Ascension

On that sunny day, as I inquired about the plethora of inventions to Gus, he chuckled and remarked, "I forgot you're from the other continent." With a knowing smile, he disappeared upstairs, returning with a thick book in hand. The reason why Gus thought I was from the other continent in the east.

"If you're curious, here's the history of these inventions," Gus said, handing me the book. I placed it in my basket, mindful of the impending opening time for the tavern, expecting a rush of at least forty people.

As the door swung open, eager customers attempted to flood in, but Gus sternly intervened. Threatening to ban unruly patrons, he restored order, and the customers lined up patiently to enter the tavern.

"I'd like to order the curry," one customer exclaimed.

"I want the Ealdread enchantments," another chimed in.

"Six burgers," requested a third.

"Please wait a bit for your orders," Miya assured them, heading towards the kitchen. Moments later, the orders for tables six, seven, and one were ready.

"Haruki, these are for table six, seven, and one," I informed the cook.

After twenty minutes,Miya distributed the meals to the eager patrons. "Here are your orders, sir," Miya said with a smile.

"Thank you," the customer replied gratefully.

"Miya-san!" a girl called out.

"Alice! I thought you'd be in school today," Miya said, surprised.

"The class got canceled," Alice explained. "There have been sightings of the dark god cult recently, so they canceled classes for a week for students' safety."

Upon hearing about the dark god cult and the cancellation of classes, a furrow appeared on miya's brow "Dark god cult? That sounds ominous. Are you sure it's safe for you to be wandering around?"

"There's no need to worry even though I looked like a frail girl I can defend myself using magic!!"

"Haaaaa" Miya sighed and continue "Is that so now may get your order?"

"I want a bowl of fried chicken"

"That will be 10 silvers"

"Here" Alice handed the coins to Miya

"Then wait here" after twenty minutes "here is your order"

Alice eagerly opens the bowl, her eyes lighting up at the sight and aroma of the crispy fried chicken. She takes a bite, savoring the flavors, and a satisfied smile forms on her face. "Delicious," she remarks, nodding in approval.

After finishing her meal she says her goodbye to miya "bye bye Miya-san!"

"Goodbye Alice" Miya says while smiling

As Alice strolled through the bustling marketplace, the warm aroma of freshly baked goods and vibrant displays of colorful fruits surrounded her. The sun cast a golden glow, creating a lively atmosphere. As she carefully selected ingredients for her errand, a subtle unease crept over her. A mysterious gaze lingered, and she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Glancing around, she noticed a figure in the periphery of her vision, seemingly keeping pace with her movements. Suspicion flickered in her eyes, but she dismissed it, attributing it to mere coincidence. Yet, as she weaved through the market stalls, the sensation persisted.

Deciding to confront the possibility, Alice subtly altered her route. The mysterious observer adjusted accordingly, maintaining a discreet distance. Doubt gnawed at her, and with each step, her awareness heightened.

When she finally stopped to inspect a display of exotic spices, she surreptitiously glanced over her shoulder. A cloaked figure lingered in the shadows, their intent unclear. Alice, now more cautious, continued her errand, wondering if this encounter held more significance than a chance crossing of paths.

Feeling a mix of trepidation and determination, Alice chose to divert into a narrow alley where the market's lively buzz faded into distant murmurs. As she meandered through the secluded space, the cloaked figure persisted in their pursuit, revealing a more deliberate intent.

Suddenly, the figure emerged from the shadows, lunging towards Alice with a concealed weapon. Before she could react, a group of agile men and women, adorned in the attire of skilled warriors, materialized from concealed alcoves. Swiftly, they intervened, creating a protective barrier around Alice.

The alley echoed with the clash of weapons and muffled grunts as the mysterious assailant engaged in a brief but intense struggle with the defenders. Alice, now on guard, watched the unfolding skirmish with a mix of astonishment and gratitude.

In a coordinated effort, the army of masked warriors skillfully subdued the cloaked assailant, disarming and overpowering them. As the attacker lay defeated on the cobblestone ground, the leader of the group approached Alice with a reassuring nod.

