The Mortal Light Dynasty was not holding back, from the looks of their reinforcements. Three formations of eleven huge hulks floated around the surreal battlefield of the great gods, which in turn looked like three stars snuggling up to a darkened moon.

At such a distance, Gaius could see the Divine Kingdoms of the other gods. In the middle of the crimson world that belonged to the Worldshaper and the verdant realm of the Breath-maker was the Demon God’s Divine Kingdom. Aldnath, the Dragon of Time, had turned into a loop around the three competing stars.

Streaks of light crisscrossed the space between the Divine Kingdoms, the shadowy lines an equal match for the radiant lights. At the same time, innumerable projections of three people and a dragon appeared all over the place, and Gaius’ instinct told him that these projections were but one of many futures. The great gods were fighting in a means that transcended mortal understanding; they were competing in the past, the present and the future.

Like bubbles popping, scenes where the Demon God were defeated vanished, while that of the great gods’ defeat scattered into the wind. Gaius didn’t know how battles between the great gods worked, but they did look impressive.

For once, however, it felt nice to be spectators. This was a battle that no one, barring the North and any Demigods, had a right to intrude in. Gaius, who had estimated his strength to be that of a Demigod, didn’t feel particularly nosy either…and as the Abyss Sovereign, learning how to fight like one was a bit high on his priority list.

“What’s going on?” Isabelle whispered. “It’s so messy.”

Gaius blinked. “They’re…fighting in terms of possibilities. A battle of…will. Of imagination. In a nutshell, they’re pitting competing realities against each other.”

“In that case, how did the God of Earth die?” Isabelle asked.

“I have no clue either. Maybe he ran out of divinity or something?” Gaius tilted his head. “But from the looks of it, this is probably the reason why we mortals can’t defeat great gods. What’s the point in winning with martial strength, when their wills alone can dictate what the outcome is?”

He glanced at Isabelle. “You don’t quite understand, right?”

“Use an analogy or something, okay?”

“Hmm.” Gaius looked around and hit upon an idea. “It’s an innate difference, I guess. Mortals can be said to be people in a painting. Even if these people have free will and are able to strike whatever pose they want, the artist can simply change the details, or even discard the canvas entirely, right?”

“In this case, the artists would refer to the great gods…” Isabelle frowned. “So where do you stand in this whole comparison?”

“I wish I knew the answer to that question too,” Gaius replied.

Drawing to a stop a kilometre or so away from the North’s Locomotives, Gaius looked at the giant hulks of metal. They looked very different from the Unity; other than tens of weapons placed all around the Locomotive, there was also a huge weapon that ran through the entire length of the Locomotive. If not for its sleek, angular shape, Gaius would have assumed that the North had built a gigantic cannon that was capable of flight.

“Wow.” That was the only word Gaius could force out right now.

“Wow indeed,” Isabelle added. “This is…shocking. What kind of weapon is that?”

“I’m betting that it’s one of those godkiller weapons the marshal was talking about,” Gaius replied. “Thing is so big. I think it might just take out a city with a single shot.”

“It would,” a voice came from behind them.

“If it can’t take out a city,” said another, “then it’s definitely not going to do anything against a great god.”

Without turning around, Gaius said, “Pinnacle Kolya, Oracle Galina. It’s been some time. Are these the North’s weapons going to shock the world by claiming the Demon God as their first victim?”

The Pinnacle drifted to his side, before floating a metre or two ahead. The sun seemed to shine behind him, and for a moment, Gaius wanted to look away. “Yes. Do you know? The Mortal Light Dynasty has held a wish for the longest of times. To usher in an era where mortals are free, where great gods do not exercise influence on us.”

“If this succeeds, we will be free from the shackles of the past. From the demons. And from the great gods. The world will change.” Oracle Galina took a deep breath. “The rulers of the Five Lands will be free from the sword dangling above. We will have progress.”

Gaius listened quietly to the Pinnacle’s words. “What of the other great gods? Our allies?”

“We will ask them to slowly relinquish their influence over Orb. That is all. We’re not ingrates. But they cannot be the great gods they used to be,” Galina replied. “Right now, they’re exerting control over the weather, over the elements. However, Xanadu’s first warning to us…still stands. That this world must be allowed to react freely.”

“If they refuse?” Isabelle asked. “They are intricately connected to their elements, right?”

“Then we have no choice,” Pinnacle Kolya replied. “But that is a consideration for tomorrow. Today, we put an end to the threat that is our creation myth, the demons from Orb’s past.”

Gaius had so many more questions, but for some reason, he couldn’t quite bring himself to speak. After a while, he made do by looking at the incomprehensible battle, burning the scene into his eyes.

“No comments, eh?” The Pinnacle shook his head. “I thought you might have some insight for me.”

“Pardon me,” Gaius replied, his eyes fixed on the battlefield of the great gods. “I’m somewhat speechless now.”

“So am I,” Isabelle added.”

Kolya chuckled. “True. To be honest, I didn’t expect today to be all that possible, but when our very existence is threatened, I guess even miracles do manifest. Galina, are the Locomotives ready?”

“Our Locomotives are in position.” Oracle Galina took a deep breath. “Our assault can begin at any time.”

Kolya took a deep breath as well, and Gaius glanced at him. “Relay my orders. Preheat our Peacebringers. Begin our opening assault.”

The thousand-odd thunderclaps that followed were like bells that heralded an era’s end.