Euryssa returns to Hell. The portal opens directly before the vast obelisk that marks the boundary of the royal grounds.
A towering, pitch-black monolith rises like a spear before an active volcano. Its tip is never seen; it pierces the dark red clouds above Hell. Still dazed, Euryssa follows the road that leads to the underworld's royal castle.
There are almost no demons about. A few stand at a distance and watch the princess walk toward the castle. They do not dare approach. She looks aimless; her steps stray from any straight line and her gaze stays fixed on the ground.
Soon she reaches the great gates. Oddly, the fortress gives off no demonic aura; it does not look like a demon stronghold. The gates are steel and evidently new, thick slabs mounted on massive hinges. A narrow wooden bridge connects the road to the entrance.
As she pauses on the bridge, a dragon lifts its head from the lake that surrounds the castle. The lake is a portal that houses the guardian.
"Ah, Lady Euryssa. It has been a while," the dragon says in a deep, gravelly voice. "You look… distressed."
Euryssa acknowledges him, then drops her eyes to the bridge beneath her feet. "Is Father here in the castle?"
"Yes. His Majesty has not left since your last visit."
She nods and continues to the gates. They swing open slowly on their own. The castle front is empty; a wyvern that usually sprawls in the yard is absent.
She enters and walks to the throne room. The chamber is nearly bare. A simply designed throne stands at its center. As she approaches, a voice behind her speaks.
"What brings you here?"
A man no older than thirty stands there, dressed in a plain black suit, clean-shaven, a silver streak in his black hair, eyes as dark as the rest of him. At first glance he could be mistaken for any ordinary man.
"F-Father…" she whispers.
"It has been a while. What is wrong?"
Unable to hold back her fear and grief, she rushes forward, grabs him, and collapses into his arms, wailing. Aeonoch startles, then wraps his arms around his daughter and pats her head.
"What is it? What happened?"
"The gods. The King of Eden is coming to slay us all," she mutters, wailing in his arms.
Aeonoch's gentle expression hardens. He stares past her toward the throne. "Is that so? Have they reached Arcadia?"
"Yes. Three thousand warrior gods."
"I see. What about Arcadia itself? Was Zir able to hold them? And Kerberon?"
"They did… but—"
Aeonoch studies his daughter's face, then takes her shoulders with a steady hand. "But?"
"I left them behind and came here."
He releases a slow breath. "They are strong. They will survive. I am sure of it."
"He carried a fatal weapon," Euryssa insists. "The King of Eden bore the Elder God's divine weapon. He is unbelievably strong."
"That may be true. Still, we must trust Zir and Kerberon. They are among my finest warriors."
She has no counterargument. Gradually she calms. "All right," she whispers.
***
Zenobios's smile widens as the demons close in. An idea forms, cold and deliberate.
"I will make the ones you killed defeat you. The most fitting revenge."
He sweeps his blue-flame sword. A wave of energy ripples outward. Instead of burning, it restores. Scorched earth bursts into grass, greener than any seen before. The corpses scattered across the plain reanimate as living Arcadians. They stir, bewildered but whole.
"Arcadians," Zenobios calls, "fight these hell-spawns who know only ruin. Prove your worth, and Eden will reward you."
Divine weapons materialize in the hands of the newly risen. Those who never held a blade before feel warrior's strength surge through them as their palms close on the hilts.
Erastos steps forward. The three thousand godly warriors ready themselves and answer with a battle cry.
"For Eden!" he roars.
The soldiers respond in a single voice. The resurrected Arcadians feel adrenaline flood their veins; they join the gods and surge toward the approaching demons.
Zenobios surveys the field, then crouches by the shattered rock that crushed Daniil's chest. He lifts it with a single hand as if it were straw. Beneath, Daniil's body lies broken, his frame shattered by demonic force. The nearby combatants clash around him; Zenobios kneels and studies the fallen man. A memory of Admetus surfaces.
"Oh yes," he murmurs.
He gestures; Admetus's body glides to him as if obeying a command. Zenobios addresses the fallen men with solemn reverence.
"You risked everything to save a life that can't ever be taken. That is the value of humans. That is bravery even the creator admires."
He brings the blade close to their shoulders. "In the name of Eden, I vow to repay that courage. I call you to stand as my personal guardians. Stronger than the will of gods, protectors of gods. Arise, brave men of Arcadia. Eden calls."
Blue flame threads from Zenobios's sword into the mouths of Daniil and Admetus, traveling straight to their hearts. Their wounds knit; flesh and bone knit in an instant. Light floods their eyes. They awaken to find the old man, once a hair's-breadth from death, looking down with a gentle smile.
Daniil was the first to speak. His eyes flicked toward the clashes unfolding around them.
"Heh. I almost thought it had all been a dream until now."
Admetus pushed himself up, blinking hard. The field was a chaos of men and demons locked in combat.
"What is going on?"
"War," Zenobios said as he rose to his feet. "It is the end of the Holy War."
"Holy War, eh?" Admetus murmured, his mind slow to catch up.
Areios and Athanasia stepped to Zenobios's side.
"Brother, are we just going to stand idle?" Areios asked.
Athanasia laughed lightly. "Looks like Areios is eager for blood."
Zenobios regarded them and smiled. "We will visit Hell soon. Prepare yourselves. We face the King of the Underworld."
Areios rolled his eyes. "We are going back to pay that man a visit? Ugh."
"This is the end, brother. We will finish it," Athanasia said.
"Alright, fine." Areios set his great axe at his side.
Daniil found the strength to stand. He bowed deeply to Zenobios. "Forgive my manners, but may I ask who you are?"
Zenobios laughed, a sound that left Daniil uncertain whether he had offended him.
"I—I apologize—"
"I am the Elder God of Eden. Zenobios Orestes," the man replied.
Daniil's eyes widened. The miracle of his revival fell into place.
"I see. I apologize for my rudeness. I have had no training in courtly etiquette."
"Do not worry," Zenobios said, giving Daniil a quick, friendly pat on the shoulder. "I would not have the honor guards of the throne feel insecure. Stand tall."
"Honor guards? Us?" Admetus asked as he straightened.
"Yes. You are both now my sword."