God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.-Chapter 840: The Purpose of Conflict.

Stepping through the narrow rift in space created by the {Spatial Gate}, Cain and Ignis emerged into the dim, dust-choked room, the air shimmering faintly where the tear sealed behind him.

'Having so many anchors around can only be a good thing.'

Although it had taken him some time to set up so many, it had been worth it. Ferrying between so many places separated by large distances was extremely convenient.

It was also something he had complete monopoly over.

Before he could get his bearings, a cacophony of noises suddenly assaulted his ears.

Shouting voices, the crackle of distant fire, and something that sounded disturbingly like glass shattering against concrete.

His brow furrowed, jaw tightening as he looked through the broken window,

"What the hell is going on out there?"

The {Spatial Gate} had brought them to an empty room in one of the residential buildings meant for the members of the Golden Asura.

Ignis turned sharply, her eyes narrowing,

"That doesn't sound like anything good."

He didn't need to make use of {Beholder's Eye} to see what was going on.

There was a riot occuring just in front of the building.

Ignis looked down, a dark expression on her face,

"There's hundreds down there. And I think I know why."

Cain smiled grimly,

"Well, that makes two of us then."

He also knew why these people were gathered down there.

The loud chants and guttural, fervor-rich cries spoke to only one thing.

"Get the monsters out!"

"Burn the beasts!"

"Valestorm belongs to humans!"

"Kill the abominations! Kill the Demons!"

Cain sucked in a deep breath.

Then he turned around,

"Let's go."

He quickly reached out with his mind,

'Hunter, can you hear me?'

'Loud and clear.' Hunter's voice came a moment later.

'That's good. Then...'

His expression was dark. Very dark.

'Give me all the details I need to know.'

There was a slight pause. Then Hunter answered,

'Someone started a riot not too long ago, calling for all the beastmen, to be kicked out of Valestorm.'

'Who?' Cain asked coldly.

'I don't know. And from what I can tell, it is happening all over Valestorm. Some Beastmen caught on the streets at this time suffered attacks. Most were injured, but there have been a few deaths.'

Cain let out a tired sigh.

Ignis glanced at him, a furious expression on her face,

"I'll kill those bastards!"

"Stay calm. We need a better understanding of things before we do anything rash."

He reached out with his mind again,

'Do you have an idea of where everyone is?'

'Leah, Kai and the rest are taking the Second Trial. Sue, Li and Stan as well. I believe even Vince and Steve are gone as well. Quite frankly, I believe I am the only one that is yet to take the trial.'

'In other words, we are alone on this one. Damn it!'

Hunter paused for a moment,

'I also planned on taking the trial with Dan a few moments ago, but it seems we will have to place it on hold.'

Cain quickly dismissed it,

'No. Go take the trial. Getting to the second tier is far more important.'

'Are you sure?'

Cain affirmed, 'I am. We'll handle it. We have more than enough numbers here. In fact, the fewer of us present here, the better.'

Hunter felt a chill run up his spine. Something felt different.

'What do you plan on doing?'

Cain paused for a moment. Staring down at the crazed streets filled with burning torches, he couldn't help but feel a cold flame burning in his chest.

He could also see the beastmen as well as other members of the Golden Asura barricades into the building, trying their best to keep the rioters away and preventing them from doing as much harm and damage as possible.

'I'll get to the bottom of this. Whatever, whoever started this will have to answer to me.'

***

Gilead stared down at the small, false city, his heart heavy.

Time had passed quickly, and Valestorm had quickly become one of the last bastions of humanity in the entire City.

The population was on a steady decline, but that wasn't the worst part.

Very soon, perhaps sooner than most expected, they would be facing a threat that could very well wipe them all out.

Staring at the thin amber line far into the distance, Gilead wondered just how fragile it was.

It was the last shield that strange god had given them..

For what it was worth, although Balangol had been a plethora of things, he had still provided so many humans with safety.

An illusion of safety, but it had existed for a time.

Gilead sighed,

"The fate of lesser beings. To be played with, toyed, manipulated, killed, all at the whips of those greater. Is that it?"

He turned around.

Standing in the shadows was Abigail. To her left was the Sky Ward, and to her right was the Earth Ward, their bodies partially hidden in the darkness.

Abigail slowly walked forward. Before she could say anything, Gilead spoke up,

"Cain should be arriving anytime soon."

