His followers, encouraged by his words, cheered from their positions across the hall, many of them engaged in battle with the remaining celestial guards.
The Supreme Heavenly Lord remained silent, his gaze never faltering. His calm demeanor only seemed to further anger the rebel leader. He stepped closer, his boots echoing on the cold, polished floor.
"Do you hear me?" the leader barked, raising his hand to point at the Supreme Lord. "Your reign ends tonight!"
Thana stood at the edge of the chaos, blending into the shadows as she watched the scene unfold. She had seen enough battles to know when someone's arrogance was getting the better of them. The leader's confidence was misguided, and she could sense it. She had felt the immense power radiating from the Supreme Heavenly Lord before, and his current calmness spoke volumes. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
The rebel leader turned to the crowd, addressing his followers. "This is what we've been fighting for! To break free from his chains! Tonight, we reclaim our freedom!"
His words were met with more cheers, but the noise was laced with uncertainty. Even among the rebels, there was an unspoken tension—something didn't feel right.
The Supreme Heavenly Lord finally moved. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving the rebel leader. "Is that what you believe?" His voice, though soft, cut through the noise like a blade.
The rebel leader hesitated for just a moment, thrown off by the sudden response. "I don't believe it," he snapped back. "I know it. We've been living under your rule for too long, bowing to your every whim. Tonight, we end it."
The Supreme Heavenly Lord stood, his presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone in the hall. The fighting stilled as eyes turned toward the throne. His expression remained calm, but his gaze was sharp, piercing through the rebel leader.
"You've misunderstood something very important," the Supreme Heavenly Lord said quietly, taking a step down from his throne. "This is not about power or control. It's about balance."
The rebel leader scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "Spare me your speeches. We've heard them all before. Balance, harmony, order—it's all a lie to keep us in line."
The Supreme Heavenly Lord's eyes narrowed slightly. "And yet, here you stand, leading an army into chaos. What is it you seek, if not power for yourself?"
Thana, still in the shadows, watched closely. She knew that the Supreme Heavenly Lord wasn't just talking for the sake of it. Every word he spoke was deliberate, aimed at weakening the rebel leader's resolve. But the leader was too far gone in his rage to listen.
"Don't twist this!" the leader snapped, stepping closer to the Supreme Lord. "This is about justice! It's about taking back what's ours!"
The Supreme Heavenly Lord regarded him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "You believe this rebellion will bring you justice?" he asked softly. "All it will bring is suffering."
The rebel leader's face contorted with anger, his voice rising. "You've ruled for too long! You think you're untouchable, but tonight, we prove that even you can fall!"
Before anyone could react, the leader raised his hand, summoning a surge of energy. It crackled in the air, dark and menacing, aimed directly at the Supreme Heavenly Lord. The room froze as the power built in his palm, ready to strike.
Thana tensed, knowing that the moment was about to turn deadly. But before the rebel leader could release his attack, a flash of light erupted from the side. One of the Supreme Heavenly Lord's trusted aides, a tall celestial with silver hair and robes as white as snow, appeared in front of him, absorbing the energy with ease.
The rebel leader stumbled back, his eyes wide in disbelief. The aide stood firm, his hand still glowing from the force of the attack he had just dispelled. Without a word, he stepped aside, allowing the Supreme Heavenly Lord to advance.
The panic among the rebels spread like wildfire. Many of them began to retreat, their earlier confidence shaken by the display of power. Some turned to flee, but as they rushed toward the exit, they found themselves blocked by the opposing army—the loyalists to the Supreme Heavenly Lord. The room was now fully sealed, and there was nowhere to run.
Chaos erupted once more as the rebel soldiers clashed with the loyalist forces. Swords clanged, magic crackled, and the floor vibrated with the sheer intensity of the battle. The celestial guards, regaining their strength, fought back fiercely, protecting their Lord with every ounce of their power.
In the center of it all, the rebel leader faced off with the Supreme Heavenly Lord, his frustration boiling over. "How can you stand there, so calm, while everything falls apart around you?"
The Supreme Heavenly Lord didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked down at the rebels, the loyalists, the chaos unfolding around him. "Because," he said, his voice steady, "I have seen this play out before. The hunger for power, the desire for control—it always leads to the same end."
The rebel leader snarled, raising his sword to strike again. But this time, the Supreme Heavenly Lord didn't move. Instead, he raised his hand ever so slightly, and the air around them shifted.
Thana felt the change immediately, a powerful force rippling through the room. It was subtle, almost imperceptible at first, but then it grew stronger. The energy swirled around the Supreme Heavenly Lord, gathering in intensity. Even from her hidden position, Thana could feel the immense weight of it pressing down on her chest.
The rebels, too, felt it. Their movements slowed as the pressure increased, their weapons growing heavier in their hands. Panic flickered in their eyes as they realized they were no longer in control.
The rebel leader, struggling against the unseen force, glared at the Supreme Heavenly Lord. "What… are you doing?"
The Supreme Heavenly Lord met his gaze, his expression as calm as ever. "Restoring balance."
With a flick of his wrist, the energy released in a powerful wave, sweeping across the hall. The rebels were knocked back, their weapons flying from their hands as they were thrown to the ground. Even the celestial guards, loyal as they were, stumbled under the force of it.
Thana gripped the edge of the nearest pillar, bracing herself against the surge. She had never seen the Supreme Heavenly Lord wield his power so openly before, and it was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. His control over the energy of the realms was unmatched, and now, he was using it to end the rebellion in one swift stroke.
The rebel leader was the last to fall. He struggled to remain standing, his knees buckling under the pressure. But even he couldn't resist the overwhelming force. With a final, defiant shout, he collapsed to the ground, his weapon clattering beside him.
Silence fell over the banquet hall. The battle was over.
The Supreme Heavenly Lord lowered his hand, the energy dissipating into the air like mist. He surveyed the room, his gaze lingering on the fallen rebels. "This is the price of rebellion," he said quietly, though his voice carried throughout the hall. "Destruction, chaos, and ruin."
The celestial guards moved swiftly, securing the remaining rebels and tending to the wounded. The loyalists, though weary from the fight, stood tall, their loyalty to the Supreme Heavenly Lord unwavering.
Thana watched from her position, her mind racing. She had known the Supreme Heavenly Lord was powerful, but this… this was something else entirely. His control over the realms, his ability to bend the very energy of the universe to his will—it was a reminder of just how far above the rest of them he truly was.
And yet, despite his immense power, there was a quiet sadness in his eyes as he looked down at the defeated rebel leader. It wasn't the look of someone who had just won a great victory. It was the look of someone who had seen this all before, and knew it would happen again.
The Supreme Heavenly Lord turned, his gaze meeting Thana's from across the hall. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and in that moment, Thana realized something. This wasn't just about power or rebellion. There was something deeper at play—something the Supreme Heavenly Lord hadn't yet revealed.
But whatever it was, Thana knew one thing for certain. The battle may have ended, but the true war was far from over.
As the Supreme Heavenly Lord began to walk away, Thana stepped out from the shadows, her mind already racing with questions. She had a feeling that whatever came next, it would change everything.
And she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.