[84] Sacrifice

"Your Highness, when I strangle you with this feeble body of yours, don't cry for mercy..."

In the spacious Spartan arena, a comfortable sandy ground was spread out, inviting the combatants to step into its soothing embrace.

Wiping the crimson lips with the back of her hand, the silver-haired woman raised her hand to wipe away the drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.

Naturally, her hands hung down, clenched tightly and trembling.

She looked at the youthful and delicious-looking black-haired boy in front of her.

Caenis decided... to grapple! She must employ grappling techniques!

Here, grappling was, of course, not about engaging in amorous activities on a bed, but rather the ground techniques passed down in ancient Greek wrestling.

As a skilled warrior adept in combat, Caenis took pride not only in her spear skills but also in her wrestling techniques in the arena.

To think... she could engage in close combat with such a beautiful youth.

Such a thing made Caenis ecstatic beyond measure!

With a flushed face, she breathed heavily, her heavy breaths tinged with excitement.

The crimson color of excitement spread to her deep blue pupils.

Due to her excessive excitement and arousal, Caenis began to perspire profusely, her body soaked with sweat, exuding a seductive charm.

Even without putting on an act to disguise her infatuation, it made those around her sigh and shake their heads.

The crew of the Argo had already made great efforts to restrain this infatuated lady.

But... throwing things out of the window didn't help at all.

Proposing marriage upon first meeting was too absurd, to say the least.

However, the young king actually... agreed to Caenis' request for close combat.

"Just take it as entertainment for the heroes."

What a good fellow, truly befitting the King of Sparta.

However, everyone couldn't help but worry for Kratos.

Your Highness Kratos, you're not facing a person at all, but completely a hormonal beast in human form!

"Caenis, please pay attention to the impact! Don't tarnish the glory of our Argonauts! Remember, this is a combat sport! Combat sport! Stop when you've had enough!"

Jason covered his mouth with both hands and shouted loudly from the spectator stands.

Meanwhile, the silver-haired woman, still flushed with excitement, completely ignored the instructions of her teammates.

Heavy industry was indeed a Greek specialty, but did you have to bring it to someone else's city and smelt the king? Jason couldn't help but worry.

Don't go too far, after all, they still wanted to live through Sparta, right?

"It's okay, it's my honor to spar with you heroes."

Facing the gaze that seemed to want to devour him alive, Kratos just smiled gently.

He raised his hand, pulled off his long robe, threw it to the ground, revealing the coordinated and well-proportioned upper body of the black-haired boy.

The sunlight shone down.

The gaze of the crowd also froze.

The robust and full-bodied physique, not seeming exaggerated, as if carved by the hands of gods.

More, but not too much. Less, but not lacking.

As if supporting the sky and the earth.

Every curve of that body, every inch of those contours... seemed to express the true meaning of perfection, then conveyed to the gods and sent out a powerful and questioning voice.

The perfect King of Sparta, the perfect warrior.

But... he was... just a twelve-year-old boy.

A series of thoughts led to such a conclusion.

On the spectator stands, Atalanta's face blushed slightly, and she turned her gaze away.

Her tail swayed and waved, and the soft furry cat ears on her head also trembled slightly.

Because of her lack of paternal love from childhood, Atalanta always had a somewhat strange affection for children.

But, that kind of emotion seemed to be more akin to intimacy and care.

However, looking at the boy in the arena...

Atalanta couldn't help but feel that her feelings towards children... seemed to have changed.

He should also be... considered within the realm of children, right?

She gently touched her slightly warm cheeks.

No... This?! Could it be that she also had a preference for him?

In terms of character and appearance.

There were no flaws to pick out in the young king.

Under the bright sunlight, the gaze of everyone, along with Kratos' body, seemed to fill the hunter princess Atalanta's... heart with a kind of love.

Looking at the young, muscular body of Kratos.

Caenis' mouth watered again, and drool dripped uncontrollably.

Bliss.

The strength and valor of Sparta were well-known throughout Greece.

If she wanted to win the love of the King of Sparta, then she naturally had to show her own strength!

If she couldn't conquer his heart, then she would conquer his body first.

Caenis understood this principle very well.

After all, she had been praised as one of the most beautiful maidens in Thessaly.

In terms of charm or strength.

She had utmost confidence in herself.

The young witch Medea, holding a gavel, smilingly struck the war drum.

Boom!

