The hunt continued through the twisted labyrinth, each step echoing with the crunch of brittle leaves and the occasional snap of unseen branches. Shirou and the huntresses moved cautiously, their eyes scanning the unnatural surroundings. Despite the eerie stillness, their hearts were heavy with unease.
Shirou glanced over his shoulder briefly, his expression unreadable. In his mind, Zoë and Thelka's safety weighed heavily. Had they fled as the hours dragged on, or were they still waiting for some sign, some hope of their return? He pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the immediate threat.
"Man… this place never ends, huh," Amara muttered, dragging her hand across her forehead to wipe away sweat. The fatigue in her voice mirrored the exhaustion in her body.
"You can say that again," Claire replied, her tone equally strained. She cast her gaze upwards, taking in the twisted branches clawing at the perpetually gray sky. "But it's… kind of peaceful, isn't it? If you ignore the sky and, well, the trees that look like they're going to eat us alive."
"Peaceful, she says," Xenia quipped, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "If this is peaceful, I'd hate to see chaotic."
As they trudged onward, Claire's words began to gnaw at the group. The horrifying truth was that the unnatural landscape was starting to feel familiar. Comfortable, even.
The realization sent a shiver down Amara's spine. "It's scary," she whispered. "What if we never leave? What if this becomes… home?"
No one answered. The silence hung thick in the air, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves.
A buzzing sound broke through their grim thoughts as a fat fly landed on Claire's arm.
Swat!
She slapped at it furiously, but the resilient insect buzzed off unscathed. "Bugs," she hissed, glaring at the fly as it disappeared into the trees. "How could I forget about the bugs?"
Amara, who was in the process of swatting off a bug noticed the one person who was completely unbothered.
"Shirou… *thwack* do you not… ugh, how are you not bothered by these bugs?"
"I'm not bothered…" Shirou began. "It's just bugs, nothing special. I'm surprised you all are."
"Well normally, no bugs would ever approach us to begin with. We are under the protection of Lady Artemis. No creature would dare inconvenience a maiden of the forest. But now… this bastard has set all of these bugs out just to annoy us."
So in other words, they had it easy solely because of Artemis' grace. Shirou wondered whether that was truly efficient.
No, he didn't need to wonder. He was seeing the byproduct right now.
The hunter's annoyed expression said it all. They were fed up. They would need some hope soon.
"Wait… there's light ahead!"
Almost on cue, a light shone ahead. It was dim, covered by the thick warping trees but he could see it. In this area where little light was allowed, even the faintest of lights stood out.
"Light?" Rebekah frowned, her voice thick with doubt. "We've reached the end? No way…"
"Stay alert," Shirou commanded, his tone firm. Weapons were drawn as the group moved cautiously forward. Shirou cut through the vines and cleared a path for the hunters.
Shirou stepped into the light first. As the brightness engulfed him, his eyes blinked rapidly, adjusting to the sudden glare. The scene before him revealed itself, stark and unnerving.
An empty clearing.
"Something's wrong," Shirou muttered, his gaze sweeping across the suspiciously peaceful space. "It's too normal. This isn't his style."
The silence was a trap. The untouched clearing, the strange calm—it all reeked of a setup.
"Well, we'll be ready," Amara said confidently, her sharp eyes scanning the perimeter. "We've got space to fight. Plenty of room to maneuver."
"Yeah," Rebekah chimed in, gripping her bow tightly. "This is our homefield, too."
"Is it?" Shirou replied grimly, his unease deepening.
Suddenly, the ground shuddered beneath them, a violent tremor that sent a ripple of dread through the group. Before anyone could react, thick walls of twisting branches shot up from the earth, encasing them in a living barricade. The hunters barely had time to scatter as Shirou, who had been at the front, found himself cut off from the others.
"Shirou!" Amaryllis shouted, her voice strained.
"I'm fine!" Shirou called back, though his gaze darted around warily. The walls of vines loomed over him like a predator closing in. Summoning Kanshou, he slashed at the barrier. His blade cut cleanly, but the vines mended themselves almost instantly, knitting together as if mocking his effort. He frowned. "This was his plan," he murmured to himself, scanning for a weakness. "To separate us."
He wasn't surprised. It was exactly the kind of twisted strategy Anthropokonos would employ.
The hunters regrouped on the other side, forming a tight defensive circle. Weapons bristled as they tried to assess their situation. From above, a mocking voice echoed, smooth and sharp.
"Hunters... and magician. Did you enjoy your feast?" Anthropokonos's voice oozed amusement. "I hope so. After all, it may very well be your last."
Shirou's grip tightened on his weapon. He could hear the hunters' teeth grinding behind the wall.
"What? Did you think the food was free?" The voice laughed, a low, unsettling sound. "Oh, don't worry. It wasn't poisoned. That would be far too… mundane."
The hunters responded with arrows, the thwack of shafts hitting something audible even to Shirou. But the god's laughter only deepened, a warbled chuckle that oozed malice.
"No pleasantries? Fine. Then let's get to the main event. And don't worry, magician—you'll have your role to play."
"We don't want your games!" Amaryllis's voice rose, fury dripping from every word. "Where is Phoebe?!"
"Oh, you're no fun," Anthropokonos sighed theatrically. "But since you asked…" The ground rumbled again, and Shirou could hear gasps erupt from the hunters.
"What's happening?!" Shirou shouted, his heart pounding.
"It's… Phoebe…" Rebekah's voice trembled, barely above a whisper.
Shirou's stomach sank. Damn it. Phoebe, their leader, had been taken. Another blow to their already dwindling morale. They were falling apart piece by piece. What do I do? What can I do now?
Anthropokonos's voice broke through his thoughts, dripping with smug satisfaction. "Ah, I see you understand now. Does this provide a little… incentive? Your pack leader, reduced to prey. Tell me, what happens when the alpha falls? Does the pack crumble, or will you surprise me?"
The mocking laughter returned, louder now, filling the clearing. Shirou gritted his teeth, anger and helplessness clawing at him.
"Now, let's begin the real game." The voice shifted, playful yet cruel. "I like to call this one... Pin the Hero."
Shirou's eyes narrowed. The ground beneath him erupted, vines bursting forth like writhing serpents. He reacted instantly, tracing Byakuya to join his sister blade and slashing at the encroaching tendrils. But they moved too quickly, multiplying, thickening, twisting around him in an unrelenting assault.
