NOVEL WEB Chapter 31: The Return of the Gods and the Next Strategy
Iris’s Message
As everyone arrived at Elysion and began preparing to head toward their respective realms, a glowing blue figure suddenly appeared. It had a humanoid outline and radiated a mysterious light.
“Gods, I am Iris. I have come to deliver an important message. Tomorrow night, we will hold a crucial meeting. During this meeting, we will discuss future strategies, cooperation, and share new information. Please be sure to attend.” With those words, Iris vanished as quickly as she had appeared.
Loki (Satoru Koizumi), surprised by Iris’s sudden arrival, said, “Everyone, let’s meet at the Temple of Apollo tomorrow night.” The other main characters agreed, each beginning preparations within their own domains.
Gaia (Misa Morino) - Delphi
Gaia made her way to the Gaia Temple in Delphi, where she reunited with Peeko (her spirit companion). Delphi was surrounded by lush, green mountains and was known for its rich nature and clear air. The Gaia Temple was designed in harmony with the landscape, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
“Gaia, welcome back!” Peeko greeted her cheerfully, fluttering around in excitement.
“I’m back, Peeko. It’s good to see you full of energy,” Gaia responded with a warm smile.
Peeko hopped onto Gaia’s shoulder, looking around joyfully before suddenly remembering something. “Gaia, I want to see Loki! I want to talk to him!”
Gaia was surprised but smiled gently. “You want to see Loki? How about we visit the Yggdrasil Temple?”
“Yes!” Peeko answered excitedly, bouncing around.
Loki (Satoru Koizumi) - Asgard
Gaia and Peeko arrived at Asgard, visiting the Yggdrasil Temple. Asgard was surrounded by grand mountains, with gleaming golden temples standing tall. At Loki’s temple, his spirit companion, Noah, was always by his side, assisting him.
Loki was tinkering with something in the corner of the temple, his movements slightly suspicious, as if he was trying to hide something. Usually found lounging about, Loki’s sudden burst of activity surprised Gaia and Peeko.
“Loki, I thought you’d be lazing around again, but today seems different,” Gaia teased with a smile.
Loki chuckled sheepishly. “Well, every now and then, I do feel like doing something, you know?”
Watching from the side, Noah approached, narrowing his eyes. “Loki, this is unusual. You’re always lying around, so what are you up to this time?”
Loki, trying to cover his tracks, quickly blurted out an excuse. “It’s nothing, really. I just thought I’d check on one of the temple’s devices.”
Noah eyed him suspiciously. Knowing Loki’s usual antics, it was clear that he wasn’t telling the whole truth. “A device, you say? What were you really up to?”
Loki grimaced slightly, shrugging. “Okay, fine, it was a little prank. I didn’t think I’d get caught so soon.”
“Still up to your tricks, I see,” Gaia laughed, and Peeko joined in with giggles.
“Loki, tell us a funny story!” Peeko demanded, her voice full of childish glee.
With a sly grin, Loki replied, “How about this? Yesterday, a butterfly flew up to me and said, ‘Still lounging around, huh?’”
Gaia, chuckling, responded, “That was my doing. I enchanted the butterfly to say that.”
Noah sighed lightly, turning to Loki. “It’s rare to see you doing anything other than lounging around, but when you finally get moving, it’s for a prank. Just don’t give up on it halfway, okay?”
Loki smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep going… probably.”
Minerva (Tomomi Koizumi) - Mount Parnassus
Minerva headed to the Minerva Temple on Mount Parnassus, where she was reunited with Eris (her fairy companion). Parnassus was surrounded by lush nature, and a crystal-clear lake could be seen through the trees. The temple was built beside this lake, blending perfectly with the natural beauty.
Eris, small and radiant with her glowing wings, greeted Minerva with a beaming smile. “Welcome back, Minerva! You seem to have gained new strength.”
“Yes, Eris. We still have much to do, but let’s keep working together,” Minerva responded gently.
“How are things going, Minerva?” Eris asked curiously.
“Busy, but fulfilling. Your help has been invaluable, Eris,” Minerva said, smiling gratefully.
Asclepius (Masato Matsuda) - Temple of Epidaurus
Asclepius returned to the Temple of Epidaurus, where he reunited with Eric (his centaur companion) and used his healing powers to treat the injured. Epidaurus was located in a lush valley, surrounded by hot springs and medicinal gardens. The temple, made of marble, exuded a serene and healing atmosphere.
Eric, with his half-human, half-horse form and gentle demeanor, was both strong and knowledgeable, particularly in herbal medicine.
“Asclepius, I’m glad to see you well. We must prepare for the next battle,” Eric said firmly.
