The Void Wolf

As Kara traversed the Divine Realm with Ira in her arms, he was met with an incredible sight. The land was similar to a quilt, a strange patchwork of terrain that wouldn’t make sense in the Mortal Realm. A land covered in magma could be right next to a land covered in snow. A huge mountain peak could be surrounded by a deep canyon. Far in the distance, domains of Gods could be seen.

The land was shaped by the will of the Gods who inhabited it and allowed them to be at their most powerful state since every inch of it was within their control. Though investing too much power into a domain was sometimes more harmful than helpful as outside of it they would be severely weakened. It was why most Gods remained somewhat nomadic, preferring to hold certain divine lands as a temporary territory. And as the Divine Realm didn’t follow conventional logic or reason, there was a nearly endless amount of places where they could stake their claim.

Ira had already stumbled onto the shaping his own land as he did so for the Dark Elf Empire’s only city. Though he suffered no decrease in power. If the Gods knew that fact even the ones who held no interest in him would want to join the hunt.

Still, Ira’s thoughts drifted toward something else, his new memories of a God being tortured and destroyed by other Gods.

“Your friend is dead,” Ira said bluntly.

Kara lowered her brows without looking at him, indicating she wanted him to elaborate.

“Ionus, was it? The red one with gears sticking out of his body.”

Kara was hesitant to believe Ira so she questioned him further. “And how is it that you know this?”

“The memories of that God told me so...Xandes ambushed him, that’s how they found your location so soon.”

Kara went silent at the mention of Xandes as she already saw him as a betrayer but she could never imagine it would be to such an extent.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t have much to say either if it was me-”

“If you can talk so much can you perhaps move on your own?” Kara loosened her grip on Ira.

“Easy now, Great Grandmother. I didn’t do anything to deserve harsh treatment.” Ira didn’t even panic as she threatened to drop him causing her to click her tongue.

“Don’t call me that,” Kara gave a curt reply to which Ira shrugged.

“Where are we going?” Ira couldn’t keep his curiosity in check and spoke once more.

“Somewhere safe.”

“And that is?”

“The place where I truly reached Godhood.”

“Is it really safe? Seeing as they knew where to find us and all.”

“...Are you wondering if Xandes knows about it? If that is the case then you can rest assured, I’ve told no one about it.”

“They have ways of finding out though.”

“You should worry about that when the time comes. To think you were so set on consuming a God of Nature before those three Gods attacked.”

“I have children who are waiting for me so I can’t take too many risks. I know that much at least.” Ira sighed as familiar faces appeared in his mind.

“What do you mean by waiting for you? If you try to descend you’ll die soon after returning to the Mortal Realm.”

Ira chuckled aloud. “Maybe for all of you Gods and Goddesses, but me? I’ll be just fine.”

Kara tried to understand the meaning of his words but he didn’t offer an explanation. Eventually, they arrived at a towering mountain which was evenly split down the middle. At the foot of the mountain was a dark cave which had near perfect tunnel carved into it.

Ira whistled in admiration as they descended toward it.

“You did this, huh?”

“It’s nothing compared to the Tainted Land covered by the same darkness you seem to wield freely.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Once they reached the ground, Kara put Ira down who seemed to have recovered enough to walk on his own two feet. They walked inside and soon enough, he could see a stone floor and shabbily constructed wooden chairs as well as a table.

“There was a time where I still needed to eat and sleep in order to ensure my survival,” Kara spoke in reminiscence while explaining the purpose of the log furniture.

Ira fell into a chair that was sturdier than it looked. As a result of being made from a tree in the Divine Realm, it wouldn’t lose strength over time.

“So, what is your next move? And please don’t say anything foolish.”

“My next move is to sit here and wait.” Ira leaned into the chair.

“Is that all? While I can’t complain I do think we should perhaps figure out how we’ll attack the Gods going against us.”

“Well, I have to digest this Divinity properly and then I’ll move on to my next target.” Ira rubbed his stomach.

