Breaking Fate

The air in East Main Street had shifted.

A moment ago, it had been a place of celebration—bright flags swaying above, the scent of festival food lingering in the warm breeze, voices of vendors calling out their wares. But now, those sounds had vanished, replaced by something else.

A deep, guttural growl.

The heavy drag of metal chains scraping against stone.

The crowd had stopped moving, their bodies frozen in the unnatural silence. Bell stood among them, staring at the beast that had torn through the peace of the festival.

The Silverback.

It stood at the heart of the street, its long silver hair flowing down its massive back like a tail. The handcuffs on its wrists clanked with each movement, their broken chains dragging along the ground.

Bell knew this monster.

Eina had warned him about it before, in her lessons about the Dungeon. A creature from the Eleventh Floor, stronger than any enemy he had faced before.

Not as terrifying as a Minotaur—but almost as powerful as him.

And now, it was moving.

Its knees bent slightly, muscles tensing, then—

It charged.

Bell's breath caught in his throat.

It was coming straight for them.

The Silverback thundered forward, its massive form barreling down the street.

"Waaah!?"

Bell reacted instinctively.

His arms wrapped around Hestia, pulling her close as he threw them both to the side. The world spun as they hit the ground, rolling across the stone pavement in a tangled blur.

Two, three times they turned before coming to a stop. Bell forced himself upright, kneeling as he shielded her with his body.

A low snarl rumbled through the air.

The Silverback turned.

And charged again.

(Why is it still coming!?)

Bell grabbed Hestia's hand and ran, pulling her to the right—away from where the monster had been heading.

But it adjusted immediately.

Not a moment of hesitation.

Its gaze never left them.

No—never left her.

Bell's stomach twisted.

(It's targeting Kami-sama!?)

His body stiffened.

Too slow.

He had dodged too recklessly earlier, pain lancing through his limbs as he tried to move. The Silverback didn't care. Its massive arm swung through the air, thick muscle coiling as it struck—

"GUGOOO!"

The punch landed squarely against his stomach.

His armor absorbed some of the force, but the impact was still crushing.

Bell's breath vanished.

His body lifted off the ground, weightless for a brief, terrifying instant—

Then he crashed into the side of a shop.

The wooden walls cracked apart around him, splinters scattering as his back slammed into the shelves. Dust filled the air, a sharp pain pulsing through his ribs.

His armor—

There was a fist-shaped imprint on it.

Bell gasped, clutching his stomach. His breath came in short, ragged bursts.

The street was chaos.

Screams filled the air, bodies scattering like spider larvae fleeing a burning nest. In the blink of an eye, the once-crowded festival street was empty.

There was no one left to help.

"Fu… uu…"

A soft whimper.

Bell's gaze snapped up.

Hestia stood frozen, trembling in front of the approaching Silverback.

His mind went blank.

"Ughhh, NOOO!"

Ignoring the pain burning through his body, Bell ran.

He lunged for the chains dragging from the monster's wrists, gripping them tightly with both hands.

"Waaaa!"

The chains snapped taut.

The Silverback jerked to a halt, its advance interrupted.

But it only lasted for a moment.

The beast's red eyes flared with impatience. It flexed its arm, pulling hard.

Bell's body lifted off the ground.

"Ughhhh—!"

There was no comparison in strength.

The monster flung him aside like a ragdoll.

His back hit the pavement, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself up.

He pulled again—

And let go.

The sudden release sent the Silverback stumbling back, caught off guard by the shift in momentum.

An opening.

Bell didn't waste it.

He grabbed Hestia's hand.

"This way!"

They ran.

Not towards the Main Street—no, they would be caught immediately. Instead, Bell turned sharply into a narrow alley, dragging Hestia along with him.

Behind them, the monster roared in frustration.

The chase had begun.

---

"Why is it like this!?" Bell panted, his voice sharp with frustration. "Why is Kami-sama being targeted!?"

"H-How would I know!?" Hestia cried, breathless from running. "I've never seen that monster before! I really didn't do anything!"

She squeezed his hand tighter.

The Silverback was still following.

Bell could feel it.

Even though it had disappeared from view, he knew—it was there.

Stalking them.

This wasn't random destruction.

This was controlled.

Planned.

Someone had sent this monster after Hestia.

(What is going on!?)

His legs burned, but he didn't stop.

