“So, are you okay with what Brandon has planned? I mean, you just met him, and you seem oddly relaxed with everything.” Kaito asked, unsheathing his blade from his hip.

“Honestly, I don't know if becoming God is even possible. However, I've scorned this world a long time ago. So I hope he can replace God and make a new, I wouldn't care if this world simply disappeared.” Ava explained.

“If you don't mind sharing, what's caused you to have such a view? I hope he can, so he can rid the world of demons. A demon destroyed my village when I was a kid, I had to watch my friends and family get consumed.” He explained.

“My entire race is my reason for such a strong dislike for this world. If you didn't know, dark elves are notorious for the dark arts. Assassinations, ritual summons and scarifies, anything else in-between. We start training at the age of five, we have to have our first kill by six, and our first demonic summoning by seven. For three years, I refused to partake in it all. Once I turned eight, I was taken out of my village to be banished. I was dragged out of my bed by my hair, it was my father who was tasked to drag me out. Once on the outskirts of the village, my mother bashed both my legs, breaking them, so I had to crawl. So I couldn't care less if Brandon becomes God and just kills everyone. Hell, I'd be willing to do whatever he asked of me to help him, just the thought of something this world-shaking gives me drive.” She said.

Kaito is taken aback by her words, and he stares at the ground.

“How many people have gone through terrible fates like us? When does God say enough is enough and help us?” He asked, gripping his sword tightly.

“Well, God might never say it is, but at least Brandon has. Frankly, after sensing his power, I don't think there is anything he can't do if he tries hard enough. You should've been here when he grabbed that sword. Adam's power and Brandon's power connected and became one, and the power I could sense coming off Brandon was insane. He has more power that he doesn't use or show it seems, in those few seconds I felt it, and it was terrifying. I felt so insignificant in comparison when that power was emitting out, almost like it was from a god.” She said.

“You know, I can't say I honestly know much about him or his magic. We've been traveling together and training together for a while now, but I don't know anything. He rarely shows off his magic, and he's never gone all out. Even today, when the city was under attack, you could tell he was holding back. The only thing I know, besides how strong he is, is that he's extremely rich.” He explained.

“I'm sure we'll learn more about him as we work with him. Enough about him, though, we came out here to focus on your training. We'll start with how you hold the sword and work on your posture.” She explained.

Brandon and Nozomi watch from the window as Kaito swings his sword around. Ava fusses and yells at him with each wrong swing he does, she even swats him with a small stick from time to time.

“Reminds me of my training with the monks down south. Anytime I would make a mistake, the master would hit me with his pole. Stung like Hell, but it made me make fewer mistakes.” Brandon said, letting out a chuckle.

“That's where you learned your teleportation magic, right?” Nozomi asked.

“Correct, it's something you can only learn from them. I couldn't even teach you it, that's how special it is to them and their home. I assume it's something to do with the aura from the mountains up there, but they never told me, since I was an outsider.” He explained.

As they talk, things suddenly go dark for Brandon. Nozomi and the entire room were swallowed by darkness. He tries to reach for his sword but finds his hand hitting nothing but air where the wall once was.

“Apologies for the abrupt interruption like this, but I wanted to chat with you one on one,” Adam said, appearing in front of Brandon.

“No worries, just try to inform next time. I had assumed something bad was happening.” Brandon explained.

“When our magic linked, I was able to detect the artifacts you've come into contact with. I sensed that you're currently in possession of thirteen artifacts, and have come in contact with fifteen of them. I have to say, this is a bit shocking given your age. Two hundred and fifty-eight years of age, and you've only collected thirteen? This is going to take an extremely long time for you to become God at this rate.” Adam explained disappointed.

“Wait, hold on now, firstly, how do you even know my age? Secondly, just how many artifacts are there? I have no idea how many there are or how to look for them. The only reason I have the ones I have now is due to spending decades reading as many old books on their lore.” Brandon explained.

Adam shook his head in disbelief.

“You have the goal to replace God, yet you know so little. The fact you've made it this far is astonishing. There are five hundred and fifty holy artifacts somewhere on this planet. One for each of the original angels he created before creating life that you know. There are also eight objects referred to as the hands of God. Each item God personally infused his magic in honor of each archangel. There are eight total, one for Micheal, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Zerachiel, Remiel, and Lucifer. Each one, is designed for each Archangel and given to them as gifts from God. The artifacts will be the easiest feat you shall conquer. However, the other trials and hands of God shall be the hardest. Uriel, Raguel, Zerachiel, and Remiel have long been dead, so their hands of God will be easier to acquire. Micheal, Gabriel, Raphael, and Lucifer still hold onto theirs proudly.” Adam said, dropping as much information as he could onto Brandon.

Brandon stares at him, baffled by everything he was learning.

“Is this too much at once? Do I need to slow down, so you can take notes?” Adam asked.

“No, keep going, this is the most I've learned about this. Tell me everything you know.” Brandon said, eager to hear more.

“I think the next step we should do is go to the holy archives. There you could read about each artifact, what they look like, what power they possess, and more. It will also have every detail about the hands of Gods. We just need a safe place to draw the sigil to make a doorway in.” Adam stated.

“An entire archive dedicated to this would make things easier for me. I know just the place for the doorway, we'll head back to my home. A massive castle surrounded by an army should be a safe enough place.” Brandon said.

“Good, while you and the others travel back, I shall take the time to connect better with your magic. We wouldn't want you to use me in battle and your arm blow off.” Adam said, letting out a laugh.

Without a word, the darkness leaves, and the room Brandon was once in, comes back into view. He looks around and found himself alone in the room. Looking out the window, he saw Kaito laying on the ground and Nozomi sitting by his side. Sweat rolled down Kaito's forehead as he struggled to catch his breath.

“A few days here, then it's back to home. Had I known Adam would've been this helpful, I would've gone after him much sooner. Oh well, the past is the past, time to focus on the future.” Brandon thought to himself.