God, Help Us All [Monster Evolution/Progression/LitRPG]-Chapter 104: The Canyon Between The Gods

The evening light cast long shadows across the valley as we entered Between the Gods, a place that carried the weight of ages. On either side of us loomed colossal canyon walls, carved with the likenesses of two deities. The god of the sun, with his radiant, chiseled features, stood proud on one side, while the god of the moon, serene and haunting, gazed down from the other. Their sheer scale made me feel small—an unusual sensation—and their presence was oppressive, almost suffocating.

My tail flicked idly behind me as I took it all in. So, this is the place where gods once walked—or died. The laws here feel strange, too. Heavy, like the air itself is watching. My third eye pulsed faintly, scanning the area. The laws were different here, tethered to something ancient. I couldn't fly, not even if I wanted to, and the realization made my wings twitch in irritation.

"What is this place, human?" I asked, glancing at James.

James adjusted the sparrow perched on his shoulder, its small frame glowing faintly as it processed something. "This is Between the Gods," he said, his voice hushed, almost reverent. "The legend says a god either lived or died here. The laws of the world shift in their wake—no flying, no unnecessary noise... and no escape for those who anger the gods."

"Hmm." I ran a claw along the canyon wall, feeling the faint hum of power embedded in the rock. "Interesting."

Ahead, a weathered sign jutted from the ground, etched in runes so old they looked like scars on its surface. James's little sparrow flitted over, scanning the runes, and a faint projection of translated text appeared in the air.

"Do not disturb the silence of this valley. Those who do shall face the wrath of the guardians."

I raised a brow, the edge of a smirk tugging at my lips. "Guardians, huh? Sounds like something meant to scare off children."

James glanced at me, his brow furrowed. "We should probably listen."

"Probably," I agreed, but the amusement in my tone didn't escape him. I continued forward, hands clasped behind my back, my tail swaying lazily as I moved.

We walked in silence for a while, the only sounds our boots crunching against the rocky ground. The oppressive quiet began to press down on us, making even my own breathing feel too loud. The sparrow emitted a faint chirp, and James immediately shushed it, his eyes darting nervously toward the canyon walls.

"Relax, mouse," I said, my voice low. "If anything comes, I'll deal with it."

"Still..." James muttered, his hand gripping the hilt of a dagger on his belt. "It feels like we're being watched."

I chuckled softly. "We probably are."

As we moved deeper into the valley, the silence became almost unbearable. Every step felt like a disruption, every sound a potential invitation for whatever "guardians" lay in wait. I could see the tension in James's shoulders, his movements growing more cautious. I, on the other hand, reveled in the unease. If there's something here, let it come. It's been too long since I've had a decent fight.

But then, the silence broke.

James's foot caught on a loose rock, sending it clattering down a slope. The sound echoed unnaturally, amplifying as if the canyon itself was offended by the noise. James froze, his face pale as he whispered, "Shit."

Before I could comment, the ground beneath us trembled. It was subtle at first, a faint vibration, but it quickly grew into a full-blown quake. I steadied myself, my claws digging into the earth as fissures split the ground around us.

"Well, human," I said, a grin spreading across my face, "it seems you've woken something up."

From both sides of the canyon, massive holes opened, the sound of grinding stone filling the air. A low, guttural growl rumbled from the depths, reverberating through the valley. Two forms emerged—one as black as midnight, the other gleaming white under the moonlight. Their scales shimmered like polished armor, and their eyes burned with primal fury.

Drakes. Two of them. Each the size of a small fortress, and each radiating an aura of power that made James take a shaky step back.

[Notification: Host has encountered twin guardians of the valley—Voidfang (Black Drake) and Lunalume (White Drake). Both are Peak Second Stage. Devour recommended.]

The notification brought a wicked grin to my face. "Peak Second Stage, hmm?" I muttered, rolling my shoulders. "Finally, something worth killing."

The drakes roared in unison, their cries shaking the canyon walls. The black drake's voice was low and guttural, like thunder rolling across a stormy sky. The white drake's cry was sharp and piercing, like the shattering of glass. Together, they were a symphony of destruction.

I stepped forward, molten energy crackling along my claws. My third eye flared, locking onto the drakes as I prepared to unleash my power. But before I could attack, a voice rang out.

"Open fire!"

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard, as a barrage of projectiles rained down on the drakes. Explosions rocked the valley, smoke and fire obscuring the massive beasts. A canister landed nearby, hissing as it released a thick cloud of smoke that quickly enveloped the area.

Through the haze, figures emerged—humanoids dressed in black, their movements swift and coordinated. One of them tossed a rope around my arm, trying to pull me back.

I laughed, the sound echoing through the chaos. "You think this can hold me?"

"Demi-god!" James's voice cut through the confusion. "Let them take us! They're trying to help!"

I arched a brow, amused by the sheer audacity of these... creatures. "Help? They're ants trying to save a dragon."

Even so, I allowed myself to be pulled along, curious to see where this would lead. The figures guided us toward a cave entrance hidden among the rocks, their movements efficient and practiced. James followed, glancing nervously over his shoulder as the drakes roared again, their forms barely visible through the thick smoke.

Once inside the cave, the air grew cooler, the oppressive weight of the valley lifting slightly. The figures lit torches, their flames casting flickering shadows against the stone walls. One of them, a tall figure with sharp, feline features, stepped forward, their piercing yellow eyes locking onto mine.

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"You've got some nerve entering Between the Gods," they said, their voice smooth but tinged with annoyance. "Do you even know what you've just woken?"

I smirked, my tail swishing behind me. "Two drakes. Hardly a challenge."

The feline figure's eyes narrowed, and I could sense their irritation. Good. I thrived on it.

James stepped forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "We're grateful for your help," he said quickly, his tone far more diplomatic than mine. "But who are you? And why are you here?"

The figure didn't answer immediately, their gaze shifting back to me. I returned their stare, my molten pupils gleaming in the torchlight. Finally, they spoke.

"We are a sub-species of the beast-kin, the [Anthromoprhs], the natives of this land," they said, their voice steady. "And you, human and his idiotic monster friend, just stepped into a war zone."