Throne of Gods

That night, Leo found himself almost drunk for the first time in a long while. Unfortunately, the experience didn't last. Because of him being part vampire and whatever lingering influence he carried from the Goddess of Nature, his body's healing abilities worked a little too well. The alcohol was flushed from his system faster than he would've liked, much to his annoyance.

By the time he returned to his tent, the camp had quieted. The night air was cool, and a few distant laughter from the celebration still echoed faintly beyond the canvas walls. Leo lay down, letting his mind drift—until he felt a familiar tug from his domain. Someone was praying to him again.

He shifted his consciousness inward, his awareness flowing into his domain. In the center of the white chamber, he stood before the tall mirror, its surface already rippling with energy. He reached out with a thought, and the image became clear.

Alina. As always, she knelt with quiet reverence, her hands clasped, lips moving in silent devotion. Since the day she had first reached out to him, she had continued her prayers nightly. Her faith, steady and unwavering, had become a constant presence in his growing domain.

Tonight, Leo decided it was time to speak. He expanded his awareness further, checking on the others who had pledged themselves to him. One by one, he confirmed they were alone, their surroundings still and quiet—ready. Now that their bond to him was established, he no longer needed a formal prayer to reach them. The connection was already woven into the fabric of their spirits.

Standing before the mirror, Leo extended his hand. The glass pulsed with pale light as he pulled them to his domain.

…

Alina had just finished her prayer, and as always, she settled onto her bedding, ready to drift into sleep. But before her eyes could close, her vision wavered. The candlelight of her room dissolved into a bright, endless white.

She blinked in confusion. When her sight cleared, she found herself standing in a vast expanse that she saw before.

To either side stretched sprawling gardens, dense with flowers in every color—petals shimmering as if lit from within. The air was filled with a sweet, subtle fragrance she couldn't name. At the far end of the gardens rose two towering structures, their smooth walls gleaming in the soft light.

Alina's eyes went wide, captivated by the sheer beauty of the place. But she wasn't alone.

Two more figures stood nearby. Their shapes were clear—one tall and broad-shouldered, the other more slender—but their faces were obscured by a drifting fog. They turned their heads to take in their surroundings, glancing from the gardens to each other in silent wonder.

Ahead of them stretched an open chamber, marked by a massive stone table surrounded by many empty chairs. Beyond that, a wide staircase climbed upward into another level, the steps vanishing into a dense, impenetrable mist.

For a moment, everything was still. Then, from within the fog above the stairs, movement stirred. A figure emerged, descending slowly, his steps measured and silent.

He was young, or appeared so—tall and composed, with striking green eyes that seemed to catch every flicker of light. A single lock of white hair fell over his forehead, a sharp contrast to the rest of his dark hair. He was handsome.

Something in her heart lurched. Even without hearing a word, she felt the weight of his presence.

'Who is he?' she wondered, a tremor running through her as he continued down the steps, the mist curling away from him as if in deference.

…

Marco had been on the edge of sleep when the sensation struck—a sudden, invisible pull that tugged him out of his body.

The next moment, he stood upright in a place so bright it made him squint. All around him stretched a vast garden, rows upon rows of flowers in vivid colors he couldn't name. Their fragrance was delicate but strangely invigorating, like the first breath of air after a long confinement.

He turned in place, disoriented, and realized he wasn't alone. Two other figures stood nearby. Their forms were clear—one with a slender build, the other a girl with a body that seemed powerful—but a drifting fog obscured their faces, concealing any hint of identity. They were glancing around, clearly just as bewildered as he was.

Ahead of them, a wide chamber opened around a massive stone table lined with empty chairs. Beyond the table, a staircase climbed upward into a wall of thick mist, so dense nothing beyond could be seen.

A chill ran through Marco's spine. Then the fog on the stairs shifted. From its depths, a figure emerged, descending with an unhurried grace.

He was young, perhaps no older than Marco himself. A lock of stark white hair fell across his forehead, standing out sharply against the darker strands around it.

Marco swallowed, feeling the quiet pressure of the man's gaze even before it turned toward him.

'Just like me,' he thought, staring at the white hair. But the resemblance ended there. This man radiated something different—an authority that settled over the room like a hidden current.
…

Liam had finished his nightly charade—kneeling in the chapel, murmuring empty prayers to the God of Light with the same measured sincerity he'd practiced for years. When he was finally alone, he returned to his room, locked the door, and sat on the edge of the bed.

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He was just beginning to map out the next step of his plans when the world abruptly slipped out of focus. His vision blurred, and before he could even stand, the floor vanished beneath him.

When he could see again, he was no longer in his chamber. He was here again—in the creator's realm.

The endless white stretched in every direction, bright but never blinding. On either side, the two vast gardens bloomed in perfect rows, their colors vibrant against the pale backdrop. And this time, he wasn't alone.

Two other figures stood near him, both their faces hidden beneath a shifting fog. They turned their heads, taking in the gardens, the towering structures beyond, and finally each other. Before he could move or speak, something stirred beyond the wide stone table.

From the stairs that rose into the dense curtain of mist, a figure stepped into view. A young man descended slowly, each footfall soft against the steps. He was striking in a way that felt almost deliberately crafted—clear green eyes, fine features, and a single white strand of hair falling across his brow.

The sight of him made something tighten low in Liam's chest.
…

Leo walked slowly down the stairs, every step measured. Before appearing, he had carefully woven an illusion over himself—just enough to alter his features so Liam wouldn't recognize him. It was still too soon for that revelation, and he had given the pope his word to wait.

