Young buckling baby Lily dashed across the field to her father, her small legs barely able to keep up with the joy bubbling inside her. Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she watched her father train. He stood, his glasses shimmering in the morning light as he focused his energy, swirling every ounce of it, and hardening his layer.
Before him, a towering beast loomed, its long horns curling like sinister crescents, a grotesque mix of bull and man. Its massive form shook the ground beneath them, yet Lily felt no fear. Instead, she trembled with excitement, her heart racing at the sight of her father preparing to fight.
Her father was the one man she truly respected. He possessed incredible skill with a blade and worked in a legendary sanctuary, teaching others the art of combat. She loved him with all her heart. Screaming out to him before a battle was her norm, and watching him fight always hyped her up.
"Go get him, papa!" She yelled, smiling at him.
Her father returned the smile, "Ok, my love"
Without missing a beat, he charged toward the beast, his movements a blur of agility. The monster's massive fists crashed into the earth, but he dodged effortlessly, weaving between the blows with a grace that seemed almost look like a dance. The moment the creature's guard slipped, he leapt high into the air, twisting his body mid-flight. His sword flashed in the sunlight and sliced through the air, beheading the beast.
Her father landed, sliding his sword back into its sheath. His long, flowing hair danced in the breeze, his eyes never leaving the beast as he waited for any sign of movement. But it wasn't over, not yet. He smirked to himself. Just for the entertainment of a particular darling, he was willing to put on more of a spectacle. His fingertips remained on the hilt.
And then, just before the monster's lifeless body could hit the ground, the space around him shimmered grey.
From where he stood, without moving an inch, he unleashed a series of lightning-fast slashes, each one invisible to the naked eye. The beast was reduced to fragments, shredded into nothingness before it even touched the earth.
Lily's eyes widened, her small fists clenched tight as she watched in awe. He didn't even draw his sword again; she marvelled. How does he do it?
Papa is always amazing, she thought, running to him with wide arms, hugging the strongest, most incredible man to ever walk the earth.
#
The village of Heathens sat far to the east of the sanctuary, a quiet settlement tucked between forest and mist, mostly populated by children and the young men and women. As the group made their way down the narrow dirt path, the sight of their dark, matching uniforms drew every pair of eyes.
Villagers paused mid-step, conversations died in their throats, and doors slowly creaked closed behind curious glances.
Harold exhaled loudly, dragging his feet. "Let's just head to the swordsmith already," he muttered, his voice low enough only for those nearby to hear. He wasn't sure what weighed heavier. The bricks strapped to his body, or the half-dead boy slung over his shoulder.
Krissy adjusted her glasses, scanning the village through the glint of sunlight. "We seem to have attracted some unwanted attention," she murmured. "Maybe... we're not welcome here anymore."
Harold bumped her lightly with his elbow. "Relax. It's probably nothing. Maybe it's just been a while since they saw students from the sanctuary."
Krissy frowned, but said nothing more, lowering her gaze to the uneven path ahead.
The others didn't seem to care about the wary stares or the whispered rumours trailing behind them. Lily, ever confident, was leading the way toward some unseen destination, her steps light and sure. Jin, meanwhile, tried his best to win a laugh from Kim and Levi, tossing out half-hearted jokes. Mika walked quietly beside Bon, gently supporting him as he blinked back into consciousness.
Everything seemed fine until Harold felt a stir against his back.
A hoarse whisper followed. "What's going on?"
Harold jolted slightly, nearly dropping his burden. "You're awake?" he hissed, adjusting his grip. "Finally. I was about two seconds from dropping you."
Hades groaned and rubbed at his tired eyes. "Where... am I?"
"The village of Heathens," Krissy answered, her glasses catching the sunlight as she pushed them up her nose.
Hades let out a long breath, the kind that felt like it was dragging his soul out of his body. The months of relentless training, the sleepless nights spent meditating, all of it had worn him thin. He was supposed to finally have a moment to breathe. To rest.
Until her.
