The Guardian gods Chapter 868

Far across the vast ocean, on the distant western continent, Erik and his son remained blissfully oblivious to the profound global shifts. Lacking the reality-altering power of a Paragon, or anything remotely close, the monumental clash between the world's two dominant forces had completely bypassed them. They were entirely unaware that such a colossal battle had even transpired, nor did they grasp that every significant power across the globe now had their attention fixated, desperately seeking avenues for further growth.

Instead, a quiet contentment filled the father and son, stemming from the imminent conclusion of a long and arduous mission.

Behind them, the territories belonging to the human kingdom had been utterly transformed into an eerie, silent dead zone. Though devoid of violence and structural devastation, the scene was profoundly disturbing to all who dared to cross its borders – streets were inexplicably lined with the motionless, sleeping forms of pale, cursed beings.

Yet, just beyond the periphery of this unnatural slumber, ordinary life continued unabated. Within the untouched territories, humans pursued their daily routines, completely unaware of the encroaching dead zone that was silently enveloping them. They failed to perceive the closing silence, but one phenomenon was unmistakable. Indeed, the entire western continent was slowly awakening to a bizarre spectacle: the sky above was being subtly permeated by the shimmering, translucent silhouettes of gargantuan tree branches, unfurling across the heavens like a surreal dream.

For the humans remaining within the confines of the human kingdom, this celestial panorama was significantly more intense and impossible to ignore. The instant they lifted their gazes toward the sky, they were confronted with the breathtaking vision of massive, ethereal branches adorned with spectral leaves, accompanied by an inexplicably sweet fragrance that perfumed the air.

However, to those observing from outside the territory and looking inward, the vista was starkly different. To the external world, it presented as a colossal tree, undergoing rapid expansion, its roots and canopy aggressively encroaching to engulf the entirety of the human kingdom's territory.

Such an ominous and swift transformation immediately captured the world's attention. Questions erupted like wildfire, and a suffocating sense of paranoia began to pervade the populace. apprehension gripped the people regarding Erik’s potential next move, fearing the insane king was poised to unleash another cataclysmic event that would imperil them all.

Perceiving the impending danger, premier nations such as the Sun Kingdom promptly mobilized. Formidable Paragons were dispatched, prepared to intervene and eradicate the anomaly before its further proliferation. Yet, before they could even breach the border, their advance was decisively halted by a terrifyingly potent presence.

Standing sentinel over the tree, its imposing silhouette stark against the shimmering sky, was the shadow of Viridrigon. The mere aura emanating from the legendary dragon served as an absolute deterrent, paralyzing the world's mightiest forces in their tracks.

The sheer presence Viridrigon projected was nothing short of that of the Origin Gods themselves, leaving onlookers frozen in a mixture of awe and profound curiosity. Speculation ran rampant: what conceivable connection could the deranged King Erik possibly share with this ancient dragon to compel such a legendary being to emerge from its sanctuary?

However, before the gathered kingdoms could unravel this enigma, the world was rocked by a major battle. That earth-shattering conflict instantly diverted the global focus away from the western frontier. Abruptly, the Paragons found themselves confronting a far more immediate crisis, one that threatened the very stability of their own power and their true position within a world undergoing rapid flux.

Meanwhile, completely detached from the worldwide consternation, Erik and his son remained suspended motionlessly in the air above a city. This was their final destination; the very last stronghold within their kingdom that still harbored the transformed, cursed inhabitants.

Having meticulously repeated this grim ritual countless times across the kingdom's borders, they were intimately familiar with the procedure. Without a single word exchanged, the father and son commenced their actions with a chilling, terrifying precision. To an external observer, the sheer mercilessness of their methodology might appear as pure savagery, but to them, it represented mere pragmatism.

Initially, there was the swift fracturing of bones and crippling of the targeted individuals to ensure their complete immobilization. Once the cursed beings were rendered helpless, the crucial blood extraction process commenced, draining their corrupted essence and compelling them into a state of profound, weakened slumber. Lastly, Erik would invoke a potent healing spell across the afflicted area, meticulously mending the shattered bones and restoring the pale citizens, leaving them whole, stable, and deeply asleep upon the quiet thoroughfares.

Within a mere hour, a sprawling metropolis had been fully subjugated by their presence. Father and son observed the pulsating, densely concentrated mass of harvested blood suspended in the air. Abruptly, a spectral dragon materialized, its jaws clamping down to engulf the crimson orb before plunging deep into the earth, vanishing from sight.

Erik shifted his gaze to his son, Eldrin, who met his look with a tired yet triumphant smile. Without a word, their thoughts aligned: "At last, after years of hardship and decline, their homeland would once again be secure."

Erik placed a steadying hand on his son’s shoulder. "Return to the capital. Take up your post there and serve as my representative. I cannot predict the duration of the complete transformation or the exact timing of our people's rebirth. Nevertheless, it is crucial to have an authoritative figure present, a voice of calm to pacify the populace and elucidate these events."

Eldrin nodded, understanding dawning, yet a faint frown marred his brow as he regarded his father. "You are still determined to inform the common citizens of the alteration? To grant them the liberty of selection?"

Erik’s feet detached from the cobblestones, and he began to ascend, hovering weightlessly. "I have dictated the course of their lives for far too long," he stated softly, his voice laden with the weight of ages. "It is time they charted their own destinies."

With a sudden surge of power, he ascended into the heavens, soaring toward the secluded domain where he had initially erected his formidable protective barrier—the very shield that had safeguarded the remaining uncorrupted populace from external perils.

His destination was chosen for two principal reasons. Firstly, to finally dismantle the shield. While it had served as an impenetrable sanctuary, it had also confined his people, fostering a state of bewilderment that discouraged any thought of venturing beyond its confines.

The second objective was to impart news anticipated for generations: the nightmare had finally concluded, and the curse plaguing them was vanquished. Following years of survival and rigorous investigation, they had not only devised complete immunity to the corruption but had also mastered its manipulation for their own advantage.

Naturally, this immense victory came at a significant cost. The acquisition of such power necessitated the complete renunciation of their human forms. By leveraging his ancient Elven lineage, Erik had conjured the colossal tree now dominating the sky above.

This tree symbolized the complete metamorphosis of their race into a novel, half-elven existence—an essential evolution, as pure Elven blood possessed an inherent immunity to the curse's corrupting influence.

For the vast majority of his people, those already reduced to mindless, cursed husks, obtaining consent was an impossibility. He had been compelled to make the decisive choice for them, subduing them and placing them in a dormant state until the tree's maturation enabled their transformation.

However, the situation was different for the uncorrupted citizens residing within the shield. Erik recognized that imposing this metamorphosis without consent would inevitably breed profound and enduring resentment. They were entitled to a voice in their own future. Their explicit agreement was indispensable, and it was precisely this he intended to secure.

His kingdom bore the name Humanity Kingdom for a concrete reason; it was the premier human nation to emerge against overwhelming adversity. This historic legacy fueled an unshakeable pride in their human identity among its inhabitants.

This very reason accounted for Erik’s lifelong concealment of his Elven heritage. To his subjects, his striking features and ageless allure were merely indications of divine favor, representing the pinnacle of human appearance.

Now, he stood on the precipice of shattering that perception, revealing his true nature at the very moment he presented them with these life-altering decisions. He fully anticipated significant opposition. He was acutely aware that his leadership had been neither consistent nor present for a considerable duration.