THE SPIRITUAL SOVEREIGN : RISE OF THE DIVINE

In the Ocean Temple, Soulis conferred the priesthood. The next moment, he vanished, utilizing the unique attributes of the spiritual world to traverse vast distances.

Beyond the sacred mountain of Sinaia, the spiritual world became increasingly chaotic. Beyond its third layer, the distortion of time and space was so severe that a single step forward could span thousands of miles in the material world.

Although only the first two layers of the spiritual world were fully stabilized in this era, Soulis's mastery of Spirit World Shuttle allowed him to harness the deeper, unstable levels.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared above a distant ocean, thousands of miles from the Ocean Temple.

"The spiritual world is still young and confined," Soulis mused. "One day, when life flourishes and my divine power surpasses Level 16, I'll loosen the barriers between the spiritual and physical worlds. Beings with natural inspiration will perceive the spiritual realm, and spirits born of reverence or obsession will dwell in its shallow layers."

He turned briefly toward the Ocean Palace, his expression calm but thoughtful.

Later myths would attribute much of Zeus's wisdom to Metis, but at this moment, it was Soulis who had granted her priesthood.

"Still," he murmured, "it's questionable whether Zeus inherited her wisdom or merely borrowed her reputation. Swallowing a god and claiming their power is no trivial feat. To outwit the goddess of wisdom herself? Perhaps Zeus's cunning was the true source of his strength."

With a faint smile, Soulis turned his gaze to the horizon and began his journey toward a specific destination.

After eight centuries of carefully cultivating his essence within the spiritual world, Soulis had finally reemerged. But he was in no hurry to return to his temple.

There was something he needed to obtain.

---

Seven Days Later

After crossing the vast ocean, Soulis arrived at a peculiar stretch of sea.

The waters were unnaturally calm, devoid of wind or waves. Sunlight gleamed off the surface, imbuing it with a strange, ethereal beauty. Yet nearby, a layer of blood-red foam floated ominously, exuding an aura of rage, desire, and hatred.

This was the cursed sea where the severed remnants of Ouranos had fallen, brimming with his wrath against the Titans and Pontus. From this divine blood would emerge the Erinyes and Aphrodite—four beings born of vengeance and beauty.

Even Pontus, the primordial god of the sea, avoided this place.

As Soulis observed the cursed waters, a raspy voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Who dares trespass in these forbidden seas? Stranger god, state your name!"

A serpentine figure emerged—a being half-snake, half-fish. Her piercing gaze locked onto Soulis, radiating suspicion and hostility.

This was Keto, one of the monstrous children of Pontus. Like her brother-consort Phorcys, she was a hybrid of god and beast, feared and shunned by most of the divine pantheon.

"Keto," Soulis said, his voice calm and unyielding. "You are known as the Danger of the Sea."

His words carried no malice, but neither did they contain reverence. He didn't bother to meet her gaze, treating her as little more than an obstacle.

Keto hissed in response. "You know my name, but I do not know yours. Why are you here, godling? The Father of the Gods has forbidden all from entering these waters."

Her tone grew sharper, her instincts urging her to attack, yet she hesitated, sensing the vast power Soulis wielded.

Soulis's lips curved into a faint smile, an idea forming in his mind. "Tell me, Keto," he began, his tone almost casual, "do you wish to change your form?"

Keto's feral demeanor faltered.

"What?" she asked, her voice laced with both confusion and longing.

"Rid yourself of this monstrous form," Soulis continued, "or at least take on a visage that would earn the gods' acknowledgment."

Her expression flickered with uncertainty. Keto often claimed indifference to the gods' opinions, yet deep within, she resented their rejection. She hated being excluded from their feasts, her monstrous appearance a constant source of bitterness.

"I... I do," she admitted, though her voice trembled. "But how would such a thing be possible?"

Soulis gestured toward the blood-red foam on the sea's surface.

"Drink it," he said plainly. "Not all of it—just a small amount. Too much, and you'll become a mere vessel for new gods. But a few sips… they might grant you what you desire."

Keto's serpentine eyes darted between the blood foam and Soulis, her instincts battling her yearning. She knew the blood was dangerous, yet the promise of transformation was irresistible.

"It's your choice," Soulis said, his voice indifferent. With a wave of his hand, he collected a small amount of the blood before disappearing into the spiritual world.

"Wait—!" Keto called after him, but Soulis was already gone, his words lingering like a taunt.

Left alone, Keto hesitated for what felt like an eternity. Her desire for beauty and recognition clashed with her primal instincts. But in the end, her yearning won.

With trembling hands, she drank a small amount of the blood.

The transformation was immediate. Her monstrous form began to shift, and when she gazed into the still waters, a strikingly beautiful goddess stared back at her.

Yet, as she admired her reflection, a wave of bitterness overcame her. She realized her beauty was fleeting compared to what would soon emerge from these waters. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, would one day rise, eclipsing Keto entirely.

"Nothing is eternal," Keto murmured, her voice now melodic but venomous. "If I cannot be the most beautiful, then let beauty itself perish. I alone will define it, even if it costs them all their lives."

With newfound resolve, she turned away from the cursed sea. In the distance, the palace of a god gleamed with light from a grand feast.

This time, Keto would not be turned away.

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