Part 10 - The Greatest Sin

Chapter 180 - Still the World Turns

A fire was ripping through Stan Konungens, and spreading all over the world extremely quickly. But this fire had no flames, just words. The High Elder Gods were dead. There would be those who'd cling to their faith and say the people killed weren't the Gods themselves and instead were imposters, but with the evidence presented to them most people believed. Dei Volente's body was the only one that remained, likely due to his mortal origins stopping him turning to ash as soon as he died. The organisation once known as the Church of Dei Volente, but now called the Church of the High Elder Gods, debated on where to bury their king. Eventually, someone came knocking at the tower in Stan Konungens to have the matter settled by his parents. Miles and Gwen talked it over and eventually settled on Dovah Island. It was a beautiful place, even now in a time of modernisation and industry. Flights to the Island were fully booked as soon as it was announced to the public, and Dovah Island played host to crowds of sizes that hadn't been seen for thousands of years. Having been unable to get flights, Paarthurnax took Miles, Gwen, Jacob and Grace.

When the day of the funeral arrived, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets. The procession made its way past the crowds, watched from the air by the last dovah who would guard the tomb until time took him. The procession began to climb the mountain where the Dovah King's palace had once stood, eventually coming to a plateau on which a tomb was being constructed. It was mostly finished, requiring only the writing to be carved into its entrance as well as to be sealed once the body was inside. Far below, the crowds watched on enormous screens as their God was laid to rest. A priest spoke a few words as the coffin was placed at the very centre of the tomb's chamber:

"Dei Volente. To most of us, you were a God; someone we could look to in our times of trouble. Throughout time, you have taught us many lessons that have made us the people we are today. It was your example and strength which brought an end to the enslavement of our fellow humans. For that, we will forever be in debt to you; a debt we can never repay."

There were a few moments of silence for people to reflect, then the priest continued:

"But you were not just a God; you were a loved and loving son. Maximilian Morales: you battled through some of the greatest tests any mortal or immortal can face, all for the people you held dear. It was your judgement that defeated the Scarlet King, it was your blood that you spilled to save even strangers. You will be missed by not only your family, but your descendants."

There was another pause, then the priest bowed his head and said:

"Now we seal your tomb, not to separate us from your memory, but to prolong it so that our descendants may forevermore look to your example for hope in even the darkest times. Farewell, Dei Volente, Maximilian Morales; we send you now to higher places."

The enormous stone was rolled across the entrance to the tomb. As it ground to a halt, Paarthurnax soared overhead and roared:

"Dei Volente mahlaan!"

Everything seemed eerily quiet after that.

Two days after the funeral, late in the evening as the Sun was setting, Miles, Gwen, Jacob and Grace returned to the tomb. It was finished now, and was nearly drowned in flowers and candles. They laid their own in amongst the hundreds.

"It's…scary now he's gone. I feel like everything's so cold and empty." Said Grace.

"I feel the same." Gwen replied quietly.

Jacob suddenly frowned.

"Hang on. The priest said Max's descendants would remember him, but he doesn't have any cos all his kids were murdered by a crazy robot. Unless…"

"No, I'm not pregnant Jake." Grace replied.

"He wasn't really the hit-and-run type, I guess."

There were a couple of minutes of silence, then Miles asked:

"Where do we go from here?"

"This world needs spider people, I think. You and Gwen have your work cut out for you. So the question is what do me and Grace do?"

"We still have the soul stones. I think Max would be OK with waking everyone up now that technology is almost back to where it was." Grace replied.

"Someone'll have to look out for them while they find their feet." Said Gwen.

"I guess that's my job, then. What about you, Jake?"

Jacob shrugged.

"Maybe I'll revolutionise the computing industry? Become the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs or someone."

"I think Max would approve."

There was another minute of silence, then Gwen said:

"All the Gods are dead and still the world turns. Do you think the universe will implode?"

"It would have if it was going to." Said Jacob.

"True, but it could take its time to do it."

"I'd say don't give Null ideas, but he's dead." Said Miles.

"So don't give his successor ideas." Grace added.

"It's up to them to decide what really happens to us all next. I'm sure it'll be just as gripping as this part was." Jacob mused.

"Only time will tell for us. In the meantime, like I said, still the world turns." Gwen replied.

"So let's do something with it." Concluded Miles.

Crossovers in this Chapter

- Skyrim

Note

So, the end of part 10. As I've been uploading this part, as well as starting work on part 11, I've realised the fan-fic has kind of lost the classic Spiderman flare (ie. a big mystery or adventure leading up to big fights and stuff), so I hope you'll find part 11 a little more on that side. I won't spoil anything, of course, but I'm excited for it. I will say, however, that it will be the last part. I have too many other commitments back in the real world to keep writing, so I'm afraid it will have to end. Don't worry, I plan for it to be an epic finale. But until then, happy reading!