"Yes." Ra nodded, "My downfall is the beginning of the entire Divine System's crisis. That darkness sweeping across the gods did not come from outside, but originated from within us—stemming from our greed for power and obsession with eternity."
About this.
Most gods nodded gravely.
"The God of Gods' influence on us is intended to harvest our strength." Pluton was also aware of this matter, promptly speaking out about the crisis the gods faced.
It's also an explanation for other gods who haven't grasped the issue. Clearly, this is a secret even unknown to Ian, explaining why all gods who embark on the path of divinity go mad and foolish.
It actually doesn't stem from the gods themselves, but rather they were poisoned by a higher-dimensional existence, leading them to madness and causing the gods' twilight.
The so-called God of Gods was named as such by Sun God Ra, perceiving the mysterious unknown influence. He suspected that this existence was inducing the gods' twilight to strengthen or maintain itself.
"Is there such a thing? Our real enemy?"
Horus was shocked.
Isis continued, "Yes, anticipating its attempt to harvest us, Ra chose to feign death, using the Artificial Sun God plan as a cover, secretly arranging for a true revival, thus shedding the body and soul already poisoned. Otherwise, directly confronting that existence would leave even us without a chance."
It turns out this was the real reason for the Sun God's sudden death; he wasn't killed by some powerful existence or betrayed by the other gods, but chose to be reborn in fire after realizing certain truths.
Osiris added, "The birth of Set-Apep was an accident but definitely not a coincidence. It was the aggregation product of those filthy substances after Ra shed the poisoned body and soul. Of course, it became a perfect smokescreen, preventing that existence from noticing Ra's real plan."
Here, it reveals why the Evil God is so wicked yet so powerful. It all stems from it indeed being born from Sun God Ra himself and having the enhancement of higher-dimensional power.
This is also why he could steal the Eye of Ra, the most essential aspect of Sun God Ra. In reality, it truly is the Sun God, just the deeply poisoned remains of the Sun God.
The gods were silent for a moment, digesting the information. Horus finally landed on the ground, folding his wings: "So the arrival of that mortal... Ian Prince, wasn't accidental?"
Ra smiled slightly: "In the tapestry of time, no stitch is accidental. The Prince family's contract with us, a layout crossing thousands of years, was all to face the upcoming challenge."
He turned to the other gods, his tone becoming serious: "The crisis of the God of Gods is a real thing; I have verified it. Therefore, our battle is not yet over."
Osiris tightened his hook staff: "Then how shall we respond?"
Ra raised his hand, palm facing upward. An orb of True Sun Fire burned within, vaguely revealing countless possible futures.
"We need to unite all force that can be united—including forces from other Divine Systems. We also need to use the power of time to ally with the gods of other systems when they are most aware." Ra's gaze was far-reaching, "Ian Prince perhaps doesn't even know that his time travel is also opening pathways for us."
Horus pondered, "So you bestowed upon him the power of the Sun God?"
"Not just bestowing power." Ra said calmly, "It's also extending goodwill; you must believe that cause and effect ultimately repay. We need to unite every force that can be united."
He expressed reasons for gratitude towards Ian, for sending the source of power.
"The God of Gods..." The gods stood atop the mountain, looking down at the gradually revitalizing Human World below. The setting sun stretched their shadows long.
Isis sighed softly: "Mortals are still celebrating the demise of the Evil God, unaware that a bigger storm is brewing."
Osiris followed, "Just let them enjoy a moment of peace. The future challenges will be borne by us."
Ra's golden eyes flickered with complex light: "The arrival of the God of Gods is inevitable, but we are not entirely without hope. In various timelines, there are strong beings preparing for the ultimate battle."
He turned to the gods, his tone firm: "Now, we need to awaken more sleeping divine spirits, unite every possible force. When that moment comes, we must be prepared."
Horus spread his wings, flying towards the sky: "I'll inform other Gods of the Sky."
Osiris merged into the shadows: "I'll contact the Netherworld gods."
