Chaotic Existance

The world shifted without warning. One moment, I was falling into unconsciousness, and the next, I was... somewhere else.

No, not somewhere else—somewhen else.

My vision blurred, shapes forming in a kaleidoscope of light and shadow. The sound of rushing waves filled my ears, but not like the ones I'd heard before. This was different. It wasn't the roar of water crashing against the shore but the steady, all-encompassing hum of an infinite ocean. Calm, yet unfathomably deep.

When my vision cleared, I was no longer myself.

I caught a glimpse of a reflection in the rippling waters at my feet. It wasn't me staring back. Golden eyes filled with cosmic light, skin shimmering like mother-of-pearl, and long, flowing hair that mirrored the endless sea. It was a form that radiated power, beauty, and authority—Tiamat.

I couldn't move on my own, couldn't control her—or me? Instead, I was trapped, a passenger in her body, her memories. Every step she took, every breath she drew, was mine to witness, but not to command.

Ahead of me—no, her—was the Genesis Sea. Nammu. The primordial expanse stretched endlessly, its glowing waves teeming with life and raw creation. It was mesmerizing, alive in a way I'd never experienced. But beneath the surface, there was something... wrong. A faint shadow tainted the otherwise pristine waters, and with every ripple, I could feel it spreading.

Behind me came the sound of heavy footsteps. I—Tiamat—turned slowly, my movements graceful and deliberate. Standing there was a towering figure, his presence commanding yet familiar.

Anu.

His form was radiant, his golden armor reflecting the light of the Sea. His piercing gaze was sharp, concerned, and his voice, when he spoke, carried the weight of galaxies.

"They've started, Tiamat," he said, his tone low but urgent. "The others—they move against you."

Tiamat's lips parted, but the voice that came out wasn't mine. It was hers—calm, measured, and tinged with authority that could bring even the gods to their knees. "Who?" she asked, though I sensed she already knew the answer.

"Zephyrion. Nyxis. Lyriel. Perhaps even more," Anu replied, stepping closer. His expression softened slightly, though the worry didn't leave his eyes. "They conspire to taint the Sea. To weaken you. I overheard them—Terminus Energy, they called it. A force born of destruction and chaos. They plan to corrupt Nammu."

The Sea trembled at his words, a ripple of unease spreading across its surface. I could feel Tiamat's fury simmering beneath her composed exterior. She lifted a hand, her fingers trailing through the air as if she could calm the restless waters with a mere gesture. And maybe she could.

"They dare to touch what they cannot comprehend," she said, her tone colder now. "Do they not realize what they risk? The Sea is not merely power; it is life itself. To taint it is to bring ruin to all things."

"They know," Anu said, stepping closer. "That's why they act in secret. They fear you, Tiamat. They fear what you are, what you represent. And they will stop at nothing to see you undone."

Tiamat turned to face him fully, her golden eyes narrowing. "And what of you, my husband? Did you stop them when you had the chance? Or did you merely watch?"

Anu stiffened, the accusation striking like a blade. "I came to warn you," he said, his voice tight. "To stand with you. You know I cannot act without—"

"Without what?" she interrupted, her voice rising slightly. "Without their permission? Without their blessing? You speak of loyalty, yet you hesitate to act until the storm is upon us. Do you truly stand with me, Anu, or do you merely play both sides?"

The air between them grew heavy, the tension palpable. For a moment, Anu said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then he exhaled, stepping closer until he was only a breath away.

"I stand with you, Tiamat," he said, his voice softer now. "Always. But this is not a battle you can fight alone. The Sea is vast, but even it cannot withstand the corruption of Terminus Energy. You must be careful."

"Careful?" she repeated, her tone laced with disdain. "Careful is what weak gods do when they fear their own power. I am Tiamat, the Genesis Sea incarnate. Let them come. I will drown their ambitions in the depths of my waters."

The Sea trembled again, this time not in fear but in response to her power. The waves surged, glowing brighter, as if echoing her resolve.

Before Anu could respond, the light around them darkened. The Sea rippled violently, the shadow beneath its surface spreading like ink through water. A low, guttural roar echoed across the expanse, shaking the very air.

Tiamat turned sharply, her eyes blazing with fury. "What is this?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the chaos.

But before I could see more, the vision fractured. The world shattered into blinding light, and I was pulled back into the void.

