Rumors Spread

—[Days Later - White Pole, Fourth Dawn Kingdom]—

Rikumi immersed herself in the dawn of her existence, resting in a divine bath. The sacred water enveloped her body like a mantle of purity, while her mind wandered in deep thoughts.

«My name is Rikumi... I am the Goddess of Valor, the fourth hegemonic. Every day, I forge my divine body with sacred water... and a single drop of my blood.»

She observed the crimson drop suspended on the tip of her finger. It was so tiny, yet it contained immense power.

«Letting it fall into this water is enough to infuse it with infinite spiritual energy. That is why my devotees drink from it.»

With a subtle movement, she let the drop fall into the crystalline water. The instant the blood touched the surface, a wave of spiritual energy spread in all directions, saturating the liquid with a vibrant glow. Rikumi took a cup, filling it with the same water in which she bathed, and held it.

"Take this from me, Vulyian. Receive it as a gift, in recognition of your unwavering loyalty."

She offered it to one of her devotees, who received it with a deep bow.

"I humbly thank you for your generous gift, Rikumi-sama."

With the reverence of the faithful, Vulyian withdrew, ready to share the blessing with the other devotees.

"Good. That's enough, time to get out of here."

Rikumi stepped out of the bath, her skin still gleaming with the light of the sacred water. As the droplets slid down her body, she took the golden attire that a pair of divine attendants offered her with devotion.

As she adjusted her garments, she sensed a presence approaching. It was Hanuman, the God of Discipline—her eternal companion and rival in the art of war.

"You look radiant as always, Rikumi." His voice was firm, yet carried a slight smile.

She arched an eyebrow at him while fastening her belt.

"You don't need to remind me of what I already know, Hanuman. Why are you here?"

He sighed, crossing his arms.

"We need to talk about Shizuhana."

The mention of that name made the air grow heavy. Rikumi adjusted her diadem and looked at Hanuman with seriousness.

"Shizuhana… What has she done this time?"

"Through ethereal sensory waves, several rumors have spread, though they remain unclear. But knowing her, and after what happened at the sanctuary meeting, it is likely related to her peculiar quest to challenge the sacred order of all things."

Rikumi narrowed her eyes.

"It is believed she speaks of a strange 'Truth' that seems to greatly defy the very foundations of the world we protect. And worse still… The ethereal sensory waves detected desires connected to the Naraka Realm and the Unknown Force."

For the first time in centuries, Rikumi felt a pang of disbelief.

"... The Naraka Realm? The Samsara-Kshetra?"

Hanuman nodded.

"Exactly."

Rikumi exhaled slowly, trying to process the absurdity of such news.

『The Naraka, the Hell of Neutrality, was the absolute limit of all universes. It was not just a prison but a realm where absolute incompatibility tore apart everything that entered it. — This undoubtedly left the Gods completely bewildered. They wondered: "What do Shizuhana, the Naraka Realm, and the Unknown Force have to do with each other?" — No one knew what Shizuhana was planning!』

"We do not know exactly what is happening, but I hope Shizuhana hasn't completely lost her mind."

"I hope so too." Hanuman looked at her seriously. "But just in case, Ceres has been informed. We don't know what is happening, but the ethereal sensory waves that permeate the entire White Pole are not deceptive."

Rikumi averted her gaze for a moment. If Shizuhana was willing to challenge everything they stood for, then she had to be prepared to face the consequences.

"And what will Ceres do?"

Hanuman crossed his arms.

"We will find out soon. But if Shizuhana intends to do something reckless, we cannot allow her to act without consequences."

Rikumi remained silent for a moment before taking her sword, which rested on a golden pedestal.

"Then we must prepare. The feeling that something is coming, but not knowing exactly what, is rather unsettling."

Without another word, Rikumi and Hanuman left the Fourth Dawn Kingdom, the weight of impending unease reflected in every step they took.