It was once said by an ancient sage that the world was round like a ball. A claim so ridiculous that many at the time believed the sage to have gone senile.
How could the world be round?
To the masses, the world was flat without question. Since long ago, many travelers and adventurers have reached the very ends of the world, returning back with their tales. Endless streams of water pour out from the world and into the depths of the universe. The void was the only thing that awaits anyone foolish enough to prove otherwise.
There was an edge to the world.
But even still, the mad sage proclaims the opposite, crying out towards heaven with only his stubbornness. No one knew where this sage came from, however, his tale was one for the ages to record. He was undeniably invincible in his era as he swept through all obstacles to reach the fabled land of the gods - Yogmaha.
It was only until he was in his twilight did the man go insane. He destroyed countries and ruptured the mountains in a fit of confused rage. The earth bled wherever he walked. And there was no one in the world that could have stopped him.
The tale did not record the final fate of the sage, but it was speculated by his peers that the sage jumped off the edge to find an answer.
No one could understand the sage's action, but latter scholars did find the story to be shocking, to say the least. Across the earth-bound palace, the sage brought ruin to a great many things. The world's history came to an abrupt halt, and it took nearly two ages to fully recover.
So, people slowly begin to forget the story of the sage who went against the heavens. The world erased him from memory.
The sun and moon continue to orbit while the oceans continue to fall.
There was an edge to the world and that cannot be denied.
Once a person has seen the cliffs that hang above the world, they have no need to see it again. Apart from the occasional tree or boulder, there were not many things to see at the so-called end of the world. Staring beyond the horizon, people find themselves frightened and alone. The dark abyss and the endless void only make the travelers uncomfortable and were rarely visited.
Ancient scholars had long tried to find a way off the earth, believing that Yogmaha was situated somewhere outside the veil of reality. However, none of the scholars were successful in their attempts as it only led to their early demise.
Hector knew all of that, yet the warlock still arrived at the Great Waterfall. He stood at the very edge of the cliff as a tiny slip-up would send him falling towards the abyss.
After watching Gusteko lose its monarch, Hector decided to come to the world's end. He needed something only a few could still remember. With nothing but his wooden staff and white robe, the warlock stood at the very edge of the world. Of course, it took him a few months to walk to the Great Waterfall.
And rather than becoming frightened by the unknown, the warlock was much more interested in the formation of stars that was plastered all across the dark void. Their dazzling glow illuminated the darkness with warmth and guidance. Although the warlock appeared tired, his eyes were focused on deriving the laws of such grand magic.
The myriad realms beyond the expanses were like lanterns, trying to draw mortals away from the world. There was Yogmaha, the infinite galaxies, and the random heavens awaiting scholars to explore. Their concrete ideas give birth to endless possibilities to seek for the worlds above.
His tired eyes stared at the void with brilliant clarity under his hood. The world's magic can only be beneath his feet. Even if spirit lords and magic kings appear in society; they can only stare from afar. Under his suppression, everything becomes insignificant.
An unspecified amount of time passed before Hector finally started to make his move. With a lift of his staff, the world shifted phases from day to night in an instant. He was starting to derive laws and make magic subservient to his desires.
Night turned to day.
Day turned to night.
In his action, day and night lost its meaning.
The sun and moon themselves became the driving forces of magic, turning the entire world into an array of law. They are capable of fueling an entire country into perpetuity with power if necessary.
A white-haired elf and her companions at Roswaal's Mansion were equally stunned by the changes happening.
"Fascinating," the red-haired Sword Saint nonchalantly said as he sits on a mountain of corpses in a remote valley. His eyes were captivated by the changing of the sun and moon; and he found it amusing.
In the Crystal Palace of Vollachia, the starched emperor viewed the phenomenon with cold intent while his divine generals each had a varying degree of intrigue.
At High Divinity, the grand councilors stared in shock and looked at one another for confirmation. They quickly called the paladins and ordered a march to the Great Waterfall.
Across the world, many became frightened and panic filled the streets.
"Open," the mighty warlock said with little enthusiasm. His staff hits the ground with a relative force before bright lights burst into form.
THUMP!
A sealed gate appeared before Hector, hanging above the abyss.
Colossal.
No man-made structure could ever hope to dwarf this mountainous gateway. The most wondrous creation in all of the myriad realms. There were few things worth being mentioned in the same breath as this structure.
Dark-blue in design, the entrance depicted three images. A man and two fairies, with closed eyes, were etched onto the surface. The three appear to be concentrated on manifesting the grand heavens itself. Even if they were just images, their auras swept the stars away as they alone were the rulers of the universe. Endless cycles of life and death were infants under their radiance.
Hector's eyes became serious for a single moment before shaking his head away from any other thoughts. Few in this world can still remember the prestige of these three when they once walked the earth.
The warlock placed his hand on the doorway and pushed. Although Hector was an insect compared to the colossal gate, his tiny action moved heaven and earth.
CREAK!
