[Sorry to disturb, but some dark beings are heading this way.]

Peeta said.

Estella looked around in search of Peeta, but she couldn’t find him and so she turned to Kalos who got up as he summoned Reu.

He then helped Estella up before looking into her big brown eyes.

Estella smiled and Kalos smiled in turn before they made their way back to the village. There, they saw Peeta, Glass and a few others as they readied for battle.

“Is the world still heavily plagued by those from above and below?” Kalos asked.

[Somewhat, but things have gotten rather complicated. Their numbers along with ours are dwindling. Every fight means that both sides lose fighting power and eventually, there’ll be no one left.]

Peeta said.

Kalos then realized that Peeta was in his beast form the entire time.

“Why don’t you turn back into a human?” Kalos asked.

[Not sure. I just feel like I’ll be able to protect Estella and Keema better if I’m in this form.]

Peeta said as he lowered his large head.

Kalos gave him a kiss along with Estella.

“Mommy?” Keema called out as she stood behind glass.

Estella carefully walked over to Keema before picking her up.

Her legs trembled, but Glass held her up as he accompanied her back to the cave.

Glass returned soon after before whistling something.

[Estella said you should come back as soon as you’re done.]

Peeta said as they began their trip north.

“Umm… Peeta. I lost my magic, so I cant sense life forces anymore. Can you check if mine is ok?” Kalos asked with a hint of fear in his voice.

This was the first time Peeta heard Kalos speak this way.

[I’ve already checked and it’s not looking too good. Actually, I don’t even know how you’re still alive. There’s literally nothing in there.]

Peeta said as they walked.

Kalos swung Reu around before pointing it forward.

“I’m sure this has something to do with it,” Kalos said.

[I’m guessing that’s the ultimate weapon that saved the day?]

Peeta asked.

“Yes. Made from the darkest dark and the lightest light. This sword can make the impossible possible and break through the limits of the universe. I went back in time and killed a god with its help.” Kalos said before Peeta stopped.

[Ready up. Here they come.]

Peeta said with a growl.

Kalos noticed that Glass wielded Peeta’s Eexel, but he paid it no mind.

A gigantic creature then emerged from deep within the forest.

It had a hard-looking shell, six legs and two huge claws.

Following closely behind it were serval Pulae and Lopi along with a few velzen.

Kalos tried sending magic to Reu, but his heart sank when nothing happened.

He knew better than anyone that he didn’t have magic and yet he was about to fight with several dark beings.

Kalos laughed at himself before charging towards the large creature.

Peeta zapped past Kalos and viciously attacked the large creature.

Kalos changed his targets and ran towards a velzen.

The velzen bared its dark teeth at Kalos before lashing out at him.

Kalos kicked the velzen in the face before stabbing it in the chest.

Doing just that drained him of a lot of energy, but Kalos didn’t stop.

He ran towards a nearby Pulae and stabbed it in the neck as it tried biting one of the elafriá.

Kalos pulled out his knife from the beast before charging toward a velzen. Kalos decapitated it before tumbling over. He fell to his knees before realizing that the battle was already over.

Peeta walked over to Kalos with a blood-covered face.

[You ok?]

Peeta asked.

“I’m… exhausted.” Kalos said as he got up.

He looked around and saw several corpses.

“Any wounded or dead?” Kalos asked as he wiped some sweat that ran down his face.

[None. You were kinda right about the strong rising from the ashes. They did. Everyone that’s left is pretty capable. But the grief… the loss… it's terrible.]

Peeta said as they prepared to return to the village.

“I see,” Kalos said before they made their way back to the village.

“On my way here, I saw that Marf had grown. Any idea what’s going on there?” Kalos asked as they entered the cliffside village.

[They’re doing great, actually. Thanks to that wall you built and the hard work of Neelae, Alis and Trevenor, the city is prosperous. Well, there’s some tension between the people of Marf and the order, but I'm sure they’ll work things out.]

