Chapter 65: The Three Archangels of GODS

In war there are those who fight for revenge, others for glory, and a few for justice. But there are also those who fight without really knowing why, carried by a greater current — like leaves drifting on a river that ignores their destiny.
Edén had taken another step. A small one, perhaps, but a deep one. As if, in his uncertain walk, he had finally set his foot on solid ground. And he was not alone. Around him, other pieces on the board were beginning to move as well: unknown names, hidden faces, pasts that had not yet been told.
At that moment what was about to begin was not just training. It was a silent test, a covert judgment. Because when the eyes of the powerful fall on the weak, it is rarely by mere chance.
Being chosen may seem like an honor. But sometimes, being watched is only the first step toward being judged… or destroyed.
And so, amid heavy stares, awkward silences and a power that grows without permission, the days lined up, one after another, bringing everyone closer to the edge of a new abyss.
One where being strong will no longer be enough.
You will have to prove why you still want to stand.

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

The classroom door opened with a faint creak, but what crossed the threshold was not just a student. It was a suffocating pressure, a brutal presence that made the air vibrate as if Hell itself had exhaled.
Edén felt his muscles tense by reflex.
“What the hell is this pressure?” he thought, his brow beaded with sweat. “Is it his power? Can a student reach this level?”
Beside him, Shu swallowed as well, measuring every detail of the newcomer.
“That guy… he’s not normal. In brute strength he might not surpass Edén, but the way he keeps control is impressive. It’s as if his energy… obeys out of respect.”
The young man stopped in the center of the classroom. His gaze was cold, but not without judgment. He wore his uniform with surgical precision, not a single wrinkle. His mere presence was enough to silence everyone.
“Well, well…” Afrodita smiled, though a faint reproach showed in her eyes. “It seems you enjoy imposing terror on your inferiors, Alexbold.”
“Sorry, professor,” he answered without losing composure. “I let myself get carried away by the excitement.”

Alexbold – Second-year student
Rank: Ruby
Position: Squad Leader, Fifth Division of the Special Forces

No sooner had those words left his mouth than the demonic aura dissipated as if it had never been there. Some students collapsed into their seats, panting with relief. Others merely sweated, still tense from the impact.
Behind him, two more figures crossed the door.
“Idiot,” muttered the first, adjusting his glasses in an annoyed gesture. “We told you to control yourself a bit.”

Iseli – Second-year student
Rank: Diamond
Position: Soldier, Fifth Division of the Special Forces

“Don’t blame him, poor thing,” the second interjected in a soft but mocking voice. “It’s his first time having to socialize.”

Rukia – Second-year student
Rank: Platinum
Position: Soldier, Fifth Division of the Special Forces

Shu observed them carefully.
“They hide their power… but you can still sense it. They’re strong — dangerously strong. Although the most unsettling is still Alexbold. He shouldn’t be here, not at this level… he’s a monster disguised as a student.”
Afrodita regained focus in a more serious tone:
“As you already know, the second round of the Tournament of GOD is approaching. After a detailed analysis of missions and performance, we have selected ten students who will train under the supervision of these three over the next few days. Huitzilopochtli has already confirmed that the next test will be a team battle, six-on-six. No additional conditions.”
Zef raised an eyebrow, exchanging a look with Yohei.
“So besides training… it will be a sort of selection,” he said, more as a statement than a question.
“That’s right,” Afrodita confirmed. “Those three will decide which six of you will take part in the official match. And they will have to justify their choices before Zeus and the rest of the council. Is that clear?”
“It will be an honor,” Alexbold replied firmly.
Afrodita nodded and began to read the names:
“Yohei Aktína, Zef Mizushima.”
Both looked at each other and bumped fists without needing words.
“Lowa Match, Sebastian Grian.”
“Looks like we’ll be together in this!” laughed Lowa, energetically hugging his two companions.
“Why does everyone always forget that I’m in the group too…?” Sebastian thought, looking at an imaginary camera.
“Shu Sagesse, Yuki Tsuka, Edén Yomi.”
“I hope you don’t get in my way, idiot,” Yuki scoffed, crossing his arms.
“Sorry,” Edén replied mockingly. “I don’t listen to the weak.”
“What did you say?!” Yuki snapped, fire in his eyes.
“Come on, come on,” Shu intervened, raising his hands. “There will be time to break teeth later.”
“Violet Lekarz.”
“It’s the first time I’ll be with them… how happy,” Violet thought, bringing her hands to her chest.
“Lux Rainbow and Eris Onenighed.”
The whole room fell silent.
“Huh?” was the unanimous reaction.
“What’s wrong?” Eris asked with a neutral expression.
Alice tilted her head.
“It’s just… we thought you weren’t interested in this kind of thing.”
Everyone nodded without hesitation.
Eris sighed with disdain.
“I’m not interested. I didn’t work to get in. So everyone left out can leave. They’re… really pathetic.”
The dejected faces of those not selected confirmed it.
“Come on, Eris… think about their feelings,” Alice tried to soften, though her tone was more procedural than sincere.
Alexbold narrowed his eyes, saying nothing.
“Liar. Those scars aren’t from someone who didn’t try. Your body speaks louder than your words.”
But he didn’t say it. Because he didn’t care about her motives. Only her ability.
Afrodita, for her part, also noticed the detail.
“He noticed it too,” she thought with a grave expression.
“That said,” she continued, “you will be trained by these three until the trip to the Zutarts Institute. My part ends here. Now I leave you with them.”
Alexbold took the floor with authority.
“Iseli.”
“Sigh… yes. As already explained, we will train with all of you. Each of you will focus on different skills. It will be demanding. It will be painful. But if you are here, it’s because you can endure it. Understood?”
“Yes!”
“Perfect. We depart today for the island of Crete. We don’t expect it to be easy, and we won’t stop for anyone.”
Murmurs ignited. Excitement, nerves, expectation. Everyone boarded the ship with a mixture of fear and pride.
Afrodita looked at Alexbold just before he left.
“Are you sure about this? You have duties in the Special Forces. It’s not your obligation.”
“It’s not out of obligation. It’s the least I can do for what Shun did for me.”
“So it was that idiot who asked you…”
“He said he would find something very interesting among these rookies. And, though it pains me to admit it, that guy is never wrong.”
“Of course… But if anything happens to them, I’ll kill you myself.”
“I know,” he smiled calmly.
“Alexbold, come on!” Rukia shouted from the ship.
“Yes, I’m coming.”
And without looking back, he boarded with steady steps.

