Chapter 06: 1st growth Pace
The System incident died down soon thereafter.
And another month passed by as Kyriaki further got adjusted to her new life as a dragon.
She spent her time exploring the lair with her twin in the past three months.
Frankly, she found it useful to know the layout of the place she lives.
In rough estimate, the lair was five times the size of Madrid Palace in her past life. Although it was very large for Kyriaki, Endymion sometimes complained the lair was very modest and cramped.
Kyriaki could only laugh.
If this was modest, then Endymion would faint after seeing her one room studio apartment back on Earth.
Anyhow, with the combination of her gifted memories and inspecting skills, she judged that although it looked like a typical western palace from a fantasy novel, the lair was equipmented with modern tools such as elevators, AI systems, auto-operating weapons and so on as well as magic enchanted tools such as time preservation, space manipulation and so on.
The lair was, without a doubt, very luxurious with all those massive chambers.
It included the gallery, grand library, royal armory, grand ball room, throne room together with treasury and so many other important chambers used for special occasions.
Well if someone asked her opinion, she would say her favorite place is the treasury, which was occupied by 100 rooms out of 3,500 rooms of the lair.
According to the gifted memories, the lair was located at the center of seeker's forest. A place classified as a forbidden zone by humans.
Kyriaki was planning on exploring the forest as well when she got the time.
—Riaaaaaaa~—
A childish and adorable voice rang through her head, dragging her out of her mind palace.
—What?— She replied in a plain, drowsy tone.
Her eyes half open from the unbearable enervation as she shooed away a system panel that said [decline of mental and physical strength detected].
She sat in the middle of the room in a half-sleepy state as she guessed what he was about to say. She could feel his emotions after all.
Fear, anxiety, shame and doubt. Those were his emotions.
—Aren't you scared?— He asked.
—For what?—
—It's time—
—So?—
There was a brief silence where Kyriaki felt a bit annoyed. She hated this kind of time-wasting conversations.
And her current unstable emotions made her capricious to the point of influencing her actions. Not just because of her first experience in going through her 1st growth pace, but also because she was feeling emotions after ten billion years.
That was why her annoyance was visible on her lethargic face.
—...What if we never wake up?—
Kyriaki froze, forcing her heavy eyelids to open, she turned to take a look at her younger brother. He was sitting on the edge of a large bed that was enough to fit four king sized beds, fiddling with his tiny claws. His tail swayed back and forth in clear anxiety.
—What if we get stuck in our slumber?— He continued. A hint of fear in his adorable voice, prompting her to sighed.
—What if I made a mistake and my growth fails? What if I hadn't grown after my growth pace ended?! What if…—
—Rio— She called out instead of using telepathy.
However it appeared Kyrios was drowned in his own thoughts.
—What if I fail to unlock my unique skill?—
—Kyrios…—
—Wha-what if I disgrace my family by never even entering my first growth pace?!—
—KYRIOS!!!— Unable to listen to his fear-filled concerns, Kyriaki raised her voice for the first time after she was born.
Kyrios' entire body froze.
He appeared to recognize her annoyed, upset and tired emotions straight away.
Realizing what she had done, Kyriaki immediately stepped towards her twin unconsciously, she was lost for words as she saw his tearful eyes.
—Wha-what should I do, Sister?— Tears flowed down from his beautiful yellow-golden eyes, turning into golden sparkles midway as his front paws grasped her left paw tightly.
Kyriaki's mind went blank for a second.
Sister…
That was an unfamiliar and strange word. Like the first sunset of a newborn bird.
In her previous life, her human brother stopped calling her that after he entered middle school. It was replaced by the word "Maid" from then on. For the next fifteen years when she was still alive, she never heard that word ever again.
Even after she was reborn, Kyrios never used that word to address her for the past three months. It was always "Ria" or "My twin".
Kyriaki knew for a fact that he was very different from her former human brother. Hence, she wasn't very worried about their sibling relationship. It wasn't overly complex.
