Ch-131 The Bond of Strength

The horizon burned with the faint remnants of celestial and primordial energy as Raghav Ye King led the four goddesses across the scarred wasteland. The silence between them was heavy, not from discomfort, but from the enormity of what had just transpired. Each step felt like a reverberation of destiny, the winds whispering of a shift in the cosmos.

Astrea, the supreme maid, walked behind Raghav, her silver hair gleaming under the faint light. Her expression was calm, but her gaze occasionally flickered toward the goddesses, assessing them with a sharpness that only someone deeply loyal to Raghav could possess.

Finally, Raghav stopped, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. Without turning, he spoke. "Why do you truly wish to follow me?"

Aeloria, the goddess of light and creation, stepped forward. Her radiant aura, though dimmed from the battle, still shimmered like the first rays of dawn. "We are beings born of divine power, Raghav. Yet, in you, we see a power that transcends divinity itself. You wield your strength not for domination, but for purpose. That alone is worth following."

Nytheris, veiled in shadow, folded her arms as a small, sly smile curved her lips. "And let's not forget—you're the first mortal to best us in combat. A feat like that demands respect, even from goddesses."

Nyxara, her fiery hair cascading over her shoulders, nodded. "In the heavens, we've seen countless warriors, kings, and champions. None have stood at the edge of power and control as you have. You are unlike anything we've ever encountered."

Solara, her emerald eyes soft yet resolute, stepped closer. "To be bound by duty is one thing, but to choose to follow someone—someone greater—that is freedom. And in you, we find that freedom."

Raghav's Byaku-Rinnegan glimmered faintly as he turned to face them, his expression unreadable. "You speak of devotion and admiration now, but do you understand what it means to stand beside me? The battles I face, the path I walk—it will consume even the strongest of hearts."

Aeloria met his gaze, her voice unwavering. "Then let us prove that our hearts are strong enough."

Astrea stepped forward, her silver eyes narrowing. "Master Raghav," she began, "do you trust them to follow you? They are goddesses, yes, but loyalty cannot always be forged in the heat of battle."

Raghav glanced at her, his voice calm yet firm. "Loyalty is earned, Astrea, not given freely. They will prove themselves in time. Until then, they follow under my terms."

The goddesses exchanged glances, their expressions resolute.

"Then let it be so," Nytheris said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "We will walk your path, Raghav, no matter where it leads."

Raghav turned away, his gaze once again fixed on the horizon. "Astrea," he said, his tone commanding, "prepare a space in the Nexus Sanctuary for our new... companions. And ensure the force shield remains active. I have no intention of allowing chaos to spill into this world."

Astrea bowed. "As you command, Master."

The goddesses followed silently as Raghav led them toward the distant mountains. Though their powers were immense, their hearts now burned with a newfound purpose—a devotion to the man who had defeated them, not just with strength, but with conviction.

In the heavens, whispers began to spread of a mortal who had humbled goddesses, a being who stood on the precipice of the divine yet refused to claim it. And in the shadows of the wasteland, a storm of destiny began to brew, heralding a future where gods and mortals would walk side by side under the banner of one man: Raghav Ye King.