In the heart of a realm that shimmered with the essence of creation, Alaric, a Regulator, stood before a shimmering pool of stardust, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Another anomaly," he murmured in his language, his voice echoing with ancient power. "Sector 7G, Earth's domain. Argua at it again, impersonating Seraphina."
He banged his celestial map, "This time, she has made a huge mistake."
With a gesture, Alaric summoned a portal, stepping through it.
He emerged in a desolate landscape, the air thick with malevolent energy.
Before him stood Argua, her form shimmering with stolen celestial light, a mockery of the true Seraphina.
"Argua," Alaric boomed, his voice carrying the weight of cosmic law. "You have violated the Code of Balance. Your deception ends here."
Argua, her eyes blazing with defiance, retorted, "Argua? Who's Argua? I am Seraphina, guardian of this realm. You have no authority here."
A tense battle ensued, a clash of celestial and infernal energies.
Alaric, wielding the power of the cosmos, countered Argua's stolen light with blasts of pure energy.
He moved with the grace of a celestial dancer, his every step and gesture resonating with the rhythm of the universe.
Argua, fueled by desperation and rage, unleashed a torrent of shadow magic.
But her attacks were clumsy, her strength faltering against Alaric's mastery of the cosmic balance.
As the battle reached its climax, Alaric summoned chains of light, binding Argua and stripping her of her stolen false celestial form. She collapsed, her true form – a lowly Imp (Level 3 Demon) – exposed.
Argua, now in her true form lay crumpled on the desolate ground, her stolen celestial light extinguished.
Alaric stood over her, his expression stern yet tinged with a hint of sadness.
"Why, Argua?" he asked, his voice echoing with the weight of cosmic law. "Why do you persist in disrupting the balance?"
Argua glared up at him, her eyes filled with defiance. "The balance?" she spat. "What is this balance you speak of? It is nothing but a lie, a tool used by the powerful to keep the weak in their place."
Alaric shook his head. "The balance is not a tool of oppression, Argua. It is the very foundation of existence. Without it, there would be only chaos."
"Chaos?" Argua scoffed. "What is wrong with chaos? It is freedom, the absence of rules and restrictions. It is the opportunity to create a new world, a world where the weak are no longer trampled underfoot by the strong."
Alaric sighed. "Chaos is not freedom, Argua. It is destruction. It is the unraveling of all that is good and beautiful in the universe."
He extended his hand, and a ball of shimmering light formed in his palm. "Look," he said. "This is the power of the cosmos. It is the power of creation, the power of order, and the power of balance."
Argua stared at the ball of light, her eyes wide with wonder. She had never seen anything so beautiful before.
"This is what you are fighting against, Argua," Alaric said. "This is what you are trying to destroy."
Argua stared at the ball of light, its brilliance reflecting in her once-defiant eyes. A flicker of doubt, a seed of understanding, began to take root within her.
Argua, her form now reduced to that of a Shadow Sprite (Level 2 Demon), looked up at Alaric with a newfound sense of awe and trepidation.
The chains of light that bound her pulsed with a gentle warmth, a stark contrast to the cold, malevolent energy that had fueled her deception.
"What... what have you done to me?" she stammered, her voice thin and reedy.
Alaric's expression softened. "I have not harmed you, Argua," he said gently. "I have merely stripped you of some of your power, so that you would repent."
He gestured to the chains of light that bound her. "These chains will hold you captive for a time, but they will also serve to cleanse your spirit of the darkness that has consumed you."
Argua looked down at the chains, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity. "Where... where will I go?" she asked.
"You will be taken to a realm of reflection," Alaric replied. "A place where you can contemplate your actions and the consequences of your choices."
He paused, his gaze meeting hers. "This is not a punishment, Argua," he said softly. "It is an opportunity for you to heal, to find your way back to the light."
Argua's eyes narrowed. "You lie!" she hissed. "This is nothing but a prison, a way to silence me and keep me from exposing the truth!"
"There's no truth for you to expose. There's no one to whom you could expose anything you think is considered 'truth'. 'Truth' is merely a perspective, a stand. In the grand scheme of the universe, it has no meaning."
When he said that, he thought of The Guardians of Truth, and he laughed a little inside.
As though the words did not go into her, she struggled against the chains, her tiny form writhing in vain. "I will not be silenced!" she screamed. "I will expose your lies to the world!"
Alaric watched her struggle, his face stern.
With a sigh, he raised his hand and opened a portal before her. The portal shimmered with a soft, ethereal light, a stark contrast to the darkness that emanated from Argua.
"Go now, Argua," he said. "And may your time in the realm of reflection bring you peace."
