Hora followed Mariketh through the ashen white fields. They travelled for what seemed like forever.
Why can't I just use my wings and fly there...
At least the journey gave him time to think, and further analyse his status.
When focusing on the 'race' section, he was able to bring up a screen that displayed various information regarding the Ashfallen race. However, only after focusing further did he realise there was another more detailed section about the race that seemed to only be visible to him.
[Ashfallen]
[Humanoid/Amorphous]
[Medium Body Type]
[Near-Immortal]
[Black Hair/Pale Skin/White Eyes/Long-Limbed...]
[View Positive Traits?]
[View Negative Traits?]
[Rebirth Blessing]
---
[CREATOR SYSTEM]
[Race Population: 987]
[Average Race Rank: Dirt]
[Race Ruler: None]
[Race Artefact: None]
[Race Beast: None]
[Race Home: White Ravine]
[Updating Race Population...]
[Race Population: 986]
---
Hora was so stunned that he almost stopped running.
Did our race population just decrease? Who the hell is killing our people so quickly?
And why is dirt our average rank? Shouldn't the Ashfallen people be much stronger? I made sure to give us powerful traits.
"What is the situation like for the Ashfallen Race?" Hora asked Mariketh, who ran ahead of him.
He noticed that the woman hesitated for a moment. "We have been... Waiting for you. The one that they said might arrive through the ash, without mother and father."
Hora couldn't deny that. After all, his arrival in this world was rather miraculous.
Still, that didn't answer his question. He wanted to know the exact ins and outs of what was going on.
After explaining this, the Ashfinder continued.
"We live happily. Other than the Giant Elves who attack us from across the ash now and then, our people are strong."
This didn't sound right.
As the creator of the Ashfallen race, Hora knew that this was not true. His system told him so. The average rank was Dirt, the lowest rank someone could be, and the race population... Even now it was dwindling further.
There was no doubt about it. Mariketh was either completely misunderstood about what was going on inside the world of Ilona, or she was a liar.
Hora had no way to find out, so for now, he would wait until he arrived at the White Ravine.
---
After what felt like an hour had passed, Mariketh finally slowed down. Her steps became careful, so naturally, so did Hora's.
"Are we close?" He asked.
"V-very."
There it was again. The woman stuttered over her words. Why did all of her movements seem so hesitant?
With every step they took, his distrust of the woman grew. To be honest, he considered leaving her right there.
Until they arrived.
The white grass field started to dip lower into the earth, eventually leading to what seemed to be the edge of a cliff. Whatever was beneath the cliff was hidden by ash and darkness; however, the Ashfallen's enhanced vision in the night allowed Hora a slight look at what was going on.
He could see moving figures, hundreds of them. He also noticed that he could hear sounds of distant chatter and other noises.
"Is this the White Ravine?" He asked as he turned back to the Ashfinder.
The woman struggled to meet his eye. Her nerves were even greater than before.
"Y-yes, and it is where your people are waiting for you."
"Waiting for me to do what?" Hora asked in frustration. He was tired of the woman's nerves.
Mariketh seemed to take in a deep breath. It seemed as though she was about to reveal a deep secret.
But then a bell rang, from somewhere beneath the cliff. It echoed for a full ten seconds.
Hora turned his eye back to the depth of the ravine. To his surprise, the ash was beginning to clear, giving him a better look at what was going on below.
Finally, he saw it.
Hundreds of men and women, dressed in nothing but torn brown rags like his. They were walking with their arms, legs, and even necks chained together.
Hora immediately noticed that the people, regardless of whether they were adults or children, carried the same features. They were tall, skinny, pale-skinned, and black-haired.
The Ashfallen...
And they weren't alone. Walking around the strange civilisation that seemed to be built inside the White Ravine were another set of people. They were not chained, and instead wore looks of comfort and amusement on their faces as they chattered amongst themselves, whilst dragging the Ashfallen in chains.
Hora noticed that these people were much more nourished, and better dressed than the Ashfallen. Most importantly, though, was the fact that they looked completely different.
Blonde hair. Healthy skin. Varying heights and body types.
As he focused on one of the stray figures, it all started to make sense to him.
[Adult Human]
[Rank: Bronze]
Hora's teeth gritted.
He turned back to the Ashfinder and growled. "You knew that my people were slaves. You knew that they lived like this, and yet you didn't tell me!"
He was unable to contain his anger. This was why the woman had avoided telling him any truths about the Ashfallen.
Mariketh felt the man's anger. She couldn't help but feel fearful. After all, she knew what he was...
"I'm sorry, Ashlord Hora, but I had to bring you here! I knew that there was a chance you would leave after hearing how weak your people have become, so I had to lie! I had to lie for you to come here and feel the sadness in your heart. To see it for yourself!"
Hora almost laughed.
"Sadness? I don't feel sad. I feel disgusted."
Mariketh's eyes went wide. It looked as though she had been struck by a knife.
"I don't know who you think I am, or what the Prophecy about this Ashlord is, but I am more than an Ashlord. I am the God of Ash. I created this race from scratch, and it makes me sick to see them so weak."
Hora had no intentions of exposing this secret of his. After all, in most cases, it would hold no benefit, especially in this one.
What good was there, being the god of a race that did not even have freedom? Who would allow themselves to be enslaved by mere humans?
The stunned Mariketh didn't know what to say. So instead, she dropped to her knees and bowed.
"I knew it. The Ashlord is even greater than we could ever imagine. It is all the more reason why I brought you here. You must save us, Hora the Ash God. You must save your people?"
"..."
Hora laughed.
Afterwards, he turned away from the White Ravine and started travelling in the opposite direction.
"No. I don't think I will."