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The Demon Realm sky was covered with heavy, swirling clouds as Chirag stood at the cliff's edge, the crystal scroll in his hands. Inside it lay the names of ancient beings—forgotten gods, cast out by their own kind. They were exiled for thinking differently, for loving mortals, or for refusing to follow the Council's rules.
Now, Chirag was seeking them out. Not to beg, not to bow, but to ask for a chance—for truth, for alliance, for power that could match the gods.
Siya walked up beside him, her hand slipping into his without a word. She didn't need to ask where they were going next. She already knew.
"The first name on the list," Chirag said, "is Yurek, the God of Silence. They say he once tried to bring peace between demons and gods. The Council banished him to the Cursed Forest."
Siya frowned. "The Cursed Forest is haunted. Even demons avoid it. The trees scream at night. The ground shifts. No one who enters ever comes out the same."
Chirag looked at her and gave a small smile. "Then I guess we'll come out different."
She rolled her eyes. "You always say things like that when danger's close."
He shrugged. "Danger follows me. You still chose to stay."
"I didn't stay," Siya said softly, touching her heart. "I chose you."
And that was enough.
The journey to the Cursed Forest took them across the ruined borderlands, past broken mountains and dying rivers. With each step, the world felt colder—not because of the wind, but because of something else. Something watching.
Even the shadows moved differently.
Kuro joined them halfway through the journey. Despite being young, he had proven himself in battle, and his loyalty to Chirag was unshakable.
"You'll need someone to watch your back while you talk to creepy old gods," he said, sword on his back.
They reached the forest after two days of travel. The trees were massive, with black bark and crimson leaves. No birds sang. No wind blew. It was silent—unnaturally so.
As they stepped between the trees, the silence deepened. Not even their footsteps made a sound. The deeper they went, the more time felt like it slowed down.
Then, without warning, Siya gasped and grabbed Chirag's arm.
The trees were moving. Twisting slowly. Watching.
Suddenly, a voice echoed inside their minds.
"Who walks the forest where silence reigns?"
Chirag stepped forward. "I am Chirag. Born human. Raised by demons. Touched by immortal fire. I seek Yurek."
No reply.
Then, the trees parted slowly to reveal a clearing bathed in pale blue light. In the center stood a man—tall, thin, with skin like silver stone and eyes like frozen stars. His robes looked like they were woven from mist.
He said nothing. Just watched.
Chirag stepped into the clearing. Siya and Kuro followed close behind.
"I need your help," Chirag said, voice steady. "The gods fear a prophecy. One that says someone like me will rise and challenge them. They've already sent beasts to attack. They will come again. I want to stop them before more blood is spilled."
Yurek still said nothing.
Chirag continued. "You once stood for peace. The scroll said you tried to stop the war between realms. I want the same. But I know peace is no longer given—it has to be fought for."
Yurek blinked slowly.
Then finally, he spoke—not with his mouth, but inside their minds again.
"Peace is not silence. Peace is the sound of hearts choosing not to break each other."
Chirag nodded. "Then help me protect what I love."
For a long time, Yurek didn't move.
Then he raised a hand. Blue flames danced in his palm. Cold and calm. He reached forward and touched Chirag's chest.
A sudden rush of energy flooded through him—quiet, but strong. Like still water that could drown a mountain. Chirag fell to his knees, gasping as visions filled his head—memories not his own.
He saw gods arguing, the Council breaking, wars that shook stars. He saw Yurek kneeling before a goddess, begging for mercy. He saw Yurek being cast down, stripped of his voice, cursed to live in silence forever.
And then… he saw something else.
A throne. Empty. Waiting.
When the vision ended, Chirag looked up, heart pounding.
"What was that?"
"The truth," Yurek said. "You are not here to stop a war. You are here to become more than they ever allowed."
He stepped back, and the flames in his hand floated into Chirag's chest, merging with his own.
"Go. Find the others. But know this—every power you gain will take something from you."
Chirag stood, feeling stronger. But heavier.
He turned to Siya. "Are you ready for more of this?"
She touched his face. "I was born ready."
And so, they left the Cursed Forest.
Behind them, Yurek vanished into mist once more.
Ahead of them, the names on the scroll still burned with light.
Five more forgotten gods remained.
The journey to awaken them had begun.
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