The aftermath of the battle gradually subsided, leaving the air thick with the smell of blood and scorched flesh.
The others carefully carried the sealing crystal to the edge of the hall.
It stood roughly one and a half times a person's height, clear and translucent, casting a soft, silvery glow through the darkness.
Artemis's true body lay curled at its center, her long hair floating around her, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her expression was peaceful, as though she were lost in a long dream.
Her body glowed faintly. Silver light flowed from within her and wound through the crystal like tiny rivers.
The members of the Astraea Familia gathered around.
Kaguya was the first to hurry over. She still held her katana, its blade coated in Antares's bodily fluids, but she couldn't be bothered to wipe it clean. She simply stared wide-eyed at the goddess inside the crystal, her gaze brimming with curiosity.
Alise followed close behind, her longsword already sheathed at her waist. Folding her arms, she tilted her head to examine the crystal, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
Ryu stood a little farther back, her slender sword sheathed. Her expression remained composed, but her eyes never left the crystal, as though she were studying it.
The remaining members crowded closer until they had completely surrounded it.
They were still wounded. Some were even bleeding.
Yet there they stood, staring at Artemis as though she were a work of art on display in a museum, unable to look away as they murmured in wonder.
"So this is the moon goddess's true body?"
Kaguya sounded awestruck. "She's beautiful."
Artemis's projection stood beside the crystal. Watching a crowd gather to inspect her true body, she felt her cheeks begin to burn.
She could feel their eyes on her, taking in every detail.
Each stare seemed to prick her like a needle, leaving her painfully self-conscious.
She twisted her fingers together until her knuckles turned white and pressed her lips into a thin line. She looked like a small animal backed into a corner, with nowhere left to run.
"Could you... could you please stop staring!"
She finally blurted it out, her voice carrying embarrassment, indignation, and a faintly pleading note she didn't even notice.
Kaguya turned to look at her.
"Why? This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. It'd be a waste not to look."
Alise nodded along, her grin growing even more mischievous.
"Exactly! How often do we get to examine a goddess up close? We can't let this chance slip by."
Artemis nearly stamped her foot in frustration. Her face was scarlet, her eyes filled with mortification.
"You... you're all going too far!"
Her protests accomplished nothing.
Instead of showing any restraint, the members of the Astraea Familia only grew bolder.
Some began discussing her figure. Others speculated about her age. A few even started placing bets on whether her hair was real.
Their voices overlapped like a flock of chattering sparrows, making Artemis wish a hole would open in the floor so she could crawl into it.
Demeter stood beside them, supporting the crystal, an amused smile on her face.
Of course she knew they were doing it deliberately. They didn't truly mean to offend Artemis. They were just teasing her.
The aloof virgin goddess usually seemed so distant and unapproachable. A chance to see her this flustered was too good for any of them to pass up.
Astraea stood beside Demeter and sighed inwardly as she watched.
Dying once had certainly made her children bolder.
They were even teasing a goddess now. Was there anything they wouldn't dare do?
Still, she made no move to stop them.
She had to admit, Artemis was rather entertaining when she was embarrassed.
Genichi walked over.
His footsteps were light, yet they carried distinctly through the hall as the others quieted.
The members of the Astraea Familia parted on their own, clearing a path to the crystal.
He stopped before it and looked down at Artemis's curled-up body, then glanced at the red-faced projection standing beside it. A faint smile touched his lips.
"There's something I need to know first."
His voice was calm, but serious.
"How do we break this crystal? If I just smash it, will that hurt Artemis inside?"
The projection turned to him.
Something shifted in her eyes.
There was an uncertainty in her gaze, as though she had something to say but couldn't bring herself to say it.
Her lips parted, then closed. After repeating this several times, she finally managed to speak.
"It's all right. Just break the outer layer of crystal, and I'll be able to get out."
Her voice was soft and faintly trembling, but every word was clear.
Demeter watched her reaction from the side, understanding dawning in her eyes.
