Athena was at the end of his wits when he was summoned at the altar. Till the last minute, he tried to get everything together but as soon as the dark mage's voice echoed throughout the altar, Athena used his last drop of strength to search the surroundings. But due to the accumulated fatigue, he fainted as soon as he heard that he was somewhat safe for now.
After almost twelve hours, Athena opens his eyes still feeling the backlashes he had suffered due to the over exhaustion from his last fight.
After blankly staring at the ceiling of the room he was in, Athena, with energy only enough to move a little, let out a deep sigh. The last battle he had fought had just made him realize that he had become way too careless and complacent, after realizing the amount of talent he had.
But talent is not everything one needs in order for one to not die. He had forgotten that the place where he was right now was nowhere near the worlds he had lived in during his previous lives.
*YAWN*
'Oh, good morning, Athena.', Black, with eyes puffed up like a balloon, tried to tease Athena with a greeting, even though he had slept for a tad bit more than Athena himself.
Black, exhausted by the transfer of the demonic eye he had performed to Athena, was asleep since the end of the fight.
At the very moment, a loud creaking sound. It was from the door of the room where Athena was resting.
'Are you awake, Prince Athena?'
A familiar, proud voice of a middle-aged man with a very high pitch to it, asked Athena. It was none other than the captain of the second Black order, Draven. He himself, was full of bruises, barely being able to walk, but still after every 30-45 minutes stood up and walked across the pathway to see if Athena had woken up or not.
'Draven, you should not be walking around with that injured body of yours.'
Athena, with a voice full of concern, advised Draven while trying to stand up from his bed.
'I am fine, Prince Athena. This level of injury is not something which can stop me from going around doing what I want to.' Draven responded, with a smirk on his face.
Athena, amused by the remarks of Draven, let out a brief laughter. 'Leaving everything else aside, where are we right now, Draven?'
Athena was still not sure where they were at that moment. The room itself was full of mysteries Even though the room was somewhat completely isolated with any open land, Athena could still feel a brief gust of wind hitting him from somewhere inside of the room.
Almost as if an air conditioner was running inside of it.
'We are currently inside the caves of slumber, Prince Athena.'
The land of slaughter, itself was mysterious. But even in the land of slaughter, there existed a place named the caves of slumber. It was a secret hideout for a religious group named 'The Forgotten God'. The group itself was active at least a decade ago. Even though many tried to look for it, the caves of slumber were never discovered, as if it was never there to begin with.
'So, you have finally come back to your senses, Prince Athena.' an old and withered voice full of exhaustion was heard from the entrance of the room. It was the same black mage Athena saw before in passed out.
'Prince Athena, I shall take my leave.' Draven after bowing towards Athena, left the room as if knowing that the conversion that was about to take place, was not something he should get involved with.
'Let me introduce myself formally, prince Athena, I am the acting bishop, and the last member alive of the once alive religious group, 'The Forgotten God', and one of the eldest demonic dragons of the land of slaughter, Ganondorf.'
Athena blinked, trying to process the presence of Ganondorf, the acting bishop of 'The Forgotten God' and an ancient demonic dragon. The weight of his introduction hung heavily in the air, suffused with both history and danger. Despite his exhaustion, Athena's mind raced, connecting the dots between the mysterious religious group and the formidable being before him.
"Ganondorf," Athena began cautiously, his voice betraying both respect and wariness, "I wasn't aware of the existence of 'The Forgotten God' until now. Why have you brought me here?"
Ganondorf's eyes, gleaming with a mix of weariness and ancient wisdom, studied Athena intently. "Prince Athena, you were brought here not merely by chance or circumstance. The prophecy foretold your coming—a warrior from another realm, destined to play a pivotal role in the upheaval that threatens our world."
Athena absorbed this revelation, the pieces of the puzzle starting to fall into place. "Prophecy?" he echoed, more to himself than to Ganondorf. "What role am I supposed to play?"
"The details of the prophecy are murky, clouded by time and the manipulations of fate," Ganondorf explained cryptically. "But one thing is clear: your arrival coincides with a resurgence of dark forces long thought vanquished. The balance of power in the upper realm is shifting, and with it, the fate of all who dwell here."
Ganondorf's expression softened marginally. "Your strength and skill are undeniable, Prince Athena. But it is your potential—both untapped and yet to be realized—that may prove to be our greatest asset.
The weight of responsibility pressed down on Athena's weary shoulders. "And what of the dark mage who pursued me?" he asked, remembering the urgency and danger that had led him to this hidden sanctuary.
Ganondorf's gaze darkened. "He is but one pawn in a larger game, Prince Athena. The true adversary lurks in the shadows, manipulating events from afar. We must tread carefully, for even now, the threads of fate draw tighter around us."
As the conversation between Athena and Ganondorf was still in place, Black was suspiciously calm. Unlike his jumpy personality, Black's face was void of any expression. He was simply glaring at Ganondorf, as if Ganondorf was someone he (Black) knew long before anyone else.
Just then, Athena with curiosity all over his face, asked 'Is this "Forgotten God" you are referring to someone named Luo?'
Ganondorf's reaction to Athena's question about Luo was immediate and profound. The name stirred memories long buried beneath the weight of centuries, awakening emotions that Ganondorf had thought he had hardened against.
"Luo," Ganondorf repeated softly, his voice carrying a mixture of sorrow and regret. "Yes, Luo was once a prince among demons, destined for greatness in the realm of slaughter. But his path diverged tragically."
Athena and Black watched intently as Ganondorf recounted Luo's story. "He was ambitious and powerful, unmatched in his prowess," Ganondorf continued, his gaze distant as if peering into the past. "But he dared to love beyond the boundaries set by our worlds. Luo fell in love with—! @#$%&.
'Wait, I did not hear what you just said.' Athena after blinking his eyes a few times, confronted Ganondorf with a confused look on his face.
'It looks like the restrictions are still as place.', Ganondorf responded with eyes brimming with anger and regret.
The upper realm itself is full of mysteries. And the magnitude of this secrets is not something you can bare at the moment.' Ganondorf responded with his eyes brimming of wisdom.
Athena had just realized the intensity of his situation. He was far too weak to face the secrets of his curse and the upper realm at the moment. For him, becoming strong was the only option he was left with.
'The potential your soul and your vessel hold are far more than anything you can imagine right now. Come here again when you become worthy of knowing the secrets that your destiny has for you.'
'It looks like the time for me to sleep has come again. Prince Athena, the destiny of the past, present and the future of this realm and everything beyond it lies within your hands. The upper realm is far more mysterious that you can ever imagine. ' Ganondorf with eyes full of contempt and regrets over the past relayed his thoughts.
'Once you reach the stage of an archdemon, a wall will hit you. At that time, visit the fairy realm, the descendent of the great elder of our group resides there. Give him this ring, he will guide you on your further advancements. And one more thing prince Athena, follow the mana stones that are struck on the hallways on outside this room. It will lead you to the storage room where all the resources of our group are stored. Use them as you deem fit. As you are the only remaining part of us that needs those items the most.'
After relaying his last words, Ganondorf faded inside the very ring he had given Athena just moments ago.
The only thing Ganondorf did not know was that the very being he was praising was floating there deeply connected to the soul of Athena.
After walking through the narrow hallways of the cave of slumber, following the light emitting mana stones, Athena arrived at the storage room.