The beginning of everything

My name is Orion. It sounds like the name of a hero or someone important, doesn't it? Well, I'm not. If anything, I'm the complete opposite.

Since I can remember, the world has been a mess. I don't know who my father was, and my mother is an alcoholic who has never cared about me. I never had friends or anyone to talk to.

I have been on the brink of death so many times that I lost count. It was always the same thugs who beat me up to take the little money I made collecting trash or fixing things. I tried to defend myself more than once, but it was never of any use. They were always stronger, faster, more cruel. Over time, I understood that resisting only made things worse.

Most people live like this, trapped between thefts, murders, and even worse things. Things that shouldn't exist, that don't even seem human.

But if you have enough money to pay the Church, you can get rid of it. Their "divine protection" ensures a quieter life, or at least one without vandals. But if you're like me, you have no choice but to live at their mercy, praying that they don't destroy you too much.

All of this is God's fault. He has allowed corruption in the Church and has done nothing to change it. He has remained indifferent, sitting on his celestial throne, for almost a thousand years.

We are currently in the year 995 of the reign of the current God. There are only five years left until they choose a new successor. Five years for hope to return to the world.

The power of a God is not infinite. Every thousand years, divine energy begins to wear out from maintaining the balance of the world, sustaining creation, and dealing with the chaos generated by humanity. If the God is not replaced, it could collapse, and with it, everything we know.

But, to be honest, what does it matter? A God who has done nothing in his reign, losing power... maybe destruction is the best option. Because nothing guarantees that the next God will be better. It could be the same or even worse.

Then, the day came.

Although the world remained the same hell, I was not the same. Despite having resigned myself to not fighting against the vandals, I understood that if I kept allowing them to beat me, one day they would end up killing me. That's why I trained during those years. I'm not strong, but now I can stand long enough to escape alive. That's more than I could say a few years ago.

On January 1, 997, God finally spoke.

I was on a shattered street when it happened. The sky darkened slightly, as if the world were holding its breath, and then a voice resonated everywhere, deep and omnipresent.

—Attention, mortals! Yes, it's me, your beloved God. Listen carefully because I don't like repeating things.

The voice was mocking, laden with sarcasm that infuriated me instantly. For some reason, it didn't surprise me.

People reacted as if the world were about to end. Some screamed, others knelt and prayed. Most just looked at the sky, motionless, unable to process what was happening. It was the first time we heard the voice of God, and it was not what anyone expected.

—I know you have been waiting for this moment, haven't you? The glorious announcement of my successor. But you know what? I've decided to change the rules.

Panic spread quickly. Murmurs of anger, fear, and confusion filled the streets. How could God, the very being who allowed the world to sink into misery, speak with such mockery? His tone only added salt to our wounds.

—This time it won't be my Divine Vision who chooses the next God. That would be way too boring! This time it will be different. This time we'll play a game.

The mocking tone of his voice was like a knife in my mind.

—My seven archangels will each choose a champion and grant them their unique abilities. They will compete for my throne, and the winner will be the next God. Isn't it exciting?

A thunderous laugh filled the sky, like thunder.

—Let the chaos begin. And remember: if I don't like something, I can always change the rules. Good luck, mortals! You will need it.

When the voice disappeared, the silence returned, heavier than before. The faces around me showed a mixture of anger and terror. No one knew what to expect. The only thing clear was that the world, already chaotic as it was, was about to crumble even more.

The only thing I could do at that moment was go home. As I walked, I listened to what people were saying.

—If I were chosen, the first thing I would do would be to kill God.

The anger in his voice was palpable, and I couldn't say I didn't agree. But in my head, I was only thinking one thing: "That's impossible." Neither he nor I could be chosen.

In the slums, no one has a chance. The chosen ones have always been people close to the Church or of noble birth. That is the truth.

I kept walking, listening to the same comments repeated in different tones: hate, despair, even adoration. Some praised God, as if that would save them. I could only think of one thing: "None of this is going to save us."

When I got home, there was Bianca, my mother. Lying on the table, drunk as always. Not even because God spoke did she stop drinking.

The first thing he did when he saw me was lazily open one eye and murmur: "Do you have any money?" Give me what you have.

His voice was slurred, the words barely coherent. For a moment, it made me laugh. But I held back. "I only have three bronze coins," I replied indifferently.

He got furious upon hearing it, but I didn't care much. I left the coins on the table and went to my room.

I lay down on the bed, letting the exhaustion take over. All the chaos of the day, the voice of God, the people's reaction... It was too much to process. I closed my eyes and let sleep catch up with me.

I woke up startled, around six in the morning. I had a strange dream, but I couldn't remember what it was about.

However, something felt different. The air was heavy, as if something invisible were watching me.

As I turned towards the broken window in my room, I saw something that shouldn't have been there.

A figure.

Tall, dark, with bright eyes that stared at me intently. She said nothing. He didn't move. He just watched me.

And, at that moment, I knew it.

My life was about to change. For better or for worse, that was no longer up to me.