My friends are gods

Chapter 16: A Glimpse of Chaos

Han Li stood on the precipice of the shimmering portal, his heart pounding like a drum. The gods, gathered behind him, watched with knowing smiles. The portal to Humu, the mortal realm, pulsed with energy, each wave beckoning him toward a new beginning. This was it—the point of no return.

For the last three weeks, his life had been a whirlwind of training, godly banter, and surprises. From the chaotic lessons with Borin, the god of flames, to the serene but cryptic advice from Sylva, Han Li felt both prepared and utterly unready for what lay ahead.

"Do you really have to smile so ominously?" Han Li grumbled, glancing over his shoulder at the gods.

Kael, the god of chaos, grinned wider, his sharp teeth glinting unnaturally. "Ominous? I call it encouragement. You're about to step into a world filled with danger, mystery, and—if I have anything to say about it—utter chaos."

"Great pep talk, Kael," Irelia said, rolling her eyes. "Han Li, just remember: Humu may be the lowest realm, but it's still dangerous. You need to keep your wits about you."

Han Li sighed, adjusting the straps of his new travel bag. It was stuffed with an assortment of items the gods had gifted him. Each artifact came with instructions, which he had dutifully memorized. But knowing his luck, he'd probably misuse half of them on his first day.

"I'm guessing there's no turning back once I step through?" he asked.

Chronos, the god of time, gave a small nod. "The portal will close behind you. But remember, we'll be watching. If things get too dire, we'll intervene."

"But only if you're about to die," Borin added, his arms crossed. "You need to grow, kid. No godly hand-holding."

"Gee, thanks for the reassurance," Han Li muttered, rolling his eyes.

---

Into Humu

Taking a deep breath, Han Li stepped through the portal. The sensation was instantaneous and overwhelming—a pull like gravity, a rush of heat, then a sharp chill. When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in the godly domain.

The world of Humu stretched out before him. He stood atop a hill, overlooking a vast expanse of forest, rivers, and distant mountains. The air was rich with the scent of pine and earth, and the sound of chirping birds filled the air. It was...beautiful.

"Alright, not bad," Han Li muttered. "At least it's not raining fire or something."

As he adjusted to his surroundings, a loud whoosh startled him. He turned just in time to see a small, glowing orb materialize in front of him. It hovered for a moment before bursting into a familiar voice.

"Han Li!" Borin's booming tone echoed through the forest. "Don't forget your training! First rule of survival: trust nothing. Everything might want to kill you!"

The orb dissipated, leaving Han Li staring at the empty air. "Fantastic. Thanks for the confidence boost, Borin."

---

First Encounter

Han Li descended the hill cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of the Blade of Eternal Flame. The gods had warned him that the mortal realm wasn't as peaceful as it seemed. Though Humu was the lowest realm, it was still rife with danger—rogue cultivators, wandering beasts, and remnants of ancient battles.

As he reached the edge of the forest, a rustling sound caught his attention. Han Li froze, his senses heightened. The rustling grew louder, accompanied by low growls. From the underbrush emerged a creature unlike anything Han Li had ever seen—a beast resembling a wolf, but with scales instead of fur and glowing red eyes.

"Of course," Han Li muttered. "Why can't it ever be a bunny?"

The wolf-like beast lunged at him with startling speed. Han Li barely had time to draw his blade. The weapon ignited with flames as it met the creature's claws, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. The beast snarled, circling him, its eyes fixed on the glowing sword.

Han Li's heart raced. This was his first real fight in this world, and already he felt out of his depth. The gods' training had been intense, but this was different—there was no safety net, no room for error.

"Okay, Han Li, you've got this," he muttered to himself. "It's just a giant, fire-breathing wolf with claws that can probably cut through steel. No big deal."

The beast lunged again, and this time Han Li was ready. He sidestepped, slashing at its side. The flames from his blade scorched the creature's scales, eliciting a pained howl. Encouraged, Han Li pressed the attack, using a combination of quick strikes and evasive maneuvers.

But just as he thought he was gaining the upper hand, the beast unleashed a burst of fiery breath. Han Li barely managed to raise a barrier using the Medallion of Fortitude, the artifact glowing as it absorbed the flames.

"Alright, that's cheating!" Han Li shouted, coughing as the smoke cleared. "You're not supposed to breathe fire!"

The beast snarled, preparing for another attack. But before it could strike, a bolt of green energy shot from the trees, hitting the creature square in the chest. The beast yelped and collapsed, its body dissipating into shimmering particles.

Han Li turned, his blade still raised, to see a figure emerge from the shadows. It was a woman, clad in leather armor, her long hair tied back. She held a staff that crackled with green energy.

"Not bad," she said, smirking. "For a rookie."

---

An Unlikely Ally

The woman introduced herself as Lian, a wandering cultivator who had been tracking the beast for days. She eyed Han Li suspiciously but seemed impressed by his swordsmanship.

"You're not from around here, are you?" she asked as they made camp near a stream.

"What gave it away?" Han Li replied, roasting a rabbit over a small fire. He had used one of his artifacts, the Pendant of Insight, to track the animal—a fact he chose not to share.

Lian laughed. "The way you fought, for one. You're skilled, but you're not used to this world. Most cultivators here would've killed that beast in seconds."

Han Li shrugged. "First-day jitters."

They spent the evening exchanging stories—well, mostly Lian talking and Han Li pretending not to be completely clueless. He learned that Humu was far more dangerous than the gods had let on. The realm was plagued by conflicts between rogue cultivators and ancient beasts, with little law or order.

As the fire crackled and the night deepened, Han Li couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. This world was beautiful, yes, but it was also unforgiving. And somewhere, the gods were watching, no doubt enjoying the show.

---

Suspenseful Ending

Just as they were settling in for the night, a low rumble shook the ground. Lian shot to her feet, her staff glowing. Han Li grabbed his sword, his eyes scanning the darkness.

"What now?" he muttered.

From the forest emerged a massive silhouette, its glowing eyes piercing the night. It was another beast—but this one was far larger and more menacing than the last. Its roar shook the trees, sending birds scattering into the sky.

"Oh, come on!" Han Li groaned. "Do I ever get a break?"

Lian turned to him, her expression grim. "That's no ordinary beast. That's a Void Serpent. We need to run. Now."

But before they could move, the serpent lunged, its massive jaws snapping shut just inches from Han Li's face.

---

To Be Continued…