After Nathan retreated into the solitude of his room, he moved with slow, deliberate steps toward the center of the chamber. A deep breath filled his lungs as he closed his eyes, shutting out the world around him. In an instant, he felt the familiar pull of displacement, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in a vast expanse of white—a space devoid of walls, ceiling, or floor. It was the same ethereal plane he had visited before, where he had once stood in the presence of Aphrodite, Artemis, and Apollo.
This time, however, the gathering had grown.
Ares was there as well.
The god of war crossed his arms over his broad chest, his crimson cloak billowing slightly despite the absence of any discernible breeze. His expression twisted into one of mild irritation as his sharp gaze flicked to Apollo, brimming with incredulity.
“I can’t believe you brought him back, Apollo,” Ares scoffed, his deep voice tinged with disbelief. “Do you even realize how many rules you’ve broken? Our father will strike you down if he learns of this.” His tone was one of accusation, yet there was a flicker of curiosity beneath his words.
Apollo, standing with his usual air of confidence, merely smiled. There was no trace of concern in his eyes.
“I didn’t bring him back,” the sun god clarified, his voice calm. “I merely sought help to save Nathan before his life could be extinguished. His body was already beyond repair, so a new one was necessary. That was all. Once his vessel was replaced, he was healed.”
Artemis, who had remained silent until now, narrowed her green eyes, suspicion flickering across her elegant features. “And whom did you seek out for this so-called help, brother?” she asked, though it was clear she already had a hunch.
Apollo did not hesitate. “Thanatos.”
The name sent a palpable wave of unease through the gathered gods.
“Thanatos?!” Ares’ composure shattered as he gaped at Apollo, his voice rising in sheer shock. “How in the Underworld did you manage to get that crazy goddess to agree?!”
The reaction was expected. Thanatos—the Goddess of Death—was a being shrouded in fear and enigma. Among all divine entities across pantheons, she was known to be one of the most unpredictable and dangerous. Even Zeus himself refrained from interfering in her affairs. Capricious, elusive, and utterly indifferent to the laws that bound the rest of the gods, Thanatos did as she pleased. She held dominion over the boundary of life and death, and if there was any deity capable of breaking the fundamental laws of existence, it was her.
Of course, no power came without a price. What that price was, no one could say. And yet, Apollo had dared to approach her.
Apollo met Ares’ incredulous stare without wavering. “I had to argue my case for a long time. In the end, I convinced her by showing what Heiron had accomplished in this war… Or rather, should I say—what Nathan Parker had accomplished?”
A pregnant silence followed as Apollo’s piercing gaze shifted toward Nathan.
Artemis frowned, tilting her head slightly. “Who?”
“Nathan Parker,” Apollo revealed, his voice measured. “One of the heroes summoned by Khione a year ago. He was supposed to have perished, yet he was mysteriously saved. After that, he was summoned once more—this time by Tenebria, as the Hero of Darkness. There, he assumed the name Samael.”
The weight of Apollo’s words settled over them like an ominous storm cloud. Shock rippled through the gods, save for one.
Aphrodite.
Unlike the others, she remained perfectly composed, an amused smirk playing at the edges of her lips. Of course, she already knew the truth. After all, she had been the one to summon Nathan into Tenebria in the first place.
Apollo’s gaze darkened as he turned toward Aphrodite, his eyes cold and piercing. “You don’t look surprised, Aphrodite,” he said, his voice edged with suspicion.
Aphrodite merely smiled, her expression one of pure satisfaction. Of course, she was happy. When Nathan had vanished before her eyes, it had felt as though her heart had shattered into countless pieces. But soon after, she had received a message from Apollo, who had returned with news—news that he had found a solution for Nathan. That he would be back.
She had been relieved, yet anxiety had gnawed at her ever since. Now, however, Nathan stood before her once more—stronger, more radiant, and undeniably more handsome than ever. His presence nearly rivaled Apollo’s own divine beauty. Power radiated from him, a strength far beyond that of a mere mortal. A shiver ran down her spine as she drank in the sight of him, scanning his new form.
At Apollo’s pointed remark, she tilted her head slightly, feigning innocence. “What are you talking about, dear Apollo?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement.