I gasped, my eyes snapping open as the dream ended. My body felt heavy, my head pounding as the sounds of the infirmary rushed in to replace the roar of the Sea.

Murmurs filled the air—voices of medics and investigators, the occasional clink of equipment. The smell of antiseptic stung my nose, and I realized I was lying on a cot, my body sore and sluggish.

As I tried to sit up, my reflection caught my eye in a polished surface nearby. My heart sank.

My disguise was gone.

The illusion Art that kept my true face and aura hidden had shattered, leaving me exposed. My features, my Aether—everything was laid bare.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath, panic clawing at my chest. If anyone recognized me, I was done for. I needed to get out. Now.

But before I could move, the flap of the infirmary tent rustled, and a group of figures entered. At their head was a woman dressed in sleek, midnight-blue attire, her every step exuding authority.

Don Nerya of Sylvain Hammer.

Her sharp eyes scanned the room, assessing the survivors with a practiced gaze. She didn't look like someone who missed details, and her presence made the already-tense atmosphere even heavier.

I froze, keeping my head low as she approached. She stopped near my cot, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than I liked. My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to remain calm.

"Name?" she asked, her tone clipped.

I hesitated, then forced out a lie. "Lyle. Just a bystander who got caught up in the Rift."

Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't press further. "You're lucky to be alive, Lyle. This Rift was no ordinary one."

"Yeah," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "Lucky."

One of her investigators stepped closer, their eyes narrowing as they studied me. "Don Nerya," they said quietly, "there's something… odd about his Aether. It's faint, but—"

"Enough," Nerya interrupted, her tone icy. "If he were a threat, we'd know by now. Let him go."

The investigator hesitated but nodded, stepping back. Nerya's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before she turned away.

"Take him to the edge of the site and let him leave," she instructed. "We have more important matters to deal with."

As they escorted me out, I caught a glimpse of the investigator whispering something to Nerya. She didn't respond, but her expression hardened slightly.

I didn't wait to find out what it meant. The moment I was clear of the site, I slipped into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as I could. But even as I put distance between myself and the infirmary, the whispers of the Sea echoed in my mind.

The vision. The Rift. The core.

The gods.

I clenched my fists, my thoughts racing. Whatever was happening, it was only the beginning.

The tension from the Rift still lingered as I walked through the city streets, my thoughts swirling like a storm. My disguise had been re-applied, albeit hastily, and I kept my hood up to avoid drawing attention. The voices of the Sea were quieter now, their whispers reduced to faint murmurs at the edge of my mind. But the weight of the vision... that was harder to shake.

Anu. Tiamat. Terminus Energy.

The implications were colossal, but I couldn't unpack it all now. I needed to lay low and regroup, and there was only one person I trusted enough to reach out to right now—Lilith.

It had been two years since we last saw each other. Two years of silence, distance, and carefully avoiding everyone who'd once been a part of my life. I'd cut ties for a reason, but that didn't mean I wasn't painfully aware of how much I missed them.

As I neared the edge of the lower district, I sent a quick pulse of Aether into the charm Lilith had given me years ago. It was a small thing, shaped like a feather, but it served as a signal beacon between us. A precaution, she'd called it, for emergencies.

If this didn't count as an emergency, I didn't know what did.

The meeting spot was a quiet rooftop overlooking one of the district's smaller plazas. I arrived first, leaning against the ledge as I tried to steady my thoughts. The charm had worked—she'd felt it. Now it was just a matter of waiting.

I didn't wait long.

The sound of boots on stone was my only warning before something hit me like a freight train, knocking the air from my lungs.

"LUCIAN!" a voice shouted, loud and gleeful. Arms wrapped around me in a crushing hug as I hit the ground, the world spinning. Before I could react, a strong arm hooked around my neck, pulling me into a headlock.

"What the hell, Lilith?" I choked out, struggling against her grip. "Get off me!"

"You've got some nerve, disappearing for two years and then popping back up like nothing happened!" she scolded, her tone playful but underlined with genuine emotion. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"

I twisted, managing to free myself enough to glare up at her. Lilith was grinning down at me, her sharp green eyes sparkling with mischief. She was as energetic as ever, her short, slightly tousled hair framing her face in a way that somehow managed to look both effortlessly casual and deliberately styled. She still wore her signature sleeveless jacket, exposing the toned arms of someone who could probably bench press a bus if she felt like it.

