The world Nathan had created was no longer a fragile, budding civilization. Over the past hundred years, his people had grown in number and strength, their villages turning into sprawling cities, their magical knowledge deepening, and their faith in him solidifying.
His heavenly domain had been bustling with activity. The supreme beings worked tirelessly to maintain the balance of the cosmos, ensuring blessings and guidance reached the mortal realm. Elysia, his first servant, had become a beloved figure among the people, acting as the bridge between their prayers and Nathan's divine will.
Today, as Nathan sat on his throne of marble and gold, the System spoke, its voice neutral but tinged with importance.
System Notification:
Your world has reached 1,000,000 worshipers. Faith in you has grown exponentially. As a result, your divine power has greatly increased. You may now unlock additional features and abilities.
Nathan's glowing eyes widened. A million worshipers. A milestone he could have scarcely imagined when he first began. He leaned back on his throne, gazing out at the infinite expanse of his heaven, his mind swirling with thoughts.
One million souls—each of them living, breathing, and placing their faith in him. It was an extraordinary achievement, but it also carried immense responsibility. Faith was the lifeblood of his divinity, but it was not something to take for granted.
Nathan conjured a translucent screen in the air before him. It displayed the state of his world: cities thriving, magic academies bustling with eager students, vast farmlands feeding countless families. In every corner of the world, people were building shrines, praying fervently, and offering thanks for their blessings.
He saw children attending their first baptisms, receiving their blessings and magical attributes. He saw elders telling stories of his miracles by the fire. He saw knights and mages wearing symbols of his name, their hearts filled with devotion as they wielded their powers for the betterment of their people.
But with growth came challenges. Nathan's gaze sharpened as he noticed flickers of unrest in some corners of the world—petty disputes between kingdoms, jealousy among those who had weaker blessings, and whispers of pride among those who had been given much.
"A million worshipers," Nathan murmured. "And yet, even with all this faith, they remain human—flawed, ambitious, and vulnerable to darkness."
The System's notification lingered in his mind.
Your divine power has greatly increased. You may now unlock additional features and abilities.
Nathan focused, summoning the menu of options available to him. The System displayed a list of enhancements and powers he could now access:
Greater Divine Influence: Ability to manifest more frequently and directly influence the world.
Expanded Creation: Unlock the ability to create new races and creatures.
World Enhancements: Alter the physical and magical laws of the world to further its growth.
Blessing of the Divine Champion: Appoint a mortal champion to act as your avatar in the world.
Divine Relics: Craft powerful artifacts imbued with your essence.
Nathan considered his options carefully. Each choice came with its own implications. Greater divine influence could strengthen faith but might risk dependency. New races could enrich the world but could also create conflict.
Ultimately, he decided to start with something impactful but subtle. "System, unlock Blessing of the Divine Champion and Divine Relics."
As soon as the new abilities were unlocked, Nathan felt a surge of power course through him. He stood from his throne, his golden robes billowing as he focused his mind on the mortal realm.
He needed someone who embodied the ideals of his world—strength, kindness, and unyielding faith. Someone who could inspire others and lead by example.
His vision settled on a young knight named Arden, a man of humble beginnings who had risen through the ranks through sheer determination and unshakable devotion. Arden had always placed others before himself, protecting the weak and mediating disputes with wisdom beyond his years.
Nathan smiled. "Arden, you shall be my champion."
He extended his hand, and a golden beam of light shot down from heaven, enveloping the knight as he knelt in prayer at a shrine. Arden's body glowed, his armor transforming into a radiant set of celestial plate, and a divine aura surrounded him.
The knight looked up in awe as Nathan's voice echoed in his mind.
"Arden, you have been chosen as my champion. Go forth and protect this world in my name. Lead with courage and compassion, and know that I am with you."
Tears streamed down Arden's face as he whispered, "I will not fail you, my Creator."
With the champion chosen, Nathan turned his attention to the next task: crafting relics. His newly unlocked skill allowed him to imbue items with his essence, granting them immense power.
Sitting on his throne, he summoned his Divine Craft ability. A glowing orb of pure energy appeared before him, shifting and morphing as he shaped it into various forms.
The first relic was a sword for Arden, Lumina, a blade that shimmered like starlight. It was imbued with the power to cut through darkness, both literal and metaphorical, and to inspire those who fought alongside its wielder.
Next, Nathan created The Chalice of Blessings, an artifact that would allow priests to channel his divine energy more effectively, healing the sick and purifying the land.
Finally, he forged The Tome of Wisdom, a book filled with divine knowledge that could only be read by those with pure intentions. This would be entrusted to the Arcane Academy, ensuring that future generations could learn and grow.
Despite the monumental progress, Nathan's thoughts kept drifting back to Roland, the first soul to pass into heaven. His death had been peaceful, but it marked a turning point in Nathan's world.
Mortality was both a gift and a burden. It drove humanity to achieve greatness but also brought grief and loss. Nathan wondered if he should extend lifespans or reduce suffering, but he knew that tampering too much could disrupt the delicate balance he had worked so hard to create.
He watched as Arden began his journey as the Divine Champion, carrying Lumina with pride. The knight's deeds inspired countless others, strengthening their faith and uniting them in purpose.
But even with a million worshipers, Nathan knew the road ahead would not be without challenges. The more his world grew, the more complex it became, and the more his responsibilities multiplied.
Nathan's world was thriving, but he could sense the threads of destiny weaving new challenges. A million worshipers were a testament to his success, but they also represented a million hopes, fears, and desires—each one pulling at the fabric of his creation in different ways.
He leaned forward on his throne, his golden eyes glowing with determination. "This is only the beginning," he murmured. "There is still so much to do."
As he prepared for the next phase of his journey, Nathan couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. His people believed in him, his creations flourished, and his divine purpose burned brighter than ever.