Spirit World…
The grand coronation had concluded, and the once-vibrant Milk Sea was now silent. The sprawling celestial platforms that had hosted gods, spirits, and demigods were empty, with only echoes of the divine music lingering in the air.
A faint breeze carried flower petals, remnants of the grand event, now fluttering aimlessly, mirroring the unease in the hearts of many who had attended.
Inside her newly assigned palace near the Milk Sea, the Lust Goddess stood by a massive window, gazing at the horizon. Her expression was unreadable, but her aura was calm, as if she had already prepared herself for this moment.
Behind her, a small group of attendants whispered amongst themselves, unsure of what to say or do.
“Only a handful came to congratulate her,” one attendant muttered under her breath. “And even they looked reluctant.”
Another attendant frowned. “What did you expect? Most of them didn’t want her to return in the first place. The wives of demigods have been spreading rumors ever since the invitation to this gathering.”
From outside the palace, murmurs and sharp whispers carried on the wind as groups of dissatisfied women gathered near the gates. Many of them were wives of demigods, still furious at the outcome.
“This shouldn’t have happened,” one woman hissed. “The War God should have denied her the throne.”
Another woman, her arms crossed tightly, sneered, “Kent! He’s the reason she’s back. If he hadn’t called her name, this humiliation would never have occurred.”
“I heard he sacrificed his own godhood to bring her back,” someone added, their tone incredulous. “What kind of fool does that?”
“Fool or not,” another chimed in, “he’s the reason we have to deal with this… disruption in the spirit world.”
The news of Kent’s sacrifice had spread like wildfire. In every corner of the spirit world, debates raged. Some labeled Kent a hero, while others mocked him as a naïve idealist. Still, no one could deny that his actions had disrupted the balance of power in ways no one could predict.
–
War God Palace…
Far from the rumors and whispers, Kent sat across from the War God in a private chamber within the War God’s palace. The room was simple yet elegant, with a large oak table adorned with dishes of celestial delicacies.
The War God, known for his commanding presence on the battlefield, looked almost human now as he personally served Kent a dish of golden lotus petals soaked in divine nectar.
“I know I’m selfish, Kent,” the War God began, his tone softer than usual. “But you must understand, I’m so close to achieving the position of an Old God. The 9 Realms War was supposed to be my final step before ascension.”
Kent picked up a lotus petal with his fingers, examining it before taking a bite. He chewed slowly, his face calm and unreadable.
“I thought,” the War God continued, “that with your strength, you would take the godhood and lead the charge. You could have ended this war swiftly, ensuring my path to ascension. But you changed everything with your decision.”
Kent’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Everyone is selfish, War God, including me. I have my reasons for declining godhood, and they align with a path much larger than this war.”
“And what path is that?” the War God asked, leaning forward with genuine curiosity.
“The path to Satya Loka,” Kent replied, his voice steady. “The Apex World. To truly understand existence, one must rise above the petty conflicts of the lower worlds. But that doesn’t mean I’ll abandon this war. You have my word—I’ll help you end it.”
The War God exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair. “That’s reassuring to hear. But I still don’t understand why the Poison God turned against you so suddenly. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Kent’s eyes darkened for a moment. “The Poison God… he’s angry because I accomplished something he couldn’t. I uncovered the antidote for the Eternal Lunar Poison, something he spent his entire life chasing. It was his ultimate goal, and now that I’ve achieved it, he sees me as a threat to his legacy.”
The War God stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I see. But his enmity doesn’t end with you. He’s unpredictable, and he may interfere in this war.”
“I’m more than capable of handling him now,” Kent said confidently, setting his goblet down. “You don’t need to worry.”
The War God’s expression grew serious. “It’s not just the Poison God you need to watch out for. Among the 33 demigods, some are aligned with me, but others… they’ll try to manipulate this war to their advantage. They might even join the battlefield under the guise of neutrality.”
Kent’s eyes narrowed. “And you can’t stop them?”
The War God shook his head. “As a god, my hands are tied. Rules prevent me from directly participating in mortal conflicts. But you… you’re not bound by such restrictions. That’s why you must be careful.”
Kent nodded with a long stare.
After their meal, the War God led Kent to a side chamber filled with treasures that radiated divine energy. The room glowed softly, illuminated by the artifacts’ inherent power.
“These are gifts to aid you in the war.” the War God said, gesturing to the treasures.
Kent walked through the room, his eyes scanning the treasures. The War God began explaining each one.
“This,” he said, picking up a golden staff engraved with ancient runes, “is the Sunflare Staff. It channels the power of the sun and can incinerate entire battalions with a single strike.”
Next, he pointed to a silver bracelet adorned with tiny orbs. “The Bracelet of Aegis. Each orb contains a powerful defensive barrier that can protect you or your companions.”
The War God then picked up a black dagger with a serrated edge. “The Shadow Fang. It’s said to be forged from the darkness of a dying star. It can pierce through any defense.”
Kent’s eyes fell on a small crystal vial filled with a shimmering liquid. “And this?”
The War God smiled. “That’s Nectar of Resurgence. A single drop can heal any wound, even restore life to the brink of death. Use it wisely.”
Kent examined the treasures, his fingers brushing over their surfaces. “These are… incredible. But I can’t accept them all.”
“You will,” the War God insisted. “These aren’t just tools; they’re a testament to our alliance. Use them well, Kent. The fate of the 9 realms rests on your shoulders.”
“I’ll use them,” Kent said finally, his voice steady. “And I won’t let you down.”
The War God placed a hand on Kent’s shoulder, his expression softer than before. “I believe in you, Kent. Together, we’ll end this war and bring balance to the realms.”
–
Thank you guys!