Hestia silently cried as she was dragged from the cave. Outside, she sat heavily on a wooden log and covered her face. She didn't know the Elven boy who had sacrificed himself to save her, but somehow, that made everything even more painful. Iris, Rose, Lilly, and Lanka quickly went to the carriage with Verka. Dahlia was standing near her Queen, ready to be of service, and Hestia appreciated her presence. It wasn't long before Hestia stood up and looked back inside the cave. She put her hand over her heart and lowered her head. The World's Worlds message was floating in front of her, but she ignored it momentarily and looked at Dahlia.

"He died..." she whispered through her tears. "Eriar claimed his soul and took it from this realm. Before he died, the World's Worlds granted him the title of Hero of Avalon and The God Killer."

"He won? He truly killed that thing?" Dahlia asked her in shock.

"He sealed the Mad God back in the Void Rift. But the wounds he inflicted on the weakened enemy were enough to kill it. Apparently, I greatly contributed to its demise with my one and only attack." Hestia sighed and took a deep, ragged breath. "The Hussars and the rest of the denizens sent by my husband are fighting a substantial Cridian force, probably sent to investigate what we are doing here. We should hastily return to Avalon."

"Yes, my Lady." Dahlia bowed respectfully, and everyone was ready to leave this place soon after.

Hestia sat in the comfortable wagon near Verka, trying her best to calm her. After Lanka healed all her visible wounds and managed to ease some of her physical pain, the girls dressed her in soft clothes. Verka was sleeping, breathing steadily, but Hestia was terrified by the degree of violence and brutality she had endured. Her hands and feet were chopped off, and her skin bore thousands of scorch marks and deep, ugly scars. Her teeth had all been pulled, and her eyes were gouged out. But what was even worse, for the last ten years, her soul had been gradually devoured by the creatures of Chaos and Void. Even if the time flowed much faster inside that cursed room, it was still unbelievable she was alive. Hestia used her powers to give that tormented girl a nightmare-free sleep, but she prayed to the Heavens for Verka. The only hope for her was the power of Irene, and Hestia was ready to beg for her help.

•••

When the wagons carrying Hestia with the others returned to Avalon, I already knew what had happened. I even had the time to identify all the mixed feelings I had. Nineteen out of the twenty Praetorians who embarked on this mission died, and they were beginning to respawn now. I had already force-spawned the first one, the tenth, and the nineteenth, so I had time to work through my shame and rage. My wrath towards Korkas should, at this point, start forming into something physical, but I wasn't sure why that was still not happening. One thing was sure, however. I won't have to wait long for him. His army moved at the exact moment the exploration party started delving into that cursed place, meaning they would reach Avalon in the next two or three days. There was also one part of me that was ashamed yet happy. I was happy that Re-kari saved Hestia, and I was ashamed that I was glad he died instead of her. However, I was even more ashamed that I couldn't be there. My power was useless if I couldn't use it where it's needed. I was proud to know Re-kari of Avalon, the Mortal that killed a God. I promised myself that I would retrieve his body and give him the burial he deserved, even if my Legions had to dig with bare hands and fight against that thing once again. That thing... According to the respawned Praetorians, it was called 'a lesser god of madness' and couldn't even use a quarter of its power. However, they confirmed that Hestia couldn't hope to fight it despite how powerful she was compared to others. The wound she inflicted in her initial attack was not only critical, but it weakened that god so much that Re-kari was able to push it back into the Vortex. If my Praetorians were right, that Vortex was the main reason for the death of that cursed creature. I had so many questions for Hestia...

"Irene?" I called her nervously as I watched the wagons that were about to stop in front of us.

"We are ready, my Darling. Just don't stand in our way." She smiled, and I followed her gaze.

Gloria, Glenn, Fania, and at least a dozen high-ranking healers were standing at the ready to help anyone in need. Amber, Luna, and Aoi were standing aside, and I realized that I should stand there with them. However, when the doors to the carriage opened and Lanka's head popped out of it, it was already too late. Iris, Rose, Lilly, and Dahlia quickly left the wagon, allowing the awaiting healers to examine them as I was pushed inside by Irene. Lanka and Hestia were standing near the bunk bed inside, where a horribly maimed woman was lying. I moved aside toward Hestia, who snuggled herself into me and started crying.