His weary gaze fell on Lily, who marched ahead without a care in the world, her long strides brimming with energy. Oblivious. Or maybe just cruel.
She just halved a boy's lifespan, Hades thought bitterly. "Put me down-"
Before the words even fully left his mouth, Harold dumped him onto the dirt path with a thud. Stretching his stiff shoulders, he said, "You're way too heavy, man."
Hades barely registered the sting of the fall. Gritting his teeth, he shoved himself to his feet, the world tilting slightly around him.
Before he could even get steady, Jin was already at his side, throwing his arms around him.
"You seemed to really enjoy your nap," Jin said with a bright, innocent smile.
Hades shot him a look sharper than steel. "Nap? I was knocked unconscious, you idiot."
Jin laughed it off as he hit Hades back.
Meanwhile, Lily skipped over, grinning from ear to ear. "Are you really that weak? Knocked out by a girl?" she said, leaning so close he could feel her breath. "Come on, Hades, tell me!"
With a tired hand, he pushed her away by the forehead. "Where exactly are you dragging us?"
Lily tapped a finger thoughtfully against her cheek, pretending to ponder. "Hmm... I was thinking of showing you guys the House of Quell. My old workplace!"
The words lit up Maki and Kim like fireworks. They latched onto Lily's arms, bouncing with excitement. "Really?! You're really going to show us?" they squealed.
Levi, calmer than the rest, approached with a slight furrow between his brows. "I thought sanctuary students weren't allowed near the House of Quell."
Lily winked playfully. "It's fine. I'll put in a good word for you all."
Kim and Maki hugged her tightly, giggling, caught up in the fantasy of it all.
"Wait a second…" Kim suddenly pulled back, her smile faltering. "If you're here, and Levi's here too, then who's taking care of Bon?"
She turned and gasped.
There stood Bon, upright and proud. His once-ruffled hair was now neatly combed, bloodstained clothes giving him the rugged look of a battle-hardened hero. He clenched his fists and stared toward the sky as if answering some silent vow, or perhaps he was being called upon by the celestials themselves. The mere thought of setting foot into a place filled with girls like Lily sent adrenaline surging through his battered body.
He would find the love of his life, and nothing would get in his way.
Meanwhile, Krissy shifted awkwardly, glancing at Harold from the corner of her eye before speaking up. "Hey, um... you still want to check out the weapon shop?"
Harold's eyes lit up. "Really?!"
Krissy nodded, already regretting it as Harold struggled and failed to contain his excitement.
"But... we can't just leave the others," he said, his voice almost mournful.
Krissy tilted her head. "What are you trying to say, huh? You want to visit the House of Quell as well? Come on, answer me."
Jin stood between them and waved a hand, grinning. "Don't sweat it. Go on, have your fun! We'll meet up later at the sanctuary."
Lily nodded, hands on her hips. "Yeah, yeah. Besides, fewer people means it'll be easier to sneak into the theatre."
Before she could gloat any further, Hades rapped his knuckles lightly against her head. Calm and firm.
"You shouldn't say stuff like that," he said.
Lily spun toward him, clutching her head and glaring. "You actually hit me! On the head!"
Hades crossed his arms. "Says the girl who sat on me earlier. Fair's fair."
Lily blinked. Then laughed, turning away with a cheeky grin. "Clever. Very clever."
But the laughter didn't reach her eyes.
Noticing the shift, Hades placed a hand on her shoulder. "Is something wrong?"
For a heartbeat, she said nothing. Just stared ahead at a run-down medicinal shop at the edge of the village. Its roof sagged under the weight of years; its windows were clouded, like eyes too tired to see anymore.
"I'm fine," she said quietly.
But her voice was too light, too hollow. As if she were answering someone else entirely.
The group didn't notice. They were already caught up in their own little adventures—Harold dragging Krissy toward the weapon shop, Bon striking warrior poses under the sun, and Jin chasing after Kim and Maki.
The village buzzed softly around them, filled with life.
And yet, standing there beneath the broad daylight, Lily stood in silence as she stared at that single shop.
