1 Eternal Sleep

Long long time ago, Planet Thea was ruled by an almighty king named Augustus Theodore. Augustus Theodore was a mortal who surpassed all human limitations and attained divinity through his own effort. Despite being very powerful, he was a benevolent king to his subjects and a good husband and father to his family. Even though he attained divinity he was reluctant to ascend to the 'realm of gods' because of the bond he formed with everyone around him.

One day, a war broke out in the realm of gods between the 'Gods' and 'Demons'. Unfortunately 'Gods' were very short numbered and powerless. Gods were on the verge of losing the war against the Demons. At that time the 'King of all Gods' - Psion heard about the mortal king who attained divinity and yet chose not to ascend.

Psion went into the mortal realm in order to convince the almighty king Augustus Theodore to join the 'Holy war'. Battles against the 'Demons' were not taken lightly. The 'realm of gods' always protected mortal realm from any external threats and that includes the demons as well. Once the gods fall, so do the humans. Augustus Theodore had no other choice other than to accept Psion's proposal.

Augustus fought the war with the gods against the demons in the realm of gods. Gods and demons fought the war without any rest. The war lasted a year. By that time Augustus had already killed several trillions of demons including the powerful generals and commanders. After a year and countless sacrifices, the gods finally won the war. Remaining demons fled the battlefield and went into hiding in despair.

"Ha…ha…ha...My friend Augustus Theodore…..I am very much amazed by your power. You are yet to ascend to the realm of gods and still have the power that can rival even me. As expected…It was the right decision to put my trust in you. Oh…mighty mortal king…state your wish. I, the 'King of all gods' Psion will personally grant your wish….Tell me." Psion said in a pleased voice.

"King of all gods, it was a great honour to fight amidst you. I am happy to know that I have succeeded to match your expectations. All this year I only earned for one thing. I really miss my family and subjects. My only wish is to return back to them. I have no other wish." Augustus replied nostalgically.

Hearing Augustus's reply Psion's expression turned from happiness to a little sadness.

"I am sorry my friend but I cannot grant your wish." Psion replied

"But why…all you have to do is take me home. Why can't you grant my wish?" Augustus asked in a doubtful voice.

"I can take you home. But nobody is waiting for you right there. You have already attained divinity. You are no longer a mortal. Stay with us. I will grant you a title corresponding to your merits in the war." Psion replied

"King of all gods, what do you mean nobody is waiting for me. It has only been a year. I am sure my family and subjects are still waiting for me." Augustus replied in a slightly shocked voice.

"One day in the realm of gods is hundred years in the mortal world. You have spent one year in the realm of gods. Several millennia have passed by in the mortal world. With your absence your entire kingdom has crumbled into many pieces and your loved ones have already entered several cycles of reincarnations. There is nothing for you back in the mortal world. Leave behind all the mortal attachments and stay with us, where you rightfully belong." Psion sighed and replied.

Even after killing countless demons, even after fighting for a year long Augustus never ever felt tired. Not even for a single moment. But hearing Psion's words shook his entire body. Augustus' legs gave in when reality struck him like a lightning. Tears began to flow from his eyes uncontrollably.

"Oh…King of all gods, why did you hide this fact? Had I known this fact I would have never left the mortal realm. You didn't give me any chance to say my final goodbye…..How can you be so cruel to me when I have sacrificed everything to help you?" Augustus asked in a sad and desperate tone.

"I am very sorry, my friend. We were desperate as well. Please try to find forgiveness in your heart. In return I will grant you any of your wishes." Psion replied

"Then turn back time….I want to be with my loved ones…..Turn back time….that is my only wish…" Augustus replied in a firm voice.

"Sorry my friend. I can't grant you that wish either. Even gods are bound by time. The most we can do is slow down time or completely pause it. We can never reverse it." Psion said in an embarrassing voice.

"Can't do this….can't do that...Oh King of all gods…..are you mocking me right now? What is the use of granting a wish if you can't fulfil it?" Augustus asked in a mocking tone.

All the other gods present there got agitated when they heard the mocking tone of Augustus towards their king. Some even tried to step up and speak for their king. But Psion raised his hands as if to notify them not to interfere in their business. Psion very well knows what Augustus is going through and no matter how solid the explanation is, part of it is his own fault. Psion waited for Augustus to calm his mind.

"Everything I have built is crumpled...everyone I have loved is gone...I am tired right now...really tired...All I wish now is for eternal sleep. But before that….."

Augustus took a book from his dimensional storage ring and handed it over to Psion and continued speaking.

"This book is the base of all my powers. You said you will grant me a wish right? Please pass this book onto the most worthy human when the entire mortal realm is in trouble and guide them through it. That is my only wish."

"If that is your wish then I will fulfil it when the time comes." Psion replied.

"Thank you…." Augustus said in a tiring tone.

"What are you going to do now, Augustus? Just stay with us in the realm of gods." Psion for the final time tried to persuade Augustus.

"No….I am just tired….I am just too tired...I just want to sleep now...Eternal sleep…..Never to wake up again…..Along with my wife and kids...King of all gods….Please sent me back to the mortal world where my wife and kids lay." Augustus replied.

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An almighty king entered his eternal sleep along with his family. But he left behind his most powerful legacy. The base of all his powers. A skill book. Even to this day the gods are hanging on to the skill book Augustus gave them in order to fulfil his last wish. Without a doubt that day will definitely come, sooner or later.