There was this distance, but that was the result of her own actions to protect her mind and to concentrate on her mission. And her capricious state also paid a big part.
But at that moment, when Kyrios called her sister, she felt as if something got stuck in her throat.
Something warm and pleasant sparked inside her heart.
For the first time in her life she realized how precious and priceless the word "Sister" was.
She found herself extending her paw and patting her younger brother's head.
—Brother…—
So gently, so terribly softly—Oh so much so that it felt like the comforting embrace of a mother— She muttered.
With just one word, Kyrios' golden tears stopped.
He raised his head, a puzzled look on his adorable face. Kyriaki seemed to forget that Kyrios could feel her emotions as well.
From the moment she felt upset, annoyed and tired from his childish tantrum to her complicated emotions as he called out to her, asking for help as well as her resolve to protect and care for him, he felt it all.
The adoration, the motherly devotion and goodwill… those emotions were so strong that Kyrios felt puzzled if it was really his twin sister, who never had any strong emotion for anything else.
—In the history of dragons, there has never been a case where a hatchling failed at their first growth pace— She spoke word by word with the tenderness of a dedicated mother. Her beautiful eyes reassuring him adroitly.
—R-Really?— Kyrios asked, still sniffing.
—Yeah— She nodded. —And even if something like that happened, we wouldn't mind— Adding just in case.
—Bu-but that's not good at all!—
—Don't worry, if that happens, Dad will dedicate his entire life to research and find a solution to it. Even grandpa and I will join him to speed up the progress— She declared proudly.
Kyrios studied her face for a minute and nodded, a slight smile playing on his face.
Despite saying so, she knew the possibility of something ominous happening was zero. According to her gifted memories, Kyrios safely completed his slumber and gained a very adorable humanoid form after his first growth pace.
'1st growth pace.'
Talking about 1st growth pace, all the information she gathered was enough for her to understand the concept of a dragon's growth, making her less worried.
Dragons have 5 growth paces.
The 1st growth pace happens when a baby hatchling is three months old. They enter a deep slumber of 99 years and 9 months.
Yes, nearly 100 years.
The purpose of this growth pace is to strengthen the dragon body and prepare the young hatchlings for their elemental awakening as well as unlock their only unique skill gained from birth.
The early symptoms of a growth pace are emotional instability; like Kyrios' lassitude and somnolent; like what's happening to Kyriaki for the past few weeks.
It wasn't unusual for them to mix up their emotions and be shaken by them and also lose consciousness for hours or sometimes days at first. The heavy drowsiness and fatigue that came from even talking was a chemical reaction that compels dragons to embrace the deep and long slumber.
After soothing her twin brother, Kyriaki was about to drag her tired body across her new luxurious room, if not for a loud knock that reached her ears.
—Come in— She behested calmly.
Ezekiel, as cheerful as always, entered with a beam.
"I greet The Glory of Dragons, Princess Ky—"
—You can stop the formalities, Sir Ezekiel. I would appreciate it if you treat me according to my merits and age, which I obviously lack— She dismissed him immediately, her tone still polite amidst the drowsiness.
"How dare I—a mere personal assistant do that to the only princess of noble dragons." For some reason, Ezekiel's smile grew wider as his unique colored eyes twinkled.
As Kyriaki was about to counter his witty words, Kyrios cut in.
—Oh, Hello uncle Ezekiel—
"Yes, good day to you, your highness." Ezekiel bowed courteously.
"I'm here to escort you to the slumbering chamber." He then added, peeking at Kyriaki.
He seemed to answer her mental questions as if he could read minds. That attitude of his made her a bit unsettling sometimes.
From her gifted memories, she knew he was a loyal and reliable man to Elysium until his death. But when she feels his measuring and evaluating gaze directed at her sometimes, she feels as if he could even see through her soul.
Since her father and grandfather seemed to know his actions yet refrain from pointing it out, she assumed it was related to the matter of choosing their own personal assistant.
