Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

Water-bearer knew that if he acted directly, not only would Shiva resist, but even Gavial would stop him. Therefore, he planned to pretend that he understood and take his time to plan. However, Sati was very happy to see Water-bearer's attitude and told him a lot about her and Shiva.

Although the incessant chatter of Sati beside him greatly annoyed Shuichi, he continued to smile outwardly despite his deep disgust.

Ultimately, through Sati's account, Water Dharani learned that Shiva would continue meditating after everything was over, so she hoped that Water Dharani would come here more often.

Sati may simply want to show how much she and Shiva valued Water-Dweller, but Water-Dweller didn't see it that way. In his view, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once Shiva entered meditation, he could seize the chance to kill him and take his place.

Thus, after bidding farewell to Shiva and his wife with Gavia, the Water Spirit, who was following behind Gavia, hesitated for a long time before using an illusion. The false version of himself continued to follow Gavia, while the real Water Spirit disguised himself as Shiva and returned to the forest.

All of this was clearly seen by Vishnu, who was located in the Ocean of Milk. In the Upanishads, "Maya" means "illusion." It is said that "one should know that the self-nature is Maya, the creator of Maya is Mahesvara, and his limbs are all beings, all of whom dwell throughout this world."

Therefore, Vishnu, as the lord of Maya, could only deal with this illusion, which was even at the level of a god of illusion, by a lower dimension. However, Vishnu did not make a move because he knew that his friend Gavial could also see through it.

Indeed, Gavia could see it clearly. Although he was now only a god of illusion in India, he still had his past memories. He had used methods like the Water Lord's illusions to deceive people before.

However, even with Water Holder's actions... Gavia still felt that he would eventually see the error of his ways, but unfortunately, Water Holder did not take any action.

therefore--

"There's nothing more to say, Mizuchi."

Gavia's usual smile had vanished, replaced by a slightly melancholic expression. Then, she channeled her divine power, shattering the water spirit's illusions.

As the attack occurred, a bridge of light, erected only by the gods of ancient India, appeared before them.

Like the embodiment of the Himalayas, it surges relentlessly into the forest, roaring like the Himalayas themselves.

……

A little earlier in time, in the forest.

"...Lord Shiva?"

Sati gazed with curiosity at Shiva emerging from the deep jungle.

"Didn't you just go to meditate?"

For some reason, Sati felt that Shiva in front of her was a bit strange; he was looking down at her with a cautious gaze.

"...Yes, I came to find you because something happened to you."

Shiva smiled, a flawless smile, like a mask.

"I never expected you to be like this, Lord Shiva... Is it because of the water lord?"

"Of course, Shuichi is a very powerful person."

"Shuichi is indeed a good child..."

"Hehe, good boy, isn't he? In that case, Sati, how about letting him take Shiva's place?"

The way Shiva speaks and the sound he makes are right before my eyes.

Sati had a strong sense of déjà vu, and the hairs on her body stood on end.

"You are not Lord Shiva! Who are you?!"

"Heh... Ugh, how boring. Has it already been discovered?"

The water spirit, disguised as Shiva, looked extremely disgusted and clicked his tongue. "Anyway, I'm going to kill you first, then kill Shiva with your head on my back. There's no need to play this childish game with you."

Black lightning flowed from the water-bearing body, exploding continuously and burning countless scorch marks on the ground, indiscriminately charring everything around it.

Sati clenched her teeth.

"...Why are you doing this, Mizuchi? Can't we just live a good life together? Didn't you just agree?"

Hehe, Shuichi chuckled softly.

"Yes, that's right. I agreed, but I went back on my word? Is that not allowed? As the ruler of the Three Realms, don't I even have this much privilege?"

"But……"

“How ridiculous, Sati, how pathetic! I will kill you and Shiva and take his place.”

"You...you..."

Knowing deep down that she had been deceived, Sadie was not furious, but rather deeply saddened.

The fury of a part dominates the whole—

In fact, this is indeed possible; as long as a part kills the whole, it can take its place.

However, in Sati's eyes, Water Spirit was not a derivative of Shiva, but like her own child. For so many years, she had been looking forward to seeing Water Spirit, and even contacted the group of little mice that took care of Water Spirit in the hope of teaching her what Water Spirit liked to eat.

"Go to hell and die a good death, Sadie."

Shui Chi smiled slightly, his expression extremely serious, as if he were doing something insignificant.

The dark forest, seemingly untouched by time, is actually an illusion created by the Water Spirit to prevent others from disturbing it.

Immediately, a change occurred here, as if the world itself were gradually changing.

A dark wind surged forth from the gaps between countless trees, and the black dust that swirled around was visible to the naked eye. These destructive forces began to slowly move toward Satie.

The sky was dyed pitch black, not because a black cloud appeared out of nowhere, but because of a death torrent that almost covered the entire sky.

In that instant, Sati also suddenly lost strength, his whole body like a lump of mud, unable to stand up.

While watching Sadie being tortured with a smile, Shuichi suddenly seemed to hear something and rushed to Sadie, intending to snap her neck.

Just now, Shuichi realized that his illusionary body had been broken by Gavia, in other words, it had been seen through. Shuichi couldn't even imagine what Gavia was feeling at this moment; only one thought grew stronger in his mind—

I must kill Sati and Shiva before Gavia arrives.

However, just as Shuichi arrived in front of Sati, the illusionary realm he had constructed underwent an unexpected change that even Shuichi, as its master, could not have foreseen.

