Year Zero.
It was the term coined by Zomrus and the Twelve Disciples to describe the new world they were to create. That the world as it had been before was no longer relevant, and as such should not be used to tell time. So, the calendar was reset. The world began anew, with a new leader at it's helm and a new normal for humans to grow accustomed too.
The newly formed Empire of Order, as Zomrus had so patronizingly named it, stretched across the entire continent of Ishgar. it completely consumed the Northern continent of Guiltina, as well as the Eastern Continent of Yutaka. The Western Continent, Alakitasia, had been all but consumed as well. The only remnant of the world as it had been before was the capital of what had formerly been the Alvarez Empire. Although it's name prior had been Amor, it soon became known by the nickname "Bastion of Hope". It was here that Dimaria Yesta used every bit of her power as Chronos' Host to prevent the armies of Zomrus from rising within the walls. No one could have known it, but Zomrus had not even begun to apply pressure to the city. He had his eyes focused elsewhere.
Namely, the heavens themselves.
Zomrus had been locked out of Paradise for four months now. Four months he had waited to see if Ankhseram's binds would fail, but they had not yet. As such, he remained rejected from the Heavens, and bound to the psychical form he had taken. This, he found, was moderately annoying. despite being a God, it seemed he had to actually apply himself to take care of the form he had taken. He had to consciously remember to wash and sleep, despite being a God. This, on top of his mounting irritation with not being able to find Ankhseram's Marked as well as dealing with creating new laws and rules for the subjugated humans had caused Zomrus to remain inside his new castle in what had formerly been Crocus. He used Queen Hisui as a puppet figurehead, which gave the illusion of agreeable rule. He found it very taxing on his patience to have to actually rule humans.
"This is the world I chose, though," he would say whenever his irritation had poured over into his words. "I must guide the world to a better future."
And a better future was indeed on the horizon.
Crime rates in the Empire of Order were sitting at a 0.003 percent rate. So few people committed crimes that often times there was nothing for the Disciples to do. Zomrus' power alone kept people in check, obeying every word with a smile. Of course that was easy, seeing as the God was all-seeing and all-knowing. It was not unheard of to have him suddenly appear in the former capitals of Guiltina or Yutaka to dole out punishments. His obvious omnipresence kept all those who even considered rebelling in check.
That did not assuage Cain's worries, however.
The Disciple of Loyalty stared out the window of the castle quietly, observing the 12th District. Countless millions of people, who had been dragged here from all over the continent, were milling about below, going about their lives as they were now. All humans within the walls of the capital were given schedules for their days, what they were to do, and what jobs they did. They were allowed to do anything they wished in their own free time, so long as it broke no laws. Money was heavily monitored, ensuring all citizens could afford their food and amenities. Housing was provided by Zomrus, who had used his strength to erect millions of homes and stores all across the new capital in an instant. It was, in his opinion, beautiful.
Still, he was antsy. He was antsy because Zomrus was annoyed. Not with him, or the capital, or indeed his Empire. It was with the aforementioned Marked and his inability to ascend to the Heavens that was grating at his patience.
Cain, come to the throne room. I wish to hold counsel with you.
A shiver went down his spine as Zomrus' words echoed in his mind. Speak of the devil and he shall appear, apparently. Cain turned and strode down the hall, making his way to the throne room as quickly as he could.
The throne room was at the center of the castle, which was the center of the new city. And seeing as Ishgar was the central continent of Earthland, Zomrus also liked to say it was the center of his new Empire. Cain didn't know how close the city formerly known as Crocus was to the center of the world, though. As he pushed open the gigantic black doors, Cain was greeted by the opulent throne room.
The entire room was circular in nature, with a roof that raised high into the sky. Cain knew that the roof of the throne room was the central spire of the castle, which reached for the heavens above. The room itself was trimmed with black steel and gold, shining darkly in the morning light that came through the windows. The floor was reflective obsidian, gleaning dimly in the little light available. Banners emblazoned with Zomrus' symbol, a skull with lines flowing from it's mouth to encircle the skull, were hanging over the entire room from the second floor. The lines that circled the skull had regal wings on the horizontal edge, and the eyes seemed to follow you wherever you stood. The banners were black and trimmed with red, the symbol itself a bright white. Flags bearing that insignia were all over the world now, showcasing Zomrus' dominance.
