Lord of Myths: I Can Summon and Fuse Divine Powers.-Chapter 65: A Hilltop Argument.

Nana Baruke shook her head at the idea she had heard.

"No, our mission is to protect Alioth, not fight with her," Nana Baruke clarified seriously. "Besides, Anansi doesn’t want to face the demon goddess of tyranny, she wants to prevent them from summoning her."

The Lwa explained seriously.

She knew the Ashura was very powerful, and that in Anansi’s state surely she would have it difficult to win.

However, she also knew Anansi loved Alioth very much, that’s why she sent them to make sure he was okay.

In fact, Nana Baruke was sure that Anansi herself was about to go herself to look for Alioth, but reconsidered knowing what was at stake.

Nana Baruke knew that if they returned to help Anansi, it would most likely distract her, not knowing if Alioth was in danger or not could distract her and make her lose the combat.

It was better to stay there and protect Alioth, so Anansi could fight without worries or restrictions.

"Tch, look bitch, Anansi told us to save the brat! Not that we’d stay here as his nannies," Baron Samedi replied with exaltation. "The brat is already safe, mission complete, let’s go back to her."

Baron Samedi affirmed.

He, unlike Nana Baruke who was calmer and more empathetic, was much more direct.

Not only was he still angry about the damage they had done to Aida and Damballa, but he also didn’t want to miss the action against the enemy.

It was a mix of emotions.

On one hand he wanted to get revenge on Epimetheus for what he had done to his companions.

He also didn’t want to miss the final fight, he felt that not being present in such an important fight would be something he would regret and be ashamed of in the future.

Baron Samedi wasn’t one to miss the action.

"If we go back we’ll only worry Anansi more, it’s better to stay here and make sure Alioth is safe," Nana Baruke insisted firmly.

She knew Baron Samedi was impulsive, so it was her duty to be the anchor of reason in that team.

"And why don’t you stay and that’s it? Don’t drag me with you, okay?" Baron Samedi responded exhausted.

Nana Baruke had expected such a response, however to the misfortune of the impulsive Baron Samedi she already had the answer.

It was clear she was much better at talking than Baron Samedi.

However, she could never clarify her point, because Alioth intervened.

"Is Anansi in danger?" the silver-haired young man asked with concern, looking at Baron Samedi and Nana Baruke.

The Lwa looked at him at once, and Nana Baruke nodded.

"You could say yes, but it’s not certain, Alioth, maybe she can prevent the worst from happening," the doll responded calmly, trying to calm Alioth.

However, Alioth was no longer calm at all.

Quite the opposite.

Anansi was like a mother to him, all he wanted was not to be a burden to her.

But now he was being one.

"Then go help her," Alioth responded dryly. "In fact, I’m going with you."

Nana Baruke shook her head at those words, but Baron Samedi, on the other hand, seemed much more pleased by those words.

"That’s my bro! You can tell you’re not a cowardly little girl like Nana, you’re a real man," Baron Samedi affirmed with pride.

Though Alioth didn’t react to those words, he didn’t want to prove anything, he simply wanted to stop being a burden.

Nana Baruke sighed, she could understand Alioth’s feelings and thoughts, and what he was going through.

However, she also knew that was a terrible idea.

"Guys, you don’t understand, Ana—"

But she couldn’t continue, as she was interrupted at that instant.

"What are you talking about, guys? HAHAHA! Are you praising how I finished off that stupid priest? It was cool, right? You can tell I’m the heroine!" said a proud voice.

It was Nora, who unlike what one might think, was radiant and full of energy.

Alioth felt bad for having forgotten about her all that time, however, something much more poisonous infiltrated his mind upon seeing her again.

"Who’s this? Do you know her, Alioth?" Baron Samedi asked with a condescending tone.

That seemed to bother Nora a bit, but Nana Baruke intervened in time to calm things down.

"Yes, it was a majestic intervention on your part. Thank you very much for your collaboration, you were very helpful," Nana Baruke responded while bowing forward as a sign of respect. "We also thank you very much for protecting Alioth until now. As for our discussion, you don’t have to worry, Alioth is just worried about his teacher, but she’s not in complete danger."

Nana Baruke affirmed calmly and politely.

Nora nodded as Nana Baruke spoke, with a big and proud smile on her face.

When she heard what was happening with Anansi, she seemed to show curiosity.

"Alioth’s teacher? Oh right! Is it that cool woman who appeared at the market, Alu? If she’s in danger we have to help her!" the girl affirmed energetically.

Though Alioth didn’t seem pleased with the words Nora had said.

In fact, his gaze had darkened.

"That’s not your business, Nana, take Nora to a safe place, Samedi and I will go check that Anansi is okay," Alioth responded with a cutting tone.

