The Last Bargain

Chapter XLV: The God's True Plan

The rumble that echoed across the battlefield seemed to grow louder with each passing moment. The dark clouds that had gathered on the horizon were now swirling ominously, casting long shadows over the land. Shin, Zento, and Raito stood side by side, their eyes fixed on the source of the sound, tension building in their muscles as they prepared for whatever came next.

Shin clenched his fists, his gaze hardening as he watched the clouds shift and twist, as if the sky itself were alive, conspiring against them. "I don't think we have much time," he muttered under his breath.

Raito, still recovering from his ordeal with Yomi, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied the ominous display. "The gods," he said quietly. "They're making their move. We're running out of time to understand their plan before they act."

Zento folded his arms, his expression serious. "It feels like they're watching us... waiting for something. Why haven't they erased us yet, like they did with the other clans?"

Shin nodded, his mind racing. "Maybe they're testing us, watching how we deal with their trials. But whatever it is, we need to find out. We can't afford to be reactive anymore."

Raito's gaze flickered with thought, his mind no doubt piecing together what he knew about the gods. "They've always been distant," he said, more to himself than to the others. "Even when they first gave humanity abilities, it was done without much explanation. They left us to figure it out on our own. And now... now they're taking it all back."

"Maybe they didn't expect us to evolve as we did," Zento suggested, his brow furrowed. "Maybe they didn't anticipate the strength of the clans or how abilities would shape the world."

Shin's eyes darkened. "Or maybe they realized that giving us abilities made us a threat to their control."

Raito's gaze snapped toward Shin, his expression sharp. "Exactly. We were given power, and now we're challenging their authority without even realizing it. The abilities weren't meant to make us equals—they were a way for them to manipulate us. But instead, we've grown stronger."

Zento nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place. "And now the gods are trying to undo that. They see us as a threat."

Shin felt a chill run down his spine. "Which means they'll stop at nothing to erase us completely," he said grimly. "We've already seen it happen with the other clans. They won't hesitate to do the same to us."

Raito took a deep breath, his fists clenching at his sides. "We need answers. We need to know why they're doing this, and how to stop them. If we don't act soon, they'll erase everything."

Zento's eyes flashed with determination. "Then we need to go where the gods' influence is strongest," he said. "We need to find them before they make their next move."

Shin frowned, his mind racing as he tried to think of where the gods' presence would be most concentrated. "Shinsenchou," he said after a moment. "The town where abilities are said to have originated. That's where we need to go. If we can find anything about their plan, it'll be there."

Raito nodded, his expression firm. "Shinsenchou has always been a place of reverence, a connection between humanity and the gods. If there's anywhere they'd leave clues, it's there."

Shin's pulse quickened as the weight of their decision settled over him. Shinsenchou was far, and it wasn't just a town anymore—it was a hub of powerful clans and secrets. But if the gods had left any trace of their motives, that would be the place to uncover them.

Zento grinned, though the tension in his body was unmistakable. "Sounds like we're heading into the storm," he said, his voice filled with determination. "But that's never stopped us before."