Bidis City, in the Forsaken Land of the Gods.
Nelas, the Saint who had wielded the Book of Wisdom in the recent war, bowed slightly as he reported the course of the battle to the City Lord.
Dressed in classical leather clothing, the City Lord sat on his throne and listened quietly.
At the end of his report, tears streamed down Nelas's face. "I have sinned. More than five hundred people died in the war because of me. I am willing to take my own life to atone."
For a city in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, losing more than five hundred young and able-bodied adults at once was nothing short of a disaster.
The city needed to maintain a fixed ratio of elderly people, able-bodied adults, and children. With so many adults suddenly gone, the children would need time to grow up. Moreover, the total population was only so large. It would take a considerable time to replenish their losses.
During that period, any major disaster could wipe Bidis City out.
"This was not your fault," the City Lord said as he rose. "This was a turn of events no one could have foreseen."
He strolled over to the window and looked at the distant sky, thick with lightning. "This attack was merely the Dominator of the Stars probing the True Creator.
"Although the war ended in defeat, it still revealed the True Creator's condition.
"He no longer has the strength to concern himself with Sorn City. He has even allowed another god to become the object of its faith. If he does not stop us now, he will have no chance to stop what we do next."
He seemed to be muttering to himself, yet also addressing Nelas. "Wait a little. Just a little longer, and the