Q1

(Tablet Of Destiny)

As I ascended the long staircase with Michael, Jeanne, and Aphrodite, massive explosions rocked the entire structure and made the very air vibrate. The very air seemed to tremble with the release of power.

Heat quickly filled the area and multiple mountains exploded behind us, kicking up a wave of dust below that stopped me from peering back at the many fights going on.

I couldn't help but cast a worried glance back.

"They'll be fine," Michael assured me, seeing my concern. "Tiamat alone would be enough for those beasts and Gilgamesh. With Hestia there as well..."

I nodded, though the worry didn't completely dissipate.

Hestia was someone I cared about deeply… if she got hurt I would destroy them. Perhaps I should have helped her and cast judgement on Gilgamesh?

We continued our climb, the staircase seemingly endless as we ascended toward whatever awaited us at the top.

When we finally reached the summit, we entered a vast chamber that defied the external dimensions of the structure. Inside, floating platforms of varying sizes hovered in a space that seemed to extend infinitely upward.

Above us, the ocean ceiling rippled, casting eerie blue light across everything.

At the center of it all stood a woman of breathtaking beauty.

Her dark hair cascaded down her back, adorned with golden ornaments that matched the jewelry adorning her form. Her eyes, that were a piercing amber, were fixed on a large tablet she held in her hands.

Ishtar.

A sense of unease came over me as the body of a massive humanoid covered in chains and partially covered by the entire island was visible inside an onyx crystal.

A Primordial…

The tablet wasn't hard to find, considering it was a massive green stone slab etched with symbols that pulsed with a tremendous power. Even from this distance, I could feel the weight of it pressing against everything.

{Name: Tablet of Destiny}

{Description:}

A slab etched with living runes that shimmer with colors unseen by mortal eyes. The Tablet of Destiny is said to hold the original laws that shaped existence itself. It carries the authority to command both Matter and Fate, allowing its bearer to manipulate the fabric of reality at a fundamental level.

{Abilities:}

Matter Weaving: Grants the ability to alter, create, or erase physical matter at will. Limits are dictated only by the user's willpower and understanding.

Destiny Manipulation: Allows the bearer to glimpse possible futures, rewrite fates, and bind or sever destinies.

Eternal Authority: When invoked, the Tablet overrides local laws of magic, physics, and time within a controlled area.

I kept my face straight, not betraying any emotion.

This was an insanely powerful Artefact, no wonder it took a Primordial God to even use.

Aphrodite, Michael, and Jeanne immediately stepped in front of me, their stances protective and serious.

The woman looked up, her eyes widening in mild surprise.

"You... you aren't meant to be here," she said, confusion evident in her voice.

Her gaze shifted to Aphrodite, and I felt a surge of greed emanate from her. Then her eyes snapped to me, narrowing in recognition.

"You're the cause," she muttered. "How strange. My attempts are bouncing off you."

Was that what the pulsing power was?

Michael's eyes turned downright hostile.

I stepped forward, keeping my voice level. "You are abusing Primordial power, hand over the tablet."

I didn't bother threatening her, she wasn't going to agree anyway.

Ishtar clicked her tongue, annoyance flashing across her face. "The fools in the Khaos Brigade said someone would interfere."

Michael stepped forward, his presence filling the chamber with a pressure that made the very air feel heavy. "Obey or be cleansed."

She actually looked threatened. The main ability of the tablet was being nullified by me.

I looked around, and spotted canisters filled with the same energy that was bathing the chamber.

Was she collecting Pontus' power? Like some sort of battery…?

Ishtar grinned, seemingly ignoring Michael's threat. "I can sense you brought my sister as well. And Aphrodite... how's life? I should have convinced Ares to come along so this could be a proper reunion."

Aphrodite's face grew cold. "Return what you've stolen, Ishtar. My Father isn't someone to be used as a mere battery…"

Ishtar made the deliberate movement of looking at Pontus and back at Aphrodite. "No?"

Aphrodite scowled furiously.

Another explosion rocked the structure from below, and Ishtar glanced toward the stairs with mild irritation.

"Gilgamesh seems to be having fun," she commented. "Though I must say, I'm surprised he hasn't dealt with your companions yet."

