Against The True Gods

"So, are you saying my dormant Velios Bloodline is weaker than what I'll find there?"

Zao let out a hearty laugh at the question, his mirth echoing in the wind.

"Oh no, that's not what I'm saying at all. I've told you already, we aren't humans—or at least not the regular kind. Explaining it is…complicated. But suffice it to say, our race is among the most feared."

Zao adjusted his glasses, the reflective lenses catching the light as his tone turned more serious. "But even if that weren't true, the principle remains the same. Any family with enough experts refining their bloodlines over generations can bridge the gap. Not completely, but enough to compete."

Caine nodded thoughtfully at the explanation.

'There's an element of time to bloodlines, isn't there?' he mused, his mind racing. 'The ability to draw on the strength of your ancestors without limit, reaping the rewards of their efforts… how fascinating.'

His silver eyes gleamed as a new thought struck him. 'It might also be a method of control—control through blood. If I'm right, the one who first starts the bloodline must hold a unique position, like a Progenitor, granting them influence over all descendants.'

'And if it works that way, could the reverse also be true? Could a Progenitor pull strength from their future descendants as well? That would be… terrifying.'

The implications deepened, and his gaze sharpened. 'If that's the case, then the Progenitors of ancient bloodlines must be among the most horrifying existences alive. They'd hold sway over both the past and the future.'

He smirked, a mix of intrigue and unease curling in his chest. 'Or maybe I'm wrong. Still, the potential…'

Caine sighed and shrugged, dismissing the spiraling thoughts for now. He closed his eyes, seeking the solace of meditation.

But the peace didn't last.

Opening his eyes, he noticed a cluster of figures in the distance, standing atop a crow nearly as large as the eagle carrying him and Zao. From their posture, it was clear they'd been waiting—and intended to block their path.

Caine turned toward Zao, noting the older man's deep frown.

"Red Sky Heavenly Temple," Zao murmured, his voice barely audible. His gaze locked onto the group as he added, "The lady at their helm must be their famous heiress, Lilith Styxia Sharkhyn."

"Is that so?" Caine's gaze narrowed, piercing through the distance to study the group more closely.

There were about a dozen of them, all women dressed in dark robes that concealed their forms—except one. At the center of the group stood a young woman clad in jade-white robes.

Her long silver hair glinted like moonlight, and her eyes swirled with mesmerizing currents of pink and purple. An aura of raw, unbridled power radiated from her, a match to the rumors Caine had heard.

Despite the apparent threat, Caine remained calm, his expression unreadable.

Zao, however, quickly recovered from his initial frown. He adjusted his glasses and stood behind Caine, his gaze turning cold and calculating. Though he said nothing, Caine understood the unspoken message.

They'd been followed—and for quite some time. Somehow, Zao hadn't noticed.

It didn't surprise Caine. After all, if Zao hadn't detected the assassins from days ago, it wasn't shocking that these figures had evaded him too. What did surprise him, however, was their boldness.

The Red Sky Heavenly Temple had made no attempt to hide their presence. Instead, they'd openly confronted him as if daring him to act.

Caine smiled faintly. "I suppose I'll oblige."

With a smooth motion, his palm extended from beneath the folds of his robe, and he lightly tapped the air.

WHOOOOOOOOSH!

The surrounding qi surged, twisting and condensing into a storm of icy spears that tore through the sky toward the temple members.

In the blink of an eye, the spears reached their targets. But just before they could strike, they shattered into countless fragments, transforming into runes that arranged themselves into a complex formation—a sealing array.

The group was trapped.

By the time the formation solidified, Caine and Zao had already closed the distance, standing just outside the array's bounds.

"Quite the impressive affinity you have there," Lilith remarked, her tone steady and regal. Her confidence was palpable, unshaken even in the face of their predicament.

Caine smiled faintly, his expression calm. "I was born on the coldest day ever recorded in our world. I suppose it's only fitting."

Lilith raised a delicate hand, and golden flames flickered to life around her fingers. With a single gesture, the sealing formation shattered, its intricate runes dissolving into the air.

Her gaze locked with Caine's, and a faint smile graced her lips. But Caine only sighed, shaking his head.

"You shouldn't have done that."

Lilith glanced to her left, her expression tightening as she noticed the shards of the broken formation morphing into smaller arrays.

These new formations latched onto her companions, their complexity significantly reduced but their lethality far greater. She realized with grim certainty that a single thought from Caine could spell death for them all.

Lilith exhaled deeply, forcing herself to remain composed. "We come here in peace."

Caine tilted his head slightly, his interest piqued. "Oh?"

Lilith nodded. "I simply wanted to meet you—to ask a favor."

Caine remained silent, his gaze steady.

"I'd like you to allow me access to the Legacies you've found," Lilith continued. "In exchange, I'll help you clear the area."

"Clear the area?" Caine asked, his tone laced with confusion.

Lilith nodded again. "Yes. News of the legacy you've uncovered has already spread. Worse, people are waiting there for you. They're curious, excited—and many are looking for trouble. When I say 'many,' I mean it."

Caine stroked his chin thoughtfully. He wasn't particularly concerned about others knowing his destination. What intrigued him was how this revelation benefited his enemies.

'Leaking my plans doesn't make sense,' he thought. 'They must know Zao is always with me. Even without him, I'm not easy prey.'

The cold smile that curled his lips hinted at brewing schemes in his mind.

"Sure," he said at last. "You can come."

Lilith's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she quickly masked it, her confident demeanor returning.

"Thank you," she replied, her tone measured.

Caine didn't respond, turning his gaze toward the horizon.