Volk: We're getting near to ground zero of this mess.
Sobaka: How are we supposed to handle this? We lost everyone trying to get here.
The four of them spotted a building looming in the distance.
Okami: Is that a fucking castle?
Kitsune: That's a fucking castle.
Volk: Holy shit.
Sobaka: Yeah... we can move 'suspected' ground zero to 'confirmed.' If that doesn't scream "Important Base," I don't know what does.
Volk: Let's not waste time. We move now.
Volk stepped forward, but Okami grabbed his arm.
Okami: You're really just gonna walk in there? No revenge, no payback for everything we've lost?
Volk: What choice do we have? We can't fight a goddess alone.
Kitsune: Yeah, we should lay low. Only fight if necessary.
The four of them gazed up at the castle, blanketed in snow and ice.
Volk: Last words before we step into hell?
Kitsune: Let's stay positive. We will make it out of here.
Okami: Yeah. After all this, let's get out of Russia. Just us.
Volk: First, I need a place to live, but yeah. No matter what, we stick together. This journey's been hell, but I'm glad I met you all.
Sobaka: And we live on—for everyone who fell.
They nodded and pressed forward. At the entrance, they found the doors ajar. No guards. No movement.
Okami: This is way too quiet...
Kitsune summoned a flame in her hand, scanning the walls. Spotting an unlit torch, she ignited it and passed it to Volk. Then another, handing it to Okami.
Okami: That's better. Thanks, hun.
Kitsune smiled and conjured another flame. They moved deeper in. Silence thickened the air.
Volk: Something's wrong. We should've seen someone by now.
Footsteps echoed ahead. The group tensed. Then—a voice.
???: Volk?
Okami: The hell...?
???: Okami? Is that you guys?
Kitsune: That's not what I thought Hel would sound like.
Sobaka: No... that voice...
Volk and Okami locked eyes.
Volk, Okami: Ly?!
They bolted forward. Kitsune and Sobaka lunged to stop them.
Kitsune: WAIT! What if it's a trap?!
Sobaka: Volk, you should know better!
The two skidded to a halt. At the hallway's end, a figure emerged—familiar. Kitsune and Sobaka caught up, weapons ready.
Volk: Ly? Is that really you?
The figure stepped forward. Volk's hand tightened around his Telum.
Volk: Stop right there. Answer the question first.
Lykos: It's me! Lykos Astraea!
Volk: Prove it. Something only our Lykos would know.
Lykos: Okami can be a cunt sometimes.
Okami: Hey!
Kitsune: Everyone knows that.
Okami: HEY!
Lykos: Alright, alright—uh, Volk, you told us about a girl named Lisa. Taken when Hel attacked Russia.
Volk exhaled. Lowered his weapon.
Volk: Get over here.
Lykos jogged toward them—then hesitated, eyes scanning the group.
Lykos: Wait... where's Ale? Sky?
Volk and Okami tensed. They didn't answer.
Lykos took a step back.
Volk: Look, we'll talk at the house. Let's regroup first.
Lykos: ...Alright.
They headed back. Lykos, Kitsune, and Sobaka led, Volk and Okami trailing behind.
Okami (whispering): What in Helheim was that?!
Volk: We have to handle this carefully.
Okami: Lying to him?!
Volk: It's the only way.
Okami: You sure? Did you see the future?
Volk: Yes... and only one outcome works.
Okami: And how many futures did you see?
Volk: One hundred fifteen.
Okami: What the hell?!
Lykos: You two okay?
They snapped their heads up.
Volk, Okami: Yeah. All good.
Lykos: ...You sure?
Volk: Just planning what's next. Actually—Kit? You needed to talk to Okami about something, right?
He subtly nudged Kitsune. She caught on.
Kitsune (whispering): What's the plan?!
Okami: Volk says if Ly loses control, we die.
Kitsune: WHAT?!
Okami: That's what he's insinuating.
Kitsune: Why would he—
Okami: I don't know. Just be ready for anything.
Kitsune: ...Alright. I'm here if you need me.
Okami: Always, Kit.
They kissed, fingers entwining as they rejoined the others.
Lykos: So. How's it been?
Volk: Painful. But still standing. You?
Lykos exhaled. Explained how he woke up alone. Saw Fidi impaled. Found himself on a throne, disoriented. Wandering aimlessly until he stumbled into them.
Volk: What the fuck?
Okami: You slept for over a day?!
Lykos: ...Maybe.
Volk: What about Argos?
Lykos: He could have been in control, but... I'd know. He's been quiet. Too quiet.
Volk: Huh. You wouldn't happen to know anyone named 'Stella,' right?
Lykos scowled.
Lykos: My deadbeat father's last name.
Volk: Ah. Understood.
Lykos: Why do you ask?
Volk: Just testing a theory.
Lykos: ...Alright? How are Ale and Sky?
Volk: Fine. Tired. They needed rest.
Lykos: Good. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to them.
Okami: Ha... yeah. I know that feeling.
They reached the house. As Lykos stepped forward, Volk grabbed his shoulder.
Volk: Listen. There's something we gotta talk about—
Lykos: Volk, you really think I'm stupid?
His eyes turned white. Glasses hit the ground.
Sobaka: ...Huh?
Argos: You noticed the black hair. Didn't question it further.
Volk: Fuck. What about Ly? Is he okay?
Argos: That's the least of your concerns.
Okami: And Fidi?
Argos: Killed. Hel's assistants? Also dead. As for Hel herself...
Okami: ...You killed a Goddess?!
Argos smirked. His hoodie changed—green shifting to orange.
Argos: Child's play... when you have her powers.
He summoned Crescent Moon. The group recoiled.
Argos: Speaking of power... how about you share some with me?
He snapped his fingers. The snow stopped falling.
Okami's stomach dropped. Everything—frozen. No one else moved.
Okami: What the fuck?!
Argos: I always hated you the most. Got us into trouble for no reason.
Icicles rained down. Okami barely dodged, summoning Star Diamond.
Okami: Stop! We've done nothing to you!
Argos teleported. Behind him. Kicked him down.
Argos: Too bad for you.
He struck. Okami's body began to disappear.
A red light floated upward. Argos snatched it. Absorbed it.
Argos: This time... things feel different.
A star flickered under his left eye.
He snapped.
Time resumed.
The group gasped—
And Okami was gone287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLZ0GGhCrZ
