chapter 62 ancient rules

The Grand Plan Spirals Out of Control

Zerathis's smirk froze for the first time in a long while. His golden eyes, always filled with amusement, dimmed slightly as he processed Lirion's words.

> "You're saying we should hide?"

Lirion, arms crossed, leaned forward slightly. Unlike his usual nonchalant demeanor, a faint trace of unease flickered across his silver eyes.

> "I'm saying we might not have a choice."

Zerathis let out a scoff, resting his chin on one hand.

> "Ridiculous. We have been playing this game far longer than any of them. You think a mere mortal's actions could disrupt our plan?"

But Lirion wasn't smiling. His gaze sharpened as he pointed at the Celestial Mirror, where Ethan's path unfolded.

> "Not just him. You underestimate what lurks beyond the veil. We think we're guiding him, shaping him into a tool to weaken their forces. But the moment he passes Tier 5—"

Lirion paused, eyes darkening.

> "—he will no longer be bound by our strings."

For a moment, silence hung between them. Even Zerathis, known for his arrogance, didn't immediately refute it.

Because he knew.

They both knew.

> Tier 5 was the limit.

At Tier 5, mortals were still playable pieces on the board. Still subject to divine influence. Still malleable.

But beyond that?

Tier 6 was different.

> "Absolute strength renders all tricks meaningless."

Lirion's voice was calm, but it carried a weight that even Zerathis couldn't ignore.

The moment Ethan—or any mortal—crossed Tier 5, deception, manipulation, and foresight would become useless.

Because beyond Tier 5… only raw power mattered.

> "We can fool the lesser gods, the weaker demons, and the Tier 4s all we like." Lirion continued, his tone unreadable.

"But once he steps into that realm, we are no longer the ones playing him. We become the ones being played."

Zerathis tapped his fingers against the throne, silent.

Because as much as he hated to admit it—

Lirion was right.

> "Then what do you suggest?" Zerathis finally muttered.

Lirion exhaled slowly.

> "We proceed as planned—"

Then his silver eyes gleamed.

> "—but we must ensure he never reaches Tier 6."

Zerathis's golden gaze narrowed.

> "You want to stop him?"

Lirion smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

> "Not stop. Just… guide him toward destruction before he gets there."

Zerathis leaned back, lips curling into a grin once more.

> "So we let him rise just enough to burn their world…"

His claws gleamed under the divine light.

> "…and then we make sure he falls before he burns ours."

Lirion nodded.

The game would continue.

But now, the stakes had changed.

A Game of Gods and Shadows

Zerathis's golden eyes gleamed with renewed amusement as he tapped his fingers on the armrest of his obsidian throne.

> "So, the plan remains the same—until he reaches Tier 5, we let him believe he's in control."

Lirion nodded, his silver eyes shimmering like moonlight over still water.

> "Yes. The moment he steps into Tier 5, we will link our gates to the higher realm. The High Realm forces will invade, but…"

A smirk crossed his lips.

> "…not in full force."

Zerathis let out a chuckle.

> "Ah, the ancient rules set by the unknown one."

Even his usually arrogant tone carried a trace of respect—and fear.

> "Even if a god reaches Tier 10, they are still an ant in his eyes."

Lirion leaned back, his fingers tracing the golden patterns etched into his throne.

> "Precisely. No one dares to break his rules. No one dares to start a full-fledged war between realms. The moment they do—"

He didn't finish, but both of them knew.

Oblivion.

Even the strongest beings in existence feared that unknown entity, the one who set the divine laws of war.

> "So, the High Realm will be limited." Zerathis mused, his grin widening. "They can invade, but only through certain means. They must play by the rules."

> "Which means we can control the battlefield." Lirion finished.

Zerathis stood up, his cloak billowing behind him.

> "Then, all we have to do is push Ethan higher—until he becomes the King of Eldoria."

His golden eyes shone with malice.

> "And when he reaches the throne…"

He spread his arms wide.

> "…we take everything from him."

Lirion's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

> "He will do all the work. He will unite the land, crush our enemies, and forge the perfect kingdom."

His silver eyes flashed.

> "And when he stands at the peak, thinking he has finally won…"

He clenched his fist.

> "We will claim it all for ourselves."

Zerathis let out a low laugh, filled with delight.

> "A perfect plan. Let the fool believe he's in control."

The two gods turned their eyes back to the Celestial Mirror, where Ethan continued his journey, unaware of the forces watching from above.

> "Rise, Ethan. Struggle. Fight. Win."

> "And when the time comes…"

Zerathis grinned.

> "We will be waiting."

A Clash of Gods – The Tension Between Lirion and Zerathis

The celestial halls of the divine realm shimmered with ethereal light, an endless expanse of golden pillars and floating constellations. Lirion, the God of Order, sat upon his pristine throne, his silver robes flowing like cascading light. The aura around him was sharp, disciplined—like a blade honed to perfection.

Across from him, lounging lazily on his own throne made of twisting obsidian and crimson flames, was Zerathis, the Demon Lord of Chaos. Unlike Lirion's rigid posture, Zerathis was relaxed, an infuriating smirk playing at his lips.

> "Hey, Lirion," Zerathis drawled, tapping his sharp nails against the armrest. "Why are you still hesitating? Are you going to meet that goddess or not?"

His grin widened, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief.

> "If not, I might pay her a visit myself. She is quite beautiful, after all."

The air changed instantly.

Lirion's silver eyes darkened, the weight of his power pressing down on the chamber like an unseen force. The temperature dropped, the golden pillars of light flickering as if they feared his wrath.

> "Zerathis."

Lirion's voice was calm—too calm. It carried a weight that could silence even the most arrogant of beings.

But Zerathis?

He only laughed.

> "Oh? Did I touch a nerve?"

His voice was light, mocking. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm, clearly enjoying himself.

> "Don't tell me the cold, logical Lirion actually has feelings? I thought you only cared about strategy, about war."

Lirion's fingers tightened on the golden armrest of his throne. It was a subtle movement, but to someone as perceptive as Zerathis, it was as obvious as a shout.

> "You are overstepping your bounds, Zerathis."

Zerathis let out a slow, amused hum.

> "Am I? Or are you simply afraid to admit it?"

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.

> "That you don't see her as just another piece in our game?"

Crack.

The celestial air itself fractured as Lirion's divine energy flared. Silver lightning arced through the chamber, the sheer pressure causing cracks to appear on the golden floor beneath him.

For the first time in countless ages, Lirion was angry.

Zerathis grinned, his expression filled with pure amusement.

> "Hah! Look at you, Lirion."

His golden eyes gleamed as he leaned back into his throne, utterly unfazed by the god's rising fury.

> "You're finally showing emotions. I wonder what she would think if she saw you like this?"

Lirion inhaled slowly, forcing himself to rein in his power. He knew what Zerathis was doing. The demon was testing him. Pushing him.

And damn it, it was working.

> "Stay away from her."

The warning was clear, his voice like a blade slicing through the air.

But Zerathis?

He just smirked, his fangs glinting under the divine light.

> "We'll see."

Note: who set ancient rules?

What is higher realm?

Who is unknown?

When will ethan know he was pawn in game ??

Answer in comments correct answer

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