Nicolas' grip on Xeno's shirt loosened slightly, his focus shifting entirely to the luminous figure which he did not fully understand. He needed to know more before he made any decisions. "Restore balance? What in the seven hells are you talking about?" His voice, though still rough with his grief, held a hint of curiosity and apprehension. The figure tilted its head, a gesture somehow conveyed despite the concealing hood. "You seem wary of me" the figure said. "Do I seem so ominous?" Nicolas maintained his distance from the figure and prepared himself Incase he needed to fight. "You tell me" Nicolas replied. "I don't know if you're a friend or a foe." The figure smiled and it could easily be seen despite the hood on his head. "I am Asteria," he said, its voice echoing with an ancient power. The name didn't ring any bells in Nicolas' mind, despite the fact that Asteria had said his name in such manner. "You call your name as if i am supposed to remember it. I'm sorry but I'
The world dissolved into a blinding white light which made it practically impossible for them, except Asteria, to open their eyes. They had no other choice than to be still and wait for everything to settle down.When Nicolas blinked the harshness away, he found himself standing on a pristine white platform, seemingly floating in an endless expanse of white. Skr'll who held his arm tightly while standing beside him regarded the place with a disgruntled grunt. Asteria, ever the stoic, simply appeared further down the platform."What in the nine hells is this place?" Skr'll muttered, her voice echoing in the vast emptiness.Nicolas wanted to tell her to be quiet, but she had asked the same question that was in his mind."Welcome to the land of the gods," a voice boomed from everywhere and nowhere at once. It vibrated through Nicolas's bones, sending a shiver down his spine.Soon, the white environment cleared and it seemed as if they had appeared in a beautiful garden that emanated only
Electric surprise coursed through Lou-ra as her arms instinctively wrapped around Nicolas. The warmth of his body, a stark contrast to the sterile environment where none of the gods touched themselves and the ones she had touched were cold.Although her consciousnesd had snapped her out of the ethereal conversation, a huge part of her didn't want to let go just yet until she had had enough of the only person she missed when she appeared of the gods realm.Her eyes flew open, and a strangled gasp escaped her lips. Her embrace faltered, a mixture of confusion and panic flooding her face."Forgive me, my Lord," she stammered, pulling away abruptly. "It was rather improper for me to behave in such a way… I didn't realize…" She bowed her head in apology, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.It was unthinkable that she, a mere servant, would commit such an act of engaging into an embrace with her master. It was simply unheard of.Nicolas, momentarily stunned, offered her a reassuring smil
As Nicolas, Asteria, Skr'll and Lou-ra continued their journey deeper into the realm of gods,the harsh white void melted away, replaced by a breathtaking landscape which beauty took the breath from them all."This place is magnificent" Nicolas said as his eyes scanned the entire area within seconds.Although Lou-ra had been present in the realm for sometime, she had not been allowed to go beyound places where she wasn't supervised."I am in awe" Lou-ra pinned in.Green hills stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with fantastical trees that shimmered with an otherworldly glow. Crystal-clear rivers flowed through valleys that incorporated various vibrant wildflowers that released a sweet, intoxicating aroma. The very air vibrated with a subtle energy, whispering of magic and wonder. This was the true realm of the gods, a paradise unlike anything Nicolas had ever imagined."Welcome to the innermost parts of Elysium," Asteria announced, his voice echoing in the vastness. "The gar
It had all happened so fast: first a god named Asteria had appeared on the battlefield then a blinding light engulfed the entire environment, momentarily disorienting everyone that dared to stare directly into it.When their vision cleared, the sight that greeted them was both baffling and alarming. Nicolas, Skr'll, and Asteria were all gone. Vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a lingering sense of displaced energy."Where are they? Where did they disappear to?" Leon asked, his voice filled with desperation as it echoed through the desecrated jungle.Xeno, still clutching his injured arm, pushed himself off the ground, a sharp hit of pain twisting the countenance on his face.Anger pulsed through him, hot and raw. He'd been so close, so damn close to finally ridding himself of his enemies and now this? This divine intervention was an insult. A primal growl escaped his throat, echoing through the stunned battlefield.He needed to return back to his castle and have his injuries
Nicolas eyed Xylos calmly. He didn't remember the last time, since he had come to this new realm, that someone had looked at him as a weak being.He opened his mouth to talk and defend his powers in front of the great all-powerful god but he thought against it. He needed to behave calmly while here so as not to start something he wouldn't be able to finish.In the meantime, Nicolas took his time to admire the inner decor of the god's house.The crystalline walls of Xylos' dwelling shimmered with an ethereal glow, casting an otherworldly light upon all of them whom were gathered within. Asteria, the imposing figure radiating celestial power, stood silent, his form cloaked in shadow despite the pervasive light. Nicolas, his face etched with a mixture of determination and apprehension, shifted uncomfortably on his feet. The weight of Asteria's words still hung heavy in the air – a power within him, a responsibility to restore balance.If he had been told he would do what was expected of
The world shifted around Nicolas as he stepped into the portal, letting the familiar glow of Xylos' dwelling replaced by a blinding white light. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, as the light subsided to reveal a desolate landscape. This wasteland made him almost take a step back but it was already too late."What the hell is this place?" Nicolas asked loudly.Razor-sharp winds flew at his face, biting through his thin clothes with its chilling cold. From where Nicolas stood, there was no human in sight and the winds blowing made it hard for him to keep his eyes open for long.Snow stretched out to the horizon, an endless expanse of white broken only by jagged, icy mountains that went so far up as if fighting to reach the pale sky. The air hung heavy with an unnatural stillness, broken only by the mournful wail of the wind.Nicolas shivered, a primal fear gripping him. This was no ordinary wasteland; it was a place of pure, unyielding cold that seemed to crawl into his very bones.
The frozen air lingered in Nicolas' throat as he tried desperately to breathe properly, but it seemed the cold was already crawling deep into his body, despite being in the wasteland for a short time.Panic hammered against his ribs, a loud drumbeat that signified his fear drowned out by the howling wind. His eyes darted around the hungry circle of wolf-like creatures, searching for a weakness, an escape route. Despite how many times his mind searched for an escape route where he could run away and be in the clear from the danger tbe monsters posed, but there was none."Nicolas," Abron's voice whispered as he emerged from the depths of his mind where he had been sleeping."Well, it's nice to see that you've decided to wake up only to watch me because dinner for a pack of wolf monsters" Nicolas said, his anger evident in his voice.Abron momentarily took over Nicolas' eyes to see the monsters he spoke of. He scoffed loudly then returned ownership of sight to Nicolas."Why do you shake