Against The True Gods

Caine sat in a warm, steamy lake, naked under the vast expanse of the night sky. The moon hung high, its silver glow intensified by the myriad of stars scattered across the heavens. Their light shimmered on the surface of the emerald waters, casting a calming, ethereal glow over everything.

His wet hair clung to his broad, tempered back as he let the soothing waters work their magic.

The lake seemed almost alive, its scintillating surface healing his hidden injuries with every passing second. As impurities were burned away, his muscles relaxed, the tension melting under the heavenly touch of the waters. It was as though the cosmos themselves were massaging his weary body.

He leaned back against a smooth, moss-covered rock and exhaled slowly. His gaze lifted to the sky, eyes locking onto the luminous moon.

"Usually, it's the other way around, isn't it?" he murmured. "Women don't typically peep on their male counterparts."

From the thin air above, a figure emerged, descending gracefully. She wore layered robes of silver and black, each fold of fabric flowing as if woven from moonlight itself. Her long white hair glistened like freshly fallen snow, and her rose-colored eyes held deep crimson depths, secrets swirling within. Her face, flawless and ethereal, seemed sculpted by the gods.

Lilith looked down, meeting Caine's eyes with a knowing gaze.

Few knew the truth, but their meeting during Caine's journey to the Elemental Legacy Grounds had not been their first. In fact, Caine had known Lilith for years. Just weeks before his fifth birthday, she had appeared out of nowhere, unseen by anyone else, and befriended him.

Back then, she had been only eleven years old and yet had already firmly planted herself in the depths of the Spark Realm.

"You seem sad," Lilith said softly as she descended. Her feet brushed the surface of the water, and she settled beside him, weightless. "You always look sad, but today, you seem… worse."

Caine shook his head and offered a bitter smile. "I'm happy to see you too, Lilith."

"Answer me," she insisted.

"You didn't ask a question," he countered. Her brow furrowed, but before she could reply, he continued. "I'm fine. Just winding down after everything that's happened recently."

She nodded but didn't seem entirely convinced. Her gaze sharpened. "You've broken into the Quintessential Threshold, haven't you?"

He nodded again. "Yeah. That explains how you read my mind back then. It finally makes sense. How long have you been at that stage?"

Lilith grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Me? I've been at the peak of the Dao Heart Blooming Stage for years now. What's it been, ten years?"

Caine sneered. "Must be nice to have such an overpowered set of gifts." His voice was a mutter, edged with mock annoyance. He stood and stretched, his muscles rippling under the moonlight.

He drifted upward, floating out of the water, and with a thought, his body dried instantly. A loose white changpao materialized around him, flowing down to his ankles, while his hair braided itself neatly.

"Still haven't cut it?" Lilith teased, standing up beside him.

"I'll cut it after I'm done with my Scion training. Until then…" He trailed off, his eyes gleaming with an auspicious light.

A piercing screech echoed through the night.

High above, Caine's eagle mount swooped down, its wings a blur of black and silver. The two of them soared up to meet it, settling onto its broad back with practiced ease.

"There's someone I need to see in Kael City," Caine said. "Care to join me?"

Lilith nodded, her smile widening. The eagle's wings beat powerfully, and they surged forward into the cold night air.

***

[Kael City — Northern Continent Border]

Kael City was perpetually blanketed in snow, like most of the northern continent. A quiet stillness had settled over the city since the excitement of the Forger's Trials had faded.

The streets were mostly empty, the residents huddled indoors, seeking warmth.

Carriages clattered by occasionally, leaving muddy tracks mixed with slush. Merchants, knowing sales were unlikely in such frigid conditions, clustered in open plazas under makeshift shelters, their stalls open for the rare passerby.
Enjoy new adventures from empire

The atmosphere was serene, peaceful even. Sunlight filtered through thick clouds, casting a muted glow on the snow-draped rooftops. It was in this tranquil setting that Caine and Lilith arrived. They wandered through the stalls, sampling delicacies and listening to snippets of conversation.

"Have you heard about the chaos in the central continent?" a merchant asked a guard, who was clad in thick steel armor, clearly off duty.

The guard shook his head, his breath fogging the cold air. "No, I've been swamped dealing with idiots who think they can take over the city. What's happening? It's not another war, is it?"

The merchant sucked in a sharp breath and shook his head, irritated. "You won't believe it. It might be another war."

The guard's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"The Merchant Alliance from the central continent has been recalling everyone. We've been ordered to return with all our goods and dismantle any stations outside the main continent."

"That's probably because of the Millennium Auction," the guard suggested. "If it only happens once every ten generations, they need to be careful."

The merchant rubbed his hands together for warmth. "Nah, it's more than that." He blew his nose before continuing. "It's happening alongside that cult's activities."

"A cult?" the guard repeated, frowning.

"Yeah. Haven't you heard? They've been blowing up trade houses of all the major powers. Just last week, they looted a treasury in the eastern continent."

The guard let out a low whistle. "Hell. What makes them a cult? Sacrifices and rituals?"

"Not exactly. They brand their victims' faces with these weird eye symbols. They look like World Will Eyes, but… off somehow."

The guard strapped on his belt of swords, his expression grim. "Can we ever have one normal generation?"

The merchant sighed. "We can only hope the new Scion will keep us safe."

The guard nodded, his eyes shadowed with worry. "You're right. Let's hope."

"See you around, Skelly."

"Stay safe, big guy."

They parted ways, their footsteps crunching through the snow.