Caen entered the Garden where his mother was sitting near a beautiful pond.
The pond was filled with crystal clear water, where one could clearly see the two pairs of fishes that were swimming inside the water.
"Mother." The young man sat next to his mother, taking a glance at the pond.
"The answer is no."
Before he could even speak further, his mother answered, keeping her eyes on the four fishes in the pond.
"I didn't even say anything."
"I know what you want to ask. The answer is no. I can't tell you where Janus went. At the same time, I also can't allow you to leave." The woman answered.
Before Caen could respond, the woman further continued, "And the reason Janus didn't investigate what happened isn't because he's involved. It's because he already knows who did it."
"Who did it then? Why isn't that information public? Why isn't the traitor killed in public for breaking the rules and killing a god?!" Caen exclaimed, as his fists tightened.
"Because that person is also a candidate for the throne..." The woman answered, stunning his son even more.
"What?!" Caen exclaimed, standing up in shock. "How is that possible?! I'm the only Candidate for the throne!"
The woman shook her head lightly. She didn't respond. She just kept playing with the four fishes in the pond.
Two of the fishes had a similar symbol on their forehead. While the other two had a unique symbol each. Something appeared out of place about all four fishes, yet even Caen didn't know what it was.
All he knew was that there only used to be two fishes in this pond when he was born, until one day there were two more.
"You can't go silent! You have to tell me! How can there be another candidate?! It's the Throne that my Father sacrificed his life for! Who else can deserve this throne but me?!" Caen exclaimed, frustrated.
The woman finally stopped paying attention to the pond, and gazed at her young son with her beautiful translucent eyes.
"The Throne has always been insignificant to your father and to me. However you... You've lost sight of what's important. How I wish I could've helped you..."
She had tried to help her son multiple times in the past. However, because of her son's suspicious nature and innate arrogance combined with some bad influence, he had long stopped listening to her.
She tried to tell him many times that what he was doing was wrong. He was walking down the wrong path, at the end of which, there was only pain waiting for him. However, he never listened. At times, he even ignored her commands, thinking that she didn't love him.
In the end, she stopped trying. She could only watch her son fall down this spiral, feeling grief everyday.
She turned around and left the hall. However, not before telling her son that he wasn't allowed to leave the Realm of Gods.
The young man watched his mother leave. His face darkened in anger. Even after all this, his mother didn't try to help him.
Even if there was another candidate for the Throne, she should've helped him kill that person. Instead, she didn't even tell him where that person was!
Duan Mu clenched his fist. "As I expected, neither she, nor my dear uncle wants me to get the throne! They always try to create obstacles in my path, just because I am not a puppet like they want!"
"But if they thought that it could stop me, then they're wrong!"
Caen raised his hand. A black portal opened behind him. He passed through the portal, disappearing. His first goal was to find the so-called Candidate that his family was trying to protect!
He couldn't allow that person to live and become a threat to his goals, even if it meant to destroy every lower realm!
The place returned to its silence as soon as Caen disappeared. The four unique fishes kept circling in the pond, creating minor ripples in the water that was akin to the passage of time.
****
"Take the step toward Godhood, or return and give up on everything." The King of Upper Realm told Karyk, as he remained seated on the throne, with a Spatial Passage opened up before him.
"If you don't take this step, the girl outside will be the only person entering. And I have a feeling it won't be good for you if she becomes a True God before you..."
As Aliac finished speaking, the door in the back opened, allowing the Goddess of Light and the others to also enter the room.
All of them were initially surprised to see Karyk sitting so comfortably before the King, especially when they expected the two of them to fight.
The most stunned was none other than the Goddess of Light! The two were meant to kill each other! Why were they sitting before each other so calmly as if they were long lost friends! Just what happened between the two?!
He had a really bad feeling. If the two actually worked together, then it was a disaster for her.
"You wanted to enter the Temple of the Ancestor, right?" Aliac glanced at the Goddess of Light. "That's what you kept asking from me? I'll grant that. You are allowed to enter."
He gestured toward the portal next to him. Initially somewhat hesitant, the Goddess of Light nodded. If it was truly the passage to the Temple of the Ancestors, then this was what she needed! She didn't expect her to be granted permission this time!
Without wasting a single time, she rushed ahead. However, to her surprise, as soon as she moved, Karyk appeared before her.
"You said if I don't take this opportunity, she will? But how will that happen if I kill this traitor right here?" Karyk's calm voice fell in the hall.
The Goddess of Light was stunned. She cast a wall of light before her, and jumped back to get behind the Four Generals.