"I didn't ask you to worry," I muttered, sitting up and brushing myself off.

"Too bad!" she shot back, crossing her arms. "That's what friends do, dumbass. You don't just get to vanish and expect me to stop caring."

"Friends?" I raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked, you put me in a headlock."

"Because you deserve it!" she huffed, but her expression softened. "Seriously, though. You're okay, right? Like, really okay?"

I hesitated, the weight of everything I'd been through threatening to crush me again. But before I could answer, another voice interrupted.

"I'd say he looks about as okay as someone who just got tackled by you," the voice drawled, smooth and slightly amused.

I turned to see Luca stepping onto the rooftop, his presence commanding yet calm. He looked different now—he has sleek black fur marked with faint, golden rosette patterns, his amber eyes sharp and calculating. He was dressed impeccably, as always, his long coat tailored to perfection. There was an elegance to him, a quiet confidence that made him seem untouchable.

"You too?" I muttered, standing and dusting off my coat. "Great. Just what I needed.And whats with the new look?"

"You say that like you're not happy to see me," Luca said, his lips curving into a small smile. "But I know better. And my fur changes depending on the time of day. Helps with camouflage."

"Tch." I looked away, but I couldn't stop the faint twitch of my lips. "Don't get cocky. Why are you two together?"

Lilith's expression softened as she stepped closer, his gaze searching mine. "You've been gone a long time, Raziel, I mean yea I saw you at the entrance exams but that wasn't this." he said quietly. "Why now?"

"It's... complicated," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "I just came out of a Rift that should've been a routine clear, but it wasn't. Something's happening. Something big."

"Big enough to make you crawl out of whatever hole you've been hiding in?" Lilith asked, raising an eyebrow. "Damn. Must be serious."

I shot her a look, but Luca's expression grew more serious. "What did you see?" he asked, his tone lower now.

I hesitated, debating how much to share. The vision, the Rift, the Sea's whispers—it was all too much to explain in one sitting. But these two... they were the closest thing I had to allies. To family. If anyone deserved to know, it was them.

"Something's wrong with the Rifts," I said finally. "The Genesis Energy—they're resonating with me in ways they shouldn't. And the last one... the Rift Core wasn't just a power source. It was... alive. It spoke to me."

"Spoke to you?" Luca's eyes narrowed slightly. "What did it say?"

"It told me to absorb it," I said, my voice dropping to a near whisper. "Not purify it. Absorb it. And when I did... I saw something. A vision. A memory, maybe. Something ancient."

The weight of my words hung in the air, the gravity of it sinking in.

"Shit," Lilith muttered, her usual bravado momentarily replaced with genuine concern. "That's... yeah, that's not normal. Even for you."

Luca frowned, his gaze thoughtful. "You're not telling us everything," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "There's more to this, isn't there?"

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "There's always more," I muttered. "But I don't even know where to start."

Lilith placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip firm but comforting. "Then don't start," she said, her tone softer than I expected. "Just... take it one step at a time. You've got us, okay? You're not in this alone."

I glanced at her, then at Luca, their unwavering support reflected in their eyes. For the first time in years, I felt a flicker of something I hadn't allowed myself to feel in a long time.

Hope.

"Thanks," I said quietly, the word feeling foreign on my tongue. "I mean it."

Lilith grinned, her usual energy returning. "You better. Now come on—we've got a lot to catch up on, and I'm not letting you disappear again without a fight."

Luca chuckled softly, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement. "Try to keep up, Delmar."

As they led the way off the rooftop, I followed, the weight of the Rift and the vision still heavy on my mind. 

We walked through the streets in relative silence, the hum of the city fading into the background as we neared Central Park. Lilith had a skip in her step, like she always did, and Luca trailed behind with that same calm, composed air I'd grown used to. Meanwhile, I couldn't shake the knot of discomfort tightening in my chest. Their kindness—especially Luca's—felt... off. Not fake, but strange. Foreign.

People didn't do things for free. Not for me, at least.

"So, what's the plan?" I muttered, keeping my gaze on the ground as we turned into the park. The greenery was calming, the distant sound of children playing and the soft rustle of leaves dulling the tension in my mind.

"The plan is ice cream," Lilith chirped, turning to flash me a grin. "Because you, Lucian Delmar, desperately need to loosen up."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "I'm plenty loose."