The tablet in her hands pulsed again, and I felt a strange ripple pass through the space around us, only to dissipate as it reached me.

"Fascinating," she said, eyes locked on me again. "What are you exactly? The tablet shows nothing when I look at you."

I didn't answer. The less she knows the better.

Her eyes widened slightly. "Who sent you? Was it those old crones or someone else? They were the only ones I was aware of that were plotting against me" She laughed, the sound echoing unnaturally. "How desperate they must be. But… then again. They did manage to assemble quite the force."

Jeanne gripped her spear tighter, the holy weapon gleaming with holy light.

"I won't ask again," I said, taking another step forward. "Give up the tablet."

"Do you even know what this is?" Ishtar asked, raising the tablet slightly. "This is power beyond comprehension. Pontus' very essence, channeled through ancient craft. Do you think that it's only use is manipulating Fate?"

The world around us bent and I found myself covered in a golden barrier.

I looked up in time to see a large chunk of a mountain nearby smash into us, sending a tremor through the very air from the sheer force at which the large rock was sent at us.

{Name: Ishtar}

{Titles: Queen of An (𒀭) / Goddess of Love and War / Sovereign of Desire / stealer of domains}

{Race: God}

{Power Level: 58,440}

She was strong.

Incredibly strong.

And that title, stealer of domains? What was that about? Was it the secret behind her strength?

She was in the peak of the God-class.

Ishtar's body rose.

"You are strong, no doubt I would have been thoroughly outmatched in any normal case but I have the power of a Primordial behind me." Her voice boomed.

The tablet glowed behind her.

"You made a grave mistake coming here."

"Jeanne." Michael's voice calmly cut through that as he met my eyes.

"Lord Michael?" She said, equally as serious. Something that was abnormal for the normally ditzy and cheerful girl.

"Protect Father." He commanded.

Aphrodite's body glowed pink, and she activated her divine form.

I raised my hand and Ishtar raised an eyebrow.

"Judgement."

The attack only seemed to partially affect her as she stumbled back for a second.

That was all that was needed as everything exploded around me.

-{Michael}-

He knew his Father's ability well.

Which was why he exploded into action as soon as heard the words uttered by the unsuspecting Goddess.

Truthfully. He preferred it this way.

Partly because he could finally show off in front of Father and partly because he didn't like the way Ishtar was staring at his Father. She needed to be reset.

The fact she was in her divine form meant her death would be permanent.

Ishtar recovered quickly, raising the tablet. The space between them warped and twisted, stretching impossibly to push him away. But Michael had anticipated this.

He slashed his sword horizontally, cutting through the distortion.

Heavenly Domain skill: Warfare

The world around them trembled as his heavenly domain activated. Countless invisible tactical points manifested throughout the battlefield, waiting for his command.

Aphrodite moved alongside him, her divine form radiating rose-colored light.

Michael felt her activating a domain skill and a thin layer of light enveloped him, acting as a shield around him. Since it wasn't actually affecting him his body didn't naturally deflect it.

With a thrust of his hand, Michael sent a wave of holy energy that forced Ishtar back through the chamber wall.

She was sent far back, a strange mass of what looked to be mirrors containing it.

He didn't waste time and followed her through.

Mountains floated all around them in this strange pocket dimension, suspended above an endless void.

Ishtar twisted in midair, clutching the tablet tighter.

With a single gesture, she ripped one of the floating mountains from its position and hurled it toward them.

Michael didn't flinch. He simply raised his sword.

Heavenly Domain Skill. Wartime seal: Release

Three of his tactical markers detonated simultaneously, creating a triangular field of holy power that met the mountain head-on. The massive rock formation didn't just stop, it disintegrated into dust.

Aphrodite flew above, her power washing over the battlefield. She sent attacks at Ishtar who used the tablet to form multiple shields and attacks with the space around her back.

Ishtar snarled, her frustration building.

She slammed the tablet against the air itself, causing reality to crack around them. The very fabric of space began to fold and twist, mountains breaking apart and reforming into weapons.

Heavenly Domain Skill: Strategic Placement

Michael countered.

His mind was sharp and his eyes devoid of emotion.

The air around him crystallized into tactical formations.

When Ishtar launched a barrage of mountain fragments, each piece found itself mysteriously redirected into prearranged collision courses, neutralizing each other in massive explosions that lit up the dimension.

