It was one of those experiences. Memories I recognized and didn’t recognize jumbled together, causing me a severe headache.

“System is active.”

A voice not meant for human ears said with a mechanical coldness.

“Target human soul is identified.”

Trying to cover my ears to shield my own being from the voice did nothing.

“The activation sequence has begun.”

It was a feminine voice. Or so I think.

“Life Matrix is opening. Finding the optimal genes.”

I think I heard this voice before but where?

“Genetic material selected. Commencing synthesis.”

The voice continued, indifferent to the suffering it caused me with every word.

“Neural pathways established. Checking the cognitive functions.”

I gasped as the jumble of memories stopped and the voice fell silent. I opened my eyes and quickly realized that I was in Aliera’s mindspace. Despite that, the mindspace was different than previous ones. This one looked different. I wasn’t sure how to describe it, maybe it was caused by Aliera accidentally showing me more things than my mortal mind could handle. I took a deep breath and calmly examined my surroundings.

Firstly, I was in a metal structure. I didn’t recognize what kind of metal it was but I was sure it was something special. It was stainless and besides some parts being red were mostly gave out a metallic light. The surroundings were a complex web of conduits and machinery, all pulsating with a rhythmic, almost lifelike energy. I could discern some of the machine’s functions as they looked similar to things we had back on Earth. Yet others were complete mysteries. They looked like came out of a science fiction movie.

“Aliera?” I called out, my voice echoing off the metal surfaces.

“I am here, Poyraz.” A calm and soothing voice rang out behind me. I turned around to face her.

…

As I gazed upon her form my brain short curcited for a second. I should have prepared myself to face her before turning around. She was just breathtaking, just like how she was when we previously talked. Her red hair cascaded down without a single strand out of place. Despite the gentle hue of her green eyes, I felt like she was looking down upon me. The red dress she wore exposed just enough to catch one’s eyes but not enough to be seen exposed. I wondered if the things I felt when I looked at her were caused by her divine aura or the leash she placed on my very being.

“What is this place?” I asked, still trying to process the bizarre environment. Plus it would help me to recollect my thoughts.

“This is my inner sanctum,” she replied, her tone measured. “It is a place where I manage my operations and maintain my systems.”

If I said that I understood it I would be lying.

“Sounds very private.”

Considering our power dynamics, her showing me somewhere like this was weird. That’s of course if what she said was true.

“While I am watching you I intrude on your privacy. This is a balance of sorts,” she replied, her voice softening slightly. "I see your private moments and you see my private parts."

I ignored my mind making dirty jokes and studied her, trying to glean any hidden truths from her words. Honestly, her watching me really didn’t feel good. I knew that Aliera and possibly other Stars could see me and I tried to not think too much over it but hearing it from Aliera made me really uncomfortable. Considering that I had no way of stopping them and Aliera sometimes helped my ass, I put that aside.

“I suppose you didn’t summon here to show me this place?”

For beginners, she could start by telling me about sending that prophecy about me uniting Amazons to fight against a great darkness.

Aliera’s eyes glinted with a mixture of guilt and something deeper—an emotion I couldn’t quite place. “You’re right, Poyraz,” she said, her voice a soothing balm against the mechanical coldness of the environment. “There is a purpose to this meeting.”

She extended her hand forward. I tilted my head as a 3D hologram formed on her palm.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“This is… A prison?”

I guessed. It was an octahedron object suspended above the ground. It was made out of metal that’s both similar yet distinct from the metal that made up the place where we were. There were patterns that constantly shifting and changing.

“That’s correct. This a prison created by one of my sisters.”

Something or someone smashed against one of the walls of the structure, causing it to warp out of shape.

“What is she holding there?”

I could tell that the darkness mentioned in the prophecy was this thing. Damn, Aliera. Do you really expect me to fight against something that can escape from a prison made by a Goddess?

“Demon King Moloch.”

"Demon King Moloch," I repeated, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "And you want me to fight him?"

I met Aliera’s gaze with raised eyebrows.

"You and the Amazons," she said. "You are not alone in this, Poyraz.”

I clasped my hands and brought them to my face level.

“Here is the problem with that: Do you really expect them to accept my leadership like that? I am an outsider with no backing or heritage. Most of the already ruling class will hate me just because I will throw a wench to their rule.”

Aliera’s lips curled with what I guessed was anger. Shit. Maybe I should been more respectful to a literal Goddess of War. I gulped and waited for her wrath.

