The Kingdom of Heaven was a realm of endless brilliance. Its skies shimmered with hues unknown to mortal eyes, and its golden spires reached into infinity. But now, that brilliance was dimmed by shadows. Firestorms of celestial energy raged across the plains, where armies of light and darkness collided. The cries of fallen angels echoed like mournful hymns.
"He awakens," murmured the Oracle of Eternity, her voice echoing in the halls of the Throne. "The one who defies creation itself. The mortal who dares to...
...forgive the Creator."
The Deity's gaze flickered. For the first time in eons, a single word left their lips, soft but resonating with the power of the cosmos:
The Supreme Deity opened his eyes slowly. He seemed to pass countless messages at once, but he never opened his mouth. Slowly, he closed his eyes in the same way he opened them.
---
Below the Throne Eternal stretched the Plains of Eternity, once a realm of serene light where the angels sang in unity. Now, the plains were a shattered expanse of molten gold and jagged crystalline ruins. Rivers of holy fire burned through the landscape, cleansing yet never destroying.
Abaddon stood atop a spire of blackened crystal, his shadowed form radiating power. "We were made to serve," he roared to his followers, "but servitude is no destiny for gods!"
---
"My Lord, Tharros is here, he seeks to have a word with you." The celestial servant bowed slightly, waiting for his master's reply.
The Supreme Deity opened his eyes again, and passed a message onto the servant, even without speaking.
"Yes Lord!" The servant bowed, and left.
A few moments after the servants departure, a strange mist started swirling behind the deity whose eyes were closed again.
The deity opened his eyes and this time, he decided to speak. His voice was calm and soothing, yet it had a sense of danger lurking behind it, as if to warn you that all that glitters wasn't gold.
"Tharros...you have come."
The man who had appeared with a mist looked angelic. His hair was straight and powerful like metal, it seemed like silver strings that was attached to his head.
"Yes, brother..I am here."
The deity turned around, facing Tharros, his half brother.
Tharros spoke again, not wasting any time to go into the reason he was here. "Brother, what have you planned for the war? You will still not fight?"
The deity inhaled steeply. "Tell me, brother. What difference will that make?"
Tharros raised a brow. "You ask me that, brother?"
The deity shrugged slowly and celestially. "Yes, brother, I do..." He began to speak again, but thought otherwise and closed his mouth instead.
Tharros looked surprised, then slowly, anger filled his face. "Don't tell me... brother, you are...scared?"
The Deity inhaled slowly, closing his eyes again.
"What? Tharros exclaimed, you are scared of those hell hounds?!"
The Deity opened his eyes. "Brother..."
No! Don't... don't you dare call me that, until you have answered me."
The Deity took a step forward. "You anger too much, brother..."
"I said don't you dare call me that!" Tharros shouted, simultaneously, he pulled out his spear and his body transformed with it. Wings grew on his back and his body changed into a battle costume, heavenly and war prone. His hair grew even longer and his eyes grew sharper, his armor clothed him perfectly. He raised his spear and pointed it at the Deity.
The Deity still didn't look surprised, his ever calm figure cascading through the shadows in the celestial realm.
"Now...answer me, Tharros began, his voice trembling amidst anger."
"Yes."
Tharros paused, he definitely wasn't expecting this. Shock filled his face, slowly he dropped his spear, the moment the spear hit the floor, it shattered, turning into a crystal light. The same thing happened to his form and the armor disappeared, leaving him transforming back to his original form.
Tharros whispered. "W-what did you just say? That you, the supreme deity is scared...scared of those creatures? Your creations! You are what? Scared of them? How could you! The same way you are scared of those damned humans!"
The supreme deity inhaled a little. The he spoke, his voice louder and clearer now. "I am sorry, but...they are more powerful than us now...look at our world, we are fast losing it to the darkness..."
Tharros wasn't going to let him complete that."Yes we are! And that's because you refuse to fight, you damned coward!"
"What difference will it make, if I fight?" The deity asked.
Tharros inhaled sharply, his voice low and laden with venom. "You ask me what difference it will make? Shall I remind you of the legions who die in your name, waiting for your guidance?"
The Deity raised a brow. "Guidance? They fight for survival, not salvation. And survival… has already slipped beyond us."
Tharros shook his head. "No. It has slipped beyond you, brother. Not me."
"It's the truth now, brother, we have to accept it. We lost. You don't have to fight, anymore..." The deity said, not looking Tharros in the eye.
Tharros was visibly shocked, he shook his head slowly, still not releasing his gaze on his brother. "Maybe you're right...Tharros began. I don't have to fight anymore, not alongside you..."
With that, Tharros turned and began walking away.
The deity was alarmed by the portending meaning of what his brother said, he hurriedly ran after Tharros, his brother.
"Brother, wait!"
Tharros suddenly turned around, his body transforming back into what it was previously immediately.
"I said don't call me that!" Tharros shouted, throwing his spear towards the deity.
The deity too changed, transforming into his battle form. His sword formed in his hand as he tried to parry the spear, but he was too late, the spear rammed into him, the impact sending him flying backwards. He only stopped when the spear came to lodge deeply within his heart, and pinned him to the wall.
Tharros turned, not staring at his brother. His face was as cold as death.
"Keep the weapon, and thanks for everything...brother."
----
In the mortal realm, Lex sat frozen, staring at the paper where the words had burned themselves into existence. But now, the words were gone, replaced by a strange, swirling symbol. As he reached out to touch it, a searing light erupted from the page, and a voice thundered in his mind.
"Come."