In the epicenter of the room sat the throne. The throne was a massive monument to Zomrus' power, created from bones that gleamed golden and held together by primordial magic that caused the entire room to thrum with energy. It was very difficult for mortals to survive in the throne room as a result, which was usually how Zomrus liked it. Across back and seat of the throne was cloth that glowed red, magic swirling underneath the surface. Cain occasionally heard screams from it, which was unnerving. Of course, the throne would be incomplete without the God that sat upon it.
Zomrus sat upon his horrific throne, lazily swirling a miniature Earthland in one hand. He regarded it without a care, turning as Cain got close and knelt before him.
"My Lord," Cain said, "you sent for me?"
"I did," Zomrus replied. "I will only tell you one more time, Cain; refer to me as Zomrus. You are a minor God now, I do not expect you to grovel before me like a mere human. And look at me when you speak. Have a little self-respect, my son."
Cain grimaced as his pathetic behavior, forgetting the new normal he now lived. He stood and turned his gaze to Zomrus, who watched him with a smile. The God looked just as he had four months ago when he awoke, his black robes trimmed with gold radiating more power than any other thing in existence. His black hair had grown slightly, and he also had the making of a goatee on his face. Still though, one could have easily confused him for a young man if they didn't know better. His eyes and scythe were the only giveaway. His eyes reflected primordial creation, deep explosion red rimmed with black. His scythe, the blade massive and sharper than anything else, seemed to make the air sing as it sliced through it.
"Better," Zomrus said as Cain met his eyes. "I expect my Disciples to have a little self-respect, Cain. Do better to meet my expectations."
"Of course, Zomrus," Cain replied, still feeling odd referring to the God by name. "What was it you needed?" Zomrus sighed and slouched in his throne, returning his eyes to the miniature planet swirling in his left hand.
"Tell me Cain," Zomrus said, "what is it you see when you gaze upon my new world?" Cain raised an eyebrow at this, unsure of what to say.
"A great world," he answered, "a better world."
"Do you know what it is I see?" Zomrus asked.
"What do you see?" Cain asked as respectfully as possible. Zomrus sighed again.
"An incomplete world," he replied. "A world not as I intended. We have not put all the pieces together yet, and it angers me greatly."
"We would only need eight more months at most, Zomrus," Cain tried diplomatically. "Ankhseram's binds and marks will fade in that time."
"That is too much time," Zomrus said, looking back at him. "Time those Marked could use to destroy what I've already built. Has Thanatos found any trace of them yet?" Cain gulped at this, playing with his hands.
"Thanatos has reported that the marks are working exceptionally well," he replied. "The human children, as well as their parents, are still not placed. We have no idea where they are."
"No signs of them?"
"No, no sign." Cain confirmed worriedly. Zomrus narrowed his eyes at this, growling. The throne room shook as he did.
"I grow tired of playing Cat and Mouse," he said. "Have the captured Fairies still refused to speak?" Cain frowned at this, knowing the answer already.
Many of Fairy Tail's wizards, as well as from their ally guilds, had been captured and brought to the capital. The most important and dangerous had escaped them, but not the others. Still though, the ones who remained refused to speak. If they had any idea where the others were, they did not voice it.
"They remain silent," he said.
"Even after the deaths of the ones who resisted capture?"
"Yes, they still do not speak." Zomrus very clearly grew agitated at this.
"It's one thing after another," he growled. "First, Ankhseram and Aether lock me out of the Heavens. Second, the Marked escape. Third, Chronos uses an absurd amount of strength to keep me from taking that city in Alakitasia. Why? What does he gain from that? Not only that, but Ankhseram's marks prevent me from subjugating the dragon colony in the South as well. Hundreds of dragons are not nothing, yet I cannot get to them yet. I am annoyed, Cain. Very annoyed." Cain swallowed hard at this, bowing his head.
"Shall we renew efforts to interrogate the remaining Fairies?" He asked, "perhaps threaten them?"
"Don't bother," Zomrus said. "Not only do I not want that, they would not break anyway. If the dozens of dead guild members did not make them speak, they will not. Besides, they are my subjects now. As such, I wish the best for them. I will not be a hypocrite."
