I Am Dream Sovereign Hila's Servant

The Sunrise Mountains stretched vast and mighty, cutting through the southeastern region of Ruhe Beast Island.

Villages dotted the mountainsides in an orderly pattern along ancient paths, bearing silent witness to the migration routes of their ancestors.

These people's forebears had sought refuge here from wars and disasters, eventually settling to nurture generations of descendants.

Iva traced the path of mountain settlements until he reached the far side of the range.

In Suinhor, this place bore a special name: the Land of Sunrise. Many Suinhor people believed this marked the world's edge, where the sun first emerged each day. With the Sunrise Mountains blocking their path, few from Suinhor knew what lay beyond.

Iva soared past the Sunrise Mountains to discover what waited there.

Before him stretched a vast coastal plain where scattered towns and houses sparkled like stars across the landscape. The population remained sparse, with few large snake people settlements, for they had migrated here less than two hundred years ago.

Finally, he descended upon the largest snake people settlement.

Dawn had not yet broken the night's hold.

From his position on the hillside, Iva raised his lamp high.

Within it burned two intertwined flames, twisted together like a single wick.

Light cascaded downward, illuminating everything hidden in darkness.

The hillside revealed simple wooden houses and stone-walled animal pens where Land Dragons lay curled in slumber. Fields stretched full with spiral ferns, each element speaking of civilization and community life beneath the lamplight. The scene breathed with pastoral tranquility.

The radiant glow washed over the slope, revealing the snake people's city nestled below. Though it stood as the region's only city, it differed markedly from those of Suinhor. This city lacked walls, consisting mainly of wooden houses interspersed with occasional stone structures.

These stone buildings held particular interest, most built in perfect circles like great bowls pressed into the earth, each with a small window and single wooden door. They served as storehouses or for other specialized purposes, while the residential buildings remained predominantly wooden.

Yet to call it merely a town would diminish its true scale, for tens of thousands called this place home.

At the distant shore, vessels of all sizes from great wooden ships to small rowing boats crowded the harbor. The land flowed with abundance, far removed from war's reach. Whether raising Land Dragons, cultivating spiral ferns, or fishing the bountiful waters, all could find peaceful sustenance here.

These people lived beyond Suinhor's authority, having crossed the Sunrise Mountains generations ago to settle in this place.

The mountain folk of the Sunrise Mountains and the snake people's ancestors likely served under Alcina originally, members of the City of Life's planting teams assigned to cultivate homes and establish cities near the Sunrise Mountains.

But when the City of Fire Protection fell and war spread to their lands, they were forced deeper into the forests until finally reaching this haven.

As light flooded the land, the city's snake people stirred from sleep and emerged from their homes, gazing outward in wonder.

"Why has the sun risen so early today?" some mumbled, still caught between sleep and waking.

"That's not the sun," others responded in awe, twisting to look between the source of light and the shoreline. Their memories insisted the sun could never rise from the west.

Unease rippled through the city as everyone sensed something extraordinary unfolding.

An elder emerged, surrounded by a crowd, and approached the hillside. As a second-rank Ability bearer at his peak, he sensed the mythical power within that light.

Though he did not understand what constituted myth, he knew that light's source must be divine, for no mortal could command such power. Deep within, he felt drawn to that power, as if the deity's strength resonated with his very spirit.

Following the elder's command, the group knelt and pressed their foreheads to the earth at the hill's base.

As they lifted their gaze, the brilliant radiance slowly took shape before their eyes.

Through the aureate glow, they glimpsed a figure's form and outline. There stood a man in silver robes who, this time, had not disguised himself as a snake person but stood openly before them all.

"He has no tail?"

"God's Form!"

"The legendary divine form!"

Gasps of recognition escaped the crowd before they quickly covered their mouths. They understood now what manner of being had summoned them.

That infinite light poured forth from the lamp the man—no, the deity—held aloft, transforming night into day.

The elder approached Iva alone, for he led the largest clan and held highest status here. Reverence and trepidation filled his heart as he addressed the divine being before him.

"Great deity! Why have you descended upon this place?"

Iva answered him: "I seek those who are devout and believe in miracles."