Nana Baruke looked at Alioth confused, why was the boy acting like this?

Nora also seemed confused.

"But what are you saying? If your teacher is in danger it’s better if we all go together, right? The more the better!" she responded energetically.

Alioth felt his stomach turn.

"Don’t say stupid things, you already achieved your goal, right? You already saved Ruth, you don’t have to keep fighting, why would you have to help me? Do you want to continue your game of being a heroine?" Alioth responded with contempt, though he didn’t even dare to look Nora in the eyes.

Nora didn’t even flinch at those words, she just looked at Alioth with confusion.

Scarlet spirits danced in the air, their light gradually going out, indicating the temperature was dropping.

"Why? Well because that’s what friends do, right?" she responded naturally, as if saying something obvious.

Alioth clenched his fists tightly.

That memory wouldn’t leave his mind, how that man pierced her with his arm, how her body fell to the ground lifeless.

She was too young to live that kind of thing, anyone with two brain cells would realize that.

Even if she had survived this time, what guaranteed she would remain safe?

That threat was something capable of endangering his teacher, a danger much greater than the priest.

A man who almost killed them.

Alioth couldn’t expose her to that danger, it would be too selfish.

He would protect her even if it cost him their friendship.

"Pfft, don’t say nonsense," he said, feigning an evil smile. "Don’t say silly things, you’re not my friend! You’re just a nuisance."

The boy began, under Nana Baruke’s sorrowful gaze, and Baron Samedi’s intrigued gaze, who if he could eat would surely be with a bowl of popcorn to watch that drama.

"You put me in danger with your impulsiveness, you hit me as soon as you saw me! You’re loud, stupid and annoying, there’s no way I’d want a friend like that," Alioth claimed with rage as he put his hand in his pocket.

Though it was painful for him, Alioth didn’t want to lose another friend.

He still hadn’t gotten over Abzu’s death, he hadn’t even had time to mourn his death, a part of him had hope of being able to revive him, but another dedicated itself only to blaming himself for his death.

Abzu had died fighting by his side.

Nora had died protecting him.

Aida had been wounded to protect him too.

And Ifrit, Emet, Ifmet and the rest of the spirits that followed him had also sacrificed themselves under his command.

He had been a burden to all of them, a burden that had killed them.

Nora frowned and gritted her teeth.

Why was that idiot saying that?

Had he been making fun of her all this time?

The blonde began to walk aggressively toward Alioth as she raised her fist.

The boy knew it would be a painful blow, but deep down he deserved it.

"You... Damn," she began to say as she raised her fist to hit him.

She wanted Alioth to recognize her, to be proud of her for defeating the priest, to trust her to fight.

And it turned out it had all been a game?

He never trusted her?

But then, just before hitting him, her fist stopped, remaining static.

Why did he look so sad?

Nora realized just before hitting him, Alioth’s expression wasn’t that of a bully mocking his victim, it was that of someone about to cry.

Why was he like this?

It didn’t make sense, she hadn’t even hit him yet.

That’s when she understood it.

He had seen how that man almost killed her.

How she almost died.

If she had witnessed something like that, she would have been scared too.

If Alioth had been reached by those light attacks and had died, she wouldn’t have forgiven herself.

Not only would she have felt guilty for failing him, but for having brought him there.

She understood it, it wasn’t that Alioth didn’t trust her, but that he felt guilty about it.

"What a fool," the girl finally said, as her arm relaxed, and with it she wrapped around Alioth to hug him. "It wasn’t your fault."

She commented, as she hugged him.

Alioth felt a strange warmth, a security he had forgotten, like when his brother consoled him for having lost a match, the security that you can cry without being judged, even though you feel pathetic inside.

Alioth couldn’t help it, those words had penetrated deeply into his heart, he felt she was not only forgiving him for what had happened to her, but for everything else.

The boy let it out, through his tears, collapsing in her arms, as he apologized to her for what he had said.

Nora just kept hugging him, remembering when she consoled Regulus when he cried.

Everything would be okay now.

"Well, looks like we’ll stay here," Nana Baruke said with a smile embroidered on her face.

Baron Samedi sighed annoyed, though he also knew Alioth would calm down now.

But then, a voice resonated, interrupting that moment.

"I wouldn’t be so sure ~ it would be inconvenient if that subject escapes, I suppose I’ll have to leave the rest to her," the priest’s voice then said.

A simple mass of flesh with a mouth, but it could still speak.

And before anyone could speak, a golden light surrounded them.

It was already too late, they were teleported.

The priest made sure Alioth couldn’t enjoy a single moment of peace.

Hell had just begun.