The sun was already sinking behind the jagged mountain range when the battlefield finally began to quiet.

Long shadows stretched across broken stone and scorched earth, painting the ravine in deep amber and crimson hues as the light thinned.

In the distance, monster screeches still echoed faintly, mingling with the hoarse shouts of human fighters calling out positions, injuries, and regroup points. It was the sound of a battlefield winding down rather than ending; violence retreating just far enough to breathe.

Valhalla's Sinners stood amid the aftermath, weapons lowered, bodies heavy with exhaustion.

Armor was dented, cloaks torn, mana reserves scraped raw. They had held their ground, but it had taken everything they had, and then some. The air smelled of ozone, scorched stone, blood, and lingering magic, the kind of stench that clung to the lungs long after the fighting stopped.

Luna staggered a step, then another, before slumping sideways and leaning heavily against Nyx with a wheezing laugh that sounded more like a dying engine than a person. Sweat drenched her storm-light armor, darkening the fabric and plastering loose strands of purple hair to her flushed face as she sucked in air as if she'd just sprinted uphill for an hour straight.

Nyx barely reacted to the sudden weight, adjusting her stance smoothly and bracing Luna without complaint. Despite being just as drained, her breathing shallow and her armor scratched and outright broken in some parts, she lifted an arm to steady the storm girl and even reached up to pat her lightly on the back.

"You did great," Nyx said, voice warm despite her own exhaustion. "Thanks for saving me back there."

Luna huffed, still half-draped against her. "Heh… can't have the monsters feasting on your enormous fat reserves. They'd probably undergo some kind of secret boss transformation." Her eyes squinted sideways, unmistakably aimed at Nyx's chest plate, where even the reinforced armor did little to hide the generous curves beneath.

Nyx snorted, utterly shameless. "Yeah, you might be right. When the time comes, we should sacrifice you instead. They'd likely undergo a devolution." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Is that the right term? The opposite of evolution?"

"Bitch…" Luna growled, the word lacking any real bite.

"Yeah? What is it?" Nyx giggled, completely unrepentant. "Rules for thee but not for me?"

Luna stared at her for another second, then smirked, pushing herself upright and no longer leaning on Nyx for support. The two shared a brief look that was equal parts exhaustion, camaraderie, mutual understanding, and a small desire to begin a catfight right here and now, before Luna straightened her shoulders and rolled her neck as she forced her body back into readiness.

Nearby, Aria and Bastet exchanged a glance, the sight quietly amusing to both of them. Even after a full day of brutal combat, those two still had the energy to bicker like rivals. There was something reassuring about it, a reminder that despite everything, they were still themselves.

Then Aria turned toward Bastet. Her expression was bright despite the fatigue weighing down her limbs. "You were amazing today, Bastet. Your solar spells are so strong and devastating! Not to mention their large range! Every time you cast, it felt like the battlefield bent around you."

The tanned felinid's lips curved into a confident smirk as her golden eyes glinted in the fading sunlight. "You're no slouch yourself," she replied easily. "You're growing stronger and more of a whole package by the hour. Give it a bit more time, and you won't need that staff at all. You'll cast straight from your hands, just like I do."

"You really think so?" Aria asked, eyes widening with barely contained excitement. She, too, wanted to become a badass caster like her felinid friend.

Bastet was a real sight to behold with her tanned skin, Arabic queen-style dress, and effortless solar magic casting. If Luna were asked to describe it, she'd say that Bastet was one badass bitch.

"I know you will get there, sooner than later, at that," Bastet nodded. "I'll train with you after we rest a bit. I need Master's pampering after all the good work I put in today."

At that - at the offer of guidance - Aria's exhaustion seemed to melt away, replaced by a radiant smile that lit up her entire face. She stepped forward and wrapped Bastet in a brief but heartfelt hug. "Thank you," she said softly, then hesitated. "And… I'm sorry. If I said or did anything rude before. You deserve to be pampered by Kaiden all you want… It's just sometimes hard for me to see him act lovey-dovey with other women, even if I love them to death."

Bastet giggled lightly at that. The sound was warm and genuine. "All is fair in the war of love."

"Hehe!" Aria giggled in response and relaxed at once with her shoulders easing as relief washed over her. "Thank you…" she whispered, happiness clear in her voice.

Not far from the others, Kaiden had already dropped to one knee beside Calypso.

The demoness looked… rough. Her usually flawless red skin was marred with bruises, deep gashes, and half-healed wounds that still oozed faintly. One of her horns was chipped, her axe rested discarded at her side, and she lay slumped against the ground, looking as if standing had finally become a losing argument. Blood streaked from the corner of her mouth, dried and fresh mixed together in ugly contrast.

Kaiden reached out and moved his hand gently atop her head, fingers brushing through her dark hair with slow, careful strokes.

"Are you okay, Cali?" he asked quietly, full of affection for the woman.

"Stop acting like I'm dying… There's no need for this," Calypso cackled weakly. Her grin was crooked and feral even now. Then she turned her head slightly and spat a mouthful of blood onto the dirt beside her.

Obedient, Kaiden immediately pulled his hand back.

Calypso hissed.

Not angrily… She did so cutely, full of neediness only a girl deep in love could display. She snapped her glowing eyes up at him, worry flashing across her features in a way that didn't fit her usual bravado at all.

"I didn't say to stop doing that! Just that I wasn't dying anytime soon… I'm not leaving you behind!" she protested, then grinned, "Pet my head more and call me a good girl! Your good girl!"

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