EPILOGUE “NEKYIA OF ALCAEUS”

Aurora was transported to the hospital after some emergency care, just as the Lord has promised.

Lord Xuth: “Bag the decomposed body, tell Phrosyne to take good care of it.”

‘Warrior’ Unit Chief: “And what of the other, sir?”

Lord Xuth: “Leave it, evidence for the police. Leave the boy’s limbs too, for that matter.”

“The story will work out quite well, hero attempts to save hostage only to perish in the flames, taking his foe down with him.”

“Quite fine material for a legend, wouldn’t you say?”

The Lord let out a small giggle. The soldier nodded before relaying his orders to the squad.

Lord Xuth: “It all begins now.”

THE NEXT DAY

(Hmm- mmm-…)

(!!!)

He opened his eyes. For the first time in so long, he was conscious again.

∫∫∫: “Now, now, don’t panic, but you have no limbs.”

???: “…Who-? What am I?”

The Lord smiled softly at him as if a father glancing at his newborn for the first time.

Lord Xuth: “You are called Alcaeus, humanity’s champion. Our true God.”

???: “…God-?”

Lord Xuth: “Exactly my child, now rest for a while longer. You have earned it.”

The chamber in which Tifon, now Alcaeus, was rejuvenating froze up once more.

Commandant Calli: “And what will you tell our ‘Alcaeus’ when you order him to slay his fellow Gods?”

Lord Xuth: “I’ll tell him what I did just now. I’ll ask him to be our hero.”

“He is a living miracle, commandant. The very first X-K0 grade.”

Commandant Calli: “I hope it’ll be worth it. This time, you haven’t just sacrificed your own humanity, but his as well.”

Lord Xuth: “In the coming times we’ll all need to make sacrifices.”

“A war is brewing. We will need an army, and a legend to rally them under.”

Commandant Calli: “You say he’s a God, but after all you’ve put him through, don’t you think he’s more of a monster?”

The Lord laughed briefly, then turning away from the commandant, answered her with a question of his own.

Lord Xuth: “Aren’t all Gods?”