Lunasia grappled with the surging tide of anger consuming her, fully aware that brandishing her weapon against a deity would only plunge her into an even graver predicament. Yet, the prospect of enduring the absurdity of the prophecy, with its far-reaching implications, seemed infinitely more unbearable than facing death itself.
She found herself torn between the grim alternatives: the bleak confines of the underworld or relinquishing control of her destiny to a frail and pitiable human.
In either scenario, acceptance proved to be an insurmountable hurdle, a bitter pill difficult to swallow.
"Lunasia! How dare you point your weapon at the emissaries of God! Your punishment will be magnified tenfold if you don't lower it this very moment! You're in no position to defy the will of the God whose creation you've marred. Put away your weapon right now!" the head deity reasoned, attempting to appeal to her sense of reason. However, Lunasia remained unyielding, her voice rising to a piercing scream.
"Then kill me! Put an end to this worthless existence, for there is naught left to witness or accomplish for it!"
The head deity swallowed hard, his discomfort evident, while murmurs rippled through the assembly of deities. Before any decisive action could be taken, Johnthan interjected with a gentle tone, his words carrying weight.
"Child, if we were to take your life, it would ignite a war between Angels and Demons. You are the progeny of your father, and such a conflict would imperil the human realm, costing countless lives. Taking your life was never the solution; this is the decree of our God, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not."
Lunasia swept her hand through her hair in frustration before posing her question. "So, what's the deal with this prophecy? If I can't take the life of this human and can't entrust mine to him either, considering he holds the power to end it, what does your God expect from me? To fall in love? How absurd!"
This time, the head deity responded, "Indeed, he will be created solely for you to cherish and protect. It is because God intends for you to understand the suffering and anguish you inflicted throughout the centuries by taking lives in the presence of their beloveds—those whom they couldn't shield. Your actions were devoid of empathy or regret. This is your retribution: to experience the anguish of being unable to shield someone you hold dear and cherish."
Lunasia let out a disdainful scoff before posing her question, "And do you truly believe I could ever develop feelings for a human who holds the key to seal my fate?"
The deity met her gaze with unwavering intensity as he replied, "Only time will reveal the answer to that, Lunasia."
In an act of resignation, Lunasia lowered her sword, acknowledging the futility of her defiance.
Deep down, she understood her strength, but she also recognized the limitations imposed by the deities. They were more than just beings; they served as messengers, custodians, and divine overseers tasked with maintaining peace in the world according to the will of God.
How could she possibly challenge them when even her own father, formidable as he was, never emerged victorious against them?
"What of my role as the sovereign of the supernatural world? I find myself perplexed by this aspect of my penance," inquired Lunasia as the assembled deities settled into their seats, as they had risen abruptly when the room previously convulsed with violent tremors, causing cracks to splinter across the walls and floor.
"I suppose you should find solace in this aspect of your retribution. While God's intention is for you to grasp the essence of creation and preservation, rather than solely indulging in destruction, you'll relish the perks of royalty and the reverence of a world that holds you in high esteem," the deity remarked with a faint smile. However, Lunasia just scoffed in response, her disdain palpable as she blew over her sword, causing it to dissolve into a cascade of shimmering crimson ashes that vanished into thin air.
"What precisely is expected of me to fulfill this aspect of my penance?" Lunasia queried, settling back into her seat with newfound assurance, her demeanor imbued with confidence and authority as she folded her arms.
"Ascend as the 'Monarch' of the supernatural realm, ensuring harmony by exerting authority and instilling dread in the denizens of the night, fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and otherworldly beings. However, you must refrain from taking any more lives, regardless of their origins," elucidated the head deity as Lunasia absorbed the directive with a nod of comprehension.
Before fully acquiescing, she posed a crucial question, "And what repercussions await should I falter in abstaining from bloodshed?"
The deity let out a deep sigh before responding, "Indeed, there will be repercussions. Remember, no life rests solely in your hands except for that of the human who will come into existence three centuries from now… carrying your heart."
Lunasia emitted a discontented hum before rising to her feet and declaring, "Very well, I'll sign the document and seek redemption for my transgressions. However, if it's difficult for me, then anticipate that I won't make it any easier for you either."
The head deity acknowledged her statement with a nod, signaling toward the document materializing before her on the table. He then instructed, "You must pierce the skin of your palm, shedding some blood. Afterward, take the quill, dip it in your blood, and then sign on the empty line beneath your name at the conclusion."
With determination etched upon her features, Lunasia seized the silver knife and incised her palm's center, a handful of blood droplets welling up from the wound. Afterward, she retrieved the quill, submerging it in her blood before inscribing her signature upon the document with firm strokes while her wound automatically healed up, leaving only crimson smoke behind.
SIGNED AND SEALED BY THE BLOOD SIGNATURE OF THE SINNER:
{LUNASIA CECIL MORNINGSTAR}.
{________ Lunasia Cecil Morningstar ________}
Upon completing her signature, the document shimmered with ethereal crimson light, transforming her bloodstained mark into a mesmerizing purplish-crimson imprint of roses that cascaded across its surface. As if guided by an unseen force, the parchment rolled up autonomously, securing itself with a sleek black ribbon before soaring back to the head deity. With deft hands, he caught the document and placed it upon the silver tray, where his quill and ink pot rested.
With a smile gracing his lips, the deity accepted the signed document and declared, "You're now released." With those words, he lifted the tray bearing the document and pivoted on his heel, vanishing from sight. The other deities followed suit, leaving Johnthan and Lunasia as the sole occupants of the room.
"You're now at liberty to roam anywhere, all the while upholding your punishment. Depart in any manner you please; there's no need to adhere to the stairs any longer," Johnathan conveyed. As she absorbed his words, she nodded in acknowledgment, pivoting to depart.
However, before Lunasia could take her leave, she asked without turning back, "This isn't… Heaven, right?"
With a wry smile playing upon the lips of the Deity, he gently shook his head in response. "Nay, this sanctum is but the antechamber to the celestial realms," he intoned, his voice carrying the weight of eons. "It is the conduit through which mortals find their path to the heavens above." There was a subtle mystery in his words, a cryptic revelation veiled in the essence of divine wisdom. "It is the very reason why you were so easily able to summon a sword of dark arts," he added, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light as if reflecting the secrets of the cosmos itself.
Lunasia nodded before she disappeared into the thin air. Noticing her departure, the deity followed suit, vanishing from the scene when she had left.