Pride.
That was the reason they threw away caution and followed paths known to bring destruction. But that is not their greatest folly.
That would be their hubris. Pride and confidence without any basis for its existence.
That they believe they might find a way that GAIA had not.
Indeed, it is not impossible. GAIA was willing to concent as much.
However, there was one massive point they missed. Though, the blame for this cannot be placed solely on them. GAIA was also liable. After all, they had used Eldrian to bring forth a change to the very structure of planet Earth.
When Eldrian formed a path between the two realities, it had given the duality creator god the opportunity—and the tool required. The only way to change the structure of an entire world is with the power of time or space. And Eldrian, as it would have it, had the former.
Naturally, he could not produce the power required on his own. However, using him as a catalyst to start an evolution for the world was far simpler. This was, in fact, why Eldrian had turned into elf.
As one would expect, GAIA had refused to explain this to Eldrian back then. They had given him excuses and simple facts that couldn't be hidden. However, they hid the truth of how his life had been ripped from peace and thrown into hell.
Why his death had to be faked, his family go through the grief of his loss, and why he had to stay on the run like an international criminal until Zaphreal finally saved him.
How could GAIA ever reveal this truth to him? Especially when they still needed him to complete the plan?
It was not by Eldrian's own design or powers, but by the meddling of a god that his life had been ruined.
It was also why he was by far the most capable of storing mana in his human body. It had been altered. While his original body is not on the same level as his avatar, and indeed the residents of Gaia, it can channel mana without mutating itself. Naturally, for it had already evolved.
So, one might say it was not all bad. Though, even GAIA had to admit: Eldrian would hate them should he know the truth.
And, even now, said god was standing firm in their belief. In fact, the truth of what was in store for Eldrian was even worse still. Yet, it was the only way now to save the planet. That, or stop Miracle and all human who meddle with the concept of magic.
But such a thing would be impossible. No one would accept to abandon the concept of magic when they learn it exists, and more so, that they themselves might be able to wield it.
Magic, after all, is much the same as science. It just takes a different form. And even when it is destroying the planet, no one can abandon science and all the benefits it brings to them.
In fact, these very same people had seen the destruction the paths they were taking had brought on entire planets. Planets with divine protection.
With such simple proof already witnessed, GAIA was only more resolved in their path. Still...
"Should we inform them of our plan?" GAIA mumbled. Sadly, no one had an answer.
Thanks to recent events, the gods had an inkling of who they could trust within the company. Yet, what GAIA had done was certainly beyond the bounds of their designation. Unlike the others—besides Ziraili—they have the least amount of restrictions placed on themselves.
However, one restriction that was just as severe among all gods, was the prison function. A function with the sole purpose of preventing them from interacting with anything on Earth without the strict consent of the developers.
After all, few were mad enough to make literal gods without containing their power. And, as ironic as it might sound, GAIA had been the ones who had been so adamant that they should be limited in reach after their deification. For they had feared what they might become.
Looking back, GAIA wasn't able to say whether or not it was for the best. They had held on to their original convictions. In fact, it was the only reason they had not gone mad. The others, however...
Informing anyone on Earth about what they had done had too many dangers and unknowns. The worst case would be if they start hunting Eldrian again. After all, should Eldrian die, then everything would be for naught. Only doom would remain.
While the hunt had been ideal when it had all started. Eldrian had needed to expend the excess of energy GAIA had forced through their soul after his evolution. And escaping from Miracle's secret laboratory and military was a perfect way to safely vent that energy.
That was also the reason why he could no longer produce the same results. Sure, he was still powerful. However, without the excess energy, using Warth on Earth would damage him far too much to be considered a feasible option.
He must not be pushed that far. Luckily, Eldrian hadn't needed to rely on it since his escape. Certainly not in full force.
"We should—no, I will inform them that they do not have as long as they expect." Breaking the silence, Ziraili spoke. Like most, she had her own thoughts and feelings about things.
Unlike the others, she was not willing to accept sacrificing Eldrian any further than they already had. She had finally reached her limit of being a bystander. Sure, she had already been sharing secrets with Eldrian, but that was no longer enough.
She was most certainly not willing to see his soul consumed by their plans. Losing Two had been too much. Ziraili was certain she wouldn't stay sane if Eldrian suffered a similar fate.
"That might be for the best." GAIA murmured, nodding in agreement, not understanding Ziraili's heart.
Still, they would need to keep the details minimal. But they had to inform those playing gods on Earth that they do not have as much time as they need. Not nearly, not even a smidgen as much as they believe.
For, you see, thanks to the evolution already transpiring through the planet, it won't take tens of thousands of years for Spirits to evolve from Elementals. Nor will it take millennia for the mana to reach a point where a Chaotic Storm would appear.
No. Without Miracle's meddling, monsters would already have started appearing on the planet within the next ten years. It was why Eldrian needed to reach Tier 10 by then, and preferably the ranks of Legends.
Sadly, with their meddling, monsters would likely appear within the year. Chaotic Storms within three, and Spirits within five.
"Ziraili..." Knowing (or believing they do) how deeply she cares for Eldrian, GAIA did indeed feel somewhat guilty for what was to come. But with these developments, it was highly—no, near impossible that Eldrian would survive.
And, when asked, which was more important. Naturally, the answer would be the planet.
"I think it is about time I truly abandon that agreement." Ziraili mumbled. She had been aiding Eldrian more and more. However, she had always contained her aid to a somewhat agreeable amount.
She felt that was no longer enough. No, she knew it wasn't.
"Child... If you aid him too much, he will not reach the ranks of Legends. And anything less will be too little."
"Which just means we need to find a way, regardless."
Naturally, it was unheard of for any person to reach the ranks of Tier 10 in a scant ten years. Yet, Eldrian only had five years more at max. Preferably three. And that wasn't to reach the simple Tier of 10, but to become a Legend. A demi-god.
"Chi—"
"Enough!" Ziraili shouted, stopping GAIA before they could say anything more. "I'm leaving." With that, Ziraili disappeared. Stifling her emotions as she did.
She immediately searched for Eldrian, and breaking all the rules, appeared before him in her divine form. Shocking Boran and Solvi so much that the part they were working on cracked and they felt like their souls were about to escape. In fact, it nearly did.
If this was not the smithy of the Legendary Smith, everything nearby would have been destroyed. In fact, all things within the room below the rank of Tier 4 turned to dust from the power emanating from her.
Naturally, Ziraili was keeping her divinity contained, but even still, her mere presence was enough to make Solvi faint. Boran clutched his heart, and Eldrian fall to his knees.
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