Pushing the matter for later rumination, she followed Ezekiel out of her room, Kyrios tagged behind her with his head down.
With a half an hour long walk, they finally arrived at a massive door.
Calling it a door was an understatement. As it was made out of a similar model to a gate, with beautifully glowing tinted-glass in countless colors and a gold frame. It was massive in size, nearly a hundred meters tall, just as all the other doors in this dragon lair.
"Are you ready?" Ezekiel asked playfully, his pointy years going up and down in excitement.
—Not at all— Kyrios mumbled, while Kyriaki remained silent.
To her, talking was exhausting and fatuous at that point. Instead she took a quick glance at Ezekiel's status window to see if anything changed in a month.
[Ding!] The usual sound of the status window opening rang delightfully.
[Status window
Name: Ezekiel Zev Avihud
Race: Elf(Dark) Sub race: High Elf
Age: 1850 Years
Core Rank: EX(High)
Job(s): Great Spirits Mage(Medium), Great assassin(High), Great martial artist(Low)
Title(s): One with the wind, The Angel slayer, Purple Shadow
Attribute(s): Wind, Darkness, Earth
Contracted Summons: Celestial spirit of wind; Aella, Celestial spirit of darkness; Erebus, Celestial spirit of Earth; Chthon, Lesser Spirit of wind; Phy, Lesser Spirit of Darkness; Nyz, Lesser Spirit of Earth; Ia
Strength: EX (Medium)
Defence: EX (Low)
Agility: EX (High)
Sense: EX (High)
Vitality: EX (High)
Mana: EX (High)
Intelligent: EX (High)
Charm: EX (Medium)
Skills:
Unique:
Passive:
Active:
Warrior imprint:
Mage imprint:
'Hmmm…nothing changed, I see.'
As she pondered, the gates opened surprisingly without a sound, revealing an astonishing view of an endless flower plain.
Delicate pastel color flowers to large flowers with a strong fragrance dominated the landscape. Everywhere she looked, flowers caught her eyes, giving her a strange sense of tranquility.
Some flowers she noticed were the same from earth, like lilies, cornflowers, dandelions and so on. But some flowers, with vibrant colors and odd shapes, were unfamiliar to her.
For example; There was even a flower that looked like a teacup with a sharp floral scent.
Nonetheless, the beautiful view of the flower plain, pleasing to the eye and mind, welcomed them with open arms.
—Gasp!— Kyrios besides her gasped in surprise as Kyriaki held her breath, stepping to the field.
"Ah! My sunberry pie and Amber stars!!!" A cheerful voice brought them back to their senses the next minute.
Kyriaki looked straight ahead.
There he was, her father—Elysium—beaming with his arms stretched out, like a well-secured sculpture of a gorgeous man in a famous musium… strong arms gracefully reaching out to audience from the high platform.
His maker unknown, his purpose unknown, yet the profound sense of benevolence and ataraxia making the hearts of those looking filled with joy and warmth, to the point of giving that small action a meaning of their own.
Although Elysium always uttered childish and cringe worthy words, his mollifying demeanor was always warm and welcoming, as if the safest and most contented place in the world was within his arms.
Yes, the way he addressed his children was silly and immature.
There were times she thought he was trying to play the role of a jester. But with time she realized it was his way of showing affection. That realization made her unable to get annoyed or disgusted by his actions.
Since he was trying… Since he was pouring so many emotions into a single task just to find a way to connect with his children, she felt she should at least acknowledge his efforts.
Her former human father was never this thoughtful and she had never seen any father this affectionate, so why not desist from judging him with negative presumptions?
Thinking sentimentally, unlike her usual self, Kyriaki blinked her eyes, staring right at Elysium.
"Welcome to the chamber of slumber." Endymion smiled gently, his eyes closing to make two crescent moons.
—It's huge!— Flapping his tiny wing, which lacked proper strength to fly, Kyrios jumped up and down, reaching the two before Kyriaki did.
