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Chapter 40: The Weight of Sacrifice

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The frigid air of Helheim dissolved into something darker, heavier, and more oppressive as I staggered forward, clutching my side where Odin's spear had torn through my flesh. 

The ground beneath my feet was jagged and cold, faintly pulsating with an eerie glow. Ahead, a massive iron gate loomed, its twisted bars flickering with ethereal light. The aura of death and power radiated from the landscape, making every breath feel heavier than the last. My knees buckled as the toll of my injuries overtook me. The necklace at my throat pulsed with warmth, urging me forward. 

"I made it." I whispered, my voice hoarse and trembling. 

Then, the shadows shifted. A low, guttural growl rumbled through the air. 

I froze as a massive form emerged from the darkness—Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the Underworld. 

His black fur shimmered under the jagged rock's glow, and six glowing red eyes locked onto me. Each head bared its fangs, a warning growl reverberating through my bones as his massive paws crushed the ground beneath him. 

My breath hitched. My body was too weak to run. 

Before I could react, one of Cerberus enormous paws slammed me down, pinning me beneath its weight. Pain shot through me as the impact knocked the air from my lungs. 

"No... I'm not here to fight." I gasped, my voice barely audible. 

The beast loomed over me, each head lowering, sniffing the air around me. Then, suddenly—his focus shifted. My arm. The faint glow of my tattoo pulsed beneath my torn sleeve. Cerberus heads tilted simultaneously, his growls subsiding into curious rumbles. 

With great effort, I raised my trembling hand, the one marked with the tattoo, extending it toward the central head. 

"Please, Cerberus." My voice wavered, but I held firm. 

For a tense moment, nothing happened. 

Then—the central head leaned forward, its massive snout brushing against my palm. Warm breath ghosted over my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. But the beast did not attack. He recognized something within me. 

The crushing weight lifted as Cerberus slowly retracted his paw. I gasped for air, clutching my chest. 

Then, to my shock, the great beast moved—not away, but closer. With deliberate care, Cerberus tucked my small form between his enormous paws, curling protectively around me. The central head pressed gently against my body, as though shielding me from the bitter cold. The other two heads lifted skyward. 

Then, a thunderous howl erupted from their throats, echoing across the desolate landscape. The ground trembled at the sheer force of it. And as the sound faded into the void, something else broke the silence—a soft, melodic voice cutting through the tension. 

A few seconds later, a familiar voice cut through the air. "Cerberus, stand down." 

The command was calm yet firm, resonating with quiet authority. My head turned weakly, my vision blurred as a figure stepped forward. The soft click of polished shoes against the jagged ground was nearly inaudible. 

Hermes. 

His tall frame was clad in a crisp butler's uniform, white gloves remaining immaculate despite the eerie glow of the underworld. As he approached, his usually composed expression flickered with something rare—uncertainty. 

"By the Gods..." Hermes muttered, his voice barely above a breath. 

Cerberus hesitated before shifting his massive paws, revealing my frail, bloodied form. 

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