"Zeus is my father," he thundered, "and Caerus… is my name."

For a heartbeat, I froze. My eyes widened in disbelief.

Zeus?

His father was Zeus?

What the hell was a son of Zeus doing here?

Was he searching for me because I was the Vessel? Or… maybe he had mistaken me for Amael, since we were both a Vessel. That had to be it. That was the only explanation that made any sense.

"I'm not the one you're looking for," I said, flicking my hand as though brushing him aside. "Now move along."

But Caerus didn't budge. His gaze sharpened, probing me carefully..

"Is Nemesis, Princess of Khaos, here?"

"..."

Damn it.

He was here for me.

"No," I lied.. "She isn't."

The air between us grew heavy with silence, charged and dangerous.

-BAM!

In the next instant, I launched myself forward at blinding speed, my fist driving toward his face. The impact never came. My knuckles slammed against something invisible, like a wall of roaring wind.

Caerus smirked. "Attacking a son of Zeus… you just signed your death warrant, human."

"And that's exactly why I'm attacking you—because you're the son of that piece of shit," I snorted.

For the first time, his expression shifted—his features contorting into pure, unfiltered hatred. The intensity of it caught me off guard. But before he could retaliate, I unleashed Wrath.

-BOOOOOOM!

A devastating force exploded outward. Caerus was hurled across the sky.

He was stronger than Rulana.

Far more dangerous.

I had to finish him first.

I gave chase, but the stabbing agony in my stomach wound tore through me, making me grimace. My body screamed in protest, but there was no time to hesitate. Raising my eyes, I saw Caerus hurtling back toward me, fury written all over him.

With a snarl, I drew Trinity Nihil. Purple fire sprouted along its blade as I swung down against him.

-BOOOOM!

The clash shook the air. The explosion of power sent both of us skidding backward, tearing through the sky.

Caerus's eyes widened in shock. "That sword… Impossible. Where did you get it?"

I ignored him. I couldn't waste even a single breath. My head snapped toward Amaya—she was still there, and Rulana was with her. They seemed to be discussing.

"Fuck this," I muttered under my breath.

I called on Amunet's reach, surging forward in a burst of speed. Trinity Nihil blazed with purple fire as I kicked against the air and closed the distance.

Rulana turned her gaze toward me, her hand rising in defense.

"Raven Arts," I whispered, and my sword cleaved down.

"...."

Her eyes widened, shock flashing across her face—because a spear of blood had already pierced her stomach, tearing through flesh and bone.

I appeared before her in the same instant, Trinity Nihil slashing cleanly through her body. But she dissolved into a red mist before the blade could finish its work.

"Shit."

I spun just in time to see her reform behind me, a sword arcing down in a killing blow.

I wouldn't make it in time.

-CRACKLE!

Lightning split the sky. Before Rulana's strike could land, a storm of electricity slammed into her chest. She was hurled backward like a broken doll, crashing through the forest below, splintering tree after tree until she rolled down.

I turned toward the one responsible—Sylvia.

They had finally caught up.

"Edward! You're injured!" Viessa's voice broke through my haze. She rushed to my side, panic twisting her features. "I told you not to rush ahead recklessly!" Her hands glowed, radiant and warm, as she pressed them over my wound. Healing light seeped into me, knitting flesh.

Her face was pale as she assessed the damage.

The wound was bad.

Too deep.

But I wasn't looking at her. My eyes shifted between Amael, Lisandra, and Sylvia. Especially Sylvia.

Why did she intervene?

They weren't supposed to be part of this war. And yet… she had stepped in to save me.

Why?

But Amael's reaction caught my attention immediately. His eyes were locked on Caerus, narrowed.

"Who… who is that man?" Viessa whispered at my side, her voice tight with unease. He was clearly emanating a dangerous pressure.

I didn't bother softening the truth. "A son of Zeus."

"Z–Zeus?!"

Gasps rippled through Viessa and the others. Their eyes widened in disbelief, and I could hear the sharp, collective gulp that followed.

Amael, however, remained calm. "What do you want, Lord Caerus?"

Caerus's lips curled into something between a smirk and a snarl. His tone was as casual as it was venomous. "I want the Vessel of Samael Eveningstar… the one hiding the Princess of Khaos, Nemesis."

Amael chuckled. "I am the Vessel of Samael," he said. "And I am certain you can tell I have no connection to the Princess of Khaos. If you doubt me, ask Lord Nihil. He will confirm it."

Caerus tilted his head, thoughtful for a moment. "Hm. Interesting." His eyes slid toward me, cold and merciless. "Regardless… I will take his life. He wields a sword that should not belong to him. You should know about it, the sword belongs to Lord Nihil himself."

Amael fell silent at his words.

"Viessa." I caught her hand before she could finish healing me. "Can you and the others hold Rulana off for a while?"

Her face twisted with concern. "What are you planning to do?"

I turned my eyes back toward Caerus, who floated above us.

"That man is here for me."

"W–Wait, Edward!" Viessa's hand clamped down on my arm. "He's here to kill you!"

"That's why I have to deal with him," I said. My gaze shifted to the others—Cleara, the Olphean King, and the rest. "Or will any of you step in? He's a son of Zeus—one of Eden's favorite little lapdogs. You all worship Eden, don't you? So what are you going to do when one of his golden boys shows up to kill me?"

Viessa turned toward the Olphean King, hope flashing desperately in her eyes.