“You have my backing.”

She sounded almost offended. Really? She was pissed that I didn’t think her support was enough?

“Right. But will it be enough? I understand that you are their patron goddess but they still have their own traditions and culture. “

I said, choosing my words carefully this time.

“That’s your responsibility as my champion. Just like the ones before you, you will have to amass a following with your might, skill, and charisma.”

I took a deep breath, absorbing Aliera's words. It seemed like a daunting task, but the fire in her eyes told me she had faith in me. The thought of leading the Amazons against the Demon King Moloch was overwhelming, but I couldn't back down now. Not with so much at stake. God, just the idea of political bullshit is horrible enough.

"I understand," I said, my voice steady. "I'll do my best to earn their trust and lead them. But I need to know more about this Moloch. What are we up against?"

The hologram at Aliera’s palm changed, showing a mass of shadows, teeth, and red eyes. Oh good, another evershifting mass of darkness. Because I didn’t fight enough of them already.

“Moloch is unique. He has some kind of immortality that makes him nigh-unkillable. Which is why my sister chose to seal him. She calculated that the only way to kill him was if enough time went without him consuming souls or feeding on despair.”

I studied the images, feeling a chill run down my spine. Even though I fought against things like him before, I could feel that he was different.

“Can’t your sister seal him again?”

I knew the answer but I still couldn’t stop myself from asking. Aliera’s lips curled into a smile. I recognized that smile. It was a guilty smile people made when they were about to ask for something unreasonable.

“It is possible, however, my sister is also sealed. This was something I also wanted to ask of you: Please free my sister.”

…

……

…….

Fuck, I knew it!

“Wait, how? What, why? How can a god be imprisoned?”

Aliera's expression softened, her eyes reflecting a mix of sorrow and determination.

“My sister took on the dominion of freedom, just like how I took the dominion of war. But being a God brings too many responsibilities and too many limitations. It was against her very being. That’s why she cast her divine body aside and took on a mortal form. But Father, our king took this as a rebellion and sealed her.”

Man, Anshar is a jerk.

“But what if Anshar sees me freeing her as a rebellion too? I don’t really want to be smited by a literal king of gods.”

Aliera’s eyes softened further, the weight of her request clear in her gaze. “I understand your concern, Poyraz. But that’s where I will intervene. My siblings have been pleading for her freedom for centuries. While we couldn’t take action to free her we should be able to keep Father from deciding to seal her again. Also, she is a mortal now, just like you. Similar to how we can’t give you all the power you need, we also can’t exert all of our power on you.”

I took a deep breath, trying to process the enormity of what she was asking. The fact that gods can turn into mortals was interesting but I have learned so many things that I was desentized to it.

“How strong she is now, as a mortal?”

Aliera's gaze became thoughtful. "Even in her mortal form, my sister possesses significant strength. She retains some of her divine essence, making her more powerful than any ordinary human. She also possesses knowledge about many things you can’t find anywhere else. She should also know how to fight against Moloch since she was the one who imprisoned him.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "So, I need to free her, gain the trust of the Amazons, and then lead them against an immortal demon king. Is there anything else you need from me while I'm at it? Maybe fetch the Holy Grail or slay a dragon or two?"

A soft chuckle escaped Aliera's lips, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Your wit is appreciated, Poyraz. But remember, you are not alone in this. I will provide guidance and support. You also have allies who will stand by your side."

I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. "Alright, let's break it down step by step. First, I need to locate your sister. Do you have any idea where she might be?"

Aliera closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating. The hologram in her palm shifted again, this time showing a colosseum-like structure.

“Mortals call there War God’s Battle Area. They were close in their naming.”

Hmm. I think I heard this place before…

“Isn’t this one of the hardest dungeons?”

Aliera nodded without shame.

“Yes, it is.”

I threw her the meanest side eye I could muster.

“Should have guessed. But what do I have to do? Clear the dungeon?”

If that was enough, she would been freed now since despite its difficulty, that place gave out good rewards so people tried to conquer it constantly. While most failed, some succeeded.

“You will have to clear all 3 floors. After that, your sacred sword will show you the way.”

I let out a long breath, trying to steady myself.

"Alright. I'll do it. Not like I have a choice, anyway. Anything else?”

Aliera gave me a gentle smile as she tucked my hair behind my ear.

“Thank you for being my champion. Thanks to you many souls were saved and many will be saved.”

She closed in and kissed my forehead.

“Farewell and good luck, hero.”