Argua hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering between Alaric and the portal.
Then, with a defiant snarl, she stepped through the portal and vanished.
Alaric watched the portal shimmer and fade. Dealing with rogue entities like Argua was never easy. It was a constant battle to maintain the balance, to ensure that the forces of chaos and order remained in equilibrium.
He turned and surveyed the desolate landscape, the remnants of Argua lingering in the air like a bad odor.
With a gesture, he summoned a swirling vortex of energy, its vibrant hues cleansing the air and repairing the damage that Argua had done.
As the vortex dissipated, Alaric closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could feel the cosmic balance shifting, settling back into place.
But he knew that this was only a temporary reprieve.
The battle to maintain the balance was an eternal one, a dance between light and darkness that would never truly end.
He opened his eyes and looked up at the sky. The stars twinkled above him, a reminder of the vastness and complexity of the universe.
He was but a small part of it, a single cog in a machine that had been running for eternity.
But he was also an important part. He was a Regulator, a neutral party guarding the balance of the universe. And he would continue to fight for the cosmic order, no matter the cost.
With renewed determination, Alaric turned and stepped back through the portal.
---
Back in his shimmering realm, Alaric stood before the celestial map, his gaze fixed on the swirling patterns of stardust. His encounter with Argua had been taxing, but it was necessary.
There would be others like Argua out there, entities who sought to disrupt the balance for their own selfish ends. He had to be vigilant, always on the lookout for threats to the cosmic order.
He raised his hand and the stardust swirled across the celestial nap. He could see countless worlds, each one a delicate balance of light and darkness. He could also see the disturbances, the ripples in the fabric of reality that indicated the presence of entities on the Red List.
He stared at Earth's domain, his gaze falling on a particular disturbance, a swirling vortex of darkness that seemed to be growing larger by the moment.
He recognized it as the Network of the Nether, a malevolent force that had been plaguing humanity for centuries.
Different eras of the Nether had come and go. It was always destiny that there would be oppositions from the light ensuring they were disrupted and disposed.
However, this new Nether seemed to be stronger than all he had observed before.
He could also observe on the same domain, several deity threads acting strangely.
Three distinct but intertwined threads drew his attention, each marked by the touch of beings of profound influence.
The first thread glowed with a light that was both fierce and warm. Teckaron Bey, a high-grade Divine Initiate (Tier 1.5 deity), whose legacy within the cosmic weave was one of harmony and strength. He recently blessed a human being with the power to breach deceit, just like how Guan Yin had blessed him more than a century ago.
"Teckaron Bey, the newest disciple of Guan Yin, doing what Guan Yin did. Is Guan Yin plotting something?"
The second thread whispered of Tyroqui Semina, a low-grade Celestial Steward (Tier 2 deity), a soothing and nurturing presence in the celestial realm. She seemed to have imbued in a human female the power of foresight, seemingly trying to perform mystical manipulations from above.
"The human female is close to Teckaron's human. That's interesting."
And then there was a third, vibrant and mischievous, echoing the legendary exploits of Sun Wutian, a low-grade Celestial Guardian (Tier 3 deity), whose lineage traced back to tales of heroism and cunning.
"Sun Wukong and Guan Yin are close, and very, very powerful. They can threaten us Regulators if they were to plot with tens of others of their level."
These three distinct threads seemed to weave together in a pattern that was unusual. It was a pattern that Alaric, in his eons of watching over the balance, found both intriguing and unsettling.
An unprecedented feeling.
Now, he was immensely curious as to what these deities were planning. It could just be the right counterbalance to the strengthening Nether, but it could also go another way.
For now, their plans remained a mystery. All he could do was observe and report.
---
Demon rankings:
Low-tier Level 1: Netherling - The most basic form of demons, primarily tasked with minor disruptions and serving higher-ranking demons. Their abilities are limited, often relegated to spreading low-level malice or assisting in simple schemes.
Low-tier Level 2: Shadow Sprites - These demons possess the ability to manipulate shadows and darkness, serving as spies or heralds for more potent demonic entities. Their cunning makes them slightly more dangerous than Netherlings.
Low-tier Level 3: Imp - Known for their mischievous and deceptive nature, Imps are adept at manipulating individuals through lies and illusions. They are more involved in complex scams and corruptive actions.
Mid-tier Level 1: Tormentor - Specializing in inflicting pain, both physical and mental, Tormentors are feared for their cruelty. Their strength and malevolence make them effective in enforcing demonic will and punishing those who defy Hell's mandates.
Mid-tier Level 2: Hellspawn - With the ability to harness elemental forces, Hellspawn are powerful combatants. They play a pivotal role in battles, capable of summoning fire, causing earthquakes, or unleashing storms.
