The figure tilted his head and almost nodded in understanding of his anguish. "We did not choose to leave you, child of Neo-ilka. The corporations and their machines poisoned this world, cutting themselves and us away from it. And in that silence, we were tied to the ruins, our power dwindled to echoes.".
Zypher stepped forward, his voice rising, filled with determination to do whatever it took to win. "Then help us now. You may be a ghost, but there is still power in memories. We need your guidance to save Neo-ilka—to bring back a world where people could believe in something greater than greed and corruption."
The figure didn't utter a word. Its gaze was piercing, and for one brief moment, Zypher wondered if his words had reached the being at all.
Then, the figure raised its hand, and the electric shock of energy spread through the plaza. The symbols were glowing all around in the air; ancient letters and glyphs swirled by, like a storm, each one being a part of god's legacy, a fraction of forgotten power.
These are the sigils of Olympus, he said, his voice laced with something like pride. Each god left an imprint upon this world, a piece of himself. To stand a chance against them, you must know their strength-and their weaknesses.
Zypher's eyes opened wide as he took all this information in. Symbols printed themselves into his mind. And each of them told their story, a suggestion of what the gods once were, and he shuddered at the thought that the gods were more than just tales; they were beings tied by power, ambition, and possibly regret.
The figure began to fade, his form growing dimmer with each passing second. "Use this knowledge wisely, Zypher Nyx. The gods may have abandoned this world, but their presence lingers still. And if you are to face them, you must be prepared for the wrath of powers beyond mortal comprehension.".
"Wait!" Zypher bellowed, a desperation clawing at his soul. "Are there any gods left who will stand with us? Who will fight to defend the city?" The ghost hovered for a moment, its form flickering, before it finally spoke: "Seek the forgotten ones. those who wander in the shadows, who remember the world as it was. Not all gods have abandoned humanity, though the price for their help may be steep."
And with that, the ghost of Olympus vanished, leaving Zypher and his team standing by themselves in the mist-shrouded ruins. The silence was heavy and oppressive, yet charged with an intensity that stirred within the air something Zypher had never ever felt before. He was no longer a very young engineer carrying a blueprint; now he was armed with knowledge about the gods themselves, of what each god excelled at and what their faults were.
Orion broke the silence, his gruff voice tinged with awe. "Guess I thought you'd go on this crazy mission for silly reasons alone, kid."
Zypher nodded still staring at where the ghost has vanished. "We need to find these 'forgotten ones.' If there are gods willing to fight against corporations, then they're our only hope."
Kiera sheathed her blade, looking resolute. "So, where do we start? We begin with shadows, Zypher said to his team, the gravity of their mission settling across him. With the gods who remain in hiding, like these citizens do. If they're still out there, we'll find them-and side by side, bring Olympus back from the ashes.
With a new sense of purpose and a path that had only ever been whispered about and shrouded in myth and mystery, Zypher led his team out of Olympus Plaza, their minds ablaze with the ancient knowledge they'd uncovered. The journey ahead was fraught with peril, but now they had some idea of the power they'd be facing - and some hope of friends in places they'd never dreamed to look.
Returning to the neon-lit streets of Neo-ilka, Zypher felt an unshakeable pulse of resolve within himself. They were no longer just rebels against the system; they were the inheritors of an ancient battle, and their war was only just beginning.