Chapter 21: Day of euphoria

Victory can be a balm… or a deeper wound.
When someone falls on the battlefield, it isn’t always from a direct blow to the body. Sometimes, what hurts is not the spilled blood, but what their fall awakens. Broken pride. Shattered hopes. Silences that echo louder than any scream.

Today, the name Eden Yomi is shouted from the stands. Celebrated. Feared. Admired.
But behind that face hardened by battle, behind those serene eyes that do not flinch before pain, lies a young man who does not know if he has truly won… or if he has simply not lost yet.

The world watches him with a mix of fear and fascination. What is Eden, after all? A hero in the making? A monster in disguise? Or perhaps a martyr, dragged along by the expectations of those who see him as salvation?

In a dark corner, someone watches him silently.
In a tavern lit by laughter, someone raises a cup to his victory.
And deep within Asgard… other forces have already begun to move.

Because in the days that follow euphoria, the echo of war grows clearer.
And not everyone is willing to let Eden walk away standing.

——————————————————————————————————————————

The echo of battle still rang through the stands when the healers rushed into the field. Rei lay motionless, his breathing weak, his body trembling from the strain. The crowd remained in uneasy silence, unsure whether to applaud or to keep their respect. Odin’s voice broke the tension like thunder.

“The GODS Institute… takes the second match. Eden Yomi is the victor.”

Only then did the GODS students erupt in cheers and shouts. They embraced, some cried with emotion, others simply collapsed onto the ground as if the weight of tension had finally lifted.

From atop a tower, Yohei watched it all in silence, arms crossed, his expression a mixture of surprise and frustration. His words slipped out through clenched teeth.
“Impossible…”

Zef, on the other hand, couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath. With a blend of disbelief and excitement, he murmured to himself:
“Well, well… is this for real? You’re one hell of a demon, Eden Yomi…”

Farther away, among the shadows of an elevated stand, a man dressed in white observed the scene without moving. His face remained hidden, but his voice—though barely a whisper—carried an emotion that clashed with his calm figure.
“Not bad…”

Meanwhile, Eden walked in silence through the hallway leading to the locker room. Each step felt heavier than the last. The energy of victory faded quickly, leaving only cold and exhaustion.
“Damn it…” he thought, staggering. “I can barely stay on my feet…”

A dry cough broke the silence, and when he looked at his hand, he saw it stained red. He stopped for a moment, his body already at its limit.
“This has to be a joke…” he whispered.

His legs gave out suddenly, and his body collapsed to the floor, losing consciousness just before reaching the locker room bench.

Elsewhere in the stadium, the atmosphere was different. The Nork locker room was thick with tension. Nai, his face twisted with rage, paced back and forth until he finally exploded.
“How could you lose to that failure?!”

Rei, still in pain and with a vacant stare, lifted his head with effort.
“I’m sorry… he was stronger than I expected. Not only that… he was a complete demon. That gaze…”

But Nai didn’t want to hear more. In a fit of impulse, he channeled his energy into a lightning bolt forming in his hand. Just as he was about to hurl it, a presence stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder.

Odin looked at him with severity.
“Stop behaving like a child, Nai.”
“Grandfather…”
“It’s clear that all of us underestimated Eden Yomi. Every one of us. Including you.”

The young man lowered his gaze, powerless.
“I know, Grandfather… but I promise I won’t disappoint you again.”
“You’d better not. Since I granted you the indulgence of facing Shu, I expect results. A future king cannot afford to lose.”
“Yes…”

Odin nodded coldly and left the room. Nai followed without a word, leaving Rei alone. The boy took a deep breath, struggling to hold back tears.
“I lost completely…” he whispered. “I’m sorry, Mother… I couldn’t become your pride… not even in your final moments…”

In the hallway of the locker rooms, Aphrodite and Shu ran with their hearts in their throats. Upon seeing Eden’s body collapsed on the floor, she quickly knelt beside him.
“Eden! Eden!” she cried, shaking him.

The boy’s eyes opened slightly.
“Huh…? What’s going on?”
“Thank goodness you’re okay…” she sighed in relief.
“Did I win?”
“Yes… you did,” she answered with a trembling smile.
“Good…” Eden murmured, before losing consciousness once more.

Shu rushed closer.
“I’ll call the healers!”
“Wait…” Aphrodite said suddenly, her gaze fixed on the boy’s body.
“What is it?”
“Where are Eden’s wounds?”

Shu frowned, confused.
“What are you talking about? Didn’t he…?”

Both fell silent. Eden’s body was completely clean. Not a single scar, no trace of the spikes that had pierced his hands, nor of the many wounds across his body.

“How…?” Shu muttered, astonished.

