Time is the most worthless thing to the gods. Tens of thousands of years have passed since Hades' soul merged with the World Tree. During this vast expanse of time, the world has undergone tremendous transformations.
"Kill!"
Humanity is rapidly evolving.
Although they are only the Silver Age generation of humans, their potential and talents far surpass those of their ancestors. Even without being born with a small universe or possessing a seventh sense, they inherit the essence of the small universe from birth. This phenomenon is quite ordinary in this era. As a result, they grow at an astonishing pace, and many among them achieve the seventh sense shortly after reaching adulthood.
However, compared to the desireless beings of the Golden Age, the Silver Age generation is starkly different. Now, they are filled with greed and madness, having risen from humble beginnings rather than inheriting greatness. They began with everything, and because of this, they crave more, consuming everything in sight.
As they devoured the resources around them, they inevitably turned their sights on one another. Thus, a great war erupted—conflict raged across the land, plunging humanity into chaos. They fought fiercely against one another, defeating and absorbing rivals, gradually forming vast empires.
Behind this human warfare, the gods watched closely. Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus—the three god kings—had orchestrated these events. They had already placed their agents among the mortals, nurturing the rise of empires.
Many other wandering gods and their followers were also establishing their own realms, seeing the chaos as an opportunity to cultivate faith. After all, harvesting the belief of mortals was a rewarding endeavor.
In the Golden Age, humans were devoid of desire, making it unrealistic for the gods to cultivate genuine belief among them. Thus, the gods were compelled to focus on mastering the laws of creation, forming their own divine realms, as very few had managed to tap into the power of faith. With the outbreak of war, however, the opportunity to reap the benefits was too tempting to ignore.
Over tens of thousands of years, driven by the gods, humanity engaged in relentless conquests, leading to the formation of countless nations. In this era, even a small castle could be considered a country.
"Oh..."
Athena, now a striking figure with long purple hair, gazed at the distant landscape with a helpless expression. As the goddess of wisdom, war, and victory, she held a deep connection to the Earth, and her keen intellect was coupled with a profound kindness towards it. Watching the chaos unfold, she felt a deep dissatisfaction.
"Athena!"
A soft voice broke her reverie. It was Bell, approaching her. "What troubles you?"
Athena turned to him. "Brother! I fear that if humans continue down this path, they will only invite endless suffering. The gods manipulate them from the shadows, and the Earth is weeping!"
A tear slipped down Athena's cheek, whether for humanity or the Earth itself, no one could tell—not even Athena.
"Humanity! Earth!"
Bell shook his head slightly. "This is their fate. Without guidance, the Earth becomes merely a hunting ground for the gods. Our Father and Uncles won't let such an opportunity pass."
"To them, faith is unimportant," he continued. "The thrill of defeating an opponent is what truly matters."
"Hmph!"
A sarcastic smile crept across Bell's face. Under the teachings of Metis and Gaia, he had grown wise and never let arrogance cloud his judgment, especially under Metis's strict guidance.
"Yes, brother."
Athena was still grappling with her feelings. Was she really crying for humanity? Perhaps not. In the eyes of the gods, human existence held little significance.
This was true for all gods. The gap between them and humanity was vast. What she mourned was the suffering of the Earth itself. As the goddess of the Earth, Athena's tears were a reflection of her love for it. Though she hadn't received her authority from Gaia, she still bore the mantle of Earth's goddess.
"Bell. Athena."
"Great-grandmother!"
The two siblings turned respectfully to Gaia, who approached them gracefully. She regarded them as her beloved children.
Gaia smiled gently. "So, Bell and Athena, in this current situation, how do you think you can regain your authority?"
The siblings hesitated for a moment, deep in thought.
Finally, Athena brightened and playfully asked, "Great-grandmother, would you be willing to grant me the authority of the Earth?"
"Hee hee hee"
As she laughed, Gaia affectionately patted Athena's head. "You clever girl! Of course, I'd like to grant you the authority of the Earth, but Bell, you must carefully consider how to reclaim the authority of the Heavens."
As she spoke, Gaia opened her hand, channeling a special power into Athena—granting her the authority of the Earth. Gaia's generosity towards her favored children was boundless. To her, the Earth was a manifestation of her being, and she had long since relinquished control.
"Additionally..."
Gaia flicked her fingers, sending three beams of light to envelop Athena. "These are gifts from your great-grandmother, Athena. Nurture them well; I look forward to seeing your growth."
"So... Bell, what are your thoughts?"
Gaia's gaze shifted to Bell, a smile still on her lips.