God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

"And that's the gist of it."

Sitting across from him was Susan who had a grimace on her face.

To her side was Roselle, and to her other side was Jenny who was busy crafting bullets with a defeated look.

"Who would have thought our situation would change so soon." Roselle said with a frown.

"What do you think the Second Trial will look like?" Susan asked Cain.

He frowned, "Judging from how the first one was, I can't say..."

A trial linked to a being of eternal hunger and avarice. What would that look like?

He had absolutely no idea, but he knew whatever it was wouldn't be pretty, just Luke the first.

To make things worse, there were a few heads turned their way for various reasons. The trial would not be easy from here on out.

Jenny let out a frustrated sigh as she loaded another bullet casing. The quiet click of metal on metal was almost soothing in the midst of their heavy conversation.

"So, what are we supposed to do?" she asked without looking up. "If Asteron is right, we'll have half of every creature in the trial gunning for us. It will be even worse if the horrors from the Godless Realm decidesm to get involved. For lack of better words... we'll be screwed."

Cain leaned back against a rough stone pillar. His fingers tapped against his knee, his head filled with restless thoughts.

"We don't have much of a choice, do we? The trial can't stop here, nor can we opt out at this point. We can only go in expecting the worst." Cain said after a moment of thought.

That was how it was going to be, it seemed.

Roselle sighed, rubbing her temples. "And I believe we all know who's responsible for this? Why does she still refuse to come out?"

They all shot Cain a knowing look. Cain couldn't help but smile wryly.

What was he supposed to say?

On one hand, it was true that Evangeline had indeed gotten them into this mess.

On the other hand, she was vital part of them. There was no way in hell he would give her up.

He hesitated, just for a moment.

Susan let out a sigh,

"Well, what's done is done." She said then turned to her shadow,

"I know you can hear me, Eva."

She had a stern frown on her face as she continued, Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire@@novelbin@@

"Don't you think you owe it to us to come up here?"

There was silence for a moment. Then a voice came through the shadow. It was dark and indifferent, but there was a hint of something — guilt, it seemed behind it.

"If I do, you all will be targeted even more. Someone might even stir up some trouble. It's best if I stay hidden."

Cain shook his head,

"She's right, Susan. Right now, the thing we need the least right now is more eyes on us." He said.

"So what do we do now? Wait for the inevitable?" Jenny muttered, finally looking up.

"Yes. That's all we can do." Cain admitted.

They all fell silent.

He sighed,

"If it comes down to it, we'll fight as many of them as we can. Maybe we might deter them somehow."

He said so, but he wasn't feeling very confident. They had managed to avoid any true horrors so far solely due to luck.

That luck has unfortunately run out.

Besides, he didn't think it was all that bad. The worst that could happen was a battle. If Asteron was being truthful, then those of the Godly and Mortal realms wouldn't target them if they joined up with him and the other godly realm beasts.

What he really had to worry about, were the Godless realm creatures, that is, beings from the Hell Realms and yonder.

Cain exhaled sharply. 'Again, it all depends on how much blood we are willing to spill.'

A tense silence settled over the group. The first trial had been chaos made manifest, but it had a purpose— to temper their minds and bodies.

But this time?

What sort of trial would it be?

Would there be deeper stakes? Hidden motives?

He couldn't say...

Susan finally broke the silence, arms crossed. "Well, we better decide what we are going to be doing. We need a plan before the trial starts."

"Agreed." Cain stood up, shaking off the heavy thoughts. "First things first. We need allies."

***

Cain moved through the crowded stone clearing, his senses sharp. Around him, warriors, creatures of magic, and monsters of various races gathered, all waiting for the second trial to begin. The massive statue of the enormous Land-Eating Dragon loomed over them like a lofty mountain range that pierced the skies.

He caught glimpses of various cliques, beings that perhaps already had relations outside the trial, or alliances that had formed on the way to these trial grounds.

A group of beastly warriors whispered among themselves, casting occasional glances his way, their faces unable to be read, mostly because they were recovered by scales or fur.

A trio of dark elves, their robes lined with golden embroidery, watched him with veiled interest and sinister grins.

And then there was Asteron, standing tall with his arms crossed, speaking quietly with Avalon and Thern. Grimm and Cello stood to their side quietly. Grimm had a bored expression on his face until he noticed Cain approaching.

A grin appeared on his face,

"Made up your mind already?"

Cain stopped a few paces away. "Yes. We'd like to join your alliance."

Avalon nodded, his lion-like tail flicking,

"A smart choice, human. I expected nothing less."

Cello, however, studied Cain quietly. Cain glanced at her, but didn't say anything either.

Instead, he turned to Asteron,

"As for {Intermediate Seal}, I'll have you know now that it is a two edged sword. It would be wise not to rely on it."

Asteron shrugged,

"Better having the option than not. Plus, you might not realize it now, but an ability like that, especially when going up against the horrors that dwell within the Hell Realms, it incredibly useful."

He paused, then added, "It is also quite convenient when facing Devils."

Cain couldn't agree more.

He let out a sigh then turned around.

"I heard my love, Eva, might have a bounty on her head."

Cain paused in his tracks and turned his body slightly.

Grimm stared at him with a light, playful smirk on his face. The look in the Dark Elf's eyes told Cain the hybrid was looking for a challenge.

Cain shrugged,

"That might be true. But you don't need to bother your head about that."

Grimm shrugged, "I don't? Wouldn't it be better for her to come with me?"

"I'd be able to take care of her better." He added with a suggestive grin.

Cain sighed then continued walking as he waved his hands,

"If you think you are capable enough, why not come take her yourself?"

Grimm's smile faded and his stare turned a bit dangerous.

Cello placed her hand on his shoulder and shook her head,

"He's no regular human. Provoking him is not worthwhile. Besides..."

She turned to Asteron, "He's an ally now."

Grimm snorted and clicked his tongue as he shrugged her hand off before walking away.