"Damn it!" Shirou growled as the vines overwhelmed him, locking him in place. He heard Anthropokonos's laughter again, louder this time, echoing with triumph.
Mana flared in his arms as he readied another attack. This isn't working. I need something stronger. Something more.
"Trace on," he muttered, focusing his energy. A familiar image took form in his mind as mana surged through his body.
"You think I'll let you pull that off?" Anthropokonos taunted. The ground cracked, and something massive surged upward. Shirou's eyes widened as a giant vine hand burst from the earth, its gnarled fingers closing around him mid-leap.
"Gahh!" Pain tore through Shirou as the hand tightened, his reinforced body barely withstanding the pressure. He could feel his ribs threatening to snap.
"And just like that," Anthropokonos sneered, stepping into view, "the hero has been caught."
The god's wooden arm stretched out, his hand brushing against Shirou's face. Shirou glared, defiant even now.
"You're bold," Anthropokonos mused, his fingers trailing down to Shirou's neck. With a pinch, something small and cold sprouted from the god's arm, crawling onto Shirou's skin—a tiny, buzzing insect. Its legs prickled as it latched onto him, chirping softly like a distant cicada.
"The rules are simple," Anthropokonos announced, turning toward the hunters beyond the wall. "Ladies, you will aim your bows and try to shoot the bug off your dear magician's neck. Blindfolded. Three shots. Fail, and this cicada will inject him with venom potent enough to kill instantly."
Shirou's heart sank as angry shouts erupted from the hunters. If I die here, they're finished. They won't stand a chance without Phoebe.
"To make things fair," Anthropokonos continued, "I'll create a small window in the wall for you to shoot through. You're welcome."
Shirou's amber eyes caught a movement. The god's gaze landed on a young hunter near the back—Cora, trembling, her bow barely steady in her hands.
"You, girl," Anthropokonos called mockingly. "You'll go first."
Damn it. Shirou clenched his fists. The god had chosen her on purpose. She was the most nervous, the most likely to miss.
"Cora." Shirou's voice was firm, locking eyes with her. "Don't listen to him. You can do this. Just breathe. Aim and shoot. Trust yourself."
Anthropokonos smirked. "Blindfold on, dear. Let's play."
Cora hesitated but obeyed, tying the blindfold tightly. Her hands shook as she raised her bow, but the hunters murmured words of encouragement. Shirou watched as she drew the string back, her trembling aim shifting from his chest to his shoulder.
Come on, Cora. Just shoot.
The arrow flew.
"Gah!" Shirou's cry broke as the arrow lodged in his shoulder, blood spilling down his arm. Pain flared white-hot, but he gritted his teeth, holding back a scream.
"Shirou!" the hunters shouted from behind the wall, their voices thick with worry.
Anthropokonos chuckled darkly. "One shot down. Two to go. Shall we continue?"
Anthropokonos leaned back, his wooden frame creaking like old branches in a storm. His grin widened, his gnarled features exuding cruel satisfaction as he surveyed the scene.
"Not bad for a first attempt," he mused, his tone condescending. "But there are still two shots left. Let's see if the next hunter can do better. Who's up next?"
Shirou grit his teeth, his mind racing. Blood seeped from the wound in his shoulder, soaking through his shirt and pooling at his side. The pain was sharp, throbbing with every heartbeat, but he forced himself to focus. He couldn't afford to falter—not now. Stay calm. They need you. If you break, they break.
The vine barrier shifted, creaking open a new slit to allow the next hunter a shot. Anthropokonos's voice rang out, taunting and sharp.
"You there, the redhead. What's your name again? Ah, Rebekah, isn't it?" He gestured with a sweeping motion, as though plucking her from the crowd. "Step up. Blindfold on. It's your turn."
Rebekah froze, her bow trembling in her hands. Her freckles stood out starkly against her pale face as she looked toward the others, seeking reassurance.
"Rebekah, don't overthink it," Amara said, her voice steady but tight. "Just focus. You've trained for this."
"Yeah," Rebekah muttered, swallowing hard. Her fingers fumbled as she tied the blindfold around her head. Her breathing was shallow, but she forced herself to stand straight.
"Rebekah!" Shirou called out, trying to keep his voice strong despite the ache radiating through his body. "I trust you. Just aim high and steady. You can do this."
Anthropokonos chuckled. "Oh, the magician has so much faith in you. How touching. Shall we see if it's misplaced?"
Rebekah ignored him. She raised her bow, her hands trembling as she pulled the string taut. The arrow tip wavered as she adjusted her aim, trying to picture the position of the bug on Shirou's neck. Her breath hitched as her arms grew heavy under the strain.
"Rebekah," Amara called softly. "Now."
The arrow flew.
Time seemed to stretch as Shirou braced himself. He barely had time to register the faint whistle of the arrow before it sliced past him, missing his neck by a hair's breadth. Instead, it embedded itself in the thick vine hand that held him, quivering with the impact.
"Missed," Anthropokonos cooed, his voice a mockery of sympathy. "But so close! How thrilling! Only one shot left."
"Damn it!" Rebekah hissed, ripping the blindfold off. Her face was flushed with frustration and guilt as she looked toward the others.
"It's okay," Amaryllis said firmly, stepping forward. "It's my turn."
Amaryllis stood at the edge of the opening, her bow in hand, the blindfold snug against her sharp, determined features. The tension in the air was electric, pressing against Shirou like a suffocating weight. He could feel every heartbeat in his battered body as she drew the bowstring, the tip of the arrow aimed squarely at where the cicada had clung to his neck.
"No… Don't shoot!" Shirou's voice broke through the silence, louder and more desperate than he intended. "Amaryllis, stop! I'll handle this—there's another way!"
The tension faltered for a brief moment as her head tilted slightly in his direction, her body still, her aim unwavering.
"Oh?" Anthropokonos's voice slithered into the space between them, dripping with mockery. "The hero, finally showing his true colors. Afraid to die, are we, little magician? How pathetic. All this time playing the brave protector, and at the very end, you're just another coward."
Shirou's jaw tightened. The god's words stabbed at his pride, but the fear bubbling inside him couldn't be ignored. He wasn't afraid to die for the hunters—but not like this, not in some twisted game.