Kara nodded and then the two sat there in silence. She thought to Lauren and her descendants and found herself unable to go without asking questions.

“Your children…”

“Yes?”

“Are they as strong as you?”

“Hm? Probably not. They’re pretty damn strong though even if I hate to admit it.”

Kara, unfamiliar with small talk seemed unsure of how to proceed so Ira began to speak for her.

“My youngest children are two girls, both barely old enough to walk.”

“Twins?”

“N-No...It’s a bit complicated.” Ira coughed and quickly moved on.

“Liliara and Nephele. I’m not exactly sure what Liliara can do but Nephele is able to control wind and lightning pretty easily. Valeryn, he’s extremely skilled at using swords. He can even cut through space.”

The mention of Valeryn caused Kara’s interest to spike.

“Then did my blessing truly work?”

“Blessing?”

“Nothing...please continue.”

“...Well, Zephyr is next. He can...control metal. And finally, my first born, Raveria. She can manipulate time.”

“Quite the interesting family you have.” Kara smiled, seemingly satisfied with the abilities of her descendants. “And what of your wife?”

“Avery?”

“Mm.”

“Fire. She has the divinity of Helion.”

“What?” Kara was caught off guard by the news. She had heard the names of dead Gods and Helion was one of them. An extremely powerful God who managed to leave a mark in the Mortal Realm.

“Surely she’ll ascend because of that.”

“Nope.” Ira was confident. “I left a sigil that’ll prevent her from ascending.”

“Her divinity will eventually fill every part of her body so how long do you think that will last?”

“Long enough.” Ira’s eyes sharpened.

“By the time her divinity would be a problem everything will be changed.” He continued, his expression becoming darker.

Kara looked over and was slightly startled as a burning desire could be seen in his gaze. His words were vague but foreboding enough for anyone to understand.

“What is it you intend to do in this realm, Ira?” Kara held a grim countenance as she inquired.

Ira laughed in response but he ultimately answered.

“You’ll be safe at the end of it so don’t worry.”

Unsurprisingly, they fell back into a period of silence. It felt like hours had passed until the calm was disturbed by a presence, a small fireball came drifting into the cave and Kara immediately reacted by summoning her weapons. Ira appeared to be a bit late on the uptake as he merely glanced at it.

“There is no need to become hostile,” A deep and ancient voice echoed from the ball of flame. “I come as an ally.”

“Oh?” Ira stared at the ball of fire, feeling that it was familiar in some way.

“Do you not recognize me? You who have reaped the inheritance of my bloodline, Avarus?”

“Ah!” Ira jumped out of his chair. “The First Flame!”

“I was mistaken, it appears you still remember.”

Ira thought back to the group of higher races who attacked him and could still remember Thessia. A descendant of the First-Flame who didn’t meet the qualifications to strengthen her bloodline.

“Is that how you found us? Bloodline resonance?”

“Yes, it was quite difficult and I had to expend a large amount of energy to do it. It is the reason I had to arrive with such a despicable form to greet you”

“No, it doesn’t matter if you came as a candle I’m not too hung up on appearances-”

“I’m sorry, did you say that you're the First-Flame?” Kara asked with her jaw hanging in disbelief.

“Yes,” The First Flame answered simply.

Even though the First Flame started in the Mortal Realm it was the first being to ever ascend and reached Godhood without much difficulty. Age-wise it was a being older than Indras.

“So why is it that you appeared now? There aren’t many memories of you appearing in the Divine Realm.”

“As I’ve said, I am offering my assistance to you.”

“Before I ask why, I need to ask how you’ll be able to help? I’m going against hundreds of Gods so I’m not sure an extra person will make that much of difference.”

“I will die.” The First Flame’s voice was steady, showing he was intent on his own death.

“...How exactly does that help us?” Kara couldn’t help but ask.

“The Avarus will be the one to kill me and absorb my flames.” The First Flame words fell on Kara’s ears like an immense weight and even Ira was caught off guard.

The ball of flame stirred in front of them, waiting for a response.