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
A painfully continuous throbbing in his head woke Nicolas from the icy grip of unconsciousness that had taken him as a price for disobedience to Xylos.He blinked, his vision blurry at first, then slowly sharpening to reveal the rough but cozy interior of a small cave. Sunlight entered the safe haven through a single, tiny hole positioned right above his head, casting dancing patterns on the animal skin rugs that covered the floor.Nicolas tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him back down. His hand, the one that had channeled Abron's power, throbbed with a dull ache. He winced, his gaze falling on the other occupant of the cave.The man from yesterday sat hunched over a small fire, a large, blackened leg of some creature roasting over the flames. The pungent smell of roasted meat filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile coldness of the wasteland.Nicolas felt his stomach go sick immediately he realized what the man was roasting to serve as food.Th
A painfully continuous throbbing in his head woke Nicolas from the icy grip of unconsciousness that had taken him as a price for disobedience to Xylos.He blinked, his vision blurry at first, then slowly sharpening to reveal the rough but cozy interior of a small cave. Sunlight entered the safe haven through a single, tiny hole positioned right above his head, casting dancing patterns on the animal skin rugs that covered the floor.Nicolas tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him back down. His hand, the one that had channeled Abron's power, throbbed with a dull ache. He winced, his gaze falling on the other occupant of the cave.The man from yesterday sat hunched over a small fire, a large, blackened leg of some creature roasting over the flames. The pungent smell of roasted meat filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile coldness of the wasteland.Nicolas felt his stomach go sick immediately he realized what the man was roasting to serve as food.Th
A painfully continuous throbbing in his head woke Nicolas from the icy grip of unconsciousness that had taken him as a price for disobedience to Xylos.He blinked, his vision blurry at first, then slowly sharpening to reveal the rough but cozy interior of a small cave. Sunlight entered the safe haven through a single, tiny hole positioned right above his head, casting dancing patterns on the animal skin rugs that covered the floor.Nicolas tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him back down. His hand, the one that had channeled Abron's power, throbbed with a dull ache. He winced, his gaze falling on the other occupant of the cave.The man from yesterday sat hunched over a small fire, a large, blackened leg of some creature roasting over the flames. The pungent smell of roasted meat filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile coldness of the wasteland.Nicolas felt his stomach go sick immediately he realized what the man was roasting to serve as food.Th
Sunlight, delightful and warm, surrounded his entire body and made him silently thank the gods that he didn't have to deal with dying from hypothermia.The air which was thick with the sweet scent of blooming flowers vibrated with the melodic chirping of unseen birds whom seemed to be close by as he stood outside enjoying bimse and the warmth that followed.Gone were the biting winds and desolate white expanse of the frozen wasteland, accompanied with the numerous threats of unknown monsters and abominations. In its place, a beautiful jungle filled with delight that stretched as far as the eye could see.Nicolas stood frozen, mouth agape, as he surveyed the breathtaking transformation. Skepticism and apprehension worked hand in hand with awe.Could this be some kind of illusion? Or maybe it was a trick sent by Xylos to mislead him. He pinched his arm, the sharp sting confirming this was no dream. He had truly entered a world unlike any he had ever known.He glanced back at the cave en
The air crackled with a sudden shift in tension. The man, who had been silent as he devoured his game mere moments ago, now seemed to vibrate with an unseen energy. His eyes were more alive and it wouldn't be a mistake to say that he enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, along with the dangers that came with it.A ferocious growl escaped his hairy throat, a primal challenge that sent shivers down Nicolas' spine. He was still trying to recover from the sight of the three monstrous figures emerging from the within the jungle.They kept their blood red eyes on Nicolas, as if measuring if he was an easy prey. They would have kept up their attempt to intimidate Nicolas if the man's guttural sound had not drawn their attention."What the hell are these monstrosities?" Nicolas asked aloud, his voice audible enough for the man to hear, despite the monsters' growls.One resembled a grotesque parody of a jaguar, its dark and luxurious fur rippling with muscle, its eyes glowing like embers. Beside it