Fate: I Heard After Death, You Can Ascend to the Throne of Heroes?

Under the starlit night, Promise sat on Pegasus, holding the reins, and spoke to the winged horse against the gentle night breeze.

Pegasus turned its head to look at the young man, a human-like confusion in its eyes.

"You see, didn't I accidentally tear your painting?" Promise said, showing an embarrassed expression.

Pegasus had initially allowed him to capture it because of the drawing he made for the winged horse. 

Promise naturally remembered this.

Later, that drawing had always been the item he used to summon Pegasus.

However, hearing his words, Pegasus shook its head and neighed softly to Promise, indicating it didn't mind.

Since being captured by Promise, the drawing had become irrelevant. 

Now, even without the drawing, it would hear Promise's call, no matter where he was.

"Hmm... how about this? Once I get a pen and some canvas, I'll draw you another one, okay?" Promise misunderstood Pegasus's intentions. Seeing it wasn't upset, he sighed in relief.

Pegasus nodded. 

Having a new drawing would be good, just like back in the Underworld, so it could be summoned in times of danger.

"But speaking of pens and canvas... do you think I should find some time to visit Goddess Athena?" Promise spoke. "She mentioned it to me some time ago, but I haven't heard anything since."

Indeed, since the incident with the Calydonian Boar, he hadn't seen her.

Thinking about all the recent events without her around to witness the chaos, Promise felt a bit strange.

Pegasus didn't respond and continued on its way.

It considered itself a very smart horse, knowing when to speak and when to graze—understanding this perfectly!

Later, Promise, drowsy and nodding off, gradually fell asleep.

What he didn't know was that as soon as he fell asleep, Pegasus halted. 

Because a chariot in the night sky approached... It was the chariot of Nyx, the primordial goddess of night in Greek mythology.

From the chariot, Nyx, adorned in a garment dotted with the night sky and stars, emerged smiling. 

She gently carried the sleeping Promise into the chariot, and Pegasus joined the night-embodied horses, pulling the chariot through the starry sky.

When Promise awoke much later, he found the sky already bright.

They had reached their destination.

Pegasus had brought Promise to the temple Demeter had built for Persephone.

Upon descending, Promise saw Argus, the hundred-eyed giant, 

in front of him, watching him alongside two giant lions.

"Argus, why are you still here?" He asked in confusion.

Argus remained silent.

Those countless eyes on his body looked at Promise, showing a hint of grievance and sorrow. "Ever since you entered the temple that day, you haven't come out. I thought something had happened to you and kept debating whether I should rush inside the temple..."

Hearing this, Promise was stunned, then looked extremely embarrassed. 

He bowed his head and apologized, "I'm sorry, Argus. I should have informed you about my situation immediately."

"It's alright," the latter shook his head and stood up. "As long as you're safe, I can face the esteemed Hera without shame."

As Argus turned and walked away, his massive frame made the ground tremble with each step.

"Forget it, I'll find a time to make it up to him later," Promise thought as he watched Argus's departing figure. 

Focusing on the temple before him, he shook his head and didn't pursue Argus since more pressing matters were waiting for him.

Just as he was about to say something to the two giant lions guarding the entrance, they opened the doors for him and lay down obediently, wagging their tails as if to welcome him.

Once inside the temple, Promise found the nymphs even more enthusiastic than last time, chattering around him just as they had in the Underworld. He dealt with their exuberance until...

"Ahem... what are you all doing?"

A gentle yet displeased voice rang out, immediately silencing the nymphs.

They quickly stepped away from Promise and stood to the sides, heads bowed.

Before Promise stood Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, wearing a crown woven from golden wheat. 

Her kind and motherly demeanor was evident. 

Knowing that Persephone was still in the Underworld and that he was partly responsible, Promise felt a bit guilty, despite having mentally prepared himself for this moment.

"Lady Demeter, I..." he began to speak but before he could continue, Demeter interrupted him.

"Come with me," she said, leading him to the beautiful garden pavilion from that day.

