As the group laughed and shared stories, a deep, guttural roar split the air, shaking the very ground beneath them. The once-lighthearted atmosphere vanished as they immediately reached for their Telums, eyes scanning the area.
Fidi: What the hell was that?
Volk: I feel like we're about to find out...
Okami: Use your future vision. Now.
Volk shut his eyes, focusing. His breathing slowed as his vision drifted beyond the present. When he opened them again, his face was grim.
Volk: Get ready. All of Helheim is about to break loose.
Lykos: Could you, uh, be more specific?
Volk: More than 500 monstras are on their way. And they want us dead.
Skylos: AYO, WHAT?!
Sobaka: We should run. Right now. Full speed.
Volk: We can't. They'd catch up.
Sobaka: Let me guess—future sight told you that, too?
Volk: Yep. Every single time we ran, we got torn apart. Not fun.
Lykos: Okay, okay, but did you actually see a way we, you know, don't die?
Volk: I was getting there before I got yanked back. But we have to fight. A lot.
Fidi: Then we prepare. We've got an hour, right?
Volk: Every timeline, they show up at the one-hour mark.
Fidi: Then let's use that time wisely. Just in case.
A heavy silence fell over them as reality set in. No more jokes, no more distractions. Just an hour until all hell arrived.
Fidi: So... have you all named your Telums?
Okami: Huh?
Fidi: Have you given your Telum a name?
Volk: Why would I do that?
Fidi: I don't know, Liontari suggested it. Just trying to make conversation while we wait for death.
Volk: ...Fine. What did you name yours?
Fidi: The Honest Wind.
Volk: Huh. Not bad.
Fidi: You should try it out.
Lykos, Okami, and Volk stared at their weapons. Naming them felt... strange. But something about it also felt right.
Volk: How the hell do I name a shield, armor, and a sledgehammer?
Sobaka: Make it a reference to something you like.
Volk: Hm... Alright, got it. X-02.
Fidi: Sounds tough. What about you, Oka?
Okami: Oh! Something I like... Star Diamond! Yeah, that works.
Skylos: That's pretty cool, actually.
Alepou: What about you, Ly?
Lykos looked up. The moon hung in the sky, silent and watchful. It had always fascinated him.
Lykos: Crescent Moon. If Artemis really is my mother, then I'll pay homage to her.
Fidi: OHHH, I love that one!
Kitsune: I just thought of something. Give me a sec.
Volk: Before you go in, here.
He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it to Kitsune. She caught it mid-air, raising a brow.
Kitsune: What, you don't want it smelling like battle?
Volk: Just leave it inside for me, alright?
Kitsune: Yeah, yeah.
Without another word, she grabbed Okami's wrist and dragged him inside. Volk smirked, watching as Alepou did the same with Lykos.
Fidi: ...What's going on?
Volk: Give them a moment. Trust me.
Inside the room, Lykos stood awkwardly as Alepou closed the door behind them. The sudden shift in her demeanor sent a tingle down his spine.
Lykos: Uh, you okay, Ale?
She turned to face him, her expression serious, almost pleading.
Alepou: Listen to me. Whatever happens... protect yourself. Don't prioritize me.
Lykos: I—
Alepou: If you get hurt trying to save me, I swear I will drag your half-dead ass back just to beat some sense into you. I can protect myself.
Lykos: Jeez, okay! I heard you!
Alepou: DID YOU REALLY?!
Lykos: YES! I DID!
Then, to his shock, she pulled him into a hug—tight, desperate, like she was holding onto something slipping away.
Lykos: ...Where did this 180 come from?
She hugged him tighter.
Alepou: I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you. You and Sky are all I have left.
His breath caught in his throat. He gently rested his hand on her back.
Lykos: Ale... I feel the same way. That's why I'll always be here for you. You're not alone.
Alepou pulled back slightly, placing a hand on his cheek, her touch warm against his skin.
Alepou: Just promise me... promise me you'll live.
Lykos: Only if you promise the same.
A small, knowing nod. The tension hung between them, heavy, charged. For a moment, neither moved, lost in each other's gaze.
Lykos: If anything happens... I just want you to know—I wish we had more time. Not here. Not like this. Just back home, in peace. Talking, playing games, living. Together.
Alepou smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek.
Alepou: I'd love that.
They lay side by side in the quiet, resting for the battle to come.
Alepou: Hey Ly... we've known each other for 13 years, but when I saw you in that village, it felt like I already knew you.
Lykos: ...I felt the same way.
A voice shattered the moment.
Volk: OKAMI, LYKOS—GET YOUR ASSES OUT HERE!
Lykos groaned.
Lykos: Guess that means they're close.
Alepou wiped her eyes, took his hand, and together they stepped out. Kitsune and Okami emerged at the same time.
Lykos: Y'all say your final goodbyes?
Okami: Shut up. Let's kill some monstras.
The four of them joined the others outside. In the distance, a horde loomed, dark and shifting, a sea of creatures from nightmares.
Alepou: That's... a lot.
Lykos: And so many different ones...
Volk: Yep. Gorgons, redcaps—you name it. The good news? They're out of their element, so they're weaker.
A familiar voice slithered into Lykos' mind.
Argos: Want me to take over? This looks like fun.
Lykos: I can handle this. I don't need you.
Argos: That's not what happened last time...
Lykos scowled but ignored him. He had bigger things to worry about.
Okami: After this, we're one step closer to avenging Inu. Kill them all.
Kitsune: Don't worry, Kit. I'll erase them from existence.
Volk pulled out something unexpected from the back of his shield.
Sobaka: AYO, WHAT?! SINCE WHEN DO YOU HAVE A GUN?!
Volk: Since we left the city. I told you, I'm never getting caught lacking.
Sobaka: I THOUGHT YOU MEANT PAYING ATTENTION—NOT PACKING HEAT!
Volk: Relax. Only for emergencies. It's not like this is too useful against monstras.
Alepou: This motherfucker really had a gun this whole time...281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxYvIxN44W