Aphrodite watched the ship fade until it vanished into the clouds on the horizon. The sun caressed the deck and the students’ distant laughter stood in stark contrast to the woman’s serious expression.
“Good luck, Alexbold,” she murmured without taking her eyes off them.

But on the other side of the world, where the sun barely pierced rotten alleys and crumbling buildings, luck was a luxury that did not exist.
A silhouette dragged itself across the cobblestones, leaving a trail of blood behind.
“Damn you… damn heretic, son of a demon…” spat a man in a tattered robe, his face swollen from blows, his nose broken, his breath ragged. “When the leaders find out we don’t come back… they’ll come to kill you.”
A blade flashed for an instant and, in the next, an arm hit the ground with a dull thud.
“Bastard!” the thug screamed, writhing in pain.

Across from him, a hooded figure stood motionless, the sword still dripping.
“You think I care?” the figure answered in a deep voice, rough as rusted iron. “If they come, I’ll meet them gladly. I’ll make them beg one by one, just like you did. Not for justice, but for pleasure.”
“Your mother was a damned whore…” the thug gasped, spitting blood. “She bore you with a demon. That’s why she deserved to be burned by the flames of our god… Zenka. That was his will.”

The stranger didn’t answer right away. He only looked at him with those hollow eyes, full of silent rage and accumulated resignation.
“They make me sick…” he muttered. “Always hiding behind a god, using their ‘will’ to justify their hatred, their perversions, their cruelty. They don’t speak out of faith. They speak out of cowardice.”

The thug laughed, delirious.
“You say that because you never felt the love of our god. When he returns, he will rule over all. And you… you will burn like the rest. A demon has no place among the faithful.”

The stranger took a single step toward him. Just one.
“You say I’m a demon…?” The shadow of his body seemed to lengthen, bend, fragment.
An inhuman crack accompanied the transformation.

The thug’s legs began to tremble. He tried to crawl backward, but his muscles no longer obeyed.
Screams began before he could form another word—raw screams filled with panic and despair. Blood splattered the walls. The floor. Everything.
And the silence returned as quickly as it had been shattered.

The stranger, now standing among unrecognizable remains, breathed heavily. Part of his body had not yet regained human shape. His chest rose and fell slowly as his gaze drifted beyond the crimson pool at his feet.
“It seems it’s not only the sect that’s tracking me now…” he thought, his conscience roaring in the stillness. “Now Black Lights and the king are after me too. I don’t blame them. I’ve made too much noise.”

He put his weapon away without hurry as his silhouette returned to that of a man.
“But once I have that in my hands… it will be over.”
I’ll be able to retire… in peace. To the shores of Port Royal, beside her.

His fingers closed into a fist.
“Until then, I’ll have to keep being the villain of this story. Even if they all hate me. Even if the world spits me out.”
I will keep walking.
And Hell… will walk with me.