Michael pursued Ishtar relentlessly, sword flashing with each strike.

She parried with barriers formed from the tablet's power, each collision sending shockwaves that shattered nearby floating islands.

"You fight well for Heaven's little dog," Ishtar taunted, her voice distorted by divine power. "I knew you would have a strong fight, even in the shadow of your Father the dog of Yahweh is known."

He didn't reply. It was pointless. He didn't really care either way.

Aphrodite provided support, her domain powers proving to have little effect on Ishtar. And Ishtar provided some sort of focus on Aphrodite as she focused attacks on the weaker Goddess.

With a gesture of her hand, Ishtar summoned the very ocean above them.

It descended like a tsunami from the ceiling of the dimension, threatening to crush everything below.

There was a shimmer to the water and he knew it was normal water.

Heavenly Domain Skill: Holy Earth.

The void beneath them responded to his call.

Platforms materialized, rising to meet the descending ocean. When water met holy earth, the collision generated an explosion that vaporized three nearby mountains instantly.

Steam filled the battlefield, but neither god was blind within it.

Michael tracked Ishtar through the vapor, his tactical domain placing markers throughout the space.

Heavenly Domain Skill: Warfare Tactic: Convergence

All his previously placed markers activated at once, creating lines of holy power that intersected where Ishtar floated. She screamed as the holy energy enclosed around her, but the tablet flared in response, pushing back against the confinement.

Michael pressed forward, sword held high as he cut through her defenses.

Each strike carried enough force to level a mountain, and indeed, the few remaining floating islands in the vicinity crumbled from the shockwaves of their battle.

Ishtar scowled, raising her hand and forming some sort of gravity spell. Matter formed and a supernova was sent at Aphrodite, who in response was sent flying back.

It didn't stop there as an army of strange dust soldiers formed, each covered by a spell circle that was packed to the brim with Primordial energy.

They weren't fast, nor strong. But thousands of them formed and as Aphrodite recovered, she destroyed multiple of them. Only for each one to make a truly massive explosion.

Michael's sword shimmered and he slashed, sending a line multiplied every second towards Ishtar.

Ishtar raised her hands and the tablet flared.

It was obvious that she was relying on the Tablet heavily.

A mass of dust, earth and everything nearby formed a shimmering mass that protected her.

Only for it all to explode and Ishtar to barely escape unharmed as she backed away.

Michael didn't allow her the space.

A massive Titan of matter formed behind her and tried to shield her.

Heavenly Domain Skill: Heaven's Might

A beam of light fired as he made use of light manipulation, and his Heavenly Domain took hold of it. Amplifying it and turning the pillar of light into a thin beam of light that cut through reality itself.

Ishtar couldn't fully block, the tablet flaring massively and multiple shields failed to contain the attack.

Battles as you grew stronger weren't normally about pure power. A condensed attack would do more damage than a large attack with a wide range effect. But in this case, Ishtar found herself cornered due to that precise fact.

Michael felt multiple Godly Domain Skills being used. A truly tremendous amount of divinity was used and the Tablet seemingly amplified whatever was being done.

He distinctly felt the sense of a Godly War Domain Skill being used. He didn't know which one, since no Domain has the same skills. Heavenly or Godly.

Millions of black dust specks formed and quickly formed a dome around Ishtar which was further covered with a reddish pink fire. Then further amplified by seemingly any material that was nearby.

Michael felt another Godly Domain Skill activated as a dark red-pink shield. A strange glassy mass then proceeded to further cover that.

A massive collision happened as the glassy mass was able to deflect a fraction of the power.

What happened next was complete evisceration as the shield barely held up against the plasma-like light that Michael had produced into a condensed beam of pure destruction.

By the end of it, as everything cleared down. Ishtar was left floating, her two forearms scorched from the sheer heat that the beam of light enhanced by the Heavenly Domain of Power had produced.

She had a scowl that marred her fair features, one that showed what was really lurking beneath the mask of composure.

Another Godly Domain Skill was activated and the weight of her Domain came crashing down, thousands of knives made from the same weird black sandy substance formed and proceeded to shoot down in all directions.