Mid-tier Level 3: Shadow Knight - Elite demonic warriors, Shadow Knights are highly skilled in combat and can utilize dark magic to enhance their fighting abilities. They are often tasked with leading raids or defending strategic locations in Hell.
High-tier Level 1: Marauder - Above Shadow Knights, Marauders are devastating forces of chaos and destruction. They lead significant attacks against heavenly realms or the human world, sowing discord and devastation.
High-tier Level 2: Overlord - Rulers of territories within Hell, Overlords possess considerable power and command legions of lesser demons. They are deeply involved in planning and executing Hell's ambitions against humanity and the heavens.
High-tier Level 3: Demon Lord - Commanding vast dominions in Hell, Demon Lords are powerful beings with abilities that can alter reality and command the forces of nature. They play a central role in the cosmic battle against celestial beings.
Ruler Servant Tier (Only 10 exists): Archdemon - Among the highest ranks in Hell, Archdemons have immense power, capable of challenging deities and shaping the destinies of worlds. Their influence extends across realms, manipulating events to Hell's advantage.
Ruler Tier (Only 1 exists): Demon Sovereign - The supreme ruler of Hell, wielding unmatched power over all demonic entities. The Demon Sovereign orchestrates Hell's grand strategy, aiming to spread darkness across the universe and challenge the cosmic order.
Deity Rankings:
Each tier has 2 different grades
Tier 1: Divine Initiates
Entry-Level Deities: Newly ascended beings or spirits beginning their journey in the celestial hierarchy. They have basic abilities to influence the mortal realm and are under the tutelage of higher-tier deities.
Path of Ascension: By fulfilling their duties and expanding their understanding of cosmic law, Divine Initiates can ascend to become Celestial Guardians
Tier 2: Celestial Guardians
Protectors and Law Enforcers: Deities responsible for maintaining order within their assigned domains, be it natural phenomena, human endeavors, or specific geographical areas.
Path of Ascension: Demonstrating exceptional dedication to cosmic balance and mastery over their domains allows these guardians to ascend to Elemental Masters.
Tier 3: Celestial Stewards
Harmonizers of the Cosmos: Deities distinguished by their profound connection to the cosmic fabric, Celestial Stewards are adept at harmonizing the intricate energies that flow throughout the universe. Their jurisdiction extends to ensuring that the natural order is maintained, from the cycles of planets and stars to the more subtle energies that influence life and destiny across all realms.
Path of Ascension: By demonstrating their mastery in weaving together disparate cosmic forces into a cohesive whole, and actively contributing to the universal equilibrium, Celestial Stewards can ascend to become Celestial Wardens.
Tier 4: Celestial Wardens
Guardians of Cosmic Thresholds: Deities entrusted with safeguarding the pivotal junctures within the cosmos. They are protectors of both physical locations and metaphysical boundaries that separate different realms and states of being.
Path of Ascension: Through their steadfast guardianship and ability to manage cosmic anomalies and threats, Celestial Wardens may ascend to the esteemed rank of Cosmic Sovereigns.
Tier 5: Cosmic Sovereigns
Rulers of Vast Domains: Deities that oversee extensive celestial territories, commanding respect and authority over lesser deities within their realm. They are involved in major cosmic decisions and the maintenance of universal laws.
Path of Ascension: Demonstrating unparalleled leadership, wisdom, and the ability to maintain cosmic balance at a grand scale, a Cosmic Sovereign can ascend to become a Cosmic Architect.
Tier 6: Cosmic Architects
Creators and Destroyers: Possessing the power to shape or dissolve entire worlds and dimensions. These deities play crucial roles in the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction, overseeing the birth and demise of realms.
Path of Ascension: By mastering the dual aspects of creation and destruction in perfect balance, Architects of Realms can ascend to become Cosmic Arbiters.
Tier 7: Cosmic Arbiters
Guardians of Cosmic Balance: Elite deities tasked with overseeing and correcting imbalances across the cosmos. They possess near-omnipotent powers, capable of intervening in cosmic affairs to preserve the universal order.
Path of Ascension: Demonstrating an unmatched ability to maintain universal harmony and balance, a Cosmic Arbiter may ascend to the pinnacle of celestial hierarchy, joining the ranks of the Primordial Essence.
Supreme Tier: The Primordial Essence
Embodiment of the Cosmos: The ultimate pinnacle of the celestial hierarchy, representing the source and culmination of all cosmic power and wisdom. This tier is reserved for entities that have transcended individuality to become one with the cosmos, embodying the essence of creation and the universe itself.