Naruto stared at the woman before him, his eyes unable to break free from her gaze. Her presence was overwhelming, not in a hostile way, but in a deep, magnetic pull that made him feel like he was looking into the very core of his own soul. He couldn't explain it, but there was a familiarity about her, as if he had always known her, and yet she was a stranger.
"Hestia," Naruto muttered almost unconsciously, his voice thick with wonder and gratitude. There was something pure and serene about her, her aura radiating warmth and safety, drawing him in as if he were a moth to a flame. But it wasn't just her warmth that captivated him—there was something about her soul. It felt like his, and that realization both comforted and unsettled him. In that moment, he could feel her essence, her goodness, almost as if it was his own.
'So pure and beautiful,' Naruto thought inwardly, feeling a wave of awe wash over him. Her presence somehow made him feel lighter, as though his own burdens and inner conflicts were lessened in her presence.
"Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion as he slowly rose to his feet. Hestia, standing silently in front of him, didn't speak right away. She simply observed him, her deep brown eyes studying him with a mixture of understanding and sadness.
Naruto's words hung in the air between them for a moment, before Hestia's voice broke the silence. "It is not needed," she said, her tone gentle, carrying an air of quiet authority. "I did what was needed."
Her words were simple, yet they conveyed a depth of meaning. She didn't do it for thanks or recognition—she did it because it was the right thing to do. Naruto nodded in understanding, grateful for her unspoken wisdom, but his mind quickly shifted to more pressing matters.
"I believe you are here for me, so could you talk about it quickly?" Naruto asked, his tone shifting to one of determination. His mind was still clouded with thoughts of his own world and the dangers that loomed ahead. "I am quite busy."
Hestia's expression turned solemn, a deep sadness crossing her face as she began to speak. "I need your help to subdue Zeus," she said, her voice thick with sorrow. "He has gone mad and imprisoned everyone else."
Her words hit Naruto like a punch to the gut. He could feel her pain and betrayal emanating from her, and it stirred a primal anger within him. Zeus—once a immortal revered by many—had fallen from grace, and now he was the very source of chaos and destruction. Naruto could feel the weight of her request, but more than that, he could feel the weight of his own growing hatred for Zeus and everything he had done.
Naruto clenched his fists at his sides, the fury in his heart burning like a wildfire. "You don't even have to ask," he replied, his voice low and filled with an edge of deadly promise. "I will kill him and devour his soul."
The thought of Zeus's tyranny and the atrocities he had committed was enough to stoke the flames of vengeance within Naruto. Every fiber of his being screamed for retribution, for justice. Yet, before his rage could fully take hold, Hestia gently placed her hand on his cheek, her touch surprisingly soft and warm against the storm that raged inside him.
"Please calm yourself," Hestia said quietly, her eyes filled with empathy and concern. "Don't let rage take over. I understand that Zeus cannot be forgiven, but please... do not extend it to others. Give them a chance."
Naruto was momentarily still, his emotions warring within him. The calmness in Hestia's voice cut through the tempest of fury that had threatened to consume him. Her words were not just a plea—they were a reminder of the compassion and hope he still clung to, even in the darkest of times.
As if to solidify her words, a soothing energy flowed from Hestia through her hand, enveloping Naruto in a calming aura that seemed to settle his chaotic thoughts. He felt the anger start to subside, though the fire of his vengeance still burned deep within him.
Naruto met her gaze with an unwavering intensity. "I will decide when we get there," he said, his voice resolute. "But know this— I do not like to kill, and I will give chances to those who are ready to change. But Zeus... he is beyond saving."
Hestia smiled, a warm and knowing smile that seemed to light up her entire face. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "That is enough for me. Please use my power as compensation. It is only a fragment, but it shouldn't be a problem to use."
Naruto felt a strange pulse of energy flow through him just as Hestia took his hand. Her form began to flicker and burn with golden flames, her essence dissolving into light. Before Naruto could fully comprehend what was happening, she was gone. Her power was now within him.
Naruto stood frozen for a moment, stunned. 'Did she just give her life to me?' he thought, blinking in disbelief. His hand trembled as he looked down at it, as if to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. But the presence of Hestia was still with him.
Confusion and awe filled his thoughts as he turned to Nemesis, hoping she could shed some light on the mysterious event. "Nemesis, what just happened? Where is she?"
Nemesis remained silent at first, her presence lingering in the shadows, but soon she spoke in Naruto's mind. "Naruto," she said, her voice calm yet knowing. "She didn't give her life. She mixed her power with yours. She's still here, within you. This way, there will be no delay, and you will have access to all her strength and knowledge."
Naruto felt his body hum with newfound energy. His senses were heightened, and the cracks in his skin from earlier—those remnants of battle—had healed completely. He felt stronger than before, more complete.
He exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of both relief and gratitude. "I am happy with this assistance," he said quietly, his resolve hardening as he felt the full weight of Hestia's power at his disposal. "I will try my best to keep my part of the deal."
Hestia's voice echoed faintly within his mind. "Where will you go now, Naruto?"
Without missing a beat, Naruto responded, "I am heading for the Underworld Swamp to fight a monster there and find an ally."
He began walking, his path set before him. The shadow of Nemesis lingered to his right, ever watchful, while the ethereal flames of Hestia now rested on his left shoulder, a constant reminder of the power and grace she had shared with him.