Michael stared at her passively, watching what she was doing carefully. Despite how it seemed, she was currently stronger than him in pure power. Ignoring the advantage his Heavenly Domains gave him.

After all, the Heavenly Domain of Power had been special. A trump card for heaven to use given by his Father. He knew of no other Gods that possessed this rare Domain.

Then he noticed the effect the strange daggers had as they implanted into many different surfaces.

Material dissolved into the same black sandy substance, it wasn't long at all, a mere few seconds before a sea of this weird substance had formed underneath them.

The substance became infused with the weight of her Godly War Domain and tens of thousands of ropes formed, shooting up to him with a speed that left him grateful Aphrodite was preoccupied.

While that happened Ishtar formed another attack.

Heavenly Domain Skill: Warfare Tactic: Convergence

Once more, Ishtar found her attack cut off as hundreds of light beams were sent her way from attacks he had placed earlier in the battle.

Heavenly Domain Skill: Earth Armament

Heavenly Domain Skill: Heaven's Might

The dust of fallen mountains and rocks rose into the air rapidly, gathering into a massive axe that glowed with the weight of his Heavenly Domain of power.

He winced a bit at the sheer drain on his magical reserves but held it out.

Out of the corner of his eye, Michael noticed his Father. Kai wasn't simply watching the battle, he was doing something.

Michael returned his focus to Ishtar.

The tablet's glow was intensifying.

-{Kai}-

I tried to ignore the sheer power being thrown around.

I had been wondering how I could help without wasting my Semi-Divine form, and I had come to a conclusion.

The power being used to power the Tablet of Destiny was being actively siphoned from Pontus.

I couldn't see the fight happening, but Jeanne was able to perceive some of it. By the sounds of it, Michael was not only holding his own but showing the sheer gap in experience.

I stared at the many complex magical circles that were helping siphon power off the Primordial God. It was naturally a powerful spell, but that didn't mean it couldn't be undone. I doubted it was made with me in mind.

My chakra chains formed, and vines formed from Mokuton trailed towards the complex layered magical circles. Dark tendrils intertwined through the magical circles and a feeling of being an emptiness radiated from it.

It was a weird feeling, but one I wasn't too unfamiliar with. Seriously, the feelings some magics have off were downright weird. How did you even explain feeling emptiness?

Jeanne guarded me diligently.

I got absorbed in the complex spell formation as I wondered how I could go about removing it.

The magical array pulsed with power, constantly drawing from Pontus. I directed my chakra chains to several nexus points in the formation, where the lines of power converged most.

The chains wrapped around these points, and I could feel them resisting my interference.

My Mokuton vines slithered alongside them, reaching for different key junctions.

I was mostly going off instinct and the seal knowledge I had.

As my chains made contact with the first major seal point, I could feel the energy flow disrupting. The chains began to direct some of the power to my vines which siphoned the power, redirecting it away from the Tablet.

It felt like drinking from some sort of firehose as raw primordial energy flooded through my Mokuton vines.

It was different, far more dense and powerful than my angelic magic currently was. The sheer potency was staggering and actually made me worried about just how many Primordials existed.

I guided my Mokuton vines to three other focal points of the array, watching as they entwined with the mystical geometries.

The vines pulsed with natural energy, creating a disharmony with the artificial construct of the spell. Each point I disrupted caused the entire formation to flicker and destabilize.

The magic fought back, crackling with resistance. I pushed harder, forcing my chakra chains deeper into the formation's structure, seeking its fundamental framework.

There, I found something. What I believed was the central binding that held the entire siphoning spell together.

With a final surge of effort, I drove both my chains and vines into this core point.

The entire magical array shuddered violently, lines of power fluctuating wildly.

Then, with a sound like shattering glass that existed more in my mind than my ears, the formation collapsed.

I was nearly blown back by a wave of Primordial energy that Jeanne quickly shielded me from, her arms going to gently wrap around me before she realised what she had done and blushed furiously in embarrassment.

The cute twin tailed woman backed away, unsure of how to react.

"No!" Ishtar's scream, contained with a concerning amount of rage, cut through everything.

A large attack spread, eating everything around us as Jeanne was able to barely repel.

I could only see partially what happened next.