Peeta said as they entered the cave.

Kalos noticed that Estella had Keema on her lap and the two were deeply discussing something.

Kalos approached the two.

“What are you discussing so intently?” Kalos asked.

“Oh, nothing really. I’m just telling Keema about fosberries and how delicious they are.” Estella said with a gentle smile.

Kalos chuckled for a moment before being bumped by Glass as he served Estella and Keema lunch.

“What’s his problem again?” Kalos asked Peeta as he wrapped himself around Estella and Keema.

Glass whistled a certain tune.

[He says he doesn’t like you.]

Peeta said before Glass whistled again.

[Oh and apparently, you smell bad and look like a Llendorian.]

Peeta said prompting Kalos to tilt his head.

“Those are some awfully specific insults, don’t you think?” Kalos said as he sat by Peeta’s side.

[Hehe, yeah.]

Peeta said as the sounds of Keema’s laughter filled the cave.

“Thank you, Peeta,” Kalos said as he turned to face him.

Peeta lowered his head.

[You’re welcome. Now, can you make me a necklace thingy already?]

Peeta asked, but Kalos shrugged his shoulders.

“No magic, remember?” Kalos said as he got up.

He walked out of the cave and made his way toward the carriage to the left.

Kalos sat just outside it and sighed before hearing footsteps just outside the cave.

He turned to see Estella and Keema approaching him.

Estella sat down next to Kalos before placing Keema on her lap.

Estella looked at the carriage.

Glass had done all he could to preserve it, but time and nature had rendered the carriage unusable.

It looked like it had become one with the nature.

“What now?” Estella asked.

“We live. For those who aren’t with us.” Kalos said as he and Estella held hands.

The sun gently sunk into the horizon.

“Mommy?” Keema called out before whispering into Estella’s ear.

Estella giggled before looking at Kalos, whose eyes narrowed slightly.

“What?” Kalos asked.

“Keema thinks you’re scary, but I think those scars give you a nice rough look,” Estella said as she squeezed Kalosýni’s hand.

“Oh? I always thought I had the boyish beauty of a young prince. Ah well.” Kalos said as night fell.

Kalos got up, accompanied Estella and Keema back to the cave before sitting by Peeta’s side.

“Hey, Peeta. What do you eat? I mean, you’re huge. So I’m wondering how you haven’t lost some weight." Kalos asked.

[Glass does the eating for me. He goes around eating all manner of things. Dark beings are the ones he finds the most… delicious. Their darkness is sent to me via the link he and I share.]

Peeta explained before Glass entered the cave with a rabbit.

Kalos salivated as Glass roared the small animal over a fire.

Glass served Estella and Keema before handing Kalos his plate.

Kalos looked down and saw that his plate was filled with mostly boney pieces, but he didn’t complain.

He ate away before handing his plate to Glass.

Kalos was about to sit by Peeta’s side again, but he caught a glimpse of Estella to his right.

“Why don’t you sleep with us?” Estella asked.

Kalos made his way into Peeta’s arm and found a small bed on the ground next to the chair Estella once sat in.

Estella plopped onto what was essentially a couple of blankets on the floor.

Keema sat next to her before they both laid down.

Kalos joined them, even though most of his large body was on the floor.

Peeta purred as they all went to sleep.

.

..

Kalos woke up rather early. Well, he hadn’t been able to sleep well due to the intense pain he felt all over his body.

Kalos quietly walked out from underneath Peeta and made his way to the cave's mouth.

There he stood before noticing a certain glass golem.

Glass was standing completely still.

The sun hadn’t completely risen yet and so the cave was filled with a dark greyness to it that made Glass look rather… creepy.

“Kalos!” Kalos heard a voice call.

Peeta and Glass awoke from their slumbers.

[Was that… you?]

Peeta asked.

“Yes, I think something is definitely wrong,” Kalos said before the space before him warped.

Another Kalos then appeared.