The loud laughter of Elysium and soft chuckle of Endymion echoed through the field as Kyriaki calmly walked up to them. Ezekiel smiled ear to ear, watching his master cheerfully chattering with his son.
"Of course it's huge. This entire chamber is enhanced with a high level space expanding, time preservation and plant production spells. Furthermore, it's also protected by advanced security AI and barriers."
Kyriaki checked the area with newfound interest. It seemed the space was fit to create a city similar to Paris, with both population and landscape.
Magic is truly magnificent.
And advanced science is fascinating.
And in a century, she'll wield those mysterious powers, just like her elders do.
Kyriaki yawned, stealing the attention of the three adults.
"So cute!" All three of them exclaimed, tears pooling in their eyes.
Kyriaki shot a glare at them but said nothing as she felt too lethargic to reply.
"Let's not delay this any longer. It seems both children are ready to take their first step to beat the wings." Elysium remarked.
Snap!
Before the sound of his fingers snapping faded, something appeared on his palm.
It looked like an air conditioner remote in appearance. Drakonic numbers and letters were neatly printed on the buttons. When Elysium pressed a green button, the ground shook slightly, not enough for a dragon to bat an eye, but enough to feel the vibrating earth underneath their feet.
Two giant and colorless spheres appeared from the two holes that appeared on the surface of earth. With a quick glance, Kyriaki calculated both of them to be 100 meters in diameter, more than twice as large as The Pantheon of Agrippa from her previous life.
Kyrios gasped again, prompting Elysium to nod proudly.
"These are the same spheres Xanthos I and his twin used. A royal treasure of sorts." He explained, showcasing the initial characteristics of a dragon to hoarder treasures and prideful traits.
But it appeared Kyrios' focus was snitched away by the sudden mention of twins.
—Twins?— He tilted his head.
Kyriaki was sure she saw the illusion of flowers blooming around him for a second. Elysium grabbed his chest as if something struck right on it.
"That's right. Xanthos and Ochros, First twin siblings of Eleftherios royal family. Xanthos was the eldest and he became the 5th monarch of dragons at that time. He was also the king who ended the first Angel war, it was also the first minor war that happened after God's war ended."
Kyriaki's eyes widened. That was the first time she heard of something about the first minor war. Original Kyrios seemed to avoid history classes in his younger days, so Kyriaki was greatly lacking in the aspects of the history of Mitherr-ge and Eleftherios dragon lineage.
—Wow… can I stop wars too?— Kyrios wandered out aloud, his eyes twinkling with passion and new dreams.
"Of course, my lovely golden clouds! You can even crush principalities and demon kings as long as you have us!" Elysium lifted him up with delight, his tone playful.
'That's a lie. He freaking died because he couldn't handle those principalities and demon kings, even with your help. But then again, since he has me, things will be different this time around.'
Thinking that way with a small smirk, Kyriaki walked up to Endymion with all of her four paws. Endymion watched her in silence, the usual gentle smile still lingering on his lips as curiosity sparked in his amber eyes.
—Grandpa…— Kyriaki bowed slightly and lifted her head, looking straight at her grandfather.
"Hmm?" Endymion tilted his head, his hand on his chin.
'Damn. How can this guy be nearly ten thousand years old? He's unnecessarily youthful and handsome.'
—What's your plan for the next 100 years?— Contrary to her true thoughts, Kyriaki asked politely.
"...I haven't thought about it yet." Perplexed by her strange question, he said in a small voice. "Perhaps I should officially join as an advisor of the King since the position is vacant." He added carefully.
Kyriaki shook her head left to right, dismissing his ideas as if they were unworthy of her attention.
—How about you take some fresh air for a change?— She insisted, still sounding as polite and respectful as possible.
Endymion studied her for a while, his gaze coated with ancient wisdom and keen instincts of a wise philosopher.
Then, slowly and deliberately he took a few steps towards Kyriaki. She had to suppress her urge to gulp dry saliva as he loomed over her as an unwavering tower.
Then unexpectedly, he bent down, wrapping his large hands around her and lifting her up with all the care in the world.
