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——
Hopping between the trees, cloaked in his own illusion, was the Blind Hunter—Aetherion.
He quietly observed from above as ten immortal deities made their way through the woods, heading toward the location where he had previously eliminated their companions.
He didn't want to reveal himself.
Instead, he allowed them to walk freely toward the false information that had been carefully leaked.
After all, Aetherion had created a clone and cloaked it in an illusion that resembled his sister, Demeter.
The illusion was flawless—harmless in appearance and even radiating the same presence as her.
After spending fifteen years with her, mimicking that aura was no challenge.
As Aetherion watched them, he touched the cloth around his eyes.
"It really helps having this,"
he thought to himself.
Lately, he had been thinking a lot about his eyes—his special eyes.
Apparently, they had a name of their own now or always had one, but he simply wasn't strong enough to know before.
He remembered what Themis had once told him:
when things have names—or when you know the true names of things—they gain power.
He even knew that Themis herself possessed special eyes: the Eyes of Judgment.
He hadn't seen them often, only during a few of their sparring matches, but their abilities were impressive—especially when it came to perception and insight.
Now, he too knew the true name of his own eyes.
Codex Vitae
After unlocking it, his eyes became far more powerful, revealing new abilities tied to the intricacies of life.
Having deepened his bond with the Life Domain, Aetherion found himself more attuned to the emotions and desires of others—each one representing a different aspect of life.
Now, with the enhanced power of Codex Vitae, he could see emotions not only as waves but as distinct colors radiating from people.
This newfound awareness, however, began to overwhelm him.
The flood of colors, sensations, and emotional noise constantly barraged his senses, annoying him greatly.
What bothered him even more was that he had to actively suppress it.
It took immense concentration just to stop himself from becoming consumed by the flood of what he felt and saw.
After discussing the issue with Themis, he decided to wear a cloth over his eyes—blessed by his own power.
The cloth suppressed the emotional input while still allowing him to see through it, albeit with the power of his eyes diminished.
That, he considered, was a good thing.
Now, as he observed the approaching enemy forces, he couldn't help but smirk to himself.
'The enemy's going in for the kill, isn't they?'
he thought, his eyes narrowing behind the veil.
Ten deities moved through the trees, unaware that they were already being watched.
Aetherion hadn't expected such a formidable force to be sent out—two major gods and eight minor gods.
That wasn't something used lightly.
Kronos must be taking his children very seriously.
Had Demeter truly been hiding here, she might have been in real danger.
While she had grown strong over the years, two major gods and eight minor ones were a force to reckon with.
Aetherion wasn't sure how that battle might've ended.
But for him?
His lips curled into a confident, predatory smile.
"It's going to be a fun hunt,"
he muttered under his breath, eyes locked onto his prey, already plotting how he would take them down—one by one.
***
Thalorion walked through the forest, with Brontesios leading the other eight minor gods behind them.
Thalorion held his head high, radiating confidence that they would complete their mission.
He glanced sideways at Brontesios, who stomped forward eagerly, lust burning in his expression.
"Do you think we're allowed to play with her before we deliver her to Kronos?"
Brontesios asked, a hungry look on his face.
"She must be quite the beauty, being the daughter of Rhea."
Thalorion couldn't help but agree silently.
Rhea was considered one of the most beautiful goddesses, perhaps even the most beautiful.
Still, he replied,
"Don't do anything reckless. We don't want Kronos punishing us."
"Punishment? He ate her, for fuck's sake," Brontesios scoffed. "He doesn't care. We'll just have some fun and deliver her."
Thalorion frowned.
Brontesios wasn't wrong—Kronos had consumed his own children.
Everyone knew it.
Yet they still feared him, and rightfully so.
Kronos's wrath could scatter their very essence, destroying their physical manifestations, which was as good as death for many.
"Let's just find her and take her back."
"Fine, fine. Let's just hurry," Brontesios grumbled. "But if she annoys me, I'll take her right then and there. Got it?"
Thalorion looked at him, annoyed. "You horny bastard. Do as you please, but don't say I didn't warn you."
"Did you hear that, boys?"
Brontesios called to the minor gods behind them.
"The woman is available for us all!"
The lesser gods grinned, twisted smiles full of savage glee.
They looked more like beasts than gods.
Thalorion sighed and looked forward—and then he saw her.
On a patch of soft grass sat a beautiful woman.
Her long brown hair swayed in the wind, blending with the rhythm of the grass.
She was stunning—possibly even as beautiful as Rhea herself.
Her noble features and divine aura made it clear she was of divine blood.
The woman turned her head, revealing eyes that shimmered like nature itself, deep and imperial.
She looked surprised, as if she hadn't expected to be found.
"She's real. We found her!" one of the gods shouted. "The information was true!"
But something nagged at Thalorion's thoughts.
They were originally sent to investigate the disappearance of the scouting party—the group that had come before them.
Yet none of their comrades had returned, nor had their bodies been found.
It was odd, deeply so.
If they had found her, why hadn't they come back?
Still, his fellow deities seemed to forget that detail, too eager and too blinded by their lust or bloodthirst.
"Hahaha! If you don't want trouble, come with us peacefully, daughter of Kronos!"
Brontesios laughed, staring lecherously at her.
The woman seemed terrified and slowly began rising from the ground.
"Go! Catch her before she runs!"
Brontesios barked.
The ten gods moved at once—blurs of motion—activating various powers.
Some summoned trees to bind her, others raised walls of earth, and some used fire to block the path of escape.
Thalorion hesitated.
Something didn't feel right.
Why hadn't the previous group returned?
Why was this woman just sitting there, alone?
Still, Brontesios acted first, summoning his spear.
Thalorion followed, drawing his sword with hesitation.
"Damn it… let's just catch her and figure the rest out later,"
he muttered, already sensing it was too late.
As the lesser gods moved closer, Thalorion noticed something strange—the woman was smiling.
That frightened look from earlier was gone.
Instead, she looked at each of them directly, one by one, with calm, eerie confidence.
"She's trying to act brave!" Brontesios shouted. "Don't falter! Get her!"
But the woman laughed.
"You are all quite the fools,"
she said—and then her body crumbled into dust and stone, as if she had never existed.
"What!?"
gasped one of the gods.
And then—swish!
Five arrows tore through the air, piercing five of the minor gods straight through the heart.
Boom!
Each arrow exploded with silver light, leaving gaping holes in their chests.
Golden ichor spilled onto the earth as their bodies fell, eyes wide with confusion and disbelief.
"Formation!"
Thalorion shouted, his heart pounding.
He looked around frantically—and then heard a voice.
"Parallel Expansion."
Immediately, the world changed.
The environment twisted, the air grew heavy, and darkness curled at the edges of their vision.
Thalorion's heart sank.
He realized, in that moment…
They have been tricked.
——
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