"Oops... Sorry, Your Highness..."

Wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth.

Boom!

Gravel splattered and scattered.

With the help of the force rebounding from the ground, the silver-haired woman's body rushed towards Kratos like a fierce and mighty wild boar.

Caenis launched a charge!

Caenis used a bear hug!

Caenis... Caenis fell!

With both hands tightly clasped together, struggling against each other, the air almost burst with a deafening roar.

However... before she could exert any further force.

In just a moment, the exquisite and flowing force, like flowing water, completely destroyed Caenis' body posture.

Kratos raised his hands, grasped the hand of the silver-haired woman rushing towards him, and with the momentum of her charge, swiftly lifted her up.

Boom.

Caenis' body soared high into the air, directly thrown down to the ground with a round back throw.

The sunlight fell silent.

As if even the sound of the wind had disappeared.

Inside the arena, which was previously bustling with discussion, suddenly became silent as a tomb.

People stared at this scene with mouths slightly agape.

How strong Caenis was, everyone in the Argonauts knew best... yet she couldn't hold on for even one round and was knocked down?

On the spectator stands, a bright smile appeared on Alcides' face.

So strong...

It was not just brute strength, but the combination of muscle power and exquisite technique...

Everyone knew that Kratos was strong, the Spartans sang praises of King Kratos.

But he didn't exhibit that terrifying, heart-pounding, and armor-clad divine form, just relying on this boy's physique, he was still so powerful?

Obviously, the boy's physique was well-proportioned, but compared to the sturdy body of the silver-haired woman, it seemed like a fragile little rabbit.

Adult and child.

It seemed that there was an extremely disparate contrast in physique.

But... in fact, in terms of physical fitness now, Kratos was the adult.

For him, Caenis was just a playful child.

There was no suspense in this outcome.

Under the Spartan people's belief in the god of war, coupled with the eruption of crimson fury, now when Kratos threw a punch, he could collapse a building with one blow.

In terms of physical strength, Caenis couldn't match up. Originally, all she relied on was her advantage in strength to suppress her opponents, so now she became the one at a disadvantage.

In terms of technique... the force flowing like water, coupled with the strength of a thousand pounds Kratos now possessed, made it even more handy for him.

"Please excuse me."

Kratos watched as Caenis' crimson gaze slowly faded, a hint of stiffness evident in her eyes.

He smiled and extended his hand towards her.

Caenis looking at the charming face of the black-haired youth right in front of her.

The brown-skinned silver-haired woman, almost stagnantly gasping, her chest rising and falling like rolling waves.

The bright sunlight, and the gentle gaze of the youth, seemed to intertwine hazily in the silver-haired woman's eyes.

A vague mistiness emanated from Kainis's lips.

"Your Highness... How about marrying me? Whatever you desire... to ravage me, to use me up, it's all fine..."

The silver-haired woman took the youth's arm and stood up slowly.

Then she kneeled down, emitting a blush-inducing, bold declaration of love.

In those azure pupils, the once surging crimson seemed to form an ambiguous and charming heart shape.

These unreserved, passionate words...

Atalanta's gaze sharpened as she watched from the spectator stands.

The purple witch Medea, her mouth slightly agape, blushed and looked away.

After just one round of sparring, Caenis had come to a clear realization... she couldn't possibly be Kratos' match.

If she couldn't win, then she would cling to him stubbornly. This was her fierce character... she would give her all to seize what she wanted.

Greeks... they're all so bold.

"I'm sorry, I already have a fiancée."

Kratos politely declined.

"What does having a fiancée matter? You're not married yet, Your Highness..."

Caenis licked the fingers held by Kratos, her eyes filled with love, slightly narrowed, exuding a seductive charm like a cat in heat.

"A king having multiple wives and concubines is quite common. Your fiancée, I wonder what kind of beauty she is... I'd really like to meet her..."

As the conversation ended, Jason covered his face with his hands.

Alcides and Asclepius glanced at each other, shaking their heads.

They spent last night carefully explaining Sparta's culture to her, but all she care about is soaking the sheets...

The sunlight was bright and clear.

In the slightly dazed expression of the silver-haired woman.

The smile gradually disappeared from the young boy's face, his ethereal voice seeming to dissipate in the sea breeze.

"She's gone."

"Huh...?"

Immediately, Jason jumped down from the spectator stands, grabbed her by the nape of her neck, and dragged her away forcefully.