"You're safe now priestess," the leader affirmed.

"This one won't trouble you any longer." The cloaked figure, now unmasked and restrained, revealed a face marked by determination and secrecy.

In the aftermath, the mask warriors efficiently dealt with the situation, ensuring the alley returned to its quiet anonymity. The leader turned to Alice, offering a respectful nod. "Continue with your errand, priestess. We'll bring him as the sacrifice for tonight.

"Don't be late because our god is hungry," Alice said in a sadistic way, her words hanging ominously in the air.

"Yes, priestess. We have also captured most of the members of the dark god cult in this country," a loyal servant reported to Alice.

"How many?" Alice inquired, her eyes narrowing with a cold curiosity.

"About two hundred people!" The servant replied, a mixture of fear and reverence in their voice.

"I see." Alice's response carried a chilling satisfaction, and a twisted smile played upon her lips.

"Be honored because tonight you all will be reborn into a higher being," Alice exclaimed, her words resonating with an unsettling certainty. With that, she continued on her errand, leaving behind an atmosphere tainted with the promise of dark rituals.

After completing her sinister task, Alice realized that night had fallen. She decided to walk back home, the shadows seemingly embracing her every step. "Brother, I'm home!" she called out upon arrival.

"Alice, welcome home!" Han greeted her with genuine warmth, unaware of the darkness that clung to his sister.

As they sat down for what appeared to be an ordinary family dinner, the contrast between Alice's malevolent endeavors and the facade of familial normalcy became more pronounced.

"Brother, is it ready?" Alice inquired, her voice carrying a sense of urgency.

"Hmmm, about what?" Han responded, his attention momentarily diverted.

"The ritual, of course."

"Oh, that. It's finished. So, will the people you recruited come?"

"Yes," Alice affirmed, a gleam of anticipation in her eyes.

"Then dress up, my priestess," Han said, acknowledging the gravity of the impending ceremony.

"Okay, fine. But clean the table," Alice retorted, her tone a curious blend of authority and casualness.

Alice got up from the chair and went to her room where the dress her brother prepared awaited her—a crimson garment adorned with black lines, creating an intricate web-like pattern.

"I'm done, brother. Let's go," Alice announced, the dress clinging to her figure like a cloak of shadows.

"Okay, take my hand because it's faster this way." Alice took her brother's hand, and in an instant, they sank into the shadow, only to reappear seconds later in an establishment devoid of windows.

"Is this the basement of some noble?" Alice questioned, surveying the mysterious surroundings.

"Ahem... Are you all ready?" Han addressed the crowd that had gathered.

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison.

"Then let's begin the sacrificial ritual. Alice, you take it from here," Han commanded, and Alice, adorned in her ominous attire, nodded in acknowledgment. As an eerie hush fell upon the shadowed space, Alice raised her hands in a solemn gesture, beginning the prayer to summon the godly kin. The crimson dress seemed to absorb the dim light, casting an otherworldly glow as the ritual unfolded in the concealed depths of the establishment.

"In the shadowed folds where worlds entwine,

Whispered prayers to a realm divine.

Beneath the veil where mortals tread,

Summon forth the godly kin, it is said.

Oh, ancient one, with celestial gaze,

Guide your kin through the astral maze.

From realms unseen, your presence we seek,

In this sacred prayer, let our destinies peak.

By the sacrifice, this pact we weave,

A communion of souls, a tapestry to conceive.

Through realms of unknown and sacred art,

Unleash your power, a transcendent start.

In the name of shadows and crimson hue,

Grant us visions, wisdom anew.

Bless this gathering in your divine embrace,

As we beckon your kin to this sacred space.

Elders of the cosmic expanse,

Answer this call, join our dance.

Through the sacrifice, the portal aglow,

Let the godly kin's presence flow.

Ancient deity, by our will and desire,

Kindred spirits, ignite the pyre.