Amaryllis, however, was unmoved by either of them. Her fingers adjusted on the bowstring, her breath steady, her stance unyielding.
"I won't miss," she said, her voice as calm as the still air before a storm.
"Amaryllis, wait—!" Shirou shouted, panic breaking through his composure. But it was too late.
She released the arrow.
Time seemed to slow as the shaft flew through the air. Shirou's breath hitched, and the world narrowed to the sleek missile slicing through the dim light toward him. He braced himself, a scream tearing from his throat—
"Gah!"
But the arrow didn't hit him. It didn't even come close. It veered downward, its flight precise but directed toward the forest of writhing vines beneath his feet. The shaft vanished into the greenery, swallowed by the shifting mass.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Anthropokonos chuckled. A low, slow sound that grew, building into a full-throated roar of laughter. His wooden form creaked as he doubled over, his glee almost grotesque.
"You... missed!" he howled, turning to Amaryllis, who stood motionless with the bow still in her hand. "You call yourself a huntress? You've guaranteed his death, you foolish child!"
Behind the vine wall, Amara, Rebekah, and Cora gasped, disbelief rippling through them like a shockwave. Cora covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. Amara cursed under her breath, her fists clenched. Rebekah took a half-step forward, as if ready to grab the bow herself.
Anthropokonos spun back toward Shirou, his grin predatory, savoring the despair he expected to find etched across the magician's face.
Instead, he froze.
Shirou wasn't panicking anymore. He wasn't crying or screaming. He was smirking.
"What...?" Anthropokonos's smile faltered, confusion flickering across his wooden features. "Why are you smiling?"
The answer came an instant later. Below them, the ground erupted in an inferno of fire. Flames surged upward in a violent explosion, consuming the vines and sending a shockwave that rattled the entire clearing. Smoke billowed thick and fast, choking the air and obscuring the battlefield.
Anthropokonos staggered back, his arms raised defensively against the sudden heat. "What—what is this?!" he roared, the sharp edge of panic slicing into his voice.
Shirou's smirk widened. His amber eyes gleamed through the haze. "You thought Amaryllis missed?" he said, his tone sharp, cutting through the chaos like a blade. "She wasn't aiming at me. Her target was the floor."
"The floor?" Anthropokonos echoed, his voice rising with fury. His gaze darted downward, trying to pierce the thick smoke.
Shirou's voice was calm, almost smug. "I left you a little surprise. You didn't think I'd just stand here and let you kill me, did you?"
The fire continued to roar, consuming the vines and sending bursts of heat upward. Anthropokonos's form trembled as he strained to see through the smoke.
"What surprise?! What have you done?!" the god bellowed.
A glint of steel answered him. Kanshou and Byakuya burst from the smoke, their twin arcs slicing through the air toward him. Anthropokonos reacted instinctively, a wall of thick wood bursting from his arm to intercept the attack.
But the blades didn't strike. They vanished into the smoke just as quickly as they had appeared. When the god lowered his defense, he realized his prey was gone.
"No!" he roared, his voice shaking the clearing. Green veins pulsed across his wooden skin as rage overtook him. The air around him rippled, divinity leaking out like a storm barely contained. His once-calm, mocking demeanor shattered into raw fury.
"Mortals!" he snarled, his body twisting unnaturally as the power within him surged. The smoke around him swirled, blown apart by his wrathful energy. "You dare to outsmart me?!"
But the clearing was empty. The hunters were gone. Only the scorched remains of his vines and the faint laughter of Shirou echoed in his ears.
As the group sprinted through the tangled forest, Shirou leaned heavily on Amara for support, his legs barely holding under his own weight. His shoulder burned, and every breath came with a stab of pain, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins drowned out most of it. The hunters moved with precision, their movements fluid despite the tension crackling in the air.
Finally, Amara couldn't hold back any longer. "Shirou," she began, her voice laced with equal parts awe and disbelief, "what the hell was that explosion back there?"
Shirou winced as his feet stumbled over a root, but Amara steadied him before he could fall. He glanced at her, his lips twitching into a faint smirk despite the situation.
"It was one of my blades," he explained between labored breaths. "The one I left behind. It was already unstable, packed with enough magical energy to be dangerous if disturbed. When the arrow hit it, all that energy released at once. A chain reaction."
Amara's eyes widened as she processed his words. "You turned one of your own weapons into a bomb?"
"Pretty much," Shirou admitted, his voice strained but tinged with grim humor. "Wasn't sure it would work that perfectly, though."
Rebekah, jogging beside them, her bow still clutched tightly in her hand, turned her gaze toward Amaryllis, who was leading the group. "Amaryllis," she called out, her tone incredulous. "How did you even know where to aim?"
Before Amaryllis could answer, Shirou cut in, his voice hoarse but steady. "I told her. Or… I tried to, anyway."
Rebekah blinked, confused. "You told her? How?"
"With gestures," Shirou clarified, wincing as Amara shifted to adjust his weight. "I didn't know if she'd catch on, honestly. It was a long shot."
"I caught on," Amaryllis said flatly, glancing back over her shoulder as she spoke. Her expression was calm, composed as always, but there was the faintest glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "It wasn't luck. As hunters, we've trained to read body language. Sometimes, in the heat of battle, there's no room for words—only actions. You were gesturing toward the ground. I guessed it was important."
She paused, her gaze flickering toward one of the other hunters who carried the unconscious Phoebe over her shoulders. "It was a gamble," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "But it paid off."
Shirou let out a breathless chuckle, though it turned into a wince as his shoulder throbbed. "You're terrifying, you know that?"
Amaryllis raised an eyebrow at him, her tone matter-of-fact. "Better terrifying than dead."
As the group continued through the forest, Amara glanced at Shirou, her brows furrowed in thought. Something was bothering her. Finally, she spoke up, her voice tinged with confusion.
"Wait… why didn't that false god activate the bug? He could've killed you the moment that explosion went off."
Shirou glanced at her, a flicker of amusement crossing his tired face. "He did."
The words hit the group like a thunderclap. Rebekah stopped in her tracks, her mouth slightly agape, and even Amaryllis turned her head sharply, her composure cracking just enough to reveal her surprise.
"What?" Amara exclaimed. "Then how—?"
Shirou stopped walking, straightened slightly despite the pain, and tilted his head, exposing his neck to the others. The spot where the cicada had latched on was clear, only faint traces of its legs visible on his skin.
