Chapter 992 Demand and Repayment
?994 Limit Break
As Maximus stood before the platinum door adorned with ancient engravings and runes, the mere presence of the entrance exuded an otherworldly aura that caused the Hero of Nature to stumble slightly in his steps. The atmosphere around the door seemed charged with divine energy, setting the stage for what lay beyond.
[What is this feeling? It's as if my soul is leaving my body.] thought Maximus.
Because at this moment when he stood close to the door, it felt as if he was drawn to whatever it was beyond the door.
His entire being felt like it was being pulled by an inexplicable connection towards this door.
At the center of this 2-meter wide and 3-meter tall door, was a golden lion's head, made out of an unknown metal that glowed purple and red periodically.
And in that lion's mouth, was a blue glowing orb.
"Alright, the empress told me to put my hand on the orb when I see it." spoke Maximus and cautiously placed his palm on the blue orb.
Swoosh!
And the very next moment, his entire figure disappeared from the room, not even leaving a gust of wind behind.
After he opened his eyes, he found himself standing on a platinum platform in the form of a 10-meter radius disc.
But soon, another phenomenon took place in front of him.
And eternal darkness surrounded Maximus, soon, that darkness was lit with light. After a few seconds, earth formed, and soon, the elements of reality such as water, metal, fire, wood, lightning, light, and darkness started encompassing that earth.
The awe-inspiring sight before Maximus unfolded like the birth of an entire planet's ecosystem.
As if witnessing the genesis of life, he observed the landscape taking shape, evolving, and flourishing before his eyes. The beauty and endless possibilities of creation left Maximus transfixed, momentarily forgetting his own existence in the face of this majestic display. The unfolding panorama seemed to carry the promise of boundless potential and the wonder of life's constant renewal.
In front of Maximus... an entire planet was being created.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Right then, a voice resounded behind him.
As Maximus turned his head around, in front of him appeared a vast and unending expanse of a transcendent being.
This being had a humanoid appearance but with a mixture of all the elements of reality such as water, earth, metal, wood, wind, and fire; leaving many others he could not even recognize. It was like looking at a living embodiment of the world itself.
The eternal being sat meditatively, its eyes closed as if lost in thought.
The distance between them was several hundred kilometers away, yet it felt as if the being was right in front of him. Maximus could not help but feel a sense of awe and reverence washed over him, since he was in the presence of something truly divine.
"Oh, divine god." spoke Maximus and bowed his head in respect.
The endless and eternal being in front of him was none other than the God of Nature, Termeszet.
"How are you, my child?
It feels as if it was mere moments ago when I brought you into Vantrea as my chosen hero." spoke the God of Nature in a voice carrying the depth of transcendent wisdom.
"Well, 7 years could be considered a mere moment for a God. But it has been a while for me." said Maximus, still in a bowing position.
"Raise your head, child. I can see that you've become very strong in such a short time.
stage saint.
Compared to beings like them, I'm not even worth being mentioned in the same sentence as them.
And that is why... I need your help." iterated Maximus in a firm tone.
He was not the kind to shy away from his shortcomings right when they were in front of his eyes.
Even as a hero, he was still not someone who could represent the Nadur Empire and the billions of people living in it, and neither was he strong enough to protect everyone.
Even his strength as a 5th-stage saint was barely enough for him.
"Good. I expected you to feel that way.
And that is why you deserve my blessings to bridge that gap between yourself and the others." declared Termeszet and moved his right palm.
Shing!
Shing!
The palm shone brightly and an ethereal multicolored aura suddenly encapsulated Maximus' entire body.
Minutes passed the aura was completely absorbed by Maximus.
Crack!
Crack!
Crack!
In 3 successions, the crackling noises resounded in this dimension.
Shatter!
Suddenly, as if breaking an invisible case of glass, Maximus's figure shattered the entire surroundings close to him as if the reality itself shattered.
"Whoo! This... I feel it." he spoke and looked at his arms.
"My body feels like I have become immune to suppression of my own limits." he said in an astonished tone.
"Yes. You have broken your limits. You will at least become an 8th-stage saint in your lifetime.
But the journey beyond that... it will all depend on your resolution and hard work." iterated the God of Nature.
"Before you go. I have a favor to ask you." said the god and gazed at Maximus.
"If you meet the Hero of Darkness during this conclave of heroes...
Help him escape." commended the God.
Stunned!
"Why?" asked Maximus with a shocked countenance.
Because even to him, everyone told him that the Hero of Darkness was an enemy who must not be spared.
"Consider it paying off a debt..." spoke the god of nature with a tone full of wisdom.
"From a time that has not come to existence yet."