I clashed my sword with Neityr. Her movements are fast and calculated. For a mortal's standard, her swordsmanship is excellent.

"Who the hell did you train with? I don't see any real danger here or anyone strong to teach you in the tribe." I quipped in the middle of battle.

She did not reply. Her face was sharp and eyebrows curled up. I'm not even sure if she heard me.

"Hey. Answer me."

I've had enough. I maneuvered my sword's grip under her leg as she slashed her sword diagonally to trip her. Her form was broken through as she stayed in the air for a second before tumbling to the ground with force.

"G-Tiven...Why did...your holiness...go easy on me?" She asked while breathing air in and out.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" I titled my head.

Neityr got up from the ground and brushed off the dirt on her clothing.

"I mean...your holiness' strength is...low? Forgive me. The swordsmanship itself is incredible. One of the best I've seen. But you don't seem to be putting much power into it?"

I chuckled. Now that was bad news.

"You know, most of my power is drained away each second just keeping this settlement afloat. My current strength level right now with the handicap is...not good. " I answered while smiling bitterly.

Neityr opened her eyes wide.

"T-then why did your holiness rescue us if it was going to put your holiness in danger like this?"

I frowned my face from her question. Something about it disturbed me. "I told you. I need supporters. You, people, are the precious assets that will help lead me to other assets." I answered distastefully.

"A-ah. I see. Assets..." She had a blank look to her face as if she was pondering something.

"I mean no offense. That is just how gods are. Here. Sit down. I'll let you know something." I pointed at an empty space and two chairs made out of dense cloud was created. We both sat down opposite one another.

"Gods are selfish. Incredibly. We will never help mortals just because. There are some gods with a facade of nobleness and goodness but they all just want to gain more supporters or maintain their current ones. Now, some gods may also rule through fear and intimidation such as the case with Hevize. But he may also help some kingdoms truly prosper but for the purpose of his own gain. " I explained.

Neityr's face turned sad. "Then your holiness' return..."

"Yes. I don't remember of course, but I probably planned to give your tribe my sword Icarus because I was desperate and had no other options. It was not because I wanted to save your tribe. Even now, I WILL help you people prosper. But it is for my own gain and thirst for revenge." I replied.

Neityr stood in silence and could not reply. We sat in silence for a full minute. I could not stand it anymore so I had to say something.

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"But I don't know. What I just told you was the truth but I'm also not entirely being honest with myself."

Neityr looked up at me. I continued.

"You see, having more divinity and more power actually drives a god mad, arrogant, and prideful. Some 'benevolent' gods are extremely good at hiding this but gods like Hevize just embraced it entirely. The former group that hides it very well includes me. The more I gain power, the more my godhood will take over me. It is not a matter of personality or corruption, it's just a trait that a god has innately."

I exhaled a long sigh.

"I am currently at the lowest power of my entire lifetime. The majority of my power right now is already used to keep the cloud afloat so my actual power at this moment is even lower than my maximum. This also means that I am currently able to be honest talking to you right now. It's why I was able to stay humble and smile towards your beautiful people. Being almost mortal has...made me empathized with you mortals. It has unlocked my inner humanity I did not know a god could even have."

Neityr stared at me before starting to open her mouth.

"But that would mean...when your holiness' gain power, your holiness will look at us differently?"

I looked at her with a bittersweet feeling.

"Frankly, yes. But...while the thirst for revenge still grows strong within me, the new me right now am not sure if I want that change to happen."

Before Neityr could open her mouth, an elven messenger approached us.

"Forgive me! But We found something!"

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"A settlement...no, a fortress?" I muttered as I looked below the clouds. There was a wooden fortress in the middle of the jungle. It was quite big in size judging by the fact that we are able to view it from the sky above.

"It seems so, your holiness. Shall we ignore them and move on or engage?" Elder Havies who was standing beside me replied.

"This is our first meeting with the inhabitants of the outside world after five thousand years. I want to meet them. But we don't know if they are hostile, so we will approach carefully. I shall go down."

"W-wait, your holiness! You don't have to trouble yourself like that. We can send one of our people."

"No. I don't want to risk killing anyone or even worst, have them be captured. If they are not hostile, I want to interact with them directly. If they are hostile, I also need to hone some of my skills. I am quite rusty." I replied with confidence. I started to create a small cloud in front of me that I can ride to the ground.

"W-wait!" Elder Havies stopped me as I was about to embark. "At least bring some of us. We want to ensure nothing troublesome happen to your holiness. Not that we don't think you can handle it yourself, but it is to make sure that you don't have to do anything unnecessary."

I stroke my chin to think.

"Fine. Bring me Neityr and two more individuals. One archer and one mage."

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I looked at my party of four including me. Tis' a battle party but if the people in the fortress themselves are not hostile, then we won't have to do any battle.

In the event of a battle, I myself shall be the second line of defense with my trusty Icarus. Neityr will act as the main attacking force right at the very front. As for the other two...

"My name is Alisia and I am a mage. I can mostly use water spells and healing spells. I hope I can serve god Awana well" An elven woman wearing a shabby green robe bowed down to me. She will be standing at the back supporting us.

"I'm Rob. Am an archer. Nice ta meet cha' " An elven man wearing a red bandana over his forehead introduced himself crudely while flashing a shit-eating grin. He will be at the sides shooting arrows to distract the enemies and hopefully pick them off one by one...though I am not sure if this guy can do that.

"Rob! You are talking to a god!" Neityr shouted in anger.

"Oh relax Neit. He don't seem ta mind it right?" Rob glanced at my direction.

"I'm sorry. He's my childhood friend. He's always been like this. Forgive him, your holiness." Neityr bowed down at my direction.

"I don't mind...not now at least." I would have already cast thunderstrike on him if I still had my godhood pride. "Enough time dilly-dallying. Let's head towards the fortress. Keep an eye out." I ordered. Everyone nodded and started to walk together.

In order to not arouse suspicion and detection, we dropped down to the ground quite a distance away from the fortress. This is also because they might have some scouts who would be able to detect us if we dropped down too close.

"It should take us thirty minutes walking from here," Neityr said while we were walking together.

"Alright."

Thus, our first encounter with civilization after five thousand years will soon begin.