Location: Undisclosed
Time: 12:00
The heroes gathered in a temple made of gold. The statues at the entrance towered over them.
The walls were lined with marble and quartz crystal tiles, pillars, and treasures made in the goddess's twisted image.
They sat around a table across from each other on golden chairs with cotton and silk cushions. Kai glanced around the room impatiently, his gaze landing on Bjorn.
"Hey! Leader! When is she getting here?" Kai asked, impatience clinging to every word.
Bjorn stared at Kai with disgust written all over his face. Kai sneered at him, rage simmering beneath his skin.
Just as the tension between them reached its peak, the goddess walked in, escorted by seven angelic figures.
Six had halos with four wings each, while the last one had six wings on his halo. They all had blonde hair and were dressed in white robes, with a white cloth covering their faces.
The goddess took her seat at the head of the table, and the angels stood behind her. She glanced at everyone seated around the table.
She spoke, "Sorry to call you all on such short notice… but we have a pressing matter at hand."
Bjorn leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, barely hiding the fury that simmered on his face.
Thedues, the Lightning Hero, shot Bjorn a nasty glare before turning to face the goddess.
"And what would that be, Your Majesty?" Thedues asked.
The goddess leaned back in her chair and smiled at Bjorn. Bjorn gritted his teeth.
"That would be finding and capturing Shin'en, the traitor, and that witch of a demon general," she responded, her voice dripping with fury.
"Good luck with that," Bjorn said, leaning back further and placing his legs on the table.
Everyone in the room looked at Bjorn with confused expressions.
The goddess raised an eyebrow. "And that means…?"
"Not to throw any shade at those of you who can fight," he paused and looked at Kai, "but the last time we fought the General, we lost."
Kai sneered at Bjorn. "WE LOST, muscle brain—that includes you too!"
Bjorn raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did you manage to decapitate her fourteen times while wearing armor that weighs a ton and swinging a great sword that weighs twice as much?"
Kai leaned back in his chair, muttering under his breath. Bjorn turned to the others.
"Let's not forget that Shin also beat the Demon King alone and can withstand the goddess's strongest attacks with minimal damage," he continued.
Silence fell over the room. The heroes shifted uncomfortably. The goddess glanced at Bjorn, her face contorted with rage.
Bjorn smiled and got up.
"And where do you think you're going?" Kai asked, lunging onto the table and staring at Bjorn, mere inches from his face.
Kai's body emitted flames. Thedues stood from his seat and approached Bjorn, eyes blazing.
"So what, you think we can't handle them?" Thedues asked, rage boiling in his voice.
Bjorn chuckled. "Are you two really tired of living?"
Thedues shifted uneasily. Kai backed off slightly, then stopped, raised his fist, and launched a punch at Bjorn.
Just as the fist was about to land, one of the angels intercepted it and threw Kai back into his chair.
"Now, now, children, let's not use violence," the angel said in a bittersweet, angelic voice.
Bjorn stared at the angel, who stared back at him.
"Now, sir, would you kindly take your seat?" the angel demanded.
"No," Bjorn responded, the smile on his face replaced by a frown.
"That wasn't a request," the angel said, disdain lingering in her words.
Both the angel and Bjorn released bloodlust mana, which clashed ferociously with one another.
They both readied themselves.
"Enough!" the goddess pounded the table.
The angel calmed and stepped behind the goddess. Bjorn stood motionless.
He looked at the goddess. "Close call, angel."
Bjorn walked past them without batting an eye and left. The goddess sighed.
"Everyone can go and rest. I'll deal with Shin and that witch," the goddess said, rubbing the sides of her head.
The heroes stood, bowed, and left. The goddess remained with her angel.
"Lance, give me a concrete plan in two weeks," she said.
The angel with six wings bowed in agreement, then left with the other six angels, leaving the goddess alone, enraged.