"……This is……"

The ethereal blue world before Shuichi's eyes was rendered with vibrant colors.

Countless points of light, emitting a hazy iridescent hue, emerged from the deep blue forest.

Where the inky darkness meets the iridescent light, there are also hints of blue, as if the colors have blended together. Every second, the intensity of the colors seems to dance and change.

Countless points of light, endless colors, darkness and light blending with the Himalayas.

The scene before me was so magnificent it was breathtaking, so beautiful it took my breath away.

Then, the Water Spirit saw Gavia grasp the hand that was about to snap Sati's neck.

“…Gavia, the god—”

Just as Shuichi was about to say something, he suddenly froze.

Because he had already heard the sound when his illusionary body shattered, the Water Holder showed disbelief for the first time in his life.

"No, Gavia, you can't do this! You promised me, don't you remember!"

“Of course I remember, but Water Defender, have you forgotten why you were angry with Indra?”

"Because I was born to kill him!"

Shuichi shouted.

"Do not."

Gavia shook his head. "It's because he ambushed you and almost killed your mother. And now, how is your behavior any different from Indra's? Water Defender, you have betrayed my teachings and your former self."

Then he continued.

"I will never stand on your side again."

"...You're leaving me? No..."

Shui Chi was extremely agitated, her face brimming with tears, yet her voice remained clear, "Are you going to betray my trust? You...you're going to destroy my faith in you!"

"...Water Holder, I still remember that day when you were born. I saw a helpless mother and a helpless child. I knew he was the embodiment of Shiva's wrath, but his cries interrupted my thoughts. Looking at him, I felt that if possible, he could indeed replace Indra's position as the king of gods. My initial purpose in protecting him was indeed because he was Shiva's wrath, but my subsequent protection was because you are Water Holder."

It doesn't matter whether it's a god or an asura.

Later I saw that, under Sukara's guidance, you regained the dignity that the Asuras had lost, reclaimed their status, led them to prosperity, and defended their future. My expectations had indeed come true, and your victory filled me with pride. But afterwards, your actions began to change, as if you had become a different person...

You've even forgotten the reason for your first outburst of anger as a water spirit.

"No, Gavia."

Shuichi looked at Gavia with a panicked expression, even grabbing his hands and pleading incessantly.

“Don’t leave me. I apologize for my wrongdoings. If you leave me, I… how will I live without you… All these mistakes, God Gavia, if you are not willing to forgive your believer, then who will be…”

Gavia looked at him without saying a word.

The smile on her face had long since vanished.

"No, God Gavia, please don't leave, please forgive me—"

Even though the Water Spirit pleaded so earnestly, Gavia still released his grip on her hand.

Shuichi's hands froze in mid-air; he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Then, Gavia gently stroked his head, just like when he was a child, which finally brought a smile to Water Spirit's face. And then—

"...Really? Mizuchi, you've admitted your mistake?"

"Of course, as long as you, God Gavia, forgive me—"

Shuichi suddenly noticed a blue light hanging in the sky behind Gavia, which looked somewhat familiar.

It emitted a soft glow in the night sky, quietly watching over the water.

"Your mother was almost killed, wasn't she? No one understands the pain of almost losing a loved one better than you."

In that instant, perhaps it was an illusion, Shuichi saw his younger self in that blue light, speaking to himself.

And suddenly, the world seemed to consist only of the young Shuichi and the present Shuichi.

"Yes, you're right, that was the first pain in my life."

"So that's why you almost killed someone's mother?"

"...No, Sati is not my mother, she has no children! She and Shiva are only the ones who will cause my death!"

"You believe that everything you've done is right, right?"

"Without a doubt!"

"Then why are you still begging? Why don't you think about whether you did something wrong! Your mother almost died, which is your injustice and your misfortune. But what about the god Gavia? He protected you, and he raised you along with the others and your mother. He let the sage Sukara guide and support you. It was your mistake to deceive him. Sati and Shiva were so good to you, yet you wanted to kill them. Water Defender, why won't you sincerely apologize?"

"No! I'm not the culprit!"

Water Spirit pointed at his younger self, "Everything I did was for the God of Gavia, for myself, for my kingdom! What did I do wrong? I am not a coward like you! I will decide my own destiny, and only I can do it!"

"you--"

"Shut up! I am immortal and invincible. I will kill Shiva and replace him! Do you hear me! Long live the omnipotent Water Deity!"

Click—

The world around them shattered like a mirror, and Gavia's voice revived at that moment.

"There's nothing more to say between us, Lord of the Three Realms."

"……what……"

These words left Shuichi speechless once again.

Gazing into Gavia's eyes, the shimmering light reflected there seemed to have erased the image of himself, the Water Spirit.

In an instant, something swirled in Shuichi's heart: anger at being abandoned, as well as sadness, respect, and indignation, all merging into one.

Hostility? No, that's not it.

Hate? No.

Angry? No.

It has lost all color, becoming a pure, dark black that no light can penetrate.

"You just...abandoned me...for them...hahahaha!"

Shuichi revealed a tyrannical smile, raised his head and laughed loudly, his black breath disappearing into the darkness, and his golden eyes beside him becoming somber.

The next moment he let out a furious roar, like thunder in a rage, which instantly resounded in all directions.

"You're fake! You must be an illusion created by that damned Great Heaven, that damned Narayana!"

Water Spirit raised his hand towards Gavia and pointed at him.