Do You Want Him To Die!?

"Leave now, don't die for nothing!"

Ryuji patted Steve on the shoulder, trying to persuade him.

"Strictly speaking, this isn't your mission. Your duty was to deliver the notebook back, and you've already completed it. Killing Ares is Diana's task, not yours. You've fulfilled your promise by helping her reach the battlefield. From here on, we'll handle the rest. Gods are not something regular people can face."

"Don't be reckless. Losing your life over this isn't worth it. Sometimes retreating is the right choice—it's not cowardice. It's survival, and it's smarter than going against an enemy you have no chance of defeating."

Diana stepped closer. "Steve, thank you for everything you've done. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. But Ryuji is right—the next battle could cost you your life. Please, stop here."

"Exactly. Get lost already, chicken!" Doutzen Carlos added, her tone sharp with hostility.

Steve didn't respond immediately. He stood silent, contemplating why he had come this far. Was it because he had fallen for Diana? Perhaps. But there was also his sense of duty. He couldn't walk away from the threat of poison gas being unleashed on innocent people.

This wasn't just about him. If he turned back now, he feared it might set a precedent—what if he kept running away every time things got tough? He couldn't live with that cycle of fear.

Finally, he slapped Ryuji's hand away and shook his head. "No! I have to go. Samir said something last night that stuck with me."

"Huh?" Samir looked confused. "What did I say?"

"'Don't let down the people counting on you.' Even if they don't know my name, I can't let them down."

Ryuji sighed, unbothered by Steve's reaction. "Listen to me—nobody in Britain even knows who you are. They're not counting on you. Also, you're American. If anyone deserves your apology, it's the people you've abandoned back home."

Victor let out a hearty laugh. "Good one!"

Logan chuckled, shaking his head. "Kid's got guts, though."

Samir looked genuinely surprised. "Wait, you're American?"

The Chief's expression hardened. He had his reasons to dislike Americans, but he quickly hid his anger. There was no room for personal grudges in war.

Steve, however, didn't flinch. He knew his nationality wasn't the point. "I don't care about Ares, but Dr. Poison must be stopped. I can't allow her to keep creating those deadly weapons."

"Tch, suicide mission," Doutzen Carlos muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Good!" Ryuji clapped his hands. "I admire your bravery."

He then turned to Diana with a sly smile. "So, uh, can I ride with you? I don't know how to handle horses."

"Of course," Diana replied. The two were already close, and it didn't feel odd to share a horse.

Ryuji climbed up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist tightly. Steve, watching from the rear, clenched his jaw and urged his horse to the front of the group. Out of sight, out of mind.

Ryuji smirked. You're not winning this one, pal.

---

By the time they reached their destination—a heavily guarded German castle—Steve had barely spoken.

"Keep low," he ordered, crouching behind a bush as a German vehicle passed by.

"How do we get in?" Diana asked, observing the guards.

"The front gate is too risky," Steve replied. "We'll need a distraction."

"Or we could walk right in." Ryuji gestured to a shimmering field of black and purple light that seemed to obscure their group from sight.

Steve stared in disbelief. "What… what is this?"

Ryuji smirked. "Something that'll make this easier. Stand up; they can't see us."

Steve hesitated, but when he noticed the guards walking past without even a glance, he reluctantly stood. His embarrassment was clear, but the group didn't tease him.

They eventually found a car, commandeered it, and drove toward the castle.

---

Ryuji, however, had no intention of entering the main building.

"This castle is for show," he explained, pulling Diana aside. "If they're producing mustard gas, it won't be here. There must be a hidden military base nearby—that's where we'll find the real target."

Diana nodded, her brow furrowed in determination. Logan and Victor followed, their instincts telling them Ryuji was right.

As the others made their way to infiltrate the castle, Ryuji's group split off. The final confrontation was looming, and Ryuji's mind raced with possibilities.

The god of war awaited.

###

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