The gate slowly opened its two massive entrance doors, releasing winds that could blow any creature away except someone like Hector. Stairways leading down a dark and murky hallway appeared. There were whispers of death and an untold amount of suffering that permeated through the air.
"Ahh!"
Although faint, Hector smiled at hearing defiant screams within the gate. Horrid echoes of utter hatred for the world filled the lands. Without any hesitation, Hector started to make his way down the stairways as the doors closed behind him.
The gate slowly disappeared from the veil of reality, returning normality to the world. The people were relieved from everything returning to normal. Some were curious about what had happened and decided to start researching the phenomenon. Though their attempts would prove fruitless, they inspired many future generations of scholars to appear.
After the colossal gate disappeared, nine lights arrived at the Great Waterfall with startling haste. They appeared quite exhausted and tired from traveling such an enormous distance without rest. Their divine powers were nearly drained of every ounce as even a chicken could make them yield.
Armored in silver and gold, the world naturally knew about their appearances. Their dazzling brilliance could only be dwarfed by the prestige of their divine order.
The nine paladins of Gusteko.
Each representing a divine principle of their country. People knew that they represented the strongest existences in the northern hemisphere. When they unite under a single purpose, only non-verticals can stop their attacks.
If Gusteko does not incur a country-destroying disaster, the nine paladins very rarely work together. But today, they set aside their differing views and rushed to the world's end, trying to figure out the cause of the grand councilors' worries.
Combining their Divine Protections together, the paladins started their search for any anomalies in the area even as they were still exhausted. In their hearts, they knew that if the grand councilors can feel trepidation at the ensuing phenomenon, then a heaven-defying disaster was right around the corner. Especially with the departure of their divine monarch, Gusteko has lost one of its sturdiest pillars.
As they searched, minutes turned to hours.
Hours turned to days, and days turned to weeks.
The paladins were restless in their hunt. Until they were certain that the phenomenon was completely gone, they would not give up.
Though, without their notice, another had also reached the same location as the paladins. An old man stroked his white beard while he watched the paladins conduct their search. To evade the paladins' heavenly eyes, the old man was certainly an extraordinary figure.
He calmly smiled at the paladins' fruitless attempts and merely stared outwards - at the same location where Hector had once stood. Although he did not extrude any impervious aura, his mere movements exerted ancient purity. He was surrounded by the earliest laws of magic and spirits. He calculated a few things with his fingers before looking in the direction of the north, towards Gusteko, with downcast eyes.
As the paladins started their investigation, Hector was casually walking down the dark hallways. Any sane person would try to get a light going, but Hector was not in any way bothered by the lack of light.
"Ahh!"
"Ahh!"
"AHH!"
Hatred screams got louder as Hector ventured deeper and deeper until the screams can be heard very clearly. It was screams filled with nothing but immense anger. Anger towards all things, and its wish to devour heaven and earth. All the hatred in the world was insignificant when compared to the being that dwells within this dark hallway.
After a long time, Hector finally saw light.
At the very end of the descent, there laid a hall filled with water. Hector stood at the very edge of a platform before there was a massive drop into the waters below. Massive like mountain ranges, the hall could hold the world inside, and there would still be room.
When the warlock looked up, he saw the origins of the hatred filled cries - the Leviathan.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
"AHH!"
"AHH!"
"AHH!"
Struggling and wrestling to no avail, the serpent howls in defiance. Waves of ocean splashed whichever way with its long and serpentine body. Its body stretched for as long as the eye can see. There was truly no end in sight. Even the White Whale is an insect before this beast.
Compared to the world, the creature was still larger.
However, no matter how it struggles, chains, formed from deep blue, binds its body to the mortal realm. All the lights in this hall were merely a byproduct induced by the chains.
Master Dwarven Blacksmiths would be shocked silly if they could see how incredible the chains were made. Cast from immortal ores and divine wills, the chains manifested images of divine creatures that included a dragon and a phoenix. The Leviathan was held in place by the sturdiest prison in any realm. Escape would be impossible without heaven-tearing strength.
"You...why are you here!" The Leviathan stopped its endless struggle when its eyes fell on Hector. Its dark-red eyes glared at the warlock with murderous intents like it wanted to devour him and everything else above him.
"Why do you struggle? You should already be well aware that none of you can break those chains," Hector said with a tired face. The warlock was not fazed at all by the massive creature glaring at him and dared to rebuke its behaviors.
"If it were not for these chains, I would have devoured you and the three worlds!" Leviathan hatefully exclaimed its purpose.
"Haha...had it not been for your group's wanton desires, the emperor and gods would have not resorted to imprisonment," Hector chuckled a bit at the beast before mocking him again, "You idiots really believed that you could defeat our forefathers. Hehehehehehe, how pretentious."
"YOU DARE!" The Leviathan gave a deafening howl towards Hector, but the warlock never lost his composure - always melancholic with a mockery tongue.
"Scream as much as you like...no one will hear you. Liu Er is no longer in this world, " Hector tiredly said and repeated what he had always said to this group of idiots, "No sage can ever hear your chaotic screams ever again."