Upon arriving, Demeter turned to face Promise and solemnly declared, "I, Demeter, goddess of agriculture, swear by my name that I will never let the earth wither, all things perish, or desolation descend upon the world."

As her vow was made, in the ancient temple of fate, the two sisters of the Fate goddess Clotho witnessed the fate thread connected to Promise's crystal ball begin to evolve, creating futures that were once deemed impossible.

"Ah... it seems we'll be busy for a while," sighed the sickly Lachesis, though she smiled despite her complaint.

"Sorry, sisters..." Clotho, holding the crystal ball, apologized, feeling embarrassed.

"Oh, it's alright. After all, it's for our dear sister and that little troublemaker of yours," Lachesis reassured, waving off the apology. Then, she added thoughtfully, "But next time, when you see him, be sure to give him a good scolding for always causing trouble!"

Clotho nodded gently. "Alright, I'll hit him with the ball."

Your strength is like a gentle tap... Even Atropos, who usually showed no emotion, twitched her lips slightly, wanting to speak but ultimately saying nothing.

After all, she was their sister.

"Lady Demeter..." Promise was naturally surprised by her vow.

"You completed the trial I gave you... My daughter's absence grieves me deeply, but I find I cannot be angry with you," Demeter said, her gaze complex yet gentle. 

She had witnessed Promise's journey to her, and the incredible way he completed the trial.

"Not only can I not be angry with you, but I also feel genuine happiness for you... Hera truly has a good follower," she spoke, feeling a bit wistful.

What a waste... she thought inwardly.

"Oh, right, Lady Demeter, I came here to tell you this: Persephone will return in about ten days," Promise said after regaining his composure.

"...What?" Demeter blinked in surprise.

"My daughter... she will return?" Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Of course, because I promised you, Lady Demeter," Promise nodded. "Even if I were to take Persephone away, it would have to be with your consent..."

He paused slightly before continuing with a smile, "Lady Demeter, you don't think I'm someone who goes back on their word, do you?"

"No, not at all!" Demeter quickly shook her head, saying, "I never thought that. It's just that my daughter... she managed to leave and yet is willing to return. I truly didn't expect this!"

Promise blinked at Demeter, realizing he had a rough understanding of the mother-daughter relationship.

It wasn't surprising that Demeter thought Persephone wouldn't return. 

After all, during their journey in the Underworld, Persephone had said she didn't mind its terrors and was willing to stay there.

"Is that so." Demeter's expression softened, no longer clouded by initial sadness and confusion. She smiled genuinely. "So, my daughter is really coming back..."

With that, she looked at Promise, the last trace of estrangement disappearing from her eyes. 

Instead, they shone with the affectionate gaze of a mother looking at her beloved child.

Unable to contain herself, she reached out to Promise and beckoned, "Come here, child."

Holding his hand, Demeter led Promise to sit down in the pavilion. She looked at him with motherly affection and asked, "Did you suffer in the Underworld?"

Suffer?

Promise recalled his time in the Underworld and couldn't help but nod. 

Indeed, he had suffered, always fearing Hades might throw him into the River Styx.

Speaking of which, didn't a hero once bathe in the River Styx and become invulnerable...

As Promise suddenly remembered this, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Sister, sister, you didn't do anything to Promise, did you?"

Flowing golden curls spilled from her crown as Hera, the most esteemed goddess of Olympus, arrived. 

Unlike her usual dignified and elegant self, at this moment, she looked quite flustered.

"I heard that child Promise came to see you again. Promise, are you alright? Did..."

Hera, who was anxious to ask if Promise was hurt and if Demeter had taken out her anger on him, saw the scene in the pavilion. 

Demeter was sitting next to Promise, speaking to him with concern.

...Eh?

As Hera stood there blinking, Demeter noticed her and smiled warmly. "Hera, you're just in time. I have something I wanted to discuss with you."

And seeing her joyful and urgent expression, the goddess had a bad feeling.

It was the same feeling she had when she realized Athena was eyeing her possessions.

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