abcnovels
Chapter 11: Paragon
Chapter 11: Paragon
Chapter 11: Paragon
The golden flames swirled around the room's centre, illuminating the figures inside. The temperature of the flames affected literally everything, to the point where reality itself was melting, as if it were a candle in the fire.
Artisan stared at the golden flames that were consuming all of his hard work.
He only felt regret and pain.
He had no idea where it all went wrong because he had a perfect plan and a well-thought-out path for his bright future. Nonetheless, everything collapsed in front of his eyes.
He didn't know how much of this was due to his own arrogance or self-confidence, for he used to believe that nothing could go wrong and that no one could stop his ascension.
Looking back, Artisan's lips turned upwards as he smiled self-deprecatingly at his previous self.
He is now facing the terrible consequences of his actions. For, it's truly terrifying to face an angry god.
Artisan was aware that he was treading on thin ice, and the god's gaze put enormous strain on his body and soul.
Before, when confronted with Aucuses, he manages to keep his composure.
As he remembered a priest who always prayed to a figure in a cross, he had some hope left in his heart.
Adam was his last hope.
For, he was a member of Twilight Hermit Order before, and he also personally met Adam after everything happened and explained it all, as the situation was already out of his hands.
In response, Adam simply smiled and assured him that everything would be fine.
Even Adam was generous enough to promise to lend a hand if the situation worsened.
However at the time, even Artisan did not anticipate that things would escalate to the point where he would attract the wrath of God.
When he heard Aucuses mention Adam now, his calm expression finally gave way to despair.
It wasn't because Aucuses discovered his backer was Adam, but Auceses' expression and look remained unchanged even after learning that.
"Oh?" Aucuses was amused by Artisan's changing expression. "What do you expect? Do you think I'd back down and talk to you politely?" He spoke mockingly, revealing artisan's thoughts, as if he could see right through him.
Adam, the angel of imagination, king of angels of the visionary pathway, creator's son, the zealot, the list of titles given to him is endless.
Aucuses understood why artisan had such faith in Adam, because Adam had performed such feats that many did not consider him to be a king of angels, but rather a god.
Aucuses remembers that fateful day, when chaos and depravity engulfed the planet once more, as the creator's blood spilled across the ocean.
The golden sun in the sky dimmed as it's finally twilight illuminated the entire world.
The ancient sun god's resentment and negative emotions when he experienced the betrayal manifested in reality. As a result, cataclysm erupted all over the world. The eastern continent suffered the most because it was where the true creator was born.
Then, the second blasphemy slate arose from the sea. The alliance between gods and king of angels quickly fell apart, and a war ensued between them over the ownership of the slate.
However, the slate ended up in the hands of Adam, who appeared in the midst of the chaos and took the slate.
Even when the gods attacked, he was unfazed, as a cathedral built from the bones of fallen ancient gods themselves, arouse around him, protecting him and letting him escape the siege.
It was truly a slight to behold. At the time, everyone who saw it knew Adam was far from simple.
Aucuses knew that his former self suspected that Adam was a failsafe left by the ancient sun god; if things went wrong, Adam was most likely tasked with resurrecting the creator.
And his former self, and even other gods, were always wary of the angel of imagination, because they didn't know how much of the ancient sun god's legacy that he got, other than the bone cathedral.
His former self would not have taken the risk in the situation. But he is no longer the same, as he is even prepared to face Adam, despite knowing who Adam really is.
Aucuses, on the other hand, had a feeling Adam wouldn't show up at all.
"Haven't you figured it out yet, Artisan?"
"I never concealed my presence since I came to this floating continent," Aucuses chuckled. "I thought you were the smartest of them all, artisan."
Artisan's brown eyes dimmed as his last hope was extinguished at the exact moment he realised it.
Despite his dire circumstances, the angel of imagination did not appear at all.
"Your excellency." Finally, Artisan spoke up rather hoarsely, his face became respectful. "I am willing to accept any conditions imposed on me because I have truly inconvenienced you."
"Conditions, huh?" Aucuses raised his brows, his expression playful, as he noticed artisan's sudden shift in attitude. "At least you've finally recognised the situation you're in now, artisan."
When Artisan heard this, he fell silent. However, his hands were clenched tightly together, and his body was slightly shaking, revealing his true emotions.
"Where should we begin?" Aucuses' smile eventually faded, giving way to apathy. "How about you start with what happened in moseic ascetic order and problem of hermit's uniqueness?"
"And don't ever try to be clever with me again." Aucuses stated coldly. "Because you can't bear the consequences." He said this while pointing to the window.
The golden sun, which was rising over the horizon, suddenly emitted a blazing light, which instantly illuminated the entire floating continent.
"All I have to do is snap my fingers." Aucuses stated flatly. "Then the light of the sun will consume your anchors and the floating continent." He stated, as if he didn't give a damn about the countless people on the continent who will also be burned by the sun's rays.
"And with it, all your hard work and chances of becoming a god."
The ritual for Sequence 0 - Paragon is to construct a miracle of civilization that should be far ahead of the current era and drink the potion for advancement under the reveal of this miracle to the world.
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A/N: This chapter is quite brief, due to my college life has been hectic nowdays. Even I can't believe I even had time to write this. In addition, when I have free time, I try to post more chapters.
As you may have noticed, the pace of my story is slow. I'd like to get some feedback on whether it's okay to keep going at this pace or if I should pick up the pace a little.