RISE OF EROS-Chapter 594 - 593

Andrew looked at the man who had just spoken to him, but his attention was quickly drawn to the cube in front of him. Andrew could feel the danger emanating from that cube.

This didn’t escape the keen eyes of the four old and powerful demigods, who even smiled as they noticed that, although Andrew was not a combat god candidate, his senses were as sharp as those of any god or god candidate.

"Do you know what it is?" asked Arion, and Andrew nodded heavily. Fluffy had told him from the moment they entered that the cube contained the remains of the fallen god.

Seeing that Andrew couldn’t take his eyes off the cube, Arion spoke again, "You don’t need to worry about that for now. The seal will hold, and with my protection, it will be hard for it to fall into the wrong hands."

Hearing this, Andrew looked away from the cube and glanced at Arion, asking, "And who are you?" to which Arion replied with a smile, "My name is Arion, a friend of those present here."

Andrew observed the other three demigods around him: Zaros, Lugia, and Elidyr, each shrouded in an ancient and powerful aura. He couldn’t help but feel that every word they spoke carried an immense weight, an echo of centuries of secrets and challenges they had faced.

After Arion’s explanation, Andrew felt a mix of respect and distrust, aware that, in this world of demigods and gods, nothing was simple.

"So, you recovered the fallen god’s remains from the demon realm?" Andrew asked curiously but with a somber tone. Just the thought of a fallen god, someone so powerful yet destroyed, made him feel a difficult-to-ignore unease.

Zaros nodded slowly, his dark eyes full of scars from past battles. "That’s right," he began in a deep voice. "Not long ago, in the demon realm, Lugia discovered the remains of the fallen god and called us, but by the time we arrived, Arion had already taken care of everything."

"Arion reinforced the seal, and we extracted it," continued Lugia, her presence calm but undoubtedly dangerous. "Though we faced setbacks and betrayals, ensuring that power could never be used for evil was our priority." She paused, looking at Arion as if they shared a deep, unforgettable history.

Arion gave a fleeting, humorless smile. "The mission was a success, or so we believe. We managed to seal those remains and protect them... but now we know those we considered allies were not, and the enemy has spread further than we thought."

Andrew noticed that, at this point, Zaros clenched his jaw, and his hands formed fists, an involuntary reaction betraying both anger and sorrow. "It was then we discovered Dornun’s betrayal, an ally from the previous war, and also Lortad, my sworn brother. We fought side by side and trusted each other. But now... now he’s nothing more than an enemy, and a threat even greater than the fallen god."

At the mention of that name, Andrew felt a chill run down his spine. "Lortad was the one who tried to kill me?" he asked, though he already knew the answer. Knowing that someone so close to one of the demigods had orchestrated three attempts on his life was unsettling.

"That’s right," replied Elidyr, who had remained silent until then. His voice was deep and serene, almost hypnotic. "Lortad is part of an organization known as Purgatory, a group that gathers those who crave absolute power and seek to disrupt the balance of the worlds. For him, eliminating you is not just a whim; you are a threat to his plans."

Andrew frowned, not fully understanding why he would be seen as a threat. "But why me? I’m not a god or a demigod. I’m just beginning to understand this world... what could I have that’s so important?"

It was then that Zaros stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder and looking him in the eyes with a serious expression. "Because, Andrew, there is something in you that Lortad fears. Something that, though you don’t understand yet, is destined to change the course of this conflict. Purgatory, and especially Lortad, fear what you could become."

Zaros’s words fell on Andrew like an invisible weight. His mind wavered between the desire to understand more and the instinct to stay away from these dangers. He felt a mix of disbelief and fear: a power he didn’t even comprehend, but one that was apparent to these almost divine beings.

"So... what can I do?" he finally asked, with a calmer voice than he felt. He knew he couldn’t escape this fate, and the more he resisted the idea, the more entangled he would be in it.