"Yeah, sure. If 'loose' means constantly looking like you're about to shatter someone's kneecaps," she shot back. "You're too tense, man. And I'm not about to let my childhood friend fall apart on me. So, ice cream. No arguments."

"Why do I get the feeling you're not giving me a choice?" I grumbled.

"You're catching on!" she said with a mock salute before jogging ahead to scope out the area.

I sighed, slowing my pace as we entered the park. Luca stayed beside me, his usual silence oddly comforting, but his presence still had me on edge. He was an enigma—one moment quiet and composed, the next annoyingly perceptive. That perceptiveness was what worried me now.

"You're thinking too hard," he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"I'm not," I shot back automatically, earning a small chuckle from him.

"You are," he insisted. "Relax. It's just ice cream."

"That's the problem," I muttered under my breath, not meaning for him to hear it. But of course, he did.

"What's the problem?" he asked, his amber eyes sharp but calm as he glanced at me.

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. "You're being... weirdly nice."

He blinked, as if that wasn't the response he expected. "And that's a problem?"

"No." I shoved my hands deeper into my pockets. "It's just... unexpected."

"Unexpected how?" He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable but not unkind.

I huffed, stopping in my tracks to glare at him. "Why do you even care? You barely know me."

For a moment, he didn't answer, his gaze steady and thoughtful. Then he said, "Because you're worth caring about."

The simplicity of his words hit me harder than I wanted to admit. I opened my mouth to argue, to deflect, but nothing came out. Instead, I looked away, my jaw tightening.

Lilith reappeared before the silence could stretch any further, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Alright, lovebirds, stop staring into each other's souls and come on. The ice cream stand's this way."

I shot her a glare, but she was already skipping off toward the stand. Luca gave me a faint smile, and for a second, I thought he was going to say something else. Instead, he just motioned for me to follow.

We ended up sitting under a massive oak tree, the warmth of the late afternoon sun filtering through its branches. I had my ice cream—a simple vanilla cone, nothing fancy. Lilith sat cross-legged in the grass, licking at her chocolate-covered waffle cone like a child, while Luca leaned back against the trunk, his movements as poised as ever.

The normalcy of it all was... unsettling.

Lilith broke the silence first, her gaze fixed on me as she grinned. "So. Two years. What the hell, Lucian? You think you can just disappear and not even send a text?"

I shrugged, focusing on my ice cream. "Didn't think anyone would care."

Her grin vanished, replaced by a look I hadn't seen in years—hurt. "That's bullshit, and you know it."

"Is it?" I muttered, refusing to meet her eyes.

"Yes, it is," she said firmly, leaning forward. "I don't know what kind of crap you've been through, Lucian, but don't you dare act like no one cared. I cared. Vallen cared. We all did."

I winced at the mention of Vallen. We hadn't exactly parted on good terms. "It's not that simple, Lilith."

"Then make it simple," she shot back, her tone sharp. "You don't get to shut us out and pretend like we don't exist just because things got hard."

I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on the cone. "I didn't shut you out. I—"

"Lucian," Luca interrupted, his voice calm but firm. "She's not attacking you. She's trying to understand."

I looked at him, the steady warmth in his amber eyes throwing me off again. There was no judgment there, no pity—just patience. It made it harder to argue, but I still bristled at the attention.

"Fine," I muttered, my voice low. "I left because I needed to. That's all there is to it."

Lilith sighed, sitting back with a frown. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"So I've been told," I said, trying to sound indifferent.

But then she reached out, her hand resting on mine. The contact startled me, and I tensed, my gaze snapping to hers. Her green eyes softened, and for a moment, I saw the Lilith I remembered from years ago—the one who always knew how to read me better than anyone else.

"You're not okay, Lucian," she said quietly. "You don't have to say it, but I can feel it. And I need you to know... it's okay not to be okay."

I looked away, the words hitting something raw inside me. "I'm fine," I said, though it sounded hollow even to me.

"No, you're not," she said, her grip tightening slightly. "But you're here. You're trying. That's enough."

The silence that followed was heavy, but not uncomfortable. It was Luca who broke it, his voice gentle. "You're not alone, Lucian. No matter how much you want to be."

I glanced at him, and for once, I didn't have a sarcastic comeback. He was leaning closer now, his shoulder brushing against mine. The warmth of it was... grounding. Reassuring in a way I didn't expect.

