The two new warriors struggle to comprehend the weight of their responsibilities from this point forward. Daniil glances at Admetus, their eyes meeting—both clouded with the same confusion.
"I guess we'll figure it out eventually," Admetus says with a faint chuckle.
"Yeah…" Daniil mutters, still unable to make sense of the situation. "My head is spinning. I can't remember anything properly."
"Well, of course," Zenobios interjects. "You are no longer mortal. Your memories of mortal life are no longer necessary. This is your second life."
"I see," Daniil replies quietly.
"I want you both to accompany me to the underworld. It will not be pleasant, but I will require capable manpower."
Admetus agrees without hesitation. "My lord, anything you command." He straightens, chest out. Zenobios smiles and nods.
"I'll help as well, my lord," Daniil affirms.
"That's good."
Suddenly, the sound of thundering footsteps approaches. A massive demon barrels toward Zenobios—it is Zir, once again in his beast form, eyes burning with rage. He charges with murderous intent.
"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL TEAR YOU APART!" Zir roars as he closes the distance.
"Oh?" Zenobios smirks, amused by the demon's audacity. "Is that so?"
Just as Zir lunges, Zenobios raises his right arm. His voice turns cold.
"Perish, you deluded fool."
The instant Zir's claws are about to strike, his entire body is engulfed in blue flame. Though his demonic body is immune to ordinary fire, this is no natural blaze. It sears his flesh with agony beyond anything he has endured—yet refuses to let him die.
The towering demon collapses at Zenobios' feet, writhing in torment.
"ARGH! ARGH!!!" Zir's screams echo as Zenobios stares down with merciless eyes.
"This is but a fraction of the pain you've inflicted upon millions of innocents. Repent—or better yet, rot away."
The flames suddenly flare brighter, consuming Zir entirely. In moments, his body is reduced to ashes, which scatter into the wind as the fire vanishes.
"How foolish to think lowly beings like that could ever touch me."
Daniil is left speechless after witnessing Zenobios' display of overwhelming power. He cannot reconcile the memory of this same being lying unconscious beneath a guillotine with the god now standing before him, effortlessly reducing towering demons to ash. The contrast is staggering—he has seen Zenobios in both his most fragile and his most godlike state.
"Do you really need us?" The question slips from Daniil's mouth before he can stop himself. Realizing it, he quickly covers his lips with his hand.
"Huh? Oh, ahahaha!" Zenobios bursts into laughter. "I simply prefer to be cautious. Better safe than sorry. I have not stepped into the underworld in a long time, and I cannot predict what awaits me there."
Daniil nods, quietly absorbing his words.
"Very well, then. It is time to depart."
Zenobios turns his gaze across the battlefield. The number of demons has dwindled; Arcadians and warrior gods now outnumber them.
"This battle was nothing," he remarks. "Our valiant soldiers—and the Arcadians—are far braver than they appear. Their strength comes not from their weapons, but from hearts overflowing with faith."
***
Erastos stands firm before Kerberon. The demon's body is battered and broken, while Erastos' armor remains spotless, without a single scratch.
"Where's all that bravado you flaunted back in Eden? All that sarcasm and mockery—where is it now?"
Kerberon pants heavily, his strength nearly spent. Erastos is no longer the man he once was in Eden. Today, he embodies the very image of a true general. His sword forces Kerberon to guard every swing with his life.
"It's easy to strike someone down when they're unprepared—when they're not at their full strength," Erastos says coldly. "Your so-called triumph back in Eden was only because it was Eden. I told you I would tear you apart the moment I stepped beyond its walls."
Kerberon hears his words, and the truth cuts deeper than any blade. The proof is right before his eyes.
"Heh…" he scoffs weakly. "Maybe I was wrong… yeah…"
"It's too late to repent now."
"Yeah, I know."
A sudden scream rips across the battlefield. Both turn to see Zir consumed by blue flame, reduced to ash at Zenobios' feet. Kerberon's eyes widen at the sight of the Elder God's power.
"…I'm glad I'm not fighting him," he mutters.
"I am capable of killing you in the same manner," Erastos replies flatly. "I'm simply taking my time—to teach you a lesson."
"Oh yeah? Sounds good—"
Before he can finish, Erastos strikes, his sword flashing forward. Kerberon barely manages to cross his twin axes into an X, stopping the blow.
"Hey, hey, hey! That's rude, you know~ You've got to let me finish speaking!"
Kerberon's hands tremble under the crushing force of the divine blade. He is barely holding on.