#
Lily clutched her father's hand, trembling, not knowing what to do. His skin, once so warm and firm, now felt cold and fragile beneath her touch. His once dark, lustrous hair had faded to a ghostly white, and his eyes—those kind eyes shimmered like cracked crystals beneath the flickering light.
Still, despite everything, he smiled faintly, staring up at the ceiling as if it were a sky only he could see. A tear slipped down the side of his face, and Lily, seeing it, could no longer hold back her own.
"No, my little flower," he whispered, brushing her tear-stained cheek with trembling fingers. "Don't cry. If you cry, you'll make Papa cry too."
"B-But... you're dying, Papa!" she sobbed, her small voice breaking.
He chuckled weakly, flexing what little strength he had left. "Dying? No, no. Look at these muscles! Strong as a tiger!" he said, though even raising his arm made him cough.
Lily clung to him tightly, burying her face in his chest. She could feel the rattling of his breathing.
He gently ruffled her hair, the way he always did. "Papa loves you, dear."
"I love you too, Papa..." she whispered through her tears.
"Good!" he said suddenly, coughing harder this time, a violent, dry sound.
"P-Papa?!"
"I'm okay," he wheezed, his voice hoarse but full of mischief. "I'm okay!"
He burst into laughter, clutching his sides. "Your love... Your love gave me energy! See? I'm good as new!"
Lily let out a watery giggle, flopping onto his stomach as she laughed and cried at the same time.
"Papa is okay?" she asked.
"Papa is okay!" he declared proudly, tapping her forehead. "All because my little cupcake loves me so much."
"Because I love Papa?"
"Exactly! Your love is the strongest potion there is!" he said with a wink. "But even so, Papa needs to take... precauti—precupshuns?—yes, precautions, to stay strong."
"Prec-u-ptions?" Lily tilted her head, frowning adorably.
"Yes, dearie," he said, chuckling as he fumbled for his purse. "You even invented a new word."
Lily bounced up, grabbing the purse for him.
"You're my little hero," he said, beaming, opening it with trembling fingers.
He pressed a few worn coins into her tiny hands. "Take these. Go to the herb shop, the one with the nice old lady and tell her Papa has a case of 'crystal hiccups.' She'll know what to give you."
"'Crystal hiccups'?" Lily said, scrunching her nose. "That sounds so silly! Wait a second... Papa, are you lying? You said you were okay!"
Papa locked eyes with her, the mischief softening into something deeper, almost sorrowful. "Your love gave me enough strength to keep fighting, little one. So don't you stop, okay?" he said, reaching out to pinch her cheeks. "And how dare you accuse Papa of lying! If you keep that up, I'll feed you to the Demon King himself!"
"Nooo! Not the Demon King!" Lily cried, giggling as he gently tugged at her cheeks.
"That's right, fear my wrath!" he said, releasing her with a grin. "Now go, my brave little pirate, and fetch Papa's special potion."
Lily straightened up and saluted. "Aye aye, Captain!"
He returned the salute, his hand trembling slightly. She bounced toward the door, pausing at the threshold. She peeked back inside, her eyes bright and pure.
"I love you a lot, Papa," she said softly, flashing him a radiant smile before disappearing down the hall.
Papa sat there for a long while after she left, his hand still raised in salute. His smile lingered, but his eyes shimmered with tears.
"Papa loves you too," he whispered to the empty room, his voice breaking.
#
The House of Quell towered before them, a vision of splendour. The air was rich with the mingling scents of exotic perfumes and blooming flowers, so thick and sweet it was almost intoxicating. Bon stood still, entranced, his eyes wide as he watched the vibrant courtyard.
Girls in flowing garments twirled and swayed, practising elegant dances with the grace of fluttering petals. Boys, equally dazzling, played lively tunes on gleaming instruments, their fingers moving with ease. Bright, extravagant outfits shimmered under the sun, every colour more vivid than the last.
Bon's gaze wandered until it found Lily. A frown creased his face. Why would anyone choose a hard life at the sanctuary... when paradise like this existed?
