READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 27: Witness
Ares crouched in the shadows, his rinnegan eyes gleaming with quiet intensity. The world around him seemed to slow as he observed the tragedy unfolding before him. From the dark corners of the forest, his heart wavered, torn between empathy and the cold steel of his resolve. The flames of war had swept across the Land of Ancestors, leaving destruction in its wake. The cries of the innocent echoed in the night as villages burned, and families were torn apart by the greed of ambitious leaders. Ares, ever the silent observer, felt the weight of the suffering in the air.
Ely, his trusted dryad companion, stood by his side, her emerald eyes filled with sorrow. She could feel the pain in Ares' heart, but she knew better than to speak. Ares had learned the hard truth long ago: he couldn't save everyone, and the world was full of shadows that even the brightest flames could not banish. The weight of this truth sat heavily on his chest, but it fueled the fire in his soul. He would protect what he could, but he could never save everyone. Not everyone wanted to be saved.
Fenrir, her keen eyes analyzing the situation. The world was filled with injustices and darkness, and yet, Fenrir as an outsider to this world, she knew there was only one way forward: to follow Ares' lead. With their unwavering loyalty to him, they had chosen their path. They would help Ares build a future where peace was possible, even if the journey was lined with blood and sorrow.
Ares' attention shifted as he saw Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the goddess of the moon, and Aino, her loyal protector, on the run. He had been following her for some time now, observing from the darkness as her power grew and her heart fractured. The burden of her past weighed heavily on her, and Ares could sense it. Kaguya had been born of the stars, but now she was a woman broken by loss, the pain of betrayal twisted into something darker and more dangerous.
He watched as Kaguya protected Aino from the relentless attacks of her enemies. Aino, the loyal servant who had always been at Kaguya's side, had long since become a mother figure to her. Ares' eyes narrowed as he observed the subtle shift in Kaguya's behavior. There was something different about her now—something that told him she was hiding something.
The revelation came when Kaguya faltered, her strength momentarily weakened. Aino had realized the truth—Kaguya was carrying a child. The news shattered the fragile calm that had surrounded Kaguya. Her usually impenetrable demeanor cracked, exposing her vulnerability. Ares could feel her fear and desperation radiating from her. She was already exhausted, emotionally and physically drained by the endless battles she had fought.
Then came the moment of sacrifice. Aino, in her unwavering loyalty, realized the danger Kaguya and her unborn children faced. Without hesitation, she threw herself into the fray to protect her mistress. Her death was swift, but the impact was profound. The cold, calculating Kaguya was no more. In that moment, she became a woman, a mother—a creature whose heart could break.
Ares' heart clenched as he witnessed Kaguya's horror. He could see the goddess, usually so composed and indifferent, fall to her knees, a broken figure in the moonlight. Her face twisted with anguish, her eyes wide with disbelief. Ares, hidden in the shadows, could do nothing. The cruelty of the world had shaped Kaguya into a goddess of death, but it had also made her human. And in that humanity, there was weakness. Ares could not interfere—not yet.
When Kaguya fled the scene, her mind consumed with grief, Ares took a step forward. His thoughts were colder now, more calculated. He approached Aino's lifeless body and, with a deep breath, gently lifted her into his arms. He looked down at her with a mixture of sorrow and resolve. Aino had been loyal, and her death would not be in vain. He would revive her—someday.
Ares' hand lingered on Aino's body for a moment before he activated his inventory box, storing her away. He would not allow this sacrifice to be forgotten. Not when she still had a role to play in the coming war.
As the stars above glittered coldly, Ares stood tall. He was not a savior, nor a hero. He was a force of will—one who would wield his power for the greater good, but not without sacrifice. The world was full of pain and loss, but that did not mean he would give up. There was still hope, however small, that he could bring peace to this fractured world.
But Kaguya's actions had not gone unnoticed. Her power was immense, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi would soon begin its twisted work. Ares had witnessed the beginning of the end. He knew that Kaguya's wrath would not stop, and neither would the forces that sought to challenge her. As he watched her retreat into the night, a part of him understood her pain. But that did not mean he could allow her to continue down this path.
With his companions by his side, Ares' eyes glowed with unrelenting determination. His companion's were with him—loyal and unwavering. Together, they would build a future, no matter the cost.
But for now, Ares remained hidden in the shadows, watching the world burn. The fire of his resolve would never be extinguished.