"Thanks," I muttered, the word barely audible.

Lilith grinned, her usual energy returning as she pulled back. "You're welcome. Now, finish your ice cream before it melts. And for the record, you're stuck with us now. No more disappearing acts, got it?"

I managed a faint smirk, shaking my head. "You're relentless."

"That's why you love me," she said with a wink, before turning to Luca. "And you're not off the hook either, mister. You better keep him out of trouble."

Luca's lips quirked into a small smile. "I'll do my best."

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a flicker of something I didn't quite recognize. Hope, maybe. Or something close to it. Whatever it was, it felt... good.

And for now, that was enough.

We chatted for a little bit longer before everyone started to get tired Liltih gave me a tight hug and gave a wink to Luca like I couldn't notice. Then walked on home leaving Luca and I slow strolling home.

"Hoenstly, I was shocked to see you with her Luca," I said.

"Why?" he asked.

"Yall don't seem to have much in common. But then again I also didn't bother to ask what your interest were either so who knows. You both are highly energetic so I don'd doubt you did sports. Plus bing a Beastmen fighting is like in your blood and that brute of a psychic loves a good fight. Martial Arts aren't her thing though or at least it wasn't before. Maybe she took interest? A—," I rambled realizing I was about to go on a tangent I stopped.

Luca chuckled softly at my rambling, his calm, even tone a contrast to my own jittery thoughts.

She's... persistent. She sees people in ways most can't, and she doesn't let them give up on themselves. Even if it means putting them in a headlock."

I snorted at the memory of Lilith's earlier antics. "Yeah, that tracks."

We walked in companionable silence for a moment, the city's nightscape painting the world in hues of neon and shadow. Central Park's winding paths felt endless, but the peace of the moment was... bearable. For once, I didn't feel the need to constantly glance over my shoulder.

"Speaking of fighting," Luca said, breaking the silence, "how's the form I showed you coming along?"

"Rough," I admitted. "Your martial art is no joke. The transitions are brutal, and don't get me started on the balance shifts."

"That's because you're overthinking it," he replied, his tone laced with patience. "The Lost Beast Demon Imperium is all about instinct and flow. You're trying to control it too much. You've got the drive. You need to trust yourself more."

Luca glanced at me, his sharp amber eyes studying my expression. "You've got a lot on your mind tonight."

I shrugged, stuffing my hands into my pockets. "When don't I?"

He chuckled softly. "Fair point."

We walked in silence for a while, the city quiet around us. Central Park's pathways stretched out under the soft glow of streetlights, the night air cool and crisp. For a moment, it felt like the weight of everything—the Rift, the Sea, the gods—was just a distant hum in my mind.

"My clan has been practicing that martial art for generations," he began, his voice quieter now. "It wasn't always ours, though. It was Draconian before it became Beastmen. A gift, or maybe a burden, depending on who you ask."

"A burden?" I asked, glancing at him.

"It is," he admitted. "Especially when your clan expects you to be perfect." His gaze grew distant, and for a moment, he looked more tired than I'd ever seen him. "When I left to cross the Rift, my father made me swear I'd master the art. But it wasn't just about the forms. He wanted me to find someone who could stand with me, someone whose spirit balanced mine."

"And how's that search going?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.

He smiled faintly, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something I couldn't quite place. "It's... ongoing."

"Figures," I muttered. "Your standards are probably impossible."

"Maybe," he said, his voice soft. "Or maybe I've just been looking in the wrong places."

His words hung in the air, heavier than I expected. I shifted uncomfortably, not sure how to respond. Thankfully, he changed the subject.

"What about you?" he asked. "You don't talk much about your views. On the gods, the Rifts, any of it."

I snorted, shaking my head. "Because most people can't handle it."

"Try me," he said simply.

I hesitated, the familiar urge to deflect rising in my chest. But something about the way he looked at me—steady, patient, unyielding—made me stop. For once, I decided to just... say it.

"The gods are parasites," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. "They manipulate us, toy with us, and then call it divine will. The Rifts, the Aether systems, all of it—it's their way of keeping us in chains."

Luca didn't flinch, but his brows furrowed slightly. "That's... a strong opinion."

"It's the truth," I said, my tone cold. "They inject Terminus energy into the world, let it spiral out of control, and now it's this sentient force trying to annihilate everything. The Void? That's Terminus energy, and it's why people like your brother—people like Nico—get consumed."

