The massive mouth clamped shut, swallowing the entire group whole. Razor-sharp teeth ground together as they plummeted into a deep, pitch-black abyss. Alba reacted instantly, grabbing everyone and bracing his massive body against the creature's slippery internal walls.
"What was that thing?"
They were trapped in total darkness, surrounded by the wet, rhythmic pulsing of living muscle. Suddenly, a faint green glow flickered from below. As they looked down, they saw a pool of emerald liquid rising slowly toward them. One of Lio's shoes slipped off; the moment it hit the fluid, it hissed and dissolved into nothingness.
"Stomach acid? We have to get out of here right now!"
Lumber and Gumber scrambled onto Alba's broad shoulders, gripping their spears with white-knuckled intensity.
"Ready, kid?"
Before Alba could even process the question, the brothers kicked off his shoulders with explosive force, propelling themselves upward. The recoil shoved Alba downward, but he kept a firm grip on Shinji, Lio, and Akidou with one hand while anchoring himself to the fleshy wall with the other.
"You two!"
Alba didn't have time to finish his complaint. As the brothers began to lose their upward momentum, Alba pushed off the wall, curling his body and rolling upward with incredible speed. Just as he reached them, he unfurled, providing a platform for the brothers to stand on his back.
"Rage Spear!"
The two struck in perfect unison. A blinding flash of light tore through the darkness as their spears pierced the creature's maw. The explosion shattered the beast's teeth, carving a massive hole. Alba clutched the others tight as they all flew out of the opening, tumbling onto the forest floor of Greenpath.
The creature finally revealed its true form: a colossal worm covered in dozens of eyes scattered across its dark, slimy skin. Shrieking in agony, it retreated, burrowing deep back into the earth and leaving a massive, gaping hole behind.
As the dust settled, Shinji and Lio struggled to stand, their heads spinning from being rolled around like marbles. Omelet began to stir in Akidou's arms. He stretched, his wings regaining their vibrant color as a soft glow returned to his body. Akidou gently set him down.
"Are we... are we in Greenpath yet?"
Omelet's eyes widened as he saw the massive tunnel in the ground.
"What?! You guys got attacked by a Rhi-wrom?"
He hovered into the air, checking everyone for injuries before flashing a small smile.
"Well, if everyone's safe... let's keep moving!"
The sun was high now; they couldn't afford any more delays. Omelet reached for the map, and Akidou handed it over. With the fairy leading the way, the group ventured deeper into the Greenpath.
Two miles outside Heavenfield's West tower. Commander Argos sat alone on a jagged rock, staring into the distance. He took a heavy swig from his flask, his breath ragged, weighed down by the shadows of the past.
The sound of slow, rhythmic footsteps approached. Supreme Commander Odin appeared, his back hunched with age as he called out to his old friend.
"Argos."
Argos didn't turn. He kept his eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Argos... I have something to tell you."
Odin sat down beside him. For a long time, the only sound was the wind. Finally, Odin spoke, his voice heavy with finality.
"This old man... doesn't have much time left."
Argos stiffened slightly but remained silent.
"I need you to help me fulfill my final wish. I feel... my time is coming soon. For a long times, I haven't been able to see the future... but the moment I saw that person..."
A vision flashed in Odin's mind: an unknown warrior swinging a blade, decapitating the Demon King Kronos as a blinding light tore through a blackened sky.
"I need you to protect this person... until that future come true."
Argos stood up and began to walk away, as if trying to outrun the conversation. But Odin's voice dropped even lower, cutting through the air.
"We have been friends for a hundred years. Please, do this one small thing for me... Allain."
The name hit Argos like a physical blow. His shoulders trembled as if a deep, buried memory had been touched.
"I know."
He answered curtly and continued walking until he vanished from sight, leaving Odin alone on the rock. Odin watched him go and let out a soft, weary sigh.
"I know... you don't have much time left either."