—Huh?— A foolish sound escaped her mouth unwillingly, prompting him to chuckle.
"Are you telling me to go out to the world so that I won't get bored without you?" He asked, his voice carefree and blissful, almost to the point Kyriaki felt he was slowly becoming like Elysium.
'That's not it. I don't care if you get bored or not. It's just that you might get too depressed and dark like in the original timeline. It might get hard for me to control you if that happens. So in short, I'm asking you to go out and touch some grass.'
But as always, she held back her thoughts and replied;
—Traveling is good for your mental health. Adventuring is also good. Oh, and don't forget to visit your friends and son once in a while— Endymion's eyebrows arched with each word she said.
After a few seconds of silence, he burst out laughing with delight.
"Ahahaha! So my indifferent granddaughter is finally worried about her grandpa's mental health?!" He lifted her above his head.
The soft breeze that came from who-knew-where ruffled his long golden hair. Artificial sunrays dancing on his handsome face like an aesthetic scene from an artistic drama.
"Very well," He grinned playfully. "If that's what my granddaughter wants, I'll fulfill her wishes as best as I can."
—Please do it in moderation— Kyriaki added as she dangled in his arms. A small smile bloomed on her face, albeit without her knowledge.
"Father, it's time." Elysium came up to them with Kyrios still in his arms.
He bent down and placed a little peck on her forehead.
"Remember, you are always safe inside the sphere. I won't leave the lair even for a moment. The guards are within reach and the security of this chamber is extra superlative. So there won't be anything to worry about." He mumbled.
"All you have to do is sleep soundly. It'll feel like you took a short nap. Do you understand?"
The twins nodded in unison.
"Good." Elysium chuckled with tears in his beautiful downcasted eyes.
His long lashes casted shadows on his face, making his expression even sadder.
Then, without a word they placed Kyriaki and Kyrios inside the spheres. The little hatchlings slided down on the round spheres until they reached the center.
Shinnnn—
The sphere vibrated softly and shrank back in size as if it was getting adjusted to her body.
Kyriaki glanced around.
It had shrunk to around 7 meters in diameter. And most importantly, it was warm and spacious. It seems they had cast temperature management spells beforehand.
On the surface of the sphere, a digital clock as well as temperature, heartbeat and brainwave measurements appeared, making her second guess if it was related to magic or science.
It seemed the glass was made of soundproof material, for she was unable to even hear the rustle sound of flower bushes.
Kyriaki slowly spinned around and settled on the floor.
[Ding!] The familiar sound of her system broke the silence.
Kyriaki glanced at her father. He was smiling as he watched over his children. Besides him was Endymion with arms folded and lips curved upward.
[Decline of mental and physical strength detected]
[Beginning of the first growth pace detected]
[Activating emergency protocol]
[Activating additional protective barriers]
[Activating additional dimensional safety locks]
[Switching to sleep-mood]
[Entering first growth pace in…]
[03]
[02]
[01]
[??? Says good luck]
As Kyriaki's eyelids closed, that was all she was able to hear and see.
∆ ∆ ∆
Location: Eternal plane, Metatron Palace, Capital of Metatron.
It has been 1,000,000 years since The God's War ended with the Angels' defeat. But Angels haven't accepted defeat yet, that was the reason they still trained lower ranking angels.
Grand angels, the highest rank among training angels are said to be the best at combat and strategy.
Zayin, one such young Grand angel, walked through the pure white corridors of the sacred Metatron Palace. It was said that Metatron was built by the god himself when he created the first angel.
'Well, that incompetent God is no more.' Zayin scoffed as she straightened her back and lifted her nose upward with pride.
Her long red velvet hair fluttered in the air as she walked past a few lower ranking angels. When each of them bowed to her, stepping aside to make the way for her, her heart pounded with increasing pride and joy.
She turned 4000 this year. For Grand angels who live 15,000 at max, 4000 means the middle of their juvenile years. Yet Zayin, who refused to mess around like her peers, had reached EX rank with great effort and hardwork.
