Chapter 7

Few if any can describe the weight of a fleeting moment more than those who experience it first hand.

Thoughts unravel as the mind grows blank, but amid inexplicable upheaval, a spark shines upon avenues never once considered through common worldly perceptions.

Doubts disappear, replaced by convictions and belief.

The Gods that walk upon the Lower World could not have children. It was a fact, a shackle enforced through some unseen law. There had never been a single instance where the affections of a mortal and a divine ever germinate a seed.

Therefore, the depth of emotion Thetis felt upon witnessing the ephemeral beauty of a vision both bittersweet and melancholic, could never be validated.

It wasn't real.

It could never be real.

Her dearest boy wasn't real.

Her love hadn't been real, nor her despair and sorrow.

Nevertheless, she'd seen him, spoke with him. He was neither a mirage nor a figment of her imagination. The way he looked at her, the way he acted around her, so distant yet so close- hesitant not to reforge connections not for his sake, but for her own, were ingrained in her heart.

His life had always been destined to be short, such that it had always been unbearable for the one who had cared the most.

Even now…such a silly child.

Her love, her action, real or not, all of it had had meaning. There was no longer a point in suffering between sanity and craziness over the impossible.

All that was left was Thetis's own belief.

The shield in hand was proof of that existence.

It was designed to keep him safe.

The resonating Divinity that directly mirrores her own, was an undeniable symbol of his heritage.

For him, she'd stopped at no expense.

…Because he calls her 'mother.'

That bond had always been enough.

Tears trickled down Thetis's eyes, Peleus staring stiffly at her and the shield held aloft that began to unravel in her grasp.

Green light rapidly expanded outwards, illuminating the faces of all within the vicinity as the divinity stored within the shield's construct reacted to its name. It was the ultimate shield commissioned by Thetis and forged by Hephaestus.

Akhilleus Kosmos.

Divine wind decompressed and diffused outward from the shield's center, spreading its warmth to encapsulate those behind it in a verdant glow. A bounded field deployed, creating a barrier that rapidly stretched outward in the shape of a dome. And within that dome, was a scenery depicted within a hundred lines representing the legend of the Iliad.

Thetis's breath caught in her throat; Peleus enraptured by the sight before him while Iris and Ryuu watched in alarm.

It was a miniature world enclosed upon the bluest sky first scene on that day the legend began.

('Hehhehe, look, look at mommy! Yes, yes, I'm mommy! Look at you! Peleus would be proud!')

A child, held in the outstretched hands of his mother, stared upon a beaming face framed by glimmering tresses of familiar blue hair.

It was an image of Thetis herself dressed in a white Greek toga and sandals, spinning a baby in her arms with such joy that it was blinding.

Thetis's pupils dilated, staring at that distant reflection of herself, and the emotion that could not be hidden from her expression.

"…A son. My son?" Peleus murmured distantly, his consciousness blurring. It was hard for him to even tell if he was dreaming.

Peleus fell unconscious, unable to hold on through excessive blood loss.

The world continued to expand, the borders stopping Juggernaut in its tracts and deftly pushing it back. Its claws were meaningless, its howls muted in the sheer scale of what was unfolding.

Scenes rapidly appeared then disappeared.

A prophecy that spoke only of a moment's glory, and the way a mother's face cracked at the news.

From the river Styx, to aunt Iris and her concealing mist, down to the armours and weapons gifted for the sake of preserving a life.

Everything was encompassed in a single unbreakable space.

Greek columns began to rise and replace the ruins captured within the boundary of the shield, forming colosseums, temples, verdant fields, wars, and altars.

They spoke of his triumph.

The greatest warrior.

They spoke of his hardship.

The pain of arrogance and loss of brotherhood.

They spoke of his journey…the beginning, and the end.

Thetis felt like she couldn't breathe as she relived that vision again, watching that figure fight amid a battlefield, unaware of Apollo aiming an arrow at his heel.

At the end of it all, a hollow-eyed image of Thetis sobbing and carrying a lifeless body to rest was seared into her eyes.

The life of a shooting star captured and forged within a shield served as an impenetrable wall.