The Tablet Of Destiny glowed bright before multiple attacks from Michael hit it, and cracks formed. A moment later my eyes were covered with a truly blinding explosion that sent tendrils of a mystical light of cosmic blue power.

Reality seemingly cracked for a moment as time stopped before it faded a moment later soundlessly as if never happening. In the next second, Ishtar landed in front of me. Her once smooth skin was burnt, with blue cracks running through her body.

She stumbled, her hand raised. Despite the serious wounds there was a defiance in her eyes, as if she refused to give in even as her body failed her.

Being so close to the Tablet had made her get caught in its direct destruction.

"I-I won't a-allow myself to be d-defeated like this!" She gasped out.

However, that didn't last long as Michael slammed her to the ground. His entire body sparking with holy energy surrounded by a strange purple light that almost seemed to enhance the holy light it touched.

Michael stood, one foot firmly pressed on her throat as he stared down at her boredly. The edge of his obscenely powerful sword was pointed downwards to her throat.

"Shall I finish her Father?" Michael calmly asked.

"I…w-will destroy you." She coughed, despite her burnt appearance. Two striking amber eyes peered into my soul with an alien emotion.

I thought about it.

"No, knock her out. She will have other uses." I ordered after a moment.

Maybe she could be used as some sort of battery?

She tried to resist, only for Michael to send a harsh punch to her skull. To which the goddess found herself falling unconscious to.

I stepped over towards her and carefully stored her in my inventory.

Nice.

I caught a wild Goddess.

[Quest Completed!]

[Quest]

Bound by Destiny

Description: A cryptic prophecy has been delivered. Pontus has been sealed, and Ishtar has taken control of a power she was never meant to wield. Only by calling on the Fateless can the Queen's plan be stopped.

Objective: Stop Ishtar from manipulating the Primordial God Pontus' power. [Completed!]

Reward: Legendary Summon Token.

I frowned.

Admittedly, I would have liked to obtain the Tablet Of Destiny but I don't think anyone could have it now. Michael certainly hadn't wasted any time in destroying it.

I couldn't fault him though since he was smiling like a golden retriever.

"Good work, Michael." I praised him.

He beamed.

I looked him over. He didn't seem to have sustained any damage… at all…

"Are you hurt?" I decided to ask a question.

He looked confused at my question.

"No. It was a good workout." He smiled brightly. His smile dimmed slightly. "Though I must admit I'm a bit rusty…"

Rusty…?

This was rusty?

With the immediate threat dealt with, I glanced toward the staircase we had ascended earlier. Not before storing the strange batteries filled with Pontus' energy: I'm sure I could find a use for them.

The sounds of battle had all but vanished in place of an almost eerie silence, but I couldn't help wondering how Hestia was faring against Gilgamesh.

The worry must have shown on my face.

"We should go check on the others." I asked, already moving toward the stairs.

Before anyone could answer, footsteps echoed from below. I tensed, ready for another fight, but relaxed when I saw

Hestia ascending the stairs.

My relief quickly turned to confusion when I saw who followed behind her.

Gilgamesh himself walked calmly behind Hestia, his golden armor scratched and dented in several places. Blood trickled from a cut above his eye, and he moved with a slight limp.

Despite his obvious injuries, he seemed relaxed.

Michael immediately positioned himself between me and the newcomers, his sword still drawn and glowing with power.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, voice tight with suspicion.

Tiamat appeared next, seeming relatively unharmed as she ascended the stairs.

Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Gilgamesh walking freely.

"Hestia, I'm glad to see you are okay..." I said, looking over to Gilgamesh, who smirked back at me. He was obviously injured, far more than Hestia who seemed perfectly fine.

She nodded, smiling at me affectionately. "Yes, I told you I could fight."

"Why is he alive?" Tiamat asked bluntly.

"I was able to convince him. He has no loyalty for Ishtar and once she was defeated he decided to give up." Hestia explained happily.

I looked over to Gilgamesh who didn't dispute her words, simply giving me a wave as if he hadn't been trying to kill us a while ago.

"What do you intend on doing now?" I decided to ask.

He shrugged. "I guess I'll have to find another way to revive Enkidu."

"You do realise the Tablet couldn't revive people right?" I pointed out.

At least I didn't think it could.

"Yeah, I knew she was full of shit. But a guy can hope." He replied.

