Chapter 11: Adeu

The World Above Endless Sky

A young boy with golden hair and eyes stood in an opulent bedroom, greeted by the dawn of an exciting day.

It was his 16th birthday, the most anticipated moment of his life. As the golden sunrise painted the sky beyond the expansive window, he stepped out onto the balcony, overlooking the majestic Golden City.

Houses adorned the landscape, while massive creatures soared through the heavens above. In the distance, the Golden Castle loomed, disappearing into the clouds thousands of meters above.

Feeling the crisp morning air, the boy savored the moment before returning to his room, settling onto his luxurious bed.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, revealing three servants. Behind them, a man carried a tray of tea, while two beautiful maids with golden hair followed suit.

"Adeu Baros Adamos, young lord. Happy 16th birthday," Butler Arthur announced with a respectful bow. Adeu smiled warmly in response. "Thank you, Arthur."

Placing the tea on the table, Arthur regarded Adeu with a gentle gaze.

Adeu rose from his bed, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "Any news, Arthur?" he inquired eagerly.

Arthur returned the smile. "Indeed, Sir. There are hundreds of gifts and messages sent to you from esteemed families and your friends."

Adeu chuckled. "Tell me about the most important ones," he urged.

Arthur nodded solemnly. "You've been selected by the academy director to attend the Blessing Ceremony in Circle Zero."

Adeu's grip on his tea tightened, his expression shifting to one of shock. Then, in a burst of excitement, he leaped from his seat. "Arthur, are you serious? This better not be a joke!" he exclaimed.

Arthur's smile remained steady as he nodded affirmatively. Witnessing Adeu's joy, he couldn't help but share in the moment. "Yes, indeed. You did it. All your hard work has finally paid off,"

Above the endless sky lay the ethereal realm known as Etheome, the society of gods. It was a place of unparalleled beauty, adorned with lush lands teeming with vibrant flowers and an aura of tranquility.

At the heart of this celestial realm stood Etheome, the grandest city of the gods, a metropolis larger than entire continents of Earth.

The inhabitants of Etheome were the gods themselves, immortal beings of perfection whose veins pulsed with the golden essence of divinity.

They reigned supreme over the four known worlds from their lofty abode: Earth, the realm of mortals; Heaven, where the souls of humans found their eternal rest;

The underworld, a realm nestled within the depths of the Earth where the judgment of evil souls took place;

And the spirit world, a dimension inhabited by a myriad of diverse creatures, all subject to the dominion of the gods.

Yet, despite their immense power and dominion, what the gods coveted above all was the elusive Land of the Dead, a realm that existed as a barrier between the world of humans and the divine realm.

Hovering in the skies above, the Land of the Dead remained unconquered, a testament to the enduring struggle between gods, humans, and all creatures alike.

This knowledge was widespread among the denizens of Etheome, a constant reminder of the unyielding quest for supremacy that spanned millennia.

The gods' desire to conquer the World of the Dead stemmed from a simple yet profound reason: within its confines lay the potential for them to descend upon Earth, thus solidifying their dominion.

Despite their extensive control over Earth from the shadows, the gods found themselves unable to fully assert their authority, a glaring issue compounded by the formidable nature of humans.

Among all creatures, humans possessed the greatest potential to challenge the gods, a fact that sent shivers down the spines of even the most powerful deities.

The memory of Zet loomed large in the annals of godly society, his name evoking a deep-seated fear that persisted through the ages.

But what became of Zet? Countless theories abounded across the five worlds, yet the most widely accepted among the gods was enshrined in their historical records.

Two and a half millennia ago, Zeus, the mightiest of the gods, engaged in a titanic struggle with Zet within the Land of the Gods—a battle of epic proportions that left the outcome shrouded in mystery.

While Zeus was ultimately sealed, frozen upon his throne for over two millennia, Zet vanished without a trace, his fate a subject of speculation and myth.

