Chapter 27: The Siege of Justice

(Please add it to your Library! Please send Power Stones! Thank you!)

"A wretch like you has the gall to prattle on like some loyal lapdog."

"If you want to be sent back to the heavens, you could've just asked, instead of resorting to insults," Sol replied with an easy smile.

"Then again, isn't this exactly what you did before? Worked quite well, I'd say." Sol flashed an innocent grin as he casually set Gnar down and crouched to help Astraea to her feet, brushing the dust from her clothes.

He paid no attention to Erebus, still muttering nearby.

"What are you doing here?" Astraea asked, her tone uncertain yet unguarded. In the heavens, she and Sol had been close; he'd even helped her leave the group of virgin goddesses. But his morally ambiguous ways in the lower world had led her to keep her distance.

"I was worried about you. You're just like those brave kids in your Familia—you like to take on too much."

Astraea gave a small smile. "Thank you... though I'm not sure I quite believe it."

"Oh, come on! I've braved the lion's den just to save you. Don't tell me you're completely unmoved." Sol's mock-pitiful tone fell flat; Astraea was in no mood to humor his theatrics.

Had their bond grown rusty from too much time apart?

She had certainly become more rigid since descending to the lower world.

"You haven't changed, Astraea. Just before I arrived, I heard your Familia members were fighting Alfia."

"They're doing their part to protect Orario! I'm proud of them," she replied firmly.

"Sure, but staying alive should be the priority. Without that, everything else is empty talk," Sol replied, closing the distance between them.

"Tell me, do you believe your Familia has any chance against Alfia?"

Before she could answer, Erebus burst out laughing. "It's obvious! Those brats of Astraea's are doomed to die by Alfia's hand!"

"Shut up, Erebus! It's because of your reckless actions that Orario is in this state!" Astraea shot back, pointing an accusatory finger. She was beyond caring about her goddess image—this was personal.

Her fury was justified. She was a kind-hearted goddess, and the recent deaths in Orario had hurt her deeply.

Sol placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. I've already arranged for Riveria and the others to support your Familia."

Astraea's expression softened, her eyes rolling slightly in reluctant gratitude. For once, she appreciated his intervention.

"So, you're just going to stand there ignoring me? How infuriating! Perhaps I should send you both back to the heavens together!" Erebus's frustration mounted as the two continued to disregard him.

"You talk big. Why don't you give it a try?" Sol straightened, his gaze disdainful.

Vito was the first to move, crouching low as he lunged forward, appearing even faster than during his earlier fight with Astraea.

"Your children are still fighting fiercely. Go to them and fight by their side," Sol instructed, gesturing back toward the entrance.

Astraea nodded, understanding. "I'll leave it to you here, then! I owe you a debt this time!" With a clear mind, she dashed in the direction Sol had indicated.

As soon as she was gone, Sol waved to his companions. Gnar, itching for action, sent his bone boomerang spinning toward Vito with deadly precision.

Vito barely managed to twist aside, the boomerang slicing just past his waist—so close that he nearly lost his "happily ever after" on the spot.

Suddenly alert, Vito froze, glancing back just as Erebus shouted, "Behind you!"

Too late—the boomerang had curved back, true to its name.

Before Vito could dodge, Poppy advanced, surrounded by a golden aura. She swung a massive hammer, as tall as she was, toward Vito's back. Small though she was, the air whooshed with the hammer's swing, and Vito had to raise his arms in a desperate block.

But the boomerang struck from behind, drawing blood and nearly shattering his waist. The pain forced Vito down on one knee.

Barely holding his ground, he realized he couldn't withstand another hit. As Poppy raised her hammer again, the weight of it numbed Vito's arms, leaving them useless. If his hands hadn't been there to absorb the blow, his head would've surely been crushed.

"Such a nuisance..." muttered Vex from the sidelines, finally deciding to act.

The timing was perfect. Despite her earlier aloofness, it was clear she had been observing the battle closely.

From her sleeves, a cloud of dark mist began to pour out, swirling in seemingly endless streams that quickly blanketed the entire hall.

"What!?"