Against The True Gods-Chapter 57: Spark

Elura was left speechless.

Through her Bond with Caine, she could sense he was far more intelligent than his actions suggested. His nature didn’t align with impulsive or immature behavior. Yet, as she pondered this contradiction, a realization struck her.

"Dao Sparks…"

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him intently, her opinion of him rising yet another level. What was happening to Caine was a phenomenon she recognized all too well. A phenomenon that, depending on how it was handled, could either elevate him to unimaginable heights or utterly destroy his future.

The weight of this realization made her shoulders falter, her heart trembling with unease. But with a deep breath, she steadied herself. This was her task now. As his Bond, it was her role to guide him, to help him grow and accompany him on his path.

Caine, noticing the swirling emotions in her gaze, chuckled softly. He could easily peer into her mind to uncover her thoughts, but where was the fun in that? Ever since awakening in this realm, he had found himself listening to his heart more than he ever had in his past life. And, surprisingly, it felt… freeing.

Perhaps this newfound freedom of thought was what allowed his mind to flow with such clarity and fluidity. Maybe it wasn’t the mutations or even the power of his Soul Form that granted him this state of calm—it was his heart. His free heart.

But then again, why draw a line between the mind and the heart? Only fools believed logic and emotion were opposing forces. In truth, the two were meant to be intertwined, forming a stage upon which one could endlessly dance between them.

His mind would be his heart, and his heart would be his mind.

BOOOOOOOM!

Elura had barely begun to formulate a plan when Caine’s body erupted with a blinding radiance, shimmering like an imploding star.

Within his chest, the outline of a golden heart appeared, pulsing with an intensity that eclipsed even his own light.

The heart sank into him, vanishing into his body before reappearing within his Bond Space. It fused with the dragon-coiled silver star at its center, merging seamlessly.

Caine’s gaze refocused, and a faint frown crossed his face. He could feel the changes within him, the power that had surged forward as a result of his brief moment of enlightenment.

But something gnawed at him. These days, enlightenment seemed to find him far too easily. Whether he sought it or not, the phenomenon occurred with increasing frequency. His strength soared relentlessly, bottlenecks became a thing of the past, and growth felt… effortless.

"Why is this happening?" he mused, his thoughts narrowing in on the one aspect of himself he had yet to fully master.

"It’s the Gifts," he realized. "They’re the source of all these uncontrolled changes. As soon as I leave this realm, I’ll need to focus entirely on understanding and mastering them."

His gaze fell on the exasperated Elura, whose wings fluttered anxiously. He reached out, plucking her gently from the air and placing her on his shoulder.

"You’ll explain what just happened later," he said with a faint smile. "For now, summon the Five Lords. I’m confident."

Elura sighed deeply, as though she had been holding her breath for an eternity. She hesitated but eventually obliged, waving her hand and causing the void around them to ripple.

The air quaked, and countless streams of intent and qi coalesced in the darkness.

RUMBLE!

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Five massive doors emerged from the void, their presence commanding and foreboding.

***

Meanwhile, far away, Lilith sat cross-legged atop her golden sea of blood. Her body trembled violently, drenched in sweat, as countless veins erupted across her skin.

Every fiber of her being screamed in protest against the strain she endured.

Yet, despite the agony, her lips curled into a demonic smile—proud, defiant, and triumphant. She had done it. She had finally forged her Bone and Flesh Structures.

The air quivered around her as her cultivation surged. Her power oscillated violently, tearing through the stages of the Blood Realm, rising to its peak before plunging to its nadir. Each cycle compressed and concentrated her energy further, refining it to perfection.

The process repeated itself countless times within a single instant until her cultivation stabilized at the peak of the Flesh Destruction Stage. Her power now radiated an aura that was truly earth-shattering.

But just as she prepared to test her newfound strength, her body gave out, collapsing into the depths of the ocean beneath her. Her consciousness flickered, the world fading in and out, before she finally succumbed to the pull of unconsciousness.

***

Lilith’s eyes snapped open what felt like mere moments later. Instinctively, she bolted upright, her gaze darting around in search of danger.

The world around her was an endless expanse of darkness. Even the ground beneath her feet felt intangible, as though it were made of shadow itself. Yet, amidst the void, one thing stood out.

She turned sharply, her breath catching. Standing mere inches behind her was Caine, a calm smile on his face. Elura perched on his shoulder, her presence strangely serene.

Lilith’s gaze shifted past him, drawn to the five massive gates that had begun to take shape in the distance. Their aura was oppressive, their presence suffocating.

She hissed through clenched teeth, her instincts warning her of the immense danger they posed. Her eyes darted back to Caine, meeting his steady gaze.

"Do you know what’s happening here?" she asked sharply. Her attention then turned to Elura, suspicion lacing her tone. "And what’s her deal? What’s going on?"

Caine turned to glance at the gates before answering casually. "It’s a long story, but here’s the gist," he said, gesturing toward the ominous doors. "We’re about to be thrown into a battle of life and death. High chances I die here."

Before Lilith could respond, he added with a faint grin, "But that’s just a statistic. I don’t plan on dying—not now."

He crossed his arms. "The battle ahead will be one of the mind. I’m not entirely sure what that entails. Maybe illusions. Maybe torture. Maybe something entirely new. But that’s the situation."

He turned back to her, his expression resolute. "If we win, we regain control of our bodies and move on to the final part of this realm. If we lose…" He trailed off, his meaning clear. "Our bodies become theirs."

Lilith took a moment to absorb his words, her sharp mind piecing together the implications.

She nodded curtly, her apprehension giving way to grim determination. Though this form was merely her soul, she summoned a blade out of thin air, its shimmering edge reflecting her readiness.

Caine raised a brow at the sight, mildly surprised. Even he hadn’t figured out how to control qi in this form. But there was no time to dwell on it.

The gates flung open.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!

A violent gust of air tore through the void, whipping their hair and robes with an almost feral intensity. The oppressive force of qi that erupted from the gates was suffocating, pressing down on them like a tangible weight.

From the shadows of the gates, five resplendent figures emerged, their presence shaking the very fabric of the void.