At the heart of this scenario stood a colossal creature, its dimensions rivalling that of a large town.

Its entire form was covered in a coat of pitch-black reptilian hide, adorned with deep gashes from which a dense, golden substance oozed.

What once were grand wings had been reduced to two stubs on its back, from which the same liquid trickled, bearing testament to their former glory.

Powerful and robust hind legs projected from its frame, possessed of the might to trample even the most radiant of stars.

Its front limbs, though slightly smaller, brimmed with sharp talons capable of effortlessly tearing celestial bodies apart.

The creature's head remained obscured from view, folded inwardly like a ball, shrouding its features in an enigmatic veil.

The central being exuded an uncanny influence; the longer one's gaze remained fixed upon it, the deeper their very soul resonated with an ache.

A sensation of unadulterated agony and torment surged forth, reaching levels of excruciating intensity.

Despite the overwhelming pain the phantom experienced, an inexplicable compulsion prevented it from tearing its gaze away.

This being was a deity and an extremely powerful one at that.

{Kukuku... A mortal that didn't run? Is that bold or stupid?} The being's voice was deep, raspy, playful, and powerful.

It felt like one word from this being could destroy the world...

And it could.

"..." The phantom didn't say anything as it tried to fight through the pain of staring at the being.

{Kukuku, what an intriguing mana affinity.} It chuckled,

Suddenly, the being moved slightly causing the whole world to stumble.

SLAM

For some odd reason, despite the deity moving and causing a natural disaster on a world scale none of the magic beasts and monsters in the forest dared to make a sound.

The deity partially unfurled itself, unveiling its peculiar head. Resembling that of a dragon, the deity's head bore the distinct absence of a horn and an eye.

{Those weaklings did quite the number on me, huh?} The being sounded in pain as it struggled to move, it was clearly on the verge of death.

There was silence between the phantom and the divine being for a couple of minutes, it was finally broken when the being decided to swallow its pride and take its only opportunity of survival.

{Kukuku... They should've killed me. Hey, mortal!} The being decided to present its plan to the phantom which used to be a young boy.

"..." The phantom didn't say anything but it made itself clear that it was listening.

{You became a phantom due to strong spiritual and soul energy, as well as extreme emotion...}

The phantom didn't make any 'expression' as this information was already well known by their world, but the being did use different terms to describe it.

{Meaning you have unfinished business. Phantoms only live a year at most till they are forced back into the cycle of reincarnation. Judging by the energy you're radiating, you only have a few weeks left, at best.}

The phantom's 'expression' changed from curiosity to anger. It wasn't scared of ceasing to exist but rather it was angry its questions weren't answered.

{Judging by your reaction you aren't happy... Well you see, we're in similar predicaments. And I believe we can help each other.}

The phantom didn't speak but its 'expression' did seem to say. "How?"

{You are on the border of life and death, you possess a soul and spirit but no vessel to contain it, which is why you'll be disappearing soon. No being can survive without a vessel.}

The phantom 'looked' at the being with an unrecognizable 'expression'. It was confused about what this being's intentions were. It sounded like they'd be helping each other out, but how could a mere mortal help a divine being?

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{You couldn't understand as a mortal...but I'll give you a brief explanation. My soul is currently extremely damaged, my vessel is gone but my spirit is in full health. For me to survive I need to inhabit a new vessel while simultaneously healing my soul, but with the condition my soul is in. I need another soul to 'assist' it in a way. So I'll use your soul, both of our souls will become one but our spirits will stay separate.}

A flicker of concern crossed the phantom's formless countenance. It harboured a deep-seated reluctance to vanish without accomplishing its mysterious "purpose."

{No you idiot! Souls are your life force, spirits are your will and your vessel is your body. If our souls merge, we'll be one being but two separate 'people!'} The being said irritatedly.

{Are all mortals this slow?}

The phantom didn't make any significant 'expressions' as it tried to comprehend what was just said.

The divine being then disturbed its thought process by speaking once more.

{Kukuku... So that's why you refuse to rest.} The divine being chuckled as it searched through the phantom's memories without consent.

