1 Chapter 1, In the beginning

When the night sky reached its tranquility from its long-endured chaos incited by the lurkers of Abyss, a sphere named Arnon beaconed throughout the void, waiting to heed its call, and its call was answered...

The lands of Arnon were filled with water and ice. Until five gods descended and changed the landscapes. Azar, the god of fire, heated the waters and thawed the ice. Sapphira, the goddess of earth, created the ground and towering mountains that reach the skies, resonating with the glory of the night sky. Anan, the god of skies, filled the world with clouds and gusts to balance the heat. And Abelia, the goddess of life, felt lacking and created creatures of different sizes, shapes, and colors, each with different strengths.

Amon, the guardian god, adored the creations of his fellow gods and swore to protect them. But his adoration soon turned into envy. And little by little, he desired to take the lands as its ruler. He created a palace and called it his haven. He made his people and called them Edos.

But his hunger to rule wasn't sated. Being the strongest of the five, he felt he deserved more, so he expanded his control throughout the land. The people who weren't satisfied with Amon's reign rebelled against him. Angered by this, the greedy god flooded the world with darkness and washed away those that rebelled. He threatened that those he deemed dishonest would soon follow along with their possessions.

Fearing for their lives, the creatures of Abelia rushed to the four gods for help. They were in disbelief that the god that once ought to protect now seeks to destroy and plunder. As the four gods went to confront Amon, giant arrows, spears, and swords of gods fell from the sky and spread havoc.

Edos and Abelians fought for the honor of their gods. But the Abelians were losing. The Edos were superior in strength and magic. The moment they thought they had lost all hope, a trumpet echoed across the lands. The battle was already over, and Amon lost. Upon his demise, he swore to return for the heads of those who betrayed him. Hearing their lord's final words, the Edos retreated and hid in the dark corners of the world.

After the battle, the weakened gods went to slumber to regain their strength. Little do they know about Amon's imminent return...

~Two centuries later

Salvino, a 12-year-old young boy, wandered the streets for food. The frailness of his body is a mirror of his past abuses and a reflection of his vulnerability. He was abandoned at the age of eight and started begging. None of the other beggars respected him, and he became a target for their frequent abuse.

One fateful day, a day that will shake the tranquility of the night sky one more time. It started with an event that seemed an ordinary day for Salvino. When the beggars saw Salvino's bread and itched to steal it as their own, it led to the motion of the tyrant god's awakening.

"That's too much for a small boy like you." ~Beggar A

"That's ours now. Ask the baker for more." ~Beggar B

Salvino was frustrated. He hasn't eaten for three days because of the same occurrence.

"Looking for trouble?" ~Beggar C

"I haven't eaten for three days." ~Salvino

"And?" ~Beggar C

"Can you give me some?" ~Salvino

"Sure." ~Beggar C

The beggar then took a pinch of the bread and passed it to Salvino. The group laughed at Salvino as they walked away, but Salvino was desperate and approached the group.

"Please! My stomach hurts." ~Salvino

"What? We already gave you one." ~Beggar A

"Go away! Shoo." ~Beggar B

Salvino cried and continued to beg for it until one of them got annoyed at Salvino and punched him. Salvino tried to punch back, but the three ganged up on him until he was down on his knees. After a while, the group was satisfied and left Salvino unable to stand due to his injuries.

"Why is this happening to me? Why me?" ~Salvino cried and added. "If the gods truly loved the world, why me? What did I do wrong?... Why can't it be them?"

Why can't it be his parents that abandoned him and the beggars who beat him up? Salvino keeps asking these questions. He believes that the gods will hear him. He wasn't wrong. A god did listen to him. An apparition suddenly appears in front of him, and the boy is terrified by its appearance. He wants to run away but can't.

"Don't be afraid. I'm the god of protection. I mean no harm." ~Amon

"Really?" ~Salvino

"I am here to answer your prayers." ~Amon

"Since you're the god of protection, can you protect me?" ~Salvino

"Of course! I can grant you anything you want." ~Amon

"Even cake? I never had one before" ~Salvino.

"Yes. All you have to do is to touch me." ~Amon

Thoughts flooded Salvino's mind. Why does a god need a contact for him to do his bidding? If he were a god, won't he grant his wishes in a blink of an eye? Won't a god make his injuries heal upon its bare presence? Won't a god throw him food to his sate his hunger?

