Chapter 148: Forgotten Deities
In this empty world, I don't know how long it had been, how much time we spent here just looking at nothing and sharing superfluous words. Is this what it means to be a god? Time and space just have no meaning.
I requested her information... the world seemed to be concealing something way deeper than I had originally thought. Demons, Gods... an ancient war and what is more ridiculous... a war that Gods lost. Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a war between Gods in One Piece, in fact... the existence of Gods and faith alone seems to be far from even a myth.
"The winners define history... and those who truly die are those who are forgotten. Even as a goddess I still had lessons to learn. We were not used to violence, we were peaceful deities and that was our mistake, to think peace was the only option, there was also war".
Her voice sounded so regretful that I could barely contain myself from hugging her, not with bad intentions, she looked pitiful.
"Yasharte..."
Perhaps sensing my good intentions, she allowed me this much, still evading my gaze seemingly ashamed for no apparent reason as if she owed the world an apology.
"When the war started none of us expected it. Gods or Demons, we had to stay away from humans... the goodwill belonged to them, the wickedness belonged to them. They were free to choose, they had the will to know whether they wanted good or evil. And they choose good. Regardless of Demons or Gods, faith is what keeps our existence together. At the end of the day, the demons would never keep their word... once the balance leaned against them, they made their move. We were stronger... but we lost the war due to our compassion and also the betrayal of one we considered our own. The God of Darkness".
More than just telling me relevant information, it felt to me like Yasharte was letting loose some of her frustrations.
"When did these events take place?".
"Thousands of years ago, perhaps dozens of thousands -I can't tell. After my body was destroyed and my will passed on, I lost the ability to rationalise. I only recall subtle memories of each of the bearers of my will... they would never last long before perishing each time and I would be born again. But this time it is the last time".
Her blazing yellow eyes finally settled on me with what looked like hope.
"We forgotten gods have lost all our power, we receive no faith and the curse of the sea demon assails us. There is no hope for us, Alexander... the things they did to some of us, some of us got split into parts, murdered, some of our wills scattered completely, leaving nothing behind".
I hugged her against my chest, it explained a lot of things... so the gods of the past were turned into devil fruits, no, they died... but their wills passed on as 'devil fruits'.
"You don't need to tell me everything, Yasharte. I'll do everything I can but I need information. Who were the main actors of this war and how did it end?".
The story she's telling me, is this the void century? but the void century was nine hundred years ago... she's talking about dozens of thousands of years... way before even the void century.
"From the Demon's side... there were many, hundreds, but their leader was the strongest Demoness of the Sea, as for her name... I don't know it, all I know is that according to Nika, her name meant 'Nothing, emptiness, devoid of everything'. We could never understand what he meant by that but her personality was just like her name, that demoness was truly devoid of any feeling".
"Nothing?" I was a bit confused but decided to save this name for
"She was the one who started it all together with the God of Darkness, Noc. On our side, our leader was the all-cheerful Sun God, Nika. We never took the war seriously until we began to perish one by one, leaving nothing but scattered wills in the form of fruits... the demons were better than us at being violent even if they were weaker, the manipulated humans, showing them what wickedness and sin was... little by little they became stronger and gained faith until we fell completely... but not without infringing in them great suffering. Majority of the demons perished in that war, even if we lost".
Her hands clenched my clothes with frustration like she was living those moments again in her mind.
"The defeat of Nika marked the end of our godly era and presumably, the start of a demonic era. WE are nothing but scattered pieces of will. You are now the new Thunder God, Alexander... no, Veyron. The will that shall descend from now on is not mine but yours".
"What do you wish for me to do, Yasharte? Avenge the gods?".
"No... vengeance is not okay. That's not what he would have wished. It may sound naive still, but at the end of the dawn, there is always a night to come... good and evil must coexist the lack of balances is what will truly lead to endless wars"
She took both of my cheeks between her palms, softly... putting me back down, like ready to slumber, her smile was forever warm.
"I only wish, if it is within your capabilities, that you bring an era of peace once again even if temporary. Please, Veyron".
"I will do whatever I can..." I evaded her gaze but she moved it back towards her, life has taught me that being lenient is not a good approach to anything. Only when you're feared do things start to fall together. For me the answer is to eradicate all demons, is she telling me that's not the answer?
I saw how a piece of her skin shattered like scattered sparkling dust. She was about to disappear.
"Your words sound unconvinced. The desire for vengeance although temporary is sweet while it lasts; but once vengeance has been attained, only an endless void remains. The desire for peace is dull at the start... but once peace is achieved, the profit is eternally sweet like nectar. Veyron... a strong WILL is required to choose the right path, otherwise, vengeance always feels like the easier choice".
"Wise words..." I took her hands and smiled, just a tad bit more convinced.
"I'm not a goddess for nothing~"
She finally smiled.
"..."
We looked at each other deeply as more and more of her body began to fade, I took both cheeks as well, trying to engrave her appearance in my mind, "You just told me one only truly dies when they're forgotten... I won't forget you, Yasharte. Thanks for watching over me, and thanks for the information".
She giggled in response, "It was fun... I have seen you from the first moment you obtained me. Although naughty and perverted, your heart is pure and you care deeply for those important to you, and even those who are not... I'm eternally glad the inheritor of my will is someone like you, it makes me feel it all made sense".
Her thumb trailed my lips and before I knew it... she was kissing me... it was a sweet, tender and pure brief kiss accompanied by a sweet smile afterwards one without a shed of tears, instead just happiness, the cheerfulness of someone who had successfully achieved their task.
"That is but a parting gift. Good Bye, Thunder God~"
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