{It seems we have similar objectives then.}

The phantom's 'expression' became curious as it pondered what the being meant.

{I won't bore you with the politics of the Deities... but I too wish to have my revenge on those who dared to attack me.}

"Revenge?" The Phantom's first utterance since its inception carried a soft tone, tinged with pain as if on the brink of breaking into sobs with each word it formed.

{Of course revenge! Your family was slaughtered and you refused to die, the only logical action for that is revenge!}

"I-I'd never want to take revenge. That's not what Mama and Papa would've wanted..." Despite its initial expression, the truth ran deeper than its verbal statement.

The phantom harboured an intense desire for revenge, a yearning that burned within it with great intensity.

{Kukuku...Silly mortal. Does that matter? What matters here is justice!} The being chuckled as if what he had just heard was completely preposterous.

"Justice? Justifying revenge as justice is a common seed for evil."

{Evil? Kukuku...Call it vengeance then. What about everyone else? Do you think you're the only people that those assassins have killed? Don't be naïve.}

"..." The phantom didn't say anything, he knew that the being was at least a bit correct.

"That isn't my place to stop them. Some people will fight for us!" The phantom finally responded after a few moments of contemplation.

{You're waiting for others to fight for you? Kukuku... I can just hear Pan and Eurodos' disappointment.}

DUMMM

The air in the forest suddenly shifted, and the temperature rose a couple of degrees.

"D-don't say their names..."

{Kukuku, don't cry now!}

{That seems to be the only way for you to listen to reason. You need to fight and avenge the Hermes. If you don't do it, who will? The nobles hate you all, and the Wakoku themselves didn't even know the identity of their top General, they have no reason to even bat an eye.}

"Mother told me to always taught me to never hurt anyone."

{You idiot! What were Pan's dying words?!}

"To stay true to my morals..." The phantom said shyly as it steeled its will to not hurt anyone.

{No dumbass! They were: "As long as you breathe stay true to your morals and judgment Oizys Hermes is dead! You are no longer bound by such restrictions. The only thing left is his soul and hatred.} The Deity chuckled, clearly proud of its ability to find loopholes.

"Sir, what're you trying to say?"

{Become the one who fights for the Hermes family... Become who you need, avenge the fallen, and fight for your desire.}

The phantom listened to the words of the deity, but it didn't speak for a couple of hours.

***

Growing tired of the silence the deity decided to voice its impatience.

{So what's it going to b-}

"No." As the phantom spoke, an unusual alteration occurred—the temperature ceased its ascent and instead dropped. Simultaneously, its voice underwent a transformation; no longer soft and tremulous, it now carried a slightly deeper and colder quality.

{What was I thinking? tsk tsk tsk… Mortals will be mortals I guess. Get out of my sight!} The deity became cold, the friendly tone it previously bore disappeared as it spoke.

"No." The phantom spoke without a hint of fear in its voice.

{Don't piss me off morta-}

"You're right, no one's going to fight for the Hermes. So I'll become the one that will."

{Kukuku... Finally, you're gaining some sense.}

"But..."

{Here we go again with that righteous crap!} The deity whined, sounding bored.

"I will fight for everyone. The reason Hermes died was because of this dirty, corrupted world. I have to protect and defend those who can't fight for themselves. Every single one of them will burn like Hermes, every single noble who abuses their power to abuse others... but not in the flames of a magic bonfire but to my... " The phantom paused.

"Every single one of them, from the nobles who hated them out of jealousy, to the royalty who are obsessed with control... And even the gods that sponsor them!"

"Let them all burn..." The phantom's voice resonated with a depth of both hatred and fervor, yet beneath these emotions lay an undercurrent of restraint and concealed emotions.

{Kukuku...!} The divine being grew excited as it heard the last part of the phantom's proclamation.

Although the Deity laughed at the boy's words, it was almost concerned. The words the boy just uttered weren't how he felt. There was more...

The boy struggled to fully acknowledge his genuine emotions, neglecting to address the profound sense of darkness that lay within him. His recent declaration seemed more like a coping mechanism, an attempt to deflect from his authentic intentions and the concealed turmoil that resided within him.