"Have you noticed High Lord Seraphiel's behavior?" Darius asked, curiosity laced in his voice. "Ever since the meeting about Ryojin, he hasn't been himself."
"I have also noticed that," Lysara admitted, seated on her chair. "It's like he doesn't seem concerned about the situation—which is not like him." She paused as if recalling something. "Last time I went to his chambers, he was not himself. I could see that he was greatly disturbed, but I'm sure it was not because of Ryojin, but something else." She looked up. "His behavior was unusual."
"I wonder what could be troubling him," Darius replied. "I know I have only spent like three years here in this realm, but in that brief period of time, I have come to know pretty much everyone's character, so I'm sure something is on his mind."
"You say you know everyone's character, so tell me—what's mine?"
"Ah, let's see," Darius tapped his chin. "You are very smart, brave, strong of course, but most importantly, you always seem to put the lives of others first—either be human or lesser gods."
"Is that what you really think about me?"
"Yeah. Just look at how you treat me—though I'm just a Sentinel, you treat me as if I'm your equal. Not only that, despite not being the most powerful, you are the only one who volunteered to go after Ryojin." He paused, looking directly at her. "Others could have volunteered, but they did not. To me, you define what a real god is supposed to be."
Lysara lowered her head shyly. "Oh come on, Darius, you are just too generous."
Darius did not respond but gave a small smile.
After a short pause, Darius asked, "Hey Lysara, is it normal for someone with an elemental divine essence to possess other abilities such as teleportation?"
"No, it's not. A god with an elemental divine essence can only increase their mastery over the element. For example, one that wields divine essence of fire can move from Rank One to Rank Two by learning how to summon fire where it is not present—thus giving it an abstract meaning. Why do you ask?"
"It's nothing," he answered.
"How was I able to teleport during my battle against Ryojin?" The question lingered in his mind. "Despite possessing divine essence of light."
In the divine hierarchy, gods are ranked from I to VI, each tier reflecting the scope and abstraction of their divine essence—the source of their power. Elemental essence are most common among lower-ranked gods and Sentinels, tied to raw, primordial forces like fire, water, earth, light, wind, and lightning. Intermediate gods, Rank II–III, possess Abstract Essence, embodying non-physical ideas like emotions, memory, war, silence, or peace. Higher gods, Rank IV–V, possess Cosmic Essence, granting control over universal forces like time, space, gravity, or fate. At Rank VI stand those with Transcendent Essence—primordial gods-who wield a combination of two or more Cosmic Essences. Only the Celestial Supreme and his youngest son are at this level.
Meanwhile, in the city of Nova—the third-largest city—Seraphiel rode in a carriage. The outside was full of residents of the city following his carriage. After all, this was the city where he grew up, so the residents were thrilled to see one of their own returning—now not just a mere god, but the leader of the Celestial Order.
However, despite the cheering outside the carriage, Seraphiel's mind was elsewhere as he gazed at the children running beside the carriage, just wanting to see him.
"All these people do not know the harm that is almost upon them. They walk a thin line that is held by someone I do not yet know."
It had now been one day since the Norn's warning, and Seraphiel still had no clue who the god in question was.
"I really don't know what to do. That's why I'm going to see Master. He's the only one I can trust with the information I have."
The voice of the carriage driver—a royal servant—pulled him out of his thoughts.
"High Lord, we've reached Lord Zuga's house."
"Oh, thanks," Seraphiel said as he stepped out of the carriage.
The outside was now more clear, as no one was in sight.
"People are still afraid of you, Master," he chuckled, looking at the building inclined in a wire fence.
This place was the home of Lord Zuga—Seraphiel's master, the one who helped him master his divine essence of gravity. As he reached the gate, sounds of children fighting could be heard.
"What is going on?"
He opened the gate only to be hit by small shards of ice on the chest.
He looked up and saw two boys—one with black hair and the other white—locked in battle. The children hadn't even noticed his arrival.
"I will get you this time, Atisen," the boy with white hair said as he lifted his hand, summoning small shards of ice above him.
"Just forget it, Felmod. You can't beat me," Atisen said, putting his hands in his pockets.
Seraphiel did not intervene as he watched the kids.
Felmod, with a subtle gesture of his hand, sent the shards directly to Atisen, but before impact, they melted away, reduced to water.
Felmod was in shock as his attack had just melted before him.
Then Atisen moved with speed not achievable by a child and swept out Felmod's legs, making him fall down. The boy then stood on top of Felmod, his hands still in his pockets.
"I told you that you are not on my level."
Seraphiel was surprised by the abilities shown by these kids.
" Have these kids already reached Rank II?"
Then a voice boomed from the house.
"Felmod! Atisen! What have I told you about fighting?"
Immediately, the boys stood up straight to face the door, lowering their heads.
"Master, we were just practicing," Atisen said.
The door of the house slowly opened, revealing Zuga—dressed in a long black robe.
Immediately after stepping outside, Seraphiel and Zuga locked eyes.
"Oh, you finally came."