As always, he spoke directly and without pretense.

To the elder, this seemed like a deity asking if they would accept his faith. Most here worshipped Snake Mother Sermos, though without temples or idols. Their faith bore more resemblance to primitive reverence than organized religion.

Moreover, Sermos had not yet truly ascended to divinity.

Therefore, the elder faced no difficult choice. In this world, what greater fortune could there be than receiving the protection of a true deity?

He prostrated himself immediately, crying out: "Great deity! We would gladly serve you and become your faithful followers."

Iva questioned him: "What is your role here?"

The elder replied: "I am this place's elder."

Iva: "Elder?"

The term was unfamiliar to him, for these snake people's social structure remained quite primitive.

They lacked Suinhor's complete bureaucratic system and clear social pyramid of royalty, Oath-Takers, officials, commoners, and slaves.

With utmost respect, the man explained that each tribe, village, and town had its own elder. When issues arose, the elders gathered to discuss and decide matters together.

This reminded Iva somewhat of the Fire Bearers who once led villages in the City of Fire Protection.

"I am not the only elder here," the man continued. "But I can assure you that none of our elders would refuse to worship a true deity."

Hearing their acceptance, joy bloomed in Iva's heart, dispersing his worries and troubles.

Gazing across the vast coastal plain, a profound serenity settled over his spirit.

For he sensed that this time, he would surely complete his mission.

"Then let us begin here," he declared.

"Like seeds taking root, we shall nurture this fresh beginning until it flowers."

Iva finally decided to establish a nation that would worship the Dream Sovereign here. From within human hearts, true wish-flowers would bloom.

In Iva's vision, these people would celebrate the Wish Festival from childhood as their most important holiday, pursuing the Light of Wishes and believing in the world's most beautiful existence.

At last, he ceased searching for perfect methods and simply began taking steady steps forward.

This marked the first time Iva had so openly exercised his power, the first time he had directly revealed his divine status before thousands.

He was changing, little by little.

The elder, still kneeling, spoke: "Great deity, might we, your humble followers, mere mortals like grains of sand, be worthy to know your sacred name?"

Iva told him: "I am Iva, a demigod and servant of Dream Sovereign Hila."

Though Iva did not possess the Dream Ability as a demigod, Hila had guided his creation and development. He considered himself Hila's servant.

As for Creator Yinsai, the Creator needed no servants, just as He needed no followers.

Originally, this city bore only a tribal name locally, lacking formal designation as a city. Conflicts rarely rose to the level of war, with elders resolving most issues through negotiation.

But from the moment of divine descent, the city gained a new name: the City of Lights.

For a deity had illuminated their city with his lamp, bringing light and future promise. He would guide them from primitive times into an unimaginable future, symbolizing their emergence from savage darkness into the warmth of ten thousand household fires.

The snake people built a temple for Iva, who raised no objection, viewing temples simply as dwelling places. They primarily housed deities, or at least their statues.

The City of Lights' temple differed completely from those in Suinhor, matching the unique local architecture with its semicircular dome. This newly built temple lacked artistic refinement, its rough white stone exuding a primitive strength that recalled the ancient religious structures of early peoples.

Its sole qualifying feature was its size.

On the day of the temple's completion, Iva summoned the elder.

Behind Iva stood Dream Sovereign Hila's statue, crafted from his memories of the spirit's form. Upon ocean waves stood the spirit, gentle smile gracing features suffused with boundless warmth.

Iva addressed the elder: "Your civilization remains too primitive. I shall grant you power to develop your own strength and eventually establish your own nation."

"However," he continued, his voice growing serious as he hoped the mortal before him would carefully consider their future, "when I bestow this power, you will become my servant."

"Not just for now, or for one lifetime, but for eternity. Even after death, you will become part of me rather than returning to the Creator's realm."

Becoming a priest of the Wisdom demigod would prove no simple task.

First, your power must align with the deity's attributes, and you must open your heart completely to the divine, accepting their power without reservation.

Iva sensed an extraordinary resonance between his power and the elder before him.

As for whether he held sufficient devotion and had truly opened his heart to the divine...