I stared at him.

"Contact me when things aren't as busy, I think we can come to an arrangement." I decided to offer.

He blinked. "Just like that? Aren't you mad?"

"No." I replied with a shrug.

I had done worse.

"Who are you?" He questioned after a moment. "I know you are from Heaven, but I haven't been able to decipher who you are? How will I find you?"

"Simply pray." I replied, answering his questions with that one simply answer.

His eyes widened slightly, recognition and realisation flashing through his gaze.

With that we moved over to Pontus' seal.

I let out a sigh, looking around at the ruined remains of what had been an admittedly cool pocket-dimension.

I had received the quest rewards. I had access to another legendary summon.

Hestia sent me a look as I took a moment.

That had been eventful.

In the short amount of time I had arrived here, a lot had happened.

I guess bringing a force of God-class was always going to make things quick.

Especially Michael. He had been weaker than Ishtar especially with the Tablet but had dominated her.

Perhaps I was looking too hardly into power levels and classes.

I myself had defeated stronger beings due to my sheer skills.

I looked at the remaining seal that held Pontus.

It was incredibly powerful.

Aphrodite stared at Pontus with longing.

I decided to take a chance and hold her hand for comfort, which seemed to work.

With that we left the pocket-dimension.

We decided to return to Aphrodite's mansion first to meet with the Fates. There was an odd tension in the air as we made our way back, with Gilgamesh having departed on his own path after our brief exchange.

I let out a breath.

That has been relatively quick, when compared to how things normally go when I'm involved.

I doubted that quest had lasted longer than thirty minutes but then again, I suppose having the force I had with me was an impressive feat in itself.

Admittedly without Hestia and Aphrodite I had a feeling the quest would have lasted a longer and I'm sure there would have been many more complications.

I stared at Hestia.

She was completely undamaged too.

Hestia sent me a sweet smile back. Gilgamesh had looked incredibly hurt and beaten.

The power difference wasn't absurd, so in conclusion it just meant Hestia was like Michael.

"They're already here," Aphrodite said, her eyes darting toward the main hall.

Tiamat nodded, confirming Aphrodite words.

Sure enough, as we entered the spacious chamber, three figures emerged from the shadows.

The Fates stood before us, their faces betraying no emotion.

"The task has been completed." I stated.

One of the Fates nodded. "Indeed. The Tablet has been destroyed and Ishtar… defeated."

"What? Surprised?" Tiamat stepped up with a smirk.

"No." One replied.

"Perhaps if you hadn't brought such a powerful force with you, we would have been." The other replied dryly, with what I thought was the tiniest hint of amusement?

"But you didn't expect him to bring such a force did you?" Aphrodite spoke up, her eyes narrowed. "All you knew about him was that he was a rogue Angel with a strange ability to negate your domain."

The Fates merely exchanged glances, not responding to the unvoiced accusation.

Tiamat pressed on. "Did you know this would happen originally? That he would go after a quest with such a high reward? A reckless Angel with an affinity for danger?"

Hey!

I wanted to intervene but when I thought about it I was reckless… but I had gotten better! I am a team player now. There was a time when I would have gone alone…

"Perhaps."

"But is he an Angel?"

"A Dragon King, A Goddess of Love, an Elder Goddess of the Hearth, an Arch-Seraph and a powerful divine spirit." One of them commented. "All for a mere Angel?"

Wait… was she referring to Jeanne?

"A special Angel who has travelled and done more than you have in centuries."

Surprisingly, it was Hestia who spoke with such fierce words and a firm tone.

"One who risked himself for others, using his affinity of chaos to muck up the plans of those who seek to cause harm." Hestia said softly.

I stared at her in surprise and felt like I didn't deserve the words being spoken for me.

Most of it was the temptation of quest rewards after all.

Though she did have a good point, if I wasn't reckless and I had played everything safe, would I have seriously made all the allies I had in the present time?

"Perhaps, but special or not. We know you are not an Angel. We had our suspicions on Yahweh with his lack of presence." They commented in sync.

There was a new tension in the air.

Yeah, I hadn't expected my company to go unnoticed.

The sword of God randomly joining the quest with two powerful Greek Goddesses and a Dragon King? It was something that sounded like the start of a joke.