Isis dissolved into light and vanished: "I'll awaken the Goddesses of Life."
Soon, only Sun God Ra remained standing on the mountaintop alone. He stared into the distance, holding a raven's feather that somehow appeared in his hand.
"Guardian of Time,"
Ra murmured softly, as if communicating with an unseen existence, "You've been plotting for a long time, and now the pieces are in place. Let's see where this game against the God of Gods will lead."
The sunset completely sank beneath the horizon, its last rays disappearing into the sky.
But in the darkness, the light emanating from Sun God Ra became even more dazzling, like an ever-burning beacon in the night.
The wind stopped.
The light, eternally shining.
In this secret conversation among the Ancient Egyptian Gods, Ian was of course unaware. He had already entered the Time Passage, led by the Time Machine, heading to the next era, belonging to Merlin, King Arthur, and his teacher Morgan, where a different material, needed by the Female Titan who loved bossing around "oxen and horses," required Ian's search.
Ian only saw a blinding white light before his eyes, followed by endless darkness and a sensation of weightlessness. The Time Machine buzzed in his ears, like the low roar of an ancient beast, enveloping him in a tunnel made of streamers and fragments. Time lost its meaning here, while the past and future intertwined into glimmering threads, quickly passing by him.
He saw the initial construction of the Pyramid, the flooding of the Nile River, and the moment he knelt before Sun God Ra to receive blessing—the golden Divine Power now quietly flowing within him, warm and strong, like a miniature sun beating in his chest.
"Revisiting old grounds,"
Ian murmured softly, a faint nostalgic smile on his lips. He remembered the grasslands and castles of that era, and his battles with Merlin.
The Time Machine sailed steadily through the Time Passage, numerous historical fragments flickering like a revolving lantern. Ian relaxed against the seat, beginning to plan his upcoming journey.
However, just as he was immersed in thinking, a sudden change occurred—a formless terrifying force swept in unexpectedly, striking the Time Machine like a giant palm. This force contained suffocating fury, as if responding to the disruption of a great existence's plan.
"What's happening?!" Ian cried out, clinging to the seat, trying to stabilize the violently shaking Time Machine.
The indicator lights on the control panel flashed wildly, alarm blaring piercingly. The coordinates within the Crystal Ball began to jump erratically, indicating they were deviating from the intended course.
[Warning: Unknown energy shock encountered]
[Warning: Space-time stability dropping to dangerous levels]
[Warning: Propulsion system overheating]
Ian quickly operated the control panel, attempting to stabilize the situation, but everything was futile. That invisible force grew stronger, seemingly intent on crushing the Time Machine along with its passengers.
"Damn it! What is this?!" Ian gritted his teeth, activating Magic Power automatically, forming a golden shield around the machine. But the shield quickly showed cracks under the force's impact.
Just then, he saw a terrifying scene through the porthole—a barrier outside the Time Passage, an indescribable eye gazing at him.
The existence had no specific form, just a constantly changing mix of shadows and lights, but the power within made even Ian, who had faced the Evil God, feel uneasy.
The Time Machine groaned under overwhelming pressure, sparks beginning to fly within the cabin.
"No! Hold on!" Ian desperately pumped Magic Power into the console, but it was all in vain.
Boom!
Accompanied by a deafening explosion, the Time Machine's propulsion system completely broke down.
The cabin filled with dense smoke, as flames started to spread.
"Damn Titan technology junk!" Ian shouted angrily, while frantically adjusting the coordinates, slamming the smoking control panel.
Before the words left his mouth, a loud bang erupted from the Time Machine's core. Sparks flew, metal twisted, the entire machine shook violently and began to disassemble like a paper box squeezed by an invisible giant hand.
"Ah—!"
With a scream, Ian and the smoke-covered, wrecked Time Machine remnants were thrown out of the Time Passage like a stone from a slingshot.
Weightlessness persisted for seconds, followed by a violent impact.
"Bang!"
He crashed heavily onto a damp grassland, rolling several times before stopping.