Chapter 173—Portal Back home!
Northern Continent— Grinwall Country — Rhemonic Lands
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In the luxurious yet battle-worn truck of Bandel Blue, the stillness was punctuated only by the low hum of the engine and the occasional whoosh of wind, rising and falling like the ebb and flow of a distant tide. The truck remained stationary within the heart of Rhemonic lands, its tires crunching over the jagged, rocky terrain, unmoving yet resolute against the harsh backdrop.
In the spacious depths of the luxurious truck, Tessa hovered in an unnatural stasis, her body gently suspended as if cradled by unseen forces. A faint, ethereal glow emanated from her, mingling with the silver beams of moonlight that streamed through the cracked windows. The soft illumination cast a serene yet haunting light on her peaceful face, highlighting the quiet strength and mystery that lay dormant within her.
She was unaware of the countless prayers being whispered across the world—pleas for her to rise and end the reign of Rhemon and his tyrannical agents.
Bandel Blue lounged in a plush, upholstered chair in the truck's opulent lounge, exuding an air of effortless authority. One hand rested casually on the armrest, while the other cradled a glass of cranberry juice. His every movement was deliberate, his posture relaxed, yet commanding. He seemed impervious to the tension that simmered in the room, a silent storm swirling in the minds of his companions.
Nyala, seated nearby, cast a furtive glance at him. For all his nonchalant air, Bandel Blue was a figure shrouded in mystery. He had the power of a god, yet he chose only to intervene minimally—stealing from Rhemon's ruthless forces and grabbing what he deemed worthy. She had often wondered why he didn't simply end Rhemon's tyranny by killing the principal actor and bringing an end to this madness once and for all time, but she dared not voice the question. Not until now.
The quiet atmosphere was abruptly shattered by Ecdy. His voice carried a rare seriousness that immediately drew the attention of everyone in the truck.
"Sir… Blue God," Ecdy began clearing his throat, his tone reverent yet hesitant. The others—Nymff, Nyala, Abdel, and Lhaze—exchanged amused glances. It wasn't intentioned but it still came out like a sarcastic statement. Despite the gravity of the moment, they struggled to suppress their laughter, their stifled snorts echoing in the enclosed space.
Bandel Blue turned his head slightly, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Ecdy. He said nothing, but a subtle flick of his fingers gave permission to continue.
"Sir, please don't take this the wrong way…" Ecdy's voice faltered as he continued, his heart pounding in his chest. "But why don't you stop Rhemon? After-all, You're a Kaelrian god. All of this suffering— it started with Kaelrians. With your life-steal power, you could end this. You could kill him with a single look, and it would all be over."
The air grew tense. Bandel Blue set down his glass with deliberate care, the sound of it touching the metal stool echoing like a thunderclap in the silence. He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, exuding an effortless authority that made the world seem like his playground.
"There is a god behind Rhemon," he said finally, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of weighty truth. "A god more powerful than I am. Do you think I don't want to end this madness? The truth is, even if I did, it wouldn't matter. Only Solaris could face him, and even then, I'm not sure Solaris would be strong enough."
A ripple of unease spread through the group. Nyala's eyes widened, her mind racing to comprehend the implication. "A god… more powerful than you?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Ecdy swallowed hard, the gravity of his earlier question now fully sinking in. "A god even stronger than Bandel Blue," he muttered, his hands trembling. "And possibly stronger than Solaris…"
Bandel Blue continued, his gaze distant. "If I act beyond my current limitations, there will be consequences. I've kept silent about this for a reason— not because I fear appearing weak, but because I don't see any point in saying anything, besides, even if I decide to act, it is tantamount to wanting to risk leading all of us to an early grave."
The room fell into a heavy silence. Each of them understood now— Bandel Blue's reluctance wasn't from indifference but from a deeply calculated restraint. Even his past use of the life-steal power, it seemed, had been an act of faith, gambling on the hope that the higher god wouldn't retaliate.
Nyala broke the silence, her voice tinged with realization. "If I'm not wrong… that god is baiting Solaris. Everything happening now, it's to force Solaris to act. And the only way Solaris can is if Tessa returns to Kaelria, that should draw his attention."
"A+," Bandel Blue confirmed, a rare flicker of approval crossing his face. "That god isn't pleased with the current state of affairs. He's waiting, orchestrating, pushing us toward a confrontation."
"So even Rhemon… he's just a pawn?" Abdel murmured, his brows furrowed in thought.
"Indeed," Bandel Blue said, picking up his glass once more. He resumed sipping his cranberry juice, unbothered, as if the weight of divine conflict was but a minor inconvenience.
Lhize, ever fiery, clenched her fists in frustration. "No offense, but these gods treat human lives like pawns on a chessboard! People are starving, dying, and suffering—yet they sit back, watching us squirm. Well.... Except you, Blue God. You actually care."
Her twin, Lhaze, shot her a warning look, nudging her sharply in the shoulder. "Lhize, curb your tongue," he whispered, though his own face betrayed unease.
Bandel Blue chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and grim understanding. "Careful, Lhize. Even gods have limits to their patience. I might not react to constructive criticism, that doesn't mean he won't" Bandel Blue pointed to the invisible, hinting at the mysterious god.
As the truck rumbled on, the weight of their conversation lingered. Somewhere beyond the horizon, the world was still praying. And in the heart of that hope lay Tessa, waiting to awaken and fulfill her destiny.