In the Underworld, without the cover of The Sky, everything seemed to be enveloped in silence and stillness.
When Earth had been torn apart, Laine had already passed through Earth, arriving at this desolate land.
This was one of the three parts belonging to Chaos. The Sky and Earth were united; oceans and rivers coexisted, leaving only the Underworld, shrouded in darkness, in its isolated existence.
Under the influence of Divine Power, as Laine passed through the layers of the ground and looked all around, he was greeted by an endless grey plain.
The Underworld at this time differed greatly from the records of the ancient myths. There was no river of fire, no three-headed dog, no Styx or Acheron, nor was there Hades' Divine Palace. This land later known as the 'Fields of Truth' was devoid of everything, even more desolate than the Earth's surface a thousand years prior.
Back then, the Earth's surface at least had mountains and seas, but now, in the Underworld, there was nothing.
"This place was meant to be the final destination for souls."
"But it won't be in the future," he added, shaking his head, as Laine silently made his assertion. He used his Divine Power to create a small mound of dirt and then crafted a set of furniture out of clay for himself.
This was a new invention of Chaos, and so he gained a trace of Craftsmanship and creative Divinity.
"It's better than nothing."
With a casual gesture, he merged this faint display of Power with Spirituality. Laine did not continue to create anything new but rather waited quietly for his guest.
After all, without users and admirers, Craftsmanship could not become Godhood. He had better methods to obtain them once new gods were born and humans appeared.
Time passed day by day. Although there were no day and night in the Underworld, Laine was still able to judge how much time had elapsed by his awareness of Chronology and Moon.
It was about twenty-four years after the twelve Titans returned to the womb that a dark green light flashed, and the silent Underworld soil finally welcomed its second visitor.
Seeing Gaia again, Laine could clearly see her aged appearance. Mother Earth now looked like a woman in her fifties. Her green eyes were dull; her hair, once adorned with fresh flowers, was now dry, yellow, and withered, and even the hem of her skirt was coated in dust.
"It's been a long time, Mother Earth."
Without standing, Laine pointed with his right hand at the stone chair opposite to him, indicating that she could sit down.
He was not being particularly polite, strictly speaking, he had never been very fond of these Ancient Gods.
Gaia glanced at Laine. This fourth encounter made her acutely aware of a change in his attitude towards her.
Unlike the past respect and courtesy, Laine now treated her with indifference and distance.
Gaia was not surprised by this. With the wisdom of the Foreseer, she must have long realized the dissatisfaction she and her children held towards him.
Before, she was the Queen of Gods, Mother Earth, an Ancient God with supreme Divine Power, and so he greeted her with a smile. But now, although she didn't know what Laine was relying on, it was clear that he no longer feared her.
"It's been a long time, wise Prince Laine," she greeted him.
After making eye contact with Laine for a moment, Gaia finally sat down on the chair. Whatever the deity before her was thinking, she no longer wanted to endure.
First, her six offspring were locked in the Abyss, then her twelve children were forcefully returned to the womb, and after performing such brutal acts, Uranus did not hesitate to vent his desires for over twenty years.
Gaia could feel her Origin slipping away every moment. Although as a deity she was Undying, if this continued, she would inevitably fall into an eternal slumber one day.
"I have come seeking help," Gaia said tiredly. "I have nurtured the knife from the Prophecy which you claimed could shake the Divine King's sovereignty."
"I've asked my children, and though they have all taken vows not to oppose their father, it was Cronus who bravely took on the grave task of wielding the knife,"
"I am the ally foretold in your Prophecy, but now, the greatest challenge stands before me. Foreseer, the wise Prince Laine, please tell me how to truly shake the sovereign power of Uranus, and even prevent him from ever becoming a threat again."
Facing Gaia's earnest inquiry, Laine simply smiled and did not respond.
"What do you want?" Gaia spoke again. Faced with Laine's silence, she directly asked.
"I can do whatever you ask of me, as long as you tell me how to end this nightmare."
"Your Highness Gaia, you alone may not be able to give what I want,"
Laine said calmly, unswayed by Gaia's words.
What he wanted was not something Gaia alone could provide; in fact, relative to what Laine desired, Gaia's part seemed rather insignificant.
"I need the one Destined to bear the knife, who now appears to be the noble Lord Cronus. If he can end the reign of the Heavenly Father, then he will undeniably become the New King. Mother Earth, I need you to do two things for me, but I require him to agree to three conditions. Then, you will learn what you wish to know."
These were the terms set by Laine, the tasks of the Primordial Gods and the three conditions of the future Divine King; indeed, the price was far from low.
Despite her weakness, Gaia's presence still rippled with strength. Faintly, though not yet reborn, the power of time and space also converged within her.
"You have made a Prophecy, yet you've met with me several times," Gaia said coldly: "If the Divine King were to learn of this, he would not spare you either."
"Perhaps, but you need not concern yourself with that. I foresaw this day from the very first time we met."
"I had prepared three tasks for you, but since you previously adhered to our agreement, one of the oracles is now nullified. Besides that, two requests, three conditions, not one less."
Facing Laine's firm stance, Gaia felt anger but also a sense of helplessness.
Though she did not believe the other could have seen this day thousands of years in advance, she had to admit that since the Foreseer dared to sit here, he certainly was fully prepared.
At least in regard to 'foreseeing,' Gaia conceded that she was far from his equal.
"State your terms. While I can't promise on behalf of my children, for my part, I am willing to hear your demands,"
pondered Gaia solemnly. The situation had reached a point where she could no longer hesitate.
With a slight smile, Laine was unsurprised by Gaia's acquiescence. Evidently, she despised the tyrannical King far more than she clung to any material possessions.
"One Divine Artifact," he proposed. "The Life Vase, I wish to borrow it for a thousand years. This is my first request."
The Life Vase was Gaia's companion Divine Artifact, with its Might ever-present only in her hands. Away from Gaia, the Life Vase would gradually fade into silence until it turned into a mere object. Thus, Laine intended only a temporary loan.
Of course, he couldn't guarantee its completeness upon return.
"I agree. And the second one?" Gaia nodded in acceptance to Laine's request and promptly continued to inquire.
"The second condition is even simpler," Laine stated. "I demand that you arrange the growth of plants and the changing of climates under the waxing and waning of the illusory Moon, in accordance with the Calendar I establish. Until you challenge the Divine King, it must remain unchanged."
This was Laine confirming the control of Chronology and the Moon over the growth of plants and climates, further enhancing their Power.
Theoretically, Mother Earth could abolish it at any time after the New King ascended to the throne, but Laine did not care.
He only needed that period of time. As long as 'plant growth' and 'climate change' under the jurisdiction of Chronology and the Moon were briefly handed over, once he devoured this Origin, everything would be set.