"The moment the explosion happened," Shirou explained, his voice calm despite the tension in the air, "he activated it. But it never had a chance to do anything. I flooded my body with mana the second I felt it stir."
"What does that mean?" Cora asked softly, her young face pale with worry.
"It means the bug couldn't handle it," Shirou said simply. "I overloaded it. When mana flows through your body like that, it needs to be regulated—controlled. But I made sure it wasn't. The unregulated mana burned it out before it could release its venom."
The hunters exchanged stunned looks, their footsteps faltering. Rebekah shook her head slowly, a mix of awe and disbelief on her face.
"You thought of everything," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Not everything," Shirou replied, his smirk faint but genuine. "Just enough to stay alive."
Amaryllis let out a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle, her expression hardening as she glanced at Phoebe, still unconscious but alive. "You play a dangerous game, Shirou."
"Danger's part of the job," Shirou said, his tone lighter now. "Besides, it's not like I had a lot of options."
Amara let out a breath, shaking her head in disbelief. "Flooding your body with unregulated mana? You're lucky it was just the bug that burned out and not you."
Shirou shrugged, immediately regretting the motion as pain flared in his injured shoulder. "Guess I've got good instincts."
"Or bad ones," Rebekah muttered, though her lips twitched in a faint grin.
The group moved cautiously through the dense forest, their collective silence broken only by the sounds of their footfalls and the occasional rustle of leaves. The tension hung heavy, unspoken but palpable, like a storm waiting to break.
"Do you suppose there are any safe places for us to rest?" Cora asked, her voice hesitant. She glanced at Shirou's shoulder, blood still seeping from beneath the makeshift bandage. "His wound seems bad…"
She looked down as she spoke, guilt weighing her words. Her missed shot still lingered heavily in her mind, a mistake she couldn't shake. She had harmed someone who had risked everything for their survival—a comrade she barely knew but already admired.
Amaryllis glanced back, her sharp eyes briefly assessing Shirou's condition before shaking her head grimly. "Not a chance," she said, her voice low but firm. "He'll catch up to us eventually. This is his territory more than it is ours right now."
Her words cut through the air like a blade, drawing the others' attention. Even the forest seemed to hold its breath at the grim reality she laid bare.
"We're lucky," Amaryllis continued, "that he still sees this as just one big game. If we push him far enough, though…"
"He'll start taking us seriously," Amara finished, her tone equally grim.
"Correct," Amaryllis affirmed. "And I'd bet several drachma that he's still hiding a trick or two. Maybe even his divine form."
Her words sent a ripple of unease through the group. They exchanged glances, muttering under their breaths. The idea of Anthropokonos unleashing a power beyond their comprehension was a weight none of them wanted to confront.
Shirou, sensing the shift in mood, decided to ask the question that had been nagging at him. "What exactly is a divine form?"
Rebekah turned to him, her expression serious. "Exactly what it sounds like: a god's true form," she explained. "Gods don't usually keep their entire essence gathered in one place. There are practical reasons for that—managing multiple domains, for instance. Artemis, for example, divides her essence between tasks like moving the moon, watching over childbirth, or attending Olympian councils. But when all that power is focused into a single form…"
Her voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear.
"What happens if it's gathered together?" Shirou pressed.
Rebekah's gaze darkened. "A god's power becomes so overwhelming that a mortal like you wouldn't survive even being in their presence. Your body would melt under the sheer weight of it."
"And you all?" Shirou asked, his tone cautious.
"To an extent, we can endure it," Rebekah said. "We're immortal in the sense that time has stopped for us. We stay at the age we took our oaths at. But we're not true immortals. We can still die—by the blade or otherwise."
"Then… that means there's a chance we can defeat him," Shirou said, the faintest spark of hope in his voice.
Rebekah shut him down almost immediately. "Absolutely not," she said firmly. "Even if we can survive his presence, it wouldn't matter. The outcome would still be the same: our complete and utter defeat. In his divine form, his power would be unlike anything we've faced. There's no way we could take him on. We'd need another god to intervene."
"Which we don't have," Shirou pointed out.
"Which we don't have," Amara echoed with a weary sigh. "I don't know how we're supposed to do this. We'll just end up being captured again, forced into another of his twisted games."
"Maybe…" Amaryllis's voice cut through the despair, slow and deliberate. Her expression hardened, her eyes narrowing as she turned the idea over in her mind. "But what if we took the fight to him?"
"Huh? Did you not hear what I just said?" Rebekah snapped, her frustration evident. "We can't fight him in his divine form! There's no—"
"Then we don't fight him," Amaryllis interrupted, her voice sharp. "Not directly. We stall him. If he assumes his divine form, he won't be able to hide his presence anymore. The Olympians will sense him immediately and send someone to deal with him. Instead of trying to stop him from transforming, we encourage it."
The group stared at her, the weight of her suggestion sinking in.
"That's…" Amara started, shaking her head. "That's insane. It's suicide."
"But it's a plan," Amaryllis said simply. "Better than waiting to be hunted like animals."
"It's madness," Rebekah said, her voice rising. "Right, Shirou? Tell her it's madness."
Shirou hesitated, his gaze flickering between them. "I… think it's worth a shot, Rebekah. I can't think of anything else that makes sense. If we can buy enough time, maybe we'll get lucky. The hard part is what comes after."
Rebekah opened her mouth to argue, but she closed it just as quickly. The reality of their situation hung heavy between them.
Amaryllis nodded once. "Then we'll need a plan," she said. "A good one."
"A crazy one," Amara muttered.
"But it's still a plan," Shirou added. "And right now, that's all we've got."
The group settled into a makeshift camp after trudging several more minutes through the dense forest. Their breaths still came heavy from the strain of the escape, but exhaustion finally forced them to pause. They gathered in a small clearing, the air cool and damp beneath the canopy of trees. A small fire crackled at the center of their circle, its smoke curling lazily upward before dispersing among the branches.
To spite the false god—and perhaps to regain a sliver of control—they had cut down several sturdy logs, dragging them over to use as seats. The act was as symbolic as it was practical, their defiance etched into the jagged edges of the freshly hewn wood.
Phoebe lay on a bed of soft leaves, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Sophia knelt beside her, brushing a lock of hair from her face and checking her pulse for the final time. Satisfied, she stood, wiping her hands on her tunic.
