My soul woke up. I was not born the normal way.
I appeared in some mysterious method that I didn't see.
I only woke up now, as a child again.
What world is this, I wonder?
There are trees, a grass bed below me, and birds chirping. I feel no enlightening energy in the surrounding. I feel no Karma except for the Golden Karma within me.
My eyes have yet to open. However, this body is no longer mortal. It is the materialization of my Perfected Soul.
Days passed, I didn't even feel hunger. This is phenomenal.
Insects didn't go near me. Random wild beasts shriek away in fear.
I hear them.
I hear the little steps the line of ants a few meters away from me.
I don't know how much time had passed but I finally opened my eyes. Plants and overgrowth covered my body as if wanting to protect me.
My body was still too weak to get out of here. Somehow, roots attached themselves to me. Not to devour me, but to give me nutrients. They withered for me but they didn't stop. More and more roots entangle each other, trying to reach me.
I lived many years in the last life, but even I have no idea what's happening.
But I know that this isn't bad.
Have I become part of nature? No, nature is a flux of natural cause and effect.
These trees don't have the intelligence to search for me. Therefore, it is the other way around. I am the one that is attracting them...
After many months, I grew a little. That was my first encounter with the people in this world.
"What is that?"
"It's glowing in gold and is covered in nature?"
"..."
"A-A God is born..."
God?
Soon, they hurriedly went away.
This is my fourth world but they still have the same language. In my last life, I've studied every language. Maybe I can use them here too.
After a while, they've come back.
I looked at them in silence. After learning that I'm still alive and well, they kneeled down in front of me. Their faces were filled with happiness, ecstasy, and joy. They were too happy to the point of trembling and breaking down.
They then decided to take off the roots that cover me.
I was still a toddler. Maybe between one to two years old. So they gently carried me away.
They brought and hid me in a rural village.
There, I was worshipped and grew up...
Five years later, I learned enough about this world.
In my words, this is the World of Faith. There are literal Gods here, humans that attained Godhood. They become a part of heaven and anyone affiliated with them will be gifted.
Not only in strength but also in wisdom, prosperity, and wealth.
Anyone can become a God. However, they first need to have sufficient followers before they are recognized by heaven.
Once attained Godhood, true religion will be formed and the God's first followers will become the Apostles.
Of course, a normal person does not have such a plan to become a God. This world is already filled with them, the people who attained Godhood in ancient times. Gods are immortal.
How can one dream of becoming attaining godhood if almost everyone is already taken into a religion?
If one decides to take followers, they have to fight the existing God and try to convert that God's follower into theirs. Which is considered impossible.
Although there are unqualified mortals ages before, that became God due to luck, once attained godhood, no mortal can face them.
Furthermore, one God alone has a whole army beneath them. The closer one is to their God, the higher their position, and the greater the benefits they have.
From the lowest: Follower, Devout Follower, and Layperson.
Lower middle: Deacon, Priest, and High Priest
Upper middle: Bishop, Archbishop, and Cardinals
The highest: Pope, Saint, and the Apostles.
Although a God still has one Guardian Angel beside them, they are on another realm.
Now I understand why these people are so happy kneeling in front of me, worshipping me day and night.
They are like the Raven Clan in my previous life. Putting so much hope and pressure on a single child.
But this time, I am no longer just a talented child nor do I need to do anything. They regard me higher than a king.
In the future, I will grow up and challenge the Gods and take in followers. If I succeeded, these people will become Apostles for they are my "first followers".
From nothing to becoming one of the great rulers. This thought made them quiver in excitement. I'm even in awe of how much devotion they are giving.
They sang praises, place gifts on the altar, and groom me. I didn't say anything, however, I let them.
Five years later, their enthusiasm is breaking down. In my words, took them long enough. But on my tenth birthday, if I'm correct, I finally spoke.
"Stop, I will now go out."
Instead of being confused and worried, they erupted in cheers and the merry atmosphere came back again.
This is the first time I went out and saw how much of my Golden Karma affected this village. However, this Golden Karma is supposed to be used for a whole kingdom for a whole lifetime.
The fade of my golden glow was unnoticeable even though this village prospered because of it.
Now, I shall use it. I will fight the Gods, of course. I want to be one too. I have to be known all over the world as much as possible.
I don't know how many worlds are out there. However, what if the reincarnation doesn't follow a sequence? What if when I was brought to the World of Soul, the Princess is brought the World of Connect, or here, in the World of Faith?
I breathed in relief as there is new hope that is waiting for me.
Now, it seemed that although I lost a bit of strength, I'm still almost as powerful when I've reached Ascended Soul in the last world in this age.
I wonder if I can go against these so-called Gods with this power?
No, not yet. I have to gather Apostles first. These people in the village are the first to worship me so they are automatically my Apostles, right?
No, I choose who is my Follower and who is not. I didn't accept them.
They've used enough of my Karma, I can leave them in peace. They cannot stop me.
And so, I began my journey in my search for Apostles.
After many months of traveling, in one town, a rumor was spreading about an evil entity appearing in a solitary cabin.
