Two days passed where Gabriel remained in Elzeria like a guest. He was provided a house where he could spend some time with Ezekiel and confirm with his own eyes that this wasn't a trick.
Because the stakes were too high, the Emperor knew he couldn't send Gabriel on his mission without a solid plan. However, he also saw this as an opportunity to assess Gabriel's true capabilities to make sure that he was actually capable of defeating Karyk.
During the first morning, Ezekiel woke up. Gabriel told him everything that happened and how he was still alive. He also asked Ezekiel if everything that the Emperor told him was the truth or not.
Even Ezekiel was surprised to hear everything that took place in such a short span of time. He hadn't expected that he would ever open his eyes in this life, but because of Gabriel, he was still alive.
He felt touched that Gabriel came this far, despite such risks, all to save him. However, he also didn't forget to scold Gabriel for doing such a stupid thing. If anything had gone wrong, he would've been dead as well after all.
After he finished scolding Gabriel, he checked Gabriel's body and confirmed that this was true. Everything that the Emperor told him was true.
That also made Ezekiel confused. Was the Emperor really going this far to have revenge for his sister? Something That also made Ezekiel confused. Was the Emperor really going this far to have revenge for his sister? Something didn't make sense. Moreover, how was Karyk able to kill an Elzerian?
There were so many things that he never imagined to be possible.
"If Karyk is able to kill an Elzerian, then he's very dangerous for you. Even if you give it your all, there's a chance that you might not return alive. I can't let you do something like this for me."
Even though his life was on the line, Ezekiel didn't agree with Gabriel's desire to face Karyk for the Elzerians.
"I've already prepared myself for my death. How can I put your life on the line to live a few more decades?" he stared. "I forbid you from doing this! You will leave this place and live your life on your own terms!"
Unfortunately, his words fell on deaf ears as Gabriel had already made up his mind. He wasn't willing to let Ezekiel die. He ignored Ezekiel's protests and moved forward with the plan.
For the next few days, Gabriel was given many unique artifacts of the Elzerians that he was allowed to use for his battle against Karyk. He was also taught the ways to use such artifacts.
He was also trained to use such artifacts to perfection. He was also taught a method of immortality, which was the same method taught to Ezekiel. With this, as long as Gabriel didn't run out of life essence, he couldn't be killed.
Gabriel was also made to fight against the Elzerian Guardians as a form of training and assessment. However, all this was just a backup plan.
The main plan of the Elzerians for Gabriel was something else entirely. They had learned of the relationship between Gabriel and Karyk. Or at least they learned what Gabriel told them, which was that he and Karyk were siblings.
He hid the part about Karyk being another part of his soul, or rather, the main part of his soul.
This relationship between the two was what the Emperor wanted to utilize. He wanted to take benefit of the relationship between the two brothers to have Gabriel kill Karyk.
In this way, they could remove that threat without having to go through a single battle.
After two weeks, Gabriel was ready for his departure. The Emperor allowed his sister to go with Gabriel. She was not only to keep an eye on Gabriel, but also help him in battles if a situation like that came. But her main mission was also something else that even Gabriel didn't know.
In addition to the two, there was another person who had decided to come along. Despite Gabriel's initial reluctance, Ezekiel persistently insisted on joining their journey. Although he couldn't rely on his immortality, Ezekiel wanted to accompany them to ensure Gabriel's safety rather than remaining idle.
Since he couldn't stop Gabriel from fulfilling this deal, at least he could put his life on the line to make sure that Gabriel survived.
Although Gabriel refused, but once Ezekiel started saying that he was to kill himself if he wasn't allowed to come, Gabriel had no choice but to take him.
"I hope you will be victorious," the Emperor also arrived in the ruined forest from where the three were supposed to leave. A lot was on the line for him as well. .
He stepped forward, whispering something in Gabriel's ears. Neither Ezekiel nor the woman heard what the Emperor spoke. Gabriel's expressions in response also remained incomprehensible.
Following that, the Emperor stepped back, a calm smile remaining on his lips.
Gabriel turned his back on the Emperor, entering the portal that was opened by the woman. Ezekiel also entered the portal with them.
****
Following the supposed death of Ezekiel, the war of gods was over. Janus and Caen returned to the Realm of Gods, which was recognizable yet completely unfamiliar at the same time.
There used to be a time where this place was filled with life. Yet now, this place was completely lifeless.
Caen looked at the dark palace that was created in the place of his family home. He felt like razing this palace to the ground, but he controlled his urge. He wanted this Palace to be a reminder of the past that he never wanted to forget.
This palace was the reminder of all his mistakes that led them to this end.
Caen entered the Palace, where only his footsteps could be heard in absolute silence.
While Caen went to the throne room, mocking his foolish obsession of the past, Janus went to a different place.
Janus entered the room where the unknown pond was kept secure, as if wanting to confirm something. However, as he entered, he felt a freezing cold in the room.
The pond, which had been there for as long as he could remember, was now completely frozen over. Not a single fish could be spotted beneath the icy surface. Strangely enough, there was only one cryptic sentence visibly etched into the frozen pond.
"From three deaths, shall come one life."
