Over a day has passed since they entered the chamber. Sven was practicing his attacks in the garden. The quality of his blasts was increasing greatly. He forced himself to keep his scales on constantly to train his endurance. Even when meditating, eating, or sleeping he didn't retract them. While meditating he felt a presence near him. When he opened his eyes there was no longer a garden around him. It was the village he grew up in. Standing in front of him was Bethany. When he saw her he froze. Recalling Astrid's words about seeing loved ones. He had no memory of the loop. This was the first time he saw her since that tragic day. Immediately running up to embrace her.
"I've missed you so much. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Sven held her tightly in his arms.
"It's okay you tried your best. I have one question though." Bethany said with a smile.
"You know you can ask me anything."
"Why haven't you avenged me yet? Why aren't you out there right now killing them all? I thought you loved me. Are you giving up on your revenge since there are other women in your life now? Did all our time together mean nothing to you?" Bethany asked with a cold look in her eyes.
"I do love you, and I could never forget our time together. I would give anything to be able to change the outcome of that day. I have to get stronger, and then I can avenge you!" Sven replied.
"I can't wait for that! I need to see them suffer now! They killed me while looking for you! It's all your fault, and you have to make it right by spilling their blood." Bethany yelled.
When Sven heard this he was broken. To hear such words from the women he loved was painful. He was about to respond when he realized something was off. Bethany wasn't the type to yell, she would prefer a more physical response.
"You almost had me for a minute. Reveal yourself!" Sven demanded in anger as he released a massive aura.
Bethany began laughing hysterically as her eyes went red, and her true form was revealed. A massive dragon clad in golden scales towered over him. Sven had a fierce look on his face staring him down.
"Now that is a proper look for a dragon. When will you see that humanity and the gods deserve to be wiped out?"The dragon asked.
"Not all humans are bad. You see what I do right? Then you should know exactly what I mean. Here there are humans, tera, gods, and Inhumans living peacefully together." Sven said while staring him down.
"You say not all humans are bad, but the majority are. Your entire village was wiped out simply out of fear. Humans fight, kill, and enslave each other out of greed. It has been this way since the dawn of time. Meanwhile, the gods return to Olympus only to manipulate the humans into worshiping them. In doing so giving rise to their own religion where war is a means to salvation. Constantly fueling a cycle of revenge killings over one's faith. Sure they didnt write the story themselves, but have they stepped in to rectify the situation? No! The whole slate must be wiped clean! Together we could reshape the world into the proper order while getting our revenge along the way." The dragon was relentless in making him see his way.
"There are indeed things in the world needing a change, but slaughtering innocents is not the way to do it. You will not change my mind on this no matter what you say!"Sven retorted.
"Allow me to remind you of the horrors humans can commit!"
Sven was forced to see the scene of his village being massacred endlessly before him. Knowing exactly what the dragon intended to do. Sven tried to keep his composure, and it worked only the first few times. Even with his iron resolve he still felt anger swelling every time he witnessed the deaths of his father and Bethany. He clung tightly to everything he has now. Those depending on him right now to get stronger, and defend this place. Yet every time Bethany's head hits the ground in front of him an unending sense of rage continues to swell up.
"That's enough." A voice called out.
Suddenly the visions halted, and the dragon immediately bowed his head. When Sven turned he saw a woman clad in white. With every step she took the earth flourished beneath her. The energy he sensed was similar to the gods.
"Who are you?" Sven asked
"Show some respect!" The dragon demanded.
"My name is Gaia, and I am your creator. It is you that should show some respect." She said while staring the dragon down.
The second her gaze fell upon the dragon he immediately went silent. He continued to lower his head as he listened.
"You have so much hate for Zeus and humans. You must not remember things properly. It was Zeus that convinced me to bring you back. I'll start with your rebirth. At the time I was too weak to recreate you in your previous form. Then Zeus told me about the prophecy given to him. After knowing the beast would evolve to a human form we decided to attempt the same with you. I created a new body with your heart. The human who slew you kept it as a trophy, but Zeus retrieved it long ago. Your heart was still filled with your essence. The primordial force of a dragon isn't easily extinguished after all. With that, I was able to construct a new body from my flesh. I was to weaken to rekindle your life though. Zeus gave the body life by giving up the little he had left." Gaia said while walking up placing her hand on his head.
"He wouldn't do that for me. If it were true then answer me this. Why did he abandon me, and let the humans slaughter me?"
"A severe drought struck the land that even the gods couldn't undo. As the drought continued chaos began erupting across the land, and civil war was brewing in Olympus. Making it difficult for him to maintain his usual duties. When you were wandering the land in a daze you accidentally killed a young prince while searching for water. Even though the humans' vengeance was justified Zeus still took action to avenge you. When he saw the chaos that would unfold upon the world he entrusted you to help stop it. Never forget you were meant to be a protector, not a destroyer. Was Zeus wrong to choose you for this task?" Gaia asked.
Zeus had always treated him well, and would frequently visit the garden. When it stopped he thought he was forgotten. As the hunger grew he began to resent Zeus. He could vaguely remember war across the land as he searched for nourishment. His mother always spoke the truth before and had no reason to doubt her now.
"What do you need me to do?"The dragon asked.
"Give guidance to Sven, and help him grasp his power. No one else can stop what's coming, and he can't do it without your help. Now I must speak with him." Gaia said as she walked up to him.
"Thank you for pulling me out of that loop," Sven said with a slight bow.
"I don't have much time to speak. It's your life so I understand that you may not wish to be a guardian, but I believe you will do the right thing when the time comes. Before I leave I wanted to gift you this. You know what's it for right?"Gaia asked as she handed him a huge seed.
"It's what grew this tree right?" Sven replied.
"Yes, it is. This one is of higher quality than the ones I left to Hecate. It will help you greatly in the future. We will go for now, because there is someone who wishes to speak with you. Open your eyes, and return to the garden she is waiting." Gaia said before everything faded away.