"She wasn't harmed," Sophia said, her voice calm but tired. "The gas just knocked her out. She should wake up by morning."
The group let out a collective sigh of relief. After everything they had endured, the thought of losing Phoebe—one of their strongest—had been unbearable.
"Good," Amara said, her usual sharp tone softened by exhaustion. She stretched, groaning quietly as tension eased from her muscles. "We all need a break. Let's camp here for the night." She turned toward Shirou, her brow lifting. "You'll rest first, right?"
"I think…" Shirou hesitated, his amber eyes scanning the group. "We should all rest."
The hunters froze, the suggestion hitting like a thunderclap.
"What?!" Rebekah exclaimed, her voice cutting through the quiet forest. "Shirou, we're being pursued by the enemy. In his domain. How could you even suggest that?"
Shirou's gaze remained steady, though his tone was calm, almost soothing. "And what good will it do us if we're too exhausted to fight back? We've been running for hours. He won't catch up that quickly—we have time."
"I—I am a little tired, too," Cora admitted softly, her hands clasped nervously in her lap. Her gaze darted to Phoebe, still unconscious. "And… our second-in-command is already out. Please… let's rest for a little while."
Rebekah's mouth opened to argue but no words came out. She stared at Cora, surprised by her bravery in speaking up. After a moment, she exhaled sharply through her nose.
"Then let's vote," she said, her tone clipped. "Who's in favor of resting?"
Hands went up. Shirou's. Cora's. Amara's. Three more hunters joined them, their faces weary but resolute.
"And against?"
Rebekah raised her hand firmly, joined by Amaryllis, Sophia, and two others. The numbers were clear.
"Then… I suppose we'll rest," Rebekah said, resigned. Her shoulders sagged as if the admission itself was a weight lifted. "Honestly, I could use some sleep, too."
Amaryllis crossed her arms, her expression unimpressed. "Sometimes I wonder who's the newbie and who's supposed to be experienced here."
Despite her complaint, the group quickly began settling in. The hunters laid out makeshift bedding, surrounding Phoebe and the fire as their small camp began to quiet. The occasional pop and crackle of flames punctuated the stillness, and a faint sense of calm crept over them.
As the group nestled into their places, Shirou glanced at the firelight flickering against the trees. "Should I dim the fire? Hide the light?"
"It's fine," Amara said, already half-lying on her bedroll. "I can sleep with a little light around. It's better than total darkness."
"Alright," Shirou said. He shifted slightly, trying to ease the ache in his injured shoulder. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," came the soft chorus from the group.
"Remember," Amaryllis added, her voice sharp despite the growing haze of sleep, "three hours. That's all we get. Then we move."
"Three hours," Shirou repeated. "Got it."
They must be fools.
That was the first thought Anthropokonos entertained as he observed their camp from afar.
They had escaped his grasp, true, and in doing so, they had dared to twist his carefully crafted game back in his face. A feat like that would have earned respect under different circumstances—perhaps even amusement. But here? In his domain?
It was arrogance, plain and simple.
They seemed to have forgotten the most fundamental truth: this forest, this vast expanse of life and shadow, was his playground. His to command, to shape, to suffocate. No matter how far they ran, no matter what clever schemes they devised, they were still insects trapped in his web.
They had managed to put some distance between themselves and the core of his influence, that much was true. He'd felt it, his connection to the trees and earth thinning ever so slightly as they ventured farther. It had taken him some time to pinpoint their exact location, but he had found them all the same.
The fire had given them away. Fires were distinct things in a forest—impossible to miss. As soon as the first ember was struck, he had felt it like a brand against his skin. Adding to the insult was the sound of his trees being felled. He could feel the sharp sting of axes biting into his creations, could hear the creak and groan as they toppled.
It angered him.
No, it enraged him.
For a moment, Anthropokonos entertained his fury, letting it curl through him like smoke from the offending fire. He wanted to storm into their camp, drag them into the earth, and watch them beg for mercy. But then he calmed himself, focusing instead on the opportunity their arrogance had presented.
They were sleeping.
Peh.
Anthropokonos didn't understand the concept of sleeping. What was the point in doing so? It was a concept that was not just exclusive to mortals, he knew. It was something even Pan did.
But Anthropokonos saw it only as a weakness. He would never show his back to anyone. If you lay in the realm of Hypnos, who would guard your body?
This was the situation that reinforced his idea on why sleeping was a fatal weakness.
No patrols. No watchers. Not a single hunter standing guard.
They were so confident in their own cunning, so convinced of his incompetence, that they had abandoned the very discipline that kept them alive. It was almost laughable.
Almost.
He considered his options, relishing the possibilities. What torment would he inflict upon them this time? What game would make them plead for death?
Not like before.
No, he would not be so lenient again. The last game had been too merciful, leaving them with the slimmest possibility of escape. He would not make that mistake twice. Time, after all, was not his ally.
Sooner or later, his divine essence would be detected. The Olympians would come. And while Anthropokonos was confident in his cunning, he was no fool. Even Pan himself had not stood against the collective might of Olympus. Alone, Anthropokonos would be obliterated.
But not with allies. Not with their combined strength.
Victory was certain if he joined the rest of his creator's ranks, but first, he had to remove one critical obstacle: Olympus' specialized hunters.
His golden eyes gleamed as he shifted beneath the forest floor, his form blending seamlessly into the roots and earth. His irritation simmered just beneath the surface as he studied the sleeping forms before him, his gaze lingering on each one.
Who should I take this time?
The daughter of Apollo had been his prize in the last game, and her capture had rattled the others well enough. Now, he needed to change tactics, mix things up. Perhaps he would force them to choose which of their number to sacrifice. Yes. That had a certain appeal. The anguish in their faces as they condemned one of their own to death would be… exquisite.
His gaze landed on Shirou, lying slightly apart from the others, close to his glowing twin blades. The sight of the magician stirred something deeper in Anthropokonos—a burning indignation that rivaled his hatred for Pan's successor. Shirou's defiance, his clever tricks, his smirk in the face of a god—these offenses were personal.
I'll deal with you myself, little magician, Anthropokonos thought. It's only right.
