Millennia had passed, and His child had grown, yet now sought to rediscover humanity by resetting their life.
And He, once again, had personally facilitated His child's "rebirth."
"That's why they say fate is a curious thing, isn't it?" Alaric said, as if reading the Ancient Sun God's thoughts, his smile warm.
"Indeed, it's quite curious." The Ancient Sun God replied, snapping out of His reverie with a nod and a smile.
Ouroboros glanced down at the Amon cub in his arms, then at the Ancient Sun God, and finally at Amon's true body. "Are they talking about you?"
Amon, who'd been watching the Ancient Sun God and likely guessing His thoughts, adjusted his monocle with a slightly forceful tug.
Logic told Amon that His father's gaze was on the Avatar, but emotionally, a twinge of displeasure... or perhaps jealousy... stirred within.
"Tch!" Amon's true body clicked his tongue but said no more.
At that moment, a disturbance came from the darkness nearby, as if someone were approaching.
Alaric glanced in that direction, already suspecting who it was. The commotion at the gray mist seal was too significant for Moon City, ever vigilant of the wall, to miss.
He turned to the Ancient Sun God. "Looks like Moon City's people are here. Want to meet them?"
The Ancient Sun God's lips tightened. Unlike His outright refusal with the City of Silver, this time He hesitated.
Alaric continued with a smile, "Go see them. Unlike the City of Silver, you gave Moon City a mission. It's time to bring that mission to a close."
"…I understand." The Ancient Sun God said, nodding as He gazed toward Moon City with a sigh.
He owed Moon City's people a resolution, so they could embrace a new life.
…
Nim was Moon City's High Priest.
Like Colin Iliad, Nim led Moon City in enduring the darkness. But in some ways, Moon City was less fortunate than the City of Silver. They lacked a special Sealed Artifact to grow edible Black-Faced Grass.
Fortunately, Moon City had been tasked with monitoring the Western Continent's seal, and thus had been granted relatively complete potion formulas for various pathways. Though they survived by consuming monsters, they'd persevered until now.
But like the City of Silver, Moon City was nearing its limit. It wasn't a matter of willpower... generations of accumulated toxins and madness had caused severe deformities. If this continued, the next generation's fate was uncertain.
Nim had long been anxious, fearing Moon City's extinction. He'd tried countless methods to save them, but none had yielded real results.
Until today, when he noticed a disturbance in the gray mist wall the Creator had tasked them to watch.
Shock mingled with excitement and fear as Nim led his people toward the wall. By the time they arrived, the disturbance had long subsided, yet Nim instinctively held his breath.
Before the gray mist wall stood two figures... utterly unfamiliar "humans." Their bodies free of any deformities.
It had been so long since Nim had seen a normal human. In Moon City, such images existed only in ancient texts, and he'd nearly forgotten what they looked like.
But that wasn't the most striking detail. Moon City, chosen by the Creator to guard the Western Continent's seal, held records of the Creator's appearance... descriptions that matched one of the figures before him perfectly.
Nim's lips trembled as a guess formed in his mind, too daunting to confirm.
A sigh reached his ears.
The figure resembling the Creator approached, His gentle voice resonating. "For 3,722 years, you've endured. Your mission is complete."
Nim couldn't hold back his tears.
…
Handling Moon City's affairs was straightforward for the Ancient Sun God. Using the Sun pathway to purge toxins from their bodies, the White Tower to mimic the Hanged Man pathway for healing, catalyzing edible plants, and crafting an artificial sun... it was all resolved swiftly.
Afterward, the Ancient Sun God turned to Nim. "Moon City still holds faith in me, correct?"
"Yes." Nim said, head bowed, his voice devout. "Our faith in the Lord has never wavered. We've always awaited Your return."
The Ancient Sun God sighed but continued, "Since you still believe in me, I ask you to do one final thing."
He glanced at Alaric. "This is Lucifer. From now on, you need not worship me. You will become His followers."
Nim's head shot up in shock, blurting out, "Why? Lord… Lord, have we done something wrong? Is that why You're abandoning us?"
"It's not abandonment." The Ancient Sun God said, shaking His head. His expression was earnest, tinged with a sigh. "I have fallen."
Nim froze, his face blank with disbelief.
"…The moment darkness enveloped this land, I fell. The one before you now is merely a shadow of the past." The Ancient Sun God said, revealing the harsh truth. He looked at Nim. "It was Lucifer who awakened me. He wishes to help you. He is a worthy being, and I trust Him with your care."
This was the truth. The Ancient Sun God had chosen to entrust the City of Silver and Moon City to Alaric, not only to bolster Alaric's anchors but because He Himself had fallen. The True Creator, half-mad and trapped in the Forsaken Land, was unfit to remain the object of their faith.
"Lord… Lord…" Nim's voice broke, overwhelmed by the rise and fall of hope. He could only call out to The Ancient Sun God, his faith genuine despite never having seen Him before today.
But as Moon City's High Priest, Nim prioritized his people's safety above his devotion. After his grief, he bowed his head. "Your will is our will."
***
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