Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest

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"However, that only lasted so long… Magic was deemed as too dangerous by Ancient Kings, and it became rarer because of this." Jannis said, as she looked at us with a smile. "Mana became a forbidden thing only a few selected families could wield!

The large families of magic, descendants of the prehistoric druids, already having forgotten their ancient roots, hid in the shadows and controlled society as it progressed, shaping it while also protecting it from the supernatural."

"Because Abrahamic Religions took over the world, the Faith towards other gods weakened greatly, their magical domains weakening or disappearing completely," said Judith.

"And so, over the last two thousand and five hundred years, the world you know was born," said Jannis. "The Era of Humanity began."

So this is the origin of magic in Earth, and why it's so rare now.

"Wait, then what happened to all the Gods? They died?" wondered Elena.

"Well, we've fought the apostles of one of such forgotten Gods, Kalmas, a Goddess of Death and Decay," said Jannis. "Some of them decided to simply let humanity progress without them, either dying or becoming divine spirits instead. Others, like Kalmas, took things on their own hands. They decided that if they cannot gain more power and continue existing, they will have to take it on their own."

"So… Evil Gods were born, forgotten Gods from ancient myths and religions," said Rudras. "Who have decided to predate souls and magic power from humans so they can regain their own strength. Sometimes they would go as far as trying to invade Magical Realms or Domains and absorb them."

"So that's… what happened," I sighed. "I suppose Kalmas is not the only one out there doing such a thing."

"Certainly not…" said Jannis. "There might be many other Forgotten, or Dying Gods that are taking such tactics, some even spreading cults that offer them sacrifices, which can be worth the same as a large quantity of Faith. The stronger the sacrifice, the more Dark Faith they gain, it corrupts their main divinity and gives them more power, but also makes them mad."

"This is really dangerous…" I sighed.

"Yes, it is, but the Goddess is unique, you are a young Goddess with a physical body, so you don't suffer the threat of having your existence fade away, and your primary divinity also is not born from Faith and belief," said Judith.

"Yeah," said Rudras. "I suppose that's one of the reasons why we came all the way here, stable Nature Gods are rare. We Druids once did not need deities, but that is long in the past. Most surviving Druidic Circles belong to a Deity's care."

"I see… What was the other deity that took care of you?" I wondered.

"It was a Minor Deity of a large Forest where we lived," said Jannis. "However, when the forest was burned, her Nature Soul was destroyed and… she died."

"Our Guardian Goddess perished, and we had to flee as our home was destroyed," sighed Judith.

"By those damned Blighters, traitorous Druids whose Nature Souls were destroyed by their own will, betraying the Circle and pointing their weapons against their own former home," said Rudras.

"Right, the Blighters…" I nodded. "I wonder where did they go; we took down most of them except their leader, right? Just how did they even come here? Are they related to you guys?"

"I also wanted to ask that question," suddenly, a voice echoed behind me.

I looked behind, as I was greeted by several familiar faces.

"Ah, Rita! You're back! Lily and Jenny too! Thanks for coming here."

I ran to hug my friend, who happily accepted my hug before I gave her a big kiss on her cheek.

Rita is like my sister at this point, so I love snuggling with her and hugging her from time to time.

"Yeah, yeah, you don't have to act like that Elayne, it's not like I am an asshole or something to not come here if you asked me to come!" Rita sighed, crossing her arms, and kissing my cheek. "How are you? a lot happened yesterday but do you feel better?"

"Yeah! I'm fine now, thank you for everything, really," I kept hugging her.

A lot has happened, and sometimes I imagine the worst-case scenarios… Losing my friends, losing her, it fills me with so much fear.

Maybe that's why I'm hugging her so much, thinking that she might have died makes me really sad.

"I appreciate you care about me Elayne but stop hugging me so much, ugh…!" Rita groaned. "We're not little high school girls anymore, geez!"

She was trying to push me away, but I kept hugging her!

"Nuh-huh! You're not pushing me away! I'll hug my best friend as much as I want!"

"Jesus… this woman."

She sighed, as she glanced at Jannis.

"It's nice you're more open and all but what's your relationship with the Blighters?" she wondered. "I know you knew them but what happened? Who was this Aria woman?"

"Aria…"

Jannis, Judith, and Rudras sighed, as if immediately recognizing that name.

"Yes, we knew her," said Jannis. "Aria was… one of us, part of the Circle."

"I knew it! So when you came here and started living secretly among us, you brought that woman here as well!" said Rita. "Don't you understand how much danger she brought?! Elayne's daughter and the other kids almost died because of her!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"W-We're… we apologize," sighed Jannis. "That is indeed all our fault and-"

"There's nothing to apologize for, please!" I said, patting Rita's shoulders. "Rita! Yesterday, two of them sacrificed themselves to protect me, how could you say that?! YOU should apologize right now! Maybe Aria came chasing them, but so what? We stopped her and that's what matters.

Yesterday they did an even greater sacrifice, please think about that too!"

"That's… ah," Rita sighed, groaning. "But… Hm, ok… Okay, maybe I went too far there. Sure. Sorry."

Rita seemed to have gone through a lot of emotions, I guess she still had some lingering resentment of that time, but things had changed a lot now.

"Please, no need to apologize," sighed grandma Jannis. "Aria is indeed our responsibility… And the next time she appears, we'll make sure to take her down."

Aria…

"I wish to know more about her, would you share a bit of her story with you?"

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