"Can you use your brain a bit, Caenis? Kratos is only twelve years old, why is he the King of Sparta?"

The blonde youth's low growl shook Caenis' thoughts.

Being dragged away by Jason, Caenis looked back at the black-haired youth standing alone in the dust.

A broad and sturdy palm gently pressed down on the boy's shoulder.

"Condolences, Your Highness."

Alcides' voice came from behind him, and Kratos just shook his head lightly.

"It's okay, ignorance is bliss."

Saying so.

The black-haired youth, as if in a daze, lifted his gaze.

His father, Leonidas, sat in the spectator stands with his childhood friend, Myrrine, smiling and cheering him on.

Kratos clenched his fists.

The joints of his fingers clicked.

"Sir Alcides."

"...Yes?"

"Let's fight."

The black-haired youth smiled and said...

"...Fighting can temporarily make me forget these troubles. I've been itching for a good fight for a long time."

With lowered eyelids.

Alcides gazed at the young man before him, two heads shorter and with a well-proportioned figure.

He nodded firmly.

"Alright."

"Don't worry, you won't hurt me..." Kratos smiled, "I'm quite resilient, and you never know, you might lose if you're careless."

"Well then, I'll give it my all." Alcides nodded, "Asclepius is here, he'll heal us if necessary."

A solemn atmosphere enveloped the arena.

Both sides slowly made their way to the center of the arena.

Just a friendly bout, not a fight to the death.

Alcides wouldn't use his trials, and Kratos certainly wouldn't unleash his demonic form.

Both sides had abandoned their treasures and would rely solely on their bodies, strength, and skills to engage in a hearty battle.

Alcides' bronze-colored body, nearly two meters tall, with muscles so robust and strong they resembled a small mountain.

Kratos could feel it... the pure and almost tangible magical power stored within Alcides' body.

Within his body and blood, there was a divine aura.

His divinity was so thick that just his presence could dominate the entire arena. Anyone who saw him would immediately sense the majestic aura emanating from his body, the divine authority.

"There's always been a curious question..."

Kratos flexed every joint in his body.

"Sir Alcides, why do you... speak with such depth and solemnity?"

Alcides' speech gave Kratos a feeling akin to the patriot Buldrokkas'tee.

Just as weighty, just as solemn, just as deep and hoarse.

Could it be that the great hero, like that patriot, had a bad throat?

It seemed like he was recalling something unpleasant.

Alcides lowered his eyelids.

"Talking like this... I can curb my madness."

As the great hero now, it wasn't convenient to explain in detail.

Thus, with a solemn and mournful gaze, Atalanta softly spoke in his place.

"Your Highness, the divine power bestowed by the goddess Hera has afflicted Alcides with a curse of rage... he once accidentally killed his own family."

"So, to maintain his ability to think clearly, he used the Nemean's skin to seal away a portion of his consciousness."

"Therefore, Alcides' speech is now affected... he can only speak in simplified terms."

Ah, that explains it.

As Atalanta narrated, Kratos began to recall stories from Greek mythology.

The great hero Heracles, cursed with madness, accidentally killed his family, and with remorse and repentance, embarked on the Twelve Labors.

...All at the whim of the gods, resulting in destruction and devastation for families.

Meanwhile, Alcides, had a pretty good grasp of the situation of the person in front of him now.

Every time he looks at Kratos, he sees his own past in the young man in front of him.

He felt the pain and suffering of loss... yet Kratos didn't choose to flee, but instead shouldered the burden of Sparta, shouldered everything left to him by Leonidas.

So...

Let's express his thoughts and respect in this battle.

Alcides would... give it his all.

The most famous hero of Greece took a step forward.

Boom!

With the power of his body, the purest strength, he stomped suddenly, as if causing the earth to tremble uncontrollably.

Like a weak little animal facing a fierce tiger.

On the spectator stands, the Argonauts felt their hearts sway, a strong sense of palpitation rising within them.

Alcides' long hair flew wildly behind him, and his entire body surged with a majestic and powerful magic, like flames flickering and dancing, spreading out with a violent and oppressive force.

No fancy moves, no elaborate techniques.

He took a sudden step forward, rushing towards the black-haired youth, and swung out with all his might, like a missile, striking out suddenly, erupting...

Boom!

Like a volcano erupting, or as if countless air bombs were ignited and detonated at once!

