Chapter 98
Far above the clouded sky, where the light of the mortal world dared not reach, the City of the Gods shone in eternal twilight.
Dracan's voice lingered no longer this was now the domain of gods.
The City of Olympia Throne of Creation
Far beyond the mortal plane, past oceans of light and storms of stars, stood the celestial citadel known as Olympia capital of Idgar, the kingdom of the gods of creation.
Its towers rose like pillars of eternity, woven from the fabric of creation itself. The sky shimmered in hues unseen by mortals, where clouds drifted like galaxies and the air itself whispered the names of gods long forgotten.
Inside the Hall of the Twelve Thrones, the air was thick with tension. A vast chamber of blinding marble and darkness, where twelve colossal seats encircled a crystalline dais the council of the gods.
From the shadows, a deep voice echoed, cold as the void between worlds.
"Now… we have the chance," spoke Vrahl, God of Primordial Chaos.
Cloaked in darkness that seemed to drink in light, his many-eyed visage flickered faintly beneath his hood. "She is weakened. Her presence no longer shakes this place as it once did. Now is the time to strike."
Across from him, lightning crackled.
Kaelrus, Warden of Storms, leaned forward on his throne his silver hair flowed like tempestuous clouds, his voice rolling like thunder.
"You wish death, Vrahl?" he asked, his tone half warning, half disbelief. "Even in her weakened state, she carries three essences of power. Even now, she's stronger than you or I combined."
He stood, lightning flashing behind him. "So I'll ask again do you wish death, Vrahl?"
Vrahl's grin widened in the darkness. "Do you fear the inevitable, Kaelrus? All our lives, we have lived in fear of her. But now she is weakened. Together, we might stand a chance."
Kaelrus's eyes narrowed. "You speak treason."
"No," Vrahl countered, rising to his full height, shadows swirling around him. "I speak truth. We are apex predators too. We are gods. We deserve to rule creation!"
Thunder cracked, shaking the marble floor. Kaelrus's lightning arced across the chamber. "Fear, Vrahl, is better than death. Or have you forgotten?" His eyes glowed pale blue. "She can erase gods."
The hall trembled with silence.
Then another voice cut through it like a blade of wind.
"Vrahl is right."
Both turned.
Descending from a swirling gale of feathers was Zephrael, Architect of Winds, his golden eyes burning with conviction. His robes fluttered like the wings of a falcon, his presence carrying the scent of storms and eternity.
"For decades we have lived in fear, Kaelrus," Zephrael declared. "In the heavens and in hell, it is eat or be eaten even among gods! And you know it."
Kaelrus's hand clenched around his staff. "You… too?"
Zephrael's smile curved coldly. "Not just me."
From the shadows surrounding the twelve thrones, light rippled and one by one, the remaining gods stepped forth.
Their divine auras painted the hall in impossible colors gold, crimson, blue, and violet.
Nine more gods of creation stood revealed, silent but resolute.
The betrayal was complete.
Kaelrus's heart thundered in his chest as he stared at them. "You… all of you?"
Vrahl smirked, stepping forward. "It's either you join us…" his black aura pulsed, "…or you stay out of our way."
Kaelrus's jaw tightened. He could feel the storm inside him grow restless rage and fear intertwined.
Then, slowly, he exhaled.
"You are mad," he said softly.
Vrahl tilted his head. "Perhaps."
Kaelrus looked up again and this time, lightning glowed in his eyes.
"But if there's a chance to climb up the food chain…" His lips twisted into a grin. "Then I want in."
He raised his hand thunder igniting the hall. "Let's kill her."
At that, the silence shattered.
A slow, sinister voice joined them from the far end of the chamber.
"Enough chit-chat," it hissed. "Let's get down to business."
It was Seraphae, Goddess of the Damned Souls, Ruler of Death. Her eyes glowed crimson as skeletal wings unfolded behind her. "If we're doing this…" she said, her voice dripping with venom, "then we'll do it right."
Vrahl turned toward her and smiled. "Then it's decided."
As the gods raised their hands, the skies above Idgar turned black thunder and shadow merging, the beginning of a war unlike any other.
Far below, the mortals felt the first tremor of destiny.
Back in the Mortal Realm – The Village Beneath the Sunlight
The sun was warm that morning. Birds sang softly as wind drifted through the golden fields outside Kael's home.
Arin sat in the garden, her long silver hair glimmering faintly in the light. Her eyes once calm, serene looked distant, troubled. Kael stood beside her, leaning quietly on the wooden fence.