Iva believed that if someone would willingly entrust their afterlife to him, they must surely be a devotee of utmost faith.

The elder trembled with excitement, wanting to cry out his acceptance.

Yet he feared appearing unseemly before the deity and earning divine displeasure.

He clenched and unclenched his fists several times before finally regaining his composure.

About to receive divine recognition, he knew he must demonstrate his devotion, showing this exalted being that his humble self possessed a heart of complete faith.

With reverent care, he bowed until his forehead touched the earth and spoke.

"I will gladly become your servant."

"It is my honor, and the honor of all in the City of Lights."

Iva finally remembered something, asking for the first time the name of this mortal who would become his servant.

"What is your name?"

The elder answered with profound reverence: "Oh Divine Ferryman who bears the eternal lamp to guide departed souls, Lord Iva who governs all desire!"

"Your servant is called Xin Ji."

The name meant "gold," but in the snake people's tongue, it also carried implications of eternity.

Iva nodded: "Then."

"Xin Ji."

"I shall grant you power over the Lamp of Desire, and between us shall be forged a covenant that transcends all time."

"In life, you shall be my priest, guarding my temple."

"In death, you shall become my flame, illuminating my garden and realm."

The elder raised his hands high: "You shall be my eternal deity."

"My only sovereign."

Iva shook his head: "No."

"Your faith belongs to Dream Sovereign Hila. I am merely their servant."

"I hope you will remember this, and that your descendants will remember it for all time."

The elder felt he had misspoken, somehow displeasing Lord Iva.

But as a mere mortal, how could he distinguish the subtle relationships between divine beings?

To him, Iva's power already exceeded mortal comprehension. He could not fathom the Dream Sovereign's true greatness.

The majesty of that divine presence who transformed dreams into a star sea and guarded the Dream Realm lay far beyond his mortal understanding.

Iva raised his lamp, illuminating Elder Xin Ji's face.

Light swirled and flowed within Xin Ji's eyes.

Xin Ji beheld an enormous stone gate and saw countless flowers representing desire. Within their cups, thousands of faces rose and fell.

Some screamed in terror, others laughed maniacally, while still others revealed faces twisted by greed.

And Xin Ji.

He saw himself among them.

He saw his heart's deepest yearning: his fear of death, his desperate wish not to perish.

He wanted a longer life, longing to exist eternally like his namesake, like gold itself.

Though he knew this impossible, it remained an irrepressible mortal instinct, especially when facing old age and approaching death.

"The Lamp of Desire."

"Shall grant you power transcending wisdom and mortal dust."

Xin Ji heard the deity's voice as he watched the flowers on the Gate of Desire come alive, their roots plunging into his body.

His Ability's power and consciousness surged forth, swirling and merging within the flower cup until forming a unique spiritual entity.

He became part of this great gate, part of Lord Iva's power.

In reality, intense desire arose from his consciousness.

Carrying all his power, it merged in the void with the golden ornament around his neck.

Finally.

It transformed into a smaller golden lamp.

This became Xin Ji's personal Divine Artifact.

This artifact merged completely with Iva's power, or rather became an extension of it.

Through this artifact, he would cultivate and transform, gaining ever greater power.

Lord Iva's first priest had emerged.

Xin Ji gazed at the lamp before taking it in his hands.

"The Golden Lamp."

Xin Ji could feel how this lamp had been born from his own desire.

He commanded the flame to fly forth from the lamp, then reached out to touch it.

He felt no burning sensation, only a comfortable warmth.

As his fingers met the flame, its power flowed into his understanding.

"This flame can burn away illness and heal grave injuries?"

Xin Ji sensed that prolonged use of this lamp to maintain one's body could even slow aging, allowing one to live longer.

He could also feel that the lamp could grow stronger still.

For this was merely its initial form.

Xin Ji gazed at Lord Iva in amazement as the deity spoke to him.

"All you desire shall find response."

Xin Ji surrendered completely to the deity's power, speaking with absolute sincerity.

"Great deity!"

"Your commandments, your will."

"Shall be our eternal, undying light."

"Wherever your light guides, we shall devote all our strength, give everything we have."

Deep within the City of Lights, beneath the sacred temple, a gravely ill man lay upon a woven mat.

