Ares falls to the ground.
Unconscious.
The world slips from him as his own power betrays him.
The last thing he hears—
are the screams of Ignis and Aphrodite.
Then—
everything goes black.
He once again sits in the abyss.
But now, it is different.
In front of him lie hundreds of different battlefields and duels, all mashed together. Steel clashes endlessly. Blood spills across overlapping wars. The sounds of conflict surround him from every direction.
Then—
he awakens.
He is back in the inn.
He sees Aphrodite and Ignis snug together, sleeping in a corner. For a moment, he simply watches them.
He is glad.
They are safe.
He looks down slightly and allows himself a faint smile.
Not long after, they awaken.
They explain to him what happened—how they used magic to carry him out of the cave and bring him back to the village, where they were once again praised as heroes for ridding the land of the vampires that plagued their home for so long.
"The villagers were so grateful they donated supplies… and gold to support us on our journey," Ignis says.
Then she walks up to him—
and slaps him across the head.
"You're reckless," she snaps. "You abandoned us and rushed straight to your death."
Her eyes narrow.
"You are truly a fool."
Aphrodite says nothing.
She only watches him.
When Ares recovers enough, they begin their journey once again.
As they leave, the villagers wave and call out to them, offering thanks and praise once more.
Ignis walks ahead, holding a map, carefully plotting their next destination.
"There are two options," she says. "There's a shortcut to the academy, but it's dangerous. The surrounding forest is filled with powerful beasts and creatures."
She pauses.
"Or we can stay on the main path, which is much safer… but longer."
They begin discussing the risks and rewards.
Ares ignores them.
He makes the decision for them.
He turns and begins walking toward the more dangerous path.
They both look at him, shocked.
"We haven't decided yet!" Ignis calls out.
"Ares, stop!" Aphrodite adds.
He does not listen.
He continues walking.
They sigh—
and run after him.
Soon, they find themselves standing before an eerie forest.
The air is thick.
Heavy.
It reeks of blood and something far worse—something hidden.
Ignis slows.
"…This is it."
She looks toward the trees, then back at them.
"This forest is called the Withering Veil."
Aphrodite frowns.
"…Why is it called that?"
Ignis exhales.
"Because those who enter rarely return."
She gestures toward the darkness within.
"Over time, people stopped finding bodies. No tracks. No signs of struggle. Just… gone."
Her voice lowers slightly.
"They say the forest doesn't just kill you… it takes you."
A pause.
"Some believe it strips you away, piece by piece, until nothing remains. Others say it pulls you somewhere else entirely—past the veil, straight into death itself."
Aphrodite shivers and clutches Ignis' arm.
"…Maybe it's not too late to turn around."
Ares stares into the forest.
He can feel it.
The forest itself radiates bloodlust.
Not faint.
Not scattered.
But everywhere.
Alive.
He speaks.
"…What kinds of creatures live here?"
Ignis answers immediately.
"Werewolves. Goblins. Orcs."
She pauses.
"And things we don't fully understand."
Ares says nothing more.
He steps forward—
and enters the forest.
Without hesitation.
Ignis exhales.
"…Of course he does."
Aphrodite steels herself.
And together—
they follow him into the Withering Veil.