Oath didn't dwell in sorrow for long. He knew he had to keep moving forward.
From the aftermath of the battle—scorched earth and smoldering remains—Oath began his investigation.
He examined the severed body parts of the so-called god he had just defeated. Oddly, the hands and feet looked quite different from human anatomy. Oath had already noticed from the outside that these deities had bodies unlike any normal being.
"Prosthetic bodies—that's what they're called," said Maxwell.
Hearing that, Oath realized something: he wasn't truly alone. He still had someone.
"Maxwell, what's really going on?" Oath crouched down, inspecting the broken remains of his opponent.
"There are things you need to know—about the gods, about yourself, about this world… and the truth behind the Forgotten War," Maxwell's voice echoed inside Oath's mind.
"Seems like no one else can hear your voice but me, huh?"
"Correct."
Oath carefully studied the god's torso. "So what exactly are you trying to tell me, Maxwell?"
"I think we can begin… with that organ."
"Which one?"
"The one that most resembles your own," Maxwell said.
"What do you mean?"
"Take a closer look, Oath. All these organs—they share patterns and structures similar to human anatomy. They're like yours, if you pay attention. The biggest differences are in the blood color, tissue texture, and skin tone. But you'll understand once you examine them."
Oath leaned closer. He noticed one section covered in tight, spandex-like fabric.
"That's the one, Oath."
"You've got to be kidding me." Oath pinched the fabric in disgust.
The groin of the god was now exposed.
"Tell me that doesn't resemble yours," Maxwell said again.
Oath stared in disbelief.
"What are you trying to tell me?"
"That's not all, Oath. There's more. Look for the tongue."
Oath moved over to the god's burned head. It was scorched beyond recognition.
"I doubt I'll find anything here. It's completely charred."
"Try anyway."
Oath pried open the blackened jaw. "Maxwell…" His eyes widened as he saw the tongue. "What are these beings, really?"
"They are not gods, Oath."
Oath looked up to the sky—the supposed dwelling place of the gods.
"They're not gods at all. In this world… gods do not exist. And if they do," Maxwell paused for effect,
Oath's eyes gleamed with realization.
"…then they're just humans pretending to be gods."
Oath gently set the head down.
"So you're telling me, all this time, what we worshipped and revered… they were just humans? Humans like me?"
"Yes, Oath. That's the bitter truth. What he said earlier—about the people chosen from your ship—it's all true. They call up people from your ship to satisfy the desires of other humans… ones living above, in the sky."
Everything began to fall into place in Oath's mind.
"So you're saying… these organs—"
"Exactly. The ones that resemble yours are the human parts they kept. Parts that weren't replaced with prosthetics… so they could continue enjoying human pleasures."
Oath stood up.
"I have to save Jisu. Immediately."
"No. You need to be ready. Up there, you'll face many more—stronger than this one. You won't survive in your current state."
Oath looked to the sky one more time.
"Make me stronger, Maxwell."
"I will. I promise."
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