Killian waited for the moment of release. Surely, he had hit his head hard. This could easily pass off as a momentary illusion. His fingers tightly wound around the jewel. He was certain that he couldn’t lose this one.

  Whether he had conjured up the fancy story about the Goddess on his own, or was hearing voices, at the moment he was keen on not letting go of the jewel. He could easily spend the rest of the year not worrying about the food. Even if he had gone crazy, he would be crazy with warm meals. For once, Old Serrera could rest.

  ‘We won’t have to sell the house if I walk out of this alive’, Killian thought.

  Any minute now, his eyes would open. He would probably be discovered by the Blue Bloods and have to answer for his doing. But it’s funny how the brain works. Now of all the time, he had decided to believe that Gods exist. And Gods want to save him, in exchange of doing their bidding.

  If Old Serrera finds out, she would probably laugh her head off. Not that she talked more about anything these days. But she always talked about Gods.

  Killian exhaled, finding himself surrounded by the state of perpetual darkness. In his head, he counted moments before it was safe for him to try and see. His body ached. It was too much. He knew he had little combat skills. What he was really good at was, hiding. But even now, all his skills were as useless as they come.

  “Killian Mortez, open your eyes,” a soft voice said. It had an ephemeral touch to it. Its breathy accent was calm. It was almost as if he was listening to the sound of the waters of River Ferrera.

  Killian’s eyes fluttered open. His vision was hazy, as he had already expected. The concussion had left him reeling from the impact. And now, he was sure that he was caught up in a far-fetched dream.

  In front of him, was a throne. It looked like it was etched out of crystals. It was covered in pink blossoms. Underneath which the throne radiated a lightning glow in the shade of fuchsia. It added to the woman’s figure who was sitting atop it.

  She had long and thick golden tresses that crossed the length of the seemingly large throne. She, herself was too tall to be a human. She must be thrice of his own height. Her eyes were clearer than the ocean. They gleamed with a cold and enchanting light. On her neck rested a crystal studded crest. Two golden, beaded ornaments clasped around each one of her arms.

  She had a thin nose. Her lips were dark. As if stained with rose petals themselves. A long, flowing robe covered her bosom. It reached a little above her knees. Green vipers circled her exposed body down the calf.

  She sat with her fingers clasped on her lap. Her fingers tapped lightly, as she spoke.

  “Don’t be afraid, Killian,” she said, as if she could read Killian’s mind. Killian watched in awe, while she tried to gauge my reaction to her presence.

  “Who are you?” Killian asked, his eyes growing wide, as she stepped down her throne. Now, that she was standing erect, she seemed bigger than before. Five times as much as Killian.

  Killian’s throat ran dry. His palms turned sweaty, as he tried to hold tighter onto the jewel.

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  “I am, Lamia, the Guardian of Xion Realm, the deity of Life and Magic. You’re here because you awakened the powers of the Gem of Destiny,” she told, Killian.

  A sense of guilt curled up around Killian. This surely wasn’t his idea of escape. Something told him that he couldn’t trust her. Goddess or not. In that case, he wondered, if he could return the jewel and go back to his way.

  “So, that voice-”

  “One of my Spirit Guardians had sensed your powers. We have been waiting for you for quite some time,” she spoke calmly.

  “We?”

  “You have arrived at the Pantheon of Gods in the Ethereal Realms,” she revealed.

  Only that Killian could only see the darkness around him, except for the goddess and her throne. He could hardly make sense of it all.

  “Why am I here?” He asked, finally summoning the courage to do so. She lets out a breathy chuckle in response. Killian felt the eerie coolness of it flooding in space. His stance was staggered, as he bent his knee. Almost as if his body was behaving against his wishes.

  “The prophecy has taken its course. It’s up to you to set things right.

  The Gem of Destiny, was carved out of the Chronomancer’s Orbs. Its powers could only be activated by the one who can defeat the Chronomancer, and retrieve all parts of his orbs,” she instructed.

