The grand halls of the Judgement Council echoed with tension as the Rulers gathered, their oaths and allegiances hanging precariously in the balance. Tavis, the head of the Appointment Faction, spoke up, his voice laced with mockery.
"The War Faction indeed have broken our oaths, and they bring mockery to our name," Tavis said.
Nielan, the head of the War Faction, responded, his voice firm and resolute. "I see, you all now want to stand against us. You all know I speak the truth and nothing more. We are Rulers, we are supposed to dominate and subdue everything. We make and we destroy, it's a cycle that should never be broken or there will be consequences to pay."
Krelious, the High Head, stood tall, his authority unyielding. "I have decided that we will take action against the unknown chaos, and once we have finished that, we will put our house in order. Do you all understand?"
The Rulers responded in unison, "Yes, High Head."
"Good," Krelious said. "Now, the meeting of peace is officially over. All beings present immediately stood up and lowered their heads as a sign of acknowledgement unto Krelious and his judgement."
With everyone gone, Krelious addressed Nielan. "Nielan, I hereby proclaim you and your faction guilty of the accusations. I will let this slide this time, but let it not repeat itself again."
Nielan's face darkened, his anger boiling over. "So, you truly believe the words of another against your own house?" he spat.
Krelious's expression remained unyielding. "I believe him because he speaks the truth, and you lie not just to yourself but to me also."
Nielan's anger flashed, his voice rising. "You were supposed to erase him as a warning to others who dare to point hands at us or even accuse us. We are Rulers, and that lowly god just insulted us and this great Verse."
Tavis agreed with Nielan's words, his voice dripping with malice. "Yes, as much as I hate to say it, High Head, I agree with Nielan. That was an insult to this great Verse and us."
Dainen, another member of the War Faction, growled, "Because of that insult alone, we are not going to let him stay alive much longer."
Krelious's anger flashed, his voice rising. "No one will do anything to Carel. If you dare challenge my decision, the consequences will be very destructive."
The War Faction stormed out of the Judgement Council, leaving Krelious to ponder the future. He turned to Zion and Nealon, his trusted advisors. "What are your thoughts on this whole situation?"
Zion's response was laced with trepidation. "To be honest, High Head, our house stands divided. I fear a battle might occur here soon."
Nealon's sigh echoed Zion's sentiments. "What he says is true, High Head. The future indeed doesn't look bright for us all."
Krelious's expression softened, his voice barely above a whisper. "I only ever want one thing, and that is peace."
Quickly after their discussion, Zion left the halls with his faction. Krelious called out to Yoton. "Yoton."
"Yes, High Head," Yoton responded.
"Prepare 300,000 Supreme Troops for the battle at the Reveiverse," Krelious ordered.
"Yes, my lord," Yoton replied.
Outside the Judgement Council halls, Carel, the god who had sparked the controversy, stood with Azarel, his assistant in war affairs. Carel's face twisted in anger.
"These Rulers have no dignity in them, for disrespecting their High Head's council like that," Carel said.
Azarel's response was measured. "Indeed, my lord, but we must leave now if we want to avoid a battle here. Lord Tavis and his faction seem to have sent their assassins after us. We have no time to start a war here, so please, my lord, let us depart from here and head back home."
Carel's eyes narrowed. "A pity. I fear the future will only hold death and destruction if anything should happen to the High Head himself."
The Supreme Troops, led by Nealon, Yoton, and Zerich, departed for the Reveiverse, their destination shrouded in uncertainty. As they journeyed, Tavis seethed with resentment in his castle, his thoughts consumed by his desire for power.
"This war cannot be avoided, Krelious," Tavis muttered to himself. "You have no respect for this house. You don't deserve to remain our High Head anymore. When we are done with the Reveiverse and that bastard god Carel, you will be next, Krelious," Tavis said, his voice dripping with malice. "Let's pray you can avoid a war and the division of your house all at the same time."
The Creation Faction gathered in their meeting ground, their discussion centered around the recent events. Zion, the head of the Creation Faction, spoke up. "I don't have any problem with the decision of our High Head, but the disrespect and disgrace given to the High Head by Nielan will not go unpunished."
Leyen, a member of the Creation Faction, nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, my lord. The War Faction will not escape our hands. Once we settle this chaos dispute, they will pay for nullifying our oaths as Rulers and for the disrespect given to our Head."
