Prologue

P/N let me know if there's any mistakes and I will try to fix them

PROLOGUE

DEITIES AND BLOOD AND FAMILIAS

AND STORIES

A single drop of blood fell, setting off ripples.

A thousand long years ago, this was called a ceremony.

A mortal vessel would receive the droplet from a deity, then begin their

climb toward the next level. Some said this ritual was the key to grasping the

future, providing people with the strength needed to crush evil and overcome

great challenges.

But the gods heard that story and laughed, saying there was no need to

overcomplicate things.

The blood was a stimulant, merely a trigger. It released the potential that

was shut away within mortals, unlocking limitless abilities that even the gods

could not foresee. These mortals were the ones who carried themselves along

unending paths, overcame cresting waves, withstood torrential rain, and faced

storms head-on. They were the ones who pulled their oars through the vast

sea as they journeyed to places beyond the horizon.

One deity apologized, saying it was wrong to push their Wills upon the

children.

One deity dodged the issue, saying that all parents found happiness in

watching their children grow.

One deity prayed for a hero to shoulder the burden of the appointed era.

Across the ages, many deities bled their fingers and, with their own

designs in mind, drizzled their blood onto the world.

Ever since long ago and still to this day…

After the falling droplet set off ripples of light, the human's skin trembled

like the surface of a pool of water as it was splashed with ichor. All at once,

black characters danced across the flesh. The flitting symbols looked exactly

like the words of an oracle floating within a sacred flame. One by one, as a

slender finger traced them, they became part of a carved seal that resembled

an epitaph.

Hieroglyphs.

Using excelia—the invisible chronicle of the children—in place of ink,

the hand of the deity induced the Falna to sublime into a new form.

As if she was writing down a new story.

As if she was turning to the next page.

She enjoyed this sensation. Her heart danced indescribably as the

fragments of a tale filled the blank page. It was her special privilege to be the

first to read the story. It was a treasure that no one could steal from her. This

was a special time, a moment of her personal, unique connection with the

boy. More than anything, that was what she held dear.

Like a child whose eyes glittered as she listened to a fairy tale, she smiled

faintly at the orbit of the story's star.

And then she turned to a fresh page.

Drawn on his back, the true names of the deity and her familia members

glimmered subtly alongside their symbol, a flame.

Finally, she stopped moving her hand and pulled away from his back.

Having finished penning the story, the goddess spoke with emotion, as if

letting out a breath she had held for a long time within her breast.

"Congratulations, Bell…You've leveled up."