"You think I care about your opinion?" Erastos answers with a blank expression.
"Geez, I liked you better back in Eden…"
Kerberon forces himself free and leaps backward. He lands heavily, but before he can recover, Erastos is already in the air. The general descends like a hawk, his sword slamming down with such force that when Kerberon blocks, the earth beneath him shatters and caves, leaving a pit around his feet.
Erastos flips back effortlessly and settles into his stance, swift and precise.
"Holy shit, man! That came out of nowhere," Kerberon exclaims, shaken by the relentless assaults. "You really gotta chill, man~"
"The faster I kill you, the more time I save." Erastos raises his blade again.
"Sigh… I'm really going to die, aren't I?" Kerberon glances at the cracked handles of his axes—splintering, moments from breaking.
"See for yourself."
"Man, I hate this."
With a desperate roar, Kerberon rushes forward. He vaults into the air, spinning in a somersault, and brings both axes down at Erastos.
But when he looks to strike—Erastos is gone.
"Damn it!"
A whooshing sound cuts through the air behind him. Erastos' blade comes down, gripped with both hands, carrying even more force than before.
The divine sword crashes into Kerberon's axes—KRA-KOOM! The ground quakes as a shockwave erupts—BOOOOM!
Kerberon is driven deep into the soil, a massive crater bursting outward beneath him. His axes shatter, their handles snapping like twigs. The sword bites into his flesh, carving through him without mercy.
The blade cleaves his left shoulder clean off, severing his arm in a single stroke. Demonic blood gushes in a grotesque fountain, staining the scorched battlefield red.
Surprisingly, Kerberon does not scream or thrash in pain. His face turns pale, his once fair skin now ghastly—like that of a corpse.
He collapses onto his back, the severed arm still clutching one of his shattered axes. His remaining hand slowly releases its grip. His crimson eyes drift upward, fixating on the night sky as clouds part to reveal the crescent moon. The dying glow of his gaze flickers in the moonlight.
Erastos stands over him, sword aimed directly at his face.
"No mercy until the very end, huh?" Kerberon mutters.
"Mercy is the last thing you should be asking for," Erastos replies coldly.
"Damn… haha…" Kerberon lets out a bitter laugh. "Guess this is the end for a lowly demon like me…"
"End?" Erastos repeats. Kerberon forces his fading eyes to meet his.
"There is no end for demons."
"What…?" Kerberon's voice falters, confused.
"You will simply return to hell. To be reborn again. You are not mortal—the laws of the afterlife do not apply to you."
"Oh…" Kerberon breathes, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Guess I'll take a break until then… See ya…" His vision begins to blur.
"No matter how many times you return, I'll put an end to you again," Erastos vows.
"Geez, Romeo… enough with the love confessions~" Kerberon sneers one last time. His words trail off as his body disintegrates, fading into nothing within the crater. Only Erastos remains, standing solemnly amid the silence. He lifts his gaze toward Zenobios in the distance.
Zenobios conjures a portal and raises his hand, signaling his departure to the underworld. Erastos lifts his hand in response. Zenobios nods once, then turns back to his group. Areios, Athanasia, Daniil, and Admetus all stand ready, weapons in hand, awaiting his command.
"Erastos will handle the rest here. Not that there's much left—it's nearly over."
Admetus steps forward. "Sire, may I speak?"
"Hmm? Yes, go ahead."
"I never gave you my name. I am—"
"General of Arcadia, Admetus. Orphaned young, raised by farmers, childhood friend of Khnouphis—the mayor and governor of this sacred city. Yes, I know who you are, brave warrior."
Admetus' eyes shine with joy. His heart swells, tears welling up uncontrollably. He quickly raises his hand to wipe them away before they fall.
Zenobios turns his gaze to the young man beside him. "And you, my child, are Daniil Alkmanis. I know you as well. Your family—and all who perished here in Arcadia—will soon be restored. Do not despair."
Daniil's face brightens with a radiant smile. Admetus immediately interjects.
"My friend Khnum too?"
"Yes," Zenobios confirms. "The angels will be sent here to heal and resurrect all who fell. This attack was sudden and cruel, but their time is not yet over."
"Thank you… Thank you…" Admetus nearly breaks down, overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Enough. There will be time for tears later. For now, we must focus on our true objective."
The warriors straighten; every ounce of their attention fixed on Zenobios.
"Let us waste no more time."
He steps into the swirling purple portal to the underworld. One by one, they follow—first Zenobios, then Areios, Athanasia, Admetus, and finally Daniil.