Lira's pupils dilated as she began to doubt the existence of God.
Was he telling the truth? Did Kael meet God? Just what does this God look like?
One after another, questions popped into her head as she argued with herself. A part of her was reluctant to believe the fact, while another encouraged her to accept it.
During the duration of the blessing, Kael searched around him, attempting to locate the beast. But he couldn't feel its presence anywhere near them.
He felt relieved, and as the duration of the blessing came to an end, he showed himself before Thran.
The sudden appearance of Kael startled Thran, leaving him terrified.
"Now, do you have your answer, Thran?" Kael asked, his voice rather muffled.
Thran looked at him in awe and horror. He couldn't bring himself to speak and kept staring at Kael, who was overflowing with power in a trance-like state.
It seemed as if Kael was brimming with power. He could even see a dim, white aura-like smoke emitting from his body.
Just what is that thing?
He nodded his head in a daze, mesmerized by Kael's ability.
But he could tell that Kael didn't possess such an ability before. Then, where did he gain this ability?
This time, however, Kael couldn't comprehend his thoughts. But he could tell that this ability must have surprised him.
"Kael…" Thran called out. "What is that ability?" He asked.
"It's a blessing bestowed upon by God."
Kael didn't lie and told him the truth. Now, it was all up to him whether he wanted to believe it or not.
"God?" Thran's eyes glistened in disbelief as words rasped from his dry lips. "What does this god look like?"
Kael walked towards the light and tilted his head upward.
Excitement flashed past Ethan's eyes as he snapped his fingers, "Bingo!"
Ethan knew it was the perfect moment. Hence, he used part of the power he had accumulated in recent days to shower Kael with the flickering light particles.
Light particles of different colors danced around Kael as he raised his hands, attempting to touch these particles. His figure glowed ethereally as the particles of light surrounded him.
'What are those light particles?' Thran wondered, his eyes widened in awe.
Lira had a similar reaction. She couldn't believe the sight she witnessed. Just what are those light particles?
"He looks like one of us, but at the same time, it's hard to comprehend his real looks. It's impossible to see through his façade. His grace is divine, and he possesses unmatched strength. But if I have to describe his appearance, then I'd say he's the most majestic being I've ever seen in my life."
"So, it's all up to you, how you want to visualize him."
Just as Kael touched those flickering light particles, they turned to dust that shone with ethereal light before vanishing in thin air.
At this moment, both Thran and Lira were convinced of the presence of the God.
In the chamber, Ethan noticed a change in the number of followers. The number rose from one to three.
Just like this, Ethan was able to secure two more devoted followers.
Ethan couldn't help but rejoice at this moment, and hence he jumped forth from his seat in celebration, "One step at a time."
**** ****
It has already been more than fifteen days since the wolf-kin tribe departed from their starting location, where Kael encountered Ethan.
Finally, after a long and arduous journey, the trees had begun to thin.
Kael's nose twitched as he smelled something different.
He glanced ahead, where a wall of thick bush blocked the view. But his instincts told him something lay beyond that wall of thick bushes.
He looked behind him, where his tribe members, who appeared rather terrible due to the limited supply of rations, followed him. Then he darted his gaze ahead, hope blossoming in his heart.
His clawed hands reached for the dense foliage, and slowly, deliberately, he parted it.
What lay beyond made his breath catch.
A vast floodplain stretched out beneath the high ridge on which he stood. Golden light poured from breaks in the clouds, illuminating a land bathed in green, dense, lush vegetation swaying in the breeze.
Meandering streams carved silver veins through the land, feeding into wide pools that reflected the sky like mirrors.
Scattered across the plains were herds of grazing beasts: large, water buffalo-like creatures with thick, curved horns and shaggy coats dripping with dew.
Some smaller animals could also be seen, grazing and bathing in the shallow waters.
And towering over them all was a huge mountain.
Its white-capped peak pierced the sky like the trident of a god, crowned in mist and snow. From its distant summit, thin waterfalls shimmered as they spilled down the rocky slopes, feeding the life below.
Kael stood frozen, the wind tousling his silver-streaked hair, eyes wide in disbelief. Then his eyes sparkled with joy.
Behind him, the others slowly caught up.
One by one, the wolf-kin emerged from the woods, speechless as they took in the sight. Then their eyes widened, and their heart was filled with joy.
Finally, their hardship had been rewarded.
Finally, they've found a suitable place to settle. With all those herds of animals and vegetation around, they won't have to worry about sleeping on an empty stomach.
This place had everything essential to sustain life.
The tribe members couldn't help but roll their eyes at their leader, who had led them to such a wonderful place. Intense gratitude welled up from the bottom of their heart, and their eyes sparkled with indebtedness.
Simultaneously, a feeling of guilt overcame some for doubting Kael before.
Had it not been for Kael, they wouldn't have discovered this paradise.
"We… don't have to worry about hunger again," one of the tribe members cried out in joy.
"This place… Kael, it wouldn't have been possible to find it without your guidance."
"I'm sorry, Kael. I shouldn't have doubted you…"
The pack members began to apologize, their eyes moist with tears.
Kael, however, held no remorse in the first place. Hence, there wasn't even any need for them to apologize. He had done what he should have done as their leader.