Chapter 53: Book of Ashes 2
Though the God Beast battle ended without casualties or damage, it sparked doubt among Raiden’s subordinates about their destiny.
The day following the battle arrived with an early morning tension. As they assembled in the living room, every pair of eyes fixed on Raiden, silently demanding the truth he’d yet to share.
"What exactly is the book of ashes? What does it do?" Freya’s gaze locked onto Raiden as she spoke.
Raiden found no answer within himself, and a search through his recovered memories came up empty. Yet based on what he’d observed the book accomplish, he had some ideas about its nature, even as his own questions remained.
But Raiden’s expression gave him away—he knew nothing helpful. Still, they needed to understand what was worth dying for. In the heavy silence that settled over them, Leo finally spoke.
"I don’t really know what it could do exactly, but I know a few things that might be helpful."
Everyone’s attention turned to Leo, Raiden included. Maybe some of his lingering questions would finally be answered.
"Many years ago, the Devourer emerged from chaos as a godkiller, and naturally, the gods feared what it could do."
The room went quiet as they hung on every word. "But being chaos itself, the Devourer couldn’t be killed outright. Its actual death would have thrown all of creation out of balance."
He pressed on. "So they divided it among four books—Heart, Flesh, Mind, and Voice of the Devourer."
"Bring all four together, and the Devourer would be reborn—unstoppable as before."