Against The True Gods

Elder Larisse stood high in the skies, gazing down at a crowd of countless youths—men and women alike—each exuding fierce and valiant auras.

The crowd gathered in a vast, beautiful plain of green grass, where a soft and refreshing breeze carried the scent of life and hope. The sun poured its golden light upon them like rivers of silk, illuminating their eager faces.

The world seemed serene, and the youth below reflected its endless potential, their hearts brimming with anticipation and resolve.

Today was the day: the Knight Selection Exams.

This was their chance—their only chance—to join the Church's revered squad of Knights. It was their opportunity to grasp power, prestige, and purpose.

Every youth present had trained tirelessly for most of their lives, facing countless challenges and tempering their bodies and minds on the edge of life and death.

They were ready.

Only one hundred would be chosen for the Knighthood, and none among them were prepared to give up.

Elder Larisse's cold gaze swept over the crowd, meeting the burning eyes of those gathered.

None of it impressed her. But alas, the job was the job.

"Welcome to the Knight Selection Examinations," her voice rang out, cold and sharp, carrying a savage undertone that silenced all murmurs.

"Die, live—none of that matters to me. Pass the three exams, and you join our ranks. As you all know, only a hundred of you will be accepted."

She raised a hand, her expression unchanging.

"So, it is a race just as much as it is an examination."

With a simple wave, a road of shimmering blue crystals materialized before the crowd.

The crystalline path stretched into the horizon, disappearing far into the distance.

"First examination—the body. This road will test your physical limits. Each step will become harder to take than the last."

"The next two examinations are self-explanatory, so you won't see me again until the finish line—if you make it that far."

The crowd's auras flared, their determination igniting into a towering wave of intent.

"Go."

And with that single word, they exploded into motion, surging forward like a tidal wave of ambition and resolve.

***

Caine reached the end of the road mere moments after the examination began.

His appearance was as unassuming as ever.

Though he had initially planned to hide his identity and power, he decided against it at the last second.

An idea had taken root in his mind, and he was curious to see how it would play out.

WHOOSH!

As soon as Caine stepped off the road, he was teleported to another plain, this one covered in red grass.

He looked around, but before he could make sense of his surroundings, a stone tablet materialized before him.

With a single glance, he read its inscription.

"A test of the heart? Okay."

Without warning, the tablet shattered into a rain of ash, and Caine was teleported away once more.

***

The world beyond the examination grounds was eerily quiet as the Knight Selection Trials unfolded.

Across cities and villages, people gathered to watch the trials, broadcasted to all corners of the world.

As always, the trials were a spectacle.

The hopeful knights struggled through the infamous Road of Pulled Waters, where each step subjected their bodies to unbearable pressure, a weight that doubled with every step taken.

Bones broke, flesh tore, and minds faltered.

Yet they pressed on, fueled by dreams of glory and a burning passion for their future.

Next came the Heart Render Tablet, a test of conviction and willpower. The tablet delved into the depths of their hearts, exposing them to unimaginable torment. Their beliefs and dreams were scrutinized and shattered, forcing them to confront their very essence.

Souls were torn, men wept, women fainted, and all suffered as the foundations of their resolve were tested.

Finally, there was the Cloud Tether Step, a test of determination and skill. The youths had to ascend into the skies, bypassing the chaotic storms and fierce avian beasts that guarded the fabled Cloud Castles.

These castles, home to the divine and mighty Holy Knights, radiated terrifying auras that served as an additional barrier. The Holy Knights, trained personally by the Pope, stood as figures of power second only to the Pope himself.

Together, these trials made for a captivating spectacle—a tempest of excitement, triumph, and despair. Underdogs rose, geniuses faltered, and every moment was a feast for the eyes.

So why was the world so quiet?

In the capital, a merchant stood among a crowd gathered in the streets, staring at one of the massive projection screens displaying the trials.

"What… am I… seeing?"

His voice trembled as he struggled to comprehend the scene before him.

To traverse the Road of Pulled Waters without stopping was already a feat that bordered on impossible. Doing so in less than a minute was unthinkable.

But to shatter the Heart Render Tablet entirely?

And to ascend into the clouds and reach the Cloud Castles without encountering any obstacles?

"Who… who the hell is that blind bastard?!"

Gasps and whispers filled the streets as people began to wonder if the Church was about to birth its tenth Holy Knight.

***

Caine landed softly on one of the Cloud Castles, his wings fading into nothingness as his feet touched the ground.

The castle's architecture was ancient and gothic, its stained-glass windows reflecting sunlight in dazzling hues that contrasted starkly with the dark, black bricks of its structure.

It sat atop a bed of clouds, defying logic with its weightless elegance.

Caine found it odd but unworthy of investigation—any low-tier formation could accomplish such a feat.

'Where is the supposed hidden trial?'

Enya had informed him that if he reached this castle in record time, a special trial would occur. Yet, so far…

BANG!

A man crashed onto the platform in front of Caine, the impact shaking the clouds and the castle behind them.

The man was clad in heavy silver armor, his bald head gleaming in the sunlight. His burning orange eyes radiated power and authority.

Dozens of swords hovered behind him, arranged in a perfect spherical formation, each blade glimmering with lethal intent.

The man's gaze locked onto Caine, narrowing slightly.

"Greetings," he said, his voice deep and resonant.