The Divine Dragon. The only true god left in this damaged world. There were others, once, but that was ages ago, a time long lost to history. A great reset had occurred 100,000 years ago, wiping away all traces of divinity before that point.

Now, to the many races of this world, he is Alpha and Omega, the first and last god. And as the singular god governing the world, surely his corresponding duty and authority would be all-encompassing as well.

This, too, is true. For it is said that all life coming into being, all of creation born lesser or greater, from the smallest insect to the mightiest beast, must pass with his blessing.

Then, when their grace ends and their time runs out, after their inevitable death, their souls do not float away or assimilate into the ether, they sink down. Down into the depths far below the surface, and into his domain.

Curiously, despite the monolithic nature of the world’s religions, wars fought in the name of the dragon are commonplace. While this may lead one to believe that it is yet another example of mortals fighting for their interests while disguised as upholding some lofty ideal, to a certain extent these disputes had merit.

There was not much information about the deity. Around the world, people disagreed on what the dragon even looked like, his image difficult to find after being stricken from monuments and reliefs shortly after his divine investiture.

The only concrete information most had about this elusive deity was that he was in fact a dragon, though now even this simple truth is a point of contention.

Records dating back to the period before the deity’s ascension are few and far between. To say nothing of the great Calamity, even the most prosperous and enlightened of civilizations would eventually crumble and decay over enough time. Even harder still are for individuals who have seen the event personally to have survived to this day.

Some of the most ancient among the dragons might know, but they are insular and hardly seen, if not sealed or insane. For ones seeking the truth regarding such matters, they would tangentially understand that something terrible occurred way back then and that their god’s ascension was deeply connected to it.

Though most would not dig this deeply. Those with a sense of self-preservation have the foresight to not touch the taboos of the strongest being they know and give up after getting a glimpse of the truth. However, those that continue have a tendency of being stricken with madness or just disappearing outright.

Regardless, so long as the people venerate him, conflict or not, there is not much movement from this deity. Some heretics even claim that all this conflict has the handwriting of the deity himself. To that end, if that were the case they would be playing right into the dragon’s claws, as their blasphemy has sparked innumerable wars in the name of world peace.

However, recently, as of the last century or so, a particular sect has seen meteoric growth. Spearheaded by the [Blessed] Ishyara, they claim that the dragon is no dragon at all. Rather, the deity was a manifestation of the will of the world, the consciousness of the world itself, and its descent consequent ascension was done to bring balance and guidance to the people in the wake of the Calamity.

That Ishyara quickly became the most powerful [Blessed] shortly after her Delve gave credence to her claims, and subsequent journeys down by the faithful cemented it. The major churches themselves are often debating whether to amend their sacred texts after their own sponsored Delves returned their god’s stance on the matter, though these massive institutions are slow to change and even a century is not enough to shift directions.

However, most on the inside already recognize this as truth, as the Delve itself is a time-honored tradition, a test of faith and will, and the telltale signs of the [Blessed] after they succeed are impossible to fake. Indeed, that the [Blessed] are the spokespeople of the god on the surface would not be a wrong interpretation, making this mark an honor of the highest order.

Therefore, throughout the world, it is commonplace to hear stories telling of daring adventurers embarking on epic quests to find the deity. Everyone knows at least some variant of it, whether told by the local bard or someone who claims to have attempted it and returned. This behavior is encouraged by both the deity and churches alike. The god himself has a keen interest in meeting those strong in soul, those with unbreakable conviction in their hearts.

These tales tell of people enduring the suffocating darkness of the underground, navigating the meandering and claustrophobic caves, and surviving against unforgiving monsters and guardians on their journey down into Purgatory. Always left out, though, was how they found the Delve’s entrance.

It always seemed to mystically appear in front of those that had a chance at success. After its appearance, brave and foolhardy alike seemed to just have a calling drawing them into the caverns below. And answer the call they all did, no doubt emboldened by the successes narrated to them from a young age.

