Killing a god is easy. Living with it is harder.
---
The flames finally died three days later.
The village no longer existed.
In its place was a field of molten glass, blackened soil, and something deeper—a sense that reality itself had scarred.
Naomi sat in silence on the edge of the crater, staring at the horizon. Her fingers traced absent-minded patterns in the dirt, weaving invisible threads.
Silas lay beside her, hands behind his head, blood still crusted along his side. He hadn't bothered healing the wound from Rhaelon's sword. He said it was a reminder.
Of what, she didn't ask.
"I don't feel anything," Naomi said at last.
Silas glanced at her. "About what?"
"The village. The people. Mira."
"Good."
She didn't flinch.
"I thought I would. Even if they didn't matter. Even if it was us or them."
Silas turned his head. "They were already dead the moment the god descended. You know that."
"I know."
He sat up slowly. "But?"
Naomi's fingers twitched. "I think I miss... not being this."
Silas tilted his head. "This?"
"This version of me. The one who doesn't feel guilty anymore."
There was a long pause.
"You were always this," he said. "You just stopped lying about it."
She looked away. "That's what scares me."
---
The next day, they reached the city—Sector 2 of Aetherion.
Glass Faith.
A metropolis built entirely from crystal and divine energy, suspended above a lake of stars. Bridges of refracted light stretched in every direction. Angels soared on invisible currents. The air shimmered with hymns.
Naomi blinked. "It's... beautiful."
Silas scowled. "It's bait."
Guards met them at the outer edge—glowing figures clad in robes made of sungold, eyes hollow.
> "SIN-BEARER. THREAD-WEAVER. ENTRY GRANTED UNDER WATCH."
"Charming," Silas muttered.
Naomi's hand brushed his.
He didn't pull away.
They were led to a temple carved from diamond. At its peak floated a being of pure white energy.
> "I am Selavien," it said. "Emissary of Light. Arbiter of Harmony. You are intrusions."
Naomi stepped forward. "We're here for the next trial."
Selavien's light pulsed. "There is no trial here. Only judgment."
Silas cracked his knuckles. "That so?"
"The murder of a god is no small act."
"Then punish us."
"Not yet."
The room darkened. For a moment, all color bled out.
> [World Event Triggered: Divine Court Assembly]
A ring of angels surrounded them.
Naomi tensed. "Trap."
Silas smiled. "Finally."
The angels attacked as one.
Naomi's threads danced in every direction, severing wings, eyes, hearts.
Silas roared, invoking Wrath, Greed, Gluttony—ripping holy light into raw void.
It wasn't a battle.
It was slaughter.
Ten minutes later, the temple was coated in blood and broken wings.
Selavien still floated above.
"Why?" it whispered.
Silas looked up, panting.
"Because you let them try."
Naomi held a thread to the being's core. "Is this your idea of harmony?"
Selavien dimmed.
"I will open the path."
> [Trial 2 Completed: City of Glass Faith]
[World Path Unlocked: Sector 3 — The Laughing God's Spiral]
As they left the ruins, Naomi touched Silas's arm.
"You let them hit you again."
"I like the bruises."
"You're insane."
He looked at her. "So are you."
And for a moment, she didn't deny it.
---