Aphrodite felt a chill run down her spine.
“I don’t know…” she whispered. “Even with powerful regeneration… this surpasses any logical limit. I’d dare say it’s a hundred times greater than Shun’s…”
“So… what do we do?”
“Even so, we need to call the healers. We don’t really know how his regeneration works. We can’t take anything for granted.”
“Got it,” Shu replied, and ran off.

Aphrodite remained there, staring at Eden’s sleeping face. Her mind kept circling questions with no answers.
“Whose power is this, truly…? The demon’s? Eden’s? Or some fusion of the two? And more importantly… just how far can it go?”

The echo of victory still lingered in the corridors of the coliseum, but not everyone celebrated it with joy. In the back halls, far from the noise, Nai walked with steady steps, though his expression betrayed him. Odin’s words still weighed heavily on his shoulders.

It didn’t take long before he crossed paths with Thor, who was waiting, leaning casually against one of the columns adorned with ancient carvings. The god of thunder’s mocking smile came immediately.
“Well, well… looks like things didn’t go the way you wanted, my son.”

Nai glared at him with irritation, making no effort to hide his displeasure.
“You don’t need to worry about that. In my fight, there will be no surprises.”

Thor folded his arms, suppressing a laugh.
“You seem awfully confident for someone who just watched his comrade lose.”

“I have no doubt I’ll crush my opponent,” Nai declared, his eyes burning with determination.

But his father’s next words pierced his pride.
“I think this is the first time I’ve seen that frustrated look on your face. You’re really struggling, aren’t you?”

“Shut up!” Nai snapped, unable to control his rage.

The air thickened at once. A wave of energy surged through the corridor, so heavy it made the walls groan. Thor was no longer smiling. His gaze, brimming with authority, struck his son like a thunderbolt.
“That is no way to speak to your father, boy.”

Nai stepped back, trembling. The weight of that energy was overwhelming, as though the pressure of an ancient world had fallen on his back. He dropped to his knees, gasping, his palms pressed against the floor as he struggled to endure it.
“Damn it… I can’t breathe… this guy… this monster…” he thought, his pride crumbling like a sandcastle.

And then, just as the air became unbearable, Thor burst into laughter. The pressure vanished instantly, as though it had never been there.
“If I said I was a good father, I’d be lying,” he said, turning his back. “In the end, I’m just a god. And gods weren’t born to raise children…”

Thor’s boots echoed against the stone floor as he walked away. But before disappearing into the shadows of the hallway, he tossed a final remark over his shoulder:
“Good luck in your battle, son.”

Nai remained on his knees for a few moments more, fists clenched, his face hidden beneath his bangs. When he finally lifted his gaze, his eyes no longer burned with mere rage… but with something far more dangerous: a blazing desire to prove to the world that he was more than a shadow of the gods.

…

The moon slowly rose over the rooftops of Asgard, bathing the still-celebrating city in its silver light. But far from the revelry, in the medical wing of the lodging, tense silence reigned.

Eden lay unconscious on a cot. His breathing was slow but steady, and his serene face looked like that of someone in a deep sleep. Shu stood by the wall, while Aphrodite watched the physician, who finished his examination with a puzzled expression.
“Well, this is surprising,” the doctor said, adjusting his glasses. “There isn’t a single internal or external wound. Which… is absurd, considering what we saw in the arena.”

Aphrodite crossed her arms, one brow arched.
“Any possible explanation?”
“The only thing I can imagine is that this boy was born with an extraordinary level of regeneration… but even so, this goes far beyond anything natural,” the doctor replied, putting away his instruments. “I’d dare say his body regenerates at a rate never documented, not even among elite demigods.”

Shu glanced at Aphrodite, bewildered.
“So… Eden healed himself?”

Aphrodite didn’t answer right away. Her eyes remained fixed on the boy’s face, as if searching for something she couldn’t see.
“Yes… but not like an ordinary healer would,” she finally murmured. “This surpasses all logical limits. I’d dare say his regeneration is a hundred times stronger than Shun’s.”

The doctor nodded cautiously, though his astonishment didn’t fade.
“If anything happens again, don’t hesitate to call me. For now, he just needs complete rest.”
“Thank you for your help, doctor,” Aphrodite said with a slight bow.

When the physician left, Shu broke the silence.
“So… who is he, really?”

Aphrodite stayed quiet for a few seconds before speaking in a low voice.
“That’s what terrifies me. According to the information we have, Eden is Gen’s grandson… but Gen never recorded having any descendants. We don’t know who his parents are, or how he obtained these abilities.”

Shu narrowed his eyes.
“What if it isn’t just his lineage that makes him different?”

Aphrodite turned her gaze toward the window. The moonlight softly lit the room, but in her eyes there was only shadow.
“Maybe it’s not a matter of blood… but of destiny.”

Shu looked back at Eden. The young man remained unconscious, yet his breathing was steady. The one who had awakened fear in his enemies, who had stood tall until the very end, now rested in unsettling calm.
“If that’s true,” Shu whispered, “then… what was he destined for?”