"As you wish," Cain replied. "What are our next steps?" Zomrus hummed at this, still twirling the small planet in his hand.
"Call Thanatos back to the city," he said. "I do not wish my Disciples to be so far from me, it invites danger."
"Who will search for the Marked, then?" Cain asked. Zomrus thought for a moment before he smiled.
"I have an idea," he said. "Would you like to see it, Cain?"
"Of course, Zomrus," Cain agreed. Zomrus nodded and raised his scythe, pointing it at the ground between them. A portal burst to life on the ground, and someone was slowly raised out of it. Several people, actually. All but one Cain recognized.
"Open your eyes, returned dead," Zomrus said. "You will heed your God's commands."
The eyes of the former dead opened, coming back to life for the first time in many years.
"Do you recall your names?" Zomrus asked them, "or do I need to remind you?" The first resurrected took a shaky breath, opening his green eyes.
"...I-I was called Apocalypse in life," he said quietly. "I think?"
"Indeed you were," Zomrus said. "Excellent memory. And you, boy?"
The second resurrected stood. He was tan with brown eyes and hair, with a muscular build.
"...Rocky?" He asked.
"Yes indeed," Zomrus replied, "and you, my final friend?"
The final person who had been resurrected was barely a child. She was not even half the height of the other two, with short black hair tied in pigtails and bright green eyes.
"...What was my name again?" She asked quietly.
"Keiko," Zomrus answered, "you are Keiko." The girl's eyes seemed to light up at this, smiling.
"I am Keiko!" She agreed, "thanks, mister!"
"Think nothing of it, dear," Zomrus replied as he leaned back. "Your memories and personalities will slowly return once your soul has acclimated to the mortal realm. Now, I'm sure you must be wondering why I've brought you back. It's because I am in need of your services."
All three of the resurrected bowed to him on one knee, making him smirk.
"See, I do not wish for my Disciples to tread to far from me for long," he said. "So, I want the three of you to chase down Fairy Tail and it's allies. You know of who I speak, don't you?"
"Of course," Apocalypse replied.
"Good," Zomrus said. "I've imbued all three of you with strength like you've never had before. It would not be a stretch to say you three have just become some of the strongest wizards in the world. Do you think you can find them for me?"
"Of course, mister!" Keiko replied. "Do you have a lead for us?"
"I do indeed, Keiko," Zomrus replied. "See, Chronos thought he was slick, giving Ultear Fullbuster a prophecy while she was fighting Mezevera." Cain saw the little girl jump at the mention of Ultear, but shrug it off. "But because Mezevera heard it, so too did I. Their goal is someone named Mother, and she is North. I don't know of who this speaks, but if I were to guess she is someone who worshipped Ankhseram and can help the children. You will make sure they do not find her."
"Respectfully," Rocky said with a bow of his head, "that isn't a lot to go off of."
"It isn't, no," Zomrus agreed. "Which is why I haven't found them yet. They may be with her right now, for all I know. But if they haven't, it's up to you three to find them. Go, serve my will. Find the Marked and bring them to me."
Cain watched as all three turned and walked out of the throne room, Keiko running to keep up with the older men. Once the doors had closed again, he turned back to Zomrus.
"How did you do that?" He asked incredulously, turning back to Zomrus. "I thought you were locked out of Heaven."
"Did I enter Heaven?" Zomrus asked back lazily. "No, I simply grabbed ahold of three people's eternal souls and brought them here. I know you often get stuck in your mortal way of thinking, but try to keep up Cain. Besides, Apocalypse wasn't in Heaven. He was in Hell for his actions."
"Of course, my apologies," he said. "That still leaves the adults, though. The ones who escaped on Crime Sociere's airship."
"They aren't my concern presently," Zomrus replied, seemingly thinking. "Nashi Dragneel is the only one I have to worry about. Her power is stronger than her father's. She can harm me, damage me. She needs to be found before she is given the tools to destroy my new world."
"How is it the power was refined through her?" Cain asked curiously. "Didn't it grow naturally in Natsu as well?"
"Natsu is anything but natural," Zomrus replied, lazily placing his head on his fist. "Zeref may have preserved his corpse, but his soul is still artificial. In the sense that it wasn't a creation of a God or natural reproduction, anyway. But Nashi? She is an anomaly. A byproduct of a third-man, third-dragon, third-Etherious man and a human woman. It doesn't help that Lucy's Heartfilia bloodline traces back to one of the strongest witches who served with Ankhseram in our last war."
