With plenty of time before the academy's opening ceremony, Velgrim (Zariel in Velgrim's body) and Lyra found a nearby inn to rest and recover from their journey. The cozy inn was a welcome sight, promising a warm meal and a chance to finally wash away the dust and grime of the road. After settling into their room, Velgrim wasted no time heading to the bathhouse, craving the relief of hot water.
As he sank into the steaming bath, Velgrim closed his eyes, letting himself relax for the first time in days. The warmth seeped into his muscles, and he exhaled a deep sigh of contentment. "This," he murmured to himself, "this is true life." In that moment, he felt alive in a way he hadn't for what seemed like eons. Since the day he was reincarnated, there had been little time for peace-only the constant vigilance of hiding his true identity. But now, for the first time, he allowed himself a moment to simply be.
His mind began to wander as he leaned back, recalling the power he once held in his previous life as Zariel Ravenshadow, once among the most powerful beings in existence. "Tomorrow is the opening ceremony," he thought aloud, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "The academy is said to be ruled by an archmage-one of the strongest in the land." He could almost feel his heartbeat quicken with anticipation. It had been centuries since he had faced someone who might rival his strength, even in the slightest.
Back in his prime, Zariel had been unmatched. He remembered the thrill of battle, the feel of raw power coursing through him. A small smirk played on his lips as he murmured, "No one was stronger than I, not even the gods themselves." But he quickly tempered his thoughts, reminding himself of the danger. If he were to unleash his true powers now, the Twelve Divine Gods-those who had sealed him away in his former life-might sense his presence.
The realization sent a surge of urgency through him. "I must keep my power hidden," he reminded himself. "The Twelve must not know that Zariel Ravenshadow has returned." He thought of the gods, those hypocritical beings who held themselves above mortals yet acted out of fear and self-interest. They had sealed him away because they feared what he represented, feared the truth he had discovered about them. Velgrim clenched his fist beneath the water, his expression hardening.
"This time, I will surpass even my old self," he vowed quietly, as if the bathhouse itself held witness to his oath. "One day, people will see the true nature of the gods and know what they have done. They will understand the truth I sought, and I will not fail." His mind surged with plans, goals stretching far beyond this academy, beyond even this mortal life he now led. He would rebuild his power, piece by piece, until he was ready to face the gods again. And this time, he would ensure that his victory was absolute.
The water began to cool, signaling that he had been lost in his thoughts for quite some time. But he felt renewed, not just physically, but in spirit. With his ambitions clear in his mind, he rose from the bath, wrapping himself in a towel and stepping out with a newfound sense of purpose. This journey to the academy was merely the beginning, a stepping stone on the path to reclaiming his strength.
Tomorrow, the academy would welcome him, unaware of the storm it was letting into its halls. Velgrim smiled faintly, the glint of his old self visible in his eyes. It was time to put his plans in motion, one step at a time, hiding his presence until the moment was right. And when that time came, he would show the gods and everyone else what true power really was.
YOU ARE READING
Twilights of the Gods
Fantasy"Centuries ago, the battle mage who dared to challenge the gods was sealed away in eternal darkness, his name erased from history. But prophecies whispered of his return, and now, after ages of imprisonment, he has been reborn in a world dominated b...