Elder Xin Ji raised high the Golden Lamp, its flames flowing forth.

Under those flames, the critically ill man not only remained unharmed but his festering sores began to heal visibly.

Rising steadily, the patient lifted himself from his mat. Though his steps wavered and his eyes held lingering confusion, vitality had returned to his form.

Soon he fully grasped his situation, staring at his hands in excitement, at the scars not yet fully faded.

"I am cured."

"I am completely healed."

Everyone below broke into exclamations of wonder, more people rushing forward to beg Elder Xin Ji to heal their family members.

Xin Ji agreed to each request, knowing this time perfect for spreading divine faith and gaining followers.

Elder Xin Ji called out: "This is the power granted by our deity!"

Xin Ji looked upon all those gathered below: "Only the most devout followers, those willing to give everything for the divine, can receive divine blessing."

"Even if you are merely mortal, even without natural talent."

"If only you believe in the divine, you can obtain all you desire."

Everyone beneath the temple fell into fervor, crying out the names of Dream Sovereign Hila and Lord Iva.

Xin Ji then declared: "The deity has established our festival, the Wish Festival."

"Today marks this great celebration."

"This is a day we must never forget. No matter where you or your children or grandchildren may be in the future."

"We must all remember this moment, as our oath to the divine, our declaration of faith."

Xin Ji's voice echoed throughout the temple and into every corner of the city.

"Let us make wishes to the deity and sacred spirits. The most devout among us shall receive their response."

As everyone prostrated themselves in devoted prayer, a youth suddenly rose from among the crowd.

Iva had found another person with the potential to become his priest.

The youth had been ordinary, born without any Ability power.

Yet now a great gate appeared before him, opening to reveal a silver flower that engulfed him whole.

The youth felt his body dissolve, becoming a transparent being radiating silver light.

The stone tiles beneath him suddenly burst with brilliant light.

They transformed into a Divine Artifact connected to his spirit and consciousness.

This became a stone lamp containing white flame.

In an instant, the youth transformed from an ordinary person into a divine priest.

An exalted Ability bearer.

Xin Ji waved his hand, bringing the youth to the temple steps.

"Welcome, blessed one, to the divine service," Xin Ji proclaimed warmly.

Though bewildered, the youth prostrated himself before the temple in devotion.

The others grew even more fervent, desperately hoping to become the next chosen by the divine.

But divine selection held mysteries beyond their understanding. While priests need not possess natural Ability talent, they required a special affinity that few possessed.

A new type of Ability bearer emerged in the City of Lights: the faithful and priests of Lord Iva.

Because their first priest had manifested the Golden Lamp, subsequent priests also chose to use gold and metal as vessels for their Divine Artifacts.

They became renowned for their skill in using the power of desire and longing to forge various artifacts from gold, silver, copper, iron, and other metals.

Divine Artifacts became their everything.

Through these sacred tools, they commanded powers unknown to snake people: lightning, fierce winds, flames, and more.

They could also use their artifacts' properties to create various useful items or medicines to treat illness.

They remained inseparable from their metalworking, always creating new devices.

This new path earned them the name of Alchemists.

Their power to use desire in crafting Divine Artifacts and creating mysterious items and medicines became known as Alchemy.

Temples to Dream Sovereign Hila and statues of Iva began appearing throughout the Land of Sunrise, among coastal fishermen, town residents, and pastoral herders.

Many began worshipping Hila and Iva.

Even among mountain folk spread legends of the spirits' miraculous power and tales of the god of alchemy and desire.

Because he had once served as Dream Sovereign Hila's Dream Realm Ferryman, his image often appeared with boats. Every fisherman who ventured to sea would worship Iva's statue, praying for his protection.

Even those who perished at sea hoped Lord Iva would guard their passage into God's realm.

The people honored Iva in many forms: as a lamp-bearer illuminating the way, as the seven-faced god of desire, and in some places through the sacred Cup of Desire.

Dream Sovereign Hila became exalted as a supreme deity.

Though people had never witnessed this deity's true power, merely knowing that Lord Iva served as their servant filled them with infinite longing and reverence.