“Zane? God Slayer? What kind of nonsense is that? The closest thing to a god that exists in this world is a Xeno, and we never come into contact with them.”

Nick told Zane off as he didn’t believe a word he said.

Gods are mythical beings that had the power to control the universe. They were immortal, so how could someone claim to be a god slayer? It was complete and utter nonsense.

Zane smirked.

He appeared in front of Nick without Nick even realizing it. Nick stumbled back as he was caught off guard, but he felt Zane meant him no harm.

“It was a long time ago when the world was filled with celestial beings and demons. I don’t know what a Xeno is, but there was a kid who sacrificed himself for the fate of this world. That was a little bit over three hundred years ago, if i’m not mistaken it’s around the same time what you call EXO users started awakening.”

Zane said as he waved his hand and the cave changed.

Instead, it looked like the two of them were floating in space. Nick was utterly stunned by Zane’s power.

‘Illusionary abilities?’

Nick asked himself as he was analyzing Zane and his power.

He couldn’t be more wrong, but at the time Nick didn’t know that.

“Let me tell you the real story of what happened…”

Zane started as imagines of celestial beings with wings and cosmic aura appeared in front of Nick, along with it were demons with a dark negative aura.

“It was an age where the two factions of God and Demon fought, they chose this planet as their battlefield causing a rift to form on earth. The world was shook and almost exploded due to their godly power. However, the supreme being who overlooked this world reshaped it and expelled every God and Demon from this realm. But, he was late as some of them granted their powers to mortals they’ve taken a liking to. This created an era where the mortals were fighting on behalf of their progenitors.

The supreme being sensed the coming danger and blessed the world with his energy, giving a select few the ability to control matter and the elements. What he assumed would save the world, caused it to go into a chaotic period instead.”

As Zane talked, the images in front of Nick continued to change.

“Having felt betrayed, the supreme one threw all those with any demonic, celestial or specialized gifts into a realm in the middle of the ocean. It was hidden by a barrier, but as time passed it slowly grew weaker. Eventually, those with powers were forgotten but there were a few who unlocked their hidden bloodline. Those who did were sent into this realm in hopes of keeping the balance of the universe, and thus came him. A hero, a villain, a destined child.

He tapped into the true potential of a human and managed to awaken his own powers without the help of any god, demon or mythical being. Everyone wanted to use him to fuel their own ambitions, but he didn’t abide by their rules and broke free from their game.

In doing so, he sacrificed himself for all of mankind.

A meteor that was summoned from the celestial realm was headed for this planet, but he stopped it and in doing so died. However, he wasn’t able to completely shatter the meteor as it broke and the heavenly energy residing inside of it transformed this world into what you know today.”

Zane stopped talking as he looked down at Nick.

“You managed to step into this realm which can be considered a fortune for you.”

Nick opened his mouth, but before he could say anything Zane put his finger on Nick’s forehead. His entire brain felt overloaded as information was being pushed into his head.

Pictures of Zane and his battles, the awakening of his powers, Nick saw it all unfold. Even the battle of Zane slaying a God.

Nick fell to his knees as he held his held that felt as if it would burst at any moment. His eyes burned, if he knew what acid felt like he was sure this was the feeling.

Screaming out in pain tears streaked down his cheeks.

“What have you done to me!?”

Nick yelled in anger.

“Cleansing the mind is the first step to cleansing the soul. Your body is tainted with negative energy which blocks you from using your full power.”

“I didn’t ask for this!”

Nick shouted as he fell to the ground and rolled around in pain.

“No one ever does.”

Zane said as he saw what was to come and knew what needed to be done.

“When the time is right, you’ll thank me. My knowledge is in your head, find the crown fulfill your destiny.”

Zane spoke calmly, but his body was slowly fading away.

“What?”

Nick was in pain, he could barely make sense of what Zane was saying.

“Find the crown, fulfill your destiny.”

Zane repeated as the world he created started to shatter.

“Now go!”

Shouting as he pointed his hand towards Nick, Zane used the remainder of his power and transported Nick out of this realm.

As parts of the realm started to crumble, two large pairs of eyes pierced down towards Zane.

“You may have found me, but things have already been put into motion. More than a thousand years, but you still don’t give up.”

Zane snorted.

☆☆☆☆☆

“I thought you said these trials usually last ten minutes or so?”

Lauren said to her father who was standing next to her.

Both of them were overlooking Nick, who was in a coma for five months.

“They do! I told him what to do, he’s the one that took a different path from what I told him!”

Her father shouted at her.

“What do you plan on telling Olivia? She should be healed by now, and when she wakes up she’ll ask questions.”

Lauren said as she crossed her arms.

“We can only hope.”

While the two of them were talking, Nick shot up and gasped for air. His hands moved across his face as he breathed heavily.

“A dream… all a dream.”

Nick told himself as he tried to calm down.

Lauren who stood over him slapped him on the shoulder.

“About time you woke up! I was beginning to worry!”

“Pretending? You were worried.”

Her father commented.

Lauren glared at him for a moment before she turned her attention towards Nick.

“What happened? Are you alright?”

She asked him as she was curious about what sort of trial he went through for it to last this long.

As his breathing started to become steady, Nick nodded.

“I believe so.”

“What happened in the trial? Why did it take you so long to come back?”

Lauren’s father questioned him.

“What do you mean? I walked for ages until I met this man who seemed to come from a primitive age, he called himself Zane.”

Lauren and her father both looked at each other.

“Zane? Who the hell is that?”

They asked in unison as both of them were confused.

“Didn’t you see one of the old men that died? Or maybe a beautiful woman?”

Nick closed his eyes as maybe he was just imagining things, but once he shut his eyes various pictures came into his mind. His body shivered.

“Nick… are you ok?”

Lauren asked him as she placed her hand on his forehead to see if he was running a temperature. No one who experienced a trial was this shook. Whatever Nick saw had him frightened.