But Salvino became desperate. He wanted the pain of his injuries to subside. He had nothing to lose. His family abandoned him, and people treated him worse than a stray dog or an old rag. He wanted it all to be stopped in one way or another. So he touched the entity, and it disappeared.

"Where are you?" ~Salvino

"I'm here." ~Amon

"Where? I can't see you." ~Salvino

"As long as you can hear my voice. I'm nearby" ~Amon

"Okay! Can I have my cake?" ~Salvino

"Sure, go to a bakery." ~Amon

"Okay!" ~Salvino

Salvino noticed that his injuries were gone, and his body felt lighter. He doesn't feel hungry anymore, and perhaps his prayers were answered. When he reached the bakery to get the cake, the baker noticed and approached him.

"What? You want another one?" ~Baker

"I want a cake. A god told me I could have one" ~Salvino

"Really?" ~The baker laughs

"Yes, he told me he's the god of protection!" ~Salvino

"Get lost!" ~The baker

"But why? You said I could get a cake." ~Salvino

"Touch him. He'll change his mind" ~Amon

"Okay..." ~Salvino

As soon as Salvino touched him, he went silent. Suddenly the baker turned around with a blank face.

"Now tell him you want a cake." ~Amon.

"I want that cake, please." ~Salvino points at a cake.

The baker then went to take that cake and give it to Salvino.

"Thank you very much!" ~Salvino

"And thank you, Mr. god?" ~Salvino

"My name is Amon." ~Amon

"Okay, thanks, Amon." ~Salvino

After finishing the cake, Salvino then left the baker. And the baker stares at nothing.

"Where do you want to go next?" ~Amon

"I don't know." ~Salvino

"How about we go to that store over there?" ~Amon

"Why?" ~Salvino

"I want to meet an old friend of mine. She'll give you a place to stay" ~Amon.

"Okay!" ~Salvino

As Salvino enters the jewelry store, he sees a beautiful lady. The lady was confused and thought he was lost, so she asked him.

"Where are your parents?" ~The lady

"What do I do, Amon?" ~Salvino whispers

"Let me borrow your body for a bit" ~Amon

"Borrow my body?" ~Salvino

"Don't worry, my child. It'll be very brief" ~Amon

The boy suddenly changed how he stood, and his pupils became red. Amon took control of him. But he knows he can't control the boy for a very long time because he only has a small fragment of his powers.

"Lena, I'm Amon." ~Amon

"Lord Amon? You finally found your vessel!" ~Lena

"Yes. I can't fully manifest myself yet. I can only borrow this body for a short time" ~Amon.

"What can I do for you, my lord?" ~Lena

"I want to learn the location of my other fragments" ~Amon.

"Sorry, my lord, I only know of four. They're at Dea, Magnus, Regis, and Tervanas. Your other servants there can give you the exact location." ~Lena

"Hmmm... One more thing Lena." ~Amon.

"Yes, my lord?" ~Lena

"Give this boy a place to stay. Train him, and feed him properly. We will depart as soon as I find the boy ready" ~Amon.

"As you wish, my lord." ~Lena

The boy's eyes and posture went back to normal. Confused about what just happened, he asked Amon.

"Mr.Amon, what just happened" ~Salvino

"Don't worry. The lady is ready to give you a room" ~Amon

"Really?" ~Salvino

"Yes, go ask her." ~Amon

"Will you give me a room?" ~Salvino

"Yes, your room is upstairs. Wait, I'll accompany you" ~Lena

"Yay, thanks, Amon. Whatever you did." ~Salvino

"Anything for you, my child." ~Amon

While lying on his bed, he thought how lucky he was to meet Amon. Everyone abandoned him, even his parents. Everyone believed that he was cursed. It is also the reason why he can't use magic.

[Maybe if I ask Amon about Magic, he can teach me] ~Salvino thought

~The next day

Lena wakes Salvino up for breakfast. Salvino is still unused to the way he's living now. He thought it was the first time that someone genuinely cared for him. When he went downstairs to eat breakfast, he ignored the utensils and used his bare hands. This caught Lena's attention.

"Use your spoon." ~Lena

"Sorry." ~Salvino

Salvino took the spoon and fork and used them awkwardly while trying to copy Lena's movement. Concerned by this, Lena starts guiding the boy's hands to use them properly. Salvino feels the warmth of Lena's palm. It was such an experience for him. He was unable to experience another person's warmth before. [I hope this continues forever.] ~Salvino