6th Realm…
The winds howled around the Mountain Devil Forest, but within the sacred grounds of Kent’s prayer site, an eerie silence persisted.
Thirteen days had passed since Kent began his ritual, and the once barren and lifeless surroundings had transformed into a place of spiritual energy. The ground beneath him had turned a deep shade of Red, absorbing the residual energy from the incantations he had continuously chanted.
The statue he had sculpted from the mountain’s rock, representing the Three-Phased God, pulsed with flickering hues of gold, black, and fiery red. Each color cycled in intervals, as if the deity was responding to his prayers.
Kent stood on the tips of his toes, one leg raised in absolute stillness. His hands were pressed together in a prayer posture above his head, his body adorned in nothing but tree-woven threads that barely clung to his sculpted physique.
His golden eyes remained open, unblinking, as he continued reading the floating scriptures in front of him. Each scripture was engraved in golden leaves, slowly turning one by one in the air before his eyes, feeding his soul with divine verses.
His lips moved rhythmically, reciting the ancient tantric hymns. His voice had grown hoarse from non-stop chanting, but his resolve never wavered. Sweat dripped from his temples, trailing down his face, yet he remained unwavering in his pursuit. A golden aura surrounded him, occasionally flickering into deep red when the divine energies surged beyond his control.
The statue itself had undergone a transformation—what was once a crude stone figure had now acquired smooth, sharp edges and refined sculpting, almost as if divine hands had perfected it. The eight arms of the deity shone with a celestial glow, and the eyes, which were once dull carvings, now gleamed like polished rubies.
Kent inhaled deeply, feeling his body enter a trance-like state. He was on the verge of something—something profound.
–
Spirit World…
The War God’s throne room was filled with people. Thirty-two demi-gods, the rulers of elemental and domains, had gathered under the grand dome of the war god court. The war banners of each divine faction were displayed in a circle, their strong servants standing behind each demi-god.
Among all the gods, Storm God was the first to arrive, standing tall with his hammer resting on his shoulder, his piercing gaze locked onto the War God. The others followed—Fire God, Wind God, Weapon God, and many others—all arriving one after another. Each held their own agendas, but all understood that a matter of great importance was at hand.
Once all seats were occupied, the War God rose from his high throne, his expression grim. “I have summoned you all for a matter that concerns not only the spirit world but the fate of the Nine Realms themselves,” he began. His voice echoed with authority, sending a ripple of silence across the gathered deities.
“The calamity of the Nine Realms is upon us. A demon army, numbering sixty-nine million, is being prepared to invade the lower realms under the command of Phillip, the new Demon Lord.”
A wave of murmurs and gasps spread through the hall. Even the more indifferent gods seemed shaken. The Wind God slammed his staff on the floor, his voice sharp. “Sixty-nine million? That’s absurd! Not even in the First Demon Invasion did such numbers exist!”
The Storm God clenched his fists. “We cannot allow the demons to march unchecked. The lower realms will be annihilated before they can even mount a proper defense!”
Among the crowd, the Space God sat quietly, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. He leaned back in his chair, arms folded. “Tell us, War God, Should we all act now?”
All eyes turned to the war god.
The War God’s expression darkened. “Yes, we must. Because it is our responsibility! If we do not intervene, the mortal realms will fall, and with them, the balance of existence.”
The Space God chuckled. “Balance? Ah, War God, you always amuse me with your righteousness. But let me remind you, the calamity is a test—for you, specifically. We should not involve ourselves directly.” He glanced around, catching the nods of several gods who had secretly allied with him.
The Fire God nodded. “He’s not wrong. A calamity determines whether a god is truly worthy of ascending further. If the mortals cannot stop it, then perhaps they were never meant to exist.”
Storm God shot up, slamming his hammer down. “You all would rather watch than act? This isn’t a mere mortal struggle! If we stand idle, the repercussions will be felt across all realms! Once the demons are done with mortals, they will stand against us.”
Space God sighed. “Then what do you propose? That the War God descended with his legions and wipe out the demons himself? How convenient that would be—for him. The War God is merely desperate to secure his advancement as an Old God.”
The War God’s expression was cold, but his silence spoke volumes.
The room fell into tense silence. The War God finally took a deep breath. “Then, if none of you will support the mortals, I will take my forces and my treasures and aid them myself.”
The Space God’s expression hardened and got tense. He clearly knows that war god’s big army won’t be easy to handle for demons. After thinking of a plan, the space god slowly stood up, his aura darkening. “Very well, let’s strike a deal.”
The gods turned their attention to him as he raised three fingers. “One: We all agree not to involve ourselves in the war DIRECTLY. No god shall step foot onto the battlefield.”
Several gods nodded in agreement. The War God’s jaw clenched.
“Two: None of us shall send our divine legions to aid either side. If the humans or demons survive, they must do so on their own. I said, “No god, not even me or you or even the war god.”
The Storm God looked uncomfortable but remained silent.
“And finally,” the Space God continued, his voice laced with finality, “Three: None of us shall bestow our divine weapons upon any mortal or entity involved in this war.”
Silence stretched across the room as each god absorbed the weight of these conditions.
The War God’s gaze swept over the assembly. “And if I refuse?”
The Space God smirked. “Then we, the gathered deities, will ensure demons have what they wished. You know the rules—divine intervention would make this war meaningless.”
The War God exhaled slowly, his fingers curling into fists. He knew this was a compromise, but it was also a trap—designed to cripple his influence. However, it was better than letting the gods take sides against him.
“…Fine.” The War God’s voice was heavy with resignation. “I agree.”
One by one, the gathered gods pledged their oaths, binding themselves to the agreement. The deal was sealed.
As the assembly concluded, the Space God smiled in satisfaction, but deep down, the War God knew—this calamity was only just beginning.
–
Tq for Golden-Tickets.