**Nicko's POV:**
I ran as fast as I could until I sighted the Kingdom of Dardania. As I arrived near the city's location, I saw black smoke rising into the sky, which frightened me even more.
As I stood before the gates of Dardania, I witnessed the flames consuming the city. It was a scene that traumatized me for reasons I couldn't explain. There was a strange connection between me and the chaotic flames swirling in my mind.
As I walked inside the city, I could see the destruction the flames had caused to the place I had loved. It left me with a phobia of anything related to fire. I didn't understand why I felt this way.
As my father a warlock, pyromancy is our family specialty in battle, yet now I found myself terrified of it. Why? Even just looking at it made me freeze.
Suddenly, a burst of fire swirled around me. I was so afraid of the flames' movement that I curled up to seek safety. This wasn't right. I had never been afraid before; this was probably the first time I experienced fear.
**Hestia:** What are you doing, Argos?
**Nicko:** Huh?
She was the goddess of fire.
**Hestia:** Are you alright, Argos?
**Nicko:** I'm... I'm scared.
She grasped my wrist and pulled me toward the castle.
Inside, I was met with a horrific sight: bodies lying on the floor, burned beyond recognition. She fearlessly maneuvered through the dead, emotionless, as if it didn't affect her.
She brought me before the king's charred body. Releasing my hand, she urged me to communicate with the man who could hardly speak. Despite being burned to death, King Zircon still reached out to me.
**King Zircon:** Nicko? I'm glad that you're alive...
I couldn't respond; tears filled my eyes as I stood there, frightened and speechless at the tragedy that had befallen him and his kingdom.
**King Zircon:** Save my daughter, Gema. Protect her, Nicko... Save Gema!
Those were his last words before he took his final breath. I placed a coin in his mouth as a token to pay Charon for his passage on his way to the after life.
**Hestia:** If we go now, Argos, we could catch up to them. Agamemnon had-
**Nicko:** You!
I interrupted her, yelling and blaming her for everything that had happened.
**Nicko:** You are the reason for all of this! This wouldn't have happened if I had been here to save them!
**Hestia:** Argos?
**Nicko:** If you hadn't forced me to join the alliance with the Greeks, they wouldn't have betrayed us, and everything would still be alright!
**Hestia:** Argos, can you hear yourself saying that?
**Nicko:** You were here when the attack happened, weren't you?
**Hestia:** Wait, you don't understand, Argos. I'm already losing my powers...
**Nicko:** And you did nothing!
**Hestia:** Argos, let me explain-
**Nicko:** Get away from me! I don't need you!
**Hestia:** Argos?
**Nicko:** My name is Nicko!
I left her there, stunned, probably shocked by my outburst.
**Hestia:** Fine! You mean nothing to me anyway. I should have listened to Athena; the legacy of Argos had already ended.
As I walked away, her words echoed in my mind. I replied with a scream.
**Nicko:** I don't need you anyway! You're nothing but an old and sad woman who didn't value Aphrodite's virtue, who lost her love and is now forcing his son-who came from his blood-to fill the void!
**Hestia:** No! You don't understand...
She continued to plead for me to listen, but I had no desire to engage.
I broke ties with her.
**Nicko:** Goodbye, Hestia.
