Lightning Is the Only Way

"You need to become a level four Star God again first," Orthar answered directly. "I've already prepared your opponent, and you can't win as long as you are not a level four Star God."

"Additionally, don't jump into a fight while feeling this confident. Confidence is good, but you can't commit any mistakes against your next opponent. If you do, you will die, and your suffering will have been for naught."

Mortis only looked at Orthar with fiery eyes, but Orthar's gaze didn't waver.

"He's right, Mortis," Gravis said from the side. "Calm down first. Orthar knows our power perfectly, and he will give us an opponent that will push us to our absolute limits. One wrong move, and we will die."

"After all, if we can't even prepare ourselves adequately for a fight, how will we ever reach the power of father?"

Mortis' gaze went from Orthar to Gravis.

"I won't make a mistake," Mortis said.

Gravis frowned.

"However, I trust in your judgment," Mortis said after he relaxed. "You might see things in me that I can't see."

Gravis' smile returned. "Thanks," he said.

The two of them looked at Orthar again and nodded.

Orthar nodded back.

Then, Orthar vanished.

After that, Mortis and Gravis sat down.

Gravis asked his father for another delivery of coffee, and his father delivered.

"I'm proud of you, Mortis," the Opposer said to Mortis.

When Mortis heard these words, something inside him shook.

"Thanks," was all Mortis said.

His thanks only sounded polite, but all of Mortis' feelings had been summarized in it.

Mortis had felt the deep feeling of pride his father held for him, and his father heard the appreciation in Mortis' voice.

Gravis gave Mortis some of the coffee, and the two of them started talking again.

the Sin Monster, and the incredible amount

had only had so many Sin Monsters on his body near the end, but Mortis managed to survive against so

Mortis said

then, Gravis had been subject to an ever-increasing load of suffering. This meant that Gravis had also known that it would become harder and harder the longer it dragged on, which added a feeling of approaching dread. Additionally, Gravis hadn't been entirely sure for how long

could always shout at you, and you always supported me during these trying times. Meanwhile, you have been alone the entire time. I couldn't help you. The only thing I could do

of them

impossible to quantify Suffering to such a minute

levels of it, and they were fine with

Gravis and Mortis had talked

Mortis had fully calmed down again, and he seemingly hadn't changed from his previous self before

also something different

and confidence inside Mortis,

this moment. It was difficult to put this feeling into words, but that was

both reached the fourth level of

stood up

them nodded at each

the trials would be for both

preparing themselves mentally, Gravis and Mortis

walked to the next trial

increased as their minds

they arrived at

Mortis each put their hands on one half of the gate

of them walked into their new trial, their eyes fixated on one being in front of

vast nothingness. The gate they walked through just hovered

were simply

shone with dark colors of purple, blue, and black. It was like they were in space, among the stars.

was just endless

as the two of them

and the other one

when they saw their opponent, their bodies

was not what they

states immediately dissolved as shock replaced

push you to your limits," Orthar said from in

Laws during the

trial will give you valuable experiences for

need to fight some

is why you will fight him

their minds tried to process that they had to fight against