"Theon, I'm so sorry! But before you condemn me, I beg you, allow Irene to help that girl!"

"Stop it. I am not that kind of monster!" I hugged her tightly, happy she was safe.

"I think I should be able to help her..." Irene frowned and tilted her head as she tried to examine the sleeping girl. "Who is she?"

"She was used as the offering for the dark Gods of Chaos and Void by Korkas. If she were anyone else, the offering would have failed because she survived being pierced by the Soul Reaper Dagger," Hestia responded as calmly as she could, turning to Irene. "But she is not the average or even powerful Mortal that Korkas and his cursed minions expected. Her name is Verka, and she is the daughter of God Vali and Goddess Tisiphone. Her powers were slowly drained by the Evil Gods empowering them, but right after we managed to tear her away from their clutches, she began rapidly regaining her powers. Korkas, who surely was generously rewarded for bringing them such an offering, will suffer the consequences of his inability to protect the complex."

"I won't forgive Korkas for what he has done to so many people..." I clenched my fists, enraged by his brutality. "I can't allow that monster to live. I have to destroy him. Only then will the souls of those whom he killed and offered to the Chaos and Void's gods be avenged..."

Irene uncovered the rest of the girl's body and recoiled in shock. The Saintess of Avalon closed her eyes and started praying silently. She changed as usual, transforming her dress into her golden armour, as her Halo manifested right over the top of her head while her shining black hair turned to gold. But this time, Irene was torn by extreme emotions. Her hands were trembling, and I wasn't sure if she was trembling from anger or other feelings that she must have felt. Hestia let go of me and tried to put her hand on Irene's shoulder, but I stopped her.

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"I want to help her with my power," she explained, but I silently shook my head in rejection.

Hestia lowered her head, clenched her fists, and pursed her lips with the powerless realisation of how little we both could do in situations like this. Irene stood over Verka with a focused expression on her face, bit her lip, and pressed her palms together, which whitened from the force she used. Her Halo shined brightly, filling the wagon's interior with warm and calm force, while beads of sweat formed on her face. She pushed herself to the limit to heal the woman, a child of gods she didn't even know or follow. Irene snapped her eyes open and extended her hands, with her palms facing downward over Verka's head and midsection.

"By the grace of God, I wish to restore your body, your mind, and your innocence, so you may once more enjoy your life!"

I grabbed Irene before she even started falling. This time she was so spent that she immediately fell asleep. She was breathing calmly in my arms, so I lifted her carefully and hugged her slim body. The mutilated body of Verka was rapidly restoring itself right before our eyes. First, all the scars and burn marks disappeared, leaving pristine skin where once deep wounds and lacerations resided. Her empty eye sockets were filled, and her previously torn-off eyelids were now regrowing. The broken bones and chopped-off limbs were fully healed and repaired, leaving no trace of past torments. Verka was malnourished, but once she woke up, I was sure she would be in good condition. I wasn't so sure about her mental state, but with the help of Hestia and the Eternals, I was confident we could help her. I nodded towards Gloria, who was waiting in anticipation near the entrance.

"Miss... or Goddess? Ummm..." Gloria bit her tongue and, after clearing her throat, started again. "Goddess Verka is now stable. Nothing is endangering her life at the moment. However, I don't think she should be left alone. Queen Irene is extremely exhausted, and she must rest for the time being."

Gloria turned her head towards Hestia and I saw the tears forming in her eyes as she examined her Goddess. As the Archbishop of Hestia, and for a long time her only true worshipper, Gloria had a very special connection with Hestia. Her face turned red from the poorly hidden anger as Gloria raised her hands and started healing.

"Perfect Restoration!" The bright white light engulfed Hestia, who coughed her own blood, swaying, but luckily she caught my arm before she fell. "I have no idea how you survived all these wounds, my Goddess..."

"Thank you, Gloria. I am much better now." Hestia tried to smile, but Gloria looked at her with a grim facial expression.