But he shook his head with regret. "I am sorry, Viessa. We cannot move against Eden. If Lord Zeus wants this young man, then there must be reason for it."

Yeah, reasons.

All these Gods have reasons for every fucking things.

"B—But he wants to kill him! Edward has done nothing wrong!" Viessa said.

The King's tone hardened. "Viessa. We came here for the Blood Lord. Will you help us or not?"

Viessa's fists trembled at her sides, nails digging into her palms.

"It's fine," I cut in before she could argue further. "Just handle Rulana. I don't want her interfering while I'm dealing with him."

Viessa bit her lip, then finally nodded, reluctant tears gathering in her eyes. "I'm sorry…"

"You don't need to be," I told her with a faint smile. "You've done more than enough for me already. And I'm grateful for your words back then."

Her eyes glistened, but I didn't linger on them. I had already turned away, walking toward Caerus.

Amaya moved at my side.

I gave her a flat look. "How about showing some basic survival instincts?"

She blinked at me, confused.

"When Rulana came for you earlier, you just stood there, waiting for me to save you. She wouldn't have killed you outright. Maybe try running next time instead of waiting like some fairytale damsel?"

"She would have caught me no matter what. And I knew you would save me," she replied as if I asked a dumb question.

I grimaced. "I'm not your knight in shining armor."

Amaya lowered her gaze. "You don't even have armor, Edward."

"…Right." I shook my head with a sigh. "Just stay back and don't get in the way." My eyes shifted to Caerus once more.

Lisandra's voice rang out in disbelief right after, once she understood what I was going to do. "W–Wait, are you actually going to fight him?!"

I met her eyes, my expression cold. "What do you expect me to do? Sit here and wait for him to kill me?"

"T–That's…" Lisandra's voice broke off, trembling.

"Since none of you plan on helping anyway," I cut her off, "just sit back and enjoy the show."

Lisandra flinched, her eyes shaking. She made to step toward me—but Amael's hand shot out, stopping her.

"A—Amael?" She whispered, caught between anger and disbelief.

"What are you doing? He's Lord Zeus's son."

"I–I don't care who his father is! We can't just stand here and let him die because Caerus wants Mael's sword!" Lisandra snapped back.

"…I agree," Sylvia said quietly.

Amael's eyes darted to her.

Sylvia continued. "You've been hiding things since we arrived in Sancta Vedelia. You never told us why you insisted on staying close to Edward."

"I'll tell you… in time. But you do understand I can't just watch this happen. This fight has nothing to do with you. Why would you—why would any of you—provoke Zeus himself?" He asked.

Sylvia lowered her gaze. "I… I don't know."

Lisandra's lips trembled. "So you're just suggesting we stand here and let him die?!"

"If his fate is to die today…" Amael's voice slowed, a shadow crossing his face. "…then he will."

Lisandra stared at him, shaking her head. "I—I don't recognize you anymore, Amael. What's wrong with you?"

Their voices blurred into background noise. At least now I was sure. Nemesis had been right all along—they weren't here for the war, or for Amael. They were here because of me.

Caerus's voice rang again, dragging me back. "Hand over the sword of Nihil, human. Do so, and I'll make your death swift. A courtesy for your disrespect toward my father."

My grip tightened on Trinity Nihil as I raised it toward him. "Tell me something, Caerus. If I kill you here and now… will your father shed a tear for you?"

His eyes went glacial. "What did you just say?"

"I suppose not," I continued. "He's spawned more bastards than there are grains of sand in this world. You're nothing but another disposable spy he threw away."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Then—

-WHOOSH!

A violent storm of wind burst outward from Caerus, rattling the trees, tearing branches from their roots. My hair whipped back in the gale, but I planted my feet and didn't move, locking my gaze on him.

I called upon Fate, white sand whispering against Trinity Nihil's blade. He was a demigod—nearly untouchable. I had no illusions about that. But he wasn't exactly brilliant, was he? If I could outthink him, maybe I had a chance to slit his throat catching him off guard.

"Wind Blade," Caerus whispered. He extended his hand, and a blade of whirling air materialized, screaming with deadly energy.

If that hit me, I was dead.

Defending would be suicide.

Dodging was my only hope.

"Anathemas Fire!" I shouted, summoning two burning Rings of Vysindra. They streaked forward before exploding into a torrent of flame, smoke, and chaos. I dove out of his line of sight, vanishing behind a splintered tree.

Clenching Trinity Nihil, I coated it in Fate, white grains of sand swirling along its edge. If I could just channel Wrath through it… I could do some real damage. Damn it—if only…

Then I froze. My muscles locked tight.

I looked down and saw faint currents of wind coiling around my limbs, binding me in invisible chains. My body wouldn't respond.

Caerus's footsteps echoed closer. "Your greatest sin was insulting my father," he said. "And your second greatest sin… was believing, even for a moment, that you could stand against me."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. Goosebumps crawled over my skin.

I was going to die.

I struggled, summoning Wrath, but it wouldn't come in time.

{Do you want him dead, Samael?}

The voice slid into my mind like silk.

Nemesis.

And suddenly—she was there. Standing at my side, her presence bending reality around her. She smiled sweetly, her eyes glimmering with cruel delight.

{You cannot fear an insect like this, Samael.}

She giggled, leaning close, her breath brushing against my ear like a caress.

Then she kissed my cheek.

{Make him suffer a thousand deaths… and let his screams echo all the way to Zeus himself.}

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