The 5 gods

Troy lay on the soft bed, his body exhausted but his mind far too active to rest. The knowledge he had absorbed from the download station buzzed in his head, each new piece of information surfacing like an itch he couldn't scratch. Every time he tried to close his eyes, something else clawed at his attention—facts, histories, powers, all swirling in a chaotic mess.

And then, there was the looming thought that kept him wide awake: sleeping here means waking up in Base 0.

He wasn't ready to go back. Not yet. He wasn't ready to face the reality of that world again—the cold brutality of the disposal zone, the hopelessness. He had only just begun to understand Base 1, to grasp its potential. Waking up now would mean stepping back into the life he had fought so hard to leave behind.

His eyes remained open, staring up at the ceiling, thoughts racing.

If sleep wasn't an option, then he would use this time to consolidate the most important knowledge from the download. Among everything he had learned, there was one subject that stood out above the rest—the Five Gods.

Troy sat up, his back pressed against the headboard, and let his mind focus.

The Five Gods—the most powerful humans to ever ascend. They were more than just rulers in Base 1; they were the very pillars upon which all of human society was built. Five individuals who had reached the pinnacle of power, the only humans to ascend to Base 2 in the last 500 years. No one else had made it that far, and as Troy recalled the information, he realized why their control was so absolute.

They weren't just gods in name. They were gods in practice.

Elisa, the Goddess of Fire. She was the embodiment of flame, the unrivaled peak of anyone who wielded fire abilities. Troy's mind latched onto the image of her—commanding, fierce, her powers blazing with the heat of a thousand suns. She was at the forefront of those who could manipulate fire, and her faction, those who followed her, ruled over all those who wielded flame with an iron fist. She was more than just powerful—she was a beacon, a symbol of destruction and rebirth. Fire was life and death, and no one could challenge her mastery over it.

Torack, the God of War. The apex of physical strength and enhancement abilities. In Troy's mind, Torack loomed like a mountain—unshakable, unbeatable. His powers were built on raw, unyielding might. Physical augmentation, brute force, hand-to-hand combat—all of it was his domain. His followers revered him for his unparalleled strength, and through his teachings, they pushed the limits of what the human body could endure. In battle, he was an unstoppable force, his presence alone enough to turn the tide of any war.

Draki, the Goddess of Intellect. She was the mind behind the network of spies, strategists, and intelligence gatherers. If Torack was a mountain of physical power, Draki was a labyrinth of deception and cunning. Her intellect was unmatched, her abilities focused on enhancing neurological functions—she could outthink anyone, predict their moves before they made them. Her followers were the eyes and ears of humanity, weaving intricate webs of information and deception that ensured their dominance. She was a shadow, moving behind the scenes, but her influence was everywhere.

Ziya, the God of Darkness. He ruled over the unknown, the void, the shadows. Darkness wasn't just the absence of light to Ziya—it was power. The kind of power that crept into the deepest corners of the world, unseen and silent, until it was too late. His abilities allowed him to control shadows, to manipulate the very essence of fear. Those who followed him were masters of stealth, illusion, and terror. They moved like ghosts through the world, striking from the darkness, their presence always felt but rarely seen.

And then there was Roland, the God of Summoning. His powers were unlike the others. Where the others controlled elements or physical strength, Roland controlled life itself. He could summon creatures, beings from other realms, and command them as if they were extensions of his own will. His followers were conjurers, capable of bringing forth entire armies of summoned entities. Roland's power was both terrifying and awe-inspiring, a master of creation and destruction through the forces he called into existence.

Together, the Five Gods ruled over humanity, shaping every aspect of life in Base 1. They were the ones who had established the current society, the ones who decided who could ascend through the Towers—the ancient structures that were the only known way to reach Base 2.

Yet, in 500 years, no one else had ascended.

Troy's mind lingered on that fact. Only the Five Gods had made it to Base 2. No matter how powerful others became, no matter how many climbed the ranks of Base 1, the towers remained impassable to everyone but them. The knowledge he had absorbed told him that the towers were built by ancient humans, designed to assist those who were worthy in their ascension. But something wasn't right. If the towers were meant to guide others to Base 2, why had no one succeeded?

Troy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands clenched into fists. The Five Gods controlled everything—the towers, the society, the power. They were the gatekeepers, and the fact that no one else had made it through meant that they were either protecting humanity from something in Base 2, or they were keeping that power to themselves.

The thought sent a chill down his spine.

It was clear now. The world Troy had entered was one shaped entirely by the whims of these gods, and they decided who could rise and who remained beneath them. They held absolute control over the towers, and by extension, the future of every neurosyncer in Base 1. If anyone was going to ascend, it would only be with their blessing.

Troy's mind buzzed with the implications. How am I, someone who goes against all their ideas and teachings, ever receive their permission?

He leaned back against the wall, his eyes narrowing. The Five Gods were untouchable, but they weren't invincible. If Troy could reach realm 6 , if he could reach that level of power... maybe there was a way to bypass the system the gods had built. Maybe there was a way to ascend without relying on them.

A cold determination settled in his chest.

Troy wasn't aiming for just survival anymore. He wanted more. He wanted to climb those realms, to push past the limits the gods had set, and to see what they were keeping hidden in Base 2. He wanted to become someone they couldn't ignore.

And if that meant challenging the system, challenging the gods themselves, then so be it.

He was going to rise.

And nothing—not even the gods—would stop him.