In this poignant moment, Athena focuses intently on stabilizing Shigenori, her hands glowing with divine energy as she channels everything she has into combating the hell poison. She knows she's running out of time, but the determination in Kirashi's voice spurs her on. Kirashi, clutching Shigenori's hand tightly, can't help but let all the pent-up emotions pour out. She's been hiding her feelings behind her tough exterior for so long that the flood of guilt and love is overwhelming.
"You can't just leave me like this," she sobs, wiping away tears. "I know I didn't always show it, but I need you here. I need you to keep annoying me, to make me laugh when things get too hard, to remind me what it means to keep going. We've been through too much together for it to end like this. Just... just hang on."
Athena casts a worried glance at Kirashi, then back to Shigenori, whose breathing is shallow and ragged. The poison is relentless, spreading through his veins like wildfire. She can feel the malevolent energy within it, an energy that resists all attempts to purge it from his system.
"Kirashi," Athena says, her voice low but steady. "You need to keep talking to him. Reach out to him in whatever way you can. His spirit might hear you, even if his body is fighting for every breath."
Kirashi nods, her fingers gripping Shigenori's hand even tighter as she leans closer, her voice quivering. "Remember when we were kids, and I promised I'd always look out for you? I didn't do a great job at that, did I? But you can't leave me now. We're in this together. You fight, Shigenori. For me, for us."
Athena keeps working, her face lined with concentration and worry. She's pushing herself to her limits, drawing on every ounce of power she possesses to hold back the poison and prevent it from spreading further. The weight of Kirashi's words resonates with her, a reminder of the profound connections humans share, something even the gods often fail to understand fully.
In this emotional moment, Shigenori finds a last bit of strength to reassure Kirashi, touching her face as he tells her she's always been a good sister. Kirashi's intense crying slows, yet the weight of the situation remains heavy. Suddenly, a rift appears beside them, and Hermes steps through, his presence both comforting and urgent.
Hermes relays the news from the all mighty god: they have permission to travel to the heavens, where they can treat the hell poison afflicting Shigenori. However, Hermes emphasizes that time is of the essence—if Shigenori doesn't survive the journey, the consequences are grim. They have no room for delay, as failure means Shigenori will face immediate execution to prevent any further spread of the poison. Athena takes in the gravity of Hermes' words, nodding resolutely as she prepares them for the swift journey to the heavens.
As the portal begins to form, Athena places a reassuring hand on Kirashi's shoulder. "We'll do everything we can," she says, steadying her voice. With a glance back at Shigenori, Athena summons all her healing strength and focuses it on stabilizing him for the trip. The light around them grows as they step closer to the rift, their destination set, with hope resting in the heavens.
Raiden, Zohar, and Kaito are jolted awake by the sudden pounding on their chamber door. The persistent knocking is accompanied by a loud shout, "Wake up! You're late!" echoes the voice of an angel standing impatiently outside. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, they drag themselves out of bed, their bodies still aching from the intense training they endured the day before.
Groggy and stiff, the three friends exchange tired glances, each wincing as they stretch their sore muscles. "Didn't think I'd wake up feeling worse than I did after battle," Kaito mutters, rubbing his shoulder. Zohar nods in agreement, his eyelids heavy, while Raiden forces himself to move, gritting his teeth against the discomfort.
As they step outside, the angel eyes them sternly, arms crossed. "You need to get to the hall immediately," he says, his tone sharp and urgent. "You're already late, which means today's training will be even harsher on you." The angel doesn't wait for a response, already moving ahead and expecting them to follow.
With a collective groan, they pick up their pace, stumbling after the angel through the winding corridors. The weight of their mission presses down on them, adding to the fatigue that clings to every step. They know they can't afford to fall behind, not with so much at stake. This morning's training is going to be grueling, but they brace themselves, knowing they must push through.
As they reach the grand hall, Raiden, Zohar, and Kaito barely have a moment to catch their breath before a booming voice fills the space. "What time do you call this?" Odin's voice echoes through the room, sharp and edged with frustration. His gaze is piercing, his stance firm, and they instantly feel the weight of his disapproval. "This mission is far too important for you to sleep in," he scolds, crossing his arms over his chest. "This isn't some... summer camp, as you humans would call it. The more time we waste, the more time Lucifer has to gather his forces and strengthen his grip. Every second is precious!"
The three friends stand there, stiff and silent, not daring to speak up or offer excuses. Odin doesn't allow them to dwell on their tardiness for long. He strides forward, his voice firm but with a glimmer of encouragement. "Today, you'll learn how to harness the powers within you," he says, shifting gears and moving into training mode. "Each of you has unique abilities, abilities that have been given to you by the gods. You'll find that your powers are different from each other's, reflecting who you are."
