GODZILLA- CH-25. Believer wants to meet his God

And there were flashes of broken and chaotic light at the edge of the world.

It was a storm, a chaos—a vast nothingness.

This terrifying void, however, was kept at bay, separated from this apocalyptic world by what seemed to be an invisible hemispherical shield.

Frowning at the ominous chaos, James pondered for a moment before an idea came to him.

Suddenly, the white mist that had dissipated earlier reappeared, forming a thick curtain of clouds, fully obscuring the dreadful scene of chaos beyond.

With this done, James was finally satisfied.

He then looked up at the sky, where an illusory sun floated in the small world, representing James's very source of life.

As long as James lived, the sun would shine; when James died, the sun would vanish, and the world would collapse into oblivion.

"A grain of sand is a world, a flower is paradise; the Buddha's kingdom lies in the palm of one's hand, and the world resides within oneself." James suddenly recalled an old saying.

This small world, on the brink of desolation, was his "Kingdom of God."

Unfortunately, it wasn't the fantastical realm the dinosaurs envisioned as an afterlife but rather a unique material realm, existing within James's heart, manifested through space laws and the gathering of lava energy.

James didn't know if every giant creature possessed such a space at birth, but he was certain that his "Kingdom of God" was invaluable.

And as James grew, this realm would grow larger and more stable.

This knowledge came to James instinctively, much like how life innately understands the need to eat.

Gazing at the world beneath his consciousness, James felt a strange sense of emotion. Though small and barren like the end of the world, it was an excellent beginning.

With this realm, if the dinosaur people who worshipped him ever faced extinction, James could use it to protect them, ensuring their survival as a species.

After all, in this extraordinary world, battles between giant beasts—or even several—could easily wipe out races or devastate landscapes.

Moreover, James, understanding the universe's vast dangers, knew that not only creatures like him but also stray meteorites and massive asteroids could wreak havoc on the planetary environment.

Satisfied, he looked around the desolate lava kingdom one last time before losing interest.

It was time to wake up and check how the dinosaur people had fared over the years.

---

The sun was setting outside Blackrock City.

Beneath the towering statue, on the sacrificial platform, an elder dinosaur had been seated for days.

Rain or shine, he sat there unwavering, his eyes slightly closed, his frail body trembling but unmoving.

Several priests accompanied the elder, and like him, they hadn't eaten for days.

Though middle-aged dinosaurs could go weeks without food, the elder was quite old.

Without sustenance and enduring harsh weather, the elder had grown weak.

Why was the dinosaur elder here?

Firstly, he wished to pray for the tribesmen on their expedition, finding solace in faith.

Secondly, sensing his nearing end, he preferred to die under the watchful gaze of his god than in the empty halls of Black Rock City.

He did not seek to see his Father God's majestic form one last time but wished to end his life here at the statue.

A successor was chosen, and the future of the Lava People now rested in their own hands.

If he could reach the godly realm upon death, he would continue to pray for his people from there.

The sacrificial priests allowed the elder to sit before the statue, respecting his wish.

For the Lava People, this was the highest honor a devoted believer could achieve.

As a race wholly devoted to their faith, this was a noble and celebrated way to pass on.

Having dedicated his life to his people's growth, the elder's final moments stirred sorrow and anxiety in Black Rock City.

In the front, tens of thousands of warriors had gone to war; in the back, an elder was close to death, creating a tense and emotional atmosphere.

The elder had been a steadfast pillar of strength for the dinosaurs, and his imminent loss filled them with dread and fear.

Many wished to bid him farewell, but the sacrificial priests honored the elder's wish for solitude.

Thus, most people stood on the towering walls of Black Rock City, watching from a distance.

In silence, they prayed that the elder would find eternal peace in the kingdom of God.

"Oh, Father, is the elder really going to die?" A young dinosaur, holding his father's hand, looked up with wide eyes.

"No, son, the elder will not die. He is simply returning to God's embrace, to the Father's kingdom, where he will serve Him forever." replied the tall dinosaur as he lifted his child onto his shoulder.

"Oh... have you seen the kingdom of God, Father? Is it a fun place?" The young one asked innocently.

His father quickly corrected him with a scolding, "Is God's kingdom a place to play? Such blasphemy deserves punishment!"

Direct in their ways, the dinosaurs saw discipline as essential for their young, so a scolding or light smack was common practice.

Afterwards, the father lifted his gaze to the distant plain where the elder and priests sat.

"What will become of Black Rock City without the elder? The tribe's future is uncertain. It's worrying."

"Who isn't worried? But all we can do is place our hope in our God, as the elder advised." A nearby dinosaur said with a sigh.

"Indeed. Everyone's anxious. We haven't heard from the warriors for days, and the Sons of Wind are unreliable; it's concerning."

"Patience. The coast is far, and the allied soldiers must be preparing for battle."

The discussion shifted, and one dinosaur asked, "How are things on the permafrost border? Has that 'big bug' caused trouble?"

"For now, it's quiet, but that dormant god stirs near our pastures every time he wakes. I'm here to report that the black cattle's grazing grounds have been affected. We may need elite warriors to drive him out." Replied Goro with a sigh.

He continued, "The burrowing demon insects are growing restless, too. Our era seems more turbulent, like a new trial for the Four Gods of Order."

The other dinosaur fell silent, sinking into thought.

Yes, peace after thousands of years seemed destined to end. Order felt fragile in this chaotic world.

If only the Father God were here to protect them.

The new generation of dinosaurs had never seen their god's face. They knew only what the priests told them, and the distant statue.

On Black Rock City's walls, onlookers watched the elder, their hearts troubled. Meanwhile, people from the other three tribes remained relatively calm.

Then, suddenly, a deep rumbling sound erupted from beneath the earth.

The entire ground shook, causing buildings and people to sway as if struck by an earthquake.

In panic, the people of all four tribes frantically searched for the source of the tremor.

Time's winds blow across the world, corrupting all but the devout faith of the elder dinosaur.

Though his life was nearing its end and no kingdom awaited him in heaven, his love for the God of Lava and Earth remained pure.

Reflecting on his life, he recalled the awe he felt upon first seeing his Father God's majestic form centuries ago.

Whether it was admiration, a longing to be strong, or security in divine protection, all these feelings melded into unwavering devotion.

This devotion guided his life.

He loved his Father God deeply, refusing to turn to dust, wishing to gaze upon Him forever.

But all things must end.

In his final moments, the elder chose not to resist death but to meet it in peace.

He hoped his soul would return to the Father God as his body faded away.

By now, night was falling.

Under the dim sky, fierce winds swept across the plains.

The sturdy dinosaurs could typically withstand the winds, but the frail elder was like a flickering flame, about to be snuffed out.

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