Chapter 170 - A New Humble Beginning Part 1

Amidst the Age of Strife that plagued the world of Teyvat, a single shooting star fell from the heavens and crash landed on the archipelago islands of Inazuma.

This event sparked both the interest and wariness of the Gods within the nation that is in the middle of their fight for supremacy, the throne of Archon.

After the cataclysmic event that had happened yesterday. It would spark incredible suspicion for something to suddenly fall from Celestia. However, unbeknownst to the involved party. The Gods had put down their conflicts temporarily to investigate this phenomena.

Some believe it could be a treasure that fell from Celestia.

Others felt it's a bad omen that could spell doom for Inazuma.

But until they properly investigate, it would remain a mystery that lingers in their minds.

———

Meanwhile with Ray.

"I swear! One day! When I regain my power, I'll make you bow down and grovel to this daddy's feet asking for mercy!" Ray flipped his feline middle finger at the sky when the protective cocoon flakes away.

As for the reason for his anger, it would be due to the Sustainer's spiteful and vicious act.

When he had already formed a protective cocoon and escaped into the rift with Freya with the intent to safely pass through the unstable spatial rift, the Sustainer unexpectedly did a last ditch effort disregarding her exhausted state to damage the cocoon and break it so he wouldn't pass through the spatial rift in one piece.

If not for Sirin's Spatial Manipulation, he would have definitely perished with his critical state after the battle against the Sustainer.

"Master! I sense several presence approaching. We should leave immediately." Freya looked at her surroundings very alert and warned Ray of the incoming trouble.

In the end, Ray had to reluctantly stop cursing the Sustainer and ordered Freya to carry him and escape.

Who knows what the intention of the people that found him later. Are they the lackeys of the Sustainer? If they aren't, will they simply kill him because he is reek of evil?

Rather than gamble on these chances. Better run. Which is exactly what he did.

"Find somewhere we can hide. I cannot afford any risk in this kind of state." Ray ordered Freya while grimacing at the deep wounds that littered his feline form.

Numerous holes around his body that are still bleeding out fresh blood, caved chest and missing organs. But those are hardly anything grievous. After all, his physical body is more akin to the clothes he wears over his body. As long as his soul remains intact. Even with a decapitated head, he would still live. But, how could the Sustainer's attacks be simple? It's like poison slowly gnawing on his body and soul. However, what worried him the most is his severed connection to his True Body.

The source of all his power, severed.

That's the main reason why he struggles against a mere local Divine entity like the Sustainer.

It's like having a personal nuclear power plant connected to his house but the supply was cut off and now he is forced to run on an emergency generator alone. Barely enough to sustain the consumption.

Even worse, Ravel is out of commission due to him overtaxing her ability in the battle against the Sustainer and she had to bear the burden of the consumption with her own soul. Which means healing with her ability is out of the question when her soul is unconscious and resting along with Morgan, the Fueguchi pair, Ophis and Sakura who's abilities he used.

His only option is Asia. But, he barely had enough energy to open a portal for Freya to check on Asia when most of his energy was directed to prevent his injury from worsening. Simply staying conscious is already a miracle.

"Fuck. Is this how it felt to be utterly powerless and to be at the mercy of fate?" He wanted to laugh at the irony of his situation, the karma of his wicked deeds finally came to haunt him.

Ray felt his consciousness flickering as he rested helplessly in Freya's arms. The flare of pain from the intense shaking of her running is the only thing keeping him from closing his eyes shut.

"Hang on a little bit, Master. I saw a cave that we can hide."

Freya said excitedly and increased her speed to quickly arrive and begin treating him. But when hearing no response, she looked down and saw Ray with his eyes half closed, trembling and struggling to keep his eyes open. His body felt limp in her arms and cold.

"No! He won't make it!" Freya said as panic came to her mind.

Freya was not a healer or capable of healing. The best she could do is to perform a bastardized healing by flooding her divine power and patching the injuries while hoping the natural healing to fix the wounds. But for Ray, he didn't even have energy to spare on healing when most of it was staving off the corrosive power of the Sustainer that was wreaking havoc inside him.

Freya knew that even if she reached the cave. She is incapable of saving him on his own.

Thus, she decided to disobey his order. After all, her Master's safety is of higher priority than obeying his order. She rather being punished for disobedience than to blindly follow an order that resulted in his death.

With resolve, Freya turns around and swiftly moves towards the pursuers.

With her unique eyes, Freya could determine the characters of a soul. Thus, determining which would spare them than to kill them on sight.

Her eyes landed on a particular soul that glowed gently with lavender hue and purple lightning arc, like moonlight that gave a comforting and gentle aura. The rest is much more violent or barbaric in comparison. As such, her choice is clear.

———

Makoto and Ei.

The twin Goddesses who worked together in their struggle create peace in this war and strife riddled nation of Inazuma.

They both set off to investigate the mysterious shooting star that happened to land within Inazuma itself. However, the moment they get close enough to perceive the source of the shooting star.

It fled away.

Considering it wasn't just them but a few other Gods and Goddesses had been attracted to this phenomena. It might have fled in fear of the approaching group coming to investigate.

Makoto and Ei hurried to chase after the fleeing presence as the other gods and goddesses. But a few minutes into the chase. The presence suddenly stopped and turned its direction to them.

"Be careful, Sister. It might be retaliating after feeling cornered." Ei immediately drew her blade and ready for the possible hostile enemy.

At first, Makoto was unconvinced. But as the presence gets closer. She could feel the unmistakable divinity. She could conclude the presence is another divine and this phenomena might have been a trap all along to lure her and her younger sister out into the wild where they could easily be ambushed on any side.

Considering the other divines of Inazuma sees her and Ei as rivals on top of being thorns on their sides for teaming up and working together. The possibility of this being a trap by other divines to eliminate them is high.

(AN: I said divines because I'm lazy to repeat Gods and Goddesses)

A while later, the presence finally made an appearance. Contrary to what they expect. This person is clearly a foreigner. Looking more like the knights from the Land of Winds.

Dark plate armor covered most of her body. Only her face and the upper part of her thighs are exposed. The rest was covered in intricate and exquisitely designed armor that looked more like a piece of art than actual armor. However, none of the two missed the obvious divine aura from this person.

Ei became on guard and held her blade slightly slanted before her in a defensive stance. But before Ei could shout out a threat. Makoto placed her hand on Ei's shoulder.

"Sister! This is dan—"

"No. I don't think this goddess had any intention to fight." Makoto said and pointed at the approaching figure to hint Ei to look much more carefully.

This foreign goddess indeed does not display any intent to fight. Both of her hands on her chest, holding a severely injured black cat while her face filled with anxiety and worry.

Ei would like to argue this might be some sort of tactic to make them lower their guard. But Makoto assured Ei she is just overthinking things.

When this goddess approached them, she immediately locked her eyes on Makoto and disregarded Ei's threat for her to stop and not to approach them.

This goddess immediately knelt before Makoto, much to her confusion and begged for her help.

"Please! Save him! I will do anything!"

Intrigued by this development and the prospect of obtaining another allies while added with her gentle nature. Makoto looked at Ei who was clearly still suspicious and disapproved of this decision before she turned to the goddess and said.

"Of course."

—————

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