“Of course, Eric. Your strength will be essential,” Asclepius replied, nodding.
“Shall we discuss new healing techniques?” Eric suggested.
“That sounds like a great idea. Your insight is always appreciated,” Asclepius said with gratitude.
Vishnu (Wenqiang Li) - Vaikuntha
Vishnu returned to the Vaikuntha Temple, where he reunited with Karna (his three-eyed companion). Vaikuntha was a mysterious, floating city bathed in divine light, with the temple made of pure white marble and surrounded by magnificent gardens.
Karna, tall and imposing with a third eye, was a being of great wisdom and foresight.
“Welcome back, Vishnu. You seem to have gained new knowledge,” Karna said, bowing respectfully.
“Yes, Karna. Let’s use this knowledge together,” Vishnu smiled.
“How has your research been going, Vishnu?” Karna asked, his curiosity evident.
“It’s been fascinating. Would you like to join me in my studies?” Vishnu suggested.
“Absolutely! I would be honored!” Karna answered enthusiastically.
Prometheus (Kagaya Hikari) - Caucasus Mountains
Prometheus returned to the Caucasus Mountains, reuniting with Kai (his android companion) at his temple. The Caucasus was a rugged, snow-covered mountain range with towering cliffs. The temple, built into the mountainside, was a sturdy stone structure that harmonized with the harsh landscape.
Kai, with his silver hair and metallic body, had glowing blue eyes. As an android, he possessed unparalleled computational abilities and immense physical strength.
“Welcome back, Prometheus. It seems you’ve brought back new technology,” Kai said, intrigued.
“Yes, Kai. Let’s begin studying it together,” Prometheus replied.
“What are the next steps in your plan?” Kai asked.
“First, we’ll analyze this technology and prepare for the next phase,” Prometheus explained.
Hermes (Ryoko Akiba) - Elysion
Hermes returned to the Temple of Elysion, where she was reunited with Iris (her kobold companion). Elysion was a vast plain filled with beautiful flowers and clear springs, with the temple built from white stone and adorned with elegant decorations.
Iris, small and covered in brown fur, had sharp eyes and was skilled at gathering information. The kobolds were a race that lived underground, known for their expertise in finding hidden paths and treasures.
“Welcome back, Hermes. Are you ready for the next adventure?” Iris asked excitedly.
“Yes, Iris. We have much to do. Let’s continue our journey together,” Hermes replied with a smile.
“Tell me about your recent discoveries, Hermes!” Iris asked, her curiosity evident.
“There’s so much to share. I’ll show you some of it soon,” Hermes answered with a grin.
Ganesh (Raheel) - Mount Kailash
Ganesh returned to the sacred Mount Kailash and began meditating. Mount Kailash was a place of great spiritual power, shrouded in mist, with its peak hosting a grand temple. Ganesh, known as the god of wisdom and learning, was revered for his ability to remove obstacles.
“Ganesh, should you need anything, do not hesitate to call,” his followers said, though his very presence seemed to radiate across the realm.
Athena (EVE) - Acropolis
Athena stood at the Acropolis Temple, preparing to gather new strength. The Acropolis stood atop a high hill in an ancient city, with the temple made of white marble and adorned with intricate sculptures. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategy, was always calm and rational, even in the heat of battle.
“Athena, we need more power,” her companion reported.
“Of course. Let’s gather all the strength we need to fulfill our mission,” Athena said with renewed determination.
Apollo (Kira Moroboshi) - Delos Island
Apollo returned to the Temple of Delos Island, where he reunited with the Muses (his nymph companions). Delos Island was surrounded by a blue sea and abundant nature. The temple was built from white stone, with verdant gardens stretching out around it. The Muses were spirits of nature, known for their enchanting voices and dances.
“Welcome back, Apollo. It seems you’ve been inspired,” the Muses greeted him with joy.
“Yes, Muses. Let’s make use of this inspiration together,” Apollo replied with a smile.
Icarus (Sui Takahara) - Crete Island
Icarus returned to the Icarus Temple on Crete Island, where he reunited with Harpy (his companion). Crete was a warm island surrounded by the sea, with beautiful beaches extending out from the temple.
Harpy, with her sharp eyes and wings, was a half-human, half-bird figure known for her high-flying abilities and loyalty.
“Welcome back, Icarus,” Harpy greeted him, spreading her wings in welcome.
“Thank you, Harpy. Your vigilance keeps this place safe,” Icarus said gratefully.
As each of the gods reconnected with their companions and domains, they prepared for the upcoming battle. With the full moon approaching, they knew the time to once again explore the otherworld and strengthen their defenses was near.
Their journey and their mission were far from over.