When we stepped out of the portal, Katie Fell on the ground. I could feel her pain. I couldn't understand what could cause it.
"Katie, what is wrong?" I crouched next to her. "What is happening to you?"
"The Mana in this world... It is too much for me to Handle. It's... Too much."
"It is fine. You shall Adapt to it soon enough. Your Universe was Devoid of Magical Power. You are just Unfamiliar to it. Breath in and Breath out. Control the flow within you."
She closed her eyes. She was in a lot of pain. I took her hand and started talking.
"Feel the energy within you. You must control it. The Mana is flowing inside your body. It's like water. Control its flow."
She calmed down in a few minutes. I could feel Resonance and peace in her soul. She adapted mana so quickly. She was indeed Talented. I smiled.
"You are Stronger than you look. It took me 3 days to control the magical power after I found the Sword."
She opened her eyes and looked at the Ground.
"This much power... I see how you became so strong."
"This is but a Glimpse of my power, but not to worry. You shall understand what true power means one day. Can you stand?"
"I... I think so."
I Helped her to stand up. She was still a bit Dizzy, but She would live.
Suddenly Ramael Appeared in front of me.
"My lord, I sensed that a person was in Great pain. Are you all right? Are you hurt?"
"I am fine, Ramael."
"May I ask, my lord..."
"You may."
"Who... Is our honorable Guest?" She looked at Katie. I could sense his curiosity.
"She is a Royal Guest. She will stay at the Palace. Also, Ramael. I have an Order for you."
"Whatever you wish, my lord."
"Gather the council. We have an urgent Business to Discuss. Every member should Attend the meeting. Understood?"
"Council, my lord? May I ask, What is so important that we need to gather the most powerful individuals in all of the realms?"
"That is none of your concern. I gave you an Order. Request the audience of every member. No Exception except for Montana. He's Completing a task that I gave him. Understood?"
"I... Understand my lord. It Shall be Done."
Ramael Bowed.
"You are dismissed."
He Disappeared once again. I looked at Katie. She was Confused. Her eyes were Assessing everything around her. We were standing on the Balcony of my Royale Palace. An exceptional Sight was in front of us: A sea of spaceships, Countless Stars in the distance, Technologically advanced buildings, and flying Angels. She was Astonished. I couldn't understand her at first. Once Again I felt how distant I became from the Human emotions. I have been seeing this Sight every day for 5 Thousand years and Not once have I thought about How beautiful it was. I felt Emptiness Inside my heart and It made me a little bit sad. When did I lose Myself?!
I took her inside the palace. One of my Servant girls was in the corridor. She Bowed As I met her eyes.
"Servant." I addressed her. "This is a Royale Guest of mine. Take Her to The guest apartment. Provide her with anything that she Desires. She will be your responsibility. Make her feel like She's at home, do you understand?"
"I understand, my lord! I shall Take Care of her more than My own life."
"You will not be With me, Harold? This Place... It scares me. All of this is so new to me. I need someone to stay by my side."
"I apologize, my dear. I have an empire to Run. I cannot join you. Servant, what is your name?" I addressed a Young girl who was Trembling with fear.
"Claire, my lord." She Replied. "At your service."
"Claire shall keep you company while I will be gone." I turned towards Katie. "She will give you a tour, show you everything. Just tell her whatever you desire and it shall be done."
"Okay..."
She was Quite sad. I could understand her. We were finally reunited after 15 years. I was about to Disappear once again. She was afraid.
"I won't disappear just like the last time. I will be gone for a short while. I must attend a very important meeting."
"What Meeting?"
"The Council is Gathering. The Age of changes Has come. We have a lot to discuss."
"Age of Changes?"
"Katie, you made me realize a lot of things. I have seen my faults. I am not the God That I wanted to become and I would like to change. I haven't been anything but a Warrior. I need to be Wise and Lead people. That's what I was supposed to do. I lost my path and you made me find it once Again. For that I Thank you."
"I didn't do anything at all, My lord."
"You did. Now without further delay, I must Depart. Claire, I hope My Guest is in good Hands. If anything will happen to her while on your watch..."
There was no need to finish the sentence. The servant was already trembling with Fear. It would be too much.
"Now then, enjoy staying here my dear." I turned at Katie again. "As my personal Guest, you're one of the most Honorable People in the Universe. Everyone will treat you with Respect. If someone will dare to disrespect you..."
