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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: “Paths of Ascension”

The next morning, the skies above Helios Academy gleamed like polished gold — a perfect day, though the air buzzed with restless energy.

Inside the Grand Hall, every student gathered beneath the towering banners of the gods. The marble floor shimmered faintly with divine light, forming circles of energy that pulsed in rhythm with each student's Mythos.

Aiden stood quietly near the back, still adjusting to the faint ache in his arms. His body had mostly healed, but deep down, he could feel the Hydra's pulse — like a second heartbeat.

When the Third Chain breaks… you'll know my name.

That voice hadn't left his mind since the awakening.

Professor Orion stood at the front, his coat brushing the floor, golden lightning sparking faintly across the edges of his gloves. His voice carried through the vast chamber like distant thunder.

"Students of Helios Academy," he began, "the time has come to take your first step into the wider world."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"You have all proven your ability to wield your Mythos within the safety of these walls. But true strength is not forged in comfort. It is forged in struggle."

He raised his hand. The divine circles beneath each group of students began to glow brighter.

"Starting today, all first-year combat classes will embark on the Resonance Pilgrimage — a journey across the world to seek trials that strengthen your bond with your Mythos. Each group will face challenges, monsters, and perhaps… echoes of the gods themselves."

Excitement — and fear — spread like wildfire.

Lyra glanced toward Aiden, her expression composed but curious.

"Think they'll actually let you out this soon?"

Aiden smirked faintly. "They can't exactly keep me locked up after rewriting their own rankings, can they?"

"Fair point."

Orion's gaze swept the crowd. "Each group will consist of four to five students — balanced by combat type and Mythos class. Assignments are final."

He began reading names, each group stepping forward as their glyphs illuminated. Finally, Orion stopped and looked directly at Aiden.

"Group Twelve — Aiden Cross, Lyra Vale, Kael Drakon, and Mira Solis."

Kael — the hotheaded top fighter with the Mythos of Ares — cracked his neck and muttered, "Oh, this'll be fun."

Mira Solis, a quiet girl with flowing white hair and the Mythos of Artemis, offered a small nod. "I suppose the gods favor balance."

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "That's one way to put it."

Orion continued, "Your destination — the Ruins of Theros, an ancient battleground where the remnants of the Divine War still echo. There, you will undergo your first trial: The Test of Endurance."

The glowing circle beneath them flared brighter.

"You will depart immediately."

Before anyone could question it, light swallowed the four of them whole.

When the light faded, Aiden felt grass beneath his feet and wind whipping through his hair.

They stood at the edge of a vast forest, golden sunlight filtering through titanic trees that stretched into misty skies. In the distance, ancient ruins rose from the earth — broken columns and glowing runes etched into crumbling stone.

A faint hum filled the air, divine energy thick enough to taste.

Kael whistled, resting his greatsword on his shoulder. "Looks peaceful enough."

Lyra crossed her arms, scanning the horizon. "Don't be fooled. If this place still hums with divine energy after centuries, something alive is guarding it."

Aiden nodded silently, feeling the weight of the chains deep within his chest again. Every step closer to that temple made them rattle faintly, like they were responding to something waiting ahead.

Mira knelt and touched the soil. Her eyes glowed faint silver. "Tracks. Massive ones. Whatever's here… it's not friendly."

Kael grinned. "Good. I was getting bored already."

Aiden gave him a sidelong glance. "You might regret saying that."

As they began moving toward the ruins, the wind shifted — carrying a low, distant roar that made the ground tremble.

Lyra's eyes widened. "That's not thunder."

The earth cracked open in front of them — and a colossal hand of molten stone burst from the ground, followed by a towering creature cloaked in black flame.

Its eyes burned like dying stars.

"Fallen Titan…" Mira whispered, her bow forming from light.

Kael's aura ignited red as his Mythos of Ares flared to life. "Finally."

Aiden stood still for a moment, feeling the pulse of divine power surge through him — the faint clinking of another chain calling from deep within.

He clenched his fists.

Another test… another step.

The Titan roared — and the ground shattered.

The Fallen Titan towered above them, its molten body pulsing like a living volcano. Cracks split across its obsidian skin, leaking rivers of glowing magma that dripped and hissed against the earth. Its presence alone distorted the air — a remnant of godhood long since corrupted.

The team froze for half a heartbeat. Then Kael stepped forward, grinning like a maniac.

"Perfect. Let's see how a Titan handles a war god's fury."

His crimson aura flared — a phantom of Ares, roaring behind him — and Kael launched himself forward, his greatsword blazing with fire.

The ground shattered as he swung. The Titan raised a massive hand, blocking the strike with ease. The shockwave rippled through the clearing, sending dust and debris flying.

CLANG!

The sound was deafening.

Lyra shouted over the noise, her eyes glowing silver. "Mira! Flank left — aim for the runes near its chest! Aiden, cover Kael!"