Luca stiffened at the mention of his brother, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean?"

"The Void is a manifestation of Terminus energy," I explained. "It twists people, corrupts them. It's not random—it's deliberate. The gods use it to control us, to break us. They injected it into the Genesis energy, and now it's this endless war between creation and destruction."

He was quiet for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "You really believe that?"

"I don't believe it," I said firmly. "I know it."

Luca exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "And what about you? What's your plan? To fight the gods? To destroy them?"

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "But it's not just about revenge. It's about breaking the seals they've put on us. The Seals aren't just power—they're chains. The Paths System, the journey to revelation—it's all a lie. The gods keep us from reaching our true potential because they're afraid of what we'd become."

He stared at me, his amber eyes wide. "You really believe we can... surpass them?"

"I don't just believe it," I said, my voice low but firm. "I'm going to prove it. I'm going to tear down their altars, break their seals, and ascend. And if I have to destroy them all to do it, so be it."

The silence that followed was deafening. I expected him to recoil, to argue, to call me insane. Instead, he smiled—a small, genuine smile that made my chest tighten.

"Then I'll help you," he said quietly.

I blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"You heard me," he said, his voice steady. "If you're serious about this, if you're willing to fight for it... then I'll stand with you. And I'll help you bring Nico back."

His words hit me like a tidal wave, the weight of them sinking in slowly. For a moment, I didn't know what to say. The thought of someone—of him—believing in me, in my cause, was... overwhelming.

My chest tightened again, a warmth spreading through me that I didn't know how to process. "You're... ridiculous," I muttered, looking away.

"Maybe," he said, his smile widening slightly. "But I mean it."

For the first time in a long time, I felt something more than anger or determination. It wasn't just hope—it was connection. And it terrified me. But it also made me feel... alive.

And for now, that was enough.

"Why?" I asked suddenly, breaking the silence. "Why would you help me? You don't even know if I'm right."

He glanced at me, his amber eyes calm but probing. "I don't need to know if you're right to believe in you."

The simplicity of his answer made me falter, my usual defenses wavering. I stopped walking, turning to face him. "That's... reckless. Blind faith like that will get you killed."

"Maybe," he admitted with a small shrug. "But isn't it worth the risk? If there's even a chance to change things—to make them better—why wouldn't I take it?"

"Because it's not your fight," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. "This is my burden, not yours."

He tilted his head, his expression softening. "You think that's how this works? That you're supposed to carry all of this alone?"

"I don't have a choice," I muttered, looking away. "No one else can do what I can. No one else understands."

"You're wrong," he said firmly. "You're not alone, Lucian. You don't have to be."

The sincerity in his voice made something inside me twist painfully. I clenched my fists, the urge to push him away warring with the unfamiliar warmth his words stirred.

"You don't get it," I said quietly. "People like me... we don't get happy endings. We're not the heroes in the story."

"Maybe not," he said, stepping closer. "But that doesn't mean you don't deserve one."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken truths. I didn't know how to respond, so I didn't. Instead, I started walking again, my pace faster this time.

Luca kept up easily, his long strides matching mine. He didn't say anything, letting the silence stretch until I finally spoke.

"What's your take on the gods?" I asked, my tone deliberately casual. "You don't seem to hate them like I do."

"I don't," he said after a moment. "Hate's a strong word. My clan... we've always been more disconnected from the gods than most. We revere Tezcati, but that's more cultural than spiritual. The rest? They're just... there. They don't bother us, and we don't bother them."

"Must be nice," I said bitterly. "To live in ignorance."

He didn't rise to the bait, his tone remaining calm. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just a different kind of perspective. Not everyone has your experiences, Lucian. Not everyone sees the gods as the enemy."

"They are," I said, my voice cold. "They play with us like pawns on a board, using the Rifts, the Void, all of it to keep us weak and divided."

"And what if you're wrong?" he asked, his gaze steady. "What if it's not the gods, but something else? What if the Void is just... chaos? Something beyond their control?"

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Then that makes all the more sense to get stronger…Then—nvm." Stopping mid way Luca just looked at me a little lost but chpse not to ask.

"Yet, here you are," he said, his tone thoughtful. "Breaking their rules. Pushing past their limits. If they really wanted to keep you in chains, don't you think they'd have stopped you by now?"