The ground beneath his feet was completely shattered and broken under the reactionary force, stones and gravel shooting out in all directions, like a scatter shot from a shotgun!

The violent shockwaves rippled out, waves spreading like ripples on the water, flooding out across the sandy ground of the arena, and in the center, a fierce sandstorm rose, completely obscuring the two figures.

Amidst the tumultuous dust and wind, the audience stood in stunned silence.

The purple witch Medea raised a magical barrier with her hand, blocking the onslaught of gravel and stones that shot towards them like bullets.

"That... Your Highness, he actually... directly exchanged punches with Alcides?!"

"Two monsters..."

The silver-haired woman, with her gaze lowered, stared blankly at her own palm.

But, she had boasted so much earlier, how could she be trampled upon without consequence?

So violent a force, if unleashed entirely upon her...

...Won't it... break her?

Kratos stood tall.

What exactly... made him so awe-inspiring?

After a single punch, Kratos's entire body seemed to radiate with a scorching heat. His once fair skin, shrouded in the blood-red magic, gradually turned crimson.

On the other side, Alcides, too, seemed fully excited. Taking Kratos's punch, he felt as if he were being crushed by the Nemean Lion.

Both their bodies crackled and popped as if breaking free from some constraint.

"Come again!" The great hero shouted exuberantly.

"With pleasure!" The young man chuckled madly.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom...

The violent tremors reverberated intensely, each explosion resounding from the pervasive dust.

Under the mantle of sky, the mightiest warriors clashed with their most ferocious and pure strength.

Every punch exchanged caused their veins and arteries to burst from the excessive force, blood seeping out and evaporating in the scorching wind.

"Kratos!"

"Alcides!"

In the most intense manner, they called out each other's names.

The whirlwind of punches tore through the dust, revealing intense afterimages of their collisions.

Bones shattered and crushed.

Ribs, sternum, hands... everything began to emit a continuous low groan and a cacophony of bursts.

But even with such injuries, they couldn't hinder their fervent battle.

"ROOOOAR!!!"

With eyes tinged crimson, Alcides let out a furious roar.

Instantly, a surge of dark magic burst forth, forming four shadowy black arms behind him.

A bloodthirsty, savage grin appeared on his face, amidst the black hair and green pupils.

As his two hands became six, Alcides's punching frequency tripled instantaneously, the explosive punches resembling a barrage from a machine gun, madly pouring towards the young king before him.

Under this thrilling and tumultuous battle, Alcides' berserk nature seemed to be on the brink of overflowing.

"Bring it on!"

The thick crimson magic covered Kratos's entire body.

With his muscles and strength stimulated by the magic, he once again erupted in frenzy.

His heart squeezed violently, muscles stretched to the limit, bones vibrating at breakneck speed...

With a sudden crack, Kratos's body seemed to expand by a fraction, as he unleashed hundreds and thousands of punches in just a few seconds, the result of his brief exertion.

"Ora! Ora! Ora! Ora!!!"

"Muda! Muda! Mudaaa!!!"

Hundreds and thousands of punches' force spread throughout the space where the two battled.

The sounds of explosions and howls echoed, and then silence ensued...

...Because even the air was expelled, eradicated by the shockwaves of their punches.

The entire arena's ground seemed as if it had been bombed for hours, the sandy surface swept away, rocks shattered, and several layers of the earth's surface lifted off, fierce winds blowing in all directions, forming a violent whirlwind.

On the spectator stands, Asclepius shook his head, setting down his staff.

The two beasts, it seems, still possess some sanity.

Watching this scene of devastation on the battlefield, the continuous bombing... finally ended.

Still ringing in the ears of the Argonauts, who had just thought this way.

Alcides lifted his head again, smiling at the young king.

"Shall we go again?"

"With pleasure."

Boom...

Explosions reverberated once more within the arena.

Not only mighty... but also enduring?

Caenis's face turned slightly red, watching the young king's every punch shake her body slightly, she didn't know what strange thoughts were going through her mind.

On the spectator stands, the handsome, blond-haired young man smiled bitterly, his expression dim, as if he were the unlucky one whose wife was stolen.

Alcides, has he ever favored someone so much? This made Jason feel that his friend's position seemed to be in jeopardy...

Atalanta covered the purple witch's eyes with her hand, this bloody and brutal level of combat wasn't suitable for children to watch.

But...

