Blade of the Goddess-Chapter 25 - Facing Reality

Zion's post-battle clarity hit harder than water breaking from a dam. He sat on the charred ground, still sizzling from his railgun, and observed the destruction it caused. He then looked at the spot where Olzak was killed, seeing nothing but a dark black smudge stain.

He sighed, taking it all in. He had fought against a demon, a mid-ranking one at that, and he was utterly useless. Sure, for his age, he was a prodigy, especially because of his cultivation method. He was an inept Expert stage cultivator when he entered the academy, and in the span of no more than two weeks, he was now a Proficient Expert.

Even then, he was still nothing against Olzak. His mother, who currently sat at the True Ascendant Stage, still had difficulty dealing with the demon. If one of the most powerful people in the middle world could barely win against a Mid-Ranked demon, then imagine how powerful a High-ranking one would be.

'Heh, if I can't even handle a mid-ranked demon, then how the hell am I going to fight against gods? I'm such a fool. Would the ancient relics even do anything? Should I even continue with this...this...suicide mission?'

Feeling the reality of the situation only made Zion clutch his mother tightly. He liked the feeling of security she gave off. Did he want to be coddled, be protected? He didn't know. All he knew was that he was a frog in a well, one who could barely look at the stars, let alone comprehend the heavens.

'As much as it pains me to see you like this, I'm happy that you're going through this internal crisis.' A voice spoke in Zion's head.

'Luminera?' He called out.

'Hello, my champion. I'm sorry for what has happened, but don't let this discourage you. Your path and your journey will be filled with more and more opportunities to come, and you will grow strong, strong enough to complete my mission.' Her divine voice calmed the raging thoughts in his head. He could feel the concern she had for him, it was almost...motherly.

'And if I can't? If I could barely handle a low-ranking demon without relying on your power. I was useless against a mid-ranking one, and I know that there are dragons way more powerful than the demons I fought. That only makes the more powerful demons, well, more powerful. If I can't beat them, how can I even beat a God?'

'Zion, if I could beat them on my own, I wouldn't have called upon your soul nor would I have given you my power. There were others before you, hundreds of them, but most of them quit midway, got drunk off their power, or were defeated at the hands of the god's followers.

But you, you are the first one to make such thought-out plans, you are the first one to create weapons of mass destruction, you were the first one to stay hidden and build your strength in secret, you were the first to create techniques to boost power, and you were the first to feel humility from defeat. Take pride in knowing that out of every mortal I called upon for help, you are the one I see the most hope in.'

Her words did make him feel slightly better. She knew the exact things he needed to hear. Was it because she is a goddess? Maybe, but Zion didn't care, he was just glad that she still believed in him. But even then, he still couldn't shake off the powerlessness feeling he had when facing Olzak, or even Vampire Carl.

'Rest. Take time to calm your thoughts, and plan your next moves carefully. I believe in you Zion, so believe in yourself.'

'Thanks. I needed that, though I still feel like shit.'

'No, thank you for not losing hope. Also, for your safety, don't use my power anymore. The church of Arion has sensed foreign divine energy and their members are investigating it. Be cautious.'

'I will, thank you.'

"Zion," Zaleena spoke, hugging her son with love, "Let's go home and rest. The others will finish cleaning up around here."

Zion nodded, putting his railgun in his storage ring, and clutched his mother tightly as they warped through space and appeared at home.

Lacey was there, waiting for him with a big smile on her face. She gave him a loving hug, making him feel slightly better.

"Are you okay, young master? I heard from Lady Lidia that you were called back home because of an emergency." The concerned look on her face looked as if she was his lover, not a maid. She deeply cared for Zion and hoped he would be okay.

"Physically, I'm okay, but mentally, well, I think I could use some sleep. Come with me, I don't want to be alone for the night."

"I'll do my best to serve you." She blushed slightly.

"Thanks, you'll be the best pillow ever." Once inside his room, he cleaned himself up, then went to sleep, hugging Lacey as if she were a full-body pillow.

---

It was late into the afternoon and Zion was in the training hall. He had woken up early to start training and he never left since. Replaying his battle against Olzak over and over again only made him feel dread, helpless, and powerless.

Although he felt better from the loving words and reassurance from his patron goddess, his mother, his sister, and his loving maid, he still couldn't shake off the way he felt during the battle, especially after it.

"Arhh! Haaaah! Grahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" With fierce strikes, devastating blows, and the elements surging everywhere, Zion trained not with diligence or passion, but with rage, fear, and desperation.

"FUCKKKKK!" He slammed his fists into the ground, shattering it completely, only for it to build itself back together after a few seconds. Seeing how even the floor was able to overcome its destruction, Zion felt his anger surge and punched it over and over and over again until his anger settled.

"You done?" Hanna asked, leaning on the doorframe

"Leave me alone." He turned away from her, not wanting to engage with his sister.

"Oh no, the 'Chosen One' lost his first real battle, the world's coming to an end." She mocked

Fueled by blind fury, Zion unleashed the full force of his power, hurtling toward his sister with lethal intent. Yet, in a motion as effortless as flicking away a mere insect, Hanna seized him mid-charge, her fingers tightening his throat. She lifted him with ease, holding him in the air as he thrashed in vain, his legs kicking uselessly against the empty air. A cold, detached gaze settled on his struggling form, the fight already decided before it had even begun.

"Don't start that shit with me." With nothing more than a single touch to his chest, Hanna sent Zion hurtling backward, the sheer force of the impact blasting him through the training hall walls and out into the garden. Debris rained down around him as he crashed into the earth, carving a deep trench through the soil. The air crackled with the remnants of her effortless power, while Zion lay stunned, the gap between their strength made painfully clear.

He gasped for air, clutching his chest when he felt a strong force step on him. Hanna looked down at her brother, not with anger or hate, but with love and understanding. She picked him up, healing his slight injuries, and sat him down to talk.

"Look, bro, I know what you're feeling right now, I felt it too, Reina felt it too, and I'm sure everyone in the world has felt it or will eventually feel it. But it's not the end of the world. Don't let this bring you down, I know you're stronger than that.

I don't really like getting all sappy and sentimental so just get it through your thick skull that your feelings of powerlessness will only make you stronger. Don't give up and make us proud." She patted him on the back and then walked away.

'I've gone soft. I fought for years on the battlefield in my past life, tasted death more times than I can count, and lost a bunch of times as well. What makes this life different? Peace time really does make people lose sight of who they really are. Never again.' He stood up and went to his bed.

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.