Hell's Royal Palace

Dinner had ended, and the long dining table was scattered with empty plates. Nena's sharp voice called out, "Maids, gather these!" and the servants immediately complied.

Hermes sat stiffly in his chair, picking at the last bit of pastry. "I really should be going," he said, his voice carrying a faint restlessness as he pushed his chair back carefully.

Azreal leaned back, arms crossed, and remarked, "Yes… you've overstayed already."

Nena shot him a glare. "What do you mean? Are you trying to drive Hermes away?"

Azreal raised his hands in mock surrender. "No, Nena, that's not what I meant. You heard him—he wants to leave. I only supported him."

Nena's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, I know you too well."

Hermes chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, Nena, he was trying to drive me away so you could keep feeding him anytime I wasn't around."

Azreal groaned. "As a god, you should be ashamed of lying like that."

Both Hermes and Nena laughed, filling the hall with light-hearted warmth. Azreal turned to Aria. "What do you think about all this, Aria?"

Aria tilted her head slightly. "Nena is right. What were you trying to do, Azreal? I didn't know you could get jealous."

"Oh, so you've joined Nena's side now?" Azreal asked, pretending to pout.

Aria shook her head. "I'm not joining any group. I'm just stating the truth."

Hermes grinned. "Just accept it, Azreal."

"Accept what?" Azreal asked, mock-offended.

Nena waved a hand. "It's alright now. Wait here, Hermes, I'll be right back."

Azreal leaned closer to Hermes and lowered his voice. "Come with me for a moment. I need to talk to you." Hermes nodded, and they slipped away to a quiet corner.

"What's the matter, Azreal?" Hermes asked.

Azreal's expression darkened slightly. "Remember when I spoke about the Gods mark?"

"Yes," Hermes said cautiously.

"It's Aria who wields it."

Hermes' golden eyes widened. "Aria?!"

"Yes," Azreal confirmed.

Hermes ran a hand through his hair. "But if she wields the Gods mark, why is she in Hell?"

Azreal shook his head. "That's exactly what's confusing me. At first, I thought someone tampered with the Soul Gate system, but when I visited Hades, I realized the issue might stem from the Soul River."

"If that's true," Hermes mused, "then one of the soul reeders must be behind this misplacement."

"That's what I thought," Azreal said, "but things escalated when Aria awakened her flames."

"She can use flames now?" Hermes asked, shocked.

Azreal nodded. "Yes. I don't know how, but I'm certain it's because of the Gods mark."

Hermes frowned. "From everything I know about the Gods mark, it doesn't grant powers. It's a blessing—immunity to Hellfire for those chosen by the gods—but I've never heard of it granting abilities."

"How many have been blessed with the Gods mark?" Azreal asked.

Hermes shook his head. "I've never heard of any. And if someone is blessed, it doesn't grant powers."

"So, Aria is the first wielder of the Gods mark," Azreal said.

"More like the only wielder," Hermes corrected, "since no one else has wielded it."

"Are you sure it's the Gods mark?" Hermes asked suddenly. "There are other marks… like the one Zarion used—the Mark of Corruption."

Azreal's expression hardened. "I'm sure. You said the Gods mark grants immunity to Hellfire. Aria has that same immunity."

Hermes' eyes narrowed. "Can I see it?"

Azreal extended his hand, flames curling around his fingers, forming a glowing cross on his palm. "It looks like this."

Hermes stared, disbelief in his eyes. "I can't believe it… this truly is the Gods mark."

Azreal nodded. "Then my suspicion was right."

"What do you think is happening?" Hermes asked.

"I believe someone's meddling," Azreal said. "And I need your help."

Hermes tilted his head. "What do you need from me?"

"All the information about the Gods mark—its origins, its history, everything."

Hermes frowned. "Azreal… why are you involving yourself in the affairs of the gods? This could get dangerous."

Azreal's gaze was steady. "Just gather the information. I'll handle the rest."

Hermes paused, considering, then said, "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you," Azreal said, clapping him on the shoulder. Together, they returned to where Aria waited.

Hermes glanced around. "Nena isn't back yet?"

Nena appeared at that moment, smiling. "Here I am! You're always in such a hurry, young man." She handed him a neatly wrapped bag. "I packed you some food. Make sure you eat properly."

Hermes chuckled, bowing slightly. "Yes, yes, I promise, Nena."

Azreal stepped forward, placing a hand on Hermes' shoulder. "Alright then. But I want to see the way you leave."

Hermes raised an eyebrow, amused. "The way I leave?"

Azreal smirked. "Speed. Show me that godly speed of yours."

Hermes' golden eyes sparkled as he bent his knees slightly. "If you insist."

In the next heartbeat, he was gone.

The air rippled and twisted, as if it couldn't keep up with his movements. Plates clinked faintly from the breeze left in his wake. In one fluid motion, he had crossed the room, dashed past the grand hall doors, and leapt toward the palace gate. His cloak flared like a golden streak in the dim light. "Tell Veymar I'll meet him later!" he called back, voice fading with distance.

