Lykos: You...
?: Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am the Ruler of Helheim. You may know me as the Goddess of Death... Hel.
Volk: And what exactly do you want?
Hel: A simple proposition. A deal—one that benefits us all.
Okami: A deal?!
Volk: Okami, calm down.
Okami: No. YOU GOT MY CLOSEST FRIEND KILLED!
Lykos: Okami! Don't do this again.
Okami: IT'S ALREADY TOO LATE FOR DEALS! WE'RE COMING TO END YOUR REIGN!
Volk: OKAMI!
A soft chuckle echoed in the darkness.
Hel finally revealed herself—a striking figure with an eerie presence. Her pink horns gave off a faint, ghostly glow, casting shadows across her sharp features.
Hel: Hmph. If that's going to be your attitude... fine. I'll make sure Thor finishes the job this time.
Before they could react, the darkness swallowed them whole.
—
The three awoke with a gasp, jolting upright in the familiar safety of the house. Drenched in cold sweat, their breathing ragged.
From across the room, Volk and Lykos barely had time to register their surroundings before a shout pierced the silence—
"OKAMI!"
The sharp yell from Volk and Lykos ripped through the house, jolting everyone awake—everyone except Sobaka, who somehow managed to sleep through the chaos.
Before Okami could even register what was happening, Volk slammed him against the wall, his forearm pressing hard against his chest.
Volk: WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!
Okami snarled, trying to shove him off, but Volk barely budged.
Lykos: We could've at least heard her out!
Okami: What's the point?! Inu died because of her! I'm not just gonna pretend like that didn't happen!
Lykos: WE COULD'VE HAD AN AGREEMENT!
The others rushed in, sleep still in their eyes but alert now.
Kitsune folded her arms. What's going on?
Volk and Lykos pointed directly at Okami.
Kitsune narrowed her eyes. I know he's missing a few screws. WHAT'S WRONG?
Volk: Thor is coming back.
Lykos: Thanks to Okami and his big mouth.
Okami scoffed, pushing Volk's arm off his chest.
Okami: Were you two seriously gonna hear her out after everything?!
Volk & Lykos: YES, YOU FUCKING MORON!
Lykos: We could've avoided dying!
Volk: We could've walked away from this!
Alepou groaned. OKAY, can someone actually explain what the hell happened?!
Lykos took a deep breath, quickly explaining their first encounter with Hel in the dark room and the conversation that just took place.
Fidi let out a slow exhale. So... Hel wants you all dead?
Volk: That's basically it.
Lykos: But thanks to Okami, we don't even get a say in what happens next.
Kitsune walked up behind Okami and smacked him in the back of the head.
Okami: Ow! Don't tell me you're on their side!
Kitsune: You could've at least waited. Then backstabbed her when you were close.
Okami's eyes went wide.
Okami: Oh shit... you're right... FUCK!
Lykos: This motherfucker...
Volk: And now she's sending Thor back to kill us.
Fidi sighed, rolling his shoulders.
Fidi: Well... looks like there's no time for rest. Okami, Volk, Lykos—outside. Time to actually learn how to use your Telums properly.
Lykos: Ugh... but I wanna sleep.
Fidi: No can do unless you wanna die.
Lykos: Fine...
The four stepped out into the cold, weapons in hand.
Kitsune watched them go, crossing his arms.
Kitsune: Hope this doesn't go to shit.
Alepou stretched. Maybe we should train our powers too.
Skylos' ears perked up. Wait—I never actually tested the power that orb gave me.
Sobaka tilted his head. It's either clones or that creepy fake reality thing Mirazh trapped us in. Try copying whatever he did.
Skylos stomped the ground.
...Nothing.
Sobaka smirked. Well, either I'm already in a fake reality, or you just suck at this.
Skylos huffed, pointing a finger at Alepou.
Two identical copies of himself appeared on either side of her.
Skylos: Yep. Clones it is.
The clones each placed a hand on Alepou's head.
Alepou: Uh...?
Skylos grinned. They're easy to control.
Without warning, the clones grabbed Alepou.
Alepou: Sky, what are you doing?
Skylos: Revenge. For when you threw me into the lake back then.
The clones carried her outside and threw her into the snow.
Lykos turned his head just in time to see Alepou face-first in the snow.
Lykos: ...Ale?
Alepou weakly lifted a thumbs-up.
Lykos barely had time to react before— CLANG!
Fidi's spear slammed against his Telum.
Fidi: Don't get distracted, Ly.
Lykos huffed, shaking off the moment.
Lykos: Right, my bad...
They clashed again.
Minutes passed before Fidi suddenly stepped back.
Fidi: Alright. Time for something new. Most Telum users can control their weapons mid-air. For example...
He launched his spear into the sky.
Before it could fall, it whipped back to his hand. Again. Again. Each time faster, smoother.
Fidi: See? Some have better control than others. Since Lykos is a demigod, he should have the most control here.
Lykos: Okay but... how?
Fidi: Ever called your Telum back to you?
Lykos: Yeah, a few times.
Fidi: Then it's the same, but instead of just calling it back, you guide where it moves.
Lykos nodded and hurled his axe into the air. He focused. The axe wobbled mid-air, circling him clumsily—before crashing to the ground.
Fidi: Oh, right. Another thing.
He planted his spear into the ground, then jumped onto it, balancing effortlessly.
Fidi: Telums don't just work as weapons. They enhance your abilities too. But if I stop using its power...
He suddenly wobbled—then unsummoned his spear, landing back on solid ground.
Volk: And how do we tap into that?
Fidi: Think of your Telum as a part of you. Sync with it. Once you get used to the feeling, it'll come naturally.
Volk, Okami, and Lykos took a deep breath, gripping their Telums tight.
Then—
Volk felt it first. Power surged through him. He stomped the ground— BOOM! A shockwave ripped through the dirt.
Okami's speed exploded. His scythe became a blur in his hands.
Lykos felt lighter, stronger. He bent his knees—then launched himself five meters into the air.
Lykos, Okami, & Volk: Whoa...
Fidi smirked.
Fidi: Now we're getting somewhere.
Lykos tried again. His axe spun around him in a perfect loop before he caught it.
Okami flung his scythe forward—it twisted around him horizontally before he snatched it mid-air.
Then—
A glow flickered in Volk's hand.
A moment later—a sledgehammer materialized alongside his shield.
Fidi blinked.
Fidi: Did you... have that before?
Volk's grip tightened. His breath hitched.
Volk: No but... she did.
I've been beside you since back then. Now that you resonated with your Telum, you can finally hear me.
A voice echoed in his head.
Volk froze.
His chest tightened.
His hands trembled.
Then, suddenly—he whipped around, eyes darting.
Volk: Lisa?!
Lykos: Volk?
He dropped the shield but grabbed the sledgehammer tight and ran inside. He ran over to Sobaka, breathless, shoving the weapon forward.
Volk: I heard her voice. She's not gone!
Sobaka: V, calm down.
Volk: How can I?! She's still out there somewhere!
He can't hear me. I'm only by your side.
Volk walked outside and grabbed his shield once again.
Volk: Lisa, I'm sorry. I wasn't fast enough.
It's alright, V. You did your best, and I'm glad you survived. I told you that you had a better future.
Volk hesitated. His grip tightened on the hammer.
Volk: ...I don't have a clue how you're still here but... for the time being, I'm glad you are.
I don't understand it either... but hey, now we have even more time.
Volk put his hand over his heart and smiled. Then, gripping his weapons, he went back to train with the others.
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