Chapter 930: Aroused (1/2)
A few days later, the Goddess of Destiny descended upon the location where Han Hao and Dagmar had fought. She did not wait for long before a faint shadow manifested in midair.
The concentration of the death element in the area instantly shot up when the shadow appeared. It was more intense than what could be found in the Pandemonium. The Goddess of Destiny, wearing a neutral face, turned to the shadow and said, “Hello, Nestor.”
The faint shadow gradually became more and more distinct until it turned into a handsome and feminine looking gentleman. Elements of death continuously overflowed from his body in wisps of smoke. He nodded smilingly at the Goddess of Destiny before walking to her, and asked, “Althea, you were much closer when it happened and you cultivate the edict of destiny. Do you know who holds the Shard and where I can find them?”
Althea, the Goddess of Destiny, put on a faint smile and replied, “You should know the characteristics of a Shard as much as I. As long as the bearer does not use the Shard, he would be beyond your detection. I cannot obtain more information on the Shard bearer than you can.”
“Shard bearers can always sense our presence but we can only sense theirs when they are using it. What a threat they are to us Quintessence Overgods!” remarked Nestor with his brows bunched. He seemed rather troubled.
“Such is the will of the Creator. The Shards exist to give the world hope - the slim but real chance of overthrowing us. I believe that the Creator had scattered the Shards to remind us that we are not irreplaceable,” said Althea in a neutral tone and expression.
Nestor nodded lightly and said, “I will do everything I can to find this person. I will not allow any being who possesses a Quintessence Shard of Death to live.”
Althea smiled but did not give any more comments on the topic. She knew that she would do exactly the same as Nestor had been doing, to find and destroy the Shard bearer at all costs, if she ever discovered that someone possessed a Shard of the Destiny Edict, to make sure that she remained the Goddess of Destiny.
After keeping silent for a moment, Althea suddenly asked, “I heard that City Lord Hill of your Witherbone City has disappeared. Is it true?”
Nestor let out a soft groan and answered, “If it wasn’t for you, I would have ended that youngster already. Even our friend from the Darkness Dominion would have done that long ago instead of letting that kid off. His Dominion lost two City Lords and it was a real mess.”
After taking a short pause, Nestor asked, “Althea, is that youngster really the key to unlocking Aethernia?”
”But, Althea, are you sure that we are not nurturing a snake in our bosom? This kid cultivates the energy left behind by that being and his strength has been soaring at an incredible rate. I’m worried that one day, he will become so strong that even the twelve of us won’t be able to defeat him!” said Nestor. Traces of fear could be seen on his face as though he was reminded of an extremely terrifying memory.
”Don't worry, he will never attain the height of that existence. He exists only to unseal Aethernia. Once he has fulfilled his purpose, you may do whatever you want to him, I will not care,” Althea reassured again. She took a short pause before she instructed, “Pay attention to the Fringe, a great chaos will rage across the Land. Another ten thousand years have passed and it's about time for it to be cleansed again.”
Nestor nodded. He put on a faint smile and replied, ”I have made the necessary arrangements. Oh, right. By then, if my forces happen to clash with those from the Light and Life Dominions, please don’t mind us.”
“I couldn’t care less about your petty conflicts. Do as you wish, as long as you do not drag the entire Elysium into war,” said Althea with a rather annoyed look before she said calmly, “Please remind our friend over at the Darkness Dominion not to touch the kid before Aethernia is unsealed. Alright, I have said all that I should say. Goodbye.”
Upon finishing those words, Althea's figure gradually diffused into the air. A gentle breeze blew away all remaining traces of her.
Nestor did not leave the area right after. Using the element of death overflowing from his body, he reached a massive area of land around him and took his time to survey it. He concealed his mighty aura and became a most ordinary, inconspicuous god of death before finally going on his way.
***
After several months of havoc-making at the borders of various Dominions, Han Hao finally returned to the Fringe. As soon as he escaped from Dagmar, he reassembled every one of his godhunters and commanded them to return to the Fringe with him.
Dagmar’s appearance meant that the main army of the Godhunter Alliance will be reaching soon. As Han Hao had accomplished his objectives which included spreading a certain rumor, he knew that it was time to disperse and return home.
Besides, through the gravestone that was in his body, Han Hao sensed that Nestor, the Overgod of Death, was approaching. The threat from the Godhunter Alliance army was nothing compared to Nestor.
Han Hao could constantly sense Nestor’s aura and his general location, something that even Hill and others who were bestowed with Divine Brands from Nestor could not. Back then, Han Hao had settled in the Ronson Canyon, at the border of the Death Dominion and wouldn’t venture any deeper into the Dominion because he was wary of this terrifying existence who was constantly within his senses.
Although Han Hao had no idea what the gravestone really was, or that Nestor couldn’t sense his location when he wasn’t using it, out of his survival instincts, Han Hao always tried to keep as far away from Nestor as possible.
Soon after returning to the Fringe, Han Hao went to Scarlett who had been anxiously waiting for his return. Scarlett could not be more emotional and delighted when Han Hao suddenly appeared before her. If it wasn’t for the large number of her followers around her, she would have thrown herself at Han Hao and embraced him.
For some reason, Han Hao felt a sense of gladness in his heart to see Scarlett filled with such joy. He felt as though he was facing Han Shuo or his five brothers.
“Come, we will return to our base and get ready for war,” said Han Hao.