Chapter 3 - Damnation

As Earth had become the new theater for God's amusement, the once-hallowed Kingdom of God lay in turmoil. The seven deadly sins, those insidious forces of temptation and darkness, conspired alongside fallen angels, twisting the sacred realms into a stage of malevolence. Sin and shadow, once mere whispers in the fabric of creation, now reigned supreme, and the celestial realm echoed with their laughter as they wrought havoc upon the heavens.Among the celestial beings, a faction of loyal angels, steadfast and true, stood in defiance of their brethren's treachery. Clad in radiance, they raised their swords, spears, and shields, forged from the light of a thousand stars, and clashed with their former kin. Each blow resonated with such power that entire universes sprang forth and were annihilated, a cosmic ballet of creation and destruction unfurling across the vast expanse, giving conception to the omniverse.Yet, amidst this celestial clash, God remained an aloof spectator, entranced by the emergence of Earth, His latest creation. This realm, vibrant with life and potential, captured His attention as He sculpted mountains and painted sunsets. The suffering of His angels fell upon deaf ears; the chaos of the divine realm became mere background noise to His newfound delight.But the seven deadly sins, unbidden, sought to interweave their vile influence with His earthly creation. Their insatiable hunger for chaos could not be contained, and soon God was stirred from His reverie. With righteous indignation, He gathered the loyal angels, bestowing upon them celestial powers that transcended their former limitations, transforming them into avatars of divine wrath.Thus armed, the angels clashed anew against the traitorous legions, a tempest of light against shadow. But the sins were crafty, and their might was formidable. As the battle raged, God watched as His angels fought valiantly, yet the balance of the multiverse teetered precariously on the edge of oblivion.Realizing the stakes, God conceived a new creation: a force to rival the seven sins—the Seven Heavenly Virtues. These divine beings, embodying purity, hope, and strength, descended upon the battleground, clashing with the sins in an epic confrontation that would determine the fate of existence itself. In a glorious flash of light, good vanquished evil in their first battle, the sins cast into retreat.In the aftermath, God rebuilt His kingdom, restoring order among the stars. Yet the sins, embittered by defeat, sought refuge in Earth, His precious amusement, and they slowly seeped into the very essence of the planet. While God busied Himself with crafting other realms, unperturbed by the corruption unfolding below, the sins festered and multiplied.As the fabric of reality unraveled, the Earth, once a playground of God, descended into chaos and despair—a hellish reflection of divine neglect. The seven deadly sins, with cunning and guile, manipulated the very threads of existence, birthing a new dimension known as Purgatory—a realm that mirrored their dark desires.In this twisted kingdom, they conjured abominable beings: Hod, demons, and more; architects of despair who thrived on the very essence of God's creation. With each conquest of God's new amusements, their power grew, feeding off the remnants of divinity they had turned to ruin.Setting: A modest room, dimly lit, where a father and son engage in a timeless discussion. Ray, youthful and skeptical, listens as his father, Kleinth, shares the tale of the first war of good and evil, creation and destruction."So you're basically saying that God is the root of evil?" Ray, youthful yet contemplative, inquired, brow furrowed in earnest thought."Did you even listen to what I said, Ray?" Kleinth retorted, exasperation tinting his voice."Come on, Dad! I've heard this story a million times, yet I still wonder why God lets His people suffer," Ray sighed, a hint of frustration in his tone. The weight of the world seemed heavy on his young shoulders, a burden that sought understanding amid the chaos of existence."Ah, my boy," Kleinth began, a softness in his eyes. "Things happen for a reason. Perhaps this is simply the way balance is maintained in a world rife with free will and choice.""Well, that seems to be justifiable," Ray sarcastically responded, a smirk playing on his lips, masking the confusion that still danced in his eyes."You'll soon understand what I'm saying once you grow up," Kleinth replied gently, his voice laced with wisdom. He reached out, patting and stroking Ray's head affectionately, an act both tender and paternal."Stop that, old man! I'm not a kid anymore. I can vanquish a Hod myself with my gun," Ray retorted, puffing out his chest with a confidence that only youth could muster."Oh? Confident are we?" Kleinth raised an eyebrow, a glimmer of challenge lighting his gaze. "How about we spar?"With a spark igniting in his eyes, Kleinth's demeanor shifted, revealing the seasoned warrior beneath the fatherly facade. The fire of battle awakened in him, a flickering intensity that mirrored the training he had undergone throughout his life.Ray's expression transformed, surprise flickering momentarily before excitement took its place. "You're on!" he declared, adrenaline surging through his veins. He grabbed his gun from the corner of the room, feeling the weight of it in his hands, a mixture of determination and youthful exuberance coursing through him.Kleinth chuckled softly, his own weapon—a similar firearm—materializing in his grip. "Remember, Ray, it's not merely about pulling the trigger; it's about strategy and understanding your opponent."As they stepped into the makeshift arena, a space cleared of furniture, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. The shadows danced around them, a fitting backdrop for a clash between father and son.Ray lunged first, driven by confidence and youthful bravado. He aimed his gun at Kleinth, pulling the trigger in a burst of excitement, but Kleinth sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and practiced. "Is that all you've got?" Kleinth teased, a playful grin gracing his lips."Just warming up!" Ray shot back, determination etched on his brow. He aimed again, firing a series of shots, each one more ambitious than the last. Yet, with each trigger pull, he found himself countered by Kleinth's quick reflexes."Think, my son! Anticipate my moves!" Kleinth urged, dodging Ray's shots with grace and precision. "It's not enough to shoot; you must foresee the dance of battle."With a newfound focus, Ray adjusted his approach. He began to predict Kleinth's movements, blending offense with defense. Their guns echoed through the room, each shot ringing with the sound of tradition and teaching.As the spar continued, both men were caught in a rhythm, a dialogue of motion that spoke of respect and growth. Ray's initial bravado began to meld with a deeper understanding, each shot and evasion revealing layers of the art of combat he had yet to grasp.Finally, after a particularly vigorous exchange, Ray took a step back, breathless but exhilarated. "Okay, okay, I see your point," he panted, sweat beading on his forehead. "There's more to this than just pulling the trigger."Kleinth lowered his gun, a proud smile illuminated his face. "Exactly, my boy. Strength lies not only in firepower but in understanding and adapting. You have the heart of a warrior; now, you must refine it."As the dust settled, Ray, panting and clearly exhausted, could barely stand, the weight of the sparring match weighing heavily on his shoulders. Kleinth chuckled, shaking his head with mock seriousness. "Well, my valiant warrior, it seems you've met your match today. Next time, try aiming for the target instead of me!"Ray rolled his eyes, trying to suppress a grin despite his embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Just wait until I actually know what I'm doing."Just then, a soft voice interrupted their banter, floating through the air like a whisper in the wind. "Having a bit of trouble, are we?"Both men turned to see a girl standing at the entrance, her presence radiating a mix of confidence and curiosity. She had an aura that seemed to draw attention, and her gaze was locked onto Ray, an enigmatic smile playing at her lips.