The alley twisted and turned, the towering walls of Daedalus Street closing in around them. The deeper they went, the darker it became.

No sunlight.

Only shadow.

This place—

(Daedalus Street… No, this is Daedalus Road!)

A labyrinth within Orario.

A tangled web of alleys and staircases, built without pattern or logic.

If they got lost here—

No.

Bell gritted his teeth.

They couldn't afford to stop.

"Kami-sama, turn there!"

"Y-Yes!"

Another sharp turn.

Up a set of stairs, through a narrow passageway.

They changed their route over and over, weaving through the maze.

(We lost it…?)

He glanced back.

No sign of the Silverback.

Relief flooded his chest—

A shadow moved.

His instincts screamed.

Above!

Something massive dropped from the rooftops, cutting through the gap between buildings.

A silver streak.

"AH!?"

The Silverback landed with an explosive crash, separating Bell from Hestia.

For a moment, everything stilled.

Then—

The beast roared.

Not an attack.

Not a movement.

A challenge.

A deafening, primal cry that shook Bell's entire body.

His limbs froze.

A shudder ran down his spine.

A memory—

The Minotaur.

The overwhelming force of that monster.

The fear that had shattered him.

Bell's vision swayed.

(Scary.)

The word echoed in his mind.

(Scary.)

His hands trembled.

Run.

That was all his body wanted to do.

To flee.

To escape.

To survive.

But—

Behind him, Hestia stood alone.

Her hand, the one he had let go of, trembled.

Bell's breath hitched.

Go.

Go forward.

He had made a promise.

A man could not abandon a girl.

"GOOOOOOOOO!"

He roared back.

The fear left him.

He ran.

The Silverback swung.

Bell dodged.

His dagger lashed out, slashing across its chest—

A metallic clang.

It didn't pierce.

The blade shattered.

Bell's heart dropped.

The Silverback grabbed him.

And slammed him into the wall.

Pain exploded through his body.

The monster's jaws opened, breath hot against his face.

It was over.

Then—

Light.

Blinding light.

Bell pressed a Magic Stone Lamp against its eyes.

The Silverback howled, reeling back.

Bell collapsed to the ground, gasping.

He turned—

And ran.

Not for himself.

For Hestia.

His body ached, his vision swam, but he kept moving. Hestia's hand was warm in his grasp, her breath coming in quick gasps behind him.

The Silverback roared.

It would chase them again.

They couldn't outrun it forever.

His mind spun, searching for an answer, for a way to protect her.

Then—

He saw it.

A passageway. Narrow, cramped, leading downward. At the end of it, an iron fence. Beyond that, a sewer tunnel, its dim light hinting at a way out.

A chance.

Without hesitation, Bell turned.

He threw Hestia forward.

She stumbled into the tunnel, confusion flashing across her face as she turned back to him—

Only to watch as he grabbed the iron fence.

And slammed it shut.

"Kami-sama, go!"

Her eyes widened in horror.

"Bell-kun!?"

"Please, keep running!"

His hands gripped the bars tightly, locking them into place.

Hestia lunged forward, fingers curling around the metal.

"NO!"

"Listen to me, Kami-sama!" Bell's voice shook, but he forced himself to stand firm. "If you stay with me, we'll both be killed!"

Her hands trembled.

"Then we'll run together! Open this, Bell-kun!"

He shook his head.

"I'll distract it. I can buy you time."

Understanding dawned in her eyes.

Terror followed.

"Y-You're being stupid! This isn't funny!" She shook the bars, her small frame straining against the unmovable gate. "Bell-kun, open this now!"

"Kami-sama."

Bell dropped to one knee, bringing them face to face.

For a moment, he simply looked at her.

Then, softly—

"I don't want to lose my family again."

Hestia froze.

Bell's throat tightened, but he forced himself to continue.

"I lost my grandfather. He was the only family I had. He died… because of monsters."

Hestia's grip on the bars slackened.

"I couldn't do anything back then," Bell whispered. "I wasn't strong enough. I just… listened to the villagers tell me what happened. That was all I could do."

He swallowed.

"I won't let that happen again."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, quietly, Hestia spoke.

"…I am your family, Bell-kun."

His breath hitched.

She pressed closer to the bars, voice shaking.

"I don't care how weak you are. Or how scared you are. You're my family. So don't you dare leave me behind!"

Bell clenched his fists.

The Silverback's roar echoed through the streets.

