Against The True Gods

Caine sat cross-legged on his platform in silence, his body completely still. No waves of energy emanated from him, no visible aura surrounded him. He was like a statue, perfectly at one with his surroundings.

The sounds of nature enveloped him—the rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of birds, the rhythmic ebb and flow of nearby rivers, the cool caress of the breeze, the warm embrace of sunlight, and the faint tremors that pulsed through the earth. Each sensation blended seamlessly into the next, creating an intricate symphony of life.

Caine's mind drifted on this harmony, his entire being so relaxed it felt as though he were riding the crest of an eternal wave of bliss, achieved simply by the act of breathing and exhaling.

He inhaled deeply, and as he did, his nine rings began to take root within his body, anchoring themselves using the indomitable bond between his bones and flesh as a bridge.

The process was smooth, effortless, requiring no conscious thought. Riding the wave of peace that carried him, Caine allowed his mind to wander, pondering the mysteries of Blood Qi.

What was Blood Qi? No, beyond that, what was Qi itself?

Qi was the essence of all things, the fuel that enabled existence and function. It acted as both the defining factor and the core essence of everything in the universe.

Fire was mirrored by fire qi, water by water qi, and the world itself by neutral qi.

This realization struck Caine like lightning.

'To manipulate Qi is to manipulate the essence of things. When I manipulate atmospheric qi, I manipulate the world's very essence and defining factor.'

'When I manipulate my blood qi, I influence the core essence of my own body.'

He sank deeper into his meditative state.

But even this understanding felt incomplete.

Qi was indeed the essence and fuel of all things, but it did not define them. It was a vessel for something else, something more fundamental.

'Qi is the fuel, but the essence is… intent.'

His thoughts sharpened as clarity bloomed.

'Qi fuels all things, and intent defines all things. Intent resides within qi as its core.'

'They work in tandem—one cannot exist without the other. Without intent, qi is blank and purposeless. Without qi, intent remains abstract, confined to imagination.'

He exhaled slowly, the insight settling into his mind like a key into a lock.

'Qi is the bridge that connects the mind to the world. By infusing my intent—my will—into my qi, I can…'

A burst of blood qi erupted from Caine's body, coiling and morphing into the shape of a blood-red dragon. The creature spiraled around him, its scales glistening with life, its form so intricate and lifelike it seemed like a masterpiece forged by a divine artisan.

'…make my will tangible. I can make my intent real.'

Something within Caine shifted. His bond space trembled, expanding outward. At the center of his nine rings, a faint silver star began to take shape, its outline fragile yet unmistakable. Made of thin, wispy currents of fog, it seemed as though it could shatter with the slightest touch.

But it was there. It was real.

'If intent defines all things, then all things can be understood through qi. By grasping the qi of something, I can grasp its intent.'

His thoughts turned sharper, more curious.

'But what are the limits of intent?'

Even with his eyes closed, a vivid image appeared in the darkness of his mind—a world born of his contemplation.

In this endless expanse, countless strings of qi appeared, each glowing with a unique hue, connecting the fabric of existence. Runes of every kind bloomed within this imaginary world, each one pulsating with meaning.

And then, he saw it.

The intent that wove the world together.

It was…

'Everything has intent. Intent has no limits.'

…beautiful.

WHOOSH!

The blood dragon circling Caine suddenly became more real. Its form ascended in complexity, and its roar echoed across the skies, carrying with it the essence of its master's will.

A swirling mist of white qi emerged around Caine, enveloping him as he remained perfectly still, his eyes still closed.

'It extends to my affinities.' His bones vibrated in resonance with his thoughts. 'By understanding the intent behind the runes etched into my bones and flesh, I can perfect my comprehension of all my affinities.'

The thought alone set his mind into motion.

Insights flooded in, as if a dam had been broken.

BOOOOOOOM!

The elements themselves seemed to respond. Flames, water, wind, earth, lightning, and countless other manifestations materialized around Caine, each one shimmering with raw, unbridled power.

Yet just as quickly, they shattered and fused, coalescing into a thick silver mist that joined the white qi already swirling around him.

The complexity of the insights pouring into his mind should have been overwhelming, but for Caine, it felt natural, effortless—as though he had always been destined to wield this understanding.

The dragon soaring through the skies vanished, reappearing within Caine's bond space. It coiled tightly around the fragile silver star at the center, its presence stabilizing the fledgling celestial object.

BANG!

The star grew more tangible, more solid. It trembled momentarily before falling into perfect harmony with the dragon that now encased it. The entire bond space seemed to hum with newfound unity.

'So, this is what it means.'

Caine's mind moved with an eerie fluidity, his thoughts crystal clear as he focused inward on his blood qi.

'I've been using my blood qi incorrectly. My blood is the lifeblood of my body. Just as qi serves as the vessel for intent, my blood is the vessel for my vitality.'

'The intent of blood qi is vitality and life. It must remain within this context. My blood qi is not meant to be used like atmospheric qi. To do so is to waste its potential—a perversion of its essence, like wielding a shield as a sword.'

Caine nodded to himself, the realization settling deep within his core.

His blood and blood qi fused seamlessly, becoming one unified entity. His blood flowed with the unstoppable force of a mighty river, and his heart beat with the power of an exploding star.

Unlike before, no energy oozed from his body—not because he suppressed it, but because he had allowed his blood qi to fulfill its true purpose. It was no longer a force to be controlled but the natural essence of his being.

Caine slowly opened his eyes.