The smell of smoke still lingered in the air. Tiny sparks crawled across my arms before fading. I had only just awakened, and already I felt like my body might tear itself apart.
Yet… I was alive. Stronger than I had ever been.
"Caelum…" Richa's voice was quiet, almost trembling. He stepped closer, his golden eyes locked onto the faint glow in my hands. "What did you do?"
I met his gaze. He wasn't afraid of me—he was worried. Truly worried.
"I…" I hesitated, then clenched my fists. "I found my spark."
To prove it, I lifted my hand and released a thin streak of lightning. It cracked against the marble floor, leaving a jagged black scar.
Richa froze. His expression shifted from shock… to awe. Then, slowly, to pride.
"You—" he exhaled, shaking his head. "I knew you weren't worthless. Everyone else mocked you, but I knew." His hand gripped my shoulder tightly. "You're my little brother. My blood. You're meant for greatness."
His words hit harder than the lightning ever could.
For years, I had been nothing. In this world, lineage was everything, and I had none. Richa had wealth, talent, connections, and I had only his kindness to keep me afloat. And now—suddenly—I wasn't just his weak brother.
I was something more.
"Brother…" My voice shook, not from fear but determination. "I'll become the strongest demigod. Stronger than all the descendants. Stronger than anyone who dares to stand above us."
Richa smiled faintly, his expression softening. "Then I'll stand with you. Always."
The system flickered in my vision:
[Bond Acknowledged: Richa Ardentis – Oath of Blood]When fighting together, Authority gains +10% resonance.
I nearly stumbled. Even the system recognized him.
"Resonance…" I muttered.
"Caelum?"
I shook my head quickly. "Nothing." For now, I would keep the truth of the Zeus System hidden. This world already feared the gods' descendants. If they learned I was Zeus's heir… every faction would hunt me before I had the chance to rise.
Still, the truth burned in my chest.
The path stretched before me—Bronze, Silver, Gold… all the way to Omega. A ladder no mortal had ever climbed.
And with my brother by my side, I would ascend it.