Mira darted between the rubble, her bow drawn, each arrow glowing with divine light. They struck true — embedding into the Titan's chest and cracking the glowing sigils there.

But it wasn't enough.

The Titan's roar rolled like thunder across the sky. A pulse of molten energy exploded outward, forming a wave of fire that melted trees and shattered stone.

Aiden threw his arms up, taking the brunt of the blast. His body absorbed the force, but the impact sent him flying back several meters.

He landed hard, dirt scattering around him. His muscles screamed, his heartbeat roaring in his ears.

Kael was the first back on his feet. "Still standing!" he yelled, charging again.

The Titan responded faster this time — its massive hand slammed into the ground, and a wave of magma tore through the battlefield. Kael barely had time to cross his weapon before the impact hit.

BOOM!

The explosion sent Kael flying backward, his armor cracking as he slammed into a tree. He didn't get up.

"Kael!" Lyra shouted, turning sharply — but her moment of distraction cost her. The Titan swung its arm sideways, sending a boulder-sized fist of molten stone crashing toward her.

Aiden blurred forward, snatching her out of the way just in time. They rolled across the dirt, smoke and flame bursting around them.

Mira fired another arrow, divine light streaking across the air — but this time, the Titan's other arm came down. A shockwave of energy rippled out, and she was caught in the blast, thrown into the ruins. Her bow shattered, and she went limp.

"Mira's down!" Lyra hissed, pushing herself up. Her aura flared — the Mythos of Athena glowing behind her, spectral wings spreading like shards of silver light.

She raised her hand, forming a barrier of divine energy just as the Titan swung again. The hit struck hard, cracking her shield but not breaking it. Sparks of golden light burst out as she braced her legs.

"Aiden!" she shouted, voice straining. "If you've got anything left—now's the time!"

Aiden staggered to his feet. His clothes were torn, skin scorched, but his eyes burned gold. He could feel the chains inside him — rattling, screaming.

Not yet.

The Titan's next blow hit Lyra's shield with devastating force. The barrier shattered like glass, sending her flying backward. She hit the ground, coughing up blood but forcing herself up again, spear in hand.

"I'm not done yet!"

Her aura surged again — Athena's light glowing around her as she charged forward, her movements sharp and calculated. Each strike she made targeted weak points, divine precision guiding her blade. But the Titan was relentless, shrugging off even her most focused blows.

Aiden's vision blurred. The Hydra's mark pulsed on his skin, spreading faintly up his arms.

Everyone's down. Just me and her.

He looked at Lyra — standing defiant, even as her aura flickered.

Then the Titan's arm rose again, molten light coiling into its fist like a dying sun ready to explode.

"Lyra!" Aiden roared, sprinting forward.

She turned just as the Titan swung down. Aiden slammed into her, tackling her out of the way as the fist obliterated the ground where she stood.

The shockwave ripped through them both — but when the dust cleared, Aiden was still standing, barely. His shoulders shook, his breath ragged.

Lyra, lying beneath him, blinked through the haze. "You… idiot…"

He smiled faintly. "You're welcome."

The Titan straightened again, molten fire dripping from its arms. Its chest began to glow brighter — energy gathering for another strike.

Aiden clenched his fists. The sound of rattling chains filled his head, louder and louder, until it became deafening.

I can't let it end here.

Not when they're still counting on me.

The Hydra's sigil flared — burning through the bandages, lighting up his body like a constellation.

The Titan roared — and Aiden roared back.

The ground trembled. His aura exploded outward in a golden burst, shaking the ruins themselves. Lyra shielded her eyes, barely able to look at him.

The Chains screamed — and one snapped.

Chain III: The Stag's Pursuit — Unsealed.

Wind howled as Aiden vanished in a blur of golden light. He appeared in front of the Titan before it could react — his fist driving into its chest with enough force to send shockwaves across the forest.

The runes on the Titan's body cracked like glass. It stumbled back, molten fire spilling from the wounds.

Aiden stood there, chest heaving, golden flames flickering off his arms.

Behind him, Lyra stared in disbelief. "He… he broke another one…"

The Titan bellowed one last time — a sound of rage and defeat — before collapsing into molten fragments that sank back into the earth.

The forest went silent.

Aiden's light began to fade. He turned toward Lyra, smiling faintly.

"Guess we passed the first trial…"

Then his knees gave out. He collapsed, unconscious, as faint golden light drifted from his body like embers.

Lyra caught him before he hit the ground, breathing hard but smiling despite herself.

"Idiot," she whispered. "You really don't know when to stop."

Above them, the wind stilled. The forest seemed to bow in silence.

A faint, distant voice echoed through Aiden's mind once more — calm, powerful, and proud.

"The Third Chain falls. You're getting closer, boy."

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