They feel a ripple of anticipation, tempered by the sting of Odin's rebuke. Raiden clenches his fists, determination flickering in his eyes as he absorbs Odin's words. Zohar's heart races, curiosity mingling with apprehension about the powers he has yet to understand. Kaito stands straighter, his previous grogginess replaced by a flicker of excitement and resolve.
Odin gestures for them to follow him further into the hall. They do so without hesitation, aware that today marks the beginning of something profound. It's time to dive into the depths of their newfound abilities, and they're keenly aware that the fate of more than just themselves depends on how quickly they can master what's been given to them.
Odin gestures toward Raiden, his expression firm but expectant. "Raiden," he says, "you have raw talent, but you need to learn control. Today, you'll face a trial that will challenge your ability to stay grounded and focused under pressure."
With a quick nod to an angel at the far side of the hall, Odin sets the test in motion. From a series of launchers, medium-sized golden balls, each one glowing with an ethereal light and about the size of a baseball, rise up and line themselves in a row. They seem small but radiate an intimidating energy.
"These spheres will come at you one after another," Odin explains. "Your task is to catch each one without letting them knock you down. Use your lightning to keep yourself grounded. You'll need to focus and control the energy around you, or the impact will send you flying."
Raiden stands tall, his muscles tense, as he channels his lightning through his legs and into the ground. Small bolts crackle around him, anchoring him like living chains. He braces himself as the first golden ball comes hurtling toward him at high speed. He reaches out, but the force of the impact nearly sends him sprawling. He stumbles, barely keeping his balance, and feels the sting as it hits his chest.
Before he can fully recover, another ball launches at him. This time, he tries to adjust, letting more lightning surge into his legs, but the ball slams into his shoulder, and he falls back a step. Another ball comes, and then another—each one a relentless assault on his focus and strength. He grits his teeth, steadying himself each time, but he finds himself constantly off-balance, his muscles beginning to ache from the strain.
After several rounds, his body is battered, but a new determination starts to grow within him. He recalls Odin's words about focus and control. Taking a deep breath, he tightens his stance and centers himself. This time, as he channels his lightning, he lets it flow steadily rather than in bursts. The next ball comes, and he reaches out, catching it with one hand. The lightning surges down into his legs, anchoring him so firmly that he barely shifts when the ball strikes.
Gradually, he starts catching each ball, one after another. His hands move faster, his grip stronger, and with each catch, his confidence builds. The last golden ball slams into his grasp, and he pulls it in, his lightning now steady and controlled.
As the test ends, Raiden stands amidst the fallen golden spheres, breathing heavily but victorious. Though bruised and sore, he feels a rush of accomplishment. Odin nods approvingly. "You've learned something valuable today, Raiden. The power within you is only as strong as your ability to control it. Remember this—your focus will determine your strength."
Raiden wipes the sweat from his brow, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. He may have stumbled, but each failure pushed him closer to understanding the true depth of his powers.
Odin approaches Zohar with a piercing gaze, arms crossed as he considers the next training task. "Zohar," he says, "you possess extraordinary speed and enhanced vision—gifts that few can claim. But speed alone is meaningless without precision, and vision is useless without the ability to act quickly on what you see. Today's trial will test both."
He gestures towards a wide battlefield, where shields of various shapes and sizes are scattered about. Some are plain, while others are marked with an "X." Behind several of the shields stand Odin's warriors, prepared to challenge Zohar.
"Your task is to single out every shield marked with an 'X,'" Odin explains. "You'll have to move quickly, as the warriors will try to strike you the moment you're in their range. With your speed, you should be able to outmaneuver them. And with your hyper vision, you should be able to pinpoint each mark in an instant. But be warned: if you're too slow, they'll hit you with everything they have."
Zohar nods, stretching his arms and legs as he prepares. He can feel his heartbeat quicken, not from fear but from excitement. He's always known he was fast, but now he'll have to push himself to his limits. Taking a deep breath, he fixes his gaze on the field, his hyper vision activating. Everything sharpens—the outlines of the shields, the faint markings on them, and even the subtle shifts in stance from each warrior behind the shields.
Without hesitation, Zohar dashes forward, a blur of movement across the battlefield. His eyes lock onto the first shield with an "X," and in a split second, he's there, touching it before the warrior even has time to react. He immediately pivots and speeds toward the next marked shield. This time, the warrior attempts a swing, but Zohar's heightened vision detects the movement instantly. He ducks, narrowly avoiding the blow, and tags the shield with ease.
Zohar darts from one end of the field to the other, each step calculated and swift. He feels a surge of exhilaration as he dodges attacks, his enhanced vision allowing him to read each warrior's intent before they even act. At times, he can almost predict where they'll strike, their movements sluggish in comparison to his own.
