544 The Last God of War Part 2 (1/2)
As Rajan appeared on the platform, the gathered deities rose in a stupor.
”A Titan? Wasn't the Titan Domain wiped out? How can this be?
Don't tell me the Heaven Warding Temple is hiding remnants.”
Though framed differently, those were the words swirling in the minds of the gathered deities. Stupor made way to fright, and the previous silence crumbled under an unprecedented uproar.
”Husband, where are you going? The Conference is just starting!”
”Starting my ass! My foolish wife, the Heaven Warding Temple is still concealing Titans! When the Chthonian Primogen learns of this, in what scenario does he not bomb this place? If you want to die, die! Don't bring me down with you!”
A Deva God exclaimed before kicking his way through the commotion and fleeing the scene! By the time his wife registered the words, he'd already crossed the sky and left the Heaven Warding Temple!
Many other made a similar judgment call. However, driven by a stifling curiosity, others chose to remain! After all, throughout history, only the Titans managed to raise the sword. Perhaps on this day, another one would give honor to his ancestors and become...the God of War!
This was a once in a lifetime opportunity! How could they miss it?!
On the platform, Rajan ignored the commotion his appearance triggered to step toward the stone altar. From the start, his eyes had never left the sword, and as he stopped before its obsidian blade, unprecedented determination blazed in his gaze.
Without hesitation, Rajan stretched his hand toward the sword, and seized its handle! In that instant, the world surrounding him changed, becoming a vast land of darkness where only his body seemed magically illuminated.
”I give you three chances. Why do you want my strength?”
An ancient voice thundered from every corner of the dark land. And though at first startled by the sudden change of scenery, Rajan soon regained his composure.
”To avenge my people!”
He bellowed, pouring his blazing determination in every word. Alas, little did he expect the voice's next words to be…
”Insufficient.”
The word had barely echoed that Rajan felt his life force cut by ⅓. His eyes widened in disbelief, and cold sweat broke from his forehead.
”Why do you want my strength?”
Again, the voice asked. And again, Rajan sought in himself the purest reason driving him.
”To restore the Titan Domain!”
He howled, but still failed to garner the sword's approval.
”Incorrect.”
The word shredded another ⅓ of Rajan's life force, and as he staggered and gasped for breath, the Titan didn't doubt that a third failure would result in his death. Assailed by waves of frustration, he clenched his fists, digging through his palms and mind for an answer to his current plight.
And again, the question echoed.
”Why do you want my strength?”
There was no more room for failure, and Rajan now reckoned that regardless of what the sword wished to hear, the right answer had nothing to do with his underlying aspirations. Closing his eyes, Rajan chose to make one last gamble and bellowed:
”TO KILL! Whoever bars my path, kill! Whoever shackles my growth, kill! Whoever harms my beloved, kill! Whoever I wish to kill, kill! I want your strength so that I may kill all!”
The words thundered with every bit of strength at Rajan's disposal, laced in every fiber of his soul strength. But this time, a crushing silence followed, and as Rajan started to wonder if the sword was debating his fate, the voice again echoed.
”A lot of excess, but indeed, those were the words. Very well, I shall assist you. But make no mistake. From now on, your days are numbered. Even if you achieve Transcendence, one day, I shall exhaust your life force.”
With those words, the dark world collapsed. And as the implications lingered in Rajan's mind, he reappeared before the sword with his hand still clutching the handle.
But though he knew he would now have to give up eternal life, hesitation never flashed in his mind.