"Not that fast, my Queen! You should rest for the rest of the night! My healing spell should be sufficient, but before sleep, you should use an Elixir." Gloria looked at me with a begging gaze.

"Indeed, Gloria is right. All three of you must rest now. Irene, Verka, and you Hestia. Before you go to sleep, can you summon Hera? If Verka wakes up, I want her here to calm her down." I vigorously nodded my head, to Gloria's relief.

Hestia sighed heavily, and she summoned Hera, who arrived a few moments later. We quickly explained to her what was going on, and I teleported myself, Irene, and Hestia to the Royal Suite. Hestia drank the Elixir I gave her and heavily sat on the bed. I gently put Irene to sleep and looked at my goddess-wife. "Are you sure you are all right?"

"No... It was so difficult..." She avoided my gaze, but I could hear her trembling voice. "I'm so sorry... Please, forgive me, Theon."

"Hestia, I am not mad at you. We will talk about this later, but you must know that I am happy you returned home, alive and well." She looked at me, surprised, as if she expected my angry outburst. I kneeled in front of her and gently patted her cheek, wet from tears. "You must rest now."

She nodded and, still without looking into my eyes, she slowly stood up. She tried to take off her armour but struggled with it so much that I had to help her.

"You are so tired you can't even store it in your holding space?" I asked her and she just nodded and staggered, almost falling on the floor. "Oh, Hestia..."

I caught her, and after removing the last few pieces of her heavy armour, I placed her near Irene. She looked embarrassed and ashamed, but I simply patted and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Hestia. Don't do anything so reckless anymore."

"I promise..." She smiled slightly, relieved from anything that troubled her mind. "I love you too..."

She fell asleep almost instantaneously, making me heavily exhale. Was I angry at her? A bit. Would I make a big deal of it? Probably not. It could have ended far worse if Hestia weren't there. All of them could have died and we would have never learned what exactly happened in that tainted crypt if not for her. Should I be angry that she wanted to sacrifice herself to save our people? I couldn't, without being a hypocrite, since if I was there, I would have done exactly the same. I could only be glad that Re-kari saved us all. After sighing one more time, I teleported back and saw Hera sitting next to Verka. I smiled with a heavy heart at her and she responded in kind. I stepped outside to check on the others and just talk with them. They were gloomy, but the Healers informed me that after administering them just minor help they were in perfect physical health. Amber, Luna and Aoi stared silently at me, so I went towards them and lowered my voice.

"Irene and Hestia are sleeping at home. Both of them were so exhausted they couldn't even walk. Can you, or at least one of you, go to them? I have to debrief and listen to their stories. After that, I'm eager to prepare a very warm welcome party for that bastard Korkas."

"He is coming?" Amber frowned, surprised.

"Yes. His army will be here in less than two days." The flame of wrath was burning in Luna's eyes. "This is fairly recent news, Amber. That's why I had no time to share it. We thought he would need about a week to muster his murderers and most loyal servants. But you and Hestia forced him to rush his preparations."

I just nodded, delighted in the rag-tag state of Korkas' forces and the fact that this time he took only the worst scums in his service. I didn't have to be merciful anymore.

"I think I will go to Irene and Hestia," Aoi said, looking towards the Palace. "There is nothing much I can help with here."

"Thank you, Aoi." I smiled at her and she smiled back before she teleported. "Let's go to Hera and ask if she needs our help when Verka wakes up. And I think we should move them to the guest room..."

"I will debrief Ian's party, Theon. I sent them there. I must learn what happened there from them. I have to apologise to them as well." Amber shook her head and took a breath. "You and Luna should take care of Verka for the time being. Or just Luna. You must prepare us for that battle."

"This time I want you all to be ready, my Darlings. I don't plan to show mercy and I don't want any survivors." I replied calmly, and they both looked at me, surprised.

"Will you allow us to fight?" Amber couldn't believe her ears.

"Not quite..." I sighed, a bit tired. "You proved me wrong last time when the three of you displayed your might. While I still won't allow you in any dangerous situation or even on the battlefield itself, I want you to be ready to use your powers to ensure our absolute victory."

"With pleasure, my Darling." Amber smiled coldly.