The morning sun bathed the God Realm in its golden glow, but the light did little to dispel the growing unease. The celestial council chamber buzzed with activity as the gods prepared for the ritual that would stabilize the barrier. Sara stood at the center, issuing orders with a calm authority that masked her inner turmoil.
Ignatius entered the chamber, his presence commanding as always. Their eyes met briefly, a flicker of warmth passing between them. Despite the chaos around them, the memory of their shared moment in the gardens lingered in Sara's mind, a quiet source of strength.
"Chief God," Ignatius said, his voice low but steady. "The preparations are almost complete. We're just waiting on the others."
Sara nodded, her gaze flickering to the large map displayed on the central table. "Good. The sooner we begin, the better."
As they waited, the God of Weapons, Orion, and the God of Devil, Lucifer, arrived. Orion's usual carefree demeanor was tempered by the gravity of the situation, while Lucifer exuded a quiet intensity that made the air feel heavier.
"Is everyone ready?" Sara asked, her tone clipped.
Orion gave a half-smile. "Ready as we'll ever be. Though I'm still not convinced this ritual won't blow us all to smithereens."
Lucifer shot him a withering look. "It won't, if we all do our part."
Sara held up a hand, silencing them before a full-blown argument could erupt. "Enough. We don't have time for this. Focus on the task at hand."
Ignatius stepped closer to her, his voice soft enough for only her to hear. "You're doing fine, Sara. Don't let them get to you."
His words were a balm to her frayed nerves, and she allowed herself a small smile. "Thank you."
---
As the gods moved to their respective positions, Sara found herself momentarily alone. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.
The ritual was no small feat. It required perfect synchronization and an immense amount of energy from each participant. Any mistake could result in catastrophic consequences—not just for the God Realm, but for all the realms connected to it.
Ignatius approached her once more, his expression serious. "Are you ready?"
Sara nodded, meeting his gaze. "I have to be."
He hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take her hand. "We'll get through this. Together."
Her heart swelled at his words, and she squeezed his hand lightly. "Together."
As they stepped into the ritual circle, the weight of their responsibility pressed down on them. But for the first time, Sara felt a flicker of hope. With Ignatius by her side, she believed they could face whatever came their way.
The ritual was about to begin, and the fate of the God Realm hung in the balance.