Chapter 660 (1/2)

Book 6, Chapter 52 – You Are a Demon

Dawn Citizens of Oakstead left their hoan the day's work

The Shepherd God activated the latent power of the Elysian realen Teht and water Here plants grew quickly, and local fauna thrived

Life for citizens of Meadoas easier than ever before

After six days Cloudhawk had found new inspiration Although even the Gods couldn't create life fro, hoas it they were able to create fertile lands a the wasted landscape of a dead world?

It was because while unable to create life directly, they were able to foster an environment conducive to the creation of life Where life could thrive it did so on its own, the Gods

Once the idea of su a forest around Greenland was shot down, Cloudhawk changed focus Instead he began to ponder how to transfore the sand to fertile soil and hellflower enriched it with helpful anisms, he believed the result he wanted could be achieved

The more desolate the wastes had become, the more resilient were the creatures that called it home If the environment was made even a little less hostile to life, he was certain vitality would thrive

After Adder destroyed Skycloud's border wall, the realies that prohout the borderlands and even portions of the wastes That was proof that Cloudhawk's plans could be realized

Now that he'd made up his mind, Cloudhaould see it done It was easier to e than to

Cloudhawk remained in Oakstead in part so he could seek help from the Shepherd God when needed, but also so he could raid the Silverwing Monarch's old caches for materials to make relics Surely there was a lot there he would find useful

Autuhs of the God Tree as she ont to do, staring down at the toiling people

“Pathetic” She spat the words seeain, but her voice was different Calm

There were tills locked in one body Fro to herself

The Shepherd God's cruel voice answered “These srowing fat in their cages They live like cattle but are not Is this not pathetic?”

Autumn paused Her eyes were drawn to the distant Tee She understood what the Shepherd God was referring to “You mean Cloudhawk He is no normal man Even Gods and deeration Cloudhawk had grown stronger than average Gods and deain, the Shepherd God answered “If he wholly adopts thedemons that entails – he will only have a one in ten chance to win this war of his Right now he still thinks of hi A man who believes he can transfornorance?”

In the eyes of the Shepherd God, hu more than animals to be raised and used to her benefit A lower life form hardly worth her attention It didn't matter whether they astelanders or Elysians, Gods and demons saw no difference They were only special in that, froht bubble to the surface

Arcturus was such a human Cloudhawk as well

But the one ould be De away to the benefit of these hopeless hu Did he expect to rely on these ants in his war against the Gods? It was a laughable concept!

In fact, as far as she was concerned it was Arcturus who saw the facts clearer

Autunificant why did the Gods bother co here at all? Why would they commit to such a brutal war? I believe in Cloudhawk, and I believe in humanity”

Gods and demons were born powerful Humans were born powerless and weak Yet humanity had produced a tremendouswith its next successor in Cloudhawk!

Did this not present a probleth of a God or demon was determined at their creation It was difficult, if not impossible, to ascend beyond their caste But humans… humans could rise to prominence step by step They were able to transcend weakness and rise to strength

“Maybe you're right Hus are our strength It is what pushes us toward perfection Pursuit of so better drove us to consistent improvement over thousands of years Even such paltry abilities birthed an incredible, world-spanning society”

The Shepherd God met Autumn's assertions with disdain

Autumn followed up with a question “What is the connection between Gods, demons and humans? Why would your people waste your tis?”

It was a question that had perplexed Autuured Cloudhaas also curious what the answer could be Even though Autumn and the Shepherd God shared a body they did not wholly share a consciousness Sos were locked away by the fallen deity so that Autumn could not see But lately her relationshi+p with the divine will that took her for