Kaiser had been thinking lately about a particular subject - Violence. Something he didn't take seriously on Earth, often avoiding it to stay away from trouble. However, it cannot be ignored in this feral world. To survive, Kai was forced to dive in its grueling expanse. Teaching him to kill, or be killed. He learned fast, the cruel lessons of death made him. Eventually giving him courage to take a life, although uncomfortable, there's no other choice - this is the law of the jungle.
Here. To live is to devour others, but how will he do that while protecting Ariella, a promising bright goddess purity? Its simple, really. Wherever there is light, there will always be shadow. Hence, Kaiser had to be that shadow, his fit to be one anyway. A shadow that will consume the vileness that tried to stain her light. However, what if a something greater than he could stop appears? Someone or something stronger than the Bandits boss? Will he only be helpless and let it happen? No, he can't. Failing the Gods may brought unimaginable consequences, Kaiser can't fail. So, he needs to be stronger. Not just for Ariella, but for himself too. After all, greatness is the only way to live a better life.
He already had the heart to kill, but what's next? After some pondering, he realized... It's the mind. Heath may give him courage, but courage alone can't take him far. That's when the mind came in, by applying it's calculative augmentation, he will be able to slay his opponent's more efficiently. Similar to targeting their weak spots for a quick end.
However, to be stronger, Kaiser had to enhance that ideology, make it vaster, more flexible to adapt into any situation.
When Kaiser faced the crawling python, his heart fought his fear - steadying his hands and letting him move without restraint. But against an overwhelming foe holding tremendous advantages. Courage isn't enough, his skills aren't enough. Fortunately, his complex mind in sufficient enough to fill the gap.
His heart fought the fear, his mind raced to identify its weakness and formulate a tactical maneuver to prevail against odds. He had learned to synchronize this two for a single goal - victory.
And that's how he broadened his comprehension of combat, albeit, a rough self understanding.
'That's what you get when you keep overthinking. But I gotta say, I did made some improvement.' His previous self would run, blinded by fear instead of figuring the strong opponent weakness. The war with the bandits really did change him. His calmer in tense circumstances, sharper in combat and colder.
After the battle with the crawling snake, their group of three resumed their journey south without much delay. The encounter was behind them. Kai wasn't exhausted—the fight had been dangerous but swift, and his immortality quickly repaired whatever injuries he sustained. His body restored itself as if nothing had happened, leaving him ready to continue after a change of clothes. Though, the air around them remained tense.
Cia, walking behind, had a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She was still upset over Kai's reckless stunt that might cause him his life and Ariella's safety which could be avoided by using her to stall time. But at the same time, a wave of relief washed over her knowing his unharmed. She couldn't deny the warmth creeping into her heart—he was still there with them, and the group remained whole. She's glad to be alive too, yet prepared to die.
It was subtle, but Kai noticed her mood lifted a little. Her smile became slightly genuine, Albeit, subtle.
They pressed on for the entire day, moving through the dense forest. As the sun began to set, the group made camp for the night.
After eating, Kai climbed a nearby tree, his eyes scanning the southern horizon to check their progress. The strange light they had been following for days was now brighter, closer. But still, the thick canopy of trees blocked his view, preventing him from identifying the source along the obscuring of darkness.
Looking at the Southern night sky, the previous sense of amiss returned. Gnawing at him was the growing sense of unease. The feeling had been there for a while, subtle at first, but now it was more evident. Something was wrong with the land and sky in the distance. He couldn't describe it—everything seemed real, but at the same time, it didn't. His gut twisted with suspicion, his instincts warning him that reality itself might be warped in that direction.
The next day, as they drew closer, that uneasy feeling only intensified as he kept gazing at the Southern sky - This time, day. Light blue sky with floating clouds, seemingly normal yet feels fabricated. He could even swear he saw it rippled and subtly bend, as if reality being disturbed.
'What the heck is happening there?' His thought was grim.
By mid-afternoon, it was strong enough that Kai decided to share his concerns with Cia.
He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain it. Finally, he turned to her.
"I know this is going to sound crazy, but there's something wrong with the horizon we are going. I don't know what exactly it is, I mean, the sun rises there, the stars appear at night and all kinda real, wordly things... everything looks normal... but it doesn't feel right. It's like reality itself isn't as it should be. I even saw it distorted, or was it my imagination. I don't know how else to explain it. You get what I mean."
Kai was afraid she would still ignore him, drawing a line between them to ease their parting. Fortunately, Cia isn't that childish. She listened quietly, her expression thoughtful. After a moment, she asked, "Is it just a gut feeling?"
Kai nodded. "Yeah, I guess."
"Okay, so what do you want to do? Should we turn back and search for another path? Maybe try to find a safer clue to human settlements?"
He considered her words. His instinct screamed at him that something was wrong, but they had come too far to turn back now. Kai is reluctant to lead them wandering in these dangerous woods, guessing which way to go in their lost search for settlement when a nearby potential civilization was just ahead.
He shook his head.
"No. I think we should keep going," he replied, his tone firm. "It's just... I felt like I needed to tell you this to confirm if my judgement is right. That's all."
Cia nodded. "Then it's decided. We'll keep moving forward. Risks are everywhere, after all. If we stop now, we won't make any progress. Besides, once we're closer, we might see the truth of what's ahead. Then we can decide whether to turn back or maybe, we'll find a village."
Kai's shoulders eased slightly at her reassurance. "You're right."
After a long pause, Cia added, "Kai... I may be late, but I wanted to thank you for yesterday.
I really appreciate what you did back then... You were brave, but please, learn your limits. Luck won't always be on your side. One day, your stubbornness might be the end of you. Remember that Ariella also has disability, she needs you more. It's okay to be cautious—to be a little cowardly sometimes."
Kai looked at her with a strange expression, then at Ariella who had a unnaturally expressionless face. Having also heard what Cia said.
Sensing his mocking gaze, the goddess gave him a questioning look, adorably. Asking "what?" With her cute glare.
"Pfft!" Kai covered his mouth as he struggle to hold his laughter.
"Umm, did I say something funny?" Questioned Cia, confused.
Kai coughed. "No, none at all."
When Cia settled down, suspicious of him. Kai leaned closer on Ariella's ear and whispered. Trying hard to not laugh.
"Hey Ariel, is it true that you're deaf?" Kaiser can't help but snicker for a moment before adding. "Don't tell me you're the god of un-hearing all along." With that, Kai can no longer restrain his laughter, tapping on her shoulders in happiness.
His been wondering what kind of goddess Ariella is, guessing if she might be the goddess of beauty? Snow or Ice? But to think she'll be mistaken as deaf caught him off guard, is there even a deaf god?
'Ah, my poor goddess.'
Ariella isn't though, her body are made perfect devoid of flaw. Appearing as a young woman in her prime. It's just that, she only makes sounds but never speaks a word, making Cia misunderstand her condition.
That said, is it alright to disrespect a god? The last time he did it, Kai was given a gift of immortality, which is also a curse.
'Nah, it's alright if it's her... Right?'
When he calmed down, he met her gaze.
Ariella's silver eyes was mesmerizing like always, however, the usual delight it possess was gone. Replaced by chilling coldness devoid of any indiscernible emotions.
He cursed, then a sharp noise resounded.
"Seriously, What's going on with you two?" Ask Cia.
"Nothing." Responded Kai in a tone belonging to someone who saw the rage of gods.
Their advanced continue on, finally bringing them to the source of light by evening.