The Forsaken Land of the Gods, the Sen'er Federation.
The federation's councilors summed up three characteristics of the god who had just answered their prayers: 1. The authorities in his honorific name seemed to rank above even those of a true god. 2. He was not the "Demon Monarch." 3. He had a bad temper.
In truth, no god had a good temper. But according to the priest Zed's report, this one not only spoke harshly but also indulged in biting sarcasm.
Most gods-even evil ones-at least put on an act to create an air of holiness.
This god, however, did not seem willing to pretend. Still, considering that his honorific name included "source of curses," perhaps he simply enjoyed hurling abuse.
The speaker, Dohaden Hawk, did not immediately discuss how to fulfill this god's demands. Instead, he asked the ugliest councilor present, "Has 'The Lord that Created Everything' still given no response?"
"No." The councilor's body was covered in tumors and festering sores. Besides being a councilor, he was also a priest of the "True Creator." Unfortunately, the "True Creator" had not answered the Sen'er Federation's prayers for decades.
Dohaden asked another councilor, "And the other gods still haven't responded either?"
That councilor was the temple's high priest. The temple primarily enshrined the "True Creator," but along one side stood a row of smaller shrines housing the gods-or rather, evil gods-that the federation's cities had worshipped in the past.
Only after the "True Creator" continued to withhold a response had they begun praying to those gods.
The federation desperately needed a god's protection.
After receiving confirmation, Dohaden finally asked the priest Zed, "Do you have any enemies?"
"Yes." Zed seemed to realize something and gave two names.
Dohaden continued, "I need you to take a risk. When you offer