As he reaches the final shield, Zohar suddenly finds himself flanked by two warriors, both ready to strike. In a moment of instinct, he focuses his vision on the slightest of hesitations in one warrior's stance, a small shift that signals a momentary weakness. Zohar twists his body to avoid the first blow, spinning around the warrior and narrowly avoiding the second attack. He lands his hand on the shield with the "X," completing his task.
He stops, panting slightly, as Odin strides over, a look of approval in his eyes. "Well done, Zohar," he says. "You moved with precision and used your vision as a weapon, just as you should. Remember this: speed and sight make for a powerful combination, but they are only as effective as your ability to control them. Today, you proved that you can."
Zohar straightens up, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. He feels stronger, more attuned to his abilities than ever before. The trial has pushed him, but it has also shown him what he's capable of. He nods to Odin, ready for whatever comes next.
Odin turns his attention to Kaito, the final piece of his trio of chosen warriors. Kaito stands before him, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension on his face as he prepares for what lies ahead.
"Kaito," Odin begins, his voice booming with authority, "yours will be the most challenging task of them all."
Kaito raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Great. Just what I wanted. Why do I have to get the worst one?"
Odin gestures for Kaito to listen closely. "You will be submerged underwater, bound by chains that will limit your movements. The water will be continuously cooling until it reaches permafrost temperatures. Your objective is to break free of your restraints and navigate the depths while avoiding the beings that lurk beneath. They will also be striving to reach the surface, and you will need to confront or evade them as you go."
Kaito's eyes widen in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me! I mean, Raiden had to dodge golden balls, and Zohar had to run laps against warriors. And I get this? Underwater, freezing, with who-knows-what waiting to attack me? How is that fair?"
Odin's lips curl into a slight smirk, the corners of his mouth lifting at Kaito's exasperation. "It is not about fairness, Kaito. It is about testing your adaptability and intellect. You have unique water abilities that can aid you here. However, using your ice powers will only accelerate the freezing process of the water. You must think strategically and not let panic dictate your actions."
Kaito takes a deep breath, realizing the weight of the task ahead. "Okay, okay, I get it. No ice powers. Just a nice, relaxing swim under the ice-cold water while being attacked by who-knows-what. Sounds fun." He forces a smile, though the nervousness is evident in his tone.
Odin nods, his expression serious again. "Remember, Kaito, you are capable of great things. Trust in your abilities. Now, prepare yourself."
As Odin gestures, the ground beneath them shifts, revealing a massive pool of shimmering water. The surface is calm, but Kaito knows better than to trust it. He swallows hard, taking one last glance at Raiden and Zohar, who offer encouraging nods.
"Alright," Kaito mutters to himself, steeling his resolve. "Time to show them what I can do."
With that, he steps up to the edge of the pool, feeling the chill emanating from the water. As he enters, he's immediately enveloped in the cold, the temperature sending a shiver through his body. The water is dark, and he can't see the bottom. Kaito feels the chains wrap around him, binding his arms and legs, but he shakes off the initial panic. He has faced challenges before—this one will be no different.
Suddenly, the water begins to cool rapidly, and Kaito can feel the temperature dropping with each passing second. He takes a deep breath and submerges himself completely, instinctively activating his water abilities. The world around him shifts as he fights against the icy grip of the water.
He focuses, feeling the water around him, searching for the energy he needs to manipulate. He begins to pull at the moisture in the water, creating small whirlpools to keep the flow moving around him. As he does this, he notices shadowy figures lurking just beyond his line of sight, circling him in the dark depths.
"Great," Kaito thinks, heart racing. "Now I have to deal with whatever those are, too."
The first creature lunges at him, a monstrous being with jagged teeth and an eerie glow. Kaito's instincts kick in, and he shifts his focus, creating a barrier of swirling water between himself and the creature. It collides with the barrier, the force of the impact causing ripples to cascade around him.
"Not today!" Kaito mutters under his breath, feeling his resolve strengthen. He pushes against the chains, trying to break free. Each movement feels like a fight against the water itself, and the icy cold begins to bite at his skin.
"Think, Kaito, think!" he urges himself, recalling Odin's words. Using his ice powers would only make things worse, but he needs to find a way out. With a surge of determination, he channels his water abilities to create a more substantial vortex around him, lifting him closer to the surface while keeping the monsters at bay.
Just as he breaks through the first layer of darkness, another creature lunges at him. Kaito swerves to the side, narrowly avoiding its jaws, and then feels the chains loosen slightly as he thrashes in the water. A flicker of hope ignites in his chest.
With one powerful surge, he yanks at the chains with all his might, forcing the water to assist him. The bonds begin to crack under the pressure of his water manipulation. He doesn't have time to waste; he needs to escape before more creatures arrive.
The cold water surrounds him, and Kaito feels the temperature drop again. He knows he needs to act fast. He pulls energy from the depths, focusing on the remaining chains and enveloping them in a wave of rushing water. With one final push, he channels his energy, and the chains shatter, the pieces scattering into the darkness.