It was coming.

His grip on the gate tightened.

"Kami-sama, please…"

She shook her head fiercely.

"NO!"

Bell bit his lip.

There was no time.

The monster's shadow loomed at the alley's entrance.

Bell turned.

His hands dropped to his sides.

And he ran.

The Silverback growled, its gaze snapping toward him.

Good.

That was what he wanted.

Bell didn't stop.

Didn't hesitate.

Didn't look back.

Even as Hestia's cries followed him, even as her voice cracked from screaming his name—

He ran.

Straight toward the Silverback.

And straight toward his death.

Bell ran, his breath ragged as he wiped the back of his hand across his face. Sweat mixed with the dirt on his skin, but he ignored it, his feet pounding against the stone as he retraced his path, returning to the crossroads where he had left Hestia behind.

The Silverback had not yet appeared.

He tilted his head up, scanning the rooftops, searching the dark alleys above for any sign of movement.

Not yet.

Reaching into the pouch strapped to his leg, he pulled out a small glass vial. The deep green liquid inside shimmered faintly under the dim streetlights.

A potion.

The emblem of Miach Familia was etched into the glass.

Bell pulled the cork free and downed it in one gulp.

A shudder ran through his body as the effects took hold almost immediately.

His fatigue lifted. His limbs felt lighter. The burning pain in his muscles dulled, replaced by a rush of renewed energy.

His strength surged.

The bruises along his body no longer ached as sharply, and though he was still battered, he could move again.

Just in time.

The Silverback emerged from the far end of the alley.

Bell inhaled sharply.

This time, he turned.

And ran in the opposite direction.

"Come over here!"

His voice echoed through the empty streets.

The monster hesitated.

Its head turned from side to side, its red eyes searching, no doubt realizing that Hestia was no longer there.

For a brief moment, it seemed unsure—

But then Bell shouted again.

Louder.

"Come on!"

The Silverback's gaze locked onto him.

Then—

"GRAAAAAAAA!"

It roared, its massive frame tensing—

And it lunged.

(Okay!)

Bell turned on his heel and sprinted.

His breath was steady, his strides long and swift.

This was all because of his own weakness.

His own failure.

If he had been strong, he wouldn't have had to send Hestia away.

If he had been strong, he wouldn't have had to run.

The thoughts stabbed at his chest, but he shook them off.

There was no time for regret.

As he ran, his eyes caught the faint glow of markings on the stone walls.

Guideposts.

Arrows, painted by the residents of Daedalus Street.

They pointed the way out.

If Hestia followed them, she could escape.

(Then that means if I go the opposite way—)

The further he led the Silverback into the depths of Daedalus Road, the safer Hestia would be.

Bell tightened his grip on his dagger.

And ran toward the labyrinth's heart.

---

Eyes watched him.

He could feel them.

From the cracks between buildings, from the shadows of alleys, from the slits of half-open windows.

They were watching.

The residents of Daedalus Street.

Bell could see them.

Some peeked cautiously from behind walls, their expressions frozen in fear.

Most of them stared at him with frustration, with anger, with resentment.

He had brought this chaos into their home.

But one gaze—

One gaze was different.

Bell felt it.

It wasn't fearful.

It wasn't hateful.

It was relaxed.

Almost amused.

He couldn't see them, but he knew they were there.

Watching him.

Studying him.

The sensation left a faint chill at the back of his throat.

Bell pressed a hand against his mouth, trying to shake off the feeling—

"Kuuu!"

His instincts screamed.

From above—!

He barely had time to react.

The Silverback's massive form came crashing down from the rooftops.

Bell twisted to avoid the impact—

But he wasn't fast enough.

A heavy blow sent him tumbling across the stone road.

His body rolled, skidding to a stop in a circular plaza.

A water fountain stood at its center, its gentle spray misting the air.

Several narrow roads branched from the plaza, leading deeper into the labyrinth.

But there was nowhere to run.

"GRAAAAAA!"

The Silverback snarled, more agitated than ever.

It had lost its true target.

And now, it would take out its frustration on him.

The chains still hanging from its wrists rattled as it swung them like whips.

They cracked against the ground, carving deep scars into the stone.

Bell barely dodged.

The sound of the air splitting apart sent shivers through his spine.

The pressure was overwhelming.

Too much.

The chains lashed out again.

Again.

He evaded each strike by a hair's breadth.