  “Years ago, the Chronomancer’s body was obliterated by the Goddesses and Gods to stop him from turning the world into a battle ground for his selfish motives.

  Despite the Gods fighting against him, the Chronomancer couldn’t be defeated. His soul was shredded and his life force was contained in his orb.

  To make sure that the Chronomancer didn’t revive himself, it was important to break the Orb, and hide it in a place where it cannot be found.

  But, the Chronomancer, as vicious as he was, managed to use the Orb before its disintegration to form an heir.

  And now, that heir has been born, we await its awakening. He would continue the Chronomancer’s legacy and bring the world its ruin.

  To save the world from him, only someone born from my bloodline could put the Chronomancer’s Heir to his death.

  The Demigods we entrusted once have turned their backs on us. They intend to form a mutiny and rise to the level of Gods. Their regression would throw the Universe off the balance.

  And they would stop at nothing, till they resurrect the Chronomancer. Enough said…

  You have been chosen by the Gem of Destiny. Now, the fate of the world rests in your hands,” her giant form walked closer to Killian. He was vaguely aware of the fact that he could be crushed under her feet if he retaliates.

  “There’s been a mistake.

  I am a Scum Blood. I am not from your bloodline. It’s clearly been a mistake,” Killian protested.

  As a Goddess herself, surely, she should know that much. Killian, with his dark skin and black hair. How could he ever be from her bloodline? Isn’t that why he was living in the slums. And his parents… Weren’t they killed by the warriors years ago because they were Scum Bloods?

  “It’s no mistake. The Gem decides for itself. And it has decided. It has to be you, Killian.” She knelt, lifting him in her palm.

  “Why must I fight for the Gods? The Gods can set things right about their course. Isn’t this something that concerns Gods themselves?” Killian asked.

  Indeed, it was true. The Gods cannot rely on a nobody to restore order. The fate of the Universe hangs in the balance. And then, there was the fact that Killian abhorred Gods and Goddesses. Their worlds have made it impossible for him to live peacefully in his own.

  What good did the Gods had done to Killian? A life of despondence and misery, spent to find a purpose. And the purpose was clear. If the Gods were threatened to the extent of getting perish, so be it. Why must he concern himself with what troubles the realms beyond his own? His own life was the worst.

  His only purpose was to throw the Blue Bloods off the Capital and restore glory to the Scum. So much was taken from him, all because the Gods asked for it. And she paid the price for it all.

  “You have to do what’s asked of you. In return, the Gods shall grant you a favour. Whatever it may be, the Gods will bestow it upon you.

  We ask you to do one thing. Restore the Chronomancer’s Orb, and kill the Chronomancer,” the Goddess brought Killian closer to her face. Her illuminating radiance blinding him, as he brought him closer.

  “You’ll have the fate worse than a fool’s if you decline. The Blue Bloods await your return to tear you down and feed it to their birds, boy,” The Goddess’ voice was commanding and firm. It scared Killian. The wretchedness of immortal beings wasn’t lost on him.

  Maybe he can sell the jewel. Or ask for more gold. It was common knowledge that while doing God’s bidding, one is bestowed with endless powers.

  “I accept. But on one condition,” Killian pressed. He knew this was a crucial moment. He would break on the inside if he stutters, or fails monumentally.

  “You must give me all means necessary to have a fulfilling life for the rest of my years,” Killian’s eyes shone determinedly. Indeed, this wager wasn’t lost on the Goddess. Years of meddling in affairs concerning the realms, she had come across many like Killian’s. It was always the same things they asked for. The same things that they needed.

  “I want you to bring back, my sister, to life,” he pressed. “That thing along shall make it all worth it,” his eyes turned moist.

  “Very well then. When you return from XianXia Realm, the Gods shall grant your wish.

  If you fail to keep your word, your whole race would be wiped out by the fury of Gods.

  You’ll always be guided by my Spirit Guardian on your perilous journey,” the Goddess said.

  The piercing brightness left Killian in a state of dishevel. His body jolted, as the darkness consumed him.