God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.
Chapter 968 - 968: The Divine Game.

The silence stretched out for quite some time...

Blaze turned to glance at Steve, and vice versa.

They both realized that the other was sweating bullets as well.

'This guy...'

While they were not too worried even if the {Willow Direwolves} decided to attack them in a bout of mad fury, it was hard to see anything reasonable from coming from this conversation.

"I want you to abandon your god." These were fighting words. Words Cain had just uttered casually.

Steve felt the urge to facepalm as he turned to look at the leader of the Direwolves.

Surprisingly, the Direwolf leader's expression hadn't changed too much and he didn't seem furious at all.

Instead, there was a look of intrigue and fascination playing at the corners of its human-like face.

"Cain... Why do you ask me to do something like that? Surely, you must have a reason."

Cain nodded and raised two fingers,

"I have two reasons, actually. The first being that you stand to gain nothing more from this 'god'."

Although he hadn't had much contact with Heavenly Beast remnants, the little contact he had with the remnants of the Celestial Deities had told him quite a bit.

A small smile crept into his face,

"At first, I thought it was strange... When a god gives its blessings, surely it should be able to take it back, right?"

Roc narrowed his eyes,

"What are you saying?"

Suddenly, Steve spoke up, a strange light flashing in his eyes,

"What he means, is that although mortals are bound by the details of the Divine shackles z so are the gods as well."

Blaze frowned,

"In the case of Balangol, although he took away his divine presence, he didn't take away his blessings. That was indeed quite strange."

Cain smiled and nodded,

"I feel that might be our clue. What exactly are the limits to a celestial's omnipotence? Can they really take away their blessings even if their subjects rebel?"

The eyes of the {Willow Direwolf Lord} narrowed dangerously,

"In other words, you want to use mine and the lives of my people to test out a guess of yours?"

Cain shook his head,

"No, not quite. In fact, I already have my answer."

'Defectors are sentenced to death, and their divinity is wholly absorbed by their god.' That was the answer he had just received from the system.

Cain realized that it made sense.

The contract between mortals and the Divine Celestials was one bound by the laws of the system.

However, he didn't think the system could declare death upon individuals or entities. It didn't possess that power.

Instead, it created means by which it could enforce its laws, let's say binding runes and spells.

But there had to be other variables involved. Because of that wasn't the case, all the Pilgrims that once worshipped Balangol would be dead by now.

'The final judgement lies in the hands of the god itself. If it cannot enforce its punishment, there are no repercussions for rebellion.'

Cain smiled,

"I believe that even if you decide to stop praying to your god, nothing bad will come of it. The worst case would be the departure of the divine presence."

Roc snorted,

"And you say that is not a bad thing. The light of the Silver Moon grants us safety and food. If it is gone, what would become of us?"

Cain grinned,

"If you need safety and food, I can give you that and much more. However, you must be willing to take the risk and cast your lots in with me."

Roc sneered and chuckled,

"I should throw my fate in with some human? What makes you think you are greater than the gods?! I've heard enough of this."

The eyes of the {Willow Direwolf Lord} hardened,

"I will never betray my god. Not even in a million years. I shall show you hospitality for the night, but that is where my goodwill ends. Should you decide to retaliate because of my refusal, then..."

The Golden light with in the eyes of the Direwolf Lord intensified,

"I advice you bring the best you can."

Cain was silent for a moment.

Steve cleared his throat,

"No. We wouldn't do that. But it would be best if you would be just a bit more open minded and—"

Cain raised a hand, prompting Steve to stop mid sentence.

There was silence for some time before Cain finally spoke,

"You are rather stubborn, I'll give you that. But..."

Cain knew that trying to strongarm his way wouldn't work in this case. And since conversation had also fallen through as well, that meant he would have to rely on a third option.

Cain slowly stood up and gave Roc a nod,

"I will take you up on your offer and rest here for tonight."

Steve and Blaze raised a brow in shock. Even Roc seemed surprised as well.

His eyes narrowed,

"What are you planning?" The silver Direwolf asked, his voice dripping with suspicion.

Cain shrugged,

"There always exists more than one way to tackle a problem. Everything is not one way or the other..."

Roc frowned.

"You can take up the tent at the southernmost wing of the camp." He finally said after some time.

Cain nodded.

Then he turned to the other two.

Seeing there was nothing else to be said, they both stood up and walked out of the tent together with Cain.

"So? What are you planning?"

Cain hummed,

"I want to have a chat with someone. Let's get to the tent first."

Steve and Blaze exchanged glances, but remained silent as they followed along.

Flanked on all sides by Direwolf guards that kept throwing them strange glances covertly, they walked along the outskirts of the trees to avoid being spotted by anyone on the camp.

Eventually, they arrived in front of a tent thatw as a bit removed from the rest of the camp. It was situated right at the shoreline.

The guards left without a word, leaving the three to their own devices.

"What a strange situation we have found ourselves in..." Steve muttered.

Then he turned to Cain,

"What the hell are you planning to do?"

A flash of white radiance swam between Cain's fingers as he pulled something from his inventory,

"I told you, didn't I? I want to have a chat with someone." He said as he walked away before plopping down right in front of the still lake.

Steve and Blade exchanged another look.

Blaze sighed then sat down in front of the tent.

Steve clicked his tongue,

"Won't you try talking some sense into him?"

Blaze shrugged,

"There is no point in that. Besides, I think he knows what he is doing. Probably."

Steve chuckled bitterly then plopped down onto the ground as well.

"We might be in for a long night..."