The snow was heavy. Laea and Sanera flew through the frozen land, devoid of life and filled with withered trees and creatures dead from the cold. A powerful wind blew from the east, swirling the snow into a tempest, wide and voracious, leaving no life in its wake.
Howls echoed from every direction, and the desolation all around seemed to scream only one thing: chaos.
"The Chaos God is one psychotic bastard," Sanera muttered, his teeth chattering from the cold. "Couldn't he have made this damn place a little more comfortable? It's like he doesn't want anyone waking him up."
"Either way, he's probably worse off than Jakir," Laea said with a laugh. "The way he said those words, 'If I go down today, I'll give you a fight to remember,'" Laea mimicked Jakir's voice perfectly.
Sanera laughed, his souls joining in with an eerie, rhythmic cacophony. "He didn't even make it past a second. The fool probably never realized how he died."
"His confidence made me think he'd do something that would blow my mind," Laea sighed. "In the end, he died the death of a coward... or wait, maybe I'm being too easy on him."
"Should we write him a eulogy when we get back?" Sanera asked, his voice thoughtful.
"That's if we get back," Laea snapped. "Maybe you're not good at sizing up a situation, my friend, but we're on our way to resurrect an evil god. If Finito doesn't kill us for disturbing his nap, Saliviako will finish the job."
"So you're saying either way, we're both dead?" Sanera asked.
"Yes," Laea replied ruthlessly.
"I see," Sanera said smugly. "Funny, I just realized I don't want to die."
"That's great," Laea said, sarcastic. "Just go back to all-knowing Saliviako and tell him you've changed your mind about waking up one of the deadliest beings in the universe. I'm sure he'll just hug you."
"I admit I'm dumber than you," Sanera grinned, "but if you know how dangerous this is, why risk your life? You've never looked like a saint to me."
Laea grinned widely. "That's because I'm confident in running away if this succeeds."
"You asshole," Sanera cursed. "So, you plan to leave me here to die."
"For a greater cause," Laea reminded.
"Shut your stinky mouth," Sanera shot back.
A loud screech cut through the air, followed by more piercing shrieks that echoed across the sky. A thick shadow descended quickly, darkening the land. At first, it could be mistaken for nightfall, but it was descending too fast. Far ahead, huge, metallic birds gathered in the sky, their feathers gleaming, and the space around them seemed to rupture. They numbered in the thousands, and any creature within two kilometers of them disintegrated into nothingness. Their gaze fixed on the two gods, and their screeches grew more ferocious as they drew closer.
"The Chaos Birds," Laea muttered, teeth clenched in agitation. "I knew it. The God of Bad Luck still holds a grudge against me."
"The God of Bad Luck doesn't exist," Sanera reminded.
"Shut up," Laea cursed, as the screeches grew louder. The birds loomed closer, their beady, emerald eyes distorting space itself, a perfect agent of chaotic hell.
This time, Sanera seemed to take the threat seriously. He veered to the side to face Laea. "There's a high chance I'll die if I go to the tomb, so I'll take my chances here. Since you're confident you'll run away if the god wakes up, and I'm not, it's better I die doing something."
Sanera stopped and turned to face the birds, spreading his arms wide. Thick darkness emanated from him, turning into thousands of faces screaming in agony. The chaos birds faltered, some collapsing midair, their souls torn by the pain. But the birds, enraged, became even fiercer.
"Come at me!" Sanera screamed. The birds circled him, their fury distorting the space around them.
Laea didn't turn back, keeping his speed. He sighed and shook his head. "Everyone keeps playing the hero around me. Doesn't suck to be a coward though. If Sanera dies, I can always get his daughter. Bonus for me."
"I can hear you, you scumbag!" Sanera yelled from behind.
With a grin, Laea flew toward the Chaos Tomb.
---
"Mum, I'm off to the Sebca. Make a milk cake for me when I get back, please?" Raki said, clinging to her mother's hand with puppy eyes.
"You naughty girl. You missed three harvesting days because you were causing trouble in the village, and now you want a reward? Until you learn to be a responsible young woman, I'll keep stuffing you with vegetables," her mom scolded.
Raki pouted. "I'm a hardworking girl, Mom. Just yesterday, I helped Old Man Ken cut his grasses—"
Her mom sighed. "He came this morning to complain that you abused his dog."
Raki frowned. "How could he say that? I just taught it how to dance!"
Her mom's gaze hardened. "It'll take days for the dog to walk again, Raki."
"Fine," Raki muttered, her voice low. "Maybe I was a little excessive."
Her mom softened, pulling a strand of Raki's hair behind her ear. "Enough. Go to the Sebca before your Miss gets angry."