"That just means I'm not a threat yet. But the more I use my Arts the more I'm startin got understand." I muttered. 

"And you think you can do it alone?" he asked, his voice soft but insistent.

I hesitated, my chest tightening. "I have to. I know that it's not possible so trust and believe that when the time comes I will look. My only issue is that…The more I use my powers, go into rifts, and even use Genesis Dive I get more no—I feel more connected to the sea. The visions, nightmares, weird ghosts, or mid tricks that I see that can be chalked up to Rift Psychosis but it's too real for me."

"The creatures I've seen and things I've heard and read inside while investigating the rifts we all need immense power and I don't see how I can protect everyone so I need all to get stronger. But then again as I did my research on my Arts and Gift the sea is to vast a power for me to understand right now and for the fact that I have Osmosis and some other things I know if I actually tried or ever blacked out, you guys won't be able to stop me. So you guys can't beat them…" So I need to do it alone." I replied looking up at the stary sky and starting to wish that this conversation was over so I could get a closer look.

Luca let out a thoughtful hum, his amber eyes catching the glimmer of the starlit sky. "You know," he began slowly, "that sounds a lot like what some people would call walking a Path."

I frowned, turning my gaze back to him. "A Path? What's that supposed to mean? I feel like I heard about that before somewhere but I don't remember."

"It's something my clan used to talk about," he explained, his tone reflective. "The Paths aren't just a way to get stronger—they're a journey, a transformation. Each Path has its philosophy and its trials. They're meant to guide you toward revelation. Toward becoming something more."

"Sounds like another one of the gods' games," I muttered, crossing my arms.

Luca shook his head. "Not exactly. The Paths aren't about the gods. At least, not directly. They're... older. Some say they're tied to the essence of Aether itself, or maybe something even beyond that."

"Yeah? And what happens at the end of these Paths?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No one knows," he admitted. "Not for sure. But it's said that those who complete their Path become something greater. They transcend."

"Transcend?" The word tasted bitter in my mouth. "And what, exactly, does that mean? Do they become like the gods? Or something else?"

"That depends on the Path, but yes if you follow your path to its apex," he said, his gaze steady. "Each one represents a fundamental force, a way of seeing the world and acting within it. The Path of the Tempest, for example, The unyielding Chaos..."

I narrowed my eyes. "What's that supposed to be? A fancy name for throwing everything into chaos?"

"Not exactly," Luca said, his tone patient. "The Tempest is about adaptability, transformation, and disruption. It's the storm that tears down the old to make way for the new. Those who walk the Path of the Tempest are agents of change, for better or worse."

I leaned back against a nearby bench, letting his words sink in. "And you think I'm walking this Path?"

"You're definitely not a calm river," he said with a faint smile. "Everything about you—the way you fight, the way you think, even the way you push people away—it's all about shaking things up. About challenging what's already there."

"That's just survival," I muttered. "If I don't push, I get pushed. That's how the world works."

"Maybe," he said. "You don't just survive—you change everything around you."

I scoffed, though his words struck a chord deep within me. "That sounds like a load of poetic crap."

"Maybe it is," he said, his grin widening. "But think about it. If you're already walking a Path without even realizing it, imagine what you could do if you embraced it."

I stared at him, the weight of his words pressing down on me. The idea of a Path, of something deeper than just raw power, was both intriguing and infuriating. It felt like another layer of the way to get closer to them…closer to my goal.

"And what about you?" I asked, deflecting. "Are you walking a Path?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "But I've always believed that our actions shape the Paths we walk. If helping you is part of mine, then so be it."

His sincerity caught me off guard, the warmth in his voice cutting through the walls I'd spent years building. For a moment, I didn't know how to respond.

"Thanks," I said finally, the word feeling foreign on my tongue. "For not thinking I'm insane."

Luca laughed softly. "Oh, you're definitely insane. But that's probably why the Path of the Tempest suits you."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn," he said, his tone light. "But I think we're starting to make progress."

"So like I said no, you don't need to fight this alone," he said, stepping closer. "You have me, Lilith, and Vallen. You're not as alone as you think, Lucian. You just have to let us in."

His words hit harder than I wanted to admit. I looked away, struggling to find the sharp retort that usually came so easily. But all I could manage was a quiet, "Why do you care?"