The ground beneath Shirou began to ripple, the warbled distortion spreading outward like a pool of disturbed water. Vines slithered up from the earth, slow and deliberate, weaving together into thick tendrils as they rose toward him.
Anthropokonos shaped his form as he emerged, golden eyes gleaming with malice, his wooden body creaking softly as it took shape.
The hunters would wake soon enough. They would scream. They would fight.
But it was already too late.
Before he could manifest any of his brutal ideas to life, the area around him suddenly shone in a bright light so intense that he had to shield his eyes.
"GO!"
"What?!"
The next thing he knew, he felt several different things pierce him all over.
When the light cleared, his eyes widened as he saw not just one but the entire camp attacking him. Arrows riddled his torso from head to toe. The boy hunter was involved as well, a bright glowing sword in his hand and piercing his body.
"Gah!"
Was all he could exclaim in surprise. He was ambushed? Impossible.
"Why… does this hurt so much! This is…"
"A sword of light." Shirou explained. "This sword was used to ward off great evils and protect those closest to them. I think it's fitting…"
Ichor began releasing from Anthropokonos' body. He was finally starting to bleed.
"We got him!" One of the hunters said.
"I can't believe that actually worked. I guess he's stupider than we thought!"
"Focus, Amara!It's not over yet!"
But it would be soon.
At this rate he was going to los-
"NO!"
Anthropokonos let out a roar of defiance. His voice echoing as a wave of power enveloped him. He wasn't done yet. He was brought back for a reason. He would restore nature to as it was. He would complete what his weak predecessor couldn't. That is his purpose.
He let out a cry that called out to his subjects.
His voice was loud. So loud that the foolish girls and the detestable man flinched.
But they didn't let go.
"Will you shut up already and die?!" One of the foolish long-haired girls said. She struck him but frankly, he hardly felt it.
He had far greater injuries to worry about.
The sound of rustling reached his ears as well as trampling. They had arrived.
That is, certain death for the fools who stood against him.
Shirou was surprised to see that their plan had actually worked.
It was a hastily made one and one that relied on the contingent that the false god, Anthropokonos would treat them akin to that of a predator hunting down a wounded animal.
The predator could easily kill that prey should it want to. But to feed its own ego it needed to exert its dominance in whatever way it saw fit.
That analogy heavily applied to the plan and was the core logic behind executing it.
They had lured the god and as expected, he had gone for him, allowing the others to move freely.
Shirou had come prepared.
Around them were swords. They were there not only to illuminate the surroundings but also served as a signal flare. The moment he activated them then the group of them would all spring up and use that moment to strike.
To draw the blood or whatever essence the god would spill, Shirou had pre traced a weapon. —
Just as Shirou and them had thought it was over.
The false god let out a bellow that resonates throughout the forests.
The pounding of hooves and the roar of chaos filled the air, but Shirou's world had shrunk to a single point: the false god kneeling before him, wounded but still very much alive. The air was thick with tension, and the smell of fire and earth mixed into something primal and oppressive.
Shirou's heart slammed against his ribs. They were so close. So close that the noise around him became distorted, distant — and for a moment, he wondered if he'd gone deaf like Zoë.
"Back up! Everyone, back up!" he barked, his voice cutting through the cacophony.
There was hesitation, the briefest flicker of doubt among the hunters — but they obeyed, falling back in cautious steps. Everyone except Amaryllis.
Before retreating, Amaryllis lashed out, the hilt of her dagger slamming into his side — an attempt to silence him.
It didn't work.
Shirou's senses flared. The telltale shiver of magic danced beneath his feet, and without a second thought, he wrenched his sword free from the false god's stomach. Bloodless but fatal, the gaping wound wept sap and energy as Shirou flipped backward, narrowly avoiding the vicious thrust of a vine that erupted where he'd been standing.
The false god collapsed to one knee, the damage visibly taking its toll. For any human, the injury would have been mortal.
But Anthropokonos was no human.
The god's body rippled and warped. The arrows the hunters had buried in him earlier clattered uselessly to the ground. Bark creaked and twisted, his wooden frame mending itself far too easily. The vines that composed him reknit with a sickening squelch.
Except for the wound in his stomach.
That stayed. A gaping hole that didn't close.
Shirou's eyes narrowed — but before he could dwell on it, a new sound reached him. A rhythmic pounding, a stampede of hooves. Not the heavy thunder of horses — no.
Goats.
"Goats?!" Shirou's voice rose in disbelief as the creatures burst through the trees.
But these weren't ordinary goats. From the waist up, they resembled humans — albeit covered in thick, coarse hair, with elongated ears and wild, feral eyes. From the waist down, their legs were unmistakably those of a goat.
"Satyrs… and Faunus," Phoebe's voice cut through the din, hoarse but steady.
Shirou turned sharply. She was standing now, wrapped in fresh bandages, still pale but very much awake. The fire in her eyes had returned. She wasn't at her best — but she was ready for battle.
"Phoebe," Shirou acknowledged with a nod.
"You're still here," she said flatly, suspicion lacing her words.
"I am."
"Why?" Phoebe's eyes narrowed. "What obligation do you have to my hunters? What are your intentions?"
Shirou met her gaze evenly. "My 'intentions' are to survive. We stand a better chance together. Splitting up gives him exactly what he wants."
"Guys?" Rebekah's voice cut in sharply. "Maybe focus on the more pressing issue? Like the bloodthirsty goat-men about to kill us?"
The satyrs stamped their hooves, foaming at the mouth, their wild eyes gleaming with violent frenzy. They moved in unison, their anticipation vibrating through the air like a drumbeat.
"They must have come searching for Pan," Amara said softly, sadness tingeing her voice. "But all they found was this bastard."
"He's influencing them," Amaryllis said, her tone cold and certain. "Poisoning them with his whispers. They're not in their right minds. Hunters — do not strike to kill."
Before anyone could respond, the satyrs attacked.
"BLEGH!" the creatures cried out, their war cry as bizarre as it was horrifying.
Shirou met the first one head-on. The creature's punch was slow and clumsy — a wild, undisciplined swing. Shirou sidestepped easily, his body flowing like water. He swept his leg out low, kicking the satyr's legs from under it and sending it crashing to the ground.
Another lunged at him, but Shirou pivoted, bringing the flat of his sword down on the side of the creature's head. It collapsed in a heap.
