The world trembled in silence, the destruction of the Pyrean Church sending shockwaves that reverberated across every corner. In the wake of their annihilation, the Seven Churches and the Evil God Cults scrambled to interpret the Void's actions and reevaluate their place in the crumbling world order. The divine and the profane both knew that Allen's conquest was no mere territorial ambition—it was the prelude to total domination.
---
The Celestial Church's Last Stand
In the sanctified halls of the Celestial Church, High Priestess Solenna stood before the broken remnants of her council. The Void's lieutenant, Vorak, had laid waste to the Starspire, scattering their faithful and tearing down the symbols of their divinity. Survivors poured into the central city of Solara, their faces pale with fear and exhaustion.
"The heavens do not answer," murmured one of the elder priests, his gaze fixed on the shattered remnants of an altar. "The gods are silent."
Solenna slammed her staff against the marble floor, the sound echoing like a thunderclap. "Enough. We are the voice of the gods on this earth. If they do not speak, then we shall speak for them."
She turned to the seer, the young woman whose golden eyes had once guided them. "What do you see, child? Is there hope?"
The seer hesitated, her eyes clouding as visions unfolded within her mind. "The Void grows stronger with every conquest. But… there is a light, faint but persistent. It is not of the gods, nor of mortals. It is something… other."
The room fell silent, the cryptic words weighing heavily on everyone present. Solenna gritted her teeth. "Prepare the Invocation of the Eternal Star. If the gods will not descend to save us, we shall ascend to meet them."
The invocation was a desperate gambit, a ritual that had not been attempted in centuries. It required the sacrifice of faith itself—a willingness to burn their very souls to become conduits for divine power. As the priests began preparations, Solenna's resolve hardened. If the Void sought to snuff out the stars, she would become their blazing shield.
---
Allen's Calculations
Allen stood before the rift, his Nexus blade pulsating with an ominous glow. The essence of the Pyrean Church had been fully absorbed, fueling the ever-growing hunger of the Void. He watched Vorak return, the lieutenant's form brimming with power from his assault on the Celestial Church.
"Their defenses are shattered," Vorak reported, his voice like grinding stone. "The Starspire burns, and their faithful scatter like insects."
"Good," Allen said, his tone measured. "But they are not broken yet. They cling to their rituals, their desperate faith. Let them waste their strength invoking gods who will not come."
Nyx appeared from the shadows, her presence cold and predatory. "The Verdant Church is fracturing. They suspect my influence but lack the will to act decisively. Their Archdruid hesitates, torn between action and retreat."
Allen's smirk widened. "Perfect. Their hesitation is their death knell."
He turned to Lirith, who hovered nearby, her spectral form shifting like smoke in the wind. "And you, my siren? Have you begun your work?"
Lirith nodded, her voice a haunting melody. "The heavens tremble at my song. The gods may not descend, but they are watching. They see you, Allen. They fear you."
Allen's laughter echoed across the desolate landscape. "Good. Let them fear. Let them cower. But soon, even fear will be meaningless. Prepare the next wave. The Celestial Church will fall before they can complete their ritual."
---
The Verdant Church's Dilemma
Deep within the Heart Tree's sacred grove, Archdruid Ellowen stood surrounded by her council. Whispers of Nyx's presence had sown distrust among the druids, their unity fracturing under the weight of paranoia.
"We cannot delay any longer," Kaelin urged, his voice sharp. "The Void will not wait for us to decide. We must act, Archdruid."
"But how?" another council member interjected. "Do we align with the other churches, knowing their pride and division? Or do we retreat into the forest, hoping to outlast the Void's hunger?"
Ellowen closed her eyes, seeking guidance from the Heart Tree itself. But the ancient spirit of the forest, once vibrant and clear, was silent. The Void's encroachment had dulled even nature's voice.
"We cannot fight the Void directly," Ellowen finally said. "But we can protect what remains. Prepare the seeds of the Eternal Bloom. If the Void consumes this land, we will ensure that life has a chance to return."
The druids moved to carry out her orders, but doubt lingered in their hearts. Nyx watched from the shadows, her work nearly complete. The Verdant Church's indecision would ensure their doom.
---
The Celestial Invocation
In Solara's grand cathedral, the priests of the Celestial Church gathered for the Invocation of the Eternal Star. The ritual was complex, requiring immense focus and sacrifice. As Solenna stood at the center of the ceremonial circle, her voice rang out in prayer.
"By the light of the stars, we call upon the heavens. By the faith of the devoted, we offer ourselves as vessels. Let the divine descend and deliver us from the shadow!"
The cathedral trembled as the ritual began. Golden light poured from the priests, their very essence transforming into raw power. The air crackled with energy, and for a brief moment, it seemed as if the gods might answer their call.
But the Void was already there.
Vorak and his forces stormed the cathedral, their dark forms tearing through the gathered faithful. The priests fought valiantly, their bodies burning with divine energy, but they were no match for the Void's overwhelming might.
Solenna stood defiant, her staff blazing with celestial fire. She struck at Vorak, her attacks fueled by the desperation of her faith. But the lieutenant was relentless, his hulking form absorbing the blows as he closed the distance.
"You fight for gods who do not care," Vorak growled, his fist smashing into Solenna's shield. "They left you to die."
Solenna gritted her teeth, pouring every ounce of her strength into the shield. "Even if they abandon us, we will not abandon them!"
The shield shattered under Vorak's next blow, and Solenna fell to her knees. As the lieutenant raised his fist for the final strike, a blinding light erupted from the circle.
The Invocation had succeeded—but not as intended.
The divine energy, untethered by the loss of its vessels, exploded outward, consuming the cathedral and everything within it. Vorak was thrown back, his form smoking from the sheer force of the blast. The priests were gone, their bodies reduced to ash, but their sacrifice had created a temporary reprieve.
---
Allen's Fury
Allen felt the disruption from miles away, the pulse of divine energy cutting through the Void like a jagged wound. He clenched his fist, his smirk replaced by a scowl.
"They would rather destroy themselves than face defeat," he muttered.
Nyx appeared beside him, her expression unreadable. "The Celestial Church has bought themselves time. But their forces are decimated, and their ritual has left them vulnerable."
"Time is irrelevant," Allen said coldly. "The Void is patient. Let them savor their hollow victory. It will only make their fall more bitter."
He turned to the rift, his Nexus blade glowing ominously. "Prepare for the next assault. The Celestial Church's flame has not been extinguished entirely—but it will be."
---
The Void Spreads
As the Celestial Church licked its wounds, the Void continued its inexorable advance. The Verdant Church remained paralyzed by indecision, their unity fractured by Nyx's machinations. The Machinist Church worked tirelessly to perfect their creations, but time was slipping away.
And in the shadows, the Evil God Cults watched with bated breath, their ambitions growing with every move Allen made. Some saw him as a threat to be eliminated, while others viewed him as an opportunity—a force to be harnessed for their own ends.
The world teetered on the brink, its fate resting in the hands of those who had already begun to despair. Allen stood at the center of it all, the master of a Void that hungered for everything. The divine, the mortal, and the profane would all bow before him—or be consumed.
The end was no longer a distant possibility. It was here, unfolding with every passing moment. The Void beckoned, and the world had no choice but to answer.