But then—

One caught him.

The chain wrapped around his body, coiling tight.

Bell barely had time to react before—

A powerful yank.

His feet left the ground.

He braced himself, dagger held in front of him—

A loud clang.

The force of the impact sent sparks flying.

His arms trembled.

The sheer strength behind the attack sent a shock through his body, and the next moment—

He was thrown.

His back slammed into the ground, pain exploding through his bones.

"Ahh—kuu!"

Bell gasped, trying to push himself up—

But his limbs wouldn't move.

Everything hurt.

Too much.

He was powerless.

Completely powerless.

His fingers dug weakly into the stone.

He had no strength left.

The Silverback loomed over him, its fangs bared, its massive body casting a shadow over the plaza.

It raised a fist.

This was it.

This was the end.

Bell's mind blurred.

His thoughts scattered.

But one thing remained.

Kami-sama.

Had she escaped?

Had she made it out safely?

That was all that mattered.

As long as she was safe—

Then it was fine.

(If that's the case, then…)

He had felt this before.

That moment.

When someone had come to save him.

When Bete Loga killed the minotaur with a simple punch.

But this time—

He wouldn't come.

No one would.

Bell let out a slow, shaking breath.

He closed his eyes.

His body slumped forward.

He had lost.

"Bell-kun!"

Time seemed to stop.

The voice that called out to him shattered the haze clouding his mind, snapping him back to reality. His vision steadied, his breath came in ragged gasps, but the moment his eyes landed on the figure before him, everything froze again.

Someone who meant the world to him.

Hestia stood there, chest rising and falling with uneven breaths, sweat dripping down her face.

How? Why?

Why was she here?

His thoughts scrambled, unable to form a single coherent answer.

Then—

A low growl.

The Silverback had found her.

Its bloodshot eyes locked onto the goddess, the very existence it had been chasing. Its breathing deepened, muscles tensing, shoulders rising and falling as its focus shifted.

Away from Bell.

Onto her.

Its massive frame trembled, and then—it lunged.

"Kami-sama!"

His body moved before thought.

Ignoring the screaming pain in his limbs, Bell ran.

The distance closed in an instant, his battered form pushing beyond its limits. The Silverback's massive wrist swung forward, just a breath away from striking—

And then, Bell seized Hestia.

His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as he twisted away.

The beast's claws slashed empty air.

Momentum carried them past the monster's towering form, Bell barely keeping his balance as he rushed toward an open alley. His feet stumbled over the uneven ground, and for a moment, he thought he had made it—

Then the road vanished beneath him.

The slope gave way, and gravity took over.

Bell tumbled.

The world spun wildly, stone and sky twisting together as he and Hestia rolled, their bodies colliding against the rough incline. Her startled yelp mixed with his own sharp grunt as they crashed onto flat stone.

Dust settled.

Pain pulsed through his limbs.

Bell groaned, shifting onto his elbows as he struggled to catch his breath.

"K-Kami-sama, are you alright!?"

"A... Ah. Okay..."

Hestia's voice was weak, her head spinning from the fall. But she was safe.

Relief flooded him, and for a moment, he could breathe again.

Then—

"WHY!?"

His voice cracked with emotion, raw and desperate.

"WHY ARE YOU HERE!? DIDN'T I TELL YOU TO GO TO A SHELTER!? IF YOU WERE JUST GOING TO IGNORE ME, THEN WHAT WAS THE POINT OF EVERYTHING I DID!?"

Hestia flinched at his outburst, but she did not look away.

Her clothes clung to her from sweat, strands of black hair sticking to her face. Had she been running all this time? Searching for him across Daedalus Street? Had she pieced together his path through the whispers of terrified witnesses?

She had chased after him.

Bell clenched his fists, frustration mixing with something deeper, something heavier.

Hestia exhaled, a slow, quiet breath.

"What a helpless child you are."

She smiled.

A small, weary, impossibly gentle smile.

"I will not leave you behind," she said simply.

"Didn't you say you wanted to protect me? Then I'll return the favor."

Bell swallowed.

A promise.

A vow he had once made.

That day, beneath the night sky, he had sworn—

That he would never let go of her hand.

And yet, he had abandoned her.

Left her alone.

A pang of guilt stabbed through his chest, his throat tightening.

But if they stayed like this, both of them would—

Before he could speak, Hestia's expression hardened.

