The Young Gods took a solemn oath, binding themselves to secrecy with the power of the heavenly laws. With their minds made up and their determination renewed, they set out on a mission to find the other fragments of the Heart of Eternity.
Since the first Heart of Eternity was found in this world, they felt that it was highly likely that other fragments could be there as well. They wanted to find it before Caen could heal himself and join them. They also couldn't stay away for too long without raising suspicions.
Over the following days, they embarked on a journey through the Desolate Land and beyond, using their divine senses to locate potential traces of other fragments. It was a challenging task, for the fragments were scattered across various realms and dimensions, hidden deep within forgotten temples, ancient ruins, and celestial spaces unknown to most.
As they ventured further into the unknown, their bond as a group grew stronger. They were previously together because of Caen.
It was because they wanted to stay close to Caen to use his influence, that's why all of them stuck together. But now that they all shared a secret, they had the same goal, slowly getting closer.
Together, they searched numerous places in the Desolate World which was akin to a relic of the forgotten past.
****
It had been days since the young gods left. However, there was still no sign of their return.
Through the days, Caen was left all alone, sitting with the support of a wall. He couldn't even move his hands to pick a nearby fruit to eat, let alone stand.
At regular intervals, the pain within his body was rising like a wave in the ocean. All his attempts to heal didn't work, but not all was bad for him.
Throughout the days, he had noticed that his wounds were slowly healing, albeit at a pace that was nowhere close to what a god should've had.
Caen knew he couldn't rely on his godly abilities in this weakened state. It was a unique experience for him, realizing that even divine beings could face vulnerability. As he sat there, he began to contemplate what had brought him to this state of helplessness.
It all started with an encounter with a man who came out of nowhere. A man who wasn't supposed to belong to a Lower World. A being whose face was impossible to be seen, as if his entire body was being shrouded by a mysterious haze.
In their fierce battle, Caen's powers were drained rapidly, and he sustained grave injuries. It was a humiliation he never faced before, but it also made him think a lot about his own existence.
He was the heir of the throne! He was the son of Chaos, the strongest being to walk this universe, yet he was defeated by a nobody.
Now, stranded in this remote and desolate land, Caen had no way of knowing how far he was from civilization. He wasn't even sure if any civilization existed in this mortal world since the young gods hadn't returned from their search.
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, with only the cycle of day and night to mark its passing. He had tried talking to himself, but his voice barely rose above a whisper. It was as if the land itself conspired to keep him isolated and alone.
Despite his pain and weakness, Caen refused to succumb to despair. He had faced formidable challenges in the past and always emerged triumphant. He could be defeated but never broken.
This time wouldn't be any different; he was certain of that. But he needed to be patient and allow his body to heal at its own pace, even if it seemed agonizingly slow.
During his time of solitude, Caen turned inward, seeking solace in his memories and experiences. He recalled so many memories, mostly related to his childhood where he wasn't so distant from his mother.
He recalled the training he had received from his Uncle, but he also recalled how he was always looked down on and controlled by them. So many things had happened in his life, and he felt that he was lost.
As days turned into weeks, Caen noticed subtle changes in his abilities. His hands could now twitch slightly, and he could sense a faint glimmer of his divine aura returning. It was a hopeful sign, and he intensified his focus on healing himself through meditation and willpower.
....
In one of his meditative states, Caen experienced a vivid vision—a reflection of his true self standing tall and proud, surrounded by a brilliant light. It was a reminder of the god he once was and the god he would be again. This vision fueled his determination, and he made a promise to himself that he would rise stronger from this ordeal.
In his solitude, Caen also developed a deeper appreciation for the worldly aura around him. He observed the wonders of his surroundings and the beauty of the starlit sky.
Even he could feel that this world wasn't as simple as it looked. Something felt really different about this place... It was not what a Lower World was supposed to have. This feeling was getting stronger as he healed more.
Caen didn't pay too much attention to it, since there was nothing he could do in his weakened state. He only focused on his slow healing. With each passing day, his speed of healing increased, as Ryder's aura wore off from within his body for some reason.
Four more days passed in the blink of an eye and the Young Gods still hadn't returned.
One fateful evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Caen felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins. The pain, which had been a constant companion, began to subside. It was as if his body had finally gotten rid of the poison within his body.
With newfound strength, Caen rose to his feet, feeling the ground beneath him with every step.