"You have completed the quest, Fateless one," the middle Fate finally spoke, completely ignoring the tension. "As promised, we will reward you."

I couldn't help but wonder, with some amusement, what would happen if they tried to back out our deal. I wasn't too bothered. I wanted the reward but I had another Legendary Summon token. That was far more powerful than anything they could give me.

Looking around at the people with me, Michael, Hestia, Tiamat, Jeanne, and Aphrodite. I realized I had assembled a force powerful enough that I could probably establish an entirely new faction in the supernatural world if I wished..

One of the Fates approached me, her eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that was almost uncomfortable. From within the folds of her robe, she produced a single golden apple that seemed to glow with its own inner light.

"The reward," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I reached out without hesitation and took the apple.

The moment my fingers closed around it, a surge of power rippled through the room.

{Name: Golden Apple of Immortality}

{Description:} A golden fruit from the gardens beyond time. Each bite grants permanent enhancement to the consumer's lifeforce and ability to recover. Legend says that those who consume an entire apple may transcend their mortal limitations entirely.

{Effects:} Enhanced Vitality: Permanently increases the user's life force.

Accelerated Healing: Wounds close and heal at an increased rate.

Toxin Immunity: Grants resistance to poisons and diseases.

Potential Ascent: Grants whoever eats it a 30% chance of gaining access to Divinity and a Divine Form. Chances vary depending on whoever eats the fruit.

Warning: Can only be eaten once by anyone below an Olympian-Level God.

I looked at the last warning.

That meant the God-class I was assuming…

Still… This was incredibly helpful. Heaven didn't have access to fruits like this. While we definitely had our own fruits they didn't outright provide such effects.

I met her gaze steadily, saying nothing.

"Your thread is unique," continued the middle Fate. "Or rather, the absence of your thread is unique. I don't suspect the many others who dabble with Fate will take this as well as we have."

Michael stepped forward, his hostility toward the Fates evident in his rigid posture. "Father, we should leave. Our business here is concluded."

I nodded, sensing his discomfort. "Thank you for the reward," I said to the Fates, carefully placing the golden apple in my inventory.

"Until we meet again." One of the Fates said.

Michael's eyes flashed dangerously.

"There will be no 'again,'" he stated firmly, moving to stand between me and the ancient Gods.

We left without further ceremony.

Once outside, we teleported back to my sub-dimension.

As we entered the sub-dimension, Michael's stance finally relaxed for the first time since we'd departed.

The tension visibly drained from his shoulders.

"Father," he said, more relaxed. "Thank you for allowing me to accompany you on this mission."

I nodded, pleased.

I would have had to use my Semi-Divine form if it wasn't for him and even then I doubt I would have been able to do the job he did.

"You were incredible out there, Michael. I couldn't have asked for better support."

A smile brightened his features. "It was my honor to serve. I've been... confined to administrative duties for too long." He stood, straightening his white robes. "But I must return to Heaven. There are matters requiring my attention that I've postponed for this excursion."

"Of course," I replied.

He bowed slightly. "I hope you found what you needed from this venture."

"I did," I assured him, thinking of the legendary summon token now safely stored in my inventory.

With a final nod to everyone present, he left.

Tiamat, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since our return, finally spoke up. "I should take my leave as well."

"So soon?" I asked.

The Dragon King nodded, her eyes meeting mine briefly.

"There's something I need to attend to. A matter that cannot wait." She moved toward me, lowering her voice slightly.

"Do not worry about me. I'll be back soon. I simply have found myself preoccupied as of late."

With that, she promptly took her leave as well.

Hestia sighed softly. "I need to go check on some things… I can stay if you need me."

"No, it's fine. Go do what you need to do." I replied. "Thank you for your help."

Hestia sent me a look. "Always."

She abruptly vanished into her Hearth.

With Hestia's departure, only Jeanne and Aphrodite remained with me in the peaceful garden. A comfortable silence settled between us as the sounds of flowing water and rustling leaves filled the air.

Aphrodite glanced at the two ancient trees in the distance, her expression changing slightly.

"So this is your sub-dimension," she murmured, a note of awe slipping through her voice.

She took a slow step forward, and as she did, I watched the slight shimmer cross over her body. It was subtle, but it was there. Her pink eyes brightened, the color deepening just a little.