Evil Entity?
Curious, while I'm clothed to hide my abnormal presence, I went to the rumored location to find something interesting.
When I got there, I saw her, the "evil spirit"
She was twisted and unholiness leaked from her very soul.
I know what she is... A fallen angel. It seemed that she lost her memory.
How do I know? I have a Perfected Soul as my physical body. I can sense the tainted holiness in her, a pure spirit.
The moment I met her, the golden glow on my body instantly vanished. To take so much of much Golden Karma, what else is she but a high and mighty angel? But seeing how she's this "evil", she should be a fallen angel.
"Why are you here?" I asked even though I'm sure she lost her memory. A great Angel wouldn't just stay in one place and scare the locals.
She eventually calmed down and said with an eerie voice like nails scratching a blackboard.
[You can see me? Can you really see me? Can you really?]
I nodded as my eyes followed her movements. So that's why it's just rumors... because no one can see her. They just saw flying objects.
"I can see you."
[How? How? How? How?] she repeatedly asked, seemingly excited, [The first ones like you never talked to me. They treated me like I didn't exist. They flee once I want to make contact. After that, others kept coming in then ignoring me... then... then...]
"Don't worry, I'm not one of the Priests that wants to exorcise you."
How can these Priests even exorcise a fallen angel?
[I-Is that so... Is that so... but can you really see me?]
"Yes, I can see you."
[Then I want to know. Please tell me. Other things reflect on the mirror but I am not. I want to know what I look like. Do I look like you? Am I one of your kind?]
"No, you are not one of them."
[... them?]
"They are called humans. You're not a human. You're something more special."
[Themn... what are you? You seem different from the others... from the humans I've seen.]
What am I?
I don't even know the answer to that.
"That's not important. But I want you to come and follow me."
[Follow you? I want to. I want to follow you, the only one who can see me and talk to me, but... this place doesn't want me to get out.]
That's because your previous God died and locked you here... I suppose. A Fallen Angel doesn't just appear out of nowhere. There's something bigger going on here. She should be a Guardian Angel of a God. Then that God died here, locking her.
A dead God... the supposed immortal died. How much Karma will I get if I...
"I will get you out of here. Give me a minute." I turned around.
[Where are you going?... Where... Are you going to leave me too? Are you going to leave me too!? DON'T LEAVE ME!]
This power. She's so weak. But that's to be expected. While the whole cabin stormed inside in poltergeist, I stood steady.
"Calm down, I'm just going to get you out of here." I then looked around and saw a crooked part of the floor.
I opened it and a heavenly aura exploded. A body of a beautiful woman was sitting upright.
However, she's dead even before I inspect it. To retain such holiness after death. Gods, they are such mysterious beings.
On top of that, a God in the flesh.
Good thing I'm a soul that materialized, or else, I wouldn't be able to consume her as a whole.
I am still a soul and thus, I entered the dead body.
After that, I woke up in that God's body. My Perfected Soul is too compatible with this. As if they were made from the same thing.
Soon, I felt a heat that a thousand fire couldn't compare. However, I endured.
The God's body was transforming into my own image. Slowly, I'm devouring the God and exchanging it with who I really am.
The Fallen Angel watched me and talked to me even though I'm not responding. She seemed to be enjoying talking to someone even though I'm like a rock.
Years passed by as the Fallen Angel hid me from the visitors.
When I got out, divinity was oozing out of me. Even the Golden Karma is not enough to fill me up with this body.
[You're finally awake!]
"Elaisa, let's get out of here,"
I was able to take some of this God's memories too to know what this Angel's name is.
[Elaisa?]
"It's your name. Did you forgot?"
[Elaisa... Elaisa... I have such a beautiful name?]
"Hmm... I didn't answer your question last time, right? You're not human. From now on you're my Angel. Elaisa is befitting as you yourself are beautiful too."
Yes, now that I've "become" the God itself, it is the same as Elaisa's God reviving, thus, her former appearance came back.
Will her memories come back too?
I think not.
I've learned so much from devouring this body. So much so that I know what to do from now on.
[I'm beautiful too...?] she cried.
I can understand her being so emotional. She had been locked here for many millennia. I'm surprised that she is still sane. But she's originally an Angel so that should be expected.
"Follow me." I then exited the cabin.
[But I can't...]
"Then I'm going now." I turned around and walked away.
[No! Don't leave me!... eh?...]
"Although it didn't take a minute as I promised, didn't I say that I will get you out of there?"
[... I.... I'm finally out... I'M FINALLY OUT!!]
That was my first Apostle, a Fallen Angel. Next, I want my second Apostle to be a God.
The one I devoured is the God of Souls. What a coincidence. I wonder what kind of God I will be?
[... Ummm... you- no! Master! Umm... What do I call you?]
Ah, yes, what name did I receive in this world?
"Serux Herominum"
[You're a God, right?]
"In the future, maybe."
[God Serux... I will follow you forever.]
"Sure"
Elaisa was my first companion in this world before I reached Godhood and learned that immortality is not true.