In the depths where shadows thrive,

Bring forth your kin, the godly alive.

So let it be in this unhallowed night,

As our voices rise, embracing the rite.

From the depths to realms above,

Godly kin, reveal your love."

As Alice concluded the prayer, a palpable energy lingered in the air, the crimson dress now seeming to pulse with an otherworldly glow. The crowd, hushed in anticipation, awaited the response from the divine realms they had beckoned.

As the final words of the prayer echoed in the dimly lit space, an ethereal glow enveloped Alice's crimson dress. The black lines on the fabric shimmered, casting an otherworldly radiance that seemed to draw upon the very essence of the ritual.

The crowd watched in awe as the glow intensified, creating an aura that transcended the mundane. Alice, at the center of this mystic display, raised her hands, guiding the energy towards the heart of the room.

Suddenly, the air quivered with an unseen force, and the glow from Alice's dress coalesced into a mesmerizing portal—a gate to the unknown. Its edges danced with shades of crimson and shadow, an entrance to the celestial realms they had invoked.

"By the power vested in this sacred prayer," Alice intoned, her voice carrying a resonance that seemed to harmonize with the unfolding cosmic energies. "Witness the convergence of worlds!"

As the portal expanded, a gravitational force pulled at the onlookers, and one by one, they were drawn toward the shimmering gateway. Whispers of awe and trepidation filled the air.

With a surreal inevitability, the crowd, along with Alice and Han, was inexorably pulled into the radiant gateway. The room echoed with a celestial hum as they crossed the threshold, leaving the establishment silent and empty—a sacred space touched by the convergence of mortal and divine.

In the realm of the godly kin, the air shimmered with otherworldly energy. The crowd, now transported to this celestial domain, found themselves in the presence of an ancient deity—an entity whose divine essence pulsed through the very fabric of reality.

The godly kin, an enigmatic presence with celestial eyes that seemed to pierce the soul, surveyed the newcomers. A cosmic silence enveloped the gathering as the god's ethereal form loomed above them.

Alice and Han, standing at the forefront, stepped forward with an air of reverence. "Oh, mighty one," Alice spoke, her voice echoing in the divine expanse, "we offer you the chosen, the two hundred souls bound by the dark god cult, as a token of our devotion."

The godly kin, its form undulating with cosmic energy, accepted the sacrifice. A celestial force emanated from the gathered cult members, intertwining with the god's essence. The air crackled with divine power as the two hundred souls underwent a transformation, their beings transcending the boundaries of humanity and demonic influence.

In the wake of this cosmic exchange, a radiant figure emerged—an apostle, a being forged from the melding of mortal souls and divine energy. The apostle stood before the godly kin, a conduit between realms, bearing the mark of a higher existence.

Alice and Han, having orchestrated this profound communion, felt the surge of newfound power coursing through their veins. The godly kin, acknowledging their loyalty, bestowed upon them extraordinary gifts—Alice, the weaver of fate, and Han, the guardian of time.

As the divine energies settled, the apostle turned to Alice and Han, their eyes ablaze with a higher understanding. "We are the bridge between realms, the embodiment of your pact. Our existence transcends the mortal coil, bound to the threads of fate and the currents of time."

Alice, her form aglow with the power of fate, and Han, surrounded by the aura of temporal mastery, gazed upon the transformed apostle with a sense of fulfillment. In this celestial domain, they had forged a destiny that intertwined the mortal, the divine, and the arcane—a tapestry woven with sacrifice, devotion, and the promise of an elevated existence.

As the godly kin's influence continued to weave through the celestial realm, the remaining individuals Alice had recruited stood witness to the transformative spectacle. The divine energy cascaded over them, each member experiencing an ascent beyond the boundaries of mere mortals.

In a harmonious symphony of cosmic forces, the recruited members underwent a metamorphosis. The godly kin, recognizing their dedication to the cause, imbued them with power that surpassed human and demonic limitations. The air crackled with newfound energy as the chosen ones emerged as apostles, akin to the two hundred sacrificed cult members.

