Above the sea, still airborne…
Canis and Aron soared aimlessly through the sky, flames trailing behind Aron's rifle-powered flight.
"Big bro! I see something up ahead!" Aron shouted over the wind.
"Yeah… I see it too."
A quiet stretch of beach emerged in the distance. The perfect landing spot.
One problem.
"Wait," Aron said suddenly. "How the hell do we land?"
"…Oh, crap. I didn't think that far ahead."
"You're the one flying us!!"
"Ahahahaha!"
"Stop laughing, you damn brat!"
The beach came rushing up fast. A crash landing was imminent.
"This is gonna hurt, isn't it?" Aron gritted his teeth.
"I'll survive. Can't say the same for you."
"DO SOMETHINGGGGG!"
---
{Two Days Later}
{Ten Yasha – Capital of the People's Republic of Aigis}
The most advanced metropolis in the world. A melting pot of cultures. The heart of all global affairs. Aigis' crown jewel.
Today marked a double celebration—the Day of Victory and the 100th Anniversary of the nation's founding.
Crowds flooded State Square, all eyes fixed on the grand stage where a tall man stood draped in pristine white and gold robes. His long black hair flowed with authority, and his presence radiated power.
This was Alexander France—The Third Supreme Leader of the People's Republic of Aigis. Grandson of the revolutionary hero Castrol France, the man who led the charge against the old world order.
Alexander stepped forward, raising a hand. The crowd silenced instantly.
"Good morning, my beloved people."
Cheers.
"Good morning, my brave soldiers."
Cheers.
"And good morning to all distinguished guests and representatives of the World Security and Defense Alliance visiting our great country."
He paused, letting the gravity of the moment settle.
"I am Alexander France, third Supreme Leader of Aigis. Son of Louis France. Grandson of Castrol France—the man who sparked the global revolution.
"One hundred years ago today, the world was freed from the tyranny of the so-called World King. Millions died dreaming of a day when all people, no matter their background, could live in peace.
"But… have we truly fulfilled their dream?"
The crowd shifted uneasily.
"No. We haven't. This peace? It's fragile. There are still threats—lurking, waiting for our guard to drop.
"And who are these threats?"
He raised three fingers.
"First—the Three Calamities. Tyrants who rule the Western Continent like gods. Individually powerful. Militarily unstoppable.
"Second—the BloodMiners, a coalition of the worst criminals alive. United only by their hatred of order and justice.
"Third—the Swargan. Descendants of the Empire we crushed a century ago. Some of them live among us—half a million in this nation alone. They have equal rights here, yes. But in the Kingdom of Nirvana—their last stronghold—they dream of conquest once again."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Am I afraid? No. We are not afraid."
He raised his voice, booming across the square.
"The People's Republic of Aigis commands the strongest military on land and sea! With our millions of soldiers, we are ready to destroy any threat to humanity!"
He thrust a fist into the air.
"Send this message across the oceans: We are ready—even for ALL-OUT WAR!"
"JAYA!!!!"
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
The roar of the crowd shook the capital. The speech was broadcast everywhere—from TVs to massive screens above the city center.
A storm was coming.
In a nearby crowd, a young reporter whispered to his colleague.
"That speech... he just declared war on the Olympus Pact. This could trigger global chaos."
---
Outside a storefront, Canis and Aron stood watching the broadcast on a TV behind the glass.
"Pffft—HAHAHAHA!"
Canis burst out laughing.
"That's definitely your grandson, old man. Same ego, same drama."
"Come on, Big Bro," Aron tugged on his sleeve. "Let's go."
"Yeah, alright."
They slipped into the street, moving away from the noise. Aron walked ahead, rubbing his lower back.
"Still nursing that crash landing?"
"Shut up. You know exactly why."
"Ahahaha. Hey, we lived. That's what counts."
"Barely."
Speakers continued broadcasting Alexander's voice across the city.
> "…and regarding the revival of the Swargan Nation, I must remind you of something our generation seems to have forgotten…"
> "The Hearth of Maharaja…"
Canis stopped in his tracks.
Aron turned. "Big bro? You okay?"
Canis was sweating slightly—something Aron had never seen. The man who laughed at death looked... disturbed.
> "The almighty power once wielded by the Heavenly Emperor. The force he used to rule the world…"
> "We will seek this power again—for world peace!"
Canis clenched his jaw. Then, without a word, he kept walking. Faster.
"Big bro? What's going on?" Aron followed.
"Let's find a quiet place. Now."
---
They slipped into an alley between two tall buildings. Canis dropped down, back against a wall.
"Aron… have you ever heard of the Hearth of Maharaja?"
"Sort of. Read about it in one of Dad's old books. But the info was vague. Barely anything stuck."
"Then let me explain."
"Go ahead."
"Over a century ago, the Heavenly Emperor wielded a divine power said to come from God. The Hearth of Maharaja. A power capable of rewriting reality itself."
Aron's eyes widened. "Reality manipulation? That's… god-tier stuff."
"Exactly. With it, he enforced absolute justice. Created world peace—his version of it. He was humanity's god in every sense."
"But… that kind of power doesn't come without cost. The more he used it, the more twisted he became. Those closest to him warned him. He didn't listen.
"In the end, that power destroyed him. Along with everything he built."
Aron leaned against the wall, thinking.
"This story's insane. I've never seen it in history books."
"Of course not. Either it's been buried… or kept hidden on purpose."
"That's messed up."
"Is it?" Canis looked at him. "Tell me—where do your ideas of right and wrong come from?"
Aron paused. "Society, I guess? Our ancestors, religion…"
"Exactly. But who told them? What if it was just God whispering his will, and they followed blindly? If God never defined 'wrong'… would corruption be evil? Would charity be good?"
Aron fell silent.
"Those who bury the truth think they're doing good. Just like those who uncover it. Everyone sees righteousness differently."
"So there's no such thing as absolute right or wrong?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is… I'll fight for my version of righteousness."
Canis stood, offering a hand.
"You with me?"
Aron looked him in the eye. "What do you believe in?"
"That no one—no one—should wield that kind of power. Not even for peace. I'll create peace another way. One that doesn't rely on gods."
Aron took his hand.
"I'm with you. Even if it leads straight to Hell."
Canis grinned. "Hell's dramatic."
"I'm being loyal, not poetic."
"Ahahahahaha!"
They laughed together, shaking hands.
"So what now, Big Bro?"
Canis turned toward the sun.
"Now? We gather allies. Build a force strong enough to stop anyone chasing the Hearth of Maharaja. Then, we find it first."
"It's gonna be a long, dangerous ride."
Canis smirked. "Yeah. But we're not doing it alone."
{Chapter 11 End}
{The Fallen Heaven Volume 1 End}