"Freedom!" he gasps, shooting upward towards the surface. As he breaks through, Kaito takes a deep breath of air, feeling a rush of adrenaline coursing through him. But there's no time to celebrate—he spots a creature rising from the depths, ready to strike.
"Alright, let's see what you've got!" he exclaims, determination fueling his resolve as he prepares to confront whatever lurks beneath the surface.
As Kaito surfaces, gasping for air, he feels a sudden rush of movement beneath him. The water begins to churn violently, and with a colossal splash, a gigantic leviathan breaches the surface, its scaled body glimmering ominously in the dim light. It roars, a deafening sound that sends ripples through the water, and Kaito's heart races with fear and adrenaline.
"Great! Just what I needed!" Kaito yells, instinct kicking in as he prepares for the fight of his life.
The leviathan lunges at him, jaws wide open, sharp teeth glinting like daggers. Kaito barely has time to react. He dives to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's massive maw, the water exploding around him as the leviathan crashes back into the depths. He quickly spins around, creating a swirling vortex of water, channeling his abilities to keep the beast at bay.
"Think, Kaito! You can do this!" he mutters to himself, focusing on the water around him. With a flick of his wrist, he sends a cyclone towards the leviathan, trying to disorient it. The winds whip around them, forcing the creature to stagger back momentarily.
However, the leviathan is relentless. It regains its footing and launches itself at him again, faster this time. Kaito quickly counters, forming a wall of water to absorb the impact. The collision knocks him backward, and he feels his back hit the icy surface, sending sharp pain coursing through him.
"Come on! You're stronger than this!" he shouts, pushing through the pain. He channels all his energy into the water, manipulating it into spiraling tendrils that lash out at the leviathan, trying to wrap around its massive body and hold it in place.
But the creature is too powerful. With a powerful swing of its tail, it breaks free from Kaito's grip, sending him tumbling through the water. Kaito feels the pressure of the water closing in on him, and panic begins to rise.
In a desperate move, he propels himself upwards, but the leviathan anticipates his escape. It lunges again, this time catching him in its massive jaws. Kaito feels the teeth graze against his body as he's drawn into the creature's mouth, the darkness swallowing him whole.
"Oh no, no, no! This is not how it ends!" he screams, fighting against the beast's grip. His heart races, and in that moment of desperation, he remembers Odin's words. He might be trapped in the leviathan, but he's not bound by the freezing water anymore.
Taking a deep breath, Kaito focuses his energy inward. He channels his ice powers, summoning the cold from within him. "I'm not going to become dinner today!" he roars defiantly, sending a wave of frost throughout the leviathan's mouth.
The temperature drops rapidly, and he feels the ice spreading across the creature's flesh. The leviathan thrashes, roaring in pain, but Kaito keeps pushing the frost, determined to freeze it from the inside out. The icy tendrils snake through the leviathan's throat, wrapping around its muscles and constricting its movements.
As Kaito struggles against the beast's grip, he feels the cold taking hold. The leviathan's movements slow, its fierce roar turning into a choked gasp. Kaito can feel the beast's panic as the ice encases it, freezing its insides.
"Let's see how you like this!" Kaito shouts, feeling exhilarated by the control he's finally gained. He presses deeper, forcing the ice to expand further within the leviathan.
Suddenly, he feels a violent shudder. The leviathan convulses, trying to shake him loose. Kaito grits his teeth, holding on tightly as he fights against the creature's desperate thrashing. The icy prison he created begins to crack, but he won't let it end like this.
With every ounce of strength, Kaito focuses his power, amplifying the cold and reinforcing the ice. He channels his will, commanding the frost to grip tighter, to consume the leviathan from the inside.
"No! You're not getting away!" Kaito shouts, his voice echoing through the dark waters. The leviathan's thrashing becomes more frantic as it realizes its impending defeat.
Finally, with one last surge of energy, Kaito channels a blast of ice energy directly into the leviathan's throat. The creature lets out a final, horrifying roar as the frost explodes outwards, encasing it in a shell of ice. The leviathan falls still, its massive body suspended in the water, a testament to Kaito's defiance.
Breathing heavily, Kaito swims out of the creature's mouth, emerging back into the open water. He looks at the frozen leviathan, now nothing more than a gigantic ice sculpture, and lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"I did it," he whispers in disbelief, a mix of triumph and exhaustion washing over him. "I really did it."
As he surfaces, Kaito feels the weight of his abilities settling in. He has faced fear, doubt, and the threat of death—and he has emerged victorious. The challenges ahead will be immense, but in this moment, he knows he is more than just a chosen one; he is a warrior, ready to fight for everything he loves.
With newfound determination, Kaito glances towards the surface, ready to return to his training and prepare for the battles that lie ahead.