"It's too early to give up, Bell-kun."

He blinked. "Eh?"

"I have an idea."

She reached for her waist, fingers pulling free a small box.

Bell watched as she opened it with a confident smile—

And then—

They both froze.

A shadow loomed.

The heavy thud of descending footsteps echoed through the alleyway.

Their eyes snapped upward, toward the long staircase behind them.

A hulking silhouette charged down, silver fur glinting in the dim light.

The Silverback.

Their faces paled.

"RUN!"

They didn't need to say anything else.

Their bodies moved, legs pushing forward as they fled down the winding streets.

The ground trembled as the beast crashed behind them, its growls rumbling through the air.

Bell ran, his heart pounding against his ribs—

Then, ahead of him, Hestia stumbled.

"K-Kami-sama!"

She hit the ground hard.

Bell didn't hesitate.

Without breaking stride, he scooped her up.

"S-Sorry, Kami-sama!"

"WAAA!?"

He held her close, arms cradling her securely as he pushed himself to run faster.

A princess carry.

Just like in the old stories.

The goddess in his arms turned bright red.

"S-Sorry, Bell-kun," she mumbled, voice muffled against his chest. "Even in this situation... I'm still really happy."

"What did you just say, Kami-sama!?"

She didn't answer.

And Bell didn't have time to ask.

He ran, dodging through the maze-like alleys, weaving between walls and narrow paths,

gripping her tightly. The Silverback roared, its footsteps growing distant—

But luck, as always, had its limits.

The road ended.

A dead end.

A three-story building stood before them, blocking the path completely. Behind them, the alley stretched in a single straight line. No way forward. No way back.

Bell turned, chest heaving.

The Silverback was close.

Its heavy breath filled the air, the scent of stone and dust swirling around them.

Above, the residents of Daedalus Street peeked from their windows, eyes wide with fear. The moment Bell's gaze met theirs, they flinched away.

No one would help.

He couldn't blame them.

A single mistake could bring destruction to their doorstep.

The Silverback took another step.

Hestia, still in his arms, exhaled.

Then, her lips curled into a small smile.

"This situation isn't so bad."

Bell stiffened.

"E-Eh!?"

Hestia turned, her blue eyes locking onto his.

"Bell-kun," she said, voice firm. "You will defeat that monster."

His breath caught.

"I will update your status," she continued. "With your enhanced abilities, you can win."

Could he?

The Silverback was a monster from the Eleventh Floor.

Bell had barely survived the Fifth.

Even if his strength improved, the gap was still—

"It's impossible," he murmured. "Kami-sama, you saw it too, didn't you? My attacks don't work. Even if I get stronger, I won't be able to hurt it."

Doubt clawed at his chest.

The insults from before.

The laughter.

The memories pressed down, smothering him.

He had tried his hardest. Given everything.

And it hadn't been enough.

"I… I can't win."

Silence.

Then—

"But what if you could?"

Bell looked up.

Hestia's hand reached into her robes.

She pulled out a black dagger.

A weapon of pure obsidian, its design intricate, its edges gleaming with a crimson glow.

Hestia smiled.

"Bell-kun," she said softly, "when did you become such a coward?"

His breath hitched.

"You always talked about fateful encounters. About growing stronger. Where did that boy go?"

Bell swallowed.

"I believe in you."

Her fingers curled over his.

"You don't trust yourself? Then trust me. I will make you win."

Bell's throat tightened.

Tears blurred his vision.

He grasped the dagger.

And nodded.

"Yes."

----------

The sun climbed higher, its rays piercing through the tangled rooftops of Daedalus Street. Shadows shrank beneath its light, but the oppressive atmosphere remained.

Hestia's hands moved swiftly, her small fingers tracing over Bell's back as she updated his Status.

She had no time to waste.

Bell knelt before her, stripped of his ruined armor, his breathing slow but steady. He had no wounds—potions had seen to that—but the exhaustion, the fear, the helplessness of being unable to fight back lingered in his every movement.

Hestia pressed her lips together, pushing aside her frustration.

(Just a little more—!)

She worked as fast as she could, feeling the pulse of divine energy flow from her into the sacred text forming on his back.

"You don't need to see it," Hephaestus had told her once, when she had only just descended from heaven. "Updating Status isn't about the eyes—it's about bringing out what's already there."

And now, more than ever, Bell needed to bring out his strength.

