[Vol. 7] Chapter 289: The Primordial Flame
[What... what on earth are you talking about!?]
As the “Carinvega” suddenly raised her voice in shock, both girls, sensing a strange, indescribable change, turned to look at the distant sky at the same time.
“Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble...!”
The ground was shaking.
Outside the golden, shining [Eternal Light of Protection], beneath the pitch-black vortex and sky, something had just awakened from a long, deep sleep. That being had now lit a blazing golden flame after its transformation.
Its massive wings slowly unfolded as it woke up, like a spirit butterfly breaking from its cocoon, or a golden phoenix rising from ashes, but this being was far more magnificent and overwhelming than either.
Its size could not be measured in mere hundreds or thousands of meters. It rose with unstoppable power, crashing through mountain ranges and soaring into the sky, a scene beyond imagination.
Its platinum-colored wings stretched naturally to both sides. Just by spreading them, they already rivaled the entire [Eternal Light of Protection] in size, grander and more awe-inspiring than even the Sainz City. Without using spiritual senses, no normal eye could possibly see its full form.
Countless black lightning bolts fell onto the giant wings, as if attracted to them. But they had no effect at all, like scratching through a boot, they couldn’t do the slightest harm. Even with the [Eternal Light of Protection] still acting as a shield, "Carinvega" could clearly feel the overwhelming terror of the being behind those platinum wings.
This was a true, complete god. One that gave off a crushing pressure only the highest of main gods could produce.
Even with the usually calm heart of a [Agent of Fate], she couldn’t help showing fear and disbelief. This power had never appeared once in the long history of the world. It shouldn’t even exist. Yet she could clearly feel it now, a terrifying might strong enough to tear apart and burn down even Fate itself.
[Why... why does a power like this exist? It’s impossible. Sure, Primordial Artifacts can bend the law a little, but the power to create laws...? That should only belong to the Primordial Light itself. And this strange appearance... could it really be...?]
At the same time, in the Lannas Province, inside the Dragon Temple…
This ancient and prosperous mountain city, seen as a sacred land in the hearts of countless dragonkin, was now filled with awe. From the High Priestess Cleo Dorgon at the top, to every citizen in the community below, all were already kneeling on the ground in fanatical devotion. They bowed deeply toward the grand wings rising proudly from the heart of the mountains, offering the most respectful and humble gesture of their entire lives.
That being, standing at the peak of all dragonkin belief, the absolute existence above all living beings, the Supreme Dragon God, needed no words to be recognized. Just seeing that form and feeling the powerful stir deep in their blood was more than enough to know who it was.
Even in the oldest and most sacred dragonkin scrolls, nothing like this had ever been recorded. But now, the long-silent dragon had finally risen into the sky, using that blazing divine gold flame to announce one thing to the world:
—The Dragon God has returned!
Outside Sainz City, deep within Iron Hammer Canyon—
"W-What... what is happening!?"
Staring up at the giant wings that seemed to cover the entire sky with just a lift, almost as if cutting off the [Eye of Fate] above from the world below, there was nothing but shock and confusion in the eyes of the angel known as Wing.
As one of the very few ancient angels still alive since the age of the Ancient Gods, formerly the right hand of the Archangel Minerva under the Goddess of Earth, Wing was deeply familiar with those ancient divine beings. She might not know every detail, but there shouldn’t exist any god she couldn't recognize.
Yet there was no doubt: this being was a true god. The overwhelming presence and divine pressure could never be faked or copied by anything mortal.
It was unbelievable, how could such a powerful new god appear in this age of fading myths? Even Wing had never heard of or seen a divine presence like this one.
Earlier, the majestic “light barrier” had expanded from within Sainz City, protecting even those still dozens of kilometers away. That had already shocked everyone. Still, as someone half-involved in current events, Wing could just barely accept it, since she knew through certain channels that a goddess of light did currently exist at the Origin Realm.
But now, with this new series of events, things had gone far beyond what even she could understand.
In contrast to Wing’s stunned reaction, Leila and Rene actually looked a bit calmer. Though their faces were also serious as they stared at the sky, there was a hint of joy and thoughtful wonder in their expressions.
“Sister, did you feel it too?”
The white-haired, strong young woman holding a spear gave a small nod.
“Hmm… it really might be her after all. I thought we had been working really hard lately and hadn’t slacked off at all. But I didn’t expect her to achieve something even more incredible. In just a little over a year, she’s made such an unbelievable leap... No wonder she’s the one that person values and trusts the most.”
“Take it seriously, watch carefully and try to understand what you’re seeing. This kind of battle, almost at the level of pure concepts, will be very helpful for both of us as we try to reach that next step. Don’t waste this once-in-a-lifetime chance.”
For once, Rene didn’t argue or act lazy. She simply nodded seriously and focused completely on the massive wings unfolding over the mountains, as if she wanted to etch the breathtaking sight deep into her memory.
“Got it… Sigh, but now the gap between us has grown even more. I just wonder… what kind of divine power did she gain?”
………………………………………
It flickered, like the beat of a heart.
When she woke up again, a golden flame, one that looked like it would never go out, appeared before her eyes.
Through that golden fire, she saw many things she had never even imagined.
The sky was burning. The earth had turned to ash. Everything in the world was being consumed by fire. The intense golden flames filled the entire world. And yet, everything she saw almost looked like a reflection, something born from that very fire.
But it all felt so real.
This fire that burned everything… was also the start of the world and life all over again.
[The Primordial Flame]
The moment she saw it, its true name appeared clearly in her heart, as if carved there. And in that moment, she understood something:
This… was her Divinity.
Like someone stretching after waking up, she instinctively shook her body, which for some reason felt a little stiff. Then she looked around. The red-gold fire slowly faded like an illusion, and the real world began to come into view.
She was no longer in the old cave left behind by the previous generation. Instead, with a view that seemed to look down on the world from great heights, she could now see the lives of countless beings across the land.
And then she felt something subtle but powerful, an overwhelming sense of control, something she had never felt before.
That’s when she realized she had truly become stronger than ever before.