So powerful, so magnificent, not just a king, but also... a twelve-year-old boy.

"..."

Feeling the continuous trembling beneath his seat.

The Hunter's Princess blushed, humming softly from her nose.

"...Men are all the same."

[You and Alcides battled from noon until dusk, wearing down the very fabric of the landscape.]

[Gasping for breath, repairing shattered organs and bones that had been crushed multiple times, you helped each other out of the coastal, blood-stained arena, only to find that others had already set up a barbecue grill by the shore.]

[You cast a communication spell, summoning Dante over, then rolled up your sleeves and began to demonstrate your fish grilling skills.]

[The wine was rich, the food delicious.]

[Amidst the clamor of food grabbing, your bond with each other grew stronger.]

[After experiencing the intense battle of the day, you and the Argonauts had truly become comrades.]

[Amidst the laughter and clinking of glasses, you could feel your nerves slowly, inch by inch, relaxing.]

[You glanced over and seemed to see Leonidas and Myrrine standing in the crowd of Argonauts, nodding and smiling at you.]

[Must one always leave the past behind?]

[Without overcoming one's own weaknesses of the past, one cannot truly grow...]

[You, steadily and step by step, are growing.]

["I will definitely save you, Father, Myrrine. That day is not far away."]

[Sitting on the rocks by the shore, facing the brilliant burning clouds on the horizon, you whispered softly to yourself.

[Beside you...]

[Came a gentle voice, as if afraid to disturb your thoughts.]

"...Apologies, Your Highness."

Kratos slowly turned his gaze away.

Before him, he could vividly picture the silver-haired woman, her face flushed with embarrassment and regret, as if she wanted to bury herself in the ground.

Her blushing complexion and hesitant expression, to be seen on the proud face of a female warrior, was indeed a rare sight.

Glancing at the silver-haired woman, barely covered by two pieces of cloth around her chest, her voluptuous curves seemingly on the brink of bursting out, Kratos couldn't deny that Caenis' figure did indeed appeal to his preferences, especially with her crimson eyes and tanned skin.

If only she wouldn't speak, it would be even better.

The moist sea breeze brushed against Kratos's forehead.

Chewing on these thoughts of relaxation and amusement, Kratos chuckled softly, shaking his head slightly.

"Why apologize?"

"Well... I offended Your Highness earlier..." The silver-haired woman began, bowing profusely, her soft curves swaying with the motion, "I could have investigated a bit more before-"

"You lack sincerity..." Kratos interrupted, causing Caenis to freeze momentarily.

"Apologies should be accompanied by a display of your breast, isn't that common knowledge?"

"...Huh?" The silver-haired woman faltered for a moment.

Then... a look of sheer delight spread across her face.

"Thats right! I have the utmost sincerity! A great deal of it!" She exclaimed, casting a furtive glance around, then attempting to remove her top right then and there.

"...N-no, wait, wait!! Stop!" Kratos quickly raised his hand to stop her, somewhat bemused.

"Just kidding."

Can't you tell? I'm just teasing you, Caenis.

Are you really that naive?

Hmm, thinking like this... makes it even more amusing.

"Ah... So it was just a joke?" 

The silver-haired woman lowered her left hand, wearing a disappointed expression.

"Your Highness, why don't you go and eat the grilled fish?"

"I'm not hungry."

"But you're the best at grilling, and everyone is clamoring for it."

So... why do you think I'm sitting here enjoying the breeze?

Kratos smiled awkwardly yet politely.

Then, somewhat absentmindedly, he gazed at the grilled fish hidden behind Caenis and was presented to him.

"Actually, I grilled it quite well, so consider it my apology!"

Caenis held out the fish she had grilled with both hands, bowing deeply as if offering a tribute.

"...Thank you for your hard work."

The youth raised his hand, gently accepting the offering from Caenis.

The perfectly grilled bonito fish, with its layered cuts and convenient seasoning, had a crispy skin fried in olive oil, sprinkled with a thin layer of sea salt, emitting a rich and enticing aroma of roasting.

Indeed... her grilling skills were truly excellent.

"No need for apologies... I'm used to it."

Kratos smiled.

"Thank you... Gah-!"

Just then, at the most relaxed moment, unexpectedly...

Kratos's face was suddenly pressed against Caenis's soft breast, almost bursting cheek.

Caenis spread her arms, enveloping the young king in her embrace.

