The sun barely peeked over the horizon when the four chosen ones took their places on the vast stone platform. The hieroglyphs carved into the surface glowed faintly under the golden light of dawn, creating a scene that seemed to be pulled from ancient times, when gods walked among men. Yassmin, Aria, Rashaad, and Tariq stood in silence, acutely aware of the weight of the ceremony they were about to witness. Each of them, though immersed in their own thoughts and fears, knew that this was a decisive moment that would change their lives forever.
Ethan and Yassir waited outside the temple, in a separate room that prevented them from seeing the ritual directly. The strict rules of the cult forbade non-chosen ones from witnessing the ceremony. Although Ethan had insisted on wanting to see the ritual, his attempts were in vain. Tradition was unyielding.
In ancient times, the ritual of Ra's reincarnation involved the death of three of the four chosen ones, sacrificed so that the fourth could host the god. However, the discovery of magic had transformed this process. Instead of death, the four candidates now remained alive, and Ra would select the best vessel without the need for bloody sacrifices. Magic allowed a direct connection with Ra's spirit, who would decide who was the most suitable to become his host.
The chants of the cult elders resonated in the place, filling the air with a vibrant and powerful energy. The platform began to vibrate slightly, and a golden light emerged from its center, enveloping the four chosen ones in a mystical glow. The tension was palpable, and each of them felt Ra's presence approaching, evaluating their souls and bodies.
Ethan and Yassir waited at a distance, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Ethan, aware of the magnitude of the event, couldn't help but wonder how strong this being from an S-rank world would be.
On the platform, Ra's figure began to descend, manifesting in a blinding light that seemed to envelop everything around it. The chants intensified, and the energy in the air became almost tangible, pulsing with a force that resonated in the hearts of those present.
The four chosen ones knew what it meant to be chosen by Ra: death. Although they would not face a physical sacrifice, being selected meant that their own identity would vanish to make way for the sun god. Their bodies would become mere vessels, and their souls would be consumed by Ra's immense power. Except for Yassmin, who had discovered how to remove the mark from her soul, something the others were unaware of, all had accepted their fate from an early age. They had been taught to believe that being chosen by Ra was the greatest honor possible, even if it meant the end of their existence as they knew it.
Finally, the light focused on Tariq, the youngest of the chosen ones. His face showed a mixture of resignation and fear, but he did not try to resist. Ra's ethereal figure merged with his body, and a wave of golden energy swept across the platform, signaling the culmination of the ritual. Aria and Rashaad sighed in relief upon realizing they had not been selected. Although both had accepted their fate, survival provided a temporary respite in the midst of the tension.
Ra, now possessing Tariq's body, straightened with a triumphant expression on his face. After thousands of years, he had finally entered this world, a place that shone with a purity of energy found nowhere else in the cosmos.
"At last, I have succeeded!" he proclaimed with a voice that resonated like thunder, his eyes glowing with a supernatural intensity.
Without warning, Ra unleashed a wave of fire towards Aria. The young woman barely had time to react before being thrown back by the explosion of energy. Rashaad, in a desperate act of heroism, stepped into the path of the attack to protect her. The impact hurled him to the ground, even piercing through his sand defense, leaving his body lifeless and inert. Although gravely injured, Aria could only emit a faint groan before losing consciousness, overwhelmed by pain and shock.
Seeing the violence unleashed by Ra, Yassmin knew she had to act quickly. Without hesitation, she turned and ran in search of help, her footsteps echoing in the temple. Meanwhile, Ra continued his assault, launching attacks at the cult elders who had led the ritual. One by one, they were reduced to ashes, their screams echoing in the hall as the fire consumed their bodies.
Ethan, hearing the screams and seeing the flames from the adjoining room, wasted no time in reacting. He knew this was his opportunity to act. With a decisive gesture, he summoned all his special undead from his pocket dimension, preparing to face the sun god.
Upon reaching the platform, Ethan saw the chaos Ra had unleashed. The charred bodies of the elders lay scattered, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of burnt flesh. Ra, enveloped in an aura of golden flames, turned to Ethan with a malicious smile on his face.
"Do you dare challenge me, mortal?" Ra's voice was a mixture of mockery and disdain. "You are nothing but an ant before my power."
Ethan did not respond. Instead, he transformed into his demonic form, his skin taking on a grayish hue and his eyes glowing with an infernal light.
"You are not facing a mere mortal, Ra," Ethan said in a grave voice. "Today, you will witness my power."
Seeing him, Ra was taken aback and said:
"How is that stupid demon's power here?"