Alice, her eyes reflecting the threads of fate she now commanded, extended her hands toward the transformed apostles. "Embrace the power bestowed upon you. You are no longer bound by the limitations of the mortal realm. Become conduits of the divine, champions of the unknown."

The apostles, now beings of celestial grace and cosmic might, acknowledged Alice's words with a collective resonance. Their eyes, aglow with the divine essence, bore witness to a reality altered by the godly kin's influence.

Meanwhile, Han, now the guardian of time, stepped forward. "Temporal guardians," he addressed the assembled apostles, "you wield the essence of eternity. Embrace the currents of time, and let it guide you in your newfound existence."

The apostles, infused with the powers of both fate and time, began to explore the vast potential that lay before them. The celestial realm echoed with their experimentation, as threads of fate intertwined with the ebb and flow of time.

Alice and Han, now elevated to positions of divine influence, watched as their followers embraced their roles as apostles. The godly kin's domain resonated with a harmonious blend of powers—fate, time, and the ethereal abilities of the transformed apostles.

In this celestial tapestry, a new order had been forged, bound by the symbiotic relationship between mortals and the divine. The godly kin, satisfied with the results of this cosmic pact, observed as the threads of destiny unfolded in this elevated realm, where the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary blurred into an intricate dance of power and purpose.

As the celestial ritual concluded, the radiant glow of the godly kin's influence began to fade, leaving the transformed apostles and the once-captive cult members in a quiet awe. The god's cosmic realm started to recede, replaced by the familiar surroundings of the establishment with no windows.

Alice and Han, now conduits of fate and time, stood at the forefront as the godly energy dissipated. The apostles, bearing the divine gifts granted to them, looked upon Alice and Han with reverence, their eyes reflecting the profound change that had taken place.

The room, once echoing with cosmic energies, was now filled with a hushed silence. Then, a murmur of realization and wonder spread among the gathered individuals. They had traversed the realms, encountered the divine, and returned to the mortal plane, forever changed by the godly kin's acknowledgment.

A triumphant cheer erupted as the gravity of their achievement sunk in. The transformed apostles, along with the two hundred cult members and other recruits, found themselves back in the establishment. The air was charged with a sense of accomplishment, a shared recognition of their newfound status in the eyes of their god.

Alice raised her hands in a gesture of celebration, her eyes gleaming with the power of fate. "We have become the chosen, the conduits of the godly kin. Embrace the gifts bestowed upon you, for we are no longer bound by the ordinary. We are heralds of a divine order!"

Han, his presence a beacon of temporal authority, echoed Alice's sentiment. "In the currents of time, we have shaped our destinies. Now, let us revel in the acknowledgment of our god. Celebrate, for this night marks the beginning of a new era."

The establishment transformed into a place of jubilation. Revelry echoed through the halls as the apostles and recruits shared in the euphoria of their divine communion. Libations were poured, and a feast unfolded in honor of the godly kin.

As the celebration reached its crescendo, Alice and Han stood side by side, their eyes reflecting a shared understanding of the responsibilities that came with their newfound powers. In the wake of the cosmic ritual, they had not only transcended the boundaries of the mortal realm but had also forged a covenant with a god whose influence would shape the destiny of all who had partaken in this unhallowed night.

*Han*

- Level: 8 → ????

- Class: High God

- HP: 4500+(1500) →(∞)

- MP: 5000+(1500) →(∞)

- Skills: Shadow Manipulation, Mind Control, Limit Breaker, Soul Bond, Time Magic.

- Attribute: Hero Blood (Awakened)

- Servant Contract: You made a pact with the kin of a god; now, you must heed his commands.

*Alice*

- Level: 3 → ????

- Class: High God

- HP: 450 +(1000)→(∞)

- MP: 500 +(1000)→(∞)

- Skills: Fate Manipulation, holy magic, overdrive.

- Attribute: Hero Blood (Semi-Awakened)

- Servant Contract: You made a pact with the kin of a god; now, you must heed his commands.