Maki and Kim looked like they had been spirited away into some grand fantasy. Their hearts were moments away from exploding, surrounded by so many breathtakingly beautiful girls and boys, it felt almost cruel.
Lily stepped forward with a teasing smile. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, I think your eyes are full enough. Let's move inside."
"Hold it!" Jin said, raising a hand. "They aren't full yet!" His gaze swept greedily over the building itself.
The House of Quell was a marvel. Unlike the simple wooden buildings that lined the streets, it was crafted from shimmering stone and smooth, pale brick. It rose like a castle from the storybooks he'd spent hours reading back at the library—elegant, proud, and impossibly grand.
But beneath the beauty, Jin felt something else, a faint, eerie hum in the air. It prickled at the edges of his senses, though he couldn't quite grasp why. Was it because this place was devoted to the Supreme Being? The House, magnificent as it was, carried an air of something... unknowable.
Before he could think more about it, Lily yanked him by the arm. "Your eyes are overfeeding themselves," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Come on, Lily! Let a guy appreciate the beauty." Jin said, half-laughing as she dragged him along.
They wove through the crowds of onlookers gathered to watch the dancers, heading into the House itself. As soon as Lily crossed the threshold, she was immediately swallowed in a flurry of warm embraces.
Beautiful women of all ages surrounded her, their white revealing garments flowing like clouds around their bodies, adorned with delicate silver and gold jewellery that jingled softly with every movement.
"We've missed you so, so much!" they cooed, pressing kisses to her cheeks and ruffling her hair.
"How's the sanctuary? Are you really fighting monsters every day?" one asked eagerly.
"Are you eating properly? You look like you've lost weight!" another chimed in, genuine concern lighting her face.
Lily laughed, pulling back slightly, her smile mischievous. "Lost some weight, huh?" she said, shooting a sideways glance at Hades, her smirk growing wider.
Bon strutted forward, a smug grin plastered across his face.
"Oh my god!" one of the smaller girls gasped, her wide eyes fixated on Bon's blood-stained clothes.
Bon flexed subtly, letting his small but proud muscles speak for themselves. The streaks of blood from his earlier fight with Lily were his badge of honour, the perfect ticket to sympathy, warmth, and maybe... just maybe... a girlfriend.
This was it. His moment to shine.
Hands casually shoved into his pockets, Bon swaggered toward the cluster of girls, keeping his chin high and locking eyes like a true champion. Every move, every glance, was calculated. He dropped his voice into a gravelly tone, as serious and cool as he could manage.
"Name's Bon," he said, running a hand through his hair with a careless swipe before closing his eyes. "Leader of this group. It's a pleasure to meet you, lovely ladies. Please, be gentle. My wounds are still... fresh from battle."
There was a beat of silence, then a sudden chorus of gasps.
"Oh my god! Your hair is so soft!" the girls squealed.
Bon chuckled, flashing a roguish smile. "Please, ladies. My hair shouldn't be spoken of in such a manner, nor touched," he said, opening his eyes dramatically. "Such a silly—"
He stood alone, in silence.
The girls had completely abandoned him, now crowding around Hades, their voices bubbling over with excitement.
"I could tell it was soft, but I wasn't expecting this!" one of them squealed, running her fingers through Hades' dark hair.
"It smells amazing too!"
"Aww, look at his face! He's totally enjoying it!" another teased, poking his cheek.
Bon stood there still holding his smile in silent pain as a tear ran down his face, as he felt his very soul drain from his body.
"Look at this cute piece of pie!" a mature woman purred, grabbing Jin by the arm and pulling him closer. "Come on, don't be shy!"
Jin, face was utterly blank as he mentally cursed the gods. I just wanted to observe the building. How did it come to this? He thought grimly, feeling something soft press against his head.
Meanwhile, across the room...
"Mademoiselle," a handsome young man approached Maki, a red rose clutched between his teeth. He wore the same flowing white garment as the others, but his glow made him shine like a prince from a fairy tale. "This rose is yours, though it pales beside your beauty. Drummers, more roses for my queen!"
