Razyl, Jesyl, Reyla, and Acyl stare out at Origin from the High Tower, while Rocyl shuffles books.

Razyl, “You felt that did you not, you must have felt that?”

Jesyl, “Oh, I felt it.”

Reyla simply continues to stare out at origin silently, “…….”

Acyl, “It seems a mere mortal has ascended to godhood.

Perhaps we have underestimated their capability?”

Razyl, “Does it not disturb you brother, that a mere mortal through his own efforts could ascend to among our ranks?

Does it not worry you, Rocyl, or are you simply content to organize your books?”

Rocyl, “You know very well I have learned my lesson not to concern myself with mortal follies, brother.

Unlike you who continues to let your thirst for power drive you to seek out that which is beyond your given authority.

Do you not remember why our world was named Deus, and the reminder it represents?”

Razyl, “Well excuse me brother for wanting more.

I had no idea you were so content with simply ministering ceremonies and administrating divine contracts between mortals.

Oh wait, you barely even do that, you let the members of your bloodline do most of the work themselves don’t you?

All while you shuffle books and organize scrolls in this tower, hiding.”

Razyl says the last word with a snarl.

Rocyl, “Brother you and I both know you’ve been caught many times reading my scrolls and smuggling out my books.

After all, knowledge is power is it not?

At least that what the ancient knowledge of Ethereal says, and we both know your domain is power.

So do continue to criticize my wealth of knowledge, when you clearly covet it.”

Razyl stared daggers at Rocyl in silence before turning back towards the window and addressing his siblings, “Regardless something must be done.

I believe a show of force will be necessary and a prompt one at that.”

Jesyl, “Of course.”

Reyla nods.

Acyl, “Of course brother, but might I suggest attempting to recruit him after all, we could always use more subordinates.”

Razyl, “Of course brother, I am always open to your suggestions.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Staring into the pool of the mountain spring I notice my irises glow a constant royal blue and my pale skin gives off a slight white glow.

Looking at my hair I notice it is still black but each strand seems….. thicker and... stronger.

I begin to make my way down the mountain when I hear several loud cracks of thunder.

“I could’ve sworn the sky was clear.”

When I look up I see four gods hovering in the sky looking down at me.

I feel their auras and the strange thing was….. I feel like I could take them.

Not because they are weaker or anything, no-no, in fact, all but one are at my level of cultivation. The strongest only being two or three stages higher.

No the reason I thought I could take them was their posture, they are clearly undisciplined and completely lacking in combat experience.

That said the one with black hair is still two or three stages higher meaning twice or four times stronger than me in raw power.

It would be best to step lightly just in case.

I bring my hand up to shield my eyes from the Styx river’s light and look up at them.

Donovan Brighstspear, “Good morning, what brings you all, all the way out here.”

Razyl, “Surely you must know that you have ascended to godhood, no?”

Donovan Brightspear, “Godhood?”

Ah, that makes sense, so then they must have come all they out here to-

Razyl, “I will be straight forward, join us or I will kill you myself.”

Suddenly a voice like thunder resounds throughout the sky, the very air shaking with his words.

Ethereal, "You shall do no such thing Razyl.

Donovan Brightspear has committed no crimes and is now outside the be bounds of the authority I granted you.

Besides even though you are slightly more powerful than him, he far outstrips you in both combat experience and martial arts, even with all of you here I doubt you could defeat him.

It's would be like watching four children going up against a full-grown seasoned war veteran.

It would be a slaughter.

Now go."

Razyl bows and says, “Yes, Great One.”

Then with a thunderous boom, the four of them were gone.

I look up at the sky to see Ethereal’s ever-watching eyes beyond the Styx, beyond the twelve moons, and beyond the twin suns.

I then bow with my forehead to the ground in reverence of Ethereal.

Donovan, “Great One, how may I be of service.”

Ethereal, “Lift your head, Donovan.”

I lift my face to look once more at the eternal eyes of Ethereal.

Ethereal, “Good you will go southwest to the Trones Kingdom and meet with my Oracle there.

Together you will form a sacred order of mage monks, and when they reach the 100th stage you will teach them how to condense their mana and finalize the 100th stage, so they may ascend.

I will permit you to visit Deus once a century for one decade, so you may progress easier in your cultivation, by cultivating the mystical mana of Deus.

Oh and Congratulations on your ascension.

Here a gift.”

Cobalt swirls of energy and liquid descend from the heavens and form into a staff of cobalt crystal, within my hand adorned with a gold crystal of something that seems much finer than even mystic.

Marveling at the gift I hear Ethereal speak.

Ethereal, “May this staff of Mystic and Arcanum help you to progress and discover new ways forward.”

With that Ethereal’s voice once again went silent and I made my way southwest toward the Trones Kingdom.