As Melin stepped into Asia, Steve, Howard, and Peggy exerted great effort to shake off the surveillance team sent by Senator Brandt. They arrived in Athens ahead of their pursuers.
"Uh… are we really just going up there like this? Shouldn't we… bring a gift or something?" Howard asked nervously.
Among the three, he was the only ordinary person with no combat abilities. Peggy was a top-tier agent, known as the "English Rose," while Steve was the renowned "Captain."
Normally, Howard took pride in his intelligence, which far surpassed the other two combined. But now… if conflict arose, what was he supposed to do? Throw his brains at the enemy?
"I don't think that's necessary. Besides, we don't even know what they might need," Steve replied.
"Fine, let's just hope we don't get carried out on stretchers," Howard muttered.
"Didn't you say you had a good relationship with their Pope? Why are you so scared?" Peggy rolled her eyes and scolded him.
"That was years ago! We only met once, and we haven't spoken since. Who knows if he even remembers me?"
Howard felt frustrated. He was a man who repaid kindness, and after Stark Industries rose to prominence, he had used every possible connection to find Shion—but to no avail. Even the 30% of shares he had promised remained locked away in his safe, untouched. It seemed Shion had truly helped him on a whim, expecting nothing in return.
"Enough. Let's get moving. If we delay any longer, Brandt's men will catch up," Steve urged.
"Do you even know where we're going?" Peggy and Howard asked, surprised.
"Mount Lycabettus. I trust they will grant us an audience."
"You're awfully confident," Howard muttered.
But he didn't object. As Steve had said, they didn't have time to waste, nor did they have any other options.
The three geared up and, under the hopeful and admiring gazes of the locals, entered Mount Lycabettus. The people wished for them to gain the favor of the gods and return safely to tell tales of the Sanctuary.
"Wait."
A short distance in, Peggy suddenly stopped, grabbing Steve and Howard.
"What's wrong?"
Howard immediately hid behind Steve, who raised his shield defensively.
"Look—the fog is getting thicker."
Peggy pointed to their surroundings.
"It seems we've entered the outskirts of the Sanctuary," Steve recalled from the intelligence reports.
"What do we do? Keep going or retreat and prepare more?" Howard asked.
"We move forward. Mark our path as we go," Steve suggested.
"Alright."
They nodded and followed Steve into the mist, carefully marking their way.
However, to their dismay, the markings were useless. No matter how far they traveled, everything felt eerily familiar, as if they were walking in circles. Yet, they couldn't find any of their previous markers.
They realized the danger but had no choice but to press on. They had anticipated this possibility and were prepared for a long struggle.
A day passed. Then another.
The sky, shrouded in fog, deprived them of any sense of time. They had long lost track of how many days they had wandered. Their communication devices, GPS, and compass were all useless. Their food and water were nearly depleted. If they didn't find a way out soon, they would face starvation.
In fact, when their supplies dwindled to a third, they had already planned to turn back—but to their horror, they couldn't find the way down.
"Steve, what now?" Howard asked.
"We have three meals' worth of food left, and water for two days at most. If we don't find a way out, we'll be trapped here," Peggy stated.
"We push forward. Ration the supplies. Since we can't go back, we can only go forward," Steve said firmly.
The other two hesitated but saw no better option. They nodded and followed him.
Another day passed. Then another.
Their food and water were gone. They survived only by scavenging wild greens and drinking dew.
Peggy and Howard were on the verge of collapse, their consciousness fading. Only Steve, gritting his teeth, carried them forward.
He no longer cared about reaching the Sanctuary. His only thought was getting them out alive.
"S-Steve… I… I can't go on… leave… leave me behind… at least you…"
"Shut up, Howard. Save your strength instead of wasting it talking."
"S-Steve… let us… go… even if… only you…"
"Stop talking."
Steve refused outright. One was his best friend, the other his beloved—he would never abandon them.
Was this it? Was this the end?
Steve set them down briefly to rest. Looking at their weakened forms, he then glanced at his wrist. Determined, he pulled out a dagger.
"Open your mouths."
"W-what are you doing…?" Peggy's eyes widened in horror as she realized what he was about to do.
She wanted to stop him, but she was too weak to even lift a finger.
"Trust me, Peggy. I will get you out of here. Now, open your mouth."
"No… don't…"
"No choice."
Seeing her refusal, Steve resolved to act. He aimed to slice his wrist and press it against her lips.
But just as he was about to cut, a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"Who—?!"
Steve instinctively flipped the dagger, ready to strike, but a powerful force pressed him to the ground.
The pain from hitting the ground jolted his mind awake. The situation felt… familiar.
"Garon?" he asked hesitantly.
"Heh, is this how you recognize me now?"
A familiar voice chuckled. The pressure on his back disappeared, and as Steve sat up, the fog began to dissipate. Sunlight poured in, illuminating Garon's grinning face. Behind him stood four warriors clad in silver armor.
"You guys…"
"Congratulations. You've passed the trial."
Garon stepped back, joining the four silver-clad warriors. With a serious expression, they placed a hand over their chests and bowed.
"Welcome to the Sanctuary."
"Help them! They're barely hanging on!" Steve pleaded.
"Relax. We've prepared a place for you to rest. Orpheus," Garon called out.
The Lyra Saint, Orpheus, stepped forward and carried Howard on his back.
As for Peggy…
"She's your woman. You carry her yourself," Garon teased.
Steve sighed, shooting Garon a glare for his untimely joke, but he felt warmth returning to his body. His strength was slowly recovering, and Peggy and Howard's pale faces were regaining color.
Lifting Peggy in his arms, Steve followed Orpheus to their designated resting place.
"Thanks, Orpheus. I'll take over from here," Garon said.
"I'll report to the Pope," Orpheus nodded.
By now, more Saints had returned to the Sanctuary, easing their duties. But they still had work to do.
In fact, ever since Steve and his team entered the mist, Shion had been monitoring their progress. Knowing Garon and Steve were friends, he assigned Garon to wait for them. The other four Saints—Orpheus, Rubioni, Phoebilla, and Coloners—had come out of curiosity about Steve.
Garon had boasted about meeting an impressive friend in the outside world, and they wanted to see for themselves.
But after witnessing Steve's determination, resilience, and selflessness, their curiosity turned into genuine respect.
"Garon, what was that all about?" Steve asked after settling his companions.
"A trial, of course. Did you think just anyone could walk into the Sanctuary?" Garon smirked.
"So… we passed?" Steve let out a wry smile.
"More like—you passed," Garon clarified.
"Me?"
"Yes. This test was meant for you alone."