God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Beads of sweat cascaded down Caon's face as he pushed.

Pushed against the large turtle shell.

But it was no use.

The damned thing just wouldn't budge.

Just a few paces away, Julio lay down on the ground, arms and legs stretched out, a hopeless expression on his face.

The Steel Herald mirrored his posture. For some reason, even the soulless elemental seemed to exude hopelessness.

'They've both given up on me.'

Still, he couldn't blame them.

Because as of this moment, what he was doing did seem like worthless effort.

The aura Fuji now gave off, was that of an immovable mountain. Despite not being as big as he was when they had first met, the {Turtle Golem} still seemed just as oppressive, if not more.

He had even activated {Burning Spirit} at one point whilst making the use of a Ki enhanced body.

However, it was all for naught.

He could not move the turtle even an inch.

Even Fuji seemed to have given up on him.

Julio suddenly turned to the turtle,

"So you mean to say you were brought to our world the same way all the other aether beasts were?"

The turtle nodded sagely,

"That is the case. Simply put, I was forcefully kidnapped by a celestial's influence and brought down onto this insignificant pebble."

Cain groaned as he pushed even harder against the turtle's shell.

Fuji continued,

"My blood is sinful. Hence, I cannot resist the pull of divine providence. Sad, isn't it?"

Julio dropped back down and shrugged,

"I don't know..."

Silence muffled by Cain's periodic groans and laboured pants stretched out.

Then Julio turned again,

"I've always questioned this, but the Celestials... They all don't seem like the nice guys."

Fuji nodded,

"Of course. They are all a bunch of stuck up assholes. The Heavenly Beasts are a bit better though."

The turtle paused for a moment before adding,

"But they are a lesser evil than the devils. Not only that, but the creatures of this universe are forced to be subservient to them because they have no choice. It is either that, or be wiped out by the Devils, no?"

Julio sighed, his head dropping down again,

"I guess you are right."

Silence once again...

Fuji turned its long neck to stare at Cain,

"Isn't it about time you gave up?"

"Shut it." Cain said with a grunt as he pushed even harder against the turtle's shell.

His body groaned and shook under the strength coursing through it, but even then, the terrible beast refused to move an inch.

It was rather embarrassing...

With a chuckle, Fuji turned back to Julio. The turtle nudged him with his forelimb.

Julio shot up, a fearful look on his face,

"W-what?"

"I noticed you have a strange attachment to the spirits, human."

Julio hesitated for a moment. Then he nodded,

"I can see and communicate with them."

Fuji hummed,

"Is that so? That is quite impressive. Then..."

Fuji took two steps forward, causing Cain to be thrown off balance and fall on his face.

"Often times, one finds grace in things unexpected. Tell me, human. The spirits you see... What do they look like?"

Julio raised a brow. He seemed to mull over it for a moment before answering hesitantly,

"It depends, really. Some of them are little and pleasant to look at. Others are..." Julio trailed off at the end, beads of sweat forming on his temple.

"Are?" Fuji questioned.

Seeing Julio remain silent, Fuji sighed and shook his head.

He turned back to Cain,

"Do you know why you are in this predicament, Cain?"

Cain frowned as he stopped pushing for a moment. Wiping the sweat away from his face, he glared up at the beast,

"No. I don't know why I can't flip you over."

No. He knew exactly why. He just wasn't strong eno—

"Your physical strength should be sufficient. After all, I am currently only the weight of a standard boulder."

Cain sighed, "Maybe boulders are heavier where you are from?"

Fuji shook its head,

"Do you believe you are greater than a beast, Cain?"

Cain paused. He wasn't exactly sure where this was going.

Still, he has to answer.

He opened his mouth to answer. But the words failed to come out.

Fuji chuckled,

"So you realized your answer is quite conceited, and so you refuse to speak."

Cain's face fell.

It was true that he believed himself to be superior to mere beasts.

However, if he said that, it would mean he believed himself to be superior to Fuji as well.

However, he had been trying to move the damned turtle for over an hour now, but he had yet to be even a bit successful.

Fuji turned back to Julio,

"Humans are such perplexing creatures. Entrapped by their own arrogance, they fail to see the possibility of something greater than themselves. However, fear not! Today, I shall help you both achieve greatness."

Julio sat up,

"Really?"

Fuji nodded, "In your case, you must conquer your fear. Do not be afraid to glance upon terror. It inhibits your ability to see if you close your eyes after all. You will be able to help more if you can do this."

Julio's brows furrowed as he contemplated over his words.

Then Fuji turned over to Cain,

"And you... Although you knew your chances were slim, you still decided to take me up on my offer. Why?"

Cain fell silent.

Indeed, why has he done that?

Deep down, he knew. But he was perhaps too prideful to admit it.

Seeing the look on Cain's face, Fuji chuckled,

"You know, I have lived for a relatively long time. You remind me of someone I met... A long time ago in the past."

Cain raised a brow, "Who?"

Fuji chuckled as he stretched his long, scaly neck,

"He was a troublesome bastard. With pride that could move mountains. But he had the strength to back up his pride..."

Staring at him with those darker eyes, Fuji asked,

"Would you like to receive such strength, Cain?"

Cain was silent for a moment.

Although this situation was strange and unprecedented, it did sound like an opportunity had arisen.

He stared down at his arms.

Right now, his arms were not nearly enough to bear such a weight, but perhaps that could change.

"Yes, I would."