Juggernaut failed again and again to gain solid ground. Its talons dug into the dirt, its tail whipping at the expanding bounded field, but it was all to no avail. Every attack was repelled, and every action to hold its ground was pushed back, digging grooves into the ground.

As it stood now, Thetis and Peleus were firmly within the safest zone in all Orario, but the same could not be said for everyone.

Iris felt her expression tense when Juggernaut's eerie red eyes fell on her and Ryuu. She backed away, gaze flitting from left to write as she futilely considered whether she'd be able to summon a mist portal in time.

Ryuu was already chanting, but the green spirits of wind forming around her would do as much good as the terror plastered over her face. Namely, nothing at all.

Juggernaut's anti-magic shell nullified all magic attacks.

What they needed were physical blows, none of which anyone present had the capability of pulling off.

"Iris!" Thetis shouted as she noticed Juggernaut's figure blur into action.

Iris pulled Ryuu in an instant, the both of them just barely able to avoid a claw that blew up the area they had once been standing.

Ryuu's magic fizzled out as trauma caused her complexion to pale and cold sweat to form over her brow. Iris was no better even though it was her first time facing Juggernaut.

They were going to die.

"Iris!" Thetis couldn't bare to watch what would happen next.

Iris and Ryuu had avoided death, but their maneuver left them vulnerable and sprawled on the ground.

Thetis tried to help them somehow, but Peleus's weight and his condition prevented her from moving, let alone directing the shield around her. No, it was more accurate to say that Thetis couldn't.

To move the shield at her will was to move the world contained within rather than just deploy it. That ability was possessed only by the original owner.

Features growing helpless, Thetis trembled, a shudder travelling down her back. There was no solution available to her, and she was panicking. Along with it, her divinity surged erratically, not knowing how much of a beacon it was from the very beginning.

It was shout, a plea, that was conveyed within the energy reflecting her emotions, and through that, a star shone from up high and rapidly descended.

Dromeus Komētēs, the Comet Form.

One moment Juggernaut stood menacingly in front of Iris and Ryuu, and in the next, a reverberating clang created a shockwave that blew both Iris and Ryuu into the air. Yelping, the two found themselves in a flying chariot pulled by three horses, the rider jumping down to stand firmly on the ground.

Iris and Ryuu stared blankly at that figure.

It was impossible not to recognize it after that shield was deployed.

His figure stood straight, cropped green hair swaying in the breeze generated at his own descent. His shoulders were broad while veins popped over his temples.

Again and again, he always seemed to come late. What was it? A divine joke? Intervention by a higher power-?!

The sound of Thetis weeping was all that Rider could hear.

The sight of Iris nearly dying, and Peleus on his deathbed created a suffocating divine pressure in the air as energy leaked from Rider in droves.

"You bastard…was it you?" The voice was laced with fury.

Rider readied his spear, muscles taut and at the ready as he exuded his Divinity in full.

The ground caved beneath him, mist pooling into droplets of water that surrounded him.

The energy then inexplicably spiraled into a green mist that congregated into the illusory figure of Thetis herself who wrapped her arms around Rider's neck and leaned into him.

At that moment, Thetis's projection made of divine energy smiled with such love that it was undeniable. Her form melded into him, flashing with the crest of a dolphin and star of the Thetis Familia.

Always and forever, she would watch out for him.

Affection of the Goddess (B)

What could have been arbitrarily measured by an Adventurer's license underwent an immediate change.

It was a unique skill that was closer to a blessing that Rider universally possessed.

Other than Luck and Mana- All parameters are increased by a full grade.

Strength (B+ - A+)

His muscles bulged.

Endurance (A – EX)

His blood pumped furiously.

Agility (A+ – EX)

His eyes shifted into hyperfocus.

Noble Phantasm (A+ - EX)

A sheen of light shimmered over his entire body.

Andreias Amarantos, the Amaranth of the Brave: The Noble Phantasm representing Rider's invulnerability after he'd been dipped in the river Styx as a baby and bathed in holy flame.

