NOVPUB
Chapter 358: 358
Björn’s grip tightened around the gauntlet as he wrestled with his thoughts. The clarity granted by the pure faith energy from the priest’s fulfillment in battle had been a reprieve—a temporary balm against the corrosive chaos threatening his mind. But he knew better than to rely on fleeting moments of stability. The gauntlet biting into his flesh was a constant reminder that his sanity hung by a thread, and he could not afford complacency.
The temptation to seize an Origin God’s altar had been a fleeting but potent idea. Such a relic could serve as a filter, refining the faith energy pouring into him and anchoring his divinity. Yet the memory of Mahu, the Origin Goddess of the Moon and Motherhood, squashed that notion as quickly as it arose.
Mahu had not been a goddess of war, yet she had subdued him effortlessly, reducing him to a state of submission so profound it still sent shivers down his spine. He remembered the overwhelming pressure of her presence, her divinity wrapping around him like an iron shroud disguised in velvet. It had been less of a battle and more of a reckoning—a stark reminder of the chasm between him and the ancient gods.
Björn shuddered at the memory. What would she have done if she hadn’t needed him back then? The thought of remaining in that childlike state of pleading for her grace was enough to crush any notion of challenging the Origin Gods. Their power was not something he could yet face, even with his growing divinity.
He tapped the skull throne he sat on, the red hue of blood in his realm churning. His mind churned for solutions. He couldn’t keep relying on temporary fixes, and he couldn’t afford to confront Murmur head-on just yet. What he needed was a way to stabilize himself—an anchor to his original essence.
The answer lay in the priest’s actions. Pure faith energy had come not from blind worship but from alignment with his divinity: warfare and insanity. The priest’s fulfillment in battle had created something untainted, directly tied to the essence of Björn’s being. This was the kind of faith energy he needed—a natural byproduct of his people living true to his path.
But how could he reclaim that path when Yuki’s influence was pulling them in a different direction? The capital was divided, his people’s belief splintered between Finn’s loyalty to the old ways and Olaf’s embrace of Yuki’s vision. The division was both a curse and an opportunity.
If he could reignite the flame of his original path among his people, it would stabilize his divinity and give him the power to resist Murmur’s machinations. He needed to act decisively, rallying those who remained loyal while also subtly undermining Yuki’s influence. The gauntlet’s pain spiked as he clenched his fist, a sharp reminder that time was not on his side.
Björn’s plan began to form. He would seek out those who embodied his essence—not just Finn but others who thrived in chaos and battle. He would create opportunities for them to display their strength, to rekindle the primal pride of his people. And he would watch the faith energy carefully, ensuring it aligned with his divinity.
Even with this in mind, Björn knew he had to be subtle else Yuki and Murmur will catch on what he plans on doing. Finn was a great person to start with but Björn knew that once he contacts Finn on his plan.
It will be exposed not because of disloyalty but quite the opposite, Finn’s glee for his lord speaking to him will expose Björns hands. Björn instead set his eyes on the right hand man of Finn, who was quite the unique individual. Björn was about to make a move yet introduced to this world yet, it has been partially done but not in the right way.
The idea of selecting a true priest, a champion to act as his voice and presence in the mortal world, had been brewing for some time. His religion had grown rapidly, but it was hollow—a structure without a soul. The priests currently leading it were disconnected from him, their prayers merely echoes of ritual rather than genuine connection. They needed to feel the true embrace of their god.
Björn’s mind lingered on Finn’s right-hand man—the werelion who had caught his attention during the battle at the seaport. This individual was more than a warrior; he was a beacon of faith, his prayers resonating with Björn’s divinity in a way that few others had managed. That resonance had been powerful enough to send a ripple of pure faith energy through Björn, even amidst the chaos of an unfinished battle. If there was anyone who could embody Björn’s path, it was him.
The werelion’s constant state of pride in his form spoke volumes. He was unapologetically himself, a creature of chaos and strength who embraced his nature fully. This was the kind of example Björn wanted his people to follow—not the diluted teachings Yuki was spreading but the raw, primal essence of his path. Björn had no doubts about the werelion’s loyalty or capability. The question was how to approach him without tipping his hand too soon.
Björn leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand as he remembered the moments when demons of higher rank had "embraced" their followers. He understood the intoxicating power of that embrace—an overwhelming connection that filled the soul with both power and dependency. As a demon, he had seen its effects firsthand, and while he had never performed such an act as a god, he felt confident it would be similar.
The werelion would not only become his champion but also serve as a living example of this embrace. Björn would pour his divine essence into the man, granting him power and purpose beyond anything his people had ever seen. They would witness what it truly meant to be touched by their god. It would create a ripple effect, reigniting the faith of those who had started to stray and silencing the whispers of doubt that Yuki and Murmur had planted.
Through the priest, Björn will make sure his people get a taste of this embrace so that they would seek it, only not to find it but instead watch those who fall under the true teaching enjoy this grace, that maybe be the fire they need to be lit under them.
But at the same time, Björn wasn’t satisfied. He knew he was once part of Murmur consciousness but now he was a god something Murmur couldn’t achieve, yet here he was being toyed by Murmur and used as a pawn.
Björn wants to pay him back, he wants to let him know he no longer was just a small consciousness. He is a god sitting in a skull throne side by side with origin gods.
Björn looked down on the mortal world where he set his eyes on Yuki, the woman was great and Björn would have tolerated and appreciated what she was doing if not for Murmur in the background.
Even with Björns plan, he knew how bad it will divide his kingdom if it succeds as the woman control half of his people army. The silver kingdom will never let go of an opportunity like this if they notice infightning among his people so Björn has to come with a way to get Yuki on his side and at the same time make Murmur pay.
Björn leaned back on his skull throne, the weight of his dual desires—restoring his kingdom and exacting vengeance—pressing heavily on his mind. The path forward was treacherous, littered with potential missteps. Yuki’s influence over his army was undeniable, a testament to her charisma and cunning. But she was not irredeemable. Björn could sense that her loyalty to Murmur was not absolute. Yuki also sought to carve her own path, separate from being merely a tool of her father. n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
To draw Yuki away from Murmur’s grasp and into his fold, Björn knew he would need to appeal to her ambitions. He couldn’t approach her as a rival or an adversary; that would only deepen the divide. Instead, he would offer her something Murmur never could: freedom from manipulation and a place of prominence in his divine order. He would give her a reason to see him not as a foe but as a force she could align with, one that would value her strength and vision.
Björn turned his attention back to the werelion, It seems this new champion will play a heavy roll in getting Yuki to his side. Now all that is left is the perfect opportunity to hand the position over to the werelion.
Björn needed to test the werelion’s resolve. A direct approach might draw unwanted attention, so he would orchestrate a challenge—a battle that would push the werelion to his limits and draw out his full potential. Only then would Björn reveal himself and offer his embrace.
Björn suddenly took a sniff at the air in his realm, he felt the calling of an upcoming war from one of his worshipers. This person was not a devout worshiper but they still pray to him.
