Ana and Tania were lying in different beds.

  Tania was sitting up, leaning against the headboard, while Ana remained fully reclined.

  The room was identical to the one where Rodrigo had awakened. Both goddesses wore white gowns, just like Rodrigo and Epona.

  “Oh wow, it’s good to see you’re alright, Epona,” Tania said with a smile.

  But Ana stayed lying down; she glanced at Rodrigo, then immediately looked away. Rodrigo approached her, but she remained silent—as if mute.

  “I’m pathetic, right, Rui?” the dark-haired goddess said, still staring at the ceiling as if looking into the void.

  “No… I think you—you all—are incredibly strong,” Rodrigo replied, trying to take Ana’s hand.

  “Not even five miserable minutes…” Ana muttered as her expression twisted into anger.

  She squeezed Rodrigo’s hand, hard enough to make him hide the pain on his face.

  “Our totemas are dead, Ana. Don’t feel so bad,” Tania said, sounding uninterested.

  “But still—how the hell are we supposed to rescue Anpiel if we can’t even handle a handful of katteres?” Ana snapped, still crushing Rodrigo’s hand.

  “Oh—sorry, Rui,” she said when she realized how hard she was squeezing. She finally let go.

  “No, it’s fine,” Rodrigo answered, embarrassed.

  “Knock, knock. May I come in?” said the goddess Athena as she entered through the door.

  “Athena,” everyone exclaimed in shock.

  “What happened? Did you rescue us?” Epona asked.

  “No. Thor arrived on the battlefield, and he and Loki stayed behind fighting your brothers,” the Greek goddess explained.

  “Forgive me, master. It was my fault,” Ana said, closing her eyes.

  “It’s alright, Ana,” Athena replied with a gentle smile. “Clearly, they were stronger than you thanks to their totemas’ full power. But that can be fixed.”

  Ana stayed silent.

  “As far as I’m concerned, you all passed the test. And I’m definitely interested in this boy. What did you say your name was?” the goddess asked as she approached Rodrigo.

  “R-Rodrigo, ma’am,” the young man answered timidly.

  “Oh right—Rodrigo,” Tania said, surprised.

  “Rui…” Ana whispered, avoiding his gaze again.

  “Me? What about me?” Rodrigo asked, confused as he leaned back, uncomfortable with Athena’s face so close.

  “Haven’t these girls told you anything?” Athena said, still stepping closer as Rodrigo kept inching away.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Rui… when you were fighting that giant serpent… you turned into something… monstrous,” Ana said, refusing to meet his eyes.

  “A tannin,” Tania added.

  Rodrigo remembered what Anpiel had told him about the tannin—serpent gods. He had no idea what to think.

  “According to Lel’s absolute law, we’re supposed to kill you,” Tania continued.

  “But you’re not in Lel anymore,” Athena interrupted.

  “But Athena, he—!” Tania began, raising her voice, but the goddess cut her off again.

  “I have tannin blood in my veins, Tania. And my son is one of them. Do you think he—or I—am a monster?” Athena raised her voice, irritated.

  “Since when are you a mother?” Ana wanted to say… but kept it to herself.

  “You have tannin blood?” Tania asked. “Sorry, but I don’t believe that.”

  Athena didn’t respond. She simply turned her head aside.

  “Remember when I stopped Ana from approaching Rodrigo, but I had no trouble doing it myself?” she said.

  “Yes… I remember,” Ana replied.

  “To wield the Aegis—the strongest protection in Olympus—I had to undergo certain procedures. Half my blood became serpent blood,” Athena explained, raising her arm and showing it to them.

  “Isn’t tannin blood supposed to be poison to the gods? It’s impossible you survived,” Tania said, baffled.

  “In Olympus, we’ve studied the tannin for centuries. We learned to use parts of their properties. I’m not the only goddess up there with partial serpent blood,” Athena replied.

  Tania stared in shock, especially when she saw small purple drops fall from Athena’s fingertips—burning tiny holes into the floor.

  “Do you think I’m a monster now?” the Greek goddess asked.

  Rodrigo felt embarrassed and tense. Even after Athena’s demonstration, he could feel Ana’s discomfort near him—and that stung deeply. It reminded him of his childhood, when everyone called him a devil or a bastard’s child.

  “Rufino,” Athena said, looking straight at him, “never be ashamed of what you are. Ever. Do you understand?”

  Rodrigo wanted to tell her that wasn’t his name… but he felt too awkward. He just nodded shyly.

  “Anyway, changing the subject,” Athena continued, “I want you all to know that Thor and Loki have agreed to join us. And considering the state Asgard is in, it’s likely we’ll receive support from the Norse gods.”

  “And that bastard Loki didn’t even apologize,” Tania thought.

  “And I’ve decided that you will join them in the search for the god Odin in Vinland,” Athena declared firmly.

  “We can’t do that right now,” Tania countered. “We need to find Anpiel and help him.”

  The others nodded.

  “If you go to Lel now, you’ll be crushed without mercy. You need to become stronger first, and Vinland might be the perfect place for training,” Athena said solemnly.

  “Forgive me, master,” Ana spoke up. “Yes, we lost, and I know we disappointed you against those Celtic gods. But Anpiel sacrificed himself for our totemas—there was his blood on them when we received them. We can’t abandon him.”

  “I know,” Athena said.

  Silence fell.

  “I understand perfectly that a comrade in danger should not be abandoned. That’s why I will support you in this fight against Lel. But let me tell you what I know about the current situation,” she continued.

  “Anpiel—your malak—fought another squad of malakim to obtain your totemas. But just before sending them to you, he was captured and tortured. I know that Anat has him crucified in one of Lel’s main courtyards.”

  Everyone froze. Tania clenched her teeth in rage.

  “Listen closely. Anat knows Anpiel sent you your totemas, and I’m sure she’ll use him to lure you in and set a trap.

  She knows I might intervene, which means a brutal war may be coming between us and Lel. But a victory there would show those arrogant genocidal fools exactly what we’re capable of,” Athena concluded.

  “A war…?” Epona asked, nervous.

  “Yes. And I need you to get stronger. If you face a katteres again, you can’t afford to lose. Do you understand?” Athena said, raising her voice.

  Everyone nodded.

  “And you, Rolento—we need to bring out your serpent-god abilities as well,” Athena added.

  “R-Rodrigo. It’s Rodrigo,” he corrected nervously.

  “Yes, that. Rogelio. You’ll train separately from them. There’s someone here who can train you. Do you understand?” Athena said.

  Rodrigo nodded.

  “Alright. For today, make yourselves at home, and welcome to planet Palas. I’ve instructed some malakim to escort you to your rooms.

  Tomorrow, Horus and I will speak with you further and begin your training,” the Greek goddess finished.

  “Thank you, master,” Ana said.