Demos' tears finally began to subside, and Crimson's gentle smile returned. She took a deep breath, her voice calm yet laced with a hint of sorrow, as she began to explain the circumstances that led to their current situation.
"After I gave birth to you, I considered erasing your memories," she said, her words dripping with regret. "But I couldn't bring myself to do it. You deserved to remember your life, your experiences. And then...I was faced with an impossible choice: Olympus or Asgard."
As she spoke, her tone shifted, her words taking on a deadly intensity that sent shivers down Demos' spine. The void around them began to distort, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate her emotions. The air seemed to ripple and tear, opening and closing like a wound in the fabric of space.
The void's distortion grew more violent, reflecting the turmoil brewing within Crimson. Demos felt the weight of her words, the gravity of her emotions, and he knew that he was about to uncover secrets that would change everything.
Crimson's voice trembled with venom and anguish. "Those gods killed my people, exploiting me for their own gain. Now, they're after the secrets of the Spartan soul." Her words dripped with anger and helplessness.
"If Leonidas had found Hermes' people, they would have been slaughtered too," she added, her pain evident.
Her expression reflected the weight of her failure. "Not even I, the first Queen, could find or protect my own people."
Demos' expression remained grim, his eyes locked on his mother's. As he saw the memories unfold before him, he had a feeling that the two gods who had brought Leonidas' body had played a role in his death. The revelation didn't surprise him; he had sensed it all along.
The air was heavy with unspoken truths and unresolved rage. Crimson's pain and fury hung like a challenge, daring the gods to show their faces. Demos felt his own anger stir, fueled by his mother's memories and the injustice that had been done.
Demos' anger boiled over as he demanded answers. "Why did they kill our people? And how are the people from this world and the Spartan Empire connected?"
Crimson's expression turned thoughtful. "I'm not sure, but it's likely tied to why Spartans can transcend to become true gods. All the people here carry the souls of a Spartan from way before I was born and Leonidas became a lesser god."
Demos' mind reeled as he struggled to understand his own Spartan heritage. Crimson noticed his confusion and offered a gentle smile.
"In the Kingdom of Sparta, before Leonidas' became a lessergods, my father's madness led to the destruction of that kingdom," she explained. "I captured the souls of those Spartans from Leonidas ruins Kingdom but Before I could tell Leonidas, he went to war and he died. So, I used those souls in this world. I did something similar to what my adopted mother did to you – I destroyed the souls of the people here to rebirth them as Spartans."
Crimson's eyes clouded slightly. "But I'm unsure where the fourth race is. One thing's certain – they're here somewhere in this world." She continued, "That's why I sent you to this world, to get stronger and lead them and help me find the fourth race. I need to protect their souls from entering the reincarnation cycle."
Demos stared at her, still trying to process the information. Crimson knew he didn't fully understand, so she elaborated:
"I'm stopping the other gods from claiming Spartan souls . They're trying to exploit the Spartans' ability to transcend. By finding the fourth race, I can safeguard their souls and prevent the gods from using them for their own gain."
Crimson's determination was clear, but Demos' expression still reflected his confusion and concern. "How will you protect their souls?" he asked.
"Soul encryption and soul connection," Crimson replied.
Demos' eyes widened as he recognized the terms from the system interface. Before he could ask questions, Crimson explained:
"Soul encryption embeds 12,000 small and large runes within the soul, safeguarding its secrets and essence."
Demos' mind raced as he processed the information. "How does the soul connection work?" he asked, eager to understand.
Crimson's expression turned introspective. "The soul connection allows me to link the souls of the four races that make up Sparta, so I can creating a reincarnation cycle within my unique ability, where the souls of all Spartans will be safe."
Demos' eyes widened in realization, and he saw the lengths his mother was willing to go to protect her people. This revelation deepened his understanding of Crimson's motivations and the complexity of their world.
Demos now grasped his mother's motivations, but his own heritage and the system's purpose remained a mystery to him. He felt a pang of pain when using the system points, sensing something was amiss.
"Mother, what will you do after we find the fourth race?" he asked.
Crimson's smile transformed, and she embodied the role of a powerful true God. "I'll create a world, protected from outside influences where not even the primordial gods themselves can enter, where my people can thrive." The markings on her skin pulsed intensely as her face became a mask of determination.
"I'll slaughter every god involved in my husband's destruction," she declared, her words chilling. Demos saw the determination on her face and felt shivers run down his spine as the markings on her body glowed brighter.
Demos smiled and hugged his mother tightly, startling her. Her eyes widened in surprise, but his affection brought a warm smile to her face.
"I'll do whatever it takes to protect you from every god," he said, his determination shining through.
Crimson laughed, the sound echoing with amusement. "Ahahahahaha!" She placed a kiss on his forehead. "You're still weak and young, according to Spartan law, I'm the one who should be protecting you."
Her expression turned serious. "If you want to protect me, you need to work hard so your soul can accept celestial and primordial energy..." She paused, realizing she'd said too much. "Oooooo, maybe I shouldn't have said that."
Demos released the hug and looked at his mother intently. "Mother, what do you mean by that? And what's with the markings on my arm? Don't play dumb like last time. I just want to know the truth."
Crimson sighed. "You're a god, and at the same time, you're not. Your soul was fully developed in your old body, but after the soul rebirth process, it stopped accepting outside energy. I have to give you celestial and primordial energy to strengthen your soul until your Spartan innate ability awakens."
"I created the system interface to feed you energy," she continued. "I'm sorry for what you're going through, but it's the only way."
Demos cut her off. "So, the system interface was created just so you could give my soul celestial and primordial energy? And the pain I felt was because your energy was healing my soul?"
Crimson nodded. "Yes, your soul is still healing from what my celestial vane did to you. While I was pregnant with you, the celestial vane i tore out fused with your soul and new body completely."
Demos asked, "What innate ability are you talking about?" Crimson's gaze shifted, and she snapped her fingers. A soul appeared from the void.
Demos jumped to his feet, ready to defend his mother. Crimson smiled slightly, "Hey, old man. Ugh, I still don't like it when you use your killing intent at me."
"Mother, who is that?" Demos asked. Crimson began to explain, but the soul interrupted, "Ahhh ahhh ahhh... So, you really did save his soul... And you turned your grandson's soul into your son's. I'll never understand you gods' twisted mindset."
"I may be a curse rune masters, but I'd never play with someone's soul," the soul said.
"You bastard!" Crimson shouted, her voice low and menacing. "Aren't you the one who created runes using two different god's blood, you sick old dwarf?"
Demos was taken aback by his mother's hostility toward the soul, which seemed to be without killing intent.
The soul shot back, "You gorilla-like woman, he wanted power, so I improved that barbarian's unique ability to something I thought was impossible. And aren't you the only woman who can bear the Spartan heart?"
The soul continued , "So, what did you bring me here for? I'm sure it's not to meet your grandson... or should I say, your son?" The soul's words dripped with sarcasm.
Crimson took a deep breath, her expression unreadable. She repeated...