An intangible aura began spreading throughout the entire Mythic World.
In an instant, all the gods became acutely aware.
The Heroic Era had officially and irrevocably ended.
"The Heroic Era has ended!"
"Indeed it has."
"Humans, as a species, undeniably possess boundless potential. Yet, the chaos and madness rooted deep within their souls and hearts remain immutable."
"However, that chaos is also their essence and the source of their limitless potential."
"That's true."
The gods, gathered in small groups, discussed this significant moment among themselves.
Of course, none of them had any intention of interfering.
Don't be ridiculous!
The gods might be eager to find opportunities, but they weren't fools. Everyone understood that meddling at such a precarious time was tantamount to courting death. This was no laughing matter.
With the end of the Heroic Era and the dawn of a new epoch on the horizon, this transitional phase was the most critical period for the Mythic World. Anyone daring to disrupt this delicate balance would face the wrath of the entire Mythic World. If they could withstand it, all would be well. But if they couldn't…
Well, they wouldn't even know how they died. So prudence was the safest course of action.
At this juncture, the only ones capable of stirring the pot were the three God-Kings: Athena, Poseidon, and Polos.
"The Sea Emperor."
"The Lord of the Earth."
"The Sky King."
"What choices will these three God-Kings make?"
"Or rather, what actions will they take?"
"Who knows? For now, all we can do is wait. Whatever happens next is beyond prediction or control."
"That's true. We'll wait and see."
"Yes."
The gods continued their idle chatter.
Gods, as eternal observers, often found amusement in the unfolding events. Whatever happened next, none of them could predict the outcome.
One thing, however, was certain.
These three God-Kings would not let this opportunity slip away. They would act decisively.
The events to come would undoubtedly be fascinating.
For those three, missing this opportunity would mean never having another chance. They had to seize this final moment—it was their only option.
---
The Sea Realm
Poseidon extended his arms, unleashing an infinite surge of divine power. With the end of the Heroic Era, this power erupted violently.
In that instant, the Sea Realm was shaken to its core.
Boom!
Boom!
All of Atlantis trembled as seismic waves rippled through the sea. Everything happened so suddenly, too quickly to grasp.
"Poseidon!"
"You damned wretch! You'll never have peace!"
With furious roars, a shadowy figure thrashed against its restraints. The terrifying divine power it emitted was the power of an Evil God. At that moment, this power seemed ready to consume everything in its path.
The sheer intensity of the Evil God's energy was overwhelming, threatening to devour the world itself.
"Stop struggling."
"You know as well as I do that the force binding you originates from the Absolute God."
"With your power alone, you will never break free."
Poseidon's gaze was calm and indifferent, as if everything before him was beneath notice. His demeanor remained steady, unshaken by the Evil God's rage.
"Damn you!"
The Evil God continued to hurl curses.
Poseidon, unfazed, simply shook his head. "You've long since forgotten who you once were. The power of the Evil God has corrupted you entirely. You haven't mastered it—you've become its puppet."
The Evil God fell silent at these words.
At that moment, it seemed to recall something it had lost.
Poseidon, however, said nothing further, continuing to extract the Evil God's power.
In the past, Poseidon had nearly reached the level of a Primordial God but had been stopped short. During that crucial moment, the Mythic World sealed the Sea Realm, cutting him off entirely.
Unlike the Underworld, which was anchored by the World Tree and had become a complete Mythic World in its own right, the Sea Realm was still part of the Greek Pantheon's Mythic World. Any changes to it were tightly monitored and controlled.
Poseidon's predicament stemmed from being trapped within this system.
Now, with the Heroic Era's conclusion, everything had shifted. The Mythic World had turned its attention to humanity, leaving the gods temporarily unchecked.
Poseidon broke the silence. "I know who you are."
He spoke a name that sent ripples of shock through the chamber.
"You come from another Greek Pantheon Mythic World, created by the Absolute God. That world was destroyed, and you survived by accepting the power of the Evil God."
"In that moment, you ceased to be yourself."
The Evil God's power was gradually drained, revealing a form with only a slight resemblance to Poseidon—a shadow of his former self.
This other Poseidon had accepted the power of the Evil God in a desperate bid to survive and had been sealed beneath the Sea Realm ever since.
Upon becoming the Sea Emperor, Poseidon had discovered this secret. But rather than destroy his corrupted counterpart, he chose a different path. Slowly, deliberately, Poseidon sought to master the Evil God's power for himself.
This methodical approach explained why Poseidon wielded such power without succumbing to its corruption.
Now, he pressed forward, inching closer to full control.
---
The Sky Realm
At the edge of the heavens, Polos stood in quiet contemplation. Gone was his usual gentle demeanor, replaced by an aura of pure majesty.
"Uranus."
"This is the place, isn't it?"
His voice was calm as a shadowy figure materialized faintly before him.
It was Uranus, the first Sky King.
"Hehehe~~~"
The former God-King laughed softly, his gaze serene. "Polos, as I've told you before, if you wish to surpass the sky, you must first become the sky."
"Otherwise, you'll remain as you are, unable to move forward."
Uranus's expression turned serious. "But remember this: the power of the sky is unique. If you fail to surpass it and are instead absorbed by it, you will be trapped here forever."
Polos met his gaze. "Like you?"
Uranus nodded. "I became one with the sky, forever bound to the Mythic World. I can never break free. If you wish to succeed where I failed, you must transcend the sky, claim it, and fuse with it. Only then can you reach the level of a Primordial God."
"Otherwise, you will share my fate."
Polos chuckled softly. "Uranus, I understand. If I succeed, you'll be freed, able to reclaim yourself as a Primordial God."
Uranus shook his head. "I've never hidden my intentions. I've told you from the start what the risks and rewards are—for both of us."
"This is the only chance for both of us."
Polos nodded, his resolve firm. "It's an opportunity I cannot refuse. If I falter now, there will be no second chances."
With that, Polos stepped forward, disappearing into the sky.
Uranus watched silently, murmuring, "If you succeed, Polos, then everything will be yours. But if you fail, you will remain here foreve7r, as I have."
The shadow of Uranus faded, leaving no trace of his presence. Yet the tension lingered, heavy and palpable.
Each God-King was making their move, preparing for the decisive moment.
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