Regardless, it is a story told around the world. Though the players and obstacles differ every time, they always follow a similar pattern. Over time, each little corner of the world had something similar. A legend of an individual or group of supplicants finding a path downward, feeling a certain calling deep within, and going forth in a bid to have their wish granted.

Though knowing that they will meet eventually, even the faithful know that the circumstances around such a meeting are markedly different. The living, at least, had the right to bargain. Once dead, one forfeits their ability to make a change in the world, regardless of their strength or connections when they were alive.

The goals of these brave souls range from complex to simple, though they always led back to one thing - to petition this omnipotent being for a boon- whether in a mad bid for power, a rare chance at communion with a higher being, or a desperate attempt to bring a loved one back to the realm of the living.

Fortunately, their destination is clear for all to see. It is a path without forks or winding passages. It is a path where natural laws are ignored, space is shrunk, and every direction, even backward, leads straight down. It is a path of no return unless the destination is reached. It is a path leading straight to an unfathomable being.

Some return with the god’s blessing and establish a church in his name, preaching their interpretation of their encounter. Others find themselves ill-suited for the journey and try to quit part way.

However, in spite of these differences, all of these petitioners will still find their way to Purgatory. Though, many will not enter in the way they intended.

They will fail on their quest, their fragile, transient bodies finding rest kilometers beneath the surface. The rest of the way continued as a soul, this meeting destined the moment they went underground. Venturing ever downward. Always downward.

Even for those lucky or skilled enough to make it to the end, it is only after an uncomfortable and mind-numbing amount of time passes trudging along those cavernous depths that they may finally venture into Purgatory.

Such an endeavor truly tests the limits of mortal tenacity and endurance, weeding out many who are unworthy. Though the sight at the end, as every [Blessed] would recount, is life-changing. Despite this, to fully describe the majesty of this deity was a feat every storyteller has failed.

Every story has its own unique understanding of what the dragon is. Though each fails to comprehend the true nature of the god, they are able to catch a glimpse into its true nature.

Some say that they could feel the dragon’s suffocating gaze fall upon them as they entered, eventually looking up expecting to see the ceiling only to be met with the dragon’s many eyes.

Crossing into Purgatory, they would meet eyes with the deity, feeling as though their entire being had been seen through in an instant. Those that meet in this way would go on to proclaim that the deity is omniscient, overlooking the deceased as they are purified and enter the cycle of reincarnation.

Others lament that while the entrance of the domain was a blighting bright light, the deity’s domain itself was dark, darker than anything they had seen before, leaving them unable to see anything at all, leaving their meeting done blind. Those that meet in this way would go on to proclaim that the deity is omnipresent, convinced that the feeling they had in front of the deity was there even after their meeting, persisting even as they reached the surface.

However, even more would contest that they saw the dragon in the flesh. That the deity’s scales shined with a resplendent light, compelling them forward. Those that meet in this way would go on to proclaim that the deity is omnipotent.

That the deity has a certain charm compelling people towards him is consistent with all these stories. To the souls of the dead, this is even more pronounced, feeling an irresistible influence compelling them to go toward Purgatory. To these poor souls, it is a warm and inviting light, guiding them to their next life.

This charm is the final and ultimate test of spirit, and those that fail to resist this calling, choosing to linger on after meeting the fragment of the dragon, will miss their chance to leave. The path back closed, they can only venture forward, deeper into Purgatory.

It is here that they are greeted by the recently deceased, a veritable sea of souls, piled en masse right outside the radiant core of the world. More perceptive individuals might get a sinking feeling within their chest, as they realize that it is a portent of what is to come for them as well.

These fallen souls seek peace, solace in the light. Though peace is what they will find, it is not quite in the way that they would hope, as they are subjected to a less-than-pleasant experience.

Perhaps that would be putting things mildly, as describing the feeling of one’s memories, personality, and one’s very existence being comprehensively erased as an unpleasant experience would be an understatement no matter how it is framed.