The Silverback was coming.

A dull, thunderous sound echoed down the road.

Hestia's heart pounded in sync with its footsteps.

(Almost—!)

Her mind flickered back to Hephaestus's words.

"This dagger, because of your engraved sacred text, also has its own status. In other words, this weapon could also be considered alive."

The .

A weapon that grew alongside its wielder.

A blade that would be weak in the hands of the weak—But would reach the greatest heights when wielded by the strongest.

Her fingers stopped.

Bell's Status was complete.

"Bell-kun—!"

"Kami-sama, it's coming!"

The Silverback rounded the corner, its massive form blotting out the narrow street behind it. Its eyes burned with rage, locked onto its prey.

Hestia's heartbeat roared in her ears.

Bell's grip tightened on the dagger.

A deep, pulsing red light shimmered along the black blade, as if responding to his growth.

Hestia's hand slammed against his back, sending him forward.

"Go!"

Bell surged to his feet—

Then—

"That's quite enough, isn't it?"

The words cut through the air.

Both Bell and Hestia froze.

A shadow loomed over them.

Standing atop the nearby wall, bathed in the afternoon sun, was a man.

A titan.

Seven feet tall, his body was a fortress of muscle, veins bulging along thick arms that looked like they could snap a tree in half. His skin was a strange shade of gray, hardened and worn like leather shaped by time. Strands of pure white ran through his silver hair, catching the sunlight like threads of metal.

His presence alone felt like a force of nature.

Bell's breath caught.

"An adventurer!"

He barely stopped himself from shouting in relief.

This man—

He was stronger than the Silverback.

No, more than that.

The danger Bell felt from him made the Silverback seem almost insignificant.

Hestia stiffened beside him.

Her instincts told her the same thing.

And yet, when the man stepped down from the wall, his booming voice carried warmth.

"Indeed, you are safe now… because I am here!"

His enormous hand landed gently atop both their heads, ruffling their hair like they were children.

Bell blinked, caught off guard.

The Silverback roared.

The man sighed.

Then he moved.

A single step.

A single punch.

His fist met the monster mid-leap, shattering the beast's arm with a sickening crunch.

The force sent the Silverback hurtling back.

Before it could even hit the ground—

Another strike.

The second punch obliterated its head.

The lifeless body crashed into the dirt, motionless.

Bell and Hestia could only stare.

Then—

The tension in their chests unraveled.

The relief hit them all at once.

They cheered.

"We did it!" Bell grinned, his voice rising in excitement. "Kami-sama, did you see that!?"

Hestia, still stunned, let out a short laugh. "Y-Yeah… that was…"

They both turned to the man, who let out a deep chuckle.

"Ahahahaha! No need to thank me, little ones!" His massive hands ruffled their hair again, making Bell flinch slightly in embarrassment.

Something about his sheer size made the gesture… overwhelming.

Bell shifted awkwardly under the pressure. "Uh… you can stop that now…"

But the man only laughed harder.

Hestia, however, had stopped smiling.

Her blue eyes flickered with something sharper.

She stepped forward slightly, tilting her head.

"You're an adventurer, right?" she asked.

"Indeed!" The man grinned, flashing a set of sharp teeth.

"…Which familia?"

For the first time, the man's smile twitched.

Bell blinked, glancing between them.

Hestia's tone had changed.

The warmth from before was still there, but now there was a hint of something else—curiosity, suspicion.

"Fenrir Familia," the man answered, his grin returning.

"Fenrir?"

Hestia narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Wasn't he related to Loki in some way?"

Bell winced.

She had dropped it so casually, but the teasing edge in her voice was unmistakable.

"So you're in a group with that cutting board?"

Bell paled.

The man's grin widened.

"Ahhh, Lady Loki… yes, we do have some connection," he rumbled, seemingly unfazed.

Bell tried to speak, but—

The pressure on his head increased.

His vision blurred.

For a moment, he thought it was just his nerves.

But then—

Pain.

Sharp. Sudden. Overwhelming.

It hit like a hammer, cracking through his skull in a single, merciless instant.

He heard a crunch.

His knees buckled

Something was wrong.

His body screamed at him, but he couldn't move—

Couldn't breathe—

A sound echoed beside him.

A second crunch.

Hestia.

His eyes darted toward her—

A pillar of light.

Descending from the sky.

It engulfed everything.

Then—

Silence.