“So what are you going to do from now on?” Elena inquired Whispera.
Whispera yawned again. “Go back to sleep.”
“Then why did you even bother to send Pamela to break your confinement if you’re just going to sleep all the time?” Desira scoffed. “It would have been better if you’re imprisoned. At least no one would disturbed your sleep.”
Whispera hummed. “There’s a difference. I can eat and sleep whenever I want.”
“Yep. She’s Lethargia’s twin,” Azazel commented, his laughter echoing in the air.
“I will come and visit you often.” Pamela hugged Whispera tightly, her affection for the goddess evident in her embrace.
“Don’t worry about me. The other gods haven’t found out that I’m no longer in my imprisonment. Besides, they couldn’t kill me. They’ll just imprison me again if they find out that I’m out and about.”
“That’s not comforting at all!” Pamela wailed, her distress evident in her voice.
Whispera chuckled softly and patted Pamela’s back reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Pamela. I can take care of myself. And who knows? Maybe I’ll find some excitement in my dreams.”
Pamela sniffled, her tears drying as she tried to smile. “Okay. Just promise me you’ll stay safe.”
Whispera nodded, her eyes filled with warmth. “I promise. Now, go on and enjoy your adventures with your friends. I’ll be here, hearing all the secrets in the world.”
“Can’t kill you?” Ren questioned, his brows furrowing in thought.
Whispera nodded. “Long ago, many gods and goddesses perished due to wars and conflicts. The gods waged war for territories and even over minor disputes. To prevent extinction and to preserve the balance of the realm, everyone formed an agreement not to kill each other.
“If anyone were to disobey this agreement, they would face annihilation at the hands of all. Killing gods nowadays is punishable by death.”
“So there’s that agreement?” Ren mused, his gaze shifting to Pamela. “No wonder you’re still alive even though you’re weak.”
Pamela’s eyes welled up with tears, the weight of their journey already pressing down on her.
Why did she even wanted to come with Ren and the others in the first place?!
“Alright, if everyone is ready, let’s go,” Ren declared, taking the lead.
As the group finally set off for Nyxos’s lair, the world continued to spin on, indifferent to their quest as everyone remained engrossed in the game.
=======
In the real world, the relentless grip of the weather tightened its hold on the world, the heat intensifying with each passing hour.
Despite it not being the summer season, temperatures continued to soar, surpassing records and defying expectations.
The government, recognizing the severity of the situation, issued warnings urging people to stay indoors, emphasizing the dangers of heatstroke and heat-related illnesses.
Despite these warnings, the scorching temperatures proved relentless. Reports flooded in of hospitals overwhelmed with patients suffering from heat-related ailments.
The sweltering heat became unbearable, claiming lives even within the confines of people’s homes as the elderly and vulnerable succumbed to the extreme conditions.
Meanwhile, the effects of the rising temperatures began to manifest in other ways.
Ice, once thought to be permanent fixtures of the landscape, began to melt at alarming rates, contributing to rising sea levels and threatening coastal communities.
The oceans, once tranquil, now surged with newfound vigor, encroaching upon land with a relentless viciousness.
Fires became a common sight, breaking out in every corner of the world as dry conditions and high temperatures provided ample fuel for the flames.
The skies, once clear and blue, now shrouded in a haze of smoke and ash, cast an eerie glow over the scorched landscape.
Abnormal weather conditions became the norm, with reports of hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring with alarming frequency in regions unaccustomed to such events.
The world seemed to be in the grip of a cataclysmic upheaval, its very foundations shaken by the unrelenting forces of nature gone awry.
Despite the efforts of scientists and policymakers to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change, the situation only seemed to worsen with each passing day.
The once-stable climate of the planet had been thrown into chaos, and the consequences were dire for all who called Earth home.
=======
Meanwhile, Ren and the others pressed on in their journey, their focus remained firmly on COVENANT.
As they traveled across the land, Elena’s curiosity got the better of her, prompting her to inquire about Nyxos.
Pamela was visibly unsettled by the mere mention of Nyxos, and hesitated before relaying what little information she had about the elusive god.
“Nyxos is shrouded in mystery. Very little is known about him except that he wields control over shadows. He’s a formidable adversary, and none of the gods dare to confront him directly.”
Despite Pamela’s brief explanation, the enigmatic nature of Nyxos left the group with more questions than answers.
His reputation as a powerful and elusive deity only served to heighten the tension surrounding their impending encounter.
Azazel wasn’t perturbed and boldly declared, “I don’t care who we’re up against. We will get Lorelai back.”
“I haven’t had the chance to spar with her yet to see who’s stronger between the two of us,” Iraelyn remarked, her competitive spirit shining through.
“She did save Lord Azazel,” Malifira added. “We owe her one.”
“I’ve grown fond of her. She’s the first angel I met and befriended,” Vivi chimed in, her tone nostalgic.
Desira rolled her eyes, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. “I’m just following Lord Azazel. Even if I don’t like her, I have no choice because I’m a loyal and beautiful warlord.”
Elena’s motives, of course, were to retrieve Lorelai and assist Ren and Evie. “Though we don’t agree most of the time, I kind of miss that half-angel,” she admitted, her tone reflecting a mix of longing and nostalgia.
Evie nodded in agreement. Lorelai was a handful, but she had fun with their time in the Netherworld.
Ren’s motivations, on the other hand, were clearly aligned with opening up the Heaven Realm so World Conqueror could gain first blood and rise even higher in the ranks.
New territory and realms meant new opportunities for first bloods and first clears, a prospect that Ren found particularly enticing.
However, amidst his strategic considerations, Ren couldn’t shake the nagging thought that if Evie and the others spent more time immersed in the game, their evolution would hasten.
. . . right?