Azreal and Aria watched from the doorway, the wind stirring around them, revealing the faint shimmer of displaced air marking Hermes' path.

"Until next time, Hermes," Azreal murmured with a smile.

Nena shook her head, chuckling. "He's impossible."

Azreal stood silently for a moment, eyes lingering on the empty space where Hermes had been. "Speed… clever, reliable, but reckless," he murmured. "Just the way I like my allies."

"I'll go now," Nena said, turning and walking away.

"You should probably head to the second gate for now," Azreal said to Aria. "I'll summon you later."

Aria nodded.

"Hulk," Azreal commanded, and the massive figure appeared. "Escort Aria to the second gate."

"There's no need for that," Aria said, folding her arms.

"Why not?" Azreal asked.

"What's the problem?" Hulk questioned.

"I got here riding on Arian's back today," Aria said. "I'll go the same way now."

"Arian?" Azreal's tone carried a hint of amusement.

Arian materialized beside her. "Let's go. Transform," Aria instructed.

Azreal shook his head. "It's nice that you're letting someone else ride on you,Arian."

Arian sighed. "I had no choice, my lord." He transformed, and Aria climbed onto his back—only to slip almost immediately. Azreal caught her mid-fall.

"Aria, I don't think it's safe for you to ride Arian," he said.

"No, it's fine," she protested. "I'm getting used to it."

"Yes, my lord," Arian added. "When we came here, she fell five times already."

"I see," Aria said, climbing back on. This time, she stayed secure, and Arian lifted off smoothly.

"Hulk, you can go now," Azreal said. Hulk vanished.

Azreal returned to his chambers, closing the door behind him. He sat on his bed, and a screen flickered to life—Sarah's face appearing.

"I heard Lord Hermes was here," she said.

"Yes," Azreal replied. "He came to deliver a message about recent incidents in the world of the living."

"Incidents?" Sarah asked, frowning.

"Humans are dying unnaturally," Azreal said.

"If that's the case, why should you bother? Lord Hades should handle it," Sarah said.

"Exactly what I thought," Azreal replied. "But it seems the deaths are caused by infernalization."

"Infernalization? How is that possible?" Sarah asked.

"I don't know," Azreal admitted. "But rumors are spreading among the gods, saying I might be responsible. They think I plan to build an infernal army and wipe out the human race."

Sarah's eyes widened. "This could escalate into a war between you and the gods, my lord."

Azreal's gaze hardened. "Which is why we'll solve the case ourselves—going to the world of the living to catch the imposter trying to discredit me."

"I've prepared a chart of names for your team," Sarah said.

Azreal leaned forward. "Show me."

The list appeared on the screen: Hulk, the pillars, Orvath, and Aria.

"Aria?" Azreal's voice rose in surprise.

Sarah's voice came through the screen, calm but probing. "Yes… my lord, why do you sound surprised when I mentioned Aria?"

Azreal leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "I'm just surprised that you allowed her to tag along without giving me any reasons why she shouldn't."

There was a pause before Sarah spoke again, a hint of reluctance in her tone. "I'll admit it, my lord… I didn't want her to come. But given the circumstances, it seems she must."

Azreal frowned slightly, his voice measured. "Circumstances?"

Sarah's tone grew serious as she replied, "Yes. She's a treasure… and at the same time, a force capable of rivaling both the Gods and you. She possesses a power great enough to erase heaven and hell itself. For that reason, she must be kept close."

Azreal raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue.

"Now," Sarah said, "seeing that she's no longer in possession of the Key, she's lost that ultimate power—but she remains an invaluable asset. Consider this: Zarion once held the Key before the war. Yet he didn't erase heaven or hell. That tells us there's a condition for its use. And the fact that he didn't kill Aria when he had the chance… it indicates she still holds significance. At first, I believed he was keeping her alive because her death would collapse the Hollow Realm and the Key would vanish. But observing his inaction, it's clear he needs Aria—either to wield the Key or to perform some ritual connected to it."

Azreal's brow furrowed. "But why would Aria be able to use the Key?"

Sarah's eyes narrowed with certainty. "Because of Yuzara. She was the Guardian of the Hollow Realm, the one who wielded the Key. Aria… she is Yuzara's vessel. That makes her the new Guardian and the true wielder of the Key. Without her, Zarion cannot utilize it. That is why Aria must accompany us—she cannot be left alone."

Azreal nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. But what of the Pillars? They won't be coming with us?"

Sarah's voice sharpened in surprise. "Why not? If I may ask?"

"The Pillars," Azreal said firmly, "must remain here. They guard their respective gates. Each gate has its protector, and without them, the gates are vulnerable. Their duty cannot be abandoned."

Sarah's tone shifted to concern. "If the Pillars aren't coming… then who will accompany you?"

Azreal's lips curled into a small, confident smile. "The Six."

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