Cain raised an eyebrow at this.
"She is related to such a witch?" He asked. Zomrus nodded.
"Most powerful wizards alive today can trace their lineage to someone who fought with some prominence back then," he said. "But Lucy? Her lineage goes all the way back to a woman named Cleo. Last names where not much of a thing back then, but her given title had been "Steel of the Hearth". Her descendants drew on this later for a last name, and it changed over time."
"You never mentioned that," Cain said, interested.
"Because Lucy herself is utterly irrelevant to the grand scheme of it all," he replied. "Yet still, Ankhseram marked her and hides her from me. Why? What does he gain from her? Or any of them? Ugh, it doesn't matter.
"My point is that Nashi's strength was conceived by her father, a divine anomaly thanks to Zeref, and Lucy, a human woman. Divine Ether was allowed to mix organically with human strength, human will. Natsu was given his strength, but Nashi? Hers has been cultivated since Natsu first inseminated Lucy. It was only through my brother's usage of human strength that he defeated me last time, and now we have a little girl running around the continent who has divine power mixed with human will. Do you see my point?"
Cain was starting to understand now.
"Nashi is a literal mix of what defeated you last time," he said. "Ankhseram doesn't even need to defeat you himself. If Nashi found a way to be powered up enough..."
"She herself could defeat me," Zomrus concluded. "Granted, it would take a power spike so big her mortal soul would be untethered from this world and be destroyed, but she could do it. That's why the prophecy said she'd give up her life to defeat me."
"I can see why that is causing you to be irritated," Cain admitted. "Are you sure you don't want the Disciples to do this? We're stronger."
"And put any of you in the line of fire?" Zomrus asked with a raised eyebrow. "You, the keys to Ankhseram's chains? No, you will stay here with me, governing. I'm not taking foolish risks like my brother did."
"I understand," Cain said with a curt bow of his head.
"We'll leave the children to Apocalypse, Rocky and Keiko," Zomrus continued. "We will continue to do what needs to be done. We will govern the people like we should. However, I have another task for you."
"What is it?" Cain asked curiously.
"I have been thinking about what will happen when Ankhseram's binds are gone," Zomrus said, rubbing his wrists where the marks were burned. "Once I am allowed entrance to heaven again, I will conquer it as well. But I know my brothers and sisters will not go quietly. They will resist, with the entirety of heaven behind them. All ten remaining God's and the angels will resist us, and they will be much more capable than the humans will. With this in mind, we must answer in kind."
"I'm afraid I don't follow, Zomrus," Cain said. "What is it you plan to do?"
"Simple, really," Zomrus replied. "Cain, I want you and the other Disciples to make announcements in your districts. We will be recruiting from the populace for my army. These recruits will be granted power from us, and they will become the foot soldiers in our eventual invasion of Heaven. We will use them to match the numbers of the angels, and overrun Heaven."
"An excellent idea," Cain said with a bow. "I'll head out. Will you be informing the others?"
"I just have," Zomrus said. "They will be on their way to carry out my will as well."
"was there anything else?" Cain inquired. Zomrus gave him a smile.
"There was, actually," he admitted. "I wanted to speak to you as a mentor to his student. I am proud of you, Cain." Cain smiled weakly and bowed his head again.
"I am undeserving of such praise," he said. "I merely did as you instructed me."
"Yes, but you are so much more than that Cain," Zomrus continued. "You are my second in command, my confidant, my General. I don't wish to get too sentimental, but I'd even go so far as to say I view you like a son."
Cain looked up at the God in shock, Zomrus smiling down at him. Was this a test, a joke? Was he really hearing this?
"Too know that there as a human who could understand my plight and wish to aid me was heartwarming," Zomrus said. "But you fulfilled your duties so perfectly I often think we were destined to win this conflict. You have continued to surprise me since our takeover. Your district is the most calm, the happiest, the best. This is no small task considering the remnants of Fairy Tail are within your borders. I am proud, Cain."
Cain didn't know what to say. He had never heard praise of that sort before, and he certainly hadn't expect Zomrus to say it. He swallowed the lump in his throat and fought off the emotions he felt, bowing his head again.