When he reached the last step, he paused and looked out over the three figures standing near the stone table. Unlike them, he could see every detail of their faces. Surprise and confusion were plain in their expressions.

He let the silence stretch a moment longer before he spoke, his voice calm but carrying through the vast chamber.

"Welcome, all of you. I am Victor, the Creator's Vessel. From this point on, I will speak to you on his behalf."

No one replied. The three stood frozen, their eyes fixed on him.

"You may be wondering why you are here," he continued. "You have been summoned to receive this message: soon, a gathering will be held here every week. Each of you will be required to attend."

The silence lingered, heavy, until finally Alina gathered her courage. Her voice trembled slightly, though Leo had subtly altered it so that she—and the others—would hear her sounding different, at least for now.

"What are these gatherings for, Mr. Victor?"

He inclined his head slightly, as if in respect.

"Through these gatherings, we will communicate. Together, we will grow stronger—each of you increasing your knowledge and your power. In doing so, your efforts will help the Creator awaken fully from his slumber."

"Awaken from his slumber?" Marco asked, sounding steadier now that someone else had spoken first. "So…the Creator has been asleep all this time?"

Leo nodded solemnly. "Yes. And soon, a war will erupt—one that could burn this world to ash. Only the Creator has the power to stop it. That is why your role will be crucial."

Liam's gaze was sharp as he stepped forward half a pace. "And when will these meetings begin?"

"The exact time will be given to you soon," Leo said evenly. "Until then, I expect each of you to do everything in your power to grow. Increase your knowledge. Learn to master the gifts you have received. And be ready."

He raised his hand, and the air around them seemed to shimmer, threads of energy pulling tight.

"Go now. Prepare yourselves."

Before any of them could speak again, the world dissolved around them—and they were gone, returned to their own rooms.

Leo stood alone in the vast white chamber, his illusion still in place, his thoughts quiet.

With the help of his new secret gatherings, Leo intended to accelerate his growth as much as possible. His progress had slowed to a crawl after he reached A-minus rank, and he couldn't afford to linger there for long. But that was a concern for another time.

Tomorrow, they would be leaving the island, and for now, he needed sleep.

…

The next day, Leo woke before dawn. He washed quickly, dressed, and began gathering his belongings. Every book, note, and enchanted tool he'd prepared disappeared neatly into the dark interior of his magic bag. Once everything was packed, he tightened his belt, adjusted the clasp of his cloak, and stepped outside.

A humid breeze rolled in from the ocean, carrying the scents of salt and wet wood. All around the camp, the two crews were in motion. Pirates from both factions moved crates of provisions and barrels of fresh water toward the docks. Some shouted orders; others carried tools and bundles of spare sails. Ropes creaked under strain as cargo was lifted aboard by pulleys.

Near the ramp of the Red Rose's ship, Leo spotted the twins, the other scientists, and a half-dozen sailors clustered around their newly completed sound generator. The polished brass and steel machine looked almost regal in the morning light—until you noticed the deep scratches on its housing and the heavy iron braces keeping it from tipping.

He made his way toward them, stepping around a group rolling barrels.

"Is something wrong?" he asked as he approached.

Raymond turned toward him, running a hand through his hair with a grim expression.

"The sound generator isn't that big, but the density of the alloy makes it nearly impossible to lift without draining half the crew. We're trying to figure out the least idiotic way to get it aboard."

"I keep telling you—telekinesis is the simplest option," Rohesia said, her voice edged with impatience. She gestured at the ship. "We could have had it stowed by now."

"And I keep telling you," Raymond snapped back, "that if we burn through that much mana now, we'll be half-useless in the battle. This thing weighs over two tons. One mistake and it's going to flatten someone."

Leo studied their strained faces, then stepped past them to place his hand against the cold metal housing of the machine.

A pale blue enchantment circle unfolded under his palm. Fine threads of magic sank into the metal, and a moment later, the entire device began to drift upward, moving smoothly as if it weighed no more than a chest of books.

"Where would you like it?" he asked calmly.

Everyone stared at him in stunned silence. A sailor dropped the coil of rope he'd been holding.

Rohesia blinked twice before she found her voice. "How did you do that?"

Leo kept his hand steady on the floating machine. "I used a Weight Enchantment to reduce its weight," he explained. "Once the weight is managed, telekinesis is much more efficient. It won't hold indefinitely, so please—show the way."

Rohesia swallowed, then turned quickly and gestured for him to follow. As they moved, sailors scrambled out of the path, watching the levitating machine with wide eyes.

Inside the hold of the Red Rose ship, the crew had cleared a reinforced platform braced with iron supports. Leo guided the device to the center, lowering it gently until the braces locked it into place. He checked the enchantment one last time before releasing the spell.

"Thank you," Rohesia said, her voice softer than usual. "That saved us hours."

"Glad I could help," Leo said.

He left the scientists to secure the remaining fittings and crossed the shore back to his own ship. Briva was there directing a group of sailors lashing crates into position. Laid was checking harnesses for the weapons they planned to use in the coming fight.

Together, they worked for another hour. Ropes were tightened, sails unfurled, and final checks made. By the time the sun was fully risen, the preparations were complete.

The two ships eased away from the waterside, hulls groaning as they turned to catch the wind. The sea stretched before them, calm for now but carrying the promise of storms.

They were headed into dangerous waters and a god-level creature waited at the end of this journey.