All attacks were rendered null. Only those possessing Divinity are permitted to harm him, and even then, the strength of that Divinity must surpass Rider's own. It was to the extent that those of weaker Divinity would have a three-fourth's reduction in damage dealt, while those of greater Divinity would still have their damage reduced by at least fifty percent or more.

The weakness is the heel alone.

Staring at Rider, Thetis swallowed nervously, only for Rider to glance back at her.

"Keep safe. I'll be back shortly," he said before directing his attention back to Juggernaut who roared as it pulled itself out of the crater Rider had struck it into.

In a flash, Rider appeared before it and hurled it with his bare hands to a distance where a battle would not affect Thetis and the others.

The beast would come to know of what was written by Homer.

-The Iliad.

The Rage of Achilles.

/-/

Ryuu made a noise of disbelief that faded in the wind while Iris could only stare before she leapt off Rider's chariot and ran towards Thetis. The barrier held up by the shield in Thetis's hands did nothing to stop Iris's approach.

"T-Thetis," Iris kept stuttering, not even knowing where to begin. "T-That was…"

"Achilles," Thetis answered in warbled voice.

"Son of Peleus."

Thetis hugged Peleus close, and sobbed as she could feel the life bleeding from out of him.

"Your nephew…And my only child."

Iris swallowed; her throat dry.

/-/

Growing up listening to the stories of his eccentric grandfather, Bell had come to Orario with the noble goal of picking up girls in the dungeon. However, he never even imagined that it would even happen outside the dungeon too.

"Careful Ms. Syr." Bell said shyly, his steps a little stiff.

With Bell was a waitress from the Host of Fertility named Syr. She was a youthful girl in maid attire with grey hair cut in a bob cut and propped up by a white frilly headdress. Bell had met Syr by chance after Mia Grand, concerned about another waitress named Ryuu Lion, asked a favour of Syr and the other waitresses. They were to find Ryuu, and talk some sense into her, to prevent her from being too impulsive.

Mia had inferred that Ryuu was highly unlikely to listen to anyone else but them at this point..

It just so happened that a disaster from the Dungeon had caught everyone in a stampede of monsters.

What was a weak maid to do?

Bell had been nearby and was also acquainted with Syr, so he couldn't possibly have left her alone especially when the both of them had missed the prime opportunity to flee with other citizens.

So, here they were skulking through broken buildings out of sight from the monsters that prowled the streets.

Bell held his hand out, trying to be reassuring as he helped Syr cross over a shattered window, wrapping pieces of his torn clothing over the sharp glass to prevent injuries.

"I'm fine Bell," Syr grew flustered, accepting Bell's courtesy while her cheeks reddened. After crossing the window and crouching low with Bell again, she shook her head and felt the need to remind Bell of the situation. "Rather than me, we should focus on the monsters."

"R-Right, haha," Bell sheepishly scratched the back of his head before letting out a breath and growing focused again.

Kobolds and Goblins were primarily abundant on the main roads, but Bell was more concerned with stronger monsters like…the minotaur.

Bell had spotted one earlier and shivered with nervousness. However, with Syr relying on him, he managed to keep his wits and help sneak them away to a safer location. Still, he had a feeling that his luck would eventually run out-

Or would it?

"Ais!"

Bell's eyes immediately brightened when he stared up at the main street and saw an emotionless blur of blond hair and silver armor slaughtering the monsters on the street. She was accompanied by a string of Loki Familia members who were clearing out the weaker monsters.

Bell immediately got out of hiding and urged Syr along.

Syr did not look quite as happy to see Ais and the loki Familia as Bell was. In truth, Syr believed hardship and adversity like this was essential for raising heroes and warriors and found it a pity for Bell. Nonetheless, she still put on an innocent and relieved smile.

Approaching Ais, Bell and Syr raised their hands to indicate they weren't enemies.

Ais paused to stare at Bell and Syr after she defeated the final monster on the road. Looking at Bell and Syr, her gaze focused longer on Bell.

"You…Bell?" Ais found herself nodding before sheathing her sword and walking up to Bell and Syr. "You both shouldn't be here. It's not safe."