Aphrodite didn’t answer.
The question lingered in the air, as heavy as the night surrounding them.

…
The atmosphere of the Nordic tavern was warm and lively. Among the rustic wooden tables and the chanting of ancient Viking hymns, Balder’s figure stood out for his serenity. Seated with a mug of mead, he waited patiently until the door opened and a dazzling presence froze the room.

Aphrodite entered, radiant as always, drawing sighs from those present without even realizing it.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said as she approached.
“Don’t worry,” Balder replied with a familiar smile. “Although, I must admit, you’ve left everyone speechless. As usual.”
“And you keep exaggerating, as usual,” Aphrodite countered, her eyes glimmering with amusement.

Balder gestured to the musicians to resume the melody, and the atmosphere quickly regained its joy. The goddess took a seat across from him, as a fresh mug was served in her honor.
“It’s strange,” she remarked, taking a sip. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a quiet conversation.”
“Since the last great war, I’d say. A lot has changed since then… though I’m not sure all for the better,” Balder reflected.

Aphrodite nodded, and for a moment, both allowed the silence to settle between them, like an old friend.
“Balder…” the goddess finally said, her tone serious. “I want to talk to you about Eden.”
“Eden Yomi?” he replied, raising a brow. “Interesting. What about him?”
“I’m afraid of him,” she admitted bluntly.

Balder let out a soft chuckle.
“So am I.”
“Huh? Wait… you too?”
“Of course. Isn’t it obvious? Anyone with even a trace of magical sensitivity can feel the threat he carries. His aura radiates death and a latent thirst for blood. But…”
“But?” Aphrodite pressed, genuinely curious.
“But it also radiates love,” Balder continued, calm as ever. “That boy doesn’t fight out of ambition or resentment. He fights to protect—even if it means becoming a monster in the eyes of those he loves.”

Aphrodite fell silent, processing his words.
“Do you think what he did today was the right thing?”
“I don’t know if it was right or not,” Balder admitted honestly. “But he did it for a greater cause. Sometimes, acts born of love transcend the boundaries of good and evil. You, more than anyone, should understand that… goddess of love.”

Aphrodite smiled wistfully.
“I suppose you’re right. We’ve all placed too much weight on his shoulders. We gods, his companions… even you.”
“And still he carries it without complaint,” Balder added. “But I doubt he can keep doing it alone for much longer.”

Aphrodite raised her cup.
“A round for everyone! Tonight… we drink to those who can still fight.”

The tavern erupted in cheers and music. Amid the laughter and the clinking of mugs, Balder watched her, a shadow of sorrow flickering in his eyes.
“How envious…” he muttered.

Behind his back, dark shadows stirred, as if something unseen had been stalking him for a long time.

Night had fallen over Asgard with a deceptive calm. The cold grew sharper, seeping into the bones, while the sentinels stationed on the walls struggled to stay awake in the monotony.
“Damn it, it’s freezing out here,” one guard muttered, rubbing his hands.
“Stop whining,” his companion growled. “At least we’ve been given an easy post. No patrols, no fighting.”
“Yeah, yeah… but it’s way too boring.”

The first turned to take a sip from his ration of hot wine, but he never made it. His head rolled silently across the ground, while his body remained standing for a brief moment before collapsing onto the snow.
“What the hell…?” stammered the second guard, just before a dark figure emerged behind him.
He tried to reach for the radio, but his throat no longer responded. Blood poured uncontrollably as the last thing he saw was a twisted smile—right before his head also joined the snow-stained ground.

“It’s useless,” rasped a voice. “I severed every chance you had to scream. Just stay there… quiet.”
“You should be more efficient,” remarked another figure, his tone as cold as steel.
“You have no idea what art is,” the first replied with annoyance. “Killing is more than a task… it’s an expression.”

A third figure emerged from the shadows, his stride slow but dragging with it a suffocating silence.
“We’re already inside,” he announced calmly. “What about you?”
“I finished a while ago,” the third figure replied indifferently.
“That was nothing but child’s play,” he added, as the view widened to reveal dozens of mutilated corpses scattered along the wall like broken dolls.

The Unknown 24 perched on a railing, his hood still hiding his face, staring at the scene with a strange mix of fascination and disdain.
“Honestly… it’s terrifying,” he said.
“That’s only because you’re weaker,” retorted Unknown 25, crossing his arms.
“Shut up. After all… he’s the descendant of a legendary warrior,” spat 24, clicking his tongue.
“Excuses,” 25 replied, emotionless.

Meanwhile, the third of them sat atop a mountain of freshly slaughtered corpses. His presence needed no words. His silhouette, carved against the moonlight, was enough to chill the soul of any who beheld it.

A frozen silence spread through the night.
And then, Unknown 26 spoke—for the very first time:
“Wait for me, Eden… I’m coming for you.”