Today, she was summoned by "The Holy Table" to get promoted and take on a new secret mission. They were the first to find out the news of her core rank going up.
And she was advised to keep it a secret until she completed the mission to get promoted in the military.
After the mission she'll be promoted to a general.
The youngest general in history!
'That has a nice ring to it.' She admitted.
The thought of meeting The Holy Table alone made her excited.
The Holy Table referred to 7 principalities of the entire angel race. They are the highest ranking angels who oversee the Eternal Plane. And they are the future rulers of Mitherr-ge.
"Welcome, Colonel Zayin!" a friendly voice called out to her.
"Gasp!" Zayin froze on the spot as if she was caught by an ice spell the moment her red eyes landed on the person that appeared in front of her.
He was a man with shimmering golden hair and pale blue eyes. His handsome features, a blend of sharp jawline and high cheekbones emitted an aura of authority.
She felt as if those pale blue eyes were harboring a magnetic pull that could captivate anyone who dared to meet his gaze. The blue gem on the middle of his forehead emitted a soft glow. His eight wings, neatly folded behind his back, spoke volumes of his high bloodline and status among angels.
"I bow before Archangel Gabriel!" She bowed deeply, her six wings trembled as she held her breath.
"Pfft…haha… no need to be so formal, The future youngest general in our angel history." He said softly, his deep voice was so alluring that it seemed to pull her in even more.
Zayin blushed, getting more and more like an apple.
"Ah, the youngest general is very shy, I see." He extended his hand, his movements graceful and gentle.
"Th-that's not it, Sire. I'm still a mere colonel. I have to pass my test and complete the mission to become a general." Zayin grabbed his offered hand, still blushing.
"Even so, being a colonel is still an excellent feat at your age. I am glad and proud to have a brave angel like you, Zayin. Truly."
"I-I'm flattered." Zayin lowered her head more. The warmth she felt from Gabriel's hand touching hers tickled her heart.
But before she could even enjoy that feeling, the door in front of her opened, exposing a brilliantly lit grand hall. Countless chandeliers of purest diamonds stole the sun rays flowing out of tall windows, reflecting beautiful colors. At the middle of the hall was a round table, made from levanian, a pure white wood containing Angelic energy.
In place of chairs, seven figures stood tall, covered by veils so that no one could grasp their true appearance.
They had no wings, yet by the outlines of their body, they seemed to be closer to a titan in height. Each one of them was over 5 meters tall. It seemed this form wasn't their true form.
"Welcome, young Grand angel. I am Salvanut, Principality of Patience." A voice, neither male nor female, softly resonated across the hall.
Zayin held her breath.
She was now standing before the 7 principalities who represent the 7 heavenly virtues.
It didn't matter if she would fail the mission at that point. To lay her eyes on all 7 principalities at once was a rare opportunity and a great honor to a lowly Angel.
"I greet the great Principalities. Protectors of Angels, Rulers of Seven Heavenly Virtues and Holy Swords of the Golden Age." She immediately knelt before them, her forehead almost touching the neatly polished floor as she held back her tears.
"How adorable… raise your head, little Grand angel. I want to see your face." Another gender natural voice, a bit different from the former, chuckled softly.
"Anavah… stop acting like you are still some low ranking angel. Where's your dignity?"
"Stop meddling with my business, Mishamar. Who cares if I'm of lower ranking or not? Your opinion doesn't matter, What matters is what I want right now."
The Principality of Humility and Principality of Diligence seemed to not be on good terms with one another as they openly displayed their antipathy and displeasure.
"The two of you, please stop before our little guest gets frightened. We gathered here today for a special task, are we not?" One of the figures opened their mouth, saying in a loud voice with a hint of cheerfulness and kindness.
With just that, the hall again went silent for some reason.