All around him, the hunters handled their attackers with similar ease. Even Cora — one of the least experienced among them — managed to hold her own, moving with the grace of her training.
"They're not fighters," Shirou muttered. "This isn't their nature."
Seeing the tide turning, Shirou made his decision. "I'm going ahead!" he called out, already breaking into a sprint.
"Not alone, you're not." Phoebe fell in step beside him, her bow already drawn.
"The others—"
"They'll be fine," she interrupted. "As second-in-command, it's my duty to protect the Hunt. After my… failure earlier, I will restore my dignity. And I won't let a man stop me."
Shirou didn't argue. "The more the merrier."
Ahead, Anthropokonos rose shakily, his body still knitting together around the wound in his stomach. A plant coiled beside him, releasing its essence into the wound. The healing was slow — too slow.
Shirou's eyes narrowed. "Not fast enough."
But before they could strike, the god raised his hand — and the ground split open.
A massive figure rose from the earth — a towering golem of twisted roots, stone, and vine. Its round, hulking body was covered in thick bark and jagged rock, and its enormous green eyes glowed with malevolent light.
"...!"
And then there were more. Two more golems rose beside the first, each wielding massive broadswords of stone.
As they formed, Shirou noticed a nearby plant wither and die, its life force drained to fuel the new creations. The forest itself was dying.
"He's using the forest to sustain himself," Shirou realized. "He doesn't even care if his domain falls apart."
A deafening crack split the air as the first golem swung its massive sword down. Shirou and Phoebe dove aside, rolling clear of the devastating strike. The ground erupted in a shower of debris.
And the third golem scooped Anthropokonos into its palm, turning and beginning to retreat.
"He's getting away!" Shirou's voice rose with frustration.
He surged forward, pumping mana into his legs. Kanshou and Byakuya flashed as he leapt toward the nearest golem's head. His blades slashed —
But the creature raised its arm in defense. Shirou's swords carved through the stone like butter, severing the limb — but the momentum stopped there.
The golem's remaining hand swung for him — and Shirou, still airborne, had nowhere to go.
Arrows rained down. Phoebe's barrage struck the creature's hand, throwing off its aim. Shirou landed, breathless but unharmed.
"Trying to die?" Phoebe asked dryly, nocking another arrow.
They separated, circling the golems to split their attention.
"There's three of them," Phoebe warned. "We can't handle them and chase him."
"Then it's a good thing you're not alone."
The rest of the hunters arrived, weapons ready. Behind them, the satyrs lay unconscious, their chests rising and falling in slow, steady rhythm.
"We'll handle these two," Amara said. "Go. Finish this."
Phoebe moved on, having the utmost confidence in her hunters. However…
Shirou didn't move.
"What are you waiting for?!" Phoebe demanded, stopping to glare at him.
"Just wait a moment." Shirou said slowly. "All we're doing right now is putting the ball back into his court. He runs, we chase. What is changing?"
The god was wounded, yes, however, that didn't mean he was out for the count. Not to mention he might have another form as the hunters were explaining earlier.
"So what, then, we let him go?" Rebekah demanded. "We have to get to Xenia! Every second that ticks by puts her more in danger!"
"No." Shirou shook his head, still maintaining his composure. "But we need to think about this. Look at the golems. They aren't moving anymore. Why is that?"
"Maybe they're scared? We outnumber them." Cora suggested.
"They are golems. I highly doubt that." Amaryllis replied. "But it is strange. They aren't taking any action."
Indeed, they simply stood stock still, as if waiting for them to make a move. It was kind of eerie, almost like they were robots preprogrammed.
"If I had to guess, the reason that they aren't attacking us at the moment is because doing so would actually defeat the purpose of them being here."
"The purpose?" Claire repeated, confused. They began to gather up, still keeping an eye on the golem.
"To keep it short, they are here to buy time. Our enemy already knows that we can dispatch them easily enough, which is why they will only move when we do to—"
"To conserve energy." Phoebe finished, catching on.
"Correct. It's an effective strategy and I'd bet that he's running low right now. We got really close to finishing him then and there. One more solid blow will do it. And that's what I intend to do. Now, are you all in?" Shirou asked, looking off as the golem only got farther and farther. They didn't have time to discuss this much longer.
Phoebe looked at the group. They hesitatingly nodded. She sighed.
"What is the plan?"
"Okay, we first…"
"Goddess Artemis, this is heavy!"
"Stop complaining, Areti."
"I-I can't lift this, how does he do this?!"
"Just grab it by… the top. I've never seen a bow like this before."
"Here, three, two, one, up!"
"Huff…huff…huff…"
"Maintain your composure, hunters."
Shirou kicked off the ground, applying reinforcement to his legs as he beelined it straight ahead to the two golems that stood blocking the way to the false god. Their eyes glowed as they gained congnance and had their weapons at the ready. Shirou carried Kanshou and Byakuya in his two hands at the ready.
One of the golems swung its sword, dragging it across the dirt, leaving little room to sidestep it, forcing Shirou on the backfoot. The other golem raised its large leg, aiming to stomp him. He forward this time and sliced at its leg, sending it off balance and forcing it on a knee. A perfect opportunity to strike had presented itself, one that would likely not come again.
However, Shirou did not take the opportunity to disable the enemy. He simply had no time. The golem carrying the false god had covered far too much ground. Any more and it would simply be too much.
And so, Shirou ran ahead.
The golems were not so kind as to simply let him go; however, their entire purpose was to stop him. Ignoring the hunters grouped up together, who did not show any signs of aggression, the golem with all its functional limbs stomped forward, chasing after Shirou. The one that was bereft of one was already growing one that came from the very ground. Vines wrapped around him, replacing his missing leg. Almost immediately he went on the chase after its brethren.
Shirou as he ran, looked behind him and saw them chasing. Instead of being pissed however, he was relieved.
"Keep following me… while I follow him."
Shirou was no tracker by any means of the word, but it was hard not to see where the last golem was headed, what with the trail of destruction that it left in its wake. The area where the golem had passed was very slowly recovering, even under the god's blessing.
"He doesn't care whether this forest lives or dies. His motives are his own." That was a very concerning thing. Someone who had nothing to lose could do some very scary and amazing things.
He would know.
Shirou in the midst of sprinting nearly found himself trapped as a volley of vines sprung out from the ground. With a spinning slash, Shirou cut through them but quickly found more in mass blocking the way forward.
