Beyond the endless sky, in a realm known as Etheome, the gods resided. It was a place of unmatched beauty , a vast domain filled with vibrant landscapes and an aura of peace.
At the heart of this kingdom was Etheome, a city so immense it dwarfed entire continents on Earth.
Its inhabitants were the gods themselves, immortal beings with golden essence coursing through their veins. And gods ruled over four worlds:
Earth, the realm of mortals.
Heaven, where human souls found eternal rest.
The Underworld, where wicked souls faced judgment.
The Spirit World, home to countless mystical creatures under divine control.
Yet, despite their power, the gods desired one thing above all. the Land of the Dead, a mysterious realm separating the mortal world from the divine. Hovering just beyond their reach, it stood as a testament to the ongoing struggle between gods, humans, and other beings.
For the gods, conquering the Land of the Dead would grant them the ability or a way to descend upon Earth, solidifying their rule.
Although they already exerted significant control over humanity from the shadows, humans' resilience and potential made them formidable adversaries.
The memory of Zet loomed large in the history, a name that evoked both fear and mystery.
Over 1700 years ago, the mighty Zeus himself clashed with Zet in a battle of seven worlds for the last time.
The outcome of that struggle was shrouded in uncertainty. Zeus had sealed himself on his throne, frozen in time, while Zet vanished without a trace. Though many believed Zeus won the war, others speculated that Zet was the winner.
Before his self-imposed sealing, Zeus fully mastered the power called Language of the Gods, an ability known as Absolute Rule, which allowed his words to shape reality itself.
Legend spoke of three curses Zeus uttered in his final moments, altering the divine history forever:
First, The Creation of the Land of the Dead, severing the connection between gods and humans and forbidding gods from setting foot on Earth.
Second, Gods can't harm humans, if one dares to kill a human they will pay with their own lives.
The third curse remained a mystery, its nature unknown and its consequences a source of endless speculation.
[ ETHEOME ]
A young charismatic boy with golden hair and eyes stood in a lavish bedroom, his heart brimming with excitement. It was the dawn of a special day. December 25th, his 16th birthday, the day he had been eagerly awaiting.
As the golden sunrise painted the horizon beyond the grand window, he stepped out onto the balcony. Before him lay the magnificent Golden City.
Houses dotted the vast landscape below, while massive creatures soared gracefully through the skies. In the distance, the Golden Castle rose majestically, its spires disappearing into the clouds above.
Breathing in the morning air, the boy closed his eyes and smiled. Then, with a satisfied sigh, he returned to his room, settling onto the luxurious bed.
The door creaked open, and three servants entered. First came a man carrying a tray of tea, followed by two elegant maids, their golden hair shining in the morning light.
"Adeu Baros Adamos, young lord. Happy 16th birthday," Butler announced with a respectful bow.
Adeu smiled warmly. "Thank you, Arthur."
Arthur placed the tea on the table and turned to Adeu, his expression kind yet composed.
"Any news, Arthur?" Adeu asked eagerly, his golden eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Arthur's lips curved into a small smile. "Indeed, sir. Hundreds of gifts and messages have arrived from esteemed families and your friends."
"Tell me about the most important ones," Adeu prompted.
"You've been selected by the academy director to attend the Blessings Ceremony in Circle Zero," Arthur said, his tone even yet proud.
Adeu froze, his grip on the teacup tightening as his eyes widened in disbelief. Then, in an instant, his surprise gave way to pure excitement.
"Arthur, are you serious? This better not be a joke!" he exclaimed, jumping from his seat.
Arthur's steady smile deepened. "I wouldn't joke about such a thing, young lord. All your hard work has finally paid off."
Adeu stood tall as his servants dressed him in a crisp white kimono with a flowing golden cape. The attire reflected his noble status, exuding both elegance and privilege.
Despite his luxurious upbringing, Adeu often felt that something was missing from his life. Born into a noble family, he had enjoyed a life of comfort and love, yet the allure of greater heights called to him.
His father, a god residing in the Second Circle of Etheome, had provided Adeu with everything he could ever desire.
The Third Circle, where they lived, was not bad either, but it paled in comparison to higher circles, especially the great Circle Zero, a domain reserved for the True Gods.
For years, Adeu had yearned to explore its mysteries. The Blessing Ceremony, an ancient tradition held once every century, offered that chance. Only the top five students from Adeu's academy could attend, and Adeu had worked tirelessly for two years to secure his place.
"When does the ceremony begin?" Adeu asked eagerly.
Arthur, helping adjust the boy's golden cape, replied with a sigh. "Today, but the actual event starts tomorrow. Today, they'll meet with you, show you around, and assign you a place to observe."
"You attended the ceremony once, didn't you?" Adeu asked, curiosity alight in his gaze. "What was it like? How did the humans appear? What are the differences between us?"
Arthur's expression shifted, his tone turning serious. "It was... intense. Humans are different, more aggressive, like an animals. We, on the other hand, are flawless beings."
Adeu frowned. "It can't be that bad, can it?"
The Blessing Ceremony was a grand event, where once in a hundred years, ten fortunate humans were chosen by the gods to receive divine powers. It was the one time gods and humans came face to face, and Adeu was determined to witness it for himself.
"Well then, Arthur, let's get going. First, the academy. Then, Circle Zero," Adeu declared with a grin, patting the butler on the shoulder.
With that, they departed from Adeu's grand home, ready to embrace the challenges ahead.