Harvey found a rock to sit on and hovered above it. His Void Robe, formed from magical condensation, protected him from the extreme temperatures of the desert.
The Mogrians watched in awe as Harvey floated effortlessly. They were accustomed to the heat and had impressive stamina, able to run for hours across the scorching sands without tiring. They had seen other aliens arrive in powerful starships, showcasing advanced technology. However, they had never seen anyone fly without relying on spacecraft or special tech.
"Warrior, may I ask how to address you?"
The town mayor, Lix, inquired respectfully.
"My name is Kassadin," Harvey replied. "I'm just here to get paid and will leave soon. There's no need to call me a warrior."
Lix immediately waved his hands, apologizing. "Please, don't misunderstand. I meant no offense. May I dare to ask you a question?"
Harvey, thoughtful, gave a slight nod.
"Mr. Kassadin, you can fly and have defeated the desert plague that even countless others couldn't. May I ask if you are a god?"
Seeing Harvey nod, Lix's eyes showed a mix of reverence and excitement. The Mogrians had lived in the desert for generations, existing in a predator-prey relationship with the sand-shell scorpions.
When the desert plague appeared over twenty years ago, it disrupted the balance, causing devastation. Despite their best efforts and rituals, the gods never responded to their pleas for help. Eventually, the king sought extraterrestrial aid, which led to the acquisition of universal translators. Lix had seen many aliens and their advanced technologies but had never encountered anything that could combat the desert plague.
To him, someone who could defeat such a menace could only be described as a god.
"Yes," Harvey confirmed, his eyes glowing with a golden light as he scanned Lix.
"Then you must have your world and temples, correct?" Lix asked, his admiration turning into eagerness and excitement.
Legends of gods were common across planets, and while Lix had heard of them, he had never encountered a true deity and had doubted their existence. Now, encountering a real god—even an alien one—was a miracle in itself.
"I come from the Void," Harvey stated, choosing not to directly answer Lix's question but revealing his origin instead.
Currently, Harvey's power was comparable to some lesser gods, so calling himself a god was not out of place. However, he didn't have a temple or world of his own at this stage.
"Our people have prayed to the gods for years without any response," Lix said, still bowing deeply. "Thank you for your arrival, and we will offer you five million as promised. We hope you will allow us to build a temple in your honor. Should we face great disasters in the future, we will continue to provide you with what you need."
"Please continue to bless our people."
Lix's gratitude and reverence were evident as he prostrated himself, speaking with deep sincerity. The Mogrians had the technology to combat various calamities, but after twenty years of struggling with the desert plague, they had no means to counter it. They knew that the god they had summoned was from beyond their world and that their offerings were a form of exchange for divine protection.
Harvey, contemplating the idea of a temple, closed his eyes and examined the entire planet of Mogri Prime. He saw that every region—be it desert, land, or deep sea—had ruins of temples, but all were in a state of disrepair. From these dilapidated structures, it seemed no miracles had been seen for at least a thousand years, or else they would still be intact.
Lix lay on the ground, anxious, waiting for Kassadin's response.
"If you wish to build me a temple, I can grant you some blessings," Harvey said. "In the future, if you face any insurmountable disasters, you may call upon me."
With the absence of deities in this world, Harvey saw an opportunity to recruit followers for the Void. His ultimate goal was to establish the Void religion and gain more Void energy. If he could establish a stronghold here, he could eventually convert Mogri Prime to the Void faith.
To begin this process, Harvey needed to grant some of his power. He extended his right hand, and green life energy flowed into Lix's body.
Surrounded by onlookers, Lix's previously pale hair rapidly turned red, the color of youth for the Mogrians.
"Thank you, Void God Kassadin, for your blessing," Lix said, feeling the revitalizing energy and observing his rejuvenated hands. He was filled with awe and respect.
As Lix spoke, Harvey received a system notification:
[Mogrian Lix Mogri wishes to believe in and learn about the Void. Do you accept him into the great Void?]
Harvey accepted the request.
Lix floated into the air, enveloped in purple energy, causing gasps of astonishment from the surrounding Mogrians. Although they didn't understand Kassadin's words, they recognized the mayor's plea for divine favor and the apparent response.
After a few moments, Lix opened his eyes. "Thank you for the divine blessing. I will ensure a temple is built for you and dedicate my life to your worship until my end."
Seeing the awe-inspiring display of the Void God's power, Lix, upon awakening, expressed his devotion with even greater reverence.