As I stepped into the cave, the dense stench of blood greeted me like a wall. Once a peaceful graveyard known for its purity, this sacred place had been twisted into a vision of hell. Screams and desperate pleas echoed through the cavern, bouncing off the stone walls like the cries of the damned.
Though the cave wasn't large by design, the demons had used spatial extension magic to warp its dimensions, stretching it into a labyrinth of torment. Undead monsters clawed their way from the shadows as I ventured deeper. But before they could move, each of my steps transformed the ground into a field of ice. In an instant, everything froze then shattered into dust.
At the far end of the cave, where it met the Sea of Unity, stood a massive altar drenched in blood. Piles of mutilated bodies lay atop it, many with eyes still open, unable to find peace. Though I am the God of Ice, my heart burned with fury as I etched the scene into my soul. These were the people I was meant to save. And I was too late.
Suddenly, I heard the faint sound of breathing from the opposite side of the chamber.
I raised my hand and whispered, "Shatter."
The wall separating the two rooms exploded into fragments, revealing a dark chamber bathed in a dim, bluish-white glow of divine energy. Suspended from the ceiling by cruel chains was a girl with golden hair tied back in a blood-matted braid. Corpses hung above her like grotesque ornaments. Her face was smeared with blood, and her breathing was shallow barely alive.
"North Frozenlight?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
I frowned. Very few in this world dared to speak a god's name so casually. She must be a non-believer.
"Please, save me," she gasped. "And the women sealed on the other side. Destroy the altar before it's too late."
Before I could ask who she was, she pointed weakly toward a wall and collapsed into unconsciousness.
I untied her and carried her in my arms, heading in the direction she had indicated. At first, there was nothing but a solid wall. But trusting her words, I channeled my divinity and released it in a focused burst. The wall shattered, revealing fragments of dark runes etched with the divine essence of Sloth.
The moment the barrier fell, I understood. Sloth's divinity had dulled my senses, cloaking the area in lethargy and concealment. The fusion of Sloth's aura with the essence of Ice both forces that suppress and slow made it nearly impossible to detect anything behind the veil.
Beyond the wall was a cage. A lifeless body lay beside it. Inside, dozens of people were either unconscious or screaming in terror. Some looked up as I entered some with reverence, others with relief, a few with resentment, and many with hollow exhaustion.
One woman, crawling toward the dead man's body, turned her tear-streaked face to me.
"Please… save my husband," she begged. "He's a devoted follower of yours, my lord. Please"
Another woman's voice, fragile and trembling, spoke from the shadows.
"My eternal lord she's lost her mind. She can't accept that her husband is gone. Please forgive her ignorance. He died protecting her and their unborn child."
I didn't close my eyes. I looked directly at the man who had no divine power, no strength to fight, yet had stood against a demon to protect his family. And now, the family he gave his life for was breaking apart.
I met the woman's eyes and spoke gently. "Your husband is dead. He died bravely, protecting you. He was a father who gave his life to shield his world."
She screamed.
"Brave? He was the most cowardly man I knew! He couldn't hurt a fly! He promised me we'd move to the capital after the baby was born. He said he'd never leave me alone. But now… he's gone. Just like that. He lied to me! He's not bravehe's a liar! A damn liar!"
Her eyes burned with grief, helplessness, and despair. Before she could harm herself or the child she carried I reached out and gently placed my hand on her forehead, using my divinity to lull her into unconsciousness.
The others recoiled, fear flashing in their eyes. To speak against a god was treason. The punishment was death.
"Do not be afraid," I said calmly. "She's not dead. I merely put her to sleep. If I hadn't, she would have harmed herself and the child."
I handed the golden-haired girl to one of the women and instructed her to care for both. Then, with a wave of my hand, I transported them all to a safer place, away from this nightmare.
And with that, I turned and walked toward the altar room.