Chapter 43 - Interspatial battle
"Thank you, Akio."
Hercules fist bumps with Akio, who had been struggling to stay up, even though his outer wounds have been healed. Akio continues to note that their battle was quite long, as the sun had started rising.
Akio then signals Inferno to make himself larger, and the hound does so, as the three comrades get on top of him, and they continue their journey. Suddenly, Akio and Hercules fall unconscious, much to Artemis' shock.
It is unknown why, but Artemis knows that the two didn't fall unconscious due to the same event, as the magic energy emanating from them feels quite different. Akio's energy, though, is fading. In his soul, Akio awakens, only to see an endless void again, but this one has magic around it.
He tries to go after that magic, but when Akio comes close, he's knocked back. Failing to understand why, Akio closes his eyes, attempting to sense the energy around him, but his attempt was futile.