"What about the milk cake?" Raki asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Forget the milk cake," her mom snorted.
"Oh, come on..."
---
Saliviako sat upon Draki, his black-armored dragon, smiling as he admired the countless illusory portals in front of him. But his attention was on one in particular. He studied it for a while, watching the reflective field—a world of mirrors like an ocean of glass breaking with the tides.
Beside him, his Kika, Mal, was preoccupied with licking its paws.
Saliviako rolled his eyes. "You've been licking your paws since you were born. What satisfaction do you get from this? Is it some kind of special nutrition?"
The red lion Kika snorted. "I am the cleanest Kika in existence, I pride myself on my name. Now, don't disturb me."
"Tch," Saliviako muttered, standing up and walking on air. With a stomp, the realm shook, and the land quaked beneath him. Space cracked like shattered mirrors as Saliviako, his emerald eyes glowing, rose into the air.
"I call upon all divinity..." His voice was thunderous, powerful enough to make mortals perish, and gods bleed. It resonated like a sonic blast across the realm, sending it into darkness.
"Obey my call and grant me all knowledge."
More portals appeared around him, each one a mirror into different worlds, emanating energy that froze time. They swirled around him in an ethereal dance, creating a breathtaking sight as he stood tall, his head held high.
Saliviako clenched his fist, and in an instant, the realm returned to order. The portals moved away from him and scattered across the space.
Then, two slender hands wrapped around his waist, pulling him into a tight embrace. For the first time, a tear escaped his eye.
He turned to see his queen, Sassifino, with her innocent sky-blue eyes. Her golden hair shimmered, and her pink lips formed a playful pout, her aura both otherworldly and childlike.
"You're pregnant," Saliviako said, his voice thick with emotion.
"Shut up, old man," Sassifino snapped, pointing a finger at him in annoyance. "I was supposed to surprise you, now you've ruined everything. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Saliviako smiled fondly, pulling her closer, his nose touching hers. "Do you forgive me now?"
Sassifino struggled weakly, then relented, her cheeks blushing. She leaned into his embrace. "As if," she muttered.
Saliviako kissed her, tasting the lavender scent on her lips, feeling her tremble in his arms. He was intoxicated by her, by the softness of her kiss. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
They kissed for a few minutes before Saliviako pulled away, looking at her with a smile. "How about now?"
"You cheater," Sassifino humphed, turning her face away, lips curved in a pout.
Saliviako ignored her, his eyes now fixed on her stomach. He placed his hand on it, and she blushed again.
"Our daughter... I can feel it. Her life force is filled with my energy."
"Hey, old man, so you're saying our daughter has no similarity to me?" Sassifino scowled. "I always thought you wanted her to be all you, jerk."
Saliviako chuckled, looking at her. "You stop with the 'old man' stuff, it's embarrassing."
"Then correct yourself," Sassifino replied sharply.
Saliviako smiled at her, then looked back at her stomach. His face suddenly grew serious. "I can also feel Mavkira's energy. Does this mean...?"
"My father," Sassifino murmured, her eyes wide with realization. "If she has both your essences, then...?"
"She's a dual goddess," Saliviako said, his voice shaky. "The first of her kind, according to the prophetess."
"But..." Sassifino stammered, her eyes dull. "That prophecy isn't good, Sal. Check again. It must be a mistake. She has none of my father in her. I wasn't even born with his energy. Please, tell me you made a mistake."
Saliviako looked lost, bitter. "I can't be wrong."
Turning away from her, he gazed at the horizon where the armored soldiers stood, their faces filled with fear, panic, and unwavering loyalty.
"My king," Zas, the chief of the red-armored warriors, said, kneeling. "Through death, through fire, we will gladly join you to die."
Saliviako screamed, his voice echoing through the realm. "But why my daughter? Is fate playing a joke on me?"
"You can't be sure," Sassifino shouted, her voice choked with tears. "This can't be real."
"An anomaly unseen," Saliviako whispered, his voice soft, like the breeze.
"She holds the key to the laws and all forms."
"And there, in the hands of chaos, she shall meet her end."
"I control the laws. Mavkira controls all forms. She was born of us," Saliviako said, his eyes hardening. "But over my ashes will my daughter die while I live!" he roared, stepping into the air. His Kika sprang up to circle him as the realm trembled, lightning cracking around them.
Saliviako summoned a portal, displaying Laea just as he entered the Chaos Tomb. Saliviako's fist clenched as he watched Laea step inside.
"What is this?" Sassifino asked, her eyes still filled with tears.
"I believe the prophecy calls this... Chaos descends."