She knew that look all too well. It was the look of someone beginning to fall in love, beginning to rely on another person, beginning to make room for him in her heart.
Artemis, the proud virgin goddess, the goddess of the hunt who had never allowed men close to her, was slowly falling for him.
Genichi would probably achieve his goal very soon.
A complicated mixture of emotions rose within Demeter.
There was happiness, a pang of jealousy, and something else she couldn't quite name.
She knew he would never belong to her alone. She had known that from the beginning.
More and more women would gather around him. Rias, Akeno, Sona, Tsubaki, Haruno, Mrs. Yukinoshita... and now Artemis.
She couldn't have him all to herself, but she could become the most important person in his heart.
That would be enough.
Genichi reached out and rested his palm against the crystal.
Its surface was cold and smooth, with a faint vibration, almost like something beating inside it.
He could feel Artemis's divine power stirring within, seemingly responding to his touch.
He curled his fingers into a fist.
Then he struck.
Crack!
The sharp sound echoed through the hall.
A fracture appeared beneath his fist and spread across the crystal's surface, branching outward into a web of cracks.
Light poured through them, growing brighter and more intense until the entire hall was illuminated.
Crack. Crack. Crack!
The fractures multiplied, spreading closer together as the crystal began to break apart.
Shards peeled away and fell to the floor, dissolving into silver motes before vanishing into the air.
Every falling fragment released a warm pulse of divine power that brushed across their faces like a spring breeze.
Standing nearby, Artemis's projection watched the crystal crumble. Her own body began to glow.
Light spilled from within her, growing brighter by the moment.
She began to turn transparent. Starting at her feet, her body slowly dissolved into drifting points of light.
"Goodbye."
Her voice was soft, carrying a trace of reluctance, a quiet sense of release, and an anticipation she couldn't quite explain.
She looked at Genichi, his figure reflected in her eyes.
Then she dissolved completely into light and merged with her true body inside the crystal.
At last, the crystal shattered entirely. Its fragments became countless silver motes, dancing through the hall like a shower of light.
They drifted gently down onto Genichi's shoulders, into Demeter's hair, and over the members of the Astraea Familia, carrying a comforting warmth.
Artemis floated in midair, her body slowly uncurling.
Her arms lowered from her chest to rest at her sides.
Her legs extended, and her toes lightly touched the floor.
The tension left her brow. Her peaceful expression softened into one of utter serenity, and the corners of her mouth lifted faintly.
Then she opened her eyes.
For a moment, her gaze was unfocused, as though she were adjusting to a world she hadn't seen in far too long.
She looked around at the unfamiliar faces, the shattered walls, and the scattered remains of Antares.
Her memories returned one by one: the seal, Antares, the annihilation of her Familia, the Arrow of Orion, her projection, Genichi.
At last, her gaze settled on him.
Tears instantly welled in her eyes.
They weren't tears of sorrow or pain. They were tears of joy, the indescribable joy of surviving a nightmare and being given a new life.
She stared at him, her lips trembling. She wanted to say something, but no words would come.
All she could do was look at him, her eyes filled with gratitude, trust, and a trace of affection she hadn't yet recognized.
Genichi met her gaze and smiled.
"Welcome back."
The tears finally spilled down her cheeks.
She rushed forward and threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest as she wept silently.
Her arms locked around his waist, holding him tightly, desperately, as though she were afraid he might disappear.
Her body trembled, though not from the cold.
Genichi stiffened for a moment.
His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure where to go.
Then he sighed and gently patted her back.
"It's all right."
His voice was soft and reassuring. "It's all over now."
Artemis said nothing. She only held him tighter.
Demeter watched from the side, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.
She knew that from this moment on, Artemis would never be able to escape his pull.
Genichi's plan had succeeded.
The members of the Astraea Familia exchanged glances, knowing smiles spreading across their faces.
Kaguya nudged Alise with her elbow and lowered her voice.
"That womanizer. Of course it ended up like this."
(End of Chapter)
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