"Thank you for all of this, Harold. I finally have to talk to other people... This is such a huge Gift. I have been alone for so long..."
"Those years are over now. Enjoy yourself. I shall depart now."
"Alright, Harold. Take Care."
"Sure will. Claire, be careful." The last words were more of a threat than a genuine care. Servant Kneeled.
I followed the corridor. I was feeling fresh. I could feel a lot of forgotten emotions that I locked in myself for eons. I forgot how good it felt when I looked around and Enjoyed living. All I could recollect from past Millenias were Battles and Blood, would it be red, Blue, Or White. I killed all kinds of Beings and Never thought about saving them. This Ends now.
I entered the throne room. The Golden Throne Looked Majestic. It emitted Immense pressure. Sign of Absolute Power. Just by a single look, you could tell that the one who sat there would be the Most Powerful being.
And I was the One. I walked up the stairs and looked down the Shiny seat. Who needs a throne? Why does it have any Value? What makes it So Special?
"No more," I whispered to myself as I Disintegrated this Abomination. "Long Enough have I sat here doing nothing That God should do. Long enough Have I looked down on everyone while sitting here. No more!"
The stairs Disappeared as I walked down them. The Golden Throne of The Empire was gone. For Millions of years have I dreamt About Sitting on it. I dreamt about Feeling the Joy of Governing all living beings but Now it felt so empty. Is this the fate of an Immortal Being? Do all the feelings decay? I kind of Related to him. Maybe he was a warrior like me. Maybe he also lost himself and that was the reason he didn't help Us. Maybe, just like me, He was busy Governing an Empire instead of Helping Innocent beings.
"No more!" I whispered once again as I sat down on a small chair of a Servant. "I shall Be better than you, Old Man. You sat on the throne for too long. Half a Millenia passed ever since I took your Duties on myself and I almost Ended up just like you. No more. I am not a bloodthirsty God. I... I am Better than that."
I sat on a small chair for a few hours and thought about everything. About my past, Present, and future. All I could Think of was a failure. I failed as an Almighty god. I should've fixed it. Maybe the Summoning was the beginning of changes. No one has ever summoned me before. Yes, it was a sign. The Age of Changes Was Beginning.
"My lord." Ramael Dragged me out of My deep thoughts. He was standing in front of me. I didn't even notice how he entered the throne room.
"Speak."
"The Council has Gathered. We are waiting for your presence. Shall we?"
"Yes..."
I stood up.
"My lord..."
"Speak you snake."
"Your throne... May I ask..."
"I needn't a throne no longer."
"Your Majesty, the Golden throne has been here since the birth of the Universe..."
"And Hence I declare the Birth of a new universe where a Golden throne is no longer Necessary. Stop Questioning my Decision or you shall lose your head, understood?"
"Yes, my lord." He bowed.
We left the Throneless Throne Room and Went towards a huge Meeting Room at the Bottom of the Royal Palace. I took a deep breath before I opened the Door. They Wouldn't like this...
I saw a Hundred Figures in a big, bright room. Everyone was sitting around a long Table. All of them Stood Up to Pay Respect to me. I gave them a sign to sit down. Another Golden Chair was waiting for me at the End of the Table. It was my Seat as their Leader. I Erased the Golden Chair and Replaced it with a wooden one. Everyone looked at me in confusion. I sat down and Looked at them. I could see a lot of familiar faces. There was Lucifer, the Ruler of Hell. Michael the Archangel - a Son of the dead God and Ruler of Heaven. I could see various Alien races that Governed the Far reaches of the Empire. Most of their names I could not Recall. Anyone could tell that This Room Contained the Most Powerful People in the Creation.
"I thank you for Accepting my invitation so Quickly, Ladies and Gentlemen." I started Speaking. "We have a lot to discuss today. The Meeting May Last Several Hours. I hope you canceled your plans in advance. You all know that I do not like to talk Aimlessly. If I Decided to Gather an entire Council, then The Situation is Dire."
"No one Questions you, My lord," Michael Spoke. His Voice was very Deep and Melodic, just like an Angel's.
"Shall we talk about Business?" Lucifer seemed uncomfortable. He was Chewing on a Stake of some kind of animal.
"Your Dirty pit shall run nowhere, Lucifer. Hell will Wait. You shall remain here As long as I wish."
