The moment Lancester and Nina stepped before the castle, the ancient barrier shimmered.
Its surface rippled like a calm lake disturbed by a falling leaf.
Nina glanced at the translucent wall of divine energy before taking a step forward.
The barrier welcomed her.
She passed through effortlessly.
A few steps later, she turned around.
"Lancester?"
He had not moved.
The God of Lightning and Calamities stood perfectly still, staring at the barrier before him.
For the first time since they had met, Nina saw uncertainty in his eyes.
Not fear of battle.
Not fear of death.
But the hesitation of someone returning home after countless years.
She smiled gently.
"Dear... come here."
Her voice broke his thoughts.
Lancester smiled faintly before walking toward her.
The moment he crossed the barrier, the castle acknowledged his existence.
BOOM!
A wave of limitless divine energy surged through both of them.
The ground trembled.
The trees bent.
The clouds above parted.
The energy poured into their bodies like an endless river.
Their figures began to grow.
Ten meters.
Twenty.
Thirty.
Until they finally stopped.
Nina now stood sixty-five meters tall.
Lancester towered above her at ninety meters.
His silver armor suddenly dissolved into countless glowing runes.
His Lightning Staff shattered into streams of blue lightning.
The runes circled around him before embedding themselves into his skin.
Ancient markings spread across his body like living tattoos, each one radiating unimaginable power.
Nina gasped.
"Your armor..."
Lancester looked down at the glowing inscriptions.
"It isn't gone."
He smiled.
"This is the true form of divine equipment."
He raised one hand.
"The armor... the weapon... they become one with their owner."
He looked at Nina.
"And congratulations."
She blinked.
"You've officially become a true goddess."
Nina looked at her hands in disbelief as divine energy danced across her fingertips.
"I... became a goddess?"
Lancester nodded.
"Only within Crysdom."
He gently held her hand.
"The infinite energy of this realm temporarily completes your divinity."
He paused before adding,
"Outside Crysdom, you'll return to being a demigoddess."
Nina smiled.
Even if it was temporary...
Standing beside him like this made her happier than anything.
Lancester looked toward the massive castle.
"My family is waiting."
The gigantic gates slowly opened.
A deep horn echoed across the heavens.
The reunion had begun.
The path leading toward the castle was lined with towering crystal pillars.
Every step they took released waves of divine light.
Minutes later, they arrived before an enormous pair of golden doors.
Standing before them were dozens of giant werewolves clad in silver armor.
Their leader immediately recognized the approaching figure.
Leona.
Commander of the Royal Werewolf Guard.
Her golden eyes widened.
"Elder Twin..."
Without another word, she rushed inside the palace.
"His Majesty must know immediately."
The remaining guards tightened their formation.
One of them stepped forward.
He was younger than the others.
His name was Vegan.
He blocked Lancester's path.
"Halt."
Nina frowned.
Lancester merely smiled.
"I'm here to see Cronac."
Vegan remained unmoved.
"No invitation."
Lancester sighed.
"Tell him his brother has arrived."
The guards exchanged confused glances.
Brother?
Vegan looked at the unfamiliar god before him.
Impossible.
Everyone knew the royal family.
How could this stranger claim to be His Majesty's brother?
"You expect me to believe that?"
His voice became colder.
"You've got nerve."
Lancester remained calm.
"I suggest you call Leona."
"I said..."
Vegan clenched his fist.
"...leave."
BOOM!
His massive fist shot toward Lancester's face.
It never reached him.
A muscular figure landed between them.
The impact cracked the palace floor.
A powerful hand caught Vegan's punch effortlessly.
The newcomer's crimson eyes blazed with fury.
Kelvin.
The God of Battles and War.
Known across every realm as...
The Brutal One.
His grip tightened.
Bones cracked.
Vegan screamed.
"You dare attack my elder brother?"
Scarlet divine energy erupted around Kelvin.
The sky turned red.
Every werewolf instinctively knelt.
Kelvin slowly raised his free hand.
Power condensed into his palm.
A single strike would erase Vegan completely.
"Remember this."
His voice echoed through the palace.
"You offended Nike."
The sphere of destruction expanded.
Vegan closed his eyes.
Death had arrived.
Before Kelvin could strike—
A hand rested on his shoulder.
"That's enough."
Kelvin froze.
He turned.
"L-Lancester..."
Nike smiled.
"He's only doing his duty."
"But he attacked you."
Nike shrugged.
"I've survived far worse."
He glanced at Vegan.
"Besides..."
He chuckled.
"...that punch was lighter than a feather."
Vegan stared blankly.
The legendary Elder Twin...
Hadn't even defended himself.
Leona returned at that moment and immediately knelt.
"Elder Twin Lightning Sky God."
"Lord Nike."
"His Majesty is waiting."
Nike nodded.
"Let's go."
He had barely taken a step.
RUMBLE!
Dark clouds suddenly gathered above the palace.
A gigantic blue sword descended from the heavens.
Nike looked upward.
"...Seriously?"
The sword answered with a bolt of lightning.
CRASH!!
Nike disappeared beneath the explosion.
Before the smoke could clear—
A colossal hammer fell from another direction.
BOOOOM!!
The second impact launched him across the courtyard.
Kelvin burst into laughter.
Nina looked alarmed.
"Shouldn't we help him?"
Kelvin wiped tears from his eyes.
"No."
He laughed again.
"He's simply having a reunion."
Far above, the sword and hammer floated proudly.
Nike climbed out of a massive crater.
Dust covered his face.
He sighed dramatically.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
He pointed accusingly at both divine weapons.
"If either of you hits me again..."
He narrowed his eyes.
"...I'll turn you into toothbrushes."
The sword stopped.
The hammer froze.
For one brief second—
Everything became silent.
Then—
A third bolt of lightning crashed directly onto Nike.
"AAAAAH!"
His scream echoed throughout Crysdom.
"Fine!"
He raised both hands.
"I surrender!"
The sword and hammer vibrated happily before dissolving into pure lightning and disappearing into the sky.
Kelvin laughed so hard he nearly fell over.
Nina couldn't help smiling.
"So..."
She whispered.
"They missed him?"
Kelvin grinned.
"They never miss."
"They were just saying..."
'Welcome home.'
Nike dusted himself off as though nothing had happened.
"Now..."
He looked at Nina.
"...shall we?"
She nodded.
Together, they entered the meeting hall.
Inside, every conversation stopped.
Dozens of gods and goddesses turned toward the entrance.
Silence spread through the chamber.
A tall man with silver hair finally spoke.
"Who is she?"
It was Farat...
The God of Wind and Thunderstorms.