Far above the mortal world, in a realm where time twisted like smoke, the gods watched.
A floating ring of stone monoliths drifted in an endless white sky. Each stone pulsed with divine energy. Each seat held a being older than memory.
This was Pantheos — the Throne of Eternity.
And today, they had gathered for one purpose.
To discuss me.
At the highest seat, wrapped in layers of living stars, sat Aithon, Father of Order. His eyes burned with galaxies. His breath could command suns.
To his left, reclining on a throne of flesh and bone, lounged Velmira, Goddess of Desire and War, her crimson eyes half-lidded.
To the right, wrapped in chains of black mist, hovered Erethon, the Pale One — the god of death and silence.
The council was full.
And then... Auron appeared.
He limped into the center of the circle, robes scorched, his golden body cracked with battle wounds. His pride had never bled this much.
The gods went quiet.
Velmira's lips curled. "So. The boy dented you."
Auron glared. "He awakened the Crown of Ruin. That alone should have been impossible."
Aithon's voice boomed like thunder. "You underestimated him."
"He bears the mark of the prophecy," Erethon whispered, his voice a dry wind. "Born of sky and flame. Forged in shadow. The son of two forbidden lines."
Auron's fists clenched. "We must erase him now, before he awakens what sleeps beneath his veins."
Velmira leaned forward, chin on her palm. "I disagree. He's beautiful. Dangerous. Perfect. Let him rise... it will be more fun when he falls."
Aithon slammed his hand into his throne.
"We do not gamble with balance, Velmira."
Then he turned to Erethon.
"Send your servant."
Erethon did not blink. "Which one?"
"The closest."
The god of death nodded slowly.
And in the mortal realm...
---
I sat beneath the broken stars.
The mountaintop was cold, quiet. My breath fogged in the air. My body still ached from the battle, but the forge's divine core had done something to me.
I felt... heavier. Like the world pulled on me more.
Alectra sat beside me, sharpening her voidblades. Her eyes flicked upward, and then—
She froze.
"What is it?" I asked.
She stood fast. "We're being watched."
Then the wind died.
Not slowed.
Stopped.
Not a single breeze moved. Not a leaf rustled. Not a bird sang.
Then I felt it.
A presence.
Cold.
Unnatural.
Something stepped out of the shadows that shouldn't exist.
He wore no armor.
No crown.
Just a black cloak that billowed in wind that wasn't there. His skin was bone-white, his eyes empty sockets of shifting grey.
Chains wrapped around his arms, slithering like snakes.
He looked about my age.
But his gaze had already seen eternity.
I stood, sword in hand. "Who are you?"
He tilted his head.
Then whispered, "I am who you were supposed to be."
The chains coiled.
And then—
He moved.
I didn't even see the step.
He was just suddenly there, in front of me, a fist crashing into my ribs.
Pain burst through my side.
I flew backward, skidding across the rocks, coughing blood.
Alectra jumped between us, blades drawn.
"Back, godling," she hissed.
He didn't even look at her.
Chains shot from his arms—whipping out with a metallic screech.
Alectra blocked—
Too slow.
The chains wrapped her wrists, yanked her off the ground, and slammed her into a cliff wall hard enough to crack stone.
"Stay out of this," he said softly. "This is between heirs."
I stood, sword shaking in my grip.
He raised a hand.
Chains formed a spear of bone and shadow.
Then he threw it.
I ducked—barely.
The spear tore through a mountain behind me. Just... ripped it in half.
I didn't wait.
I ran forward, sword glowing, the crown on my head burning white.
I slashed—
He caught it.
Again.
And this time... he smiled.
"You're too slow."
He punched.
My body lifted off the ground from the force, air knocked clean out of my lungs.
I hit the ground rolling.
He appeared over me, chains flailing.
I blocked two.
The third slammed into my chest.
CRACK.
I coughed blood, vision blurry.
He grabbed my neck, lifted me, and whispered:
"They named me Silas. I was born from Erethon's will. My soul was traded for power. I was meant to be the heir. But your birth stole that from me."
He slammed me down into the rocks.
The earth shattered.
He raised a chain—
And lightning split the sky.
I looked up.
Not from me.
From the clouds.
A figure descended.
Wings made of glass and fire.
Eyes of pure violet.
And when she landed...
The wind returned.
"Enough," she said.
Silas turned. "You?"
"Yes," she replied.
Her feet touched the ground. Flowers bloomed in her wake.
"You forgot one thing, Silas. The prophecy said son of gods. Not alone."
Her power radiated from her like a storm held together by poetry.
Silas frowned. "Who are you?"
She raised a single finger. "His sister."
Then she vanished.
And punched him in the face.
The explosion shook the mountain.
Silas flew back, chains flailing, blood trailing through the air.
I coughed. "I have a sister?!"
Alectra groaned from her crater. "Apparently a badass one..."
The girl turned to me and smiled.
"I've been looking for you for a long time."