"Now," The same figure continued their speech. "I congratulate you on advancing to a transcended rank, Zayin the Grand angel. You will be tested before promoted to a higher military rank. I advise you before taking this step since only a handful of Angels pass through this alive. So on behalf of the Principalities I, Khesed will ask you again; are you willing to risk your life for the greater good?"
Zayin took a deep breath, the heaviness of Khesed's words slowly settling in her heart. Yet, she strengthened her back with firm resolve.
"Yes." She declared, loud and clear.
"Very well then." Khesed waved their hand once. The long white veil rustled softly as a slender jet-black arm came to view.
A bright light enveloped Zayin in an instant, teleporting her to a huge underground dome filled with darkness.
"Huh?" Zayin staggered, trying her best to stand up as she glanced around in creeping fear.
For an angel, darkness is one of their weaknesses. Wasn't she supposed to take a test and go on a mission afterwards? She couldn't understand why she was teleported to an omniscious place like this.
'Does our Eternal plane even have a place like this?' She asked herself.
Just as she was about to sit down on the floor, hoping for Khesed to call her back, she felt a presence.
A chill ran down her spine as she summoned her shield and spear.
something baleful, something sinister is observing her every move. She was sure of it.
"Who's there?!" She glared at the darkness, her tone sharp and aloof.
Nothing.
No one.
The absence of silence that was not quite silence was terrifying.
Then, following her instincts, Zayin looked up.
If she had time to regret, that would be the perfect moment as she caught seven figures floating above her in a circle.
The 7 principalities, In their true form.
Massive 12 wings, covered in long silver feathers and countless eyes watched her in silence. In endless darkness, they were the only beings who emitted light from their bodies.
They resembled a human in mid 20s, no clear gender, but with dark charcoal like skin, shimmering like polished obsidian and featureless mouth like a pale dark slit. Delicate silver eyelashes framed their otherworldly crystal eyes, gleaming with different colors each.
In the place of ears, six small wings on either side surrounded their mesmerizing faces. Those wings, not entirely made only by feathers unlike their wings on the back, but also by an unknown luminous fur-like substance, seemed to resemble a halo. Just as their back wings contained countless eyes, those wings too were studded with glowing eyes, shaped perfectly by eyelashes.
They dressed in white robes adorned with luxurious patterns, with stylish hair cascading down to their knees, completing a beautiful picture of a divine being.
All seven of them looked identical except for the color of their eyes and the second halo behind their head—matching each of their heavenly virtues.
Zayin's eyes widened, her hands trembling.
She couldn't understand what was happening.
Was she supposed to defeat the principalities to pass the test? That was simply impossible.
Principalities are Demi-God rank beings at the pinnacle of living, how dare she even think of defeating them?
'But then again…why are they here if not for that reason?'
To answer her growing questions, Khesed's voice, still sounding kind and cheerful, rang out.
「O' the almighty father who reigns over us lowly servants, heed our call and bless us with your divine gaze」
"Wha-what?!" Zayin shuttered.
'Almighty father?'
Zayin might be young, but she was above average in her academics. The chanting Khesed uttered was the start of a sacrifice ritual for their former God.
「We offer you the purest and strongest lamb of yours, O' divine king…O' our salvation… accept our offering and make her part of your holy being. O' bless us with your supreme strength…」
As Khesed's voice resonated across the dome, Zayin felt her strength leaving her body. With a loud metallic sound, her weapon dropped.
Her eyes, pooled with bloody tears, locked with a giant Eye the hue of a seven colored rainbow. As her knees gave out, countless other eyes, each one the size of a house, opened with an unimaginable pressure weighting over her entire body.
The darkness seemed to be sucked into those glowing otherworldly eyes as they blinked slowly, making the other parts of its body blurry.
All Zayin saw before her body turned to dust and absorbed by that thing they called "almighty father" was the image of 7 principalities chanting and bowing their heads to the thing before them…
∆ ∆ ∆
"Taking the first step to beat the wings is a proverb in Drakonic, the language of dragons. It was used not as a baby's first step, but as a phrase or a synonym for the 1st growth pace."
—From the book