Her breast, so well-trained yet so soft and elastic, exuded a faint, alluring scent, wrapping him up like that.

Compassionate, vast, understanding.

There was a kind of... familial tenderness.

Caenis lifted her hand, gently caressing Kratos's dark hair, her feathered ears trembling slightly.

"Forgive my audacity, Your Highness, but I just... find you too cute... no, too pitiful."

Too- no, cough... I'm going to suffocate!

Realizing that Kratos seemed on the verge of being suffocated by her embrace.

The silver-haired woman finally reluctantly released her hold.

"This is not an apology, just a desire to hold you close, Your Highness."

Finally catching his breath, Kratos looked at the grilled fish fallen on the sand, somewhat helplessly.

"Tch, just grill another one."

The silver-haired woman clasped her hands together, knelt on one knee, and smiled pleadingly.

"So, can I marry you? Your Highness Kratos, I don't need a dowry..."

After a moment of silence, Kratos reached out and rubbed Caenis' face.

Marry...?

The King of Sparta, with the heart of a conqueror, finding a red-eyed woman who could both withstand his ravaging and excite him, didn't sound too bad.

Though Caenis wasn't always red-eyed, when she got excited... she could turn her blue eyes into red ones.

So...

"...I will consider it." 

Kratos said with a smile.

"Ahem... Ahem..."

Behind the rocks.

Suddenly, there was a subtle cough, sounding somewhat peculiar.

With a vigilant look at Caenis, Atalanta slowly emerged, opening her arms to the young king.

"I think I can hug you too, Your Highness."

"Why... hug me?"

"Because... you're still a child..."

Stroking the young king's black hair gently.

The embrace of a cat, more affectionate than that of a warrior, softer, gentler, and more addictive.

"Supporting an entire city-state alone, Your Highness, must be exhausting."

A soft corner of the heart, as if touched lightly, let out a tide of release.

Kratos just looked on.

Looking at Dante and the Argonauts hiding behind the rocks, one by one, coughing and coming out.

Even though... he had sensed them squatting here long ago.

Why, then, do he feel like shedding tears?

Facing the young king of Sparta.

The heroes, opening their wide arms.

"Man..."

The young king with black hair, tears streaming down his face, smiled and said,

"Let's forget it, shall we?"

Then he was lifted up by Alcides, his face buried in the hero's arms.

"Looking forward to fighting again, Kratos."

Alcides didn't call him 'Your Highness' anymore.

Because, he had already regarded the young king as a friend.

The consolation of the hero, spoken in such a deep voice, couldn't help but make Kratos smile with a sense of embarrassment.

"Definitely, Alcides."

[The Argonauts were stationed in the city of Sparta.]

[Your affairs, subsequently, became increasingly busy.]

[You discussed navigation charts with Jason, whose astonishment at your vast knowledge of astronomy and geography was palpable. Your depiction of the world map was regarded as a cherished treasure by him.]

[With Asclepius, you discussed methods of rescuing patients. Your reservoir of modern medical knowledge greatly impressed him, and he pestered you all day long with inquiries about anatomical diagrams.]

[You delved into the structure of ancient magic with Medea, and your remarkable insights and various whimsical ideas deeply inspired the young sorceress, who seemed to have turned your palace library into her own bedroom.]

[You exchanged agricultural and hunting skills with Atalanta, meticulously teaching her how to distinguish various crops. Your prowess in poetry captivated her, leaving her avidly engrossed in your creations, and she seemed to quite enjoy the scent of you.]

[You occasionally vented desires with Caenis, and it must be said, the silver-haired woman was truly an extraordinary partner, able to weather any storm you brought down upon her with her broad embrace.]

[You often sparred with Alcides, engaging in brutal battles of fists and flesh, only relenting after exchanging countless blows, drenched in blood, and with bones broken. Under the tutelage of the great hero Alcides, your limits seemed to continually loosen and expand...]

[Time passed.]

[Step by step, you moved forward, establishing an incomparably deep friendship with the Argonauts, while your own strength continued to grow.]

[Two months later, the Gates of Hell were nearing completion.]

[You broke free from the struggles with Athena in your dreams, and gazed at the sleeping, voluptuous figure of the silver-haired woman by your side. For a moment, you felt a vague sense of...]

[You raised your hand and ran it through your hair.]

[Looking at the palm of your hand, at those fallen strands of hair.]

[You fell into a long silence...]