Before them, Januza and Azerin were training with sticks, pretending they were swords. Their laughter echoed through the quiet morning.
"Januza, Azerin," Arin said softly. "There's… something you need to know."
Januza tilted his head, stick resting on his shoulder. "Eh? What do you mean, Mother?"
Azerin grinned. "Shut up januza! Let mother speak..
Arin smiled faintly, trying not to laugh. "Yes, but.. he's your brother he can ask what's wrong"
Humph!! In your face stupid, januza smirked
Arin smiled faintly again, "there's something you need to know about where you come from
Come from? What are you talking about mother ehhhh "Wait," Azerin interrupted suddenly, eyes wide. "Are we… aliens?!
Arin blinked. "Eh No no ?"
Januza immediately burst out laughing. "Eiii! Are you dumb?! We're not aliens!"
"Ehhh? Are you stupid!? Who are you calling dumb!? You're the dumb one!"
"Ahhh! Youuuu—!!"
The two boys lunged at each other, wrestling in the grass. Dust flew up as they rolled around shouting, "Take that!" and "Ow, my hair!"
Kael crossed his arms, trying not to smile. "They're definitely your sons."
Arin sighed, shaking her head. "You say that like you weren't worse."
They both laughed quietly but that laughter was short-lived.
Arin's smile froze.
Her eyes widened her pupils turning gold.
The air shifted. The birds went silent.
"What… is this?" she whispered, rising slowly to her feet. The atmosphere around her trembled. Even Kael felt it a pressure, vast and suffocating.
"Arin?" Kael asked, stepping closer. "What's wrong?"
Januza and Azerin stopped arguing, sensing the sudden change. "M-Mother?" Azerin said quietly. "Your eyes…"
Kael turned sharply her eyes were glowing like suns.
"Arin!" he gasped . "Are you okay!?"
She gritted her teeth, golden energy rippling around her. "They're coming."
"What?" Kael's heart froze. "No. Not now."
Her gaze turned upward, beyond the clouds sensing them, the gathering storm of divine power.
"They're coming for me," Arin said softly. Then louder "Take the boys. Now!"
"Mother, what's going on!?" Januza cried, grabbing her hand.
Arin looked down at them her face softening for just a heartbeat. "I love you, my babies. Follow your father. I'll be right behind you."
Azerin shook his head violently. "No! We're not going anywhere! Tell us what's happening!"
Then it hit.
The sky cracked like glass.
A wave of murderous intent flooded the air, crashing down like an ocean of death. The boys gasped clutching their chests.
Their eyes glowed yellow.
"M-Mother…" Januza coughed, collapsing to his knees. "It hurts!"
"What is this!?" Azerin shouted, trembling as energy surged around him.
Kael rushed forward. "Boys!" He turned toward Arin. "Arin what's happening!?"
Arin's eyes narrowed. "It's their mana… all of them. The gods are coming." Her voice trembled. "Their presence is collapsing the laws here… and activating the boys' essence."
Januza gasped for air, eyes glowing brighter. Azerin's hands sparked with faint energy, his veins pulsing with light.
"Kael take them!" Arin shouted. "I love you. Please, take them!"
Kael grabbed her arm. "Arin, wait what about you!?"
She smiled faintly the same smile she gave him the day they met. "Have you forgotten who's the strongest?"
He froze.
Her aura ignited pure gold, brighter than the sun. The ground beneath her cracked as divine energy surged outward.
"Arin…" Kael whispered.
She turned toward her sons their frightened faces etched into her soul.
"I love you, boys," she said softly.
Then her entire form shone light bending around her as her clothes transformed in a blinding flash, her armor of divinity reawakening.
Her once gentle form now radiated the presence of a warrior goddess the true Apex of Creation.
She drew a deep breath, turning her gaze to the heavens where storm clouds swirled.
"Kael," she said calmly, her voice no longer human. "Take them."
He hesitated.
"Now."
Kael clenched his fists. "Arin…"
Her eyes met his fierce and unyielding.
Then, she smiled.then she turned
Now!!
"The real hunt begins now."
With that, her wings unfolded vast, golden, and terrible as she rose from the ground, facing the oncoming storm of gods.
Mother.. januza gasped
But Arin was focused on something else or rather someone else!!
And she spoke" So wish to defy me"!
Lightning and shadow met in the sky above and the heavens themselves began to bleed.
Today you will receive death!