"Adrian!" Abyss's excited voice rang out as she spotted him approaching.

Her violet eyes gleamed, and for a moment, the cold steel of her usual demeanor softened. She took a step forward, her sword resting loosely in her grip, as if preparing for another battle.

Lilith leaned against a log, her crimson whip idly coiled around her hand. "Look who finally decided to show up," she said, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "And he's brought the Queen of Pride herself."

All eyes shifted to Hera, who walked beside Adrian with regal poise, her golden hair gleaming even under the fading firelight. Her piercing blue gaze swept over the group, assessing each of her sisters with an unreadable expression.

"Ah, Hera. Sorry, I mean 'Your Royal Majesty," Eris drawled, flipping one of her emerald daggers into the air and catching it effortlessly. "How was your little beauty nap? Still full of yourself?"

Hera stopped, her chin lifting slightly as if Eris's words were beneath her notice. "And you're still as irreverent as ever, Eris," she replied coolly. "I see that time hasn't improved your manners."

The atmosphere was filled with tension, but Ava eased it with a soft laugh. She leaned comfortably on her golden staff, her amber eyes shining with a playful expression. "She's just upset we didn't save you first, Hera. It would've been so much fun dragging you through muddy paths and angry mobs."

Lilith laughed, gesturing dramatically. "Oh, can you imagine? Hera, with her delicate little sandals, walking through catacombs filled with bugs and cobwebs? The horror!"

Eris smirked. "And we all know how much she loves a good mob chase. Prideful speeches would definitely win over a torch-wielding crowd."

Hera narrowed her eyes, though the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at her lips. "How kind of you all to save me for last," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "No doubt out of deference to my superior position."

"Deference?" Medea snorted, her black flames flickering faintly at her fingertips. "More like convenience. If you'd been awake earlier, you'd have lectured us into the ground before we even left the first temple."

"Besides," Hestia interjected with a languid yawn from where she reclined against a boulder, "you would've been a pain. I doubt Your Majesty would've enjoyed slumming it in village inns or camping out under the stars."

"Some of those inns weren't bad," Lilith said with a playful smirk. "If you ignored the rats and drunken brawls."

"Rats," Hera repeated in a sharp voice. "And you think this is an acceptable way to travel? Adrian, I demand an explanation for why I, of all goddesses, was retrieved last."

Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It wasn't personal, Hera. You just happened to be the last one on the map."

Hera raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "I find that hard to believe."

"Believe it," Adrian said firmly, meeting her gaze. "It wasn't a ranking system. You were just in the hardest place to reach."

Abyss stepped closer, her tone calm but with an undercurrent of warmth. "Let it go, Hera. We're all here now, thanks to him. That's what matters."

Hera looked at her sisters, the faintest flicker of emotion crossing her face before her usual regal composure returned. "Yes, we're all here," she said, her tone softening slightly. "Though I can't say much for your... refinement during my absence."

"Refinement?" Lilith grinned wickedly. "Oh, come on. You've missed us, Hera. Admit it."

"Hardly," Hera replied, though there was a faint curve to her lips.

Medea crossed her arms, her voice cutting through the banter. "Regardless of who was freed when, you owe Adrian your thanks, Hera. All of us do."

Ava nodded, her golden eyes serious for once. "He risked everything to get us here. And he kept his word."

Hera's gaze turned to Adrian, her blue eyes searching his face for a moment. Finally, she inclined her head in a gesture of reluctant gratitude. "You've proven yourself capable, Champion. For that, you have my thanks."

Adrian gave a short nod, his expression unreadable. "You're welcome. Now, are we done with the 'thank yous,' or should we drag this out longer?"

Lilith laughed, stepping forward to clap Adrian on the shoulder. "Oh, don't be shy, husband. You love the attention."

"Hardly," Adrian muttered, shaking his head.

Eris twirled her dagger, her voice teasing. "Admit it, Champion. You enjoy being surrounded by all this chaos."

"I'd enjoy it more if it came with less bickering," Adrian shot back, though there was a trace of amusement in his tone.

Hestia stretched lazily, her marine-blue eyes half-lidded. "Then you're in the wrong group. Bickering is our specialty."

"And yours is napping," Eris quipped.

"Which I was enjoying before all this noise," Hestia replied with a smirk, settling back against the boulder.

Adrian rubbed the bridge of his nose, his patience wearing thin. "Can we focus? You're all free now. Whoever put you all there doesn't control any of you anymore, and you're together again. That was the deal. I kept my end. Now what's next?"

The question hung in the air, the goddesses exchanging glances. Their bickering faded into thoughtful silence as the weight of Adrian's words settled over them.

Abyss was the first to step forward, her violet eyes meeting Adrian's. "You honored your word. That means something to me."

Medea nodded, her voice steady. "You've done well, Adrian. Few mortals could've survived what you've faced."

Lilith smirked, though her tone was genuine. "Fine. Thank you, Champion. For everything."

Even Eris seemed subdued as she added, "Guess we owe you one. Just don't let it go to your head."

Hera stepped forward, her regal presence commanding the clearing. "You've proven yourself, Adrian. That much I can acknowledge. And you've brought us together again—something even the gods themselves had failed to do. For that, you have my gratitude."

Adrian glanced at each of them, a rare moment of quiet passing between the group. Despite their differences—and their overwhelming personalities—there was satisfaction in knowing he had accomplished what he set out to do.

"So," he said, breaking the silence. "What's next? And where's Selene?"

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