Chapter 358: _They’re Just People

Back On Earth, Hale-Ferguson Residence

"Alright, buddy." Loki sat beside Orion on the dining table, lips pulled in a gentle smile. "Do you see anything now? About your dads or uncle?"

The little boy’s mouth was stained with chocolate ice cream while he still had a spoon dug deep into a bowl already half empty.

He flicked his tongue over his mouth, burping with satisfaction. After which he shook his head.

"I’ve got nothing."

The lord of chaos sighed, turning to Gabriel and Valentine, who stood side by side behind them.

Valentine spoke next. "Remember our training, little one." He walked calmly to the boy, arms folded before his chest. "Concentrate. Close your eyes and think about the last time you saw your daddy, papa and Viktor."

It’s been hours since Ambrose left after saying something was wrong in the S-Rank dungeon.

News outlets reported that nothing new had happened with the Rift, and the President himself made a statement, saying he’s hopeful he’d be able to return to the white house soon.

If only they saw what the kid in this very room saw just thirty minutes ago.

Orion pouted. "Using my powers is always so difficult." He sighed. "I just want to finish eating this ice cream. Pretty please?"

Loki’s smile twitched.

Gabriel rubbed the bridge of his nose while Valentine stayed completely composed.

"Of course, little one." He reached over, patting the boy’s head. "You enjoy your ice cream, okay? Your other uncles and I need to go to the living room and have a chat."

Valentine grabbed Loki, almost effortlessly pulling them off the dining seat. This was also because the shapeshifter didn’t bother fighting it.

"Not sure what’s happening but I’m into it." They grinned. "Although I—"

"Shut up." Valentine grabbed Gabriel next, dragging them into the living room. Once they were far enough away from Orion the Necromancer’s eyes flitted between them. "What do we do?"

Gabriel still had a hand on his face. "I mean, what can we do? Ambrose is already handling it."

"Yes, but Orion said he saw Viktor and even Devon in trouble."

Loki shrugged. "If they were dead we’d probably have felt it through that... What’s that thing Ambrose said that has us all connected again?" A pause. "Fivesome Vessel?"

Gabriel nearly choked on air. "Vessel Of The Five."

"Oh, right. What an odd name choice."

"Can we focus?" Valentine deadpanned. "Orion saw ’bad people’ with Viktor. What could that even mean? That the dungeon has an intelligent race inside?"

His tone became serious. "Also, has anyone thought about HOW exactly Ambrose hopes to help them out without exposing himself to the other Hunters?"

Those words had barely landed when Loki’s usual playful demeanour shifted. Gabriel’s lips also parted and shut repeatedly, but they couldn’t think of any way out of that one.

"Well, shit." Loki scratched the back of their neck. "Should one of us just head in there and assist? And by one of us I obviously mean either of you."

Gabriel shook his head. "We have to watch Orion, remember? The boy’s seal is so close to breaking and if anything goes wrong we..." his gaze travelled to the dining table, voice trailing off.

For a moment, he thought his mind and senses were playing tricks on him.

He darted there without saying a word, leaving Valentine and Loki to blink at each other with confusion. Until they also looked over at where Orion was supposed to be sitting.

"Wait—where’s Orion?"

The space god was already sweeping the entire house with spatial awareness by the time the other two ran to the dining table.

Nothing.

He wasn’t in his room... or the backyard... or literally anywhere else in the entire neighbourhood.

Gabriel pushed both hands to his head.

"What the..."

★★★★★

S-Rank Snow Dungeon

"... Fuck!" Viktor took a couple of steps back when one of the tree monsters directly struck the barrier protecting the Veyr village.

The translucent wall rippled violently beneath the impact, veins of pale blue aether spreading across its surface before gradually settling again.

Outside, more of the towering creatures emerged from the snowstorm, their bark-covered bodies groaning as branch-like limbs hammered relentlessly against the barrier while guttural screeches echoed across the frozen plains.

The Veyr warriors immediately tightened formation.

Saidora’s hand flew toward another dagger.

Several archers positioned themselves atop nearby rooftops while Magus Roitera planted his staff firmly into the ground, pouring more aether into the barrier as sweat beaded across his wrinkled forehead.

"The barrier won’t hold forever," One of the warriors shouted in panic.

Saidora finally exhaled sharply before kneeling beside Viktor. "You’ve caused enough trouble for one day."

Her fingers moved to the bracelet around his ankle. With a short chant and a pulse of aether, the glowing blue gem dimmed before the restraint unclasped itself and fell into the snow.

The instant it came off, aether flooded back into Viktor’s body.

His lungs expanded, every nerve lighting up. "God, I missed that."

Beherath stepped forward without wasting another second. "We leave."

One enormous hand reached toward Viktor’s shoulder, already preparing a teleportation spell.

Only for Viktor to take a step back.

"No."

The Orc King’s brows furrowed. "My master ordered your retrieval."

"I know." Viktor looked toward the barrier where another earth-shaking impact rattled the entire settlement. "But we can’t just leave them."

Saidora blinked.

"So they kidnapped me." Viktor shrugged. "I’m still pissed about that. But after everything they’ve explained..." His gaze swept across the frightened Veyr civilians gathering children into shelters. "... They’re just people trying to survive in a rapidly changing world. Just like us."

Silence followed.

Even Beherath seemed to consider those words.

Eventually, the undead general released a long, rumbling sigh that surprised everyone present.

"Very well." He drove the butt of his halberd into the snow.

Dark blue runes immediately spread outward beneath his feet, expanding into a massive circular formation that stretched toward the barrier itself.

"We’ll take the fight outside."

Viktor rolled his shoulders, icy blue frost already crackling around him again.

He turned toward Saidora.

"Are these tree beasts native to your world?"

"No." Her answer came instantly. "They appeared with the portals. And be careful—they’re far stronger than they look."

Viktor grinned. "Good."

The barrier opened just long enough for the three of them to step through before sealing again behind them.

The monsters noticed instantly.

Dozens of hollow eyes snapped toward their tiny group.

Viktor extended one hand, the air temperature plummeting with the gesture.

A colossal tidal wave of frost erupted from beneath the snow itself, roaring forward like a frozen tsunami that swallowed the first wave of tree monsters whole. Ice engulfed trunks, shattered branches and sent a few creatures exploding into splinters as Viktor laughed for the first time since entering this cursed dungeon.

"Oh, that’s what I’m talking about!"

Beherath charged beside him like a living fortress while Saidora blurred between the monsters, blades flashing silver against bark.

For a brief moment, it actually looked like they stood a chance.

Then more tree monsters emerged.

Their overwhelming strength forced Beherath backwards while even Viktor’s frost struggled to halt their relentless advance.

"We need reinforcements!" Saidora shouted.

Before anyone could move—

ROOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!

A deafening roar split the heavens.

Every head snapped upward.

Descending from the snow-filled sky was a colossal dragon covered in pristine golden scales, its enormous wings blotting out the light as blazing icy flames gathered within its jaws.

The beast unleashed a devastating torrent of Burning Ice.

Entire rows of tree monsters vanished beneath the explosion, the others pulling their attention to the new player.

Viktor’s eyes widened.

"Ambrose?"