Rodrigo and the rest of the team stood in quiet awe before the landscape. Towering white mountains rose beyond thousands of pines that formed a natural barrier around a vast blue lake below the magnificent cliff upon which the gods now stood.

  Snow fell lightly. Rodrigo alone felt discomfort from the cold. In the distance, more tipi lodges could be seen—likely inhabited by humans.

  “I believe we must inquire how to reach the south,” Menrva said.

  “I suppose we must travel south until we leave this land,” Ana added.

  “We shall use the map given to us in Adlivun,” Anpiel said, summoning the chart.

  He pointed to their location and traced a route eastward toward the Anishinaabe kingdom.

  “It seems we are very far from those territories,” Epona said with frustration.

  “But it would be wise to go there,” Anpiel replied. “They are allies of Sedna and may grant us aid.”

  “However, not all of us may travel south,” Menrva said. “Some must go east—to the Haida realm—to find Thor and the others.”

  “Then it would be best to divide into two or three groups,” Tania suggested.

  “Indeed,” Menrva nodded. “Though I doubt you are eager to go east, I promised I would find Thor and his father. I shall go with Loki and Bellona—”

  She froze.

  “Wait. Did Bellona not exit with us?” Menrva asked, horror crossing her face.

  “What is wrong?” Epona began—

  Suddenly, chains reappeared, clamped around the ankles of every member of Orniskem—including Loki. In an instant, they were lifted into the air, suspended helplessly.

  “Well,” Bellona’s voice echoed from inside the tipi, “I truly believed I would never escape that wretched labyrinth. For that, you have my gratitude.”

  She stepped outside slowly.

  The cheerful, distracted goddess was gone. Her eyes burned with bloodlust. Her expression was cruel. Her voice no longer carried girlish brightness, but cold severity.

  “What are you doing, Bellona?” Tania demanded.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “Yes—why have you immobilized us?” Ana added.

  “This,” Menrva said calmly, “is Bellona’s true face.”

  “Oh? Do not tell me you always suspected me,” Bellona asked, spinning her massive chains as the others struggled vainly. Only Menrva remained still.

  “You see, Orniskem,” Menrva addressed them, “Athena sent me on this mission to kill her.”

  “Is she a traitor to Orniskem?” Epona asked, still uncertain.

  “I would call her Lel’s lapdog,” Menrva replied coolly. “She was one of many war gods who lost favor within their pantheons and were left without home. She bargained with Lel and was tasked with spying on Athena.”

  “For someone who knows so much, it was foolish to lower your guard,” Bellona said, approaching Menrva—who hung upside down in the sky.

  “No use struggling,” Bellona added as the others fought against the chains. “They cannot be broken—especially these. They still draw power from Denendeh.”

  “Why?” Ana demanded, her strength fading. “What did my master ever do to you?”

  “Nothing at all,” Bellona answered coldly. “It was simply my duty.”

  Without warning, she drove her fist into Menrva’s abdomen. The Etruscan goddess doubled over, coughing blood, eyes clenched in agony.

  “Now, if you will excuse me, I must deliver you to my mistress Anat,” Bellona said, turning away. “I am not authorized to kill you—but you may serve as fine human sacrifices in Tula. Particularly the boy dressed like a bird.”

  She produced her communication crystal—

  A sudden gust shattered it.

  Bellona whirled around in horror.

  Menrva, still bound, had raised her right arm. Her eyes burned with determination.

  “Your energy should have been depleted!” Bellona shouted. “How could you move?”

  “Because I never fell into your trap, dear,” Menrva replied.

  Her chain vanished.

  So did Loki’s.

  Both gods flipped midair and landed gracefully.

  “How—?” Bellona stammered.

  “If I may explain, fair Roman,” Loki said with a smirk.

  “I allowed Loki to study your chains when you bound him earlier,” Menrva interrupted. “He learned your technique and devised a countermeasure when you bound us during our arrival.”

  “I was going to explain that myself,” Loki muttered irritably.

  Bellona began to laugh—softly at first, then thunderously.

  “You cannot defeat the two of us,” Menrva said, assuming a battle stance.

  “Oh, my mistress Anat is ever prepared,” Bellona whispered, summoning a radiant golden sphere.

  Menrva’s eyes widened.

  “Is that… a golden orb? Like the one Lord Ares possessed?”

  “Oh? You recognize these artifacts?” Bellona smiled, holding it aloft.

  “What is it?” Loki asked.

  “I know little,” Menrva replied, “but it made Lord Ares tremendously powerful.”

  “It is called Hikaptha,” Bellona declared. “Forged by Lel’s supreme smith. It amplifies the bearer’s power exponentially—and feeds upon war and violence.”

  She smiled darkly.

  “Fortunately for me, we recently witnessed a rather foolish war between wolves and rodents.”

  “This is bad,” Menrva murmured to Loki. “I shall fight her. Free the others. Can I rely on you?”

  “Of course,” Loki answered. “Undoing chains is hardly difficult.”

  He vanished.

  “Has the cowardly Norse god fled?” Bellona laughed. “You could not have made this easier.”

  “Laugh while you can,” Menrva replied coldly. “I shall bury you myself.”

  Bellona crushed the Hikaptha in her fist.

  Her body erupted in golden radiance. Tremors shook the land. The sky darkened as though eclipsed.

  “Even within an anti-divinity barrier,” Menrva thought nervously, “her power rises dangerously high…”

  And before her, Bellona shone like a blazing sun.

  If you’d like to support the story, a follow or rating helps a lot.

  The next part will be released Tomorrow.