Arion smiled, but this time his expression was sincere and kind. "For now, you must train. Your senses are sharp, and you have a latent ability that only you can develop. We will help prepare you, but you must strive and open your mind to new realities."

Andrew nodded slowly, trying to absorb everything he had been told. The concept of training for something he didn’t fully understand was intimidating, but the presence of these demigods gave him an unusual sense of security.

"And as for Purgatory," continued Lugia, her voice tinged with fierce determination, "It is an organization that has been trying to disrupt the balance for centuries. They infiltrate, manipulate, and ally with the fallen god to reach their goal. With Lortad on their side, they are more dangerous than ever."

Zaros intervened again, staring intently at Andrew. "But don’t misunderstand. We don’t want you to take this as a burden but as an opportunity. You have the potential to stand against Purgatory, and although it’s still early, your presence gives us a hope we haven’t had in a long time."

Andrew took a deep breath. The mention of Lortad and Purgatory had revealed much more than he expected, but at the same time, he also felt a spark of purpose within himself. He knew the decision to remain on the sidelines was no longer an option; he was irrevocably involved.

"So, when do we begin?" he finally asked, with a newfound determination. The demigods exchanged approving looks, and it was Elidyr who replied with a faint smile.

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"Soon, Andrew. We will begin soon. But you must know that this journey will be long and challenging. We will train your body, mind, and spirit to be ready to face Purgatory and any other threats that cross your path."

With those words, Andrew felt his reality expand as if he were looking at a vast, unknown horizon. There was much he didn’t yet understand, but the feeling of being surrounded by these powerful beings reminded him that he wasn’t alone.

The promise of training, of developing a latent power that even he didn’t understand, gave him a reason to move forward. The demigods began talking among themselves in a lower tone, discussing strategies and topics Andrew could barely follow.

But one thing was clear: the fallen god’s seal was under guard, and any attempt to unleash that dark power would be blocked, no matter the cost. As he listened, Andrew felt a slight twinge of nervousness but also a growing fire in his chest.

It wasn’t just the danger that pushed him forward, but the recognition that he was destined for something bigger than he had imagined. Saying goodbye to the demigods and leaving the Pixoy family mansion, Andrew realized that, although his steps took him back to the world he knew, something within him had changed.

It was the beginning of a new stage, one where survival would no longer be his only goal. Now, there was a greater mission, a fight he would have to face, and although he didn’t fully understand it yet, he was determined to discover the extent of his own power.

It wasn’t just now that he realized the fallen god was his responsibility; he had known that for some time, but after the conversation with Zaros and the others, he understood that the battle was closer than he had thought.

Andrew wasn’t the only one who realized this. Oliver, who accompanied him, also felt the weight of what was at stake. When he became Andrew’s guardian, he knew the battles they would face would not be easy, but only now did he realize he had underestimated the situation.

In the midst of a heavy silence, the two sat in the carriage on their way back to the palace of Cannes, thinking about what lay ahead. Strengthening themselves was imperative, but Andrew couldn’t stop thinking, "I’m a candidate for the god Eros, not a fighter."

At that moment, Fluffy’s voice echoed in his mind, "Master, while it’s true that you don’t possess a combat domain, your quality as a future god is not something to be underestimated."

"What do you mean? Even if I become a god, I won’t be able to face the fallen god," Andrew replied, a bit apprehensive, but Fluffy said, "That may be true, but remember that the combat domain can be acquired through the remains that Elidyr promised you."

Andrew thought for a moment and asked, "Can I really achieve that with borrowed power?" to which Fluffy replied, "Master, once you assimilate those remains, it will no longer be borrowed power."

Fluffy continued explaining the entire process of assimilating the divinity of other gods’ remains. It’s true that they don’t belong to Andrew now, but once he absorbs and masters them, there will be no difference.

In this way, they arrived at the palace of Cannes and immediately went to the office after calling everyone together. They needed to tell them what Zaros and the others had shared, as those who needed to prepare were not only Andrew and Oliver.