It only took moments before the newcomer arrived on the rooftop, and he was evidently the most menacing of us all.
Unlike the woman, he landed heavily, even slightly cracking the floor beneath him.
He reminded me of a lion. His hair was a mane of long, flowing white locks. He wore dark gray robes that hardly covered his upper body, and his face seemed to be permanently set in an angry expression.
His skin was brown, eyes red, and he stood taller than both Diogen and me, whilst also far more muscular.
This man cannot be my equal. His presence is too strong.
"Hello, Zir," the woman said, her expression bubbly, as though she were good friends with the man.
Zir spat on the floor and spoke, his voice like a roar.
"Silence, Malhar."
So that's the woman's name.
Zir took a step in my direction, and Diogen positioned himself in front of me, causing Zir to stop, despite standing many steps away from us.
"Do you wish to do this again, Diogen? The Seventh God. Do you forget how weak you are in combat?"
The way he addressed the man who was protecting me filled me with worry.
Is Diogen really weak? If so, then why couldn't I have been protected by any of the other gods?
Diogen remained confident and put a smile on his face.
"It does not matter if you would best me in combat. You stand in my domain. Even you yourself must admit that my domain is in the top five strongest among the gods."
Zir's lips curved into further anger.
Does Diogen speak the truth? Is that why it is bothering him? What is a domain, anyway?
"It's been a while since we've tested that theory. Who was the last to come and battle you here?" Zir asked, but Diogen ignored him, remaining silent.
"Then so be it, you petulant fool!"
Malhar, sensing what was about to happen, flew away with speed, and Zir lowered his stance into a battle position.
Diogen didn't bother preparing for battle on the rooftop. Instead, he placed his hand on my shoulder, and we vanished.
---
After reappearing, which was a disorienting feeling, we were seemingly inside the castle, inside a large hallway made from stone with a red carpet.
Diogen was beside me, and I stared at him in awe because of what he had done.
"No time for explanations. If you survive this, I'm sure you'll learn about the powers of the gods soon."
Diogen rushed ahead down the corridor, and I followed after him, before a sound boomed ahead of us, stopping us in our tracks.
"There's no escaping. He's here."
The ceiling above us suddenly collapsed, as rubble fell from the destruction right in front of us, creating a mound of stone.
Atop the stone, glaring at us in anger, was Zir, who had been called the fourth god.
The sight was menacing, and it was then that I realized there was no escape.
Did he break through the ceiling with his hands?
Without wasting time, Diogen outstretched his arm, clenched his fist, dragging it towards him as though he were pulling an invisible rope.
In the same instant, thunder sounded through the area, and a bolt of lightning struck through the hole in the ceiling,
crashing into Zir with force.
The chaos of the attack made it impossible to see the results, but the rubble had been destroyed further, and another hole had been created in the floor, leading to the level beneath us.
Zir was nowhere to be seen.
"Is he dead?" I asked with hope. The attack seemed fatal.
"Of course he isn't. A god cannot be killed that easily. Especially not Zir, who is known for his fortitude. However, this is my domain. I can at least buy us some time."
Diogen hurried in the opposite direction down the hall, and I followed behind. I heard loud crashes from below – most probably Zir, filled with rage.
My body had stopped sensing the presences of the others, and refused to do so.
Diogen rushed me into a room and closed the door behind us. It was a sleeping chamber, seemingly made for royalty. Spacious, with a king-sized bed at its center.
"Our best bet is awakening your first blessing, so that you can at least help fight him."
I had no idea what the blessings were, but I listened intently, hoping to be of any help.
"Sit on the floor in a cross-legged position and close your eyes."
I did as he said, taking on a meditation position, something I was familiar with from my time on Earth.
"Now, the powers of the gods are a mystery. One that we have only slightly begun to unravel ourselves. We do not have enough time for me to explain the full system, but as long as you can grasp this simple concept, you will be fine. We are gods, who strive for omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience.
We are prideful, believing that we are owed these powers. And it is that pride that grants us our powers. Your first blessing will be weak, especially since you are not in your own domain, but you should still be able to grant yourself a blessing that can be useful."
I listened, but couldn't help but disbelieve.
These were concepts that I should have been unable to grasp. I was not owed powers. I was simply a human.
No, I cannot think that way. I'm literally able to sense the presence of others as I will it. There is something strange about me, clearly. But godhood? Is that what it truly is? Can I, Mr. Moren, truly become a god?
"You are owed these powers, Fate. Close your eyes and tell yourself that you are not human. You are an entity with a right to rule over others. A being stronger than anything you have ever known."
I did as he said, and I spoke these words into existence.
I am a god, a being like I have never known. Grant me these powers that I am owed.
The words came naturally, and instantly, something changed within me, as if an ethereal energy washed over me.
It suddenly felt as though I was granted further control over my body, given access to a new, yet small part of myself that I should have always been able to access.
And I knew my blessing.
"I can see," I said, and Diogen nodded, satisfied.