The cavern reeked of iron and death. Goblins poured forth in a snarling tide, crude blades flashing green under the dim light, their shrieks rattling the stone walls. Achlys and Cryo rushed ahead in practiced synchronicity, splitting to flank the swarm.
Cryo thrust his right arm across the air, releasing a flood of white mist. It billowed outward like the breath of winter itself, veiling the battlefield in a frostbitten haze. Achlys, eyes glinting with resolve, seized the cover. His blade sang through the fog, carving a wide arc.
"First Order, Horizon!" he cried.
The mist parted under the stroke, unveiling a single brilliant slash of energy. Twenty goblin heads spun into the air, their bodies collapsing like wheat beneath a scythe.
"Beautiful, Achlys! Keep it up!" Bellona's voice rang from the sword, fierce with pride.
Lecia clicked her tongue at the sound, her face tightening. "Can you shut up, worthless god? We're working here."
Bellona's tone sharpened, unimpressed. "Like you're doing anything, Miss 'useful.'"
Lecia flushed, the crimson mark at her neck pulsing. "I am useful. Unlike you."
"Shut it, Angel Predator," Bellona snapped.
A stabbing pain shot through Achlys' mark. He winced, clutching it. "Both of you! Stop fighting! My face hurts!" His muffled voice pressed through his palm as Bellona cursed from the blade.
Unbothered by the chaos, Lecia leaned closer to him, swaying playfully side to side. "Achlys~ can we go on a date tomorrow?"
"I'm into younger girls," he said dryly, brushing past her and following Cryo, who was already finishing off the stragglers. "And I don't plan to die yet." A faint grin curved his lips.
They strode over a carpet of corpses. Some goblins still twitched, crawling away, but Lecia stalked after them with merciless precision. She drove her hands into their skulls, pulling free pulsing hearts. "Disgusting things should stay dead," she hissed. Skipping toward Achlys, she held out one like an offering.
He slapped it from her hand without hesitation. "Don't." He walked on, her delighted giggle following.
At last, the mouth of the cave came before them. Blinding sunlight spilled through.
"Finally…light!" Cryo exhaled, his feathers and skin streaked with goblin blood.
"Don't be lame," Lecia teased, her lips curling.
"Don't fight," Achlys said with a weary smile. "Or I'll interfere."
Cryo sighed and nodded. Lecia flushed, tilting her head. "Yes, Achy… I won't."
Achlys' cheeks burned. "Don't call me that. Only Tiabishi can." Lecia's face soured at the name, irritation flashing in her eyes.
Before tension could bloom, a voice cut across the clearing.
"Well, this is interesting… An angel, a phoenix, and the Order of Swords."
A man stepped forward, cloaked in yellow robes patterned with stars. In his hand gleamed a long spear, sharp as frozen sunlight. Beside him stood Krisa Eldaf, her brow damp with sweat.
"Achlys," she warned, "this is Rank Five… Rotiun Lugh R'hllor. The Order of Spear."
Rotiun's gaze hardened, his eyes alight with spear-formed sight. "Long time, Bellona. Or should I say… Sword Goddess Bellona."
Achlys gripped his blade tight. Its glow shifted, blue flaring into reddish hues. "Who are you?"
"I just told you- Rotiun Lugh R'hllor!"
Achlys tilted his head in confusion. "I don't know who you are, but you sound dangerous, Mr. Rotterdam."
Cryo choked back a laugh and shrugged helplessly. Krisa only covered her face.
"It's Rotiun!" the spear-bearer bellowed, veins bulging. "R-O-T-I-U-N!"
"Rotation?" Achlys guessed innocently.
"You're mocking me!" Rotiun leveled his spear, fury igniting the air.
Achlys broke into laughter. "Sorry, I'm bad with names… Mr. Rotation."
Rotiun, trembling with indignation, hurled a stone at Cryo.
"Hey! What did I do!?" Cryo yelped.
With an exasperated stomp, the spear wielder turned and stalked away. "Order of Swords! We will talk later!" His words cracked the ground as he vanished into the distance.
Achlys cast a sidelong glance at Cryo, who sputtered in outrage. "Stupid bird!" Achlys muttered.
Cryo gasped, wings bristling, and ran after him. Lecia tried—and failed—to hold him back, laughter bubbling from her lips.
"They are really useless sometimes," Bellona thought aloud, reclining on her flaming sphere, idly tossing and summoning her sword.
Above them, the sky deepened to dusk. The three moons rose together: Mesopotamians, the smallest; Tsukuyomi, pale and watchful in the middle; and Nzambici, the vast and solemn largest. Their light silvered the mountains like paint brushed over stone.
.........................................
By the next day, the trio camped in the wilderness. Firelight flickered between them, throwing long shadows into the grass. Achlys dozed peacefully, his head resting on Cryo's shoulder.
"He's so cute," Lecia whispered with envy. "Lying next to an ugly creature, though."
Cryo glared, though his voice stayed calm. "Like you're any better." He stirred the weak fire with a stick.
"Mmm… what's going on?" Achlys mumbled, stirring awake.
"Good morning, Master," Cryo said with mock politeness. "Nothing's wrong. Just Lecia being Lecia."
Her teeth clenched. "You better shut up, ice bird."
"Or what? Curse me with a blessing?" Cryo countered smoothly.
Achlys, too tired for quarrels, laid his head against Lecia instead and slipped back into sleep. Lecia froze, her entire body rigid with disbelief. "Oh… my curses! I can't believe this is happening."
Cryo shook his head. "Why did you even come with us?"
The quiet shattered. A spear tore through the air, striking the fire and exploding in sparks. Cryo snapped a shield into existence, guarding the three.
"Rotiun…" Bellona's voice was flat with recognition.
Lecia leapt before Achlys, eyes flashing. "Is this how you greet someone in the morning, Rotiun?"
The spear-bearer stepped into view from behind a tree, his weapon shimmering before vanishing into a swirl of violet light.
"Next time, Bellona, it'll be your face." His voice was ice.
Achlys blinked at the strange sight as the portal closed. Rotiun stretched a hand toward him. Hesitant, Achlys took it and rose.
"I've taken command from Unmarked… to keep an eye on you," Rotiun said.
Achlys pointed at himself, then glanced at Cryo and Lecia—who both pointed at him too. "Me?"
Rotiun's expression hardened. "No. Not you. Bellona."
The mark on Achlys' face flared with an eerie green light.