Against The True Gods

Caine's wings faded, dissolving alongside his star form as he exhaled a labored breath. His body trembled with exhaustion, and his hands shook uncontrollably. He gazed at them with a sigh, frustration flickering behind his calm demeanor.

Adari had truly been a formidable opponent.

But beyond that, he was the perfect subject for study.

His abilities almost perfectly mirrored the bodily pillar Caine had been born with but not only that, analyzing him further could bring breakthroughs for the evolution of his Sigil Technique.

Capturing Adari as a summon was an invaluable gain, both for his future plans and his path toward true mastery.

'Unfortunate,' Caine mused, the faint thought brushing against his consciousness before fading.

But this time, he had pushed himself far beyond his limits. The world around him blurred, and his vision darkened as his body fell from the skies, his consciousness slipping into the void.

***

Through a dense forest, along a muddy road flanked by ancient, towering trees, a massive carriage slowly made its way. Unlike conventional carriages, it had no wheels; instead, glowing formations etched into its aged wooden frame allowed it to float gracefully above the uneven terrain.

At its helm were two strange creatures, massive and imposing, resembling a cross between ancient qilins and horned horses.

Their dark purple fur shimmered faintly under the forest's dim light, while manes of blue fire cascaded down their long necks, flickering and swaying in the gentle breeze.

Steering the carriage was an elderly woman wrapped in thick, dark emerald robes. Only her wrinkled hands and aged, piercing blue eyes were visible beneath her hood.

The forest was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of the carriage's formations and the rhythmic clinking of the creatures' ornate harnesses. But this quiet was abruptly shattered when the creatures froze, their bodies trembling as if gripped by an unseen terror.

The woman's frown deepened. Qi flowed into her eyes, sharpening her vision as she peered ahead. Her gaze pierced through the misty horizon and landed on a scene of utter devastation.

"What in the world am I looking at…" she whispered.

Ahead lay a field of destruction so vast and chaotic it defied explanation. Rivers of molten magma crisscrossed the landscape, weaving between jagged black rocks that pierced the sky. Clouds of chaotic Qi churned above the wasteland, heavy and oppressive.

But these features weren't what caused her mounts to tremble. At the edge of this hellish expanse stood a knight clad in radiant golden armor, his presence so imposing that the air itself seemed to twist and bend around him.

In his arms, he carried a figure draped in tattered robes, their aura far more terrifying than even his own.

The woman, Elder Anna, felt her heart seize as the knight's gaze met hers. She immediately averted her eyes, understanding the unspoken command. With a nod, she directed the trembling mounts forward.

"Anna, what's going on?" came a voice from within the carriage.

"Sir, it seems there is a…" Elder Anna hesitated, glancing back at the golden knight before continuing. "… a figure of great importance ahead."

***

Caine's eyes snapped open. In an instant, his True Will flared, creating a domain that expanded outward, scanning his surroundings with precision.

"Your highness, you are safe."

Caine turned to his right, finding Soran kneeling beside him. Taking note of the gesture, he shifted his gaze to the unfamiliar environment.

He was inside a spacious wooden carriage, its interior so wide and ornate it resembled a luxurious living room. Soft cushions lined the seats, and intricate carvings adorned the walls, their designs glowing faintly with protective runes.

Across from him sat a group of nobles, their faces pale and drenched in sweat. All except for one.

"You are blind. How fascinating," the lone noble remarked, his tone casual yet intrigued.

The man appeared to be in his late fifties, though his thick black beard and long, curly hair defied his age. His azure and golden eyes swirled with a strange brilliance, and his attire, a simple gray noble's robe, was unassuming yet refined.

Caine ignored the comment, his attention shifting to his own body. His condition was far worse than he'd hoped. Though he was no longer bleeding, his wounds remained unhealed, leaving him in the same critical state he'd been in during his battle with Adari.

Bandages covered in faintly glowing runes wrapped around his torso, applied with great care—likely Soran's handiwork. He wore only a pair of black pants, his upper body bare save for the bindings.

Caine adjusted his position, pivoting to sit upright as his legs swung to face the older nobleman.

"How long?" he asked, his voice calm.

"A week," Soran replied immediately.

Caine nodded, his expression unreadable.

"You did well. You can sit; no need to kneel."

Soran hesitated for a moment before complying, taking a seat beside him.
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"Sir Jamie Osbatt," Caine spoke, his gaze shifting to the nobleman. "Youngest son of City Lord Theodore Osbatt. It is an honor to be in your presence."

Jamie seemed taken aback by the unexpected politeness but quickly recovered, smiling warmly. "Oh, please, young man. There's no need for formalities. A more pressing matter would be your condition." He gestured toward Caine. "You appear to be in a state far beyond critical. I happen to have a camp nearby, staffed with skilled holy healers trained in the capital."

He leaned forward slightly. "If you accompany me, they will gladly tend to your injuries."

Caine chuckled softly. "Smart and straight to the point, hm?"

Jamie nodded. "Of course. I would not waste the time of a figure such as yourself. All I ask in return is that your knight protects me and my people for a few days, until we reach the capital."

Caine raised a brow, intrigued. "Protect? What makes you think you're in danger?"

Jamie's expression darkened. "We are in the midlands of death. Such a place is inherently perilous. It is only by a miracle of fate that I stand before you untouched."

Caine considered the words, nodding after a moment. "That's reasonable." He turned to Soran. "Is that acceptable to you?"

Though briefly puzzled by the question, Soran quickly understood Caine's intentions and nodded. "Of course, your highness."

Caine leaned back against the plush cushions, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Then it's settled."

Jamie's smile widened, and the tension among the other nobles visibly eased.

Though they still trembled in awe of Caine, they began to relax, realizing his civility outweighed his intimidating presence.

"So, Jamie," Caine began, his tone light. "What is a noble like you doing in such dangerous lands? And without any guards, no less."