He didn't say anything. There was nothing to add from his Side.
"Why are we here, Lord Harold?" Said Koyus, the Ruler of GRID, the Biggest Commercial Alliance in the Universe.
"I have an announcement."
"Let's hear it." Michael couldn't stop Singing.
"War is Over."
No one said a word. Lucifer stopped Chewing.
"My lord?" Said Ramael who was Sitting On the First Seat on my Right Side. "Could you please Elaborate?"
"I command every one of you to Cease any kind of Military actions and Bring your armies back to your worlds. The War is Over. No more."
"My lord! We have Been Fighting for Millions of Years. We cannot stop it like This!" Ramael Seemed almost Insulted.
"You Shall Stop this War At Once. I command you as a Leader of the Council And The God of this Universe. Every kind of Conflict should End. I want No more lives lost. Not a Single Dead Soldier for their Families to mourn over. I shall Now Command you to Return to your Planets and Stay there as long as I wish."
"My lord, what are we supposed to do on our planets? Just do nothing?" Bilok, the Leader of the Lightborn Guild Stood up. "We are warriors. We are born to fight!"
"No more."
"I agree with Bilok." Cud, the Leader of Gruidnig Dwarves protected his Comrade. "My lord, we are made for war. It is what we have been doing for Eons. What shall We do On our Planets? Become farmers?"
"Are you all Telling me that Everything on your Planet is Perfect?" My tone became more strict. "Do you wish to say that your Homeworlds are in Perfect condition? There is no war on your Homeworlds? There is no Starvation? No Death? You intend to Tell me that there is not a single problem at your Home that's Worth worrying about?"
The silence was too Loud.
"My lord... If we will Stop Our military Expansion now, our Empire won't..." Michael was not settling down.
"My empire. Since when did it become yours? I killed the God, Remember? I am the True Ruler! I do not need any of you. You are nothing but my Servants. When I tell you to Run and Bring me Food, You Will!"
"My lord, you are Going Too Far!" Erebus, the King of Yrundel Race Stood Up. "We are not your Dogs! We helped you with your Conquest. We are no mere slaves! I demand you to treat us with the respect that we deserve."
I looked at him once. His Blue eyes met mine. He knew. He knew that Death Was Coming.
In a Split Second, My Sword cut a poor King in Half. His Pink Blood Covered half of the Table.
"Now..." I said loudly as I put my Chrimson Sword on the Table. "If anyone would like to Elaborate Further, you will be met by my sword. I have No Need for your Fuss. I want you to Do what I tell you to do!"
"This is Madness!" Said a poor Soul until I slashed him to pieces. I never remembered his name.
"My lord! Please, Come back to your senses!" Michael Screamed at me. I didn't want to fight him as he was almost as Powerful as me. I Put My sword into the Pocket Space.
"I will not allow a Rebellion."
"This Was not a rebellion, my lord." Ramael seemed Terrified."They simply wanted to state their Opinion. I am sure they never even thought about betraying you..."
"Are you calling me a Madman, You Rat?" I snapped.
"No, your Majesty! I simply..."
"Leave the Room at once!
"But..."
"Would you like to share the same fate as those Two bastards?"
He didn't say anything. Quietly Stood up and Left the Room.
"Now..." I started talking once again. Servants in the room dragged the remains of the Deformed corpses out of our vision."I believe I made myself Clear. No more War. No more death. I command all of you to Return to your Homes and Pay attention to them. I wasted enough time on Making Such a huge empire while I am Sure living Conditions on most of the Planets are lower than a Dirthole. I want no more Diversity, I wish to see poor people no more. I want economic stability, peace, and Happiness. You People do not want War no longer. They are tired of Permanent Voyage across the space. We shall end it right here and right now. This is a Command of Harold the Almighty."
No one showed any interest in Starting an argument as they saw a certain death Within it. This was good. Fear was what they needed and I gave it to them. Even if It meant Killing two Powerful People. It was a necessary sacrifice in the Grand Scheme of things. Everything was about to change. The Age of Peace has come.
"Lucifer." I addressed the fallen Angel. His Appetite was gone.
"Yes?" He replied. He wasn't very happy about The current situation. I could feel it.
"Gather all of your demons and Return to hell."
"What?" The King of hell Snapped. "Harold, what are you saying?"