Many believed that Zeus emerged victorious, vanquishing Zet in his final moments before sealing himself away. It was said that at the pinnacle of his power, Zeus attained mastery over the Language of the Gods, known as Absolute Rule a power that allowed his words to shape reality itself.

However, even this formidable ability had its limitations; it could not be wielded upon oneself. Legend spoke of three curses uttered by Zeus in his moment of sealing, forever altering the course of divine history.

The first curse, directed at the gods themselves, Zeus created the World of the Dead, a barrier that severed the connection between gods and humans.

By decreeing that the gods were forbidden from setting foot upon Earth, Zeus imposed a strict prohibition against any harm befalling humans, if God Killed human, God would pay with his life after.

The question of Zeus's motives remained shrouded in mystery .. was he aligned with the interests of humanity?

What drove him and Zet to clash in the first place? These enigmatic questions lingered in the minds of all who pondered the ancient conflict.

Zeus's second curse ensured that Noone could leave this world. Noone could get past five worlds. They could find a way to travel between those 5 worlds .. but not outside of them

But the third curse.. That's the real mystery. Nobody knows what it did. Zeus took that secret to his grave, leaving everyone to wonder and speculate about its true nature... The biggest mystery in five worlds.

Adeu stood tall as his servants assisted him in dressing. He wore a crisp white kimono adorned with a flowing golden cape, exuding an air of elegance and privilege. Despite his affluent upbringing, Adeu's life had been devoid of hardship.

Born into a noble family, he had always been granted every luxury imaginable—a loving home, handsome features, and doting parents. Yet, beneath the facade of perfection, Adeu couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

His father, a wealthy god residing in the Second Circle of Etheome, had provided Adeu with a life of comfort and abundance.

Etheome was divided into four distinct circles, offered varying levels of prosperity and prestige. The Third Circle, where Adeu currently resided, boasted a decent quality of life but paled in comparison to the opulence found in the higher circles.

The allure of the upper echelons tantalized Adeu, especially the enigmatic Circle 0—a realm reserved exclusively for the True Gods and their most esteemed followers.

Adeu harbored a burning desire to explore this elusive domain, yearning to uncover its mysteries and discern the stark differences from his own world.

The opportunity presented itself in the form of the Blessing Ceremony—an ancient tradition spanning back 2500 years, occurring once every century.

Only five best students from Adeu's academy had the privilege of attending, and Adeu had dedicated two years of tireless effort to secure his place among the chosen few.

With unparalleled determination, he had excelled in every aspect of his studies, emerging as a formidable presence even in combat.

Now, as one of the select few, Adeu brimmed with excitement, eager to partake in this momentous event and delve into the unknown.

After donning his attire, Adeu rose to his feet, curiosity sparking within him. "When will the ceremony start?" he inquired eagerly.

Arthur let out a resigned sigh before responding, "Today, but the actual ceremony won't commence until tomorrow.

Today, they'll meet with you, show you around, and assign you a place to observe the proceedings."

Adeu pressed further, his interest piqued. "Arthur, you attended the ceremony once, didn't you? Tell me, what was it like? How did the humans appear? What sets us apart?"

Arthur's expression contorted slightly before he replied, "It was... intense. Humans, well, they're a different breed. More aggressive, perhaps. They're like animals compared to us. We, on the other hand, are flawless beings."

Adeu's brows furrowed at the assessment. "It can't be that dire, can it?" The Blessing Ceremony was a significant event in which ten fortunate humans were chosen by the gods to receive their blessings—new powers bestowed directly by the divine entities themselves.

It was the one occasion when gods and humans converged, and Adeu was determined to witness it firsthand.

With a chuckle, Adeu addressed Arthur, "Well then, are you prepared to experience the ceremony once more? Let's make a stop at the academy first, then head to Circle Zero."

With a reassuring pat on Arthur's shoulder, Adeu led the way as they departed from his grand abode.