Bell blushed, unable to meet Ais's eyes. He viewed her as a role model and someone he wanted to catch up to and stand alongside.

"It kind of just happened," Bell murmured. "But maybe I can help?"

Ais pursed her lips and fell in thought, but something no one took into account was how conspicuous the group was in the middle of a chaotic ruin. And most importantly, the intuitions and sense of an anxious Goddess.

"Bellll!"

A wild Hestia came flying into Bell's side, destabilizing his weight and causing the both of them to tumble over the ground. Her arms wrapped around Bell and immediately began checking for injuries under everyone's scrutiny.

Bell grew embarrassed at Ais's reticent expression.

"Hestia?! I'm fine, look- look I'm alright!" Bell desperately tried to reassure Hestia and helped her back on her feet. She was pouting at him. "Ais was here too to keep everyone safe."

The relief on Hestia's face quickly turned cold at his words. She shoved him weakly, then crossed her arms with puffed cheeks.

"You know Bell," Hestia drawled, drumming her fingers over her crossed forearms. "Think about what you just said and why it doesn't make me happy in the least?"

Bel paused, genuinely thinking about it. He was cute that way. "I put myself in danger?"

Ultimately, the answer was still wrong.

It was part of the reason, but it wasn't quite it.

"Muoh, Bell you idiot!"

Hestia huffed as she thought back to how worried she was, only to find Bell flirting and all cozy with the enemy.

Not far from Hestia, Shirou and Archer arrived.

Ais and the members of the Loki Familia were quick to size up the new arrivals, gawking more at Archer for his giant height and corded muscles that rippled with every movement. He was practically a Greek statue wearing nothing but a pleated gray kilt, a large bow strung over his back, and an ax-sword at his waist. His mane of long wild hair resembled that of a lion's.

Shirou, in contrast, had little attention focused on him aside from those that noted the way Hestia kept glancing at him.

"Ais!"

A familiar voice caused Ais to shift her attention away from Bell, Shirou, and the others, and towards Riveria, Bete, and Tiona rapidly approaching them.

A small smile tugged at Ais's lips when she saw them, but it quickly turned into a frown. Their expressions weren't right, and Tiona's gaze was unfocused, running only for the sake of running.

"Riveria, Tiona, Bete- you're arm?" Ais widened her eyes when Riveria and the others drew close.

Bete looked the worst out of the three physically, but Riveria and Tiona were no less affected by what had happened.

"We must evacuate everyone nearby and then leave." Riveria immediately began issuing orders, leaving no time for explanation. She didn't even seem to realize that the pitch of her voice was tightened as if choked.

Ais fell into a daze, standing still and unable to speak out as Riveria was of higher authority in the Familia with Finn being absent.

"But what about the city," Bell argued, Hestia nodding her head while Shirou and Archer frowned.

"Shut up and just do as the captain says you weaklings!" Bete hobbled forward and glared down at Bell.

Bete made to grab the scruff of Bell's shirt to yell at his face, but Hestia slapped Bete's hand away, glaring.

Be that as it may, the anger, regret, and the bloodstains that covered Bete's body made for an intimidating sight.

"Bete," Ais pursed her lips, feeling as if Bete was being too harsh.

Normally, Tiona and Riveria would help try to rein Bete in by this point, but this time they didn't say a word.

Where was Finn or Tione?

It was like there was an itch in Ais's throat that she couldn't reach or soothe. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore.

Ais bit down on her inner cheeks and focused on Riveria, Bete, and Tiona. "What happened?"

Bete's mouth clamped shut, Riveria hardening the expression in her eyes and hesitating while Tiona flat out ignored Ais.

"We can't win." Riveria sighed, helpless. "Not as we are now."

"What do you mean?" Ais pressed for clarification, leaning forward and then glancing at the defeated monsters nearby. None of them had been too difficult to handle.

"A monster..." Riveria gritted her teeth. "It killed Finn and Tione in an instant."

"W-What?"

"There's no one that can stop that monster as we are now."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Archer interrupted, he and Shirou already staring into the distance.

A streak of green lightning illuminated the skies followed by an angered howl.