Rise of the Rejected Deity from Chaos

Deep into the wood, a cave nestled in the distance, shaded by the branches of tall woods. And inside the cavern, dark and cold like the weather outside had no effect on it, Kaeliyus rested.

After the fight with the demon, he was left at death's door. In order to recover, Kaeliyus had to find himself a peaceful shelter where he could rest and recuperate before returning back to his young Lord.

Inside the cave where Kaeliyus rested, in the middle where a ray of light from the outside shone through from the little crack at the top of the cave, Kaeliyus was aloft in his sword form—its tip angled downward .

Being in his sword form helps him recover quickly, and he's actually grateful that Seiya hasn't summoned him at all after his fight with the demon.

Had Seiya in any way summoned him as a weapon, he wouldn't be able to defy his young Lord's call, hence his recuperation would be cut short.

Though Kaeliyus still worried for his young Lord since he wasn't by his side. He wanted nothing but to recuperate the fastest he could, so he could return by his side.

Even the clone of himself, the other part of him that he had sent over to his Lord had been sent away on a mission—so Kaeliyus has no idea how his young Lord was faring.

Ugh, things are stretching longer than I expected, Kaeliyus sighed deeply. I'll have to teach the young Lord about the clone technique soon so he can navigate the world better, and have easy access to things.

My young Lord, Kaeliyus whispered within him, his voice soft and a bit melancholic. I'll come see you soon.

*****

Outside the association grounds, Im Seun and his assistant pulled into the compound in a black vehicle the association had handed over to him as part of the rewards for saving the village.

They'd both been out since dawn under the excuse of going to handle some unfinished business in their old apartment—and only now were they returning.

Im Seun had done this because he wanted to delay going to the village to take down the barrier as requested by the commander. For all he knew, he might not even be able to pull off bringing down the barrier. After all, no one has been able to.

This was nothing but a hole in his plans. But by going out today, he thinks he has managed to push back going to the village a day later. Because he would tell the commander he had things to do regarding settling into the association, and that tomorrow, he would go speak to the villagers regarding allowing the association to visit.

Hence, more time for him to figure out a way to bypass this, or a way to study the barrier more and try to break it.

However, what Im Seun didn't know was that there were already orders for him and his and assistant to be restrained the moment they step feet back into the association.

As they stepped out of the vehicle and made their way into the building, one of the female receptionists at the table flashed them a big smile. Which to Im Seun seemed so out of place.

The receptionists had always been kind people, always flashing smiles at people—part of their professional qualities, of course. But never once had their smiles at him been that big, and weird, dare he say.

But Im Seun shook it off as nothing, attributing it to it having to do with the fact he was the hero, and that the commander might've already introduced him to a few of them. So, he continued on his way to his quarters without worry.

The moment they were out of sight, the receptionist made a call to inform the Humanity Saviors right away of their arrival.

Im Seun and his assistant had only stepped into the halls of the building when they were encircled by a group of Humanity Saviors.

First, it was confusion that warped Im Seun and his assistant's senses for the first few minutes before skepticism seared through them.

Are we busted already?

"What is all this?" Im Seun shunned, acting disrespected. "Ambushing us on the way like this like we're criminals, is this any way to treat an important person?"

To some of the Humanity Saviors who were already aware of Im Seun's fraudulent actions, they could only depict his words as those of hypocrisy. They would laugh at his face if given the chance, but they had to be professional, and carry out the instruction given to them without any fail.

"We're sorry but we'll be restraining you both until the commander gets back."

Before Im Seun and his assistant could protest further in any way, the Humanity Saviors restrained them with awakened abilities so they wouldn't fight back.

"Now please cooperate and follow us to avoid any dispute."

"I will not forgive this! Just you wait!" Im Seun declared as they were led away. Even though he acted tough on the surface, a turmoil of unease and fear stirred thick inside him.

*****

Inside the village, everyone was struck silent by the young girl's question.

"Wanna have a duel with my Lord then?" She asked, her tone a bit taunting. The young Humanity Savior that had stepped out to confront her was deeply angered by this—his grip around the sheathed sword at his waist tightening.

Even the others saw this as audacious, and nothing was really hindering them from accepting the duel. If anything, they had been curious just who Seiya was for him to be revered with so much respect—even from the commander.

The duel would ease their spirits and clear their curiosity. The commander on the other hand was sweating cold, already tense and unsettled by this.

A duel with Seiya spelt nothing but death for his opponent—no other outcome to it.

Before anyone could voice their response, however, one of the village elders spoke. "How dare you demand something this low of our Lord?" She shunned, eyes glaring at the young girl with intensity.

"Tch! Children these days!" She remarked harshly and turned to Seiya.

"Please forgive her, my Lord. Though her years may even surpass yours, wisdom, it seems, has not kept pace." She bowed briefly, then straightened.

"No," a Humanity Savior cut in from behind—a grey haired boy—Zero.

"If she's asked for a duel, it'll be granted," he said, stepping forward. Ever since he encountered Seiya back in the association hall, and speculated him being the trigger to Beni's relapse, he's had his eyes out for him.

"I'll volunteer for this duel," he declared.

"Certainly, that would be too much for the boy," one of the captain said in a mocking tone. "Zero is one of the best young Humanity Saviors we have, he'll clearly end the duel before it even begins," he said, eliciting a chorus of low laugh from the other Humanity Saviors.

"You," the captain pointed to the boy that had earlier confronted the girl—the person the duel was originally directed at. "Accept the duel," he commanded.

"With pleasure, captain," the boy replied, unsheathing his sword.

A small grin graced the commander's assistant's face. Even though he had seen a little of Seiya's capabilities, he still believed the Humanity Saviors could best him. If not the by young boy, then all of them combined at least.

From where the commander stood, the audacity of his people had rooted him in place, sending a chill of disbelief and nervousness through his system. He just couldn't believe his eyes and ears.

He took a step forward to stop their madness, but in an instant, the space between them warped, a gate shimmering into existence.

Everyone near immediately launched themselves backward as a horde of monsters found their way out.

All their attention were on the monsters till a harsh, rough voice sliced through the tension, tearing their eyes off the gate toward the entrance of the village.

In the distance stood three demons, each exuding an aura of power that marked them as beings of high rank.

"Kekeke, time for payback," one of the demons grinned wide.