Abigail pursed her lips then nodded,

"With all that's currently going on, that might indeed be his first course of action."

Gilead nodded then asked,

"So, who's behind this?"

Abigail answered immediately,

"Carrion."

Gilead clicked his tongue,

"I figured this would happen eventually."

Folding his arms behind him, he turned around.

With his sight, he could see most of Valestorm without even trying.

It was as though the City had descended into madness.

"We have to find a way to calm Cain down. An all out conflict would be terrible for any side right now. I can't have that happen."

"It's too late for that, Gilead."

Gilead sighed. He watched as Cain climbed the stairs leading to the temple, a calm, yet terrifying looking in his eyes.

Abigail took a step forward,

"Seeing reason is the best course of action right now."

Cain didn't even glance at her as he uttered coldly,

"All that bullshit has now been thrown out the window. However, worry not. I will not cause much problems. I am not that unreasonable. But I will have my pound of flesh. I come here, both as a warning not to interfere, and as a courtesy. We are done here."

With that, he turned around and began walking away.

Ignis stood there, glaring up at Gilead and the three Wards of Heart, Sky and Earth,

Eventually, she sighed and turned away,

"You allowing this to happen is why it has come to this."

With that, she walked away as well.

Silence...

The wind was cold and the shimmer of the moon was dimmed for some reason.

Gilead looked down at his hands. Then he turned to Abigail,

"You know, I have been feeling guilty all this time."

Abigail sighed as she walked forward and placed a hand on his shoulder,

"What, for killing Wulf? For siding with the enemies?"

Gilead remained silent.

Abigail smiled,

"I think you did the right thing."

She pursed her lips,

"You know I know a lot. And I have seen a lot more than most people have. My life up until now has been a hazy blur, with not much making sense. And yet, maybe it was fate. Maybe it was destiny."

She looked up, her beautiful eyes burning like a hearth,

"You made the best choice you could, Gilead. Even if they seemed wrong at the time."

"In that case, what do you suggest I do now?" Gilead asked calmly as he looked away.

Abigail smiled as she glanced at the two behind her,

"For starters, I say we do something we should have done a while ago. Both of you, lead as many as you need. Stop the riots, get the wounded to safety for treatment and apprehend offenders."

Her eyes narrowed,

"And if there are some that resist to violen, you may use deadly force."

The doors of the temple slowly opened up to reveal, within the array of warriors armed with cold weapons and magic firepower.

Abigail turned back to Gilead, a smile on her lips,

"What do you think?"

Gilead sucked in a deep breath.

The moon dimmed even more.

A flash of golden light pulsed through his eyes.

He rested his hand on the hilt of the blade hanging on his hip.

"And so it begins, huh..."

Then he began walking down the stairs.

***

Ignis nodded with a frown,

"I see... Trying to quell the riots ourselves would be impossible, but the Pilgrims can do it easily."

Cain nodded coldly,

"That bastard Gilead should be useful for one thing at least."

A cold rage bubbled within him.

"Now, we can pull this rot from the source."

Ignis couldn't help but ask,

"With just the two of us?"

Cain shook his head,

"We have back up."

The wind picked up.

"I rushed over once I heard the news."

Jenny looked as beautiful as ever. Flipping her long hair caused her heavy bosom to giggle with unimaginable fluidity that would have gotten his blood pumping at any other time.

Seeing Cain's dark expression, Jenny frowned,

"It's serious this time, isn't it?"

"It sure is." A voice came from a nearby alley as Roselle walked out, already completed decked out in battle gear, killing intent radiating from her with every step she took.

"Those bastards think they can just kill us and get away with it." She growled through gritted teeth.

"Calm down, Rose... I cannot imagine how you must be feeling now. But we have to be cautious."

Cain turned around,

"You got here quick." He said. The cold look on his face died a bit.

Susan smiled,

"How could I not?"

Then she turned to Roselle,

"From the looks of it, it sounds like this was a coordinated attack to stor up a storm."

Jenny frowned, her hand on her chin,

"But why?" freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Cain answered grimly,

"Discord, then control."

Jenny glanced at him, a surprised look on her face,

"What? What do you mean, Cain?"

Cain shook his head,

"You'll get it soon enough. Luckily, I have an idea of who's causing all this. Come, let's go."