Two weeks had passed on the planet Palas, though because of the planet’s massive size, its days were extremely short—lasting only about twelve hours—so their training sessions were shorter but constant compared to what they would have been on Earth.

  Rodrigo and the others had continued training without interruption, resting only two hours and training the other ten.

  The overwhelming heat of Palas made Rodrigo want to give up, but morally he couldn’t; he had to become stronger so he could protect Ana, Epona, and also Tania.

  However, Tania had become more and more distant—even from Ana and Epona. There were times she wouldn’t return to the room, wouldn’t speak to anyone, wouldn’t greet or smile; she seemed lost in her own world.

  Rodrigo felt guilty, as if the entire situation were somehow his fault. But he also hadn’t spoken much with Ana or Epona—they both returned nearly dead from exhaustion and collapsed straight into bed.

  “I think I’m making progress,” was one of the few things Ana said to him while they were eating, when he asked about her training.

  Rodrigo felt bad about all of it.

  Was it because I didn’t know what to say when she opened up about her past? he wondered that day.

  But he reconsidered after seeing Ana fall asleep at the table. The lack of sleep and the brutal training had to be killing her.

  Rodrigo didn’t do physical training—he meditated daily, trying to align his chakras and control the power of Kundalini. But Ana and Epona had violent, merciless physical training under the planet’s blistering heat. Although apparently Rodrigo was the only one who found the heat unbearable—maybe the goddesses were used to extreme temperatures after living so many centuries.

  That morning, Rodrigo was training with Asclepius when a malak arrived, announcing that there was an emergency meeting—and Rodrigo needed to attend. Both agreed and headed toward Athena’s palace, flying through the scorching air.

  On the way, Rodrigo found Ana, Epona, and Tania, walking with their mentors: Myrddin, Mitras, Sol, and Nabu.

  “What happened?” Rodrigo asked Ana.

  “No idea, but I assume it’s something concerning Anpiel,” Ana replied.

  “Most likely Lel contacted Athena already,” Epona said.

  Tania remained lost in her thoughts, ignoring all of them. The goddess also kept her face covered, hiding the wound she carried—one none of her companions had noticed.

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  Finally, they arrived at the palace and rushed into the room where they had first spoken with Athena.

  Inside were Athena and Horus, both with grim expressions. The goddess had her right hand covering her face while sitting in her chair, and Horus stood with his back turned, arms crossed. On the table next to Athena rested a crystal sphere.

  “Your majesty Athena, what happened?” Asclepius asked, shaken.

  “Lel is screwing us over,” Athena said in defeat.

  “Why? What happened?” Nabu asked.

  “Show them,” Horus told Athena.

  The goddess nodded.

  Athena touched the crystal orb, and a projection appeared in the air. In it were two severed heads inside a dark room. Then the god Ares appeared between them, holding the heads in his hands.

  “Hello, little sister,” the god of war said. “Remember me? I’m your brother Ares, and Lel has entrusted me with getting your attention.”

  An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

  “You recognize these heads, don’t you? They’re your malak spies in Lel. Anat always knew about them, but she let them keep working so she could give you a message like this. She’s let you receive whatever information she wanted you to receive—she’s only been playing with you. Did you really think you could fool her?

  And you can verify they’re yours, since I’m using the communication crystal they used to contact you,” Ares said, laughing mockingly.

  Rodrigo saw Athena bite her lip in rage—so hard that blood dripped from it.

  “Rikbiel… Samyaza…” Nabu muttered, his expression filled with fury.

  “But we have a malak in our possession—one of the friends of those three goddesses who recently joined you. Don’t worry, we haven’t killed him, but we’ve done everything possible to prolong his suffering since we captured him,” Ares continued.

  “Anpiel…” Epona whispered, her eyes welling with tears.

  “If you want him back, come within twenty divine hours to planet Mars—the planet next to Earth. Though honestly, you’ll probably just be spectators for his execution, because at that exact hour, we’ll kill him,” the god of war said.

  “Bastards,” Ana hissed.

  Rodrigo noticed Tania looking away from the projection, remaining silent.

  “So what will you do? Come here, or will you watch your friend’s head end up the same as these filthy malakim?” Ares continued.

  Then the god of war slammed the angels’ heads onto the ground, exploding them in a shower of blood. After that, he stomped on them.

  Athena turned her face away, unable to watch the repulsive act—Rodrigo could tell it hurt her deeply.

  “Let’s hope his head doesn’t end up the same… or yours. We’ll be waiting here. If you want to come sooner, do so. But in exactly twenty-four hours, your dear friend will be dead. Good luck, little sister!” Ares concluded, and the transmission ended.

  “So, in conclusion: two of my friends were killed to save one of yours,” Athena said, touching the crystal again to turn it off.

  Ana and Epona didn’t know what to say. The implication hit them immediately. Both lowered their heads in silence.

  “Your excellency Athena,” Nabu said. “Although this was grotesque and revolting, I regret to say there’s nothing I can do. I must excuse myself for a time—I have important matters to attend to.”

  The goddess glared at him, but Nabu stared back without flinching.

  “Bah, go on then. You’re useless in a fight anyway,” Athena spat.

  “Lady Tania,” Nabu added, placing a hand on her shoulder, “I apologize, but we must postpone our session. Please rest as much as you can.”

  Tania nodded without really paying attention.

  Nabu left the room, leaving everyone else in silence.