After over two centuries of peace, the world slowly gears up for the Third Ascension War after the current Pantokrator suddenly disappears after an unexpectedly short reign. Meanwhile, in a small province in the Kingdom of Shinuyama, a young goddess is freed from her imprisonment by humans rebelling against their bakemono oppressors, and soon takes the helm of their fight for independence and much grander goals. However, with powerful enemies making their moves, the stresses of godhood eating away at her, and the ghosts of her past haunting her, will she be brutally crushed like so many Pretenders before her… or will she rise? What to expect: *Epic Battles: Given the source material, expect characters to struggle against each other using a wide array of mundane weapons, fearsome monsters, mighty gods, brave and clever heroes, and powerful magics. Intrigue and subterfuge will still play a vital role but intense battles and sieges will be at the forefront. *Psychological Insights: The motivations and personalities of characters will be examined in order to flesh them out. Even their personal struggles and worldviews will be used to make them more complex, especially concerning the nature of heroes and villains. *Philosophical Insights: Against the backdrop of holy wars fought for the title of the One True God, themes concerning war, ideology, and the nature of godhood will be examined. Each theme will be picked apart to show how they can create both the most altruistic of heroes... and the most depraved of monsters. *Redemption: Some characters have done horrible things in the past. As they struggle with past regrets, they will discover what manner of redemption they will find... and at what cost. *Mysteries: From the disappearance of the Oracle to strange omens and historical contradictions, it will become apparent that nothing is as it seems. Perhaps solving these mysteries can lay to rest these conundrums... and perhaps reveal an unexpected threat? Update schedule: The base frequency I will aim for is once a month. However, depending on my current life circumstances and level of personal drive and time, it can be as little as a week or as long as a few months, so be sure to tag this story!