Three years had passed. Valieon was now twenty years old, no longer the reckless boy from Flame Dominion. Time had sculpted him into a man of authority and unwavering conviction. His name echoed across the divine realms, and now, he was called to the Prime Realm — the cosmic heart of all divinity.
Inside the Grand Celestial Hall, the most powerful gods had gathered, seated in a circle of divine light. Valieon entered, his dark cloak trailing behind him, eyes calm but vigilant. This was no ordinary assembly.
Aureon, the Prime God, rose from his throne, his voice resounding across the chamber.
Aureon: "For countless millennia, our ancestors dreamt of a realm unlike any other. A mortal world — untouched by magic — where peace could bloom. A realm not for power, but for balance. The time has come. We stand on the threshold of its creation."
The room fell silent. Aureon continued.
Aureon: "These mortals… they will live in simplicity. And in return for the life we give them, they shall worship us — for we are their creators."
Before anyone could respond, Ashar, the God of Fire, smirked.
Ashar: "Worship? Hah. I say we give them magic. Let's see what chaos they stir. It would be fun watching them dance with fire and thunder."
Aureon: "We already have realms of mortals with magic. This one is to be different. It is not a playground, Ashar."
Brontaris, God of Storms and Intellect, leaned forward.
Brontaris: "What if they are made brilliant? Mortals with minds so sharp they rival even gods. Civilization birthed from intelligence, not power."
Aureon: "That aligns with the original plan. Intelligence over sorcery."
Selmora, Goddess of Light and Tranquility, spoke in a soft tone.
Selmora: "And what of their nature? Will they know kindness? Will they be capable of love, even if they don't understand divinity?"
Thandor, God of Time, added gravely.
Thandor: "If they have no memory of us, they may reject us entirely."
Then Valieon finally spoke, his voice calm but firm.
Valieon: "Why must they worship us at all?"
All eyes turned to him.
Aureon: "Because we are giving them life. It is their duty to respect their creators."
Valieon: "But they didn't ask to be created."
The room stirred.
Ashar: "So what? They'll need someone to look up to."
Valieon: "No. What they'll need is guidance. Not fear. Not chains made of prayers."
Brontaris: "And what would you suggest? A world without consequence?"
Valieon stepped forward.
Valieon: "Let them live. Let them choose. Let good deeds be rewarded. Let evil deeds be punished."
Selmora: "Punished… how?"
Valieon: "I envision two planes. One of eternal peace — calm, warm, pure. And one of torture, darkness, and agony. But not forever. When a soul suffers, it learns. Then it is reborn — and it decides its own path in the next life."
Brontaris: "Hmph. Reincarnation as justice…"
Thandor: "The soul as a library… storing every choice it ever made. Shaping the next."
Selmora: "It's… poetic."
Aureon stood, stroking his beard.
Aureon: "You're suggesting a duality. Paradise and torment. Karma guiding the journey. The soul retains knowledge, but the mind is fresh. Intriguing."
Valieon: "Soul and consciousness must be separate. Consciousness forgets — the soul remembers. Let the soul be the compass."
Aureon: "Then let it be so. This world — its morality, its rebirth, and its truth — will be forged by your hands, Cosmic Sovereign."
Valieon turned to leave. But before he did, he faced Selmora.
Valieon: "Create a plane… of infinite peace and calmness. Let those who lived with kindness find it."
Then to Ashar, he nodded with seriousness.
Valieon: "And you… craft a realm of torment. Flames that do not consume, pain that teaches, a place where cruelty faces its reflection."
Ashar grinned.
Ashar: "Now that's something I can enjoy building."
Valieon gave a faint smile, then turned and walked out of the Celestial Hall — the weight of a new world now resting on his shoulders.