God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Chapter 803 - 803: Break the Dome, Seal Our Fates (1).

The temple of Balangol has grown cold.

It had always been dark, but at least there had been some warmth. However, with Balangol's departure, the aura of divinity had gone with him and the celestial presence disappeared too.

In other words, the temple was empty, discarded, and destitute.

However, there were still Pilgrims going in and out of the temple every moment of the day.

The doors of the temple were opened at all hours, with Pilgrim's of various ranks in various states of disrepair ferrying through.

Looking at the terrible state of the Pilgrims, Abigail had a calm expression on her face.

Regardless of how they looked, they didn't have masks on. Their demeanors were tough regardless of the obvious hardships they were going through.

Standing on the stairs leading into the Temple, her eyes scanned the influx of Pilgrims

"Goodness.

Hiss eyes had changed. The white sclera had turned black and his irises had turned a deep electric gold, like the color of saffron.

It was rather eerie.

His strange breathing stopped.

The runes around him and on his body slowly disappeared until the ones jumping around were completely gone and those on his skin were left as still patterns.

He closed his eyes again.

When he opened them again, they had become normal.

He glanced at Abigail,

"What is it?"

The two behind her caught his attention,

"You two are here as well..."

Edward walked forward and gave a curt bow,

"Congratulations on reaching the Second Tier."

Gilead nodded,

"It's nothing special. Very soon, you all should be doing the same."

He calmly retrieved a few clothes from his inventory and began putting them on.

Abigail cleared her throat,

"We are waiting on the others. They should be getting here—"

Gilead cut her off,

"Where's Cain?"

Abigail raised a brow,

"That eager to see him?"

Gilead nodded with a frown,

"I am. Has he ascended as well?"

Abigail nodded.

Gilead sighed. He went silent for a few seconds,

"If he has come back, he should be heading here soon. Delay any gathering until then."

Abigail frowned, "Are you sure?"

Gilead nodded,

"He is an important asset to us right now. No— the most important asset we have right now. Depending on how a meeting goes, we might be seeing significant changes soon. Changes that might lead us to salvation..."

"...Or our deaths."

Abigail fell silent.

Then her eyes widened,

"Well, I guess we are in luck."

Gilead's eyes narrowed,

"What is it?"

Abigail smiled,

"Rain and Seisha have arrived."

Gilead nodded, "I'm glad they aren't dead, but I don't see how that—"

Abigail cleared her throat.

Gilead's words clogged in his throat.

"Cain and his entourage have also arrived. I'm guessing they are here to pay us a visit."

***

Cain stared Gilead down with a contemplative expression.

Gilead did the same.

Or rather, he scanned his entire entourage.

He wasn't sure whether to be displeased or relieved. Besides Cain he counted two more Second Tiers. At least from what he could see.

"Congratulations on your ascension." Gilead said after a moment of awkward silence.

Everyone in the room shifted awkwardly.

Abigail chuckled uncomfortably and turned to Cain,

"How was the trial? Was it incredibly dangerous?"

Cain thought about it,

"I'd say it wasn't too bad. All we had to do was survive battles with creatures from the realm of gods, survive in the stomach of a world-devouring entity, live through a horror-filled fog that drove one into madness, And last but not the least, defeat a creature born of Eternity itself."

Gilead's face turned ugly,

"That was nothing like what I faced. I'd love to say I had it harder than you, but that sounds like a nightmare."

Cain raised a brow,

"How was you trial like?"

Gilead's brows furrowed,

"I had to singlehandedly defend a city wall from invading Abyssal creatures and beasts. Then I had to put a stop to an internal revolution and a civil war. Stressful, yes. Impossible, I don't think so."

Cain placed his index finger on his chin,

"I see. They are a bit different. Could it be because of the number of people participating in the trials?"

Gilead shook his head,

"It could be but I doubt it."

If that was the case, then any information they gave to others that were about to take the trials would be rather useless.

Cain suddenly realized why Azazel had been unable to provide him any useful information.

Cain shrugged.

Then he crossed his arms,

"Well that is all in the past. Let's focus on now, shall we?"

Gilead nodded,

"Indeed. In that case, why don't we talk on the most pressing issue now? I'm sure you know what I have in mind, don't you?"

Cain nodded with a grin,

"Indeed I do. Let's break this bubble. What do you think?"