Kalos ran to the second Kalosýni’s side and helped him up as he looked like he was seconds away from death. His skin was ash pale and his veins were almost black.

“What happened? Are you ok?” Kalos asked while taking care not to awaken Estella.

“It's Saya. She… cursed me.” The second Kalos, or Theostaltos, said.

“How?” Kalos asked.

“She used up her very existence to curse me before breaking out of the loop. I would’ve chased her, but we’ve got no magic.” Theostaltos said as his nose bled.

“Mmm… what does the curse do?” Kalos asked.

“There’s something inside me,” Theostaltos said prompting Kalos to nod.

“Peeta, stay here. Glass and I will take care of whatever comes out of me,” Kalos said as he carried Theostaltos to a clearing to the north.

Kalos placed Theostaltos down before summoning Reu.

Kalos and Glass cautiously waited as they readied themselves for battle.

“Do you know where Saya went?” Kalos asked.

“The veiled repository. Ah, we forgot that she has an army there.” Theostaltos wheezed.

“Mmm…” Kalos droned as silence befell the forest.

“How’s Estella?” Theostaltos asked.

“Not sure if you’re going to believe this, but she’s more beautiful than ever,” Kalos said with a smile.

“Good. You know, an eternity passes by real quick in the void.” Theostaltos said.

“Oh? Then I’m sure you made Saya suffer as planned.” Kalos said, but at this point, Theostaltos had stopped breathing.

His body then started convulsing and it looked like something wanted to break out from his chest.

The sounds of bones breaking filled the air as Theostaltos’ flesh was ripped through, revealing a hideous slimy creature.

It looked so pitiful and sad that Kalos hesitated for a moment, but he quickly dashed towards the ugly humanoid creature before cutting across its neck.

Glass stabbed the creature in the heart, but Kalosýni’s face froze once he saw a familiar reaction.

The creature was unaffected by their attacks.

“Get back, it’s an autarch!” Kalos yelled before he and Glass dashed backwards.

“Why do you want to hurt me?” The creature asked as it seemingly cried.

Kalos couldn’t tell because it was covered in a dark sludge.

“Why does everyone always want to hurt me?” The creature asked.

“Who are you?” Kalos asked prompting the creature to look at him with its pitiful eyes.

“My name… is… Amartia.” The creature said as it sniffled.

“Get out of the way!” Another voice yelled.

The disgusting thing which called itself Amartia scurried away before two large hands tore out from the second Kalosýni’s body.

A titanic humanoid being slowly emerged from the corpse. It had glorious reddish-black hair, bright red eyes and although its skin was moist, it looked smooth and youthful.

“What the-" Kalos gasped as the titan looked almost exactly like him.

“Oh? What do we have here?” The titan asked as it lowered its head toward Kalos and glass.

“Hello, progenitor.” The titan said.

“What? My name’s Kalosýni.” Kalos said as he looked into the titans big red eyes.

“You do not understand. I did not call you by your name. I started your title.” The titan said. His voice thundered across the sky.

“Oh? Then what’s your name?” Kalos asked.

The titan then stood dramatically as it raised its nose.

“I am Katharos. I am an autarch which means I stand above all beings. Even you, father.” Katharos said with a grin.

“Ok. So… what is your purpose?” Kalos asked.

“Mmm… mother asked me to kill you but it is beneath me to follow such orders,” Katharos said while dismissively waving his hand.

“So… what will you do now?” Kalos asked.

“I shall usher in the age of new gods. This may not be news to you father, but you’re weak, careless and simple-minded. That’s what led to the death of those you loved.” Katharos said.

Kalos didn’t argue because most of it was true.

“So, how do you plan on bringing about this new age?” Kalos asked.

“I can't say for sure. Right now, I just want to spend time with Estella for some reason.” Katharos said as dark red particles gathered around him.

They then quickly vanished, revealing a beautiful set of black clothing.

Kalos and Glass exchanged glances before Kalos pointed at Amartia.