"How interesting..." she said, tilting her head.

She looked down at her hands as if feeling the difference.

I answered her unspoken question. "Anyone who gazes at the trees gets a blessing. It provides an enhancement."

Aphrodite's lips curled. "I can feel that," she said simply, sounding impressed but curious.

Jeanne approached me next with a weird look after a moment.

"My Lord," she began, her voice carrying the slight accent I'd grown fond of. "I... I know this is probably weird to bring up now. Considering what we just went through but I found something while walking through your garden earlier."

I raised an eyebrow.

From behind her back, she produced a single flower of breathtaking beauty.

A bloom with petals that shifted between shades of blue and silver depending on how the light caught them.

"This is for you," she said softly, extending the flower with both hands, her cheeks tinged with faint pink. "A token of my continued gratitude… for allowing me to remain at your side. I had intended to offer it sooner, but-" she glanced down briefly, "the quest swept the thought to the back of my mind."

I accepted it carefully, genuinely touched by the gesture.

When you had the ability to cause an unhealthy amount of damage, you came to enjoy the more beautiful aspects of life.

"It's beautiful. Where did you find it?" I questioned.

"Here, In your sub-dimension," she admitted, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "It's started to bloom at the very edge of the sub-dimension, it's quite far away but I like wandering sometimes. I thought..." her eyes lowered slightly, "I thought you might appreciate its beauty."

"I do," I assured her, examining the unusual flower. "Thank you, Jeanne."

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Aphrodite watching our interaction with an expression of confusion.

Aphrodite stepped forward, her tone unusually casual. "Why don't we spend some time together?"

Her gaze flickered between me and Jeanne, a hint of something unreadable behind her smile.

I shrugged. "Sure. I've got time to kill."

The legendary Summon Token could wait, I hadn't spent much time with the both of them as of late. Being the King Of Heaven was draining.

Jeanne brightened immediately at my answer.

Aphrodite looked at Jeanne who wasn't looking at me and smirked lightly to herself as if confirming something. She didn't say anything at first, just moved closer.

She turned back to us, her hands resting on her hips. "Well, if you have some time Kai" she started, walking slowly toward Jeanne, "I would love to know more about you, Jeanne was it? You are rather strong, I'm surprised I haven't heard about you."

Jeanne stiffened a little, clearly flustered.

I raised an eyebrow but said nothing, deciding to watch the show.

We walked over the canopy of the two Trees and I took a moment to look over my expanding realm. It was growing even larger. And the Trees weren't showing any signs of stopping.

Galadriel slithered out from under the Trees and came to rest on my lap.

Aphrodite laughed softly. "Come on, Jeanne. Tell me about yourself."

Jeanne looked a little nervous in front of the Goddess.

"I-I can't boast much. Most of my time has been helpfully used serving my Lord." Jeanne started.

"Oh? You've been serving Kai?" Aphrodite asked.

"Yes. I was born in a small village, during a time when my country was falling apart." Jeanne explained, sending a glance towards me.

I sent her a reassuring look, appreciating her wording. She wasn't keeping it vague.

"I'm not anyone special, just a farm girl. I helped with the fields, prayed at church, and lived the kind of simple life everyone expected." She further explained.

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow, looking over her athletic form. "You don't look like some random farm girl."

Jeanne blushed slightly. "A-ah thank you."

"Continue, I'm interested now."

So I was, I kind of knew it was but I wanted to hear it from the woman herself.

"Until one day, I started hearing voices.

They said they were Saints Michael, Catherine, Margaret. They told me that God had chosen me for something bigger" she said hesitantly.

Aphrodite smirked. "It seems they were correct."

Jeanne sent a glance towards me, her gaze filled with something deep. "It would seem they were."

"Then from there, my life has been dedicated to him." She smiled at me.

"So you were a human… I must admit I am rather curious about you. A divine spirit is rare. And one being that of the God-class realm of power isn't even rarer. You are quite the powerhouse, Jeanne. Most Gods would kill to have a follower with such beauty and power." Aphrodite praised.

There that term was again…

Divine spirit.

"Uh, I didn't really know I was a Divine Spirit until today." Jeanne replied somewhat confusedly.