God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Cain straightened up, his blade still dripping with slick fluids from the countless creatures he had already slain as he faced the Ant Queen.

Around them, the hundreds of creatures still living had retreated a few steps back, still snarling and growling in furious, but suppressed rage.

However, it was very clear, even under the authoritative aura of the Ant Queen, they were still very eager to tear him limb from limb.

Cain’s gaze slowly swam through the darkness. If the place was crowded before, now it was truly filled to the brim. Their only way of escape now, would be plunging into the shadows.

He glanced back at Anathe. From what he could tell, the basis of her abilities and skills revolved around controlling other creatures and influencing their thoughts and loyalties.

"Disappointed?" Cain wiped blood from his cheek with the back of his hand. "I’ll be honest. I don’t think I’m too broken up about that."

Anathe’s dark eyes moved between him and Evangeline, calculating. "You’ve killed hundreds of my children to get here. What did you think getting here would achieve?"

She turned around, her gaze lingering in the spire, fingers tracing over the runes,

"Did you perhaps want to strike at the heart of my empire and bring everything crumbling down?"

Cain sucked in a lungful of stuffing, cold air,

"Actually, I’m here to strike a deal with you."

’That definitely got her attention.’ Cain thought to himself, seeing the cold expression of the Ant Queen falter slightly.

"A deal?"

Cain gestured toward the massive spire behind her with his blade. "Thanks to your confirmation, I now know I was right. The power of a Celestial transforms and changes the very nature of the world around it. That must surely be the god remnant of this Mother Goddess."

Anathe’s expression remained unchanged. However, the general atmosphere, thousands of meters below the ground, seemed to have become even colder than before.

A sinister grin appeared on Cain’s face,

"What happens if it gets damaged?"

Anathe slowly shook her head,

"So I was right, then. In that case, I should feel no guilt sending you into the embrace of the gods."

Cain chuckled and took a step forward,

"I wouldn’t go that far of course." He said. "I came here just so I can finally get your attention, Anathe. And now it seems like I have it. So let’s talk."

Evangeline’s shadows were still writhing around her, but she remained silent, instead letting him play out whatever it was he was gunning for.

Cain sighed and continued. "Although your forces seem quite large, they truly are a fair bit lesser than the total number of creatures on this island. Although Ambrosia and Roc are the greatest threats to your Colony, in reality, they aren’t the only ones."

Anathe’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything.

Seeing this, Cain pressed forward,

"There are tons of other powerful creatures and groups of beasts on this island that will cost you a lot of power, numbers and resources to either get rid of, or reign in. Regardless of your intentions, such losses truly are a powerful blow. Even if you win, I can assure you this; a single sweep from us humans will be more than enough to destroy everything you’ve worked hard to build."

Anathe’s eyes narrowed, ’Is that a threat?"

Cain nodded, ’Yes. Yes, it is. To further cement that fact..." He pointed at the spire behind her,

"If I say, tamper with that thing a little, I’m very certain you wouldn’t have much of a good time going forward. It represents the very backbone of your empire, Anathe."

His eyes narrowed, "And if you think I’m not powerful enough to shatter that thing into pieces, you might want to guess again. So how about it? Still want to take that chance?"

Cain was bluffing.

Yes, he was bluffing right out of his ass.

In reality, he had no idea if he had what it took to destroy a literal piece of a god. While it was true that it could be counted as him battling against a god, his squabble with Balangol had been nothing but a very damp, watered down experience.

And yet, he had almostost his life. Terribly at that.

But Anathe didn’t know that. And with how convincing he sounded, she probably wouldn’t want to take her chances either.

It was unknown just how durable this remnant was because, she had been instructed by the Mother Goddess to protect it. It truly did represent the root of her empire.

If he were to damage it in any way...

How truly disastrous would that be?

Anathe’s brows trembled irritably. "Why are you so keen on helping them? Aren’t the same to you? What should mindless beasts matter to a human?."

Cain shook his head,

"Beast, man, Devil, god. It doesn’t matter to me at all."

His expression turned serious as he stared right into her eyes,

"I’ve given my word. I absolutely won’t go against it." He said firmly.

Anathe was silent for a long moment, her dark eyes studying him.

Cain held his breath.

She seemed to be seriously contemplating his words after all.

"You really are a stubborn one, aren’t you, Cain the Human."

Cain chuckled bitterly, "Aren’t we both? Besides, I know you are too smart to pass up on such a good deal."

"Perhaps." She took a step closer, and several of her creatures shifted restlessly. "But there’s a problem with your proposal, Cain. You’re assuming what you offer is all I want."

Cain grimaced.

Those words were... quite the unexpected twist.

’What else could she possibly be after?’

"The spatial gates and whatnot are certainly impressive, I’ll grant you that. But eventually, even if it takes me another century or two... I will be able to spread the hands of the Mother Goddess to the rest of this world. When I consider that, your offer doesn’t really benefit me all that much anymore."

Cain’s expression turned ugly,

’What the hell! She’s just being unreasonable at this point!’

Anathe turned her dark gaze away from him and onto Evangeline,

"You. Duel me."