The Ethereal Spire's towering halls resonated with an otherworldly hum as Lex walked alongside Lyra. The marble floors glowed faintly under their feet, and celestial constellations shimmered across the vaulted ceiling. Despite the grandeur, Lex couldn't help but feel a gnawing unease.
"So, who exactly am I meeting?" Lex asked, his tone casual but edged with curiosity.
Lyra smirked, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "The Council of Celestials. They're the ones who decide if you're worthy of the Supreme Divine Staff."
Lex frowned. "Wait, decide? Aren't I already the Supreme Deity? Isn't that, like, a package deal?"
Lyra shrugged nonchalantly. "Technically, yes. But the Staff isn't just a fancy stick. It's the key to controlling the full spectrum of divine power. Without it, you're… let's just say, incomplete."
"Great," Lex muttered. "A god with training wheels."
Lyra chuckled, her laugh light but not mocking. "Think of it as a rite of passage. Every Supreme Deity faces this. Some pass. Some don't."
"And the ones who don't?"
"They either step down or… vanish."
Lex's stomach tightened. "Comforting."
---
The Council's chamber was a circular amphitheater, its walls carved with flowing script that seemed to shift and shimmer, whispering words of wisdom in a language Lex couldn't decipher. At the center stood a glowing pedestal, empty save for faint scorch marks—a haunting reminder of past trials.
Seated in elevated thrones around the room were the Council of Celestials: seven beings radiating immense power. Each bore distinct features representing celestial domains—stars, storms, seasons, and beyond. Their auras pressed against Lex like the weight of an ocean, making it clear these weren't ordinary deities.
Lyra stepped back, folding her arms. "Good luck, Supreme One," she said, her tone laced with playful skepticism.
Lex gave her a mock salute. "Appreciate the vote of confidence."
---
One of the council members, a stern-faced man whose robe shimmered with the colors of a thousand sunsets, rose. His voice was deep, reverberating like thunder. "Supreme Deity, welcome. I am Solanar, Speaker of the Council."
"Uh, thanks," Lex replied, trying not to sound too casual. "Nice to meet you all. Love what you've done with the place."
A ripple of murmurs ran through the council. One member, a woman with hair like flowing rivers, frowned. "Flippancy is unbecoming of one who holds the mantle of Supreme Deity."
Lex raised a brow. "Sorry, but I didn't exactly sign up for this job. I'm still getting the hang of the whole 'omnipotent ruler' thing."
A younger-looking member with a crown of stars chuckled softly. "At least he's honest," she said, earning a glare from the woman with river-like hair.
Solanar raised a hand, silencing the room. "The Supreme Divine Staff is a sacred artifact, forged from the essence of creation itself. It is the symbol of your authority and the source of your greatest power. However, it is not given lightly."
Lex tilted his head. "And let me guess—there's a catch."
"Indeed," Solanar replied. "The staff must choose you. And to earn its allegiance, you must prove your worth."
---
Lex sighed, folding his arms. "Okay, lay it on me. What do I have to do? Fight a dragon? Solve a riddle? Walk on celestial hot coals?"
A council member with stormy eyes leaned forward. "Do you mock us, Supreme Deity?"
"Not intentionally," Lex replied. "I just deal with pressure better when I make jokes. It's a human thing."
"Human," the woman with river-like hair scoffed. "And therein lies the issue. You are far too… mortal for this role. How can one so tethered to the mundane command the divine?"
Lex felt a flicker of irritation but masked it with a grin. "Well, maybe a little humanity is exactly what this place needs."
The star-crowned member smirked. "Interesting perspective."
Lyra, watching from the side, hid a smirk of her own.
---
Solanar stepped closer to the pedestal, his presence radiating authority. "The task we set before you is not one of mere strength or wit. It is a test of your character, your resolve, and your ability to embody the ideals of the Supreme Deity."
Lex's expression turned serious. "What's the test?"
Solanar gestured to the empty pedestal. "The staff lies dormant, awaiting one who can awaken it. To do so, you must journey to the Valley of Echoes, a place where the voices of all past Supreme Deities linger. There, you will face their memories, their regrets, and their triumphs. Only by confronting their legacy can you prove yourself worthy."
"Sounds… intense," Lex admitted.
"It is," Solanar said gravely. "The Valley will reveal the truth of your soul. Many have entered; not all have returned."
---
Lex looked at the council, then at Lyra, who raised an eyebrow as if to say, Your move.
He took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling in. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll do it. But let me make one thing clear—I'm not here to live up to anyone else's idea of what a Supreme Deity should be. If I'm going to prove myself, it'll be on my terms."
The council exchanged glances, their expressions inscrutable.
"Very well," Solanar said. "The path to the Valley of Echoes will be revealed. Prepare yourself, Supreme Deity. Your true test begins now."
As the council began to chant, the room filled with a golden light. Lex glanced at Lyra, who gave him a small, amused smile.
"Try not to die," she said cheerfully.
Lex smirked. "Not planning on it."
And with that, the light consumed him.