"You heard me well. Gather all of your Kind and Go back to hell."
"We've been fighting alongside you for Eons. Why should we return to hell? We are your allies, not some Mindless Monsters!"
"You will return to Hell because that is where you belong. Demons should be locked in hell, Remember?"
"And Do you remember who Helped you to sit on the Golden throne? If it wasn't for our power you'd be killed..."
"I do not need you to remind me who helped me and who didn't. Didn't I show you my gratitude? Didn't I reward you? Are you telling me that I am Ungrateful?"
I almost Reached for the God Slayer sword, but I noticed Michael's Hand moving. He was ready to protect his brother and that Bothered me.
"All I'm saying is that it is very strange." Lucifer continued. "We have been fighting together for a million years. Why now? What has changed? Harold, what has happened in your mind? Are you well?"
"Are you calling me Mad, Rat?!" Now I pulled the Sword from my Pocket Space and Launched myself Towards Lucifer. I could see his Terrified Face in slow motion until Michael's Holy Sword Deflected my blow. He Did it so Accurately and Carefully that there was no Shockwave. I have always been impressed with his Skill when it came to Swordsmanship.
"My lord, please!" He told me and His Sword Disappeared. "My brother Meant No Disrespect, I assure you. Could you please Take your sword away? This is the Council Room. We are fighting here with Words, not With Swords. We need to be Wise and Listen to each other's Complaints. Lucifer's Anger has a reason. His Kind Has been Fighting alongside you for Eons. Could you please state the reason why they should return to hell? That would Clear up the Misunderstanding. Blood has been shed today. I personally do not wish to see it happen again."
He Speaked the Truth. He always has been Wise and I admired his courage that He dared to Interfere with my Business. I never liked Cowards and Michael has never been one. He served me well and gave me numerous Important Advice. I grinned at Lucifer and Turned Around. My chair was waiting for me and I reunited with it. Michael also took his seat. It was time to speak. The Council needed a reason for Ending the war.
"My Friends... I have seen another Universe. I was Summoned by a little girl."
"You mentioned that before..." Uriel seemed Confused.
"Yes. I met a little girl in that world. She was alone on a barren planet. Her family and An Entire Race were Slaughtered by Demons. I saved her."
"We are aware that you are very Generous and Kind my lord, but we need a Valid Reason. Could you please skip..." Said a Poor soul until I silenced it Forever.
"And I realized something. You have known me for Millenias. All I ever Cared about was Killing God. I wanted to become stronger. When was the last time you saw me saving someone? I... Was a warrior for so long that I forgot what it feels like to be a God. My Feelings have been locked inside me because of all the Blood And Horrors I have seen. I believe you all feel the Same. We all Are Immortals here. Time Does Us No Harm. We shall live long enough to see the Black Holes Devour Our Universe. The Stars Will Turn Black and we will watch them. We... Deserve better Fate. We need to be better, my Friends. All we cared about for the Past 1.5 million years was Overthrowing God. What about the Mortals Below? When was the Last time they saw Peace? Your worshippers are dying. I can see them even at this Second. I can feel their pain and I can hear their Screaming. They are praying in my name. All of this is Because war never Ends! People Die Because of our Selfishness. All we ever cared about was our Personal Gain. Of course, that includes me as well. I cannot deny my past. I was nothing but a mere mortal. I wasn't born neither in Hell nor in Heaven. I was nothing but a mortal once and I can understand what it means to be Helpless. I know what it feels like when you have no other way than to Pray to the God Above. They Never Answered. I do not want to end up like that. I am sitting here with you and I am Ignoring all the Prayers. No more. I do not want anyone to suffer anymore. I do not want mere mortals to pay the Price so terrible that they don't deserve it. We have been avoiding our duties as Gods for too long. It's about time we became what We are supposed to be - The Symbols of Hope. We must lead mortals towards Peace. We must Teach them how to be better. We must end all the words, not just ours. I want to Create a Utopia. The Royal Palace shall Become the Symbol Of Hope and I shall be a Beacon in the storm so All the Lost Mortals can find a way towards the Light. I, Harold the Great, Swear Upon my life that I will turn this ruined Universe into a Paradise and I do hope that You will Stay by my side and Support my Wish."
The Council fell Silent.
It was Decided. The war ended right then and there.