CHAPTER 603: CHAPTER 604: FICTIONAL GOD

"Ishana, Isha, Isha... tell me a story."

The soft voice of a young girl echoed as her red hair spilled across her delicate shoulders. Her dress was woven from the finest material, and her emerald eyes carried the sweet innocence of childhood.

A soft sigh escaped the dark-haired woman sitting beside her. She wore the classic black and white uniform of a maid, her expression gentle as the girl leaned her full weight against her, trying to shake her into compliance. The woman did not budge.

Glancing down at the girl, she sighed again.

"Very well, my lady. You win. I will tell you a story. You can stop nagging me now."

She pinched the little girl’s nose, smiling softly.

"That is very unladylike. I taught you better than that."

The young girl smiled, pleased to have won her attention.

Ishana shook her head.

"You just do not listen to me anymore. I suppose you are about that age now."

"Isha, come on. Tell me."

"Very well, Lady Lilith. Just one story, and only because we are on the road."

Lilith smiled as the carriage rolled along, surrounded by a column of knights serving as her guards. She crossed her arms and leaned her head against Ishana’s shoulder.

"Good. I deserve some much-needed recreation, especially after meeting those dull old men in the Holy Empire. They can suck the life out of—ouch."

Before she could finish, Ishana pinched her again.

"Language, Lady Lilith."

Lilith groaned, rubbing her hand where she had been pinched.

Ishana looked at her with a gentle smile.

"Once, there was a great and mighty dragon that lived in the deepest corners of a dark abyss. It had no name and no intelligence."

"No, I do not want that one," Lilith interrupted quickly. "Tell me about the god of dreams, the one whose name no one knows."

Ishana smiled faintly.

"You have heard that one so many times already."

"Please, Isha, one more time," Lilith begged, her expression so sweet and pitiful that Ishana’s eyes softened. She knew her little lady would one day become a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.

"It seems I am once again a victim of your charms," Ishana sighed.

Lilith hugged her tightly.

"That is why I love you so much."

Ishana smiled and shook her head helplessly.

"Once upon a time, there was a weeping angel. He did not weep because he was sad. His tears were born of anger.

Whenever he raged, tears would fall from his eyes. He saw the suffering of all creatures, both great and small. In his heart, he wished to end all the hate, the suffering, and the resentment. So he became the god of dreams."

Lilith listened intently, even though she already knew this story by heart.

"He knew everyone’s name, and so he knew everyone’s dreams. But not all dreams are beautiful. Free will gives birth to nightmares as well. He saw a world full of pain and tried to heal it, but the world turned on him. They called him a villain and blamed all their misfortunes on him."

Ishana’s voice softened as if she were picturing the god himself.

"Even after giving them choice, they scorned him. So he raged. He raged at their suffering and at his own weakness. At last, he turned his back on the world. He went to a place where no one could find him, elusive and forgotten."

She leaned closer to Lilith, whispering.

"For all those who call to him, he hears. If you cry out and offer him your purest feelings, he will answer."

Lilith whispered along, repeating the parts she knew.

"People call to him when they are at their lowest, when they are filled with resentment. The god of the downtrodden answers, giving them his boon. He needs no faith, only choice."

Before Lilith could speak louder, Ishana pressed a finger to her lips.

"Not so loud, dear. It is a secret, remember?"

Lilith giggled.

"Right. But Isha, he is just a fictional god you made up."

Ishana nodded, her smile faint, though her eyes betrayed a deeper truth.

"That is true."

Lilith tilted her head.

"If he were real, we would pray to him instead. He sounds too nice."

Ishana quickly covered her mouth, alarmed.

"Never say that aloud again. That is blasphemy against the goddess."

Lilith nodded obediently. She had been raised to know the temple tolerated no faith but the worship of the goddess of doom.

"Those people are insufferable," Lilith muttered.

"All they want is power. They act as if they are the voice of the goddess, but they only commit evil in her name."

Ishana looked at her with both pride and worry. Her lady was growing. She was forming her own opinions. One day she would grow into a powerful woman, and until then Ishana would gladly protect her, watching her become who she was meant to be.

"You know, even if he was real, we could not worship the god of dreams."

Lilith narrowed her eyes as if angered by the idea.

"Why not?"

Ishana smiled, pinching her cheek.

"Because he cares nothing for worship. Would it not defeat the purpose to give faith to a god who asks for none?"

Lilith frowned.

"Everyone wants something. You taught me that, Isha. Even gods want something. If he wants nothing, is that not suspicious?"

Ishana rubbed her head gently, smiling.

"Good. You remember my lessons. Clever girl."

She sighed quietly, debating whether Lilith was old enough to hear the darker truths. Wrath was not a virtue. Wrath was sin. Even so, she spoke honestly.

"He is not entirely good. Those who bring him their resentment often have their wishes granted. But wishes born of poison will only give more poison. You may destroy your enemies, but what about yourself? He grants wishes, but they come with the same poison you gave."

Lilith’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"And if you called him with love and hope?"

"Perhaps he would return them. Who knows?"

Lilith smirked mischievously.

"But hate works better, does it not? I cannot kill my enemies with love."

Ishana opened her mouth to scold her when suddenly the carriage lurched violently, flipping onto its side. She threw her arms around Lilith, cradling her against her chest as wood splintered and wheels cracked.

"We are under attack."

"Protect Lady Astranova!"

Even in the chaos, she could hear the knights shouting.