Apollo’s eyes narrowed. He already knew the truth—Aphrodite had known everything from the very beginning. It was more than likely that she had been the one to summon Nathan into Tenebria. Unlike the rest of them, she had seen his potential long before anyone else.
Artemis let out a low chuckle, crossing her arms. “If Thanatos is involved, then not even Zeus or Hera can do anything about it,” she remarked, smirking at the thought. She could already picture Hera flying into a rage, only to find herself utterly powerless. After all, Thanatos had been the one to make this decision—her will was absolute in matters of life and death.
Ares, however, was less amused. His brows furrowed as he eyed Nathan warily. “Wait a damn second. You all seem far too casual about this. Are we forgetting that he’s the Hero of Tenebria? Aren’t they supposed to be our enemies? The previous Demon King openly defied us gods!” His voice carried a sharp edge, laced with deep-seated caution.
Aphrodite let out a soft, knowing laugh. “Don’t worry,” she said smoothly. “He won’t follow in the footsteps of the previous Demon King. You should know by now—he only fights those who have wronged him.”
Ares hesitated for a moment, then huffed in irritation. Since the reassurance had come from Aphrodite herself, he found himself unable to argue further. Her words carried weight.
As for Apollo and Artemis, they seemed utterly indifferent to Ares’ concerns. To them, this so-called conflict was little more than a passing disturbance. Artemis had spent that time secluded within her divine forest, and Apollo had been absent from Olympus altogether. Whatever had transpired between Tenebria and the gods was of little consequence to them now.
Nathan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, his voice steady and resolute. “I am here for the Skills you have promised me.”
The reminder stirred a flicker of recognition in Ares’ eyes. He had, indeed, made such a promise along with Artemis and Aphrodite. Now that Nathan stood before them, fully restored, it was time to fulfill their end of the bargain.
“Oh, yes, we did promise him that,” Ares muttered before straightening. His expression hardened with determination. “I am a man of my word.”
Extending his hand, Ares unleashed a surge of crimson divine energy. The radiant glow enveloped Nathan entirely, wrapping around him like a living flame. Nathan remained unfazed, only the slightest twitch of his eyes betraying his reaction.
“I have granted you my Roar of War,” Ares declared, a smirk tugging at his lips. “With it, you will fight like a God of War on the battlefield. But be warned—use it wisely, and do not overextend yourself.”
Next came Artemis. Stepping forward, she raised her hand, and a wave of green divine magic cascaded over Nathan. As the energy seeped into him, his vision sharpened instantly. The world around him became strikingly clear, and for the first time, he could perceive the immense reservoirs of mana and magic coursing through the gods standing before him. Their power was truly terrifying.
“I have given you my vision,” Artemis proclaimed, her voice calm yet firm. “Nothing shall escape your eyes. Use it in moderation, and you will be able to see even the most distant of targets—and strike them down from afar.”
Then, Aphrodite stepped forward. Unlike the others, she closed the distance between them, her gaze smoldering with amusement. Without hesitation, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to Nathan’s lips.
Ares scowled in open disapproval, but held his tongue, assuming this was simply Aphrodite’s method of bestowing her gift.
“I have given you my charm, Nate,” she murmured with a teasing smile. “With it, none shall be able to resist you. But I advise caution—it is always active. Unless you suppress it, women from every corner of the world will flock to you, drawn like moths to a flame.”
A warm pink glow enveloped Nathan as Aphrodite’s power settled within him. The moment the energy took hold, Artemis felt an involuntary shiver course through her body. The sheer potency of his newfound charm was overwhelming, forcing her to avert her gaze lest she succumb to its effects.
Sensing the immediate impact, Nathan swiftly suppressed the ability, bringing it under control.
“Since everyone else has given you a gift, I will do the same,” Apollo interjected, his amusement evident. Striding forward, he gently placed a hand upon Nathan’s head.
Nathan’s body glowed with a golden radiance—this was not just a mere skill but something far more profound. As the divine energy coursed through him, Nathan felt an entirely new force awaken within him.
Apollo stepped back, his signature smile in place. “Now, you can wield my Light Magic.”