Shirou wasn't about to let that impede him.
"Trace Overedge."
By overloading his twin blades with mana he was able to maximize the potential of his blades, causing them to grow longer and jagged, resembling the wings of an angel. He crossed them over each other, and swung forward, cutting the vines as if it were grass set to be cut on a Monday morning.
"I'm close now." Shirou said out loud. The god must be able to sense his presence and was setting up any obstacle to stop him.
Which meant that now was the time.
"Trace On." Heating his magic circuits, he directed a good portion of his mana into his swords. His already flooded blades cracked, as the energy put into it was too much for it to maintain its form any longer.
It was on the cusp of exploding now, marking it as a broken phantasm, a rare phenomenon. If he held onto it, he would surely die from the explosion.
But he had no intention of doing so. Using all of his strength, he threw them up into the air. It soared, higher than the trees as blue light flooded the blades.
Before erupting in an explosion as the shards flew everywhere.
Shirou threw himself on the ground and shielded his face with his arms as dozens of metal shards spread everywhere throughout the sky and ground. He cursed as he felt a shard embed itself in his leg.
"Gah! Damn it."
Just then he heard the stomps.
The golems were here.
"Just on time." Shirou said, sardonically.
"There it is." Amaryllis said, as she saw a blue light erupt into the sky. "That's the signal he said, right?"
"I think so." Rebekah replied.
"Alright, hunters, it's our turn now."
Right now, the hunters grouped together as they used their combined strength to hold the large black bow that the enigma that was Shirou Emiya used. But the bow's weight wasn't the reason why it took so many hunters.
"The string! It's so heavy! How does he pull this back?" Amara gasped, as she used her full strength to draw the string back.
"Truly? Let me see?" Phoebe said, approaching. She touched the string. It wasn't soft to the touch like theirs were. It was hard like metal. "What manner of magic is this? It's flexible, allowing it to be drawn back but hard like a metal sheet, no harder…"
"Need I remind you all that this is the same man who puts swords on bows? That's probably why the material is so tough. Putting a sword on a bow is already ridiculous…" Rebekeah said. "And then there's this…" she said, holding onto a thin blade with a normal sized guard.
The blade radiated magic and Rebekah was not someone who was sensitive to such things. She fit more into the ordinary type.
"Questioning the manner in which the boy fights will leave us here for days. Load the bow!" Phoebe commanded. Areti, Claire and Sophia helped Rebekah load the bow and it took the three of them to draw it back. As it pushed back further and further, a crackle was heard. And red energy sparked from the "arrow".
"Is that a good sign?" Amara asked.
"I-I believe so." Sophia replied, nervously.
"Keep drawing it back until you can't anymore. That is what he said." Phoebe said.
Rebekah couldn't believe that the day had come when Phoebe would listen to a man. She was easily the hardest on men as she had a not so pleasant experience with the worst of them at the worst of times.
The fact that Phoebe was able to compromise at all was nothing short of amazing. Shirou Emiya had proven himself capable to all of them. Rebekah wasn't delusional enough to believe that they could have survived this long without him. He played a big role and she had a feeling that he would continue to do so for the foreseeable future. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
"It's ready!" Amaryllis said, as they drew it back to the furthest that they could.
"How do we know where to aim? There is no way we could shoot a shot this far. All he told us was the general direction." Areti asked.
"Just… shoot…" Rebekah said, as she was one of the ones who was pulling the blade back.
"Wait for it." Phoebe said. "Our goddess will guide us to the correct path. I know she will… release it… now!"
The hunters were all too happy to let go of the blade. However, none of them were expecting them to be blown off their feet, as the kickback was like that of a shotgun. A blue ring of energy was left over as the arrow shot off like that of a rocket- no, even greater.
Rebekah could only track it for a scarce second before it got out of her sight.
"Yeah, he's got some more questions to answer…"
Anthropokonos would sigh if he had physical lungs to expel oxygen from. Those mortals were nothing but troublesome. He was having more trouble than he intended to have. He had gone into this many things. Powerful, strong, unwavering. And now, he was leaving half-dead.
"No, not leaving. I am simply regrouping. That is all. I just need to gain more energy from the core, mother gave me. With the power of the earth and a descendant powering it, I have infinite energy."
He felt his head pound as the forest reached out to him, the rightful ruler and god.
Help. Help. Help. Help.
We're dying!
Save me!
We can't survive!
God of the Wild, help!
Thousands and thousands of voices reached out to him, pleading for his help.
"Silence!" He told the voices, stopping the voices. "Do as you are told. Stall the human boy. I sense him near. I will release you all from this pain, shortly. But I must worry about myself. Don't be so greedy…"
He cut the connection.
He had bigger things to worry about. The core wasn't far. Just a couple more kilometers.
Suddenly, the god heard a noise.
He looked up. He saw a small explosion erupt from the trees.
"That can only be the boy… What is his plan? He is nowhere near me… and the golems…. They are all unharmed. Has he finally run out of energy?" A smirk came to Anthropokonos. That was good. He gave a command, stopping the golem. It might be profitable to go back. He didn't expect his golems to accomplish much. The boy alone was enough of a threat that simple golems wouldn't stop him. But that wasn't his intention when he had planted the golems. He just needed them to wear him out.
The human had already shown that he was just that- a human. That meant that he had a limit and if he used up too much energy, he would die.
But the human had amazing endurance and stamina. If he didn't go back then there was a chance he could recover.
"Opportunities exist for a reason…"
Just as he had made up his mind, he felt his connection to the forest activate automatically. If he had hair on his arms then it would be standing up. If he had a temperature it would turn cold.
Something was moving. And at an alarming rate.
"A god?" No, that wasn't possible. He would know immediately if one of them had stepped foot in his domain. No matter how strong they were, gods gave off a certain presence. He had felt Apollo and Artemis already.
This wasn't that…
A blue light shone and he found his entire world covered.
Done.
Okay, I know this has been a long time coming. I would like to say I could explain but I don't really have a reason. It's just been a writer's block I guess. Certain topics just peak my interest and I get sidetracked. But hey, at least I'm bringing a chapter, right?
I don't really see a lot of crazy reviews so I won't go through them in this chapter. I'm sure in the next chapter though, they will go crazy.
So, I'll see you on the next update, hopefully soon.