"You can revive other people?" Apki eximed.


    "Well, yes. I would be a terrible Envoy of the Twin Gods if I am not able to do that. One half of the twin gods is the Goddess of Life Gaea." Levin Cloud replied.


    "I see. That is a bit rude of me. Do you guys need anything? Like getting your weapons maintained or buying potions?" Apki asked.


    "Not really as we still have enough supplies. We want to know about the two champions that will apany us if you have an idea." Kabrakan asked.


    "I know about them. Since they will be our struggle then it is a good thing that you three must know about them." Apki stated.


    He then proceeded to tell the three about the champions chosen by a god and goddess of Mahar Lika. The first is the Champion of Dumangan and is the resident champion here that also guards the Carabao n. Dumangan is the god of good harvest and uses arge axe as a weapon.


    He acts like a tanky berserker as he could heal his wounds as long as he has contact with the earth. He is also having high resistance from earth elemental attacks. He usually farms when he is not in battle as he loves the soil. He is currently returning to the settlement as he was looking for arablend elsewhere for the Carabao n to grow produce.


    The second is the Champion of Anitun Tabu. Anitun Tabu is the goddess of the wind and rain in Mahar Lika and is also said to have a fickle personality which even her champions inherit. The champion uses a bow as her weapon that is gifted by the goddess herself. She uses sts of wind as arrows since the bow is a magical artifact.


    "That is great then as we have the main tank, Kabrakan, and a sub-tank the Champion of Dumangan. The rest will be damage and support which is a good bnce since we need damage for this quest. The faster that we kill the corrupted god fragment then the faster that we get back the Soil of the Wilde." Peridot stated.


    


    "The names of the first and second champion is Lupa and Hangin. They could be described as a couple since they have this air of romance around them which is why they will probably prioritize each other''s safety." Apki stated/


    The four of them started to disseminate important information which each other in order to familiarize with each other''s battle styles. The three already knew how Apki attacks as they have seen him in action during the Pandelympics. The other two champions arrived while they were chatting with each other.


    "This are the two champions that will apany all of you in killing the corrupted god fragment. They are Lupa and Hangin. You two, these are the people that will help you in the quest. Both of you know Apki, the three are Kabrakan, Peridot, and Levin Cloud." Bao stated as he introduced the two champions to the group.


    "It is such an honor to be in a quest with the champion of a supreme god. The others are wee as well." Hangin stated as she started to show her fickle personality. She wears clothes that have patterns of blue and white as if to represent the goddess that is her patron.


    "Apologies for her behavior. It is nice to meet you. I am Lupa and this is Hangin." Lupa stated as he greeted the others with a warm smile. He exudes an aura that will make you feel calm and protected. He wears heavy armor that has the mark of the Carabao n and a color scheme of red and brown. Therge axe is also present on his back with a de having a head of a carabao as a pattern.


    "You should be more respectful to them as one of them is the Envoy of the Twin Gods." Apki stated as he nced at Levin Cloud.


    The two were shocked upon knowing that one of them was the Envoy of the Twin Gods. The Twin Gods are also a special existence in Mahar Lika as the Supreme Gods were under them. The gods above the Supreme Gods only number three but one already died.


    The Twin Gods are thest of the three gods above the Supreme gods. It cannot be stressed enough that the power of the gods and goddesses in Mahar Lika are absolute. This is the reason why Apki is treated with respect by the inhabitants since he is the Champion of a Supreme God. But now, a being higher in hierarchy is in front of them.


    "I am sorry for the discourtesy." Hangin stated as she bowed.


    


    "That is fine. Just make sure to never judge anyone again with their appearance." Levin Cloud stated as he did not want to escte the issue. Apki already told them that the patron god usually decides the level of respect one can attain in Mahar Lika.


    "If you are now ready, we can go to the site where we sealed the corrupted god fragment." Bao stated.


    "We are ready. What about the others?" Kabrakan stated.


    "I am ready as well." Apki stated.


    "We are ready as well." Lupa and Hangin replied.


    "If that is the case then shall we proceed." Bao stated as he suddenly started to drum his cute bulging belly.


    When Bao drummed his belly, a powerful and invigorating tone is heard by everyone. Light filled the eyes of everyone that heard the tune and the next thing they knew is that they are now in front of a forest that is severely polluted by miasma.


    "This is the Ancient Nao Grotto or at least was. It has now be a polluted forest filled with the miasma of a corrupted god fragment. The whole forest is currently sealed by the gods and goddesses of Mahar Lika. It is a barrier designed to seal a god or a fragment of a god." Bao stated.


    "If that is the case then that means that the gods and goddesses that can descend will not be able to finish off the god fragment even if they regained power?" Kabrakan asked to which Bao nodded.


    "This is as far as I go. I will be waiting for your victorious return. Nuno will be sealed on that huge dirt hill in the center of the forest." Bao stated as he pointed at the dirt hill that can be seen from the entrance.


    The group then entered the Ancient Nao Grotto with a formation. Kabrakan and Lupa are in front. Behind the two are Levin Cloud and Peridot since their skills work better at midrange. Behind them is Hangin with her bow while the rear guard is Apki.


    The Ancient Nao Grotto used to be a beautiful forest that is revered for its fresh air and beautiful trees, but it is different now. It is just a shadow of its former glory as the forest is no longer bright but dreary. The clean air is now suffocating due to the miasma while the trees are either dead or decaying.


    "Its weird." Levin Cloud suddenly stated.


    "What is weird?" Peridot asked.


    "The soil here is still alive but barely. It feels like the energy from thend is being sucked into that huge dirt hill. This should not happen as everything must flow naturally. Has the seal weakened from the ten years that the corrupted god fragment is sealed?" Levin Cloud stated.


    They wanted to rebuke his statement, but he should be the most sensitive one among them when ites to thend. He also touched the trees of the forest and could feel them cry in anguish as the souls of the trees are also being sucked dry. Levin Cloud suddenly thought that the battle will not be easy.


    There were no monsters attacking them, but they could see numerous skeletons of monsters littered in the forest. It seems that even monsters are not spared when ites to the voracity of whatever is sealed in the Ancient Nao Grotto. The ce is eerily quiet which should not be how a god fragment reacts.


    Nuno is said to be territorial which is why they expected a fight the moment they passed through but nothing of the sort happened. Suddenly, they heard voices ofughter in the background. They tried searching for the source of thisughter that is a mix of a child and an old man''sugh but they came out with nothing.


    The group suddenly realized that they are now in front of the huge dirt mound which should not have been the case. They were supposed to arrive there in half an hour, but they are suddenly in front of it.


    "Thend itself shifted!" Levin Cloud shouted and the huge dirt mound suddenly formed into a huge mouth that tried to swallow everyone whole.