As Eren delved deeper into the secrets of Anfang's past and immersed himself in the intricacies of Hex gear manufacturing, a larger picture began to emerge before him.
Like assembling the fragments of a grand tapestry, Eren's understanding expanded, revealing the complex power struggle between divine and demonic forces that shaped the world of Anfang in the past.
Thanks to Alephee, Eren was already aware that Hexers, the mana-harnessing entities, were not confined to Anfang alone. They thrived across multiple worlds, standing as prominent figures within their respective realms. These extraordinary beings possessed unique battle styles that were shaped by the teachings of their specific Hexer creeds.
Central to the identity of Hexers was their gear and weapons, vital components that bolstered their physical capabilities and harmonized with their individual Hexes.
Among the diverse creeds of Hexers, seven stood out prominently: The Crane's Creed, The Cat's Creed, The Eagle's Creed, The Bear's Creed, The Snake's Creed, The Scorpio's Creed, and The Wolf's Creed. These distinct creeds and their practitioners could be found not only within the pre-calamity-Anfang but across various demon-infested worlds.
It astonished Eren to learn that gods themselves had created these Hexers, bestowing upon them the power to counter demons and protect their realms by granting them Hex gear. They then shared the knowledge of creating Hex gear with their faiths, resulting in the mass production of Hex gear.
In addition to the demonic planes, Eren also discovered the existence of divine planes. These ethereal realms were inhabited by formidable entities known as gods, revered and worshiped by those who believed in their divine authority.
Had Eren been born before the Calamity War, he would have encountered a multitude of demonic and divine faiths, often referred to as cults, that influenced the beliefs and actions of people across different worlds.
Eren understood the inherent advantage of demonic practitioners, their mastery of intent-based demonic magic, which amplified their spells and abilities to formidable levels. Unlike other mana-harnessing entities, those blessed by demons possessed direct access to intent-based magic, making them a formidable challenge for regular Rankers, Evokers, Body Cultivators, Soulweavers, and Elementalists.
To counter the influence of demonic forces, Hex magic was bestowed upon devout followers by the gods. This sacred magic empowered them with intent-based powers. The creation of Hex gear was specifically aimed at countering the unleashed powers of awakened demonic practitioners, as only intent-based magic could effectively rival intent-based magic.
Throughout history, the records emphasized the consequences of wielding demonic powers, highlighting their potential for profound transformation and rebirth. However, they warned of the dangers inherent in embracing these tempting powers, often resulting in the formation of Faustian Contracts. Such contracts allowed demons to manifest in the mortal planes, igniting fierce conflicts between divine and demonic forces.
Given the streamlined access to intent-based magic granted to demonic practitioners, it was no surprise that many regular mana-harnessing entities were drawn to its allure. Struggling to advance in their own paths of power, they sought the extraordinary potential offered by demon magic. Interestingly, those influenced by demonic magic were unable to serve as followers of the divine forces.
To empower their devout followers in the fight against demonic practitioners, the gods sought a solution that would protect and nourish their divine faiths. However, most gods hesitated to directly involve themselves with mortals due to their own reasons. Taking inspiration from Elder Seed Artifacts, they devised the creation of Hex gear. In certain worlds, Hex artifacts were even referred to as pseudo-Elder Seed Artifacts, as they operated on the principles of intent-based magic, just like their ancient counterparts.
As Eren delved into the true history of Anfang, he discovered that the gods, despite their divine status, had their limitations. They did not directly engage in combat with the demonic forces but instead empowered their devoted followers by bestowing them with Hex gears, enabling them to confront and battle these malevolent entities.
Elder Seed Artifacts could be used to count the demonic forces. But they were exceptionally rare, to the extent that one could search countless worlds without finding a single trace of them. These artifacts possessed an elusive nature and the ability to conceal themselves as ordinary objects when desired. Even gods and demons coveted these elusive treasures, making it impossible for the gods to distribute them to their followers.
Eren also uncovered the truth that the gods were unable to create exact replicas of the Elder Seed Artifacts. The simple reality was that they could not do so. As a result, the Hex artifacts, often referred to as pseudo-Elder Seed Artifacts, were conceived as an attempt to replicate the process.
One could say that without the crucial component of the Elder Ichor Bloodline, the artifacts created by the followers of the gods could only become Hex artifacts.
While the Hex artifacts were based on the principles of the Elder Seed Artifacts and granted access to intent-based magic for ordinary individuals, they could only tap into a fraction of the immense power possessed by the original Elder Seed artifacts. Despite this limitation, the various cults of gods recognized the potential of the Hex artifacts in their ongoing struggle against the demonic forces.
Consequently, these artifacts were mass-produced and distributed among the followers of the gods, serving as a means to safeguard their faiths. Although the Hex artifacts paled in comparison to the true Elder Seed Artifacts, they were relatively easier to create and distribute, making them a favorable choice for the gods to bestow upon their devoted followers.
In the era before the Calamity War in Anfang, Hexers were highly sought after by various kingdoms and organizations, as they possessed the ability to combat awakened demonic practitioners that posed a threat to their existence. The Hexers proved to be invaluable assets for these factions, playing a vital role in their struggles against the forces of darkness.
As time passed, the Hexers underwent a transformation, moving away from their divine origins and consolidating into a unified organization. However, as they became more entrenched in their individual creeds, they began to view themselves less as a cohesive whole and more as distinct factions within the Hexer community.
This shift in perspective led to increased competition and rivalry among the various creeds as each vied for recognition and opportunities.
The fierce competition between the Hexers' Creeds allowed the Hexers to focus on harnessing their talents and taking on subjugation contracts against the demonic forces. Unfortunately, as time passed, certain Hexers' Creeds deviated from their core principles and succumbed to the allure of demon magic. They sought to enhance the potency of their Hex magic by delving into forbidden practices.
This led to conflicts and internal strife among the Hexers' Creeds, escalating into a full-scale war involving both divine and demonic forces.
This conflict reached its peak during the period of the Calamity War.
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