Carnage Palace
Hidden deep within a cursed realm where time holds no sway and light dares not tread, the Carnage Palace stood, a monolithic fortress carved from the bones of a thousand fallen worlds. The air shimmered with dread, thick with the residue of destruction wrought by the God of Destruction himself. Above it, the sky was torn and bleeding, ash swirling endlessly like forgotten prayers never answered.
The palace loomed like a shattered crown atop a blackened mountain, its jagged spires piercing the heavens like vengeful blades.
Inside, the God of Destruction, Apapholom, sat upon his throne. Before him, a pot of enchanted water rippled with images from the mortal world Ireas. His eyes softened, and a rare smile graced his lips as he gazed upon a girl. She was safe. That was all that mattered.
No one else knew of her existence. He had kept her a secret, hidden from gods and demons alike. Her time had not yet come.
Then, suddenly, four prominent gods appeared at his gates, their expressions as prideful as ever. Their presence startled him. It had been many thousands of years since their strained alliance dissolved.
Apapholom swiftly dismissed the magical image before rising. He greeted them without ceremony.
"What brings you here?"
Slensia stepped forward, her voice tense. "We need your help to break a curse, the Bound-Evil-Heart spell."
Apapholom's expression shifted the moment he heard the name.
"The curse was cast by Craysophy," Slensia added.
His heart skipped.
"You discovered her rebirth?" he asked, startled.
The gods exchanged confused looks.
"Craysophy was reborn?" Slensia gasped. "When? Where?"
Apapholom realized he had let the truth slip. But perhaps… perhaps this was fate.
"She was reborn twenty-one years ago… in the mortal world. Kausphore stole her celestial spirit before it faded. He sacrificed half his life's cultivation to restore it, mending her shattered essence over nine hundred and twenty universal cycles. He collapsed afterward… and has not awakened since."
Silence.
Slensia and Nosmad lowered their heads in shame. The Demon God had done what they, her parents, had failed to do.
"Where is she?" Irramet asked, desperate.
"She lives among mortals on Ireas, under a new name, Sophie. She alone can break the curse. But…"
"But what?"
He began outlining the process—step by step—his voice steady, but every detail felt like a blade drawn across their conscience.
The more they listened, the more their hearts sank.
The silence in Carnage Palace grew heavier with each word Apapholom spoke. Even the cursed wind outside seemed to pause, as if mourning what was about to be done.
"Once her title is restored, she'll be stripped of love, choice, and defiance. Her heart will forget how to feel. She'll move only at your command, live only by your will. No more mistakes. No more weakness."
"How can we do this to her… again?" Slensia's voice cracked, her face contorted with guilt.
Apapholom's eyes remained cold, unreadable.
"This is the only way to save the universe."
Irramet clenched her fists, her gaze dropping to the floor. Nosmad remained quiet, jaw tight, hands trembling behind his back. Slensia shook her head in disbelief, while Nerodo simply looked away, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
They all knew the truth.
They had failed her once.
And now, to save the realms they swore to protect… they would have to betray her again.
The gods exchanged glances, silent understanding passing between them. Their shoulders slumped in reluctant surrender.
A heavy sigh escaped Irramet's lips, thick with shame.
"So be it…" she whispered.
They had no other choice.
"But for this, she must experience love and heartbreak again. And who will go to the mortal world to do this mission?" Apapholom asked.
Kayros was too bitter to volunteer. But one god remained.
"Axeden will go," Irramet said firmly.
Apapholom smiled. Everything was falling into place.
_____
Crystal Garden - Craysophy's Palace
Amid crystalline flowers and glowing stones, Axeden drank alone. Dozens of celestial bottles lay scattered, fairies nervously refilling his goblets.
"Useless," he muttered. "Not even strong enough to dull the pain."
He didn't notice the visitors until his mother's voice cut through the silence.
"Axeden! Look at yourself. Even your servants are more dignified!"
He scowled, not bothering to rise. "So the mighty gods finally descend. What do you want?"
"Is this how you greet your parents?" Nosmad asked.
Axeden's smile turned cruel. "Taking your child's life must be proper etiquette among the gods."
They said nothing. The pain in his voice was enough.
"And I'll die anyway. So let me drink in peace. She built this place. It's all I have left."
"There's hope," Irramet said. "We can break the curse. We need your help."
He paused, then scoffed. "That curse was her final wish. I'll carry it proudly."
She slapped him.
"Is your life so cheap?! You are the Fire God. The world needs you."
He glared at her.
"Do I look like I care?"
Slensia stepped forward. "What if we promised you something in return?"
"Like what?"
"You can marry Craysophy."
He froze and he face turned bitter.
"She's dead."
"Reborn. In the mortal world, on Ireas. You can bring her back to heaven."
The liquor bottle slipped from his fingers. He felt he misheard her. His eyes turned red and he felt huge weight lifted up from his chest. But then he became sober.
"But she loved Kausphore. Why would she marry me?"
"She remembers nothing. You can begin again. She deserves that. So do you."
Hope stirred in his eyes for the first time in centuries. He hadn't loved her the way others might expect, but her death scarred him deeply, haunted by the regret of not being able to protect the one soul who never made him feel like he was a mistake.
"And if I bring her back? What guarantee do I have she won't be hurt again?"
"You will be the ruler of the Heavenly Throne," Irramet said. "No one would dare harm your wife."
Axeden turned his gaze aside, emotion tightening his chest. They couldn't harm him, nor the one he chose. Maybe that's why they had always kept their distance. Because power they couldn't control was never seen as family… only as a threat. But now he has the ability to protect her.
"Where is she? What must I do?"
They began to explain.
But not everything.
They kept the most painful truth hidden, because if Axeden knew what awaited Craysophy when she come back to heaven … he would never let her return.
To be continued