It was a story at the end of the 11th Human-Demon War. By then, the demon armies that invaded Chersea were in full retreat, and the human forces gained the upper hand. The hero, Gaius' champion, the Lady Cassadra David, had shifted her allegiance from the side of the gods, and into the horned race, disillusioned by the evils she witnessed being committed by the people she had fought for. For all his 'crimes' against the subjects he was supposed to protect, Gaius was forced to abdicate his heavenly throne, and his god-powers taken from him.
"You exceeded your mandate, Gaius Julius Caesar," the High King of the Gods proclaimed His judgment. "You are not worthy to stand among the gods, and this is why your godhood is revoked. Your god-powers will be surrendered."
"B-But Your Heavenly Majesty," the god of Chersea explained, "I was fooled by my wife!"
"You should've known better, Gaius! Why would you establish your dominance over the demon people and take their offerings? Isn't that enough to say that what you did is an abuse of your mandate?"
Silenced by the rebuke, the disgraced god fell to his knees. Deep inside, he was asking how Chersea and the Four Realms would survive without a god. For, without a god, no one would govern those worlds, making it dangerous for Seirna, his stepdaughter. Desperate, Gaius pleaded, "Milord, if your servant can still request before I'm banished…"
"I understand your sentiments, Gaius," the High King never let him finish. "And I am pleased; even if the child, Seirna, isn't yours, you still came to love her like your own. As such, I will have mercy on you and her. The consequences of your sin will take the god-powers from you, yet, in consideration for your love and deeds as a god, I will uplift your stepdaughter and grant her one of the god-powers taken from you."
"She will also become one of the saints, too?"
The High King of the Gods nodded.
Overwhelmed by joy and relief, Gaius nearly jumped and cry in happiness. At least, even when the Lady Arame failed him, he would never endanger Seirna.
"Now go! You are to become a mortal, starting at this moment. Yet, Seirna will be with you; help her in her responsibilities as a Saint to the people you should've governed right."
"I understand and obey, Most Holy One." With that, Gaius retreated from the High King's presence, and went back to Chersea.
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Seirna at that point had become one beautiful young lady, said to stand side by side with the Lady Cassandra. And Gaius trained her with the sword, for she would always ask him to. The knowledge of defending herself could also be put to good use, since she would act as Gaius' messenger to the mortals. And not everyone was keen to receive the message of the gods, especially those that foretold destruction and suffering. However, Gaius never thought that her training would be used in this way…
"Milord, you mean, I will succeed you to one of the god-powers they took from you?"
"Yes…" the sadness on Gaius' face never disappeared. "Still, even though you became the Saint, I will still be around to guide you."
"But…" there was a moment of hesitation on Seirna before she said, "…I can't do it! You are my lord! I will remain faithful to you!"
"Well, you can still be faithful even if our roles are now switched," he pointed out. "Besides, it is my fault; that tragedy about Arame. Yet, for all that's happened, I still don't regret I met her."
"Milord…" her voice was quivering. "If you haven't met mother, then you wouldn't suffer this humiliation."
"Yes, I know," Gaius held Seirna's face. "But then, I won't get to have a beautiful and loving stepdaughter. So, for all my faults, I'd rather go through it, than stay a lonely god in my lofty throne."
Seirna's chest was already overwhelmed with emotions. She burst crying, hugging her stepfather as they both realized that it might be permanent; the father became subordinate to the daughter that looked up to him. Nevertheless, after a few moments, the future Overseer Saint wiped her eyes and steeled her resolve.
"I will never fail you, milord," Seirna declared. "Even if I fought against everyone, I will always strive to make you a god once again, and protect everything you valued…even if it costs me my life!"
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***Present day…***
Deep in the confines of Kuro's thoughts, Gaius remembered the times his 'adoptive daughter' fought for his cause, only to take her efforts for granted.
"…"
Seirna had always looked up to him; even when the heavens turned against Gaius for his evils, she never left his side. She even caused the deaths of the human population of Chersea, so that she could destroy the Human Saint's forces…her 'peace' was viewed then as 'destroying the martial spirit' of the Cherseans. That girl…she was willing to sacrifice herself and earn the enmity of the heavens by advancing his return to godhood, and leading the humans once again.
Yet, for everything that Seirna has done, Gaius only said, and treated her, bad.
"…"
The former god knew exactly where she would go. Yet, he couldn't get to tell Kuro, for he both knew them. In an effort to prove her worth, Seirna would likely head to confront the Seductress, while the otherworlder would probably rush to save her. And in the battle for the survival of the worlds they cared for, prevailing emotions could spell the end for them. What was needed were clarity of mind and focus…they were near the end of the tunnel.
However, Gaius' thoughts would still yearn for the safety of Seirna Stephanie. And he was sure that Kuro had the same sentiments; for one, he could see his 'host's' mind. Second, no parent would want to see their children suffer.
"…"
The former god of Chersea stood up, dusted himself, and breathed deep. Steeling his resolve, he called out to Kuro. "Hey man! You there?"
It took a few moments before his host finally heard him. "Yes?"
"There's something I'd like to say to you."
The otherworlder's form materialized in front of him. "Yep?"
"I know you can feel it, too," Gaius commented. "The time for the final battle is near. And, I don't want you to face the Seductress unprepared."
"What do you mean?"
"You and I, together," the former god gestured to his host. "We will destroy that monster."
"Well, it's a good idea, fighting side by side with a legendary warrior from my world, as well as a former god," Kuro admitted. "However, can we actually pull it off? I mean, this is your body; I'm in your consciousness. We can't exist in the same physical plane at the same time."
"Trust me; you won't face the Seductress 'outside,'" Gaius smirked. "I told you before, right? This place, your mind, is yours. Whatever you want done in this place, you can always do. This is where we'll destroy that Void monster."