When Aetherion heard that, shock surged through his mind, sending his thoughts into overdrive as he considered all the possibilities—especially if those beings managed to escape the Pit and enter the realm of Earth.
It would mean nothing but brutal destruction.
And the worst part was, they wouldn't even be able to stop it, because they were weaker than them.
His fists clenched, and a look of frustration appeared on his face.
But then, there was a small glimmer of hope in Aetherion's eyes as he turned to Gaia, thinking that Kronos had managed to defeat one on that level.
"What about Kronos? Didn't he defeat Uranus a second generation primordial? Doesn't that mean I or other deity's just have to reach the level of a greater god?"
When he said that, Gaia looked at him with a hint of embarrassment.
"Aetherion," she began, "that was because of… you know, the trap I told you about. And that weapon of his. Kronos is nowhere near the level of his father. He only won because of a sneak attack."
She spoke with a bit of bashfulness, clearly recalling the events.
It was her plan—seducing Uranus into letting his guard down—so that Kronos could cut off his tendrils.
A vicious plan, yes, and a rather embarrassing one, considering Gaia had betrayed him in the process but she didn't regret that jerk deserved it.
Aetherion listened quietly, then sat down again, his mood slightly dampened, a troubled expression forming on his face.
He was stunned by how powerful the Daemons were—Gaia had just said they were on the level of the Second Generation Primordials.
But then Aetherion had another question.
"What do you mean by 'as strong as the Second Generation Primordials'? Aren't you all equals?"
Gaia looked at him, choosing her words carefully.
"Actually, no, Aetherion. That's not true."
He blinked, confused.
"You probably have questions like "What do you mean? Didn't you receive help from your children to defeat Uranus?""
His mouth opened slightly in surprise—how did she know what he was thinking?
Gaia smiled knowingly and continued,
"Second Generation Primordials are powerful, don't get me wrong.
But the thing is, all first‑generation Primordials have a bit of Chaos' energy within them, which strengthens them and makes them much stronger than the second‑generation Primordials. Even so, if a second‑generation Primordial fought a first‑generation one, the battle wouldn't be easy, and there would be countless casualties—especially for the life on Earth, on my body. And I couldn't bear that."
Her voice was steady, but serious now.
"Reality itself might collapse. If I had truly fought him head-on, I could have defeated him eventually… but it would have come at a great cost. Nature, life—it all would've been damaged, or lost for a time. I didn't want that."
She shrugged gently.
"So, I simply chose a different and easier method. A quieter, more efficient way to reach the same result."
Aetherion, who had been listening carefully, nodded.
"Efficiency and ease huh. A good call,"
he said, and for the first time, looked at Gaia with genuine affirmation and respect.
Gaia, feeling flattered, raised her chin and puffed out her chest a little.
"Hehehe I am quite smart hmph,"
she said proudly.
"Alright, let's continue,"
Ananke said, cutting in before the moment could get any more out of control.
"Yes, I would like that as well,"
Aetherion said, thinking back on what she had told him.
If these beings from the Pit were truly that powerful… what would happen if they were ever released from their prison?
The thought alone sent a cold shiver through him—true and utter annihilation.
The idea of losing the ones he cared about, the people he had started to love and protect, filled him with fear and dread.
He couldn't allow something like that to happen.
But another thought crept in:
why was she telling him all of this?
He didn't understand it.
After all, she hadn't said anything to suggest that the seal had been broken.
If it had, surely the Daemons would already be unleashed and laying waste to the world.
And yet, they hadn't.
That must mean the seal still held—at least for now.
So then… why tell him now?
He looked at her with a serious expression.
"Why are you telling me all of this now?"
Ananke met his gaze firmly.
"Because… I need to prepare you, Aetherion."
Aetherion blinked in confusion.
"Prepare me? For what?"
he asked, pointing to himself, eyes wide like a startled fish.
"Yes, you,"
she repeated, her tone lightly amused for a moment before growing solemn again.