"AHH!"
"AHH!"
"AHH!"
The entire hall rumbles and shakes as the serpent tries to break free. It may scare onlookers at first, but eventually, they will learn of the beast's inability to carry out its intentions.
"Alright…calm your anger. I did not come to just laugh at your pathetic self today."
"We have nothing to discuss, warlock!" The Leviathan, infuriated with Hector, did not wish to carry this talk any longer.
"The old geezer has ascended," Hector solemnly said even through his tired tone.
"..." At hearing Hector mention the Holy King, the Leviathan's eyes widened. Countless thoughts ran through its sea of mind, wandering endlessly with Hector's statement. The beast never would have imagined that someone was still capable of ascension in the current age. Although the Leviathan wasn't aware of world affairs, it could still sense the changing of the five elements and desolate magic laws. By its calculation, the world no longer can support an ascending life.
"There is one less person to visit you...your chances at freedom are nearly zero now," Hector truthfully said while the beast was in thought. He may have resented the Holy King, but the old geezer was truly incredible in every shape and form. This world couldn't hold a dragon forever from exploring the vast expanse.
"No matter! Even if it takes a hundred more eons, I will devour the three worlds and all that the emperor and gods held dear!" After a short while of contemplation, the Leviathan remains focused on its goal. Its body attempts to move, causing divine creatures around to tighten their grip on the chaotic monster. Their divine bodies sprouted ancient laws and heavenly energies to create the everlasting seal.
"This is why you seven can never hope to escape." Hector's eyes squinted with murky haste at watching the struggles of the legendary creature. An invincible being that dominated heaven and earth was reduced to such a wretched state. This was its fate - never to see the light of day nor the cosmic realms for all eternity.
The serpent will not stop until it can devour the three worlds.
Gluttony.
Gluttony incarnated.
The Authority of Gluttony stems from this trapped serpent.
Seven beings came to this world, and seven beings were imprisoned in this world.
Each carried a sin that the Witches are known for. Trapped in this world, they can never fulfill their purposes.
The seven and Hector were well aware of how the knots on the chains can be solved. The emperor and gods clearly stated how the chains cannot be broken with strength alone. To truly be rid of their shackles, the Leviathan and his brethren must rid themselves of their individual desires. As long as they are willing to let go of their desires, they would be able to walk free and leave for the myriad realms. If anything, their jailers wanted them to repent for their sins.
But that was simpler said than done.
Since the time that the everlasting flow of life first drifted from the Eternal River Palace, they proved their sins to achieve the First Truth!
Their dominion over themselves became reality with their defiance against the heavens.
To them, losing their sins was a fate worse than death.
So, the Leviathan and its brethren could only wait for an anomaly to occur in their monotonous prisons. Eons went by and their individual desires for the world only grew.
Their desires permeated the known era, filling the hearts and minds of men with dominion - Authority to go against the world order.
"Let's skip the banter for now, I come before you...all of you with an offer," Hector slowly explained his presence. His long journey was finally starting to take form.
"An offer? You?" The serpent's eyes widened a little at hearing him. The Leviathan was a little surprised that the warlock could even come up with such words. Through the long years, the warlock came not to seek but to annoy them.
"Yes...a chance...a chance at freedom."
"!"
HM! HM! HM! HM! HM! HM! HM! HM! HM!
HM! HM! HM! HM! HM! HM! HM! HM! HM!
Across the world, as if they could hear the words said by the warlock, the lords of sin sprouted infinite divine power throughout their prisons. Oceans of divine intents caused phenomena to occur around them. Strange formations of stars and galaxies manifested upon their eyes. Along with the Leviathan, they were alarmed by the sudden madness induced by the changes in heavenly will. The change was on par with the birth of the Heavenly Master and True Emperor.
How? Impossible.
The warlock speaks the truth.
"..." The serpent remains silent as he stared in shock at Hector. Its chaotic eyes wished to decipher the mysteries of this man.
"Enough staring already," Hector said while swatting with his hands, earning a sneer from the Leviathan.
"Had it been another time, I would never think to join hands with you. But certain things have changed."
The Leviathan could guess that it was related to the Holy King - their feud was unthinkable massive.
"Listen carefully," Hector pauses and stares at the towering beast with awakening eyes, which the Leviathan unconsciously flinched by the change. It was finally apparent to the serpent that Hector's strength has nearly breached the Heaven's Will. For as ancient as it was, the Leviathan knew that a new iteration of sin was at hand.
...
"You may have already realized it, but the world's fate has been shifted."
"Two stars are soon to descend upon this world."
...
A young man in casual sportswear stared in shock at the world he waked up to. His hands grasped tightly to his grocery bag like it was his only connection.
"So...are you going to buy anything, kid?"
...
"One will become entangle with sins and Witches."
...
"Are you alright, little one?"
A man, clad in metal, extended his hand out towards a crying girl, filling the world with hope.
...
"The other...will come to save the world and themselves."
...