From the madding decay into mindlessness to the feeling of pieces of oneself being stripped away piece by piece, even the most apathetic of souls would be desperate for another chance at life. However, for those present, it was far too late for them to be having regrets.

Their movement was no longer under their control. Though maybe it never was, to begin with. Their bodies and minds were no longer theirs from the moment they entered the earth, their fate of becoming one with the World Core foredoomed from the moment they reincarnated in this world.

Seeing such a sight, while perhaps not understanding what exactly is going on, like the souls of the deceased, these faithful petitioners will quickly come to realize that their god is not the kind sort. They may regret not leaving sooner, but regret will not allow them to get out, as they will have seen something they should not have seen - the true body of the dragon.

For the audience granted prior was merely with deity’s fleshly body - vast and winding, like a coiled serpent, and filled to the brim with divine might as it may be, it pales in comparison to the true deity. It was nothing more than a vestige of its pre-ascension state, now a puppet and nothing more.

The puppet wrapped the entirety of Purgatory, and under the deity’s careful planning, fused with it. Through this connection, it would not be wrong to say that he is the domain and the domain is him, though it would also not be entirely correct, either.

For how could a mere realm compare to a dragon god’s greed and ambition? With the choice between a world and a realm, the choice was obvious. Purgatory. Godhood. All practice, and all tentative steps taken to prepare him for the true sublimation into a higher form.

Now with these experiments showing such promising results, the deity’s control reaches far past Purgatory. However, it was only recently that this began in earnest. The first step ended with the molding of his fleshly body’s wings.

Jutting out from Purgatory in all directions were three sets, each a sheet of ascending white light, stretching into the rock above. They formed an uncountable number of imperceptible veins running all over the world.

His form now penetrates every inch of the world, drawing upon its essence. His heart was now the world’s heart, each beat in sync with very breath of the world, until they could not be perceived as separate entities.

The deity was in a unique situation brought about by a truly unique opportunity, and with ambitions that reached the sky, he dug into the earth, becoming what he is now.

Where gods would generally be assimilated by the world, becoming something similar to natural laws over time, losing individuality and consciousness, this dragon was able to do the same in reverse, assimilating the world unto it instead.

However, this was no easy feat.

His corporeal body, the one that those ambitious mortals sought, became nothing more than a tether and a chain, for both him and the world. To mortals they see only a god enveloping Purgatory.

Their understanding can only go so far, after all. However, their misunderstanding was later canonized into scripture, all of which was helpful for the dragon. They mistook his body’s position to be a barrier, ensuring that no wayward soul ever has a chance to escape once they enter.

Through their fanciful tales, they wrote their god into becoming an integral part of the world’s function, which would become a sentiment repeated in the hearts of every believer. This faith acted as a seal of approval in a world lacking proper consciousness.

In reality, however, it is there to ensure his occupation of the heart of the world is not disturbed, but who else needs to know? One person does, however.

Yet despite this dragon’s immense power and control, he is currently the most agitated being in the world. Not even eroding the residual consciousness of the world, his singular obsession for the past hundred thousand years could distract him from his worries right now.

Status

Name: Parasmus Luce d’Chthondaria

Titl∎∎: Expand?

Age: 120,173

Total Level: 2005

Ma∎∎: 985,988

Attr∎butes:

Exp∎∎d?

Race: Divine Dragon (Proto-World Will[∎∎])

Skills: Expand?

Domain: Light, Souls, Corruption(Incomplete[∎∎])

Main Class: Shini∎∎ G∎∎rdian of Purg∎∎ory[∎∎]

Skills: Expand?

Subclass 1: Soul-Mana Alchemist

Skills: Expand?

Subclass 2: Burning Light Archmage

Skills: Expand?

Subclass 3: Mana-Soul Alchemist

Skills: Expand?

General Skills:

Expand?

Condition: Contract[∎∎], Blessing, Champion[∎∎], ∎∎∎∎[13.07%], Marked