God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

The mutant wasp flew up to the larger abomination and hovered above it for a while. It flew away once Cain and Evangeline were no longer on its abdomen.

Landing in the silver fur of the giant insect, Cain felt the cool wind wash over him as his gaze swept over everything in his line of view.

’Damn. She doesn’t intend on pulling any punches.’

The entire forest floor was absolutely covered with all sorts of troops ranging from the larger beastly creatures to the smaller but equally as insidious critters and insectoid mutant creatures.

’Doesn’t she think too much of me?’ he sighed internally.

Then he turned to face Anathe. Standing right beside her was her right hand bug, Traxillion the Redscale General.

The giant {Redscale General} had become far more terrifying since the last time he saw the thing.

The color of its carapace was a much darker shade of crimson.

The giant scythes attached to its forearms were even larger this time, with hundreds of runes he could identify littered across its chitinous body.

It was also much larger than before.

"It’s been a while as well." Cain said as he gave the General a nod.

"You are a truly a remarkable human, Cain. Remarkable enough for my Queen to consider you a formidable foe."

Cain chuckled bitterly,

"What’s all this about does? I thought we were friends."

Anathe smiled at him,

"We can only be friends if our goals align. I don’t think they do anymore."

Cain sighed and plopped down to the back of the mutant creature. Evangeline did the same, her eyes darting around, clearly enjoying the view from on top the flying creature.

Anathe muttered something under her breath.

Suddenly, there was a large shift in the atmosphere.

The large flying creature swiveled in place and began moving back towards the colony.

The entire army began to move back as well.

’This army is much stronger than anything those other two can muster, even if they combined their forces.’

What surprised him the most, was the sheer variation within it.

He had expected Anathe’s army to majorly consistent of the {Redscale Ants}. However, that had not been the case.

Instead, they only made up about fifty percent from what he could see.

The other fifty percent was made up of all sorts of different animals and arthropods. He even caught sight of a giant warm-blooded beast that looked very similar to Ruby. However, its coat was lined with cold streaks of azure and blue instead of Ruby’s crimson runic markings.

There were thousands of other species as well, making the army, from what he could see, almost a million strong.

And that was just what he could see.

Should he have actually tried to run, he absolutely would have met his end tonight.

The thought of it put a cold sweat on his back.

He sighed again.

Anathe was seated right in front of him, her eyes having never left him in the first place.

He hesitated for a moment then decided to cut through the silence,

"You truly do seek to conquer all of Redscale?"

Anathe nodded,

"Yes, I do. But that is just the first step. Eventually, I seek to extend the mother’s warm hands to the rest of this world, and perhaps even far beyond that. And of course, depending on how our conversation goes, you will help me achieve that goal."

Cain couldn’t help but notice the strangely fanatic glow in her dark eyes.

He grimaced,

"So that’s the reason for all this. You want to tyrn me into a pawn."

Anathe nodded, "Yes."

Evangeline had an impressed look on her face,

"No hesitation at all."

Anathe finally focused her gaze unto her,

"And who might you be exactly? I don’t think I have seen you on this island before."

Cain raised a brow.

’Does that mean she knows the faces of every human that has been on this island?"

Evangeline smiled softly,

"Who am I?"

She turned to face Cain.

Seeing the teasing look in her eyes, Cain’s expression soured almost immediately.

"I’m Cain’s bride."

Anathe showed no visible reaction. Instead, she slowly turned to face Cain,

"Is that true?"

Cain couldn’t help but feel a faint glimmer of terror being aimed at him.

He shook his head,

"It’s more complicated than that..."

Evangeline nodded, her expression serious,

"Indeed it is. He has at least five more brides besides me. Cain is what we humans describe as a ’player’."

Anathe seemed genuinely curious now,

"A player, huh... I see. How interesting."

Cain felt another gaze fall on him.

It was Traxillion’s intense stare.

"It seems you are impressive in more ways than one, Cain. You have my respect!"

’How did it come to this?!’ he lamented internally.

Anathe cleared her throat,

"If you have such close relations to him, then I assume it is alright if you are here."

She turned back to him,

"Your ability to create bridges is one of your greatest traits, Cain. Unfortunately, I cannot have you letting my enemies use your bridges. That is something I cannot tolerate."

Cain put on a serious expression,

"It is quite unfortunate, but I have absolutely no intention to back down. The {Willow Direwolves} and the {Blood-Curse Bats} have now become very important assets to me. The reverse is also true."

Anathe’s eyes narrowed,

"Does your stance remain unchanged even if it means becoming my enemy?"

Cain shook his head,

"No. But I do not believe it is impossible for us to each some middle ground. You are just as important to me, perhaps even more so."

Anathe’s expression changed a bit and Evangeline chuckled under her breath.

Cain continued,

"I believe we can still work together even if our ideals do not completely align."

Shaking her head, Anathe’s expression turned a but dark,

"That would be fine if your actions did not endorse the goals and desires of other gods."

Cain huffed internally, ’It all boils down to this huh...’

The eternal competition of the gods for the divinity of those beneath the heavens— the main reason for his current predicament.