Solon’s laughter
Then the shift came.
His eyes narrowed, sharp as a judge’s verdict.
“Boy, do you truly believe knowledge is free here?”
He tapped his staff once, and the floor trembled.
“I am gatekeeper to trials — I owe guidance to no one.”
Cornea stepped forward before Arlen could speak — shadow trailing behind her like a coiling serpent.
“Enough games. Name your price, relic.”
Her voice carried the authority of a ruler… and the threat of a predator.
Solon’s lips curved — not sly, simply curious.
“As restless and direct as your father was.
Very well. My price…” His gaze swept the room.
“…is whatever believe equals the secrets you seek.”
Arlen clenched his fists.
He had killed gods, crossed realms, tamed hell itself —
but here?
He had nothing
Then Nyx stepped forward.
“I will pay.”
Her voice didn’t tremble — a warrior’s resolve with no space for doubt.
Arlen’s eyes widened in horror.
“Nyx—”
She ignored him, addressing Solon alone.
“I am the strongest
Use my soul — fuse it with his blood — create a new sacred relic.
That should satisfy even you, gatekeeper.”
Even Solon faltered.
“You would willingly offer yourself… to further a half-human’s ambition?”
He sighed — and for the first time, looked almost .
“If Aethel still walked the heavens… he would marvel at this moment.”
Arlen grabbed her wrist, holding her tight — desperate.
“What are you doing!? I can’t let you die for me!”
Nyx gently touched his cheek with the tips of her claws.
A soft smile — real, fragile, and so unlike her usual menace — crossed her lips.
“It’s not fight anymore.”
“It’s ours.”
Cornea — usually dripping with sarcasm — stood speechless.
Even she had not expected such devotion.
Arlen’s throat tightened.
Hot tears stung his eyes — tears he swore he would never shed again.
“No.”
He yanked her into a tight embrace.
“I still need you.
I can’t win this war without you.
So you’re not dying. Not now. Not ever.”
And then — he made the choice.
“OATHBINDER.”
Chains of pure command burst from his relic —
wrapping like a vow around Nyx’s throat.
“You are not permitted to die
“Your life is mine to protect.”
“That is my order.”
Nyx gasped — not from pain, but from the weight of the bond now forged.
Cornea finally exhaled — now smirking with dark approval.
“This time… you did well, Arlen.”
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“The Underworld does not trade away its own.
Especially not for an old relic’s amusement.”
Solon stroked his beard, intrigued.
“Oh? It seems you’ve rejected sacrifice.”
His eyes gleamed again.
“Then bring me something else.
Something… powerful enough to rewrite heaven itself.”
The negotiation was not over.
But today —
Nyx did not die. She didn’t protest either.
For once, her fire wasn’t fuelled by hatred — but pride.
If her Queen and the God Slayer needed
Her claws gleamed, fangs bared — a silent vow to live, to fight, to protect.
Dryas had watched everything unfold… trembling.
Then — gathering every shard of courage in her mortal heart —
she stepped forward.
“I cannot give my life…”
She opened her palms.
Glittering fragments of green-crystal light shimmered like broken starlight.
“…but perhaps this will suffice.”
Solon’s ancient composure shattered.
His eyes went wide.
His staff nearly slipped from his hand.
“Th–that is your Goddess Core
His voice trembled — a first in eternity.
“Do you grasp what you are offering?
Without it, you lose all divinity
You become a mortal — fragile, finite!
If the God Slayer removes your collar, you will die
Dryas only smiled — warm, gentle… and heartbreakingly human.
“I am finally free from Aethel’s laws.
From cycles of suffering I was forced to uphold.
Arlen… gave me that.
So if these fragments can help him… it’s a price.”
A price.
Solon nearly collapsed into his chair — legs shaking.
He had witnessed gods wage war for centuriessingle shard of divinity.
Yet here was the Goddess of Nature casually offering her entire essence —
for a human she should hate.
In that moment…
Solon saw a future far more terrifying than Chronos or Mortis can ever plan.
Arlen wasn’t just collecting power.
He was earning devotion
The potential of this half human half devil is beyond anything the living relic could imagine.
“…Very well,” Solon breathed, voice low, respectful — almost reverent.
He accepted the fragments — hands careful, as if holding something sacred.
“I will honour this price.”
He turned his gaze on Arlen — and there was no smugness left.
“You asked about the relics of Chronos and Mortis.”
His tone grew grave.
“Listen well, God Slayer.
Because what you seek…”
His eyes flickered like dying stars.
“…may be the downfall of existence itself.”
Arlen nods. Zero hesitation in his eyes.
Solon rose slowly; eyes fixed on the unseen horizon.
“The relic wielded by Chronos is called The Borrower’s Will
“I think Cornea knows about it too — it allows the user to use the power of any god… or any being carrying Aethel’s pure blood. The only condition is that Chronos can only wield one
Arlen scoffed, arms crossed.
“So he’s just a parasite with a shiny toy.”
Solon’s expression hardened.
“The relic held by Mortis — The Silent Weaver
He turned, his voice grim.
“It alters memory of any being
A shiver ran down Dryas’ spine.
Solon continued:
“Mortis could rewrite your memories so that killed you… and Chronos saved you. All he must do is touch
Arlen clenched his fists — the thought alone tasted like poison.
“Is there any counter?”
“No relic can resist another relic of Aethel.”
Then Solon pointed at Arlen’s hand.
“But the Oath binder
Arlen nodded slowly. That alone was a reason to keep the collar nearby.
“One more thing,” he demanded. “This plan to create a new God of Wisdom. What’s their endgame?”
Solon’s eyes darkened.
“The original God of Wisdom — Elion
Arlen’s jaw tightened… but his smirk returned.
“So there’s time. Enough time to destroy their entire future.”
He stepped forward.
“Now — give me the relic I came for.”
Solon reached into the dust-laden chamber and pulled forth a grey, ethereal cloak.
“Give me the Null Shroud”
A sacred relic that erases the wielder’s presence — sight, sound, essence — complete invisibility from divine and mortal senses alike.
Arlen accepted it with a predator’s satisfaction.
Cornea opened a swirling black portal behind them.
Before stepping through, Arlen looked back with a crooked grin.
“Keep the chamber clean for me, old man.
I’ll be back soon… for the next relic.”
Solon chuckled, ancient eyes gleaming.
“Oh, I don’t doubt it, God Slayer.”
The portal swallowed them.
Nyx leaned close, excitement boiling beneath her calm.
“So… what’s our next move?”
Arlen’s grin turned feral.
“We steal Ianthe’s newborn son like a true villain,” he said.
“And we make a goddess kneel with the hostage game.”
