"If that's the case, I'll build a base around here." Cain stared into the void.
[Do what you wish, I'll go to sleep. I need to save my energy. Don't underestimate the abominations.]
"I know, there is always a bigger fish in the pond. Growing strong enough for my puddle doesn't mean I can survive anywhere else," Cain stared at the gate behind him.
[Do you know why they say there is always a bigger fish in the pond?]
"No? Why," Cain asked.
[Since the fools haven't thought of the crocodile there yet, they can't fathom the bears and lions living at the shore. Their minds aren't strong enough to withstand the reality of humans living far in their cities, coming to catch some fish to eat.]
"I understand. It's indeed something I never thought of. Rest well. I'll take it from here."
[See you later.] AO went back to sleep. The abominations riddled his body with holes like a spreading cancer, driving him faster and faster toward an imminent end.
^This majestic creature. A dragon larger than the world itself that created a safe haven for gods and mortals alike and was using his body to shield them from the invaders.^ Cain thought as he approached the gate. ^I'll build outposts and stretch the reaches of the world. This war isn't something I can win. I bet AO alone has a chance to put an end to it.^
Cain touched the gate, pushing it open, ^AO created Adam in his image, which is why he was able to reincarnate as my father, Chad. I bet AO reincarnations work in the same way,^
He pushed the gate open and walked back into the world, staring at the backs of the guardians. ^From now on, this whole world's purpose is to incubate AO's next self.^
The guardians turned back, staring at Cain, and bowed, "Overgod, you've returned?!" One of them gasped. They expected Cain to fade away as AO did, his coming back from whatever horror lay beyond the gate seemed unfathomable to them.
"First," Cain looked back at the gate, "AO didn't leave, he's just behind the gate. It's only that he can't take a humanoid shape anymore, and his body won't fit into the world. He didn't abandon the world, but was protecting it from the outside,"
"It can't be!" One of them gasped, "All of those millions of years,"
Cain nodded, "You've been the secondary line of defense, but it seems that AO managed to protect the gate from his side."
"Can't we talk with him? If he's just behind the gate." One of the guardians stared at the gate.
"There is nothing behind the gate, no air, no mana, no life no time, and no space, it's an infinite void that cannot be comprehended. You won't survive outside, I'm the only one who can at the moment," Cain walked toward them, "The important part is that his health isn't doing well, the abomination invaded his body and is driving him to death, like a rotten disease that cannot be cured."
"Can't we do anything about it?"
{The divine addressed us! We're blessed! We're blessed!}
^{Everything in this world that isn't intelligent recognizes the divine overlord and prays to it. Dirt, stones, grass, wind, doors, and even the animals and their waste prays to you. Since AO recognized you, you're the true omnipotent god of this world. But not outside it,}^ Lilia explained.
"Would I be hearing them all the time?" Cain looked at the grass. He could even hear the dirt and bugs underground fighting on whoever gets stepped on by him.
^{I'll handle this part. It's still a bit hard for you to hear everything, especially when nerfed in the mortal world.}^ Lilia took control of some of Cain's magic and blocked the voices.
"Better," Cain stood, levitating, "Let's head back," He started flying away.
^I'm a bit faster than normal considering the magic I'm using...^ He looked at his hands.
^{Listen to this, it's the wind.}^ Lilia said.
{I don't dare to hold your divinity back. Please fly through me as you wish. I'll even push you forward as much as I can.}
"Really?" Cain sighed, "Lilia, can't I move normally?"
^{Sadly, I can't prevent them from trying to help. You'll get used to this soon enough,}^ She replied with a giggle.
Cain flew all the way back to Furberg and landed in front of the main gate. "Open the gate!" He waved his hands to the guards.
"It's Cain!" A guard shouted, "We'll open it soon."
{Damnable humans! Open me, can't see who's standing outside?} Cain could hear a faint cry come from the gate. {Oh! Lord, please forgive this useless gate, I can't even open myself to your divinity...}
The guards could feel a tingle running down their spines as their whole bodies started to tingle. "What's going on?" One of them stopped and looked at his hand, but at that moment, the tingle grew stronger. "What?" He then kept moving as it helped make it less itchy.
The gate opened, and Cain walked through it, but he could still hear voices coming from the guards. {Please forgive us, oh! Divinity, oh our lord...Those souls are too restraining. We couldn't act faster.}
Cain turned toward the guards, ^Their bodies recognized me just like the door and grass did.^
"I don't blame you. Calm down," Cain replied, and the guards felt strangely at ease as the itch riddling their bodies disappeared.
"What was that?" The guards stared at each other, confused.
Cain walked alone through the street, heading toward the guild with his eyes glowing with a faint blue light. He has finally ascended to the true pinnacle of what is possible in this world.