"Because I see you," he said simply. "I see the weight you're carrying, and I want to help lighten it. Even if it's just a little."

The raw honesty in his voice made something in me crack, the walls I'd spent years building threatening to crumble. I didn't know what to say, so I stayed silent, letting the warmth of his presence fill the spaces I didn't know were empty.

"Come on," he said, his tone lighter now. "There's an ice cream stand up ahead. My treat."

I blinked, thrown by the sudden shift. "Ice cream? Seriously?"

He smiled, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "Everyone needs ice cream after a night like this. Even you."

I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes stopped me. There was no pity there, no condescension. Just kindness. And maybe, just maybe, I could let myself have that. Just this once.

"Fine," I muttered, falling into step beside Luca. "But don't expect me to get all mushy."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said with a grin.

We wrapped up the night with ice cream, just as he insisted. I didn't complain—it wasn't bad. But as I headed home, my thoughts turned heavy again. If I'm being honest, the day had been exhausting—not physically, but emotionally. I wasn't used to this... openness. It was a strange feeling, but one I didn't have the energy to unpack.

What I did know was that none of this mattered unless I got stronger.

"All this hate I feel for those bastards started long before they took Nico. They've been pulling the strings for as long as anyone can remember, dictating life, tormenting mortals, and calling it 'divine will.' They sit on their thrones, watching their subjects suffer—sometimes even causing it themselves. And now I'm certain the power I've been given... it's hers."

My fingers tightened into fists, and I stared up at the starry sky. "If it's Tiamat's power, then this fight is going to be harder than I thought."

I'd spent the past two years digging for the truth about the gods, the Void, and my connection to the Sea of Creation. I'd learned enough to piece together some of the puzzle, but there were still too many gaps.

The gods aren't creators—they're manipulators. They didn't shape this world from nothing; they inherited it, twisted it, and rewrote history to make themselves look like its architects. Genesis Energy and Terminus Energy existed long before them, two opposing forces holding the balance of creation and destruction.

When the gods arrived, they imposed their will, carving out their domains and waging wars to establish supremacy. They didn't bring order; they brought chaos disguised as control. And their greatest act of treachery? Injecting Terminus Energy into the Genesis Sea.

They corrupted the Sea, destabilized it, and created the very Void they now pretend to fight. But the Void isn't just a consequence—it's alive.

The Void isn't some mindless force. It's Terminus Energy's given purpose—destruction made sentient. It exists to annihilate, consuming everything in its path, twisting creatures, people, and even entire civilizations into hollowed-out, rage-filled husks.

The Phantasms that swarm the Rifts? They're not random monsters. They're echoes of what once was—twisted versions of real beings that the Void has consumed and reshaped. And Nico...

My chest tightened at the memory. The Void didn't just take Nico; it turned him into something unrecognizable. The person I knew is gone, buried under the weight of that corruption. And I refuse to let it happen again.

Then the Sea of Creation—the source of my power—is tied directly to Tiamat though. She was no mere goddess; she was one of the Ancients, a Primordial of Genesis Energy. They called her the Mother of Creation and Chaos, the Arbiter of Genesis. She was a force beyond comprehension, a being of infinite potential. And they feared her for it.

The gods conspired against her, injecting Terminus Energy into the Genesis Sea to weaken her. They couldn't control her, so they broke her. The visions I've had, the voices in the Rifts—they're fragments of her memories I'm starting to believe that, these are echoes of her rebellion.

That's why this power feels more like a curse than a gift. The Sea isn't just a reservoir of energy; it's alive, aware, and deeply tied to the Genesis-Terminus Dichotomy. And now, I carry a piece of her will.

Some Phantasms, though rare, are tied to Genesis Energy. They're not inherently malevolent; they're remnants of creation. Intelligent, sometimes even communicative, these creatures are a glimpse of what the world could have been without Terminus corruption.

Everything I've learned points to one undeniable truth: the gods, the Void, the Rifts, and the Phantasms are all connected. And at the center of it all is Genesis Energy—the true essence of life and evolution.

The gods feared Tiamat because she represented infinite potential. They fear me for the same reason. They'll do everything they can to stop me, to keep their chains intact. But they've underestimated me.

I don't just want to break the cycle. I want to shatter it, rebuild the world from the ashes, and make sure no one else suffers like Nico did.

And if the gods think they can stop me?

Let them try.