Mid-battle, a new voice descended.
Not angry. Not screaming.
Just... still.
The Seventh God, robed in silver, floated down.
His eyes held stars. His voice was peace.
"Liss Hoshino," he said.
"We were wrong. Come with us. Ascend. Sit at the thirteenth throne again."
Silence.
Liss stared at him.
"If I go," she asked, "what happens to them?"
"Your friends?"
He looked at them like insects.
"Forgotten. Necessary losses."
"And her?"
She pointed at Thessaly.
"She'll live," he said.
"But you'll never see her again."
Liss's answer came with no pause.
"Then go to hell."
She raised her hand.
The Seventh God exploded into petals of black ash.
And the war continued.