"I'll strive to do even better then, Zomrus," he said.
"Do any better and you'll end up surpassing me," Zomrus said, laughing. This made Cain smile. "Go now, Cain. Make the announcement to your district and recruit soldiers. I await the results."
"Of course, Zomrus," Cain said. He got to his feet and with one more bow, swiftly left the throne room. Once he was out and the doors had closed, he let a smile cross his face. Zomrus was proud of him. Viewed him as a son, even. That was all he had ever asked for.
if it would make Zomrus happy, he'd do anything. All for the sake of a peaceful world.
And his own praise.
Shaking his head to clear it, Cain raised a hand to his temple and initiated a telepathic link.
"Thanatos," he said, "Zomrus wants you back in the capital. We're trying a different method?"
"Which is?" Thanatos' words came back. Cain explained what had just happed to him, and the other Disciple grunted. "Alright, I'll be there in a second or two." The connection was severed, and the shadows in front of Cain manifested into a human shape. Thanatos emerged from them, looking somewhat annoyed. His black hair had grown long, and he had it up in a ponytail. His black eyes seemed as dark as the night sky as he narrowed them at him.
"What's the matter?" Cain asked him.
"Does Zomrus not trust us to find the children?" He asked, the two beginning to walk towards the front gate of the castle. "We are more than powerful enough."
"He does not wish the keys to Ankhseram to be so far from him," Cain said. "He has other ways of dealing with them. We should remain where we are safe."
"Does he fear them that much?" He asked. Cain glanced warily around them at this, waiting to see if Thanatos would be punished for saying such a thing. He was not, so he sighed in relief.
"You know the prophecy Chronos gave," he said. "Zomrus' can still fall. It is not a guarantee yet." Thanatos looked annoyed, but begrudgingly nodded his head.
As the two left the castle and into the massive courtyard, a gigantic gateway lay before them. This gate was emblazoned with a massive number '12' on it, signaling the entrance to the 12th district. The two of them passed through it without issue, entering the streets as any normal citizen would. Immediately their presence was noted, and the crowds before them parted in respect as they walked. Being a Disciple held it's privilege's, obviously.
"I see your district is doing well," Thanatos noted, looking around. "Much better than Philotis, anyway."
"Philotis has no mind for governance," Cain replied. "She just thinks everyone should hold hands and sing songs to resolve grievances. If we are to govern, we must be firm but fair."
"I agree," Thanatos said. "Before I went out to search for the children, I was confronted by a woman. She claimed to have been assaulted by the man who was chasing her, looking frantic. Once I ascertained the truth by scanning her mind, I dealt with the man immediately."
"Execution?" Cain asked, Thanatos nodding.
"Of course. The New Age charter dictates that rape or sexual assault is punishable by death. So I dealt him his punishment, and Zomrus will torture his eternal soul for his actions." Cain smiled in satisfaction, glad to know that scum had been eradicated from the streets.
The aforementioned New Age charter was to thank for that. It was the new laws put in place by Zomrus and the twelve Disciples, enforced by themselves. Most major crimes all carried the same punishment; death, and then eternal damnation. Rape, murder, treason, and weapons hording were the major offenses one could be executed for.
The minor crimes, such as stealing, hoarding resources, or vandalism had a different method of punishment. Whenever someone committed one of those acts, the same action would be applies back to them tenfold. Thieves had everything taken from them, People hoarding food or money would be forced to give it all to their neighbors and have nothing. Violent offenders would lose a limb every time they offended. Such punishments had ensured the peace for the last four months.
"Has there been any action around here?" Thanatos asked him, and Cain shook his head.
"It's been quiet," he said, "aside from Zomrus' displeasure." Thanatos winced at this, looking frightened for a moment.
"Let's hope these returned souls have better luck than I did," he said. "Where are we going, anyway?"
"The center of the district," Cain replied. "I have an announcement to make." Thanatos raised an eyebrow, but Cain did not reply and instead opted to let him wait and see.
Reaching the center of the 12th district revealed a town square of sorts, one that had streets connected to it from every corner of the district. Streets shot out in every direction, people of all walks of life trudging down them. In the center of the square sat a large stage, one that was identical to all other districts. Cain leapt atop it, and turned to face the people who had noticed him.
