The Evil God's Scheme

The inside of the flesh egg was not the embryonic form of a god at all, but a mass of basic particles constantly restructuring themselves, perfecting their form of existence by devouring life.

Only in the instant before he was consumed did the scepter priest understand. The embryo was not a "god about to be born," but a rule that had already awakened. It did not grow through faith, but expanded by "devouring possibilities." It created Ghost Brides not to serve it, but to gather living samples—to analyze, absorb, and assimilate them.

What it sought to cultivate was a world without boundaries—one where there was no "you" or "me," no "life" or "death," no "believers" or "gods."

There would be only it, flowing eternally, existing eternally.

Even more terrifyingly, the scepter priest had understood too late. He felt his consciousness being parsed, copied, and then scattered into the minds of those mummies.

Raven Ian watched the scene silently. He saw the priest's white robe gradually turn gold, while a slit opened at the center of his forehead, revealing the suggestion of a third eye.

When the transformation was complete, the former high priest had become one of the mummies, mechanically joining their chanting. New Ghost Brides continued delivering sacrifices. Ian noticed that the classifications on their labels were becoming increasingly detailed: "Proficient in Hermes's secret arts," "Masters seven systems of prophecy," "Can control the tides of the Nile."

The embryo was not satisfied with ordinary vitality. It had begun selectively devouring specific knowledge and techniques. It intended to gather the strengths of all living beings and complete its own omnipotence.

Ian sensed a terrifying horror within the absurdity. The ritual was still continuing. He did not see the black-robed woman he had encountered before, nor did he find her corpse.