At his call, a troupe of drummers struck up a lively beat, showering Maki with falling petals. Maki's cheeks turned bright pink as she gazed helplessly into the man's dazzling eyes, already imagining a future with him.
Kim, standing stiffly in the corner, seethed with barely contained fury.
Hades, still stoically allowing the girls to ruffle his hair, crossed his arms. His gaze sharpened, taking in the situation with nothing more than a sigh.
Careless, he thought grimly. None of them are activating their coatings. If an attack came right now, they'd all be dead in an instant.
But something else tugged at his senses, a faint pulse of energy. It was weak, nearly imperceptible, but familiar. His sharp eyes scanned the room until they landed on Lily, who was staring at him.
Her gaze was intense, almost too intense. It felt like she was pulling him into a dark abyss where the only thing that lingered was death and divine punishment.
Hades sighed, brushing away the hands playing with his hair. He stepped forward and took Lily's hand without hesitation.
"Excuse me, ladies," he said coolly. "But I have a wife. So please... stop touching my hair."
A heavy silence slammed into the room like a hammer as every head turned to the young couple.
Lily's face exploded into a furious crimson.
"You've only been gone a few months, and you're already married?" one girl cried out in disbelief.
"You weren't forced into it, right?"
"Of course she wasn't, you idiot! Look at that cute kid, she's got amazing taste!" another one chimed in, laughing.
Lily opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her brain short-circuited as the crowd pressed in with more questions, and she was dangerously close to letting out a scream.
Hades, unfazed, settled onto a couch beside Jin, who was still desperately trying to focus on the House's magnificent architecture.
"You dodged that arrow like it was nothing," Jin muttered, his voice low.
Hades shrugged. "I just thought she deserved a taste of her own medicine, that's all," he said, glancing sidelong at him. "I'd rather not talk about it," Jin said, breathing out a long, suffering sigh.
Across the room, Bon collapsed onto the cold marble floor, the crushing weight of despair settling over him.
This was his destiny, after all—abandoned by fortune, untouched by love, fated to die alone... either by the blade or, perhaps sooner, by the unforgiving floors of the House of Quell.
Kim sighed and walked over, offering him a hand.
"I knew something was off when you got all energetic," she said, hauling him up with surprising ease. "You alright?"
Bon's eyes welled with tears as he threw his arms around her.
"You're the only one who understands me, Kim," he sniffled.
Kim stiffened, visibly twitching with suppressed annoyance. If he hadn't been so banged up, she would have happily taught him a lesson with her fists.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Lily found herself still hopelessly trapped, bombarded by a storm of questions from the curious girls.
"So, how did you meet him?"
"Was it love at first sight?"
"Are you sure you weren't forced?"
Each question blurred into the next, leaving Lily utterly defenceless. Her mind spun faster than her mouth could move.
Just when she thought she might actually melt into the floor, a voice cut through the noise:
"Now, now," a calm, amused tone said. "Is this really how we treat a friend of the House?"
The crowd parted as an elderly man stepped forward, leaning lightly on a polished walking stick. He wore a sharp black tuxedo with silver trimming, a tall hat perched neatly atop his head, and dark glasses that glinted under the chandelier light.
"Director," Lily breathed, her voice trembling with relief. She dashed forward, throwing her arms around him.
The old man chuckled warmly, patting her head.
"Our little flower's grown up a bit," he said, smiling down at her. "I still remember the day you came here, jingling in those ridiculous bell-tied shoes, begging for a job. Feels like just yesterday."
Lily blushed, turning away.
"Come on, not in front of my friends!" she said.
He laughed again.
"Forgive me, forgive me. I understand you're at that age now," he said, stepping back and bowing courteously to the group. "Friends of our dear flower are all welcome here. Please, make yourselves at home."
"Director, where have you been?" one of the girls called out from the crowd. "We've been looking everywhere for you!"
He turned to her with a sheepish smile.
"My apologies. I was... entertaining an old friend of mine," he said, tapping his cane lightly on the floor.