"Citizens of the 12th district!" He shouted. His position as a Disciple and guardian of the district ensured his voice was carried to all residents within his walls. "Lord Zomrus had officially declared that any man or woman will be allowed to join his glorious army! Zomrus is looking for those of you who wish to help guide the world in a better direction! If any one of you are interested, you will come to the castle gates in two days time! This is not mandatory, and you are free to back out at any time! Thank you." Cain stopped his speech and jumped back onto the ground.
"That was the announcement?" Thanatos asked. "Zomrus wants to enlist an army of the people he conquered? Will that even work?"
"Of course it will," Cain replied. "Dangle the prospect of power in front of people and the masses will respond."
"To work for their Conqueror?" Thanatos asked. Cain smiled back at him.
"Humans have done less to feel an ounce of power in their lives."
"What do you mean, he pulled people out of Heaven?!" Aether winced as Raana yelled at him, her hair flaring to life in a supernova. He currently stood amidst the other nine Gods left, reporting to them what had just happened.
"Exactly what I just told you," Aether said calmly. "He ripped away two souls for his own uses."
"How?" Tyra asked, "I thought you sealed this space completely. How was he able to do that?"
"Zomrus and Ankhseram hold a dominion over life and death," Chronos said, sitting in his own throne and rubbing his temples. "It's not accurate to say he grabbed them by invading, more than he forced them to appear before him."
"Can he just do that all the time?" Raijin asked, "if so, resistance will mean nothing."
"He can't pull anyone else from Heaven, no," Aether said. "I saw the trick he pulled and put up barriers against it. No more good people will be forced to work under his command."
"Who was taken?" Thalassa asked. Aether turned to the Goddess of the Ocean, who was gripping her trident tightly in her right hand. She looked scared, and than unnerved him. Her ocean blue eyes reflected the deepest depths, her black hair a reflection of what one could see down there in the pitch black nothingness. Her robes rippled and flowed across her skin like the tides of the ocean, sometimes covering her shoulders, navel, or thighs before the tides switched and moved elsewhere on her body.
"Rocky, of Fairy Tail, and Keiko, a little girl who knew Ultear Fullbuster."
Silence came upon the ten Gods assembled there.
"Then it's obvious why they were taken," Tyra lamented. The Goddess of War leaned back in her throne and sighed. "A surefire way to get under your opponents skin is to use lost loved ones against them. This is just that turned up to another level."
"Who was the third soul?" Raana demanded.
"Apocalypse," Chronos said, "the former torturer of Phantom Dove."
"So an old enemy who will also rip open their scabbed wounds," Raijin grumbled, the sky thundering as he did so. "Who else might he decide to send after them.
"I don't think he plans on sending many more," the last voice said.
All eyes in the room turned towards the final of the ten remaining Gods. Annetha, Goddess of Wisdom, was very clearly thinking. Then again, that was all she did. Her grey eyes looked more like the pages of old books and battle maps than they did irises, a reflection of the wisdom she held. She had golden blonde hair, which she tied up in a ponytail for convenience. She claimed it just made sense. She wore a simple dress, which was crisscrossed by an impossible pattern that hurt even the other Gods to try and figure out. An old saying the mortals had created was that the thread was an impossible riddle created by Annetha, who said she would become the wife of whoever managed to unravel it. No man or God had ever done so, and so it remained draped around her, confusing as ever.
In reality, she just liked the design pattern, as indecipherable as it was.
"What do you mean, sister?" Tyra asked.
"I'm saying Zomrus won't resurrect more people if he can help it," she replied, looking up at them. "He may be usurping the natural order, but he still holds respect for death and it's finality. However, he simply values keeping his Disciples close more."
"You've been holed up in your room of the palace for four months," Chronos said to her. "Have you come up with literally anything? What we can do?"
"If what Aether said is true, and he's sealed up the gaps Zomrus used to steal away those souls, then all we can do is wait." Annetha leaned back in her throne, stretching her neck. "Hadur must continue arming the angels, as Zomrus will no doubt attack the moment he is able."
The Holy Forge has been working nonstop since he woke," Hadur said, scratching his beard. This sent embers flying all over the floor. "I'll continue for as long as I'm able."