"Aetherion, those beings may one day escape from their prison. And when they do, what do you think will happen?"
Aetherion thought about it, then responded quickly,
"Pure destruction… and misery."
Ananke nodded.
"Exactly. Every deity, every immortal—wiped out. Even when they revive, the Daemons would enslave them. Or worse, torture them endlessly. Their future would be one of servitude, or suffering."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle.
"The one Daemon who did escape already showed us his nature—vicious, selfish, violent. Far worse than any god or immortal that walks the world now."
"And that," she said, pointing directly at him, "is where you come in."
"Me?"
Aetherion echoed.
"Yes. You are… fateless. You have no destiny. No fate. Your existence lies outside the tapestry I guard. Even your powers are unnatural—unexplainable. From the moment you were born, you were tied to five different domains. You've already reached the level of a major god and awakened divine forms for two of your domains. No one else has done that."
Aetherion blushed and scratched the back of his head, visibly flustered by the praise.
"You can stop now…"
he mumbled.
'Hehehe, when she put it like that, I'm quite amazing, aren't I?'
Aetherion's thoughts confidently, but it didn't match his words just now.
In his mind, he was smugly raising a finger under his nose, rubbing it with pride—clearly enjoying all the accomplishments he had made.
Ananke raised a flat, unimpressed eyebrow and continued,
"Which is exactly why you must bear this responsibility."
His bashful smile faded in an instant.
"Aetherion, you must grow stronger. Strong enough to stop those Daemons if they ever escape. Don't worry about Poneros—we Primordials will handle him, should the worst ever happen. But the Daemons? They're your responsibility. You're the only one who might be able to stop them as we the primordial is not allowed to interfere with the immortal."
Aetherion listened, the weight of her words sinking in.
This was no small task—this was a burden of enormous scale.
He already had a war coming.
And now, on top of that, this?
Still, he nodded slowly.
"I guess I have to train harder and grow even stronger. Don't worry—I'll be ready for it."
he said—uncertain, yes, but determined.
This was a responsibility he hadn't asked for… but one he would accept.
Because if he wanted to protect the people and the world he had started to care for, then he had no choice.
It was a heavy burden—especially for him.
He already had a war to fight soon, and now he had to train even harder.
If those Daemons ever managed to escape, he needed to be ready.
Ready to protect not just the immortals… but the entire Earth.
So that it wouldn't fall into their hands.
So that destruction wouldn't consume the world.
The weight of it all shook him.
He didn't know what to think at first.
But he had already made up his mind.
He had to take responsibility.
He had already made that decision.
After all, he wanted to become strong enough to protect what he cared about.
And deep down, he believed that, in the future, he would care even more for this world than he was willing to admit.
That this—all of this—was no longer just a dream he stumbled into.
It was his reality now.
"That's all I needed to hear, Aetherion ," Ananke said with a soft smile. "I believe our meeting is concluded."
"It was truly a pleasure to meet you,"
Aetherion said respectfully.
"And you as well,"
Ananke replied.
Gaia, standing off to the side, clapped her hands together.
"Yes, yes, it was good to see you again, Sister Ananke,"
she said brightly, giving her a cheerful smile.
Ananke's face softened.
Her golden and silver eyes gleamed faintly as she replied,
"You too. And don't slack off too much—or use Aetherion as a butler just to make desserts for you."
"Eh?! How did you know that?!"
Gaia asked, visibly shocked, her hands quickly covering her mouth.
"I mean—I haven't done anything like that!"
she added hastily, looking down at the ground in embarrassment.
Gaia looked like she found the most interesting flower growing by her foot.
"Anyway, let's get going!"
Gaia said quickly, and with a wave of her hand, she opened a portal.
Grabbing Aetherion's arm, she rushed through it, dragging him along without giving him time to protest.
Ananke remained where she was, watching them disappear through the portal.
Then she whispered softly to the air:
"I pray for your safe journey, Aetherion. May you be blessed with the strength… to protect what your heart holds dear."