Just then, a small girl darted forward, tugging insistently at the Director's coat.
"Director! The people at the sanctuary gave her a name! I want one too!" she whined.
The Director chuckled, ruffling her hair.
"Yes, yes, I've already heard the trouble our little flower has been stirring at the sanctuary."
Jin stepped forward, hesitant but determined.
"Director... is there a reason we're not allowed to have names? I couldn't find any books explaining why, and well, we've all been too scared to ask the instructors."
The Director turned, his hands firm on the little girl's shoulders as he fixed Jin with a hard stare.
"But you're not afraid to ask me?" he said, voice low.
Jin paled, scrambling for words.
"No! It's not that—it's just—"
The Director broke into a hearty laugh.
"I'm only teasing. Questions are welcome here in the House of Quell," he said warmly. Then, his smile faded just a touch. "It's not that we can't give you names. It's simply... because of the high death rate."
The room fell silent.
"High death rate?" Jin asked.
He nodded.
"We live in a land swarming with monsters... and, at a certain age, most of us fall ill. The only way to survive is to follow the supreme being's guidance and join the sanctuary or the House of Quell."
Jin lowered his head, shame flickering across his face.
"I never knew that..."
Hades closed his eyes, the heavy pull of sleep nearly overtaking him, while Lily remained very still.
The Director continued, voice even but carrying weight:
"Here at the House of Quell, we were granted divine protection by the supreme being. As long as we entertain him, our bodies remain strong. By spreading joy and vitality to others, we extend that blessing; that's why we visit the sanctuary so often."
Jin glanced up, suspicion in his gaze.
"Not a lot of people know this... do they?"
The Director offered a sly smile.
"No. It would cause a ruckus. There's no need to spread despair. At the end of the day, there's no official rule against giving you names; it just became our way of life, so we stuck to calling each other certain terms for decades. Like our little flower here."
Mika, who had stayed quiet until now, tilted her head.
"Then... why are you telling us this?"
The Director leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
"You'd hear it eventually from the Grand Master anyway. I figured, why not hear it from someone a little kinder first?"
He winked.
"Just don't tell him I ruined his big dramatic announcement, alright?"
Jin nodded earnestly. "We won't."
Before the conversation could turn, Lily grabbed Hades' arm, tugging him toward the exit.
"I told you I've got a lot of places to show you! We're just getting started!" she said brightly.
Hades sighed, dragging his feet. He had hoped to steal a few moments of rest in one of the chairs nearby, but even that was a dream now.
Still, when Lily grinned up at him, he couldn't bring himself to complain.
The other girls watched them go, frowning.
The story must have gotten to her, they thought.
Hades relented, following her lead, their hands loosely clasped.
Just as they were about to disappear into the hallway, the Director stopped Lily, leaning close to whisper in her ear.
"Have you visited him yet?"
Lily's whole body froze, her hands trembling slightly.
"I'll... I'll do it later," she mumbled.
The Director said nothing more, simply turning back to the others to begin their tour.
As he walked, his gaze caught on the flower-shaped charm hanging from Maki's belt.
He smiled softly.
"That's the Blue Spring Lotus," he said. "A symbol of good health and well-being."
Maki looked up, cheeks colouring.
"Y-yeah... My parents gave it to me," she said quietly. "Before they died."
Hades glanced at Lily, noticing the tension that had returned to her shoulders.
He took a deep breath and grabbed her hand, and pulled her along, sprinting forward.
"H-Huh?! Where are we going?!" Lily gasped, stumbling after him.
Hades didn't stop running.
"You were the one who said you had a tour planned," he said between ragged breaths. "So keep your head in the game."
Lily blinked, then laughed. "Yeah, you're right," she said, matching his pace easily. "Wow. You almost sounded cool just now. What happened? Eat something weird?"
"Shut up," Hades said with a little chuckle. "I'm just sleepy."
Still grinning, Lily kept her eyes forward.
"Still... thanks."
Hades smiled back, squeezing her hand slightly.
"No need for that. Let's go."