"Aside from that," Annetha said, turning to Oranos and Raana. "I have another plan. You two need to let up your control of your domain." Oranos raised an eyebrow at her, and Raana's response was her hair flaring to life again.
"Why is that?" Oranos asked.
"The only way we can delay Zomrus' attack is to cause chaos in the mortal realm," Annetha reasoned. "If you two lesson your hold on the sky and sun, then the elements and weather will start to go haywire. In the opposite direction, Raijin, Thalassa you must let loose more powerful storms. Cause as much discourse as you can. If we can focus Zomrus' attention away from the Heaven's, then we give the Marked a fighting chance."
Silence came over the ten once more.
"Aether," Inanni said, crossing her immaculate legs. "Where are the children at present? Are they safe?"
"Safe would be a stretch," Aether told her. "At present they are nearing the Northern border of Bosco after a difficult trek there. I have done what I can to guide them without alerting Zomrus to their location, but it gets harder and harder to not leave a trace."
"Where were they headed again?" Raana asked.
"They are headed for the Northern coast of Iceberg," Aether replied, "from there, Thalassa, you must guide them to to the priestess across the sea." Thalassa frowned and crossed her trident over her lap.
"That will be difficult without alerting Zomrus that I am using my strength."
"Which is why I said to create storms," Annetha replied. "Influencing the entire ocean will conceal them as well as annoy Zomrus."
"Is it really smart to cause Zomrus grief?" Hadur asked, "would it not just make him angry?"
"It would," Annetha said, "but if what Aether and Chronos said is true, then his overall goal is to create a 'true' paradise for mortals on Earth. If we sow discord into his plans, we focus his attention off of us."
"And make him more determined to stop us," Raijin said, "I oppose this plan completely."
"Do you have another idea?" Annetha asked, "besides fleeing to another dimension like you said before?" Raijin said nothing, which simply confirmed the Goddess of Wisdom's point. There was no other play, no other plan.
"We stay the course, then," Chronos said. "We must wait and rely on the mortals. They must gather the Order, Dimaria and Alvarez, as well as Sirius and the dragon's support. If they do not fight together, they die separately."
The pantheon of Ten Gods were solely relying on a group of mortals to save all of creation. Aether sighed, looking upon the group with his strength.
"Please be strong, humans," he said to himself, "there will be no shortage of horrors you have to face, but please keep fighting."
As he watched the discourse that the group had to deal with, however, he could feel in his heart that a seed of doubt had sprung to life.
"Chronos," he said, "how many successful futures did you see?" His brother did not reply right away, which just made him more worried.
"Their chances hover around three percent, if that's what you wanted to know," Chronos said. Aether didn't know how many futures that percent meant, but it did not quell his nerves. He looked back at the group just in time to see Elise Redfox storm off into the trees, the others calling for her to not go alone.
"You can't do it alone," he reasoned. "You must trust the others will have your back."
As the God of Death and his Disciples plan their invasion of the Heaven's, their resurrected pawns moving to capture the Marked. The remaining Gods under the order of Chronos move to defend the Heaven's and aid the remaining mortals however they can, but their chances are slim.
Somewhere else out in the world were countless events that would funnel the world to it's new dawn.
A woman stood as the only one between her country and an army of wraiths intent on taking it.
A man stood before a council of ancient dragons and demanded that take action.
A group of weathered adults conspired with old enemies to save their children.
And an older woman, who was kneeling and praying, was perfectly aware she had visitors on the way.
"Swiftly make your way to be, Marked," Mother said to herself quietly, clenching her hands together in prayer. "Or we will run out of time."
All of these stories ran parallel to one another. All these heroes, unaware the others were also moving to save the future. It was through these actions that, slowly but surely, the river of time flowed towards a set of conclusions. Which reservoir it would end up in, however, was yet to be seen.
The only way to save their home was to rise from the ashes of the old world like a phoenix, and declare war on all those who stood by the new order.
After all, humanity would find salvation.
In the END.
And we return to the story with a setup chapter! Probably not the most exciting return, or maybe it is? Anyway, I'm excited to be back! I spent my break working out the arc's story and what I needed to do, and it's really exciting. I sincerely hope you all enjoyed, and with this, we start down the path to a conclusion. But what path will we end up on? Where will this river take us? You'll have to wait and see!