God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Cain raised a brow,

"Is that so..."

Ambrosia cackled and leaned back with her legs crossed,

"You seem surprised. What, you thought I'd be the same as though stupid animals?"

Cain was silent.

Ambrosia sighed,

"To be honest, we have tried to work through our differences in the past. However, it failed royally. Those two are just too stubborn and refuse to bend from their ways, even just a bit."

Cain hummed,

"I think I see what the problem is."

Ambrosia huffed,

"You think you do, but I promise you it is worse than you imagine."

Her eyes narrowed and her tone fell,

"Even worse, my kind need blood to survive. Such is the nature of our curse. Something like that is looked down upon. Those that do not become our thralls are turned into dried up husks. Such a thing adds to the decore so I don't mind it though..."

Cain laughed dryly.

'No. I've figured it out alright.'

Indeed, he had. The apex predators of this island were destined to eventually come to heads.

The {Redscale Ants} headed by Anathe desired for all the creatures of the forest to come together to create a powerful empire held together and governed by the Redscale Colony.

The {Willow Direwolves} which Roc was the leader of were solitary beasts that relied on the frequent hunting of other beasts in the forest to retain their spot at the top of the food chain.

And then, there was the {Blood-Curse Bats} led by Ambrosia. Creatures with the ability to enthrall other beasts into servitude with the power of their blood. Such an existence would definitely threaten the interest of the other two.

In other words, conflict was the only way forward.

However, Cain absolutely refused to believe that was the only way.

After all, this was not the Devils. It was not one way or death.

"So don't waste your time. Instead, how about we come to an agreement of our own." Ambrosia said as she leaned forward, a strange smile hanging on her lips.

Cain raised a brow,

"What do you mean?"

Ambrosia chuckled and pointed at the ceiling of the cave,

"Do you know what these {Blood Crystals} are?"

Cain paused for a moment before answering,

"I think I have an idea."

Ambrosia nodded,

"They are the crystalized blood energy of Bellius, the Bloodthirsty Night God. They contain extremely concentrated blood energy of divine origins. In other words, the vitality within them is beyond mortal comprehension. However, we {Blood-Curse Bats} are unable to absorb it properly due to our constitution."

Her expression darkened a bit,

"Regardless, it is the only thing that managed to revive our dying race."

Cain could already see where the conversation was going, but he still decided to ask,

"Are you perhaps planning to offer me some?"

Ambrosia chuckled darkly,

"I am. I'll go straight to the point. I want to wipe the dogs of the surface of Urbus. If we work together, I'm sure we will be able to send Roc to meet his god. Impale him right onto the branches of his holy willow tree."

Cain chuckled then shook his head,

"Although the offer is tempting, I'm afraid I am going to have to refuse."

Ambrosia shrugged,

"I'm telling you this is the best you can get out of this situation. Those fools are too stubborn and unwilling to come to a compromise."

Cain remained silent.

Seeing this, Ambrosia let out a sigh,

"You know, I don't hate you as much anymore..."

"Cain."

"I don't hate you as much, Cain. I can see clearly you aren't a fool headed only by divine obligation."

Thinking about his Divine obligation to Ashur, Cain decided to stay silent.

Ambrosia sighed,

"Unfortunately, I am unwilling to compromise as well. Very soon, there will be a war. And only one of us will come out of it alive. I advice you to leave the island while you still can."

Cain was silent for a moment.

Then he frowned and stared into Ambrosia's eyes,

"What if I can get the other two to come to the table? Would you be willing?"

Ambrosia chuckled darkly,

"I doubt that would be possible. Considering how our first and last meeting went, I believe those two will try to rip my throat out the first chance they get."

Cain couldn't help but wonder what had happened.

Seeing the look on his face, she chuckled,

"I cursed both their gods. Terribly so."

Cain's face paled, making her burst into a fit of laughter again.

He gently massaged his temples,

"I see. Then this might be a bit more difficult than I thought."

Ambrosia sneered,

"If you manage to bring them to a table to have a discussion, I wouldn't mind coming as well. However, I cannot guarantee anything."

Cain sighed and nodded,

"That's better than nothing."

Ambrosia still wore a smile,

"Besides, that Anathe is such a..."

Cain calmly listened to the tirade of horrid curses the Little Empress spewed while occasionally nodding.

In his mind, however, he had begun plotting.

Clearly, he had his work cut out for him.

He was no master at negotiations, nor was he someone with excellent people skills.

'Well, in this case I am not dealing with people...'

He shook his head and sighed internally.

On one hand, it was guaranteed that this little Empress was willing to talk at the very least. He could force Roc into it as well.

The main issue, was with Anathe.

It was now clear to him that something was up. It was either the Ant Queen didn't want to discuss anything with him, or she was in a delicate condition and therefore couldn't.

He was more inclined to believe it was the second one, but assuming it wasn't, then he would have to think of a way to force her hand.

Either way, he was in a difficult spot.

'This is way harder than swinging a sword.'

The winds of change were wild, untamed and unruly. They could only be brought to heel by those brave enough to conquer them.

Cain was oblivious to the fact at the moment, but these winds of change were bound to bring about an era of chaos with his soul and that of many others as the catalysts.