You can see her if you want. But be careful, she's still weak."

Veldrin didn't need any more words. Without answering, he walked toward the room where Lili was resting.

Veldrin carefully opened the door to the room. The interior was dim, lit only by a dim lamp that cast soft shadows on the walls.

Lili was lying on a futon, her small figure wrapped in thick blankets. Her normally lively and alert face was now pale and serene, with an expression of tranquility forced by exhaustion. Her breathing was regular, though shallow, and her chest trembled slightly with each exhalation.

Veldrin knelt beside her, looking at the clean bandage covering her side. Despite the treatment, her body still seemed fragile, as if one wrong move could break her.

He couldn't help but feel a weight on his chest.

She'd been fighting with all her might out there, facing Alfia, surviving the impossible... and meanwhile, Lili had been here, suffering alone.

He clenched his fists.

He hadn't been able to protect her.

Xander had done the right thing, he'd made sure Lili was safe. But Veldrin wasn't there. There was nothing he could have done.

Lili stirred a little in her sleep, her brow furrowing slightly. Then, she murmured something in a low, barely audible voice.

"…Veldrin…"

The elf blinked.

He wasn't sure if he'd said it consciously or if it was just a reflection of his unconsciousness. But hearing his name in such a faint tone hardened his resolve.

He reached out and gently placed his fingers on Lili's head, in an almost imperceptible gesture.

"Rest, Lili."

She would stay there, at least for a while. Because even though she hadn't been there when she was hurt… she was here now. And this time, she wouldn't let anything else happen to her.

The silence in the room was heavy, but not uncomfortable. Only the soft sound of Lili's breathing broke the stillness. Veldrin sat beside her, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath.

Xander, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, let out a sigh before speaking softly.

"It's been a long day."

Veldrin didn't respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on Lili.

"How did it happen?" he finally asked, his tone more tense than he intended.

Xander uncrossed his arms and stepped closer, resting one knee on the floor.

"During the chaos, as people ran through the streets, someone fired an arrow at random. I don't think they were aiming at her specifically… she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Veldrin closed his eyes for a moment, letting the words settle in his mind. It hadn't been a targeted attack. Just bad luck.

But that didn't make it any easier to accept.

"I was able to treat her in time," Xander continued. "At least until the Ganesha Familia member arrived, she lost some blood, but the wound wasn't fatal. She'll be fine."

There was a brief silence between the two.

Veldrin ran a hand over his face, feeling fatigue finally catching up with him. His arm was still numb from the cold, and his body ached from all the exertions of the battle. But all of that felt insignificant compared to the guilt weighing on his chest.

Xander glanced at him before letting out a soft laugh.

"Stop making that face." Veldrin glared at him.

Xander smiled calmly.

"There was nothing you could have done about it. You're not omnipresent, and believe me, if you'd tried to be in two places at once, you'd have ended up worse off than her."

Veldrin grunted, not wanting to argue but not willing to accept it so easily either.

Xander stood up and patted him on the shoulder.

"Go get some rest. I don't think Lili wants to wake up to your funeral face. Tomorrow is another day."

Veldrin didn't respond, but he didn't move either.

Xander sighed and, without further ado, left the room.

The elf looked back at Lili.

I knew Xander was right. But still…

Just a little more.

He stayed there, watching over his sleep, until tiredness finally overcame him.

When Xander left the room, his expression changed completely. The nonchalance he'd displayed in front of Veldrin vanished, revealing a look filled with tension.

He leaned against the hallway wall, exhaling slowly as he ran a hand over his face.

It wasn't just Lili. She was worried about Veldrin too.

I'd seen it in his eyes, in the way he barely responded, in the way his body seemed on the verge of collapse yet refused to rest. Veldrin had a habit of carrying more weight than his share, and now was no different.

Xander clicked his tongue in frustration.

She couldn't blame him. After what he'd been through, it was normal to feel that way. But that didn't mean she liked seeing him in that state.

He crossed his arms, leaning his head against the wall as he let out another sigh.

Tomorrow he would speak to him. Not as his god, but as his friend.

For now…

I just hoped he would at least get some rest.