“Ok, but before we head back, can explain who that is?” Kalos asked.

Katharos turned a disgusted eye towards Amartia, making him shrink into himself.

“Ugh, I was born from your best parts. That thing represents all that made you a failure. Fear, doubt and pain. It’s an amalgamation of your weakness. Anyway, enough of that. Let’s go!” Katharos said as he walked towards the village.

Kalos tightened his grip around Reu before letting out a weak sigh.

“Wait. Just give us a moment.” Kalos said as he and Glass prepared the second Kalos for burial.

Kalos used one of Glass’s shovels to place the last grains of soil on the grave.

“Can we get going now?” Katharos asked.

Kalos nodded before accompanying Katharos back to the village where they got curious or even frightened stares from people.

Kalos also noticed that Amartia had followed them. Although it kept its distance.

Kalos, Glass and Katharos eventually reached the cave where they found a cautious Peeta and a sleepy, but awake Estella.

“Oh, my…” Estella sounded as she saw what was basically a big red Kalos.

“Greetings Estella-"

“Shh! Keema is still sleeping.” Estella shushed.

Katharos’ brows furrowed.

“This is the greeting I get after coming all this way to see you? Mmm… father, I don’t see what’s so special about her.” Katharos said with a scoff.

Everyone got settled and after Keema awoke, Estella approved the use of words for communication.

Kalos explained what happened to him and how Saya’s curse ended up creating two autarchs.

“I see,” Estella said as she took a sip of tea from one of Kalosýni’s special flasks.

Kalos rubbed her back as they sat next to each other and it was pretty clear that Katharos didn’t like that.

Kalos decided to test the waters by holding Estella’s hand.

“Anyway, what were you saying about new gods?” Kalos asked as he squeezed Estella’s hand.

“I- uh… mmm…” Katharos struggled to speak for a moment.

“Ah, yes. Anton failed as this universe’s god and so, I’m planning on taking the mantle and becoming the one true God of this universe. Oh and don’t worry, Kalos. I’ll do a far better job of protecting Estella than you ever could.” Katharos said as his eyes glowed.

Kalos couldn’t emit any darkness or light, but he stared at Katharos with equal amounts of intensity.

Kalos, let go of Estella’s hand as Glass entered the cave with the days catch.

Everyone ate their fill as the sun slowly set.

Kalos walked over to Katharos’ side as he looked at the golden sky.

“So… what will your role be as a true god?” Kalos asked as Estella snuck into Peeta’s large arm.

“I will do as I see fit. However, I believe there is still the matter of Saya but worry not. I will take care of her.” Katharos said.

“Oh? I wish you luck then.” Kalos said as he made his way to where Estella and Keema slept.

.

..

Estella woke up in the dead of night.

She got up, waking Kalos up in the process.

“Where are you going?” Kalos asked.

“Must you know everything that I do?” Estella asked while raising her nose.

Kalos dropped his head as she stormed out of the cave.

Actually, she had woken up because she felt something rather peculiar.

She made her way to the carriage and placed her hand on its wooden exterior.

She let out a sigh before hearing what sounded like sobbing.

Estella made her way to the carriage left door. She cautiously opened it, revealing a rather small, sickly-looking creature.

“Mmm…” Estella droned.

She would have been scared if she didn’t get such a nostalgic feeling when she looked at the creature.

“Hello?” Estella called out, but this only made the creature cry even louder.

“Shh!” Estella tried her best to comfort the creature as she made her way into the carriage.

She touched the ugly creatures head, but then a flash of pain assaulted her head.

Estella quickly raised her hand and just like that, the pain vanished.

A tear fell down Estella’s left eye as the pain she felt belonged to Kalos. Well, a different Kalos, but he was Kalos nonetheless.

Estella took a deep breath before touching the creatures head again.

She allowed herself to experience all of Kalosýni’s pain.

All of his fear, his grief and his anxiety.

She wanted to help him carry the burden which he’d had to carry for so long on his own.