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The journey to find the next forgotten god led Chirag and his companions underground—deep into a part of the world few dared to speak of, and even fewer had ever seen.
It was known as Obsidian Hollow.
Legends said it was once a thriving kingdom beneath the surface, a place built by rulers who wished to escape the eyes of the gods. But after they dared to challenge divine law, their city was buried and forgotten—along with everything in it. Some said it had been cursed, some claimed it was guarded by shadows. But one truth remained: within its deepest chamber lived Vael, the god of silence and shadows.
A god who had turned his back on light.
"This place gives me chills," Kuro muttered as they stepped down a spiraling tunnel of stone and black crystal. "And that's saying a lot."
"There's no wind," Siya said quietly. "Not even a whisper. Just… stillness."
Chirag lit a flame in his palm, but even the fire seemed dim here. The walls didn't reflect the light like normal rock—they absorbed it, like they were feeding on it.
The deeper they went, the heavier the air became. Like the darkness wasn't just around them, but inside them too.
Finally, after hours of silent walking, the narrow tunnel opened up—and what lay beyond took their breath away.
A city. Buried beneath the world.
Towers of black stone. Bridges made of bones and forgotten metal. Glowing fungi lit parts of the streets with a dull green light. The silence was so deep that even their footsteps sounded distant, as if the city swallowed sound like a bottomless pit.
"No people," Kuro said, turning slowly. "No spirits. No birds. Nothing."
"They say silence was Vael's gift," Siya said. "And his curse."
"Let's find him," Chirag said. "Before this place tries to bury us too."
They moved through the abandoned city, past statues covered in vines and walls etched with ancient symbols. At one point, they passed a massive mural carved into stone. It showed a figure cloaked in shadow, arms outstretched, facing down a group of gods.
Underneath it, a phrase was carved in a language Chirag had come to understand thanks to Aramis's memory gift: "Even the loudest gods cannot break the will of silence."
It was a warning.
And a promise.
Soon, they reached what looked like a temple—dark pillars, open sky above like a hole in the earth. Inside was a massive throne, empty.
Or so they thought.
Suddenly, the shadows shifted.
A figure stepped forward, not from behind the throne—but from the shadow of the throne itself. It was as if he had always been part of it.
Tall. Hooded. His face was not visible, but his presence was powerful. Not loud. Not blazing. But certain. Unmoving. Like the center of the world.
Chirag took a slow breath. "Vael."
The god didn't respond.
Kuro frowned. "Can he hear us?"
"He hears everything," Siya whispered. "He just chooses silence."
Chirag stepped forward. "I know why you're here. Why you stayed hidden. The gods fear you. Because you chose not to follow their rules. Because you found power in stillness."
Still no response.
"But silence isn't weakness," Chirag continued. "It's strength. Control. Focus. I need that now. To face what's coming."
Vael tilted his head slightly, as if studying Chirag's heart—not his words.
Chirag clenched his fists. "I won't beg. I came here to ask for your power. For your blessing. To protect those who can't protect themselves. Not for fame. Not for revenge. But because it's right."
Still, Vael didn't speak.
Then he raised his hand—and pointed at Chirag's chest.
Instantly, Chirag's flame went out.
The whole city seemed to pulse, and the silence grew thicker.
Then something strange happened.
Memories began to rise—not as visions, but as feelings.
Chirag felt the cold night his parents left him.
He felt the hunger in the streets.
He felt the warmth of Siya's hand the first time she helped him stand.
He felt the rage when the gods attacked.
The grief when he almost lost her.
And the strength when he stood up, again and again, no matter how many times he was knocked down.
But most of all… he felt quiet.
A stillness in the center of his being.
A space that no pain could enter. A space that belonged to him alone.
Vael stepped forward and placed one hand over Chirag's heart. In that moment, no words were spoken—but power passed between them.
It wasn't fire. Or wind. Or light.
It was nothingness.
And in that nothingness, Chirag found clarity. Focus. Inner calm. A gift no enemy could take from him.
Then Vael disappeared—melted back into the shadows without a sound.
The flame in Chirag's hand reignited, but it burned differently now—quiet, steady, sharp.
"I… feel strange," Chirag said softly. "Like the fire inside me is listening. Watching."
"You have the power of silence," Siya said. "Use it well."
Kuro shook his head. "Five gods down. Two left. And every time, you change."
"I'm becoming what I need to be," Chirag said.
They turned to leave the city, but as they stepped into the tunnel, Chirag paused.
He looked back at the throne one last time.
"Thank you," he whispered.
The shadows said nothing.
But somewhere deep in the earth, the silence smiled.
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