“...How would you feel about me joining the war against the Paladins one more time?” I asked cautiously. 

I was only met with silence and an aura that radiated anger. 

“I’ll take the angry aura as a no-” 

“You’re damn right it’s a ‘No’.” Ares spat. 

“We almost died in the kingdom. Did you not learn from last time?” 

I groaned. “I’ve learned Ares! But that doesn't mean I can just let the world fall into a pit of no return!” 

“You have served the world well enough, you’ve done more than what others care to do but you continue to fail in understanding this one simple fact little girl.” Ares spat, his eyes narrowed as he turned to look at me before stomping his hoof. 

“You have a town to care for, people here that need your protection and a new role to fulfill. Life isn’t the same for you anymore, stay here, stop trying to be what you formerly were. A child.” 

I went silent, my own eyes narrowing as he did to me. I was trying to help people...something that he couldn’t understand for some damn reason, hell, if it weren’t for me then he would’ve been dead! 

“Ares, I know me and I know-" 

“The Under-Realm is not a place for mortals even if that mortal is a deity.” The centaur interrupted, causing me to cock a brow ever so slightly. 

“It is hostile to mortals and that’s not even mentioning the Beasts,” Cronos added. 

“I know how to fight!” I argued. 

“Not against those creatures...have you heard of trees requiring blood instead of water? Wild animals that carry fire and poison in their manes while each time the wind blows? The Daemoniums’ wild plains catch on fire.” Ares said before he turned his head to look at me with a narrowed look.

“Your mate could go down and be completely fine because he’s a Daemonium. A natural resident who has all the inborn abilities to survive while you? You don’t stand a chance.” He continued. 

“First off, I'm rather immune to fire-" 

"Not this type of fire little girl," Ares warned. "The kind that the Under-Realm produce as well the kind that some Beasts are able to wield? It's hot enough to burn through steel and stone in seconds, hot enough to burn even you." He continued. 

I couldn't stop the gulp that forced itself down my throat in growing nervousness. I remember Ibis telling me something along those lines...that there would always be someone stronger than you, even if the element was the same as your own! Was this what she was talking about? Not humans but the Beasts? 

If so, as I had already planned to do so before. 

I wanted to stay on their good side only. 

"This won't be my first time asking someone how to survive a little, you know me better than that Ares. I've survived worst!" 

The centaur face-palmed himself, mumbled words leaving his mouth before he closed the distance between Cronos and himself. 

“...Just because you’ve survived worst doesn’t mean you should go out looking for even deadlier danger Eos.” He said as I got onto Cronos’ back.

“But understand this little girl, should you try and go to the Under-Realm? I will not follow, with the damned bird gone, my purpose of being a bodyguard to you has been fulfilled. I would like to assume you are wise enough to know what to look out for and what to do in the heat of battle.” 

“So, you’re not going to protect me anymore?” 

He cocked a brow. "Not so, I will always keep you from danger, I consider you my kin. Therefore, I will keep you safe and I expect you to do the same for me." He said, cracking a small smile before it swiftly faded. 

"But...something as risky as this? You're on your own, I cannot come with." He continued, leaving him to make his way towards the village while Cronos picked up his pace on walking towards the forest. 

My nervousness grew. 

Ares...he always followed me wherever I went, it was as natural as breathing to see him by my side whenever I went exploring somewhere! But...now that Ibis was gone? No longer breathing down his neck to make sure that I stayed alive in order to avoid himself getting brutally killed by her? He had no reason to fear letting me go places alone, he could finally take a step back and rest, some time to sit in the car and see if I could handle things on my own without him being there. 

And, while I was somewhat excited to prove that I could do it? I couldn’t help but tug on my hair in stress! 

“Christ...is it really worth it?” I murmured to myself, Cronos letting out a small ‘Huh’ before I chuckled and waved my hand dismissively. 

“Nothing, just- just thinking.”

 “About going to the Under-Realm? If it worries you so much then you wouldn’t go.” He said, his blatant way of speech making me snort. 

He was like a sweeter version of Ares. “Racism will destroy your world if I don’t go.” 

“There will be people to fight back. Good always prevails correct?” 

True...but those future heroes will have their work cut out for them if the Paladins win. This little ‘story’ of race is something that’s going to play out as badly as one of Shakespeare's tragic novels.” I grumbled.

He turned his head towards me, the confusion on his face making me quickly shake my hand dismissively. “Just one of my weird analogies,” I explained. 

“But still! I have to go! Ryzel, Ares, or anyone else may be worried for me but...I know what I can do, I know that I can do and I’m determined to help!” I huffed. 

“There is such a thing as offering too much help though? You have no reason to help the Beasts, Incubi and Succubi aside, the Beasts were once the terrors of these lands. Eating humans alive for their rituals, slaughtering us on sight and using us as target practice in order to train their offspring...of course, though, the Beast Queen didn’t tell you this did she?” 

I narrowed my eyes. “And?” I grumbled, placing my hands on my hips. “What race doesn’t have a dark history that stems from their ancestors? Look at my skin.” I ordered before I extended my arm. 

“Because of the color of my skin, my ancestors once thought that they were better than people. They owned plantations and beat people to the bone just so they could pick their crops without a single lick of pay.” I stated bluntly, Cronos stopping to look at my arm before he looked at me. 

Another heavy sigh left me.

Everyone, species, or race, they had their demons as well as bad apples. No one was spotless as snow and...maybe it was just me projecting my world's views onto this one but, even still, history alone didn't and wouldn't stop me from going out and trying my best to help this world out. 

After all, if I judged everyone for their histories and stereotypes alone then I would be some hermit in a cave somewhere for crying out loud! 

“But, those were my ancestors that did that. Their actions don’t make me who I am. I’m going to help the Beasts. I swear it, y’all will be thanking me later!” I laughed confidently.

“After all! I like this world; it would be a pretty damn big shame if it were to sink like a ship all because of an out-of-control army of bigots now wouldn’t it?” Cronos nodded his head, suddenly picking up his pace into a small gallop. 

“Indeed, it would, I don’t like to think of a world ruled by Paladins! They’ve done me enough harm.” Cronos chuckled, a grin slowly but surely starting to creep onto my face. 

“But, Eos...” 

I raised a brow. 

“You have my loyalties now; you didn’t have to take me into your town. I nearly killed your friend and yet-” 

I quickly placed a hand on his shoulder.

“No need to thank me, just doing what I would want someone to do for me. Offer me a fresh start.” I chuckled, Cronos merely looking at me with a small smile of his own before he focused on running. 

I had at least some people convinced...they understood where I was coming from and were supporting me, more or less, in my decisions! At the end of the day? 

That’s all I wanted no matter how little the numbers were but...still, although I was firm in my beliefs to continue fighting in this little battle of making sure Balerion doesn’t take a sudden route to be like Earth, I still wanted to have support from the person I loved! If I could previously convince the man to let me shave his horns a tad then I was certain I could do this! I mean...it couldn’t be too hard for him to understand much less get him to come over to my side after talking with his sister a little. 

Right?