Naruto's journey was far from over, and his resolve had never been clearer. He would face whatever challenges came his way, with Hestia's power and guidance, and his own unyielding spirit. The path ahead was dark and fraught with danger, but Naruto was not afraid. He would fight for justice, for his friends, and for the world he loved.
Naruto's mind was racing as he walked, his senses heightened by the events and the abilities coursing through him. He was already thinking ahead, calculating his next move. Hestia's voice echoed in his mind, questioning how he would deal with Damasen and the Maeonian Drakon, a beast that could reform in seconds even after being blown apart. But Naruto's response was direct and confident.
"It can reform, but I can devour things permanently," Naruto stated, his voice steady as he continued his forward momentum. He reached the fallen form of the Maeonian Drakon, its massive body charred and still, yet unmistakably alive. Without hesitation, Naruto approached and plunged his hand into the creature's thick hide, his fingers seeping through the flesh like liquid.
He drew a deep breath, focused, and then pierced its heart with a burst of energy. The Drakon's form began to shrink rapidly, its essence condensing into a small orb-like shape. Without a second thought, Naruto devoured it. The moment the orb touched his lips, Hestia could feel a surge of power radiating from him.
"Wonderful," Hestia murmured in surprise. She had been curious as to how he would grow powerful enough to stand a chance against Zeus, but now she understood the true nature of his abilities. "I was wondering how you would become powerful enough to resist Zeus, but now I see. Then why not go to the pit of Tartarus and devour Kronos? He's one of the most powerful beings in this world. By devouring him, you should be able to compete."
Her suggestion echoed in Naruto's mind, and Nemesis, ever the pragmatic voice, added, "She's right, you know. Consider it."
Naruto paused, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. The idea of devouring Kronos, one of the most feared entities in existence, was tempting, but he knew better than to rush into such a massive undertaking.
"I'll go there after I'm done with the Drakon," Naruto responded, his tone serious but calm. "I need to grow step by step, not leap forward too quickly. If I consume too much at once, I won't be able to control the power."
Hestia nodded in agreement, understanding the wisdom behind his words. "What you think is best; it doesn't change much if you do it now or later," she replied, her voice filled with quiet acceptance. She wasn't there to push him into hasty decisions; she was there to guide him.
With that, Naruto resumed his journey, his pace steady as he continued to dispatch the monsters that crossed his path. His resolve was clear—he had a mission to complete, and no amount of interference would stop him from achieving his goals.
But then, as he moved deeper into the forest, he came to an abrupt halt. A strange, unsettling sight awaited him.
The wind before him wasn't the usual gust of air. It was black, swirling in unnatural patterns, and everything it touched withered and died. The air around it was thick, heavy, almost oppressive. Naruto squinted his eyes, trying to make sense of it.
"What is that?" Naruto muttered under his breath, instinctively taking a step back, wary of whatever was before him.
Hestia's voice reached him almost immediately. "I think it might be a new monster created by Tartarus... or perhaps a mutation," she explained, her voice filled with unease. It was a rare thing for her to be uncertain, but the sight before them was foreign to her as well. She had never encountered a being like this.
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he watched the giant, cloud-like creature move away with startling speed. He felt the chill of danger but also a sense of relief as it drifted further into the distance. "It's good that it's moving away," Naruto muttered, his tone laden with relief. "I don't know how much trouble it would cause me, but it's better off somewhere else."
As the monstrous being disappeared into the horizon, Naruto continued on his path, his focus sharpening. Soon, he found himself at the edge of the swamp—a place that seemed to pulse with an unnatural, eerie energy. The air was thick with the scent of decay and rot, the haunting sounds of unseen creatures echoed from every corner. Poisonous fumes wafted through the air, and the plants around him twisted in grotesque shapes, their leaves reaching out like skeletal hands.
The trees stood lifeless, their branches bare and twisted, casting long, dark shadows across the ground. But what truly caught Naruto's attention was the dark energy emanating from the trees themselves. It was almost as if they were alive, feeding off something dark, something ancient.
Naruto felt a chill run down his spine, but it wasn't fear. It was the instinctual awareness of being in the presence of something unnatural. His body tensed, and his eyes scanned the area, searching for signs of movement.
With a steadying breath, he unleashed a pulse of killer intent—an aura of cold, unyielding power that spread out like ripples in water. It didn't take long for the creatures that had been hiding in the shadows to reveal themselves. Ghostly figures, dark and formless, emerged from the trees, their eyes glowing with malice.
But Naruto was not one to be intimidated. He could feel their presence, but they were not in a frenzy like the other monsters he had encountered. They were waiting, biding their time, watching him with a predatory calm.
As his intent spread, the creatures recoiled, some with a hiss, others with a low growl. But none of them dared to approach him. They could feel the overwhelming pressure of his power, and for now, it was enough to keep them at bay. The dark energy of the swamp could be subdued, if only temporarily.
Naruto stood still, waiting for the next move. He was ready for whatever came next. The swamp was an ideal place for monsters to thrive, but it was also a perfect environment for a warrior like him to sharpen his resolve.
With the threat of the swamp creatures momentarily quelled, he pressed on, his path to Damasen and the Maeonian Drakon now clear ahead.