Adeu and his companions finally reached the giant walls of Circle Zero. As they looked up, they saw two towering guards, each four meters tall, dressed in golden armor, holding swords almost as tall as they were. The guards stood motionless like statues, their presence intimidating even from afar.
Arthur stepped forward and showed the guards their invitation shards. With a nod, the guards opened the gates, revealing the wonders inside Circle Zero.
As they entered, Adeu and his friends were stunned by the sight before them. A massive castle dominated the view, its grandeur unmatched. In front of it lay a beautiful white city, alive with activity. Creatures of all kinds roamed the streets, from majestic phoenixes to various flying beings. People walked around, enjoying sweets and dancing to the lively music that filled the air. The scene was vibrant and full of life, a perfect prelude to the grand ceremony they were about to witness.
They sampled the sweets and delicacies, savoring each bite. After a leisurely stroll through the city, they arrived at a grand residence reserved for Academy students.
The gardens outside were bustling with students from various academies, all gathered for the big event. A servant guided them to their rooms, and they were amazed by the size and elegance of their accommodations. It felt like paradise.
After a satisfying day, Adeu had dinner, said goodnight to his friends, and went to bed. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but feel excited about the next day.
Adeu woke up to the sound of music. He quickly got ready and was about to leave when Lisa and Echo arrived at his door.
They exchanged greetings and left the Academy together. Though there were two more students from their academy, the three of them decided to stick together.
In the academy's garden, they saw something straight out of a legend: a True God. These gods, known by their true names, held immense power and were revered by all. Among the thousands of students, a True Goddess stood on a grand platform:
DeinEros - God of Love and Desire
When humans pray, they invoke the true names of the gods, asking for blessings, guidance, or help. These prayers give the gods power, reinforcing their divine Neba. This power helps the gods maintain their strength and perform incredible feats.
DeinEros's presence commanded attention. Her ethereal beauty captivated everyone. With golden hair cascading down her back and mesmerizing blue eyes, she looked perfect. Dressed in a long gown with sleeves covering her delicate hands, every movement she made was graceful and enchanting.
As DeinEros spoke, her voice was like a beautiful melody. "Welcome, my children," she said. "I am the God of Love and Desire. Today, I will lead you to the castle for the Blessing Ceremony. May fortune smile upon you, and may you enjoy the spectacle."
With a wave of her hand, DeinEros released her divine energy, making her glow even more brightly. A huge portal appeared beside her, a gateway to the castle. With a final flourish, she vanished into the portal, leaving a trail of blossoms that slowly faded away.
The students erupted in applause, some moved to tears, others stunned into silence. Slowly, they made their way toward the portals, each step bringing them closer to the extraordinary event.
As Adeu stepped into the portal, he found himself surrounded by darkness, except for a single circle of light ahead. Just as he reached out to the light, a voice pierced the silence, sending shivers down his spine.
It was the voice of another True God, commanding yet comforting: "Don't be afraid."
Adeu hesitated, his heart pounding, but then a figure emerged from the darkness. Tall and elegant, dressed in a flowing kimono, the figure had an otherworldly grace. Behind him, magnificent wings unfurled, their pure white feathers cascading like a waterfall.
With eyes as white as snow and hair that reached his legs, the figure radiated tranquility. His serene smile hinted at wisdom beyond mortal understanding. As the wings dissolved, the God descended gracefully, his gaze meeting Adeu's.
Standing before Adeu was Bethel, the God of Knowledge and Wisdom.
Step by step, Bethel approached the glowing circle, his presence both comforting and awe-inspiring. Adeu felt a sense of reverence, for he was in the presence of a being beyond mortal comprehension.
Bethel's soothing voice filled the air. "My name is Bethel, God of Knowledge and Wisdom," he began.
Adeu asked where they were, and Bethel cryptically replied, "Nowhere," explaining they were inside the portal. Before continuing, Bethel asked Adeu a series of questions, noting that everyone passing through the portal faced the same interrogation.
"Why did you want to see the Ceremony?" Bethel asked.
Adeu hesitated, then said, "I was curious. I wanted to see humans."
"What do you think about humans? What do you think they are?"
"I think they're like us. Different, but they share common bonds."
"Do you dare compare gods, the perfect beings, to lowly humans?" Bethel challenged, his voice sending shivers down Adeu's spine.
Feeling panicked, Adeu tried to explain, "No, I just meant—"
But Bethel chuckled.
"Watch your words, Adeu. You are lucky to meet me and not another god. You might already be dead. But what can we do? You're inexperienced," Bethel warned.
Before Adeu could respond, Bethel asked another question, "Do you know why we choose humans as blessed and not gods? Do you know the purpose of the ceremony?"
Adeu shook his head.
"Because of Zeus's curse, gods can't harm humans. So we bless humans with our powers and let them rule over other humans. That's the point of god's apostles. In exchange for power, they give us their loyalty. That's how gods rule worlds. But blessings? Being god's blessed is a curse. But you're too young to understand this," Bethel said.
Observing Adeu's mixed emotions, Bethel warned, "The Blessing Ceremony is not the happy event you think it is. Be ready for what you're about to see."
These words hit Adeu hard, making him question everything. Why hadn't he thought of this before? Why hadn't others talked about it? Were humans just pawns in the gods' game?
Bethel instructed Adeu, "Put your hands on the circle and repeat after me." Adeu followed Bethel's command. Then Bethel continued, "I will not speak a word about ceremony to anyone who wasn't part of the Blessing Ceremony." Surprised, Adeu repeated the words.
With a smile, Bethel reassured Adeu, "Put your hands on the circle when I disappear. You can watch the ceremony from there. Just channel your Neba into the circle, and you will see it."
Then, as suddenly as he had appeared, Bethel vanished.
Taking a deep breath, Adeu placed his hands on the circle and focused his Neba. Slowly, his eyes closed, and darkness enveloped him. It was time to witness the grand Blessing Ceremony.