The War Faction, on the other hand, seethed with anger and resentment. Nielan, their leader, spoke out, his voice laced with venom. "That bastard Krelious made a mockery of us in front of the whole gods that were present at the meeting. I swear he will pay for his sins."
Dainen, another member of the War Faction, growled. "And for that little god Carel, this is only just the beginning of what is to come for his Verse."
Amiss, a member of the War Faction, spoke up, her voice measured. "Shouldn't we ask for forgiveness and then slowly put our plans in place rather than mock Krelious? Because if we were to rampage now, the odds will be against us heavily."
Nielan's response was immediate. "It doesn't matter if the odds stack against us or not. We have almost a zillion chaos ready at our command. No more delay."
The Decision Faction meeting ground was where Krelious held court, his decisions guiding the fate of their world. "Nealon, see to it that those chaos creatures are completely eliminated before the meeting of Rulers comes," Krelious ordered.
Nealon nodded, her confidence unwavering. "You worry too much, High Head. We are the ultimate existence with unrivaled power and authority. No god or unknown beast can take away my life."
As Nealon departed to join the Supreme Army, Krelious's thoughts turned to the future, his mind heavy with the weight of responsibility.
Akermos, a member of Krelious's faction, burst into his chambers, his face etched with urgency. "My lord, I have urgent matters at hand now that require your attention."
Krelious's anger flashed, but Akermos's words stayed his wrath. "I had a vision earlier while in the library," Akermos said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Krelious's expression changed from anger to surprise. "Impossible. You haven't had a vision since after the war with the Abyssal King, and that was one billion years ago."
Akermos's eyes locked onto Krelious's. "I saw countless heads of gods who have been killed, including us Rulers. We are many that will still be destroyed by the incoming war and destruction."
Krelious's face darkened, his mind racing with the implications. "That's impossible. The only threat to our lives is the Creator, the Void, and the Abyssal King. You don't think the Reveiverse's can bring about your vision, do you?"
Akermos's response was laced with conviction. "I'm not certain, my lord, but you know fully well that my visions are never wrong."
Krelious's anger flashed, his voice rising. "Damn, I don't have time for all these nonsense you're saying, Akermos. Now leave and get me the messenger."
The messenger arrived, and Krelious's decree was given. "Give out this decree to all factions, no matter where they are. In a year's time, we will have the meeting of Rulers on planet Xian, where all matters about the Verses and our house will be solved, and all Rulers are to be present. It's not a request; it's an order."
The messenger departed, bearing the weight of Krelious's words. The various factions received the decree, their reactions ranging from obedience to resentment.
As the story shifts to the ongoing war at the Reveiverse's, Carel stood with Azarel, his thoughts consumed by the weight of his responsibilities. "Azarel, my faithful servant," Carel said, his voice laced with exhaustion.
Azarel's response was measured, his words chosen to bolster Carel's spirits. "My lord, I have been by your side fighting both our battles for many eras, and I have seen that you are a kind and just god at heart, who loves and cares for me."
Carel's eyes dropped, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know, Azarel, but I fear that I may have brought about my own downfall. The War Faction will not forgive me for what I said, and Krelious's protection may not last forever."
Azarel's expression turned resolute. "We will face whatever comes our way, my lord. We have fought against impossible odds before and emerged victorious."
Carel's smile was tinged with sadness. "You are a loyal servant, Azarel. I hope that you will be able to escape the coming destruction."
Azarel's voice was firm. "I will not leave your side, my lord. We will face this together, no matter the outcome."
The war at the Reveiverse raged on, with the Supreme Army clashing against the unknown chaos creatures. Nealon, Yoton, and Zerich led the charge, their power and authority unmatched on the battlefield.
As the battle wore on, the Rulers received Krelious's decree, their reactions varied. Nielan sneered, his anger and resentment boiling over. "A meeting of Rulers? Krelious thinks he can just summon us all and dictate what will happen? I will show him the true meaning of power."
Tavis, on the other hand, saw an opportunity. "This could be the perfect chance to strike at Krelious and take control of the house. I will attend the meeting, but I will not go alone."
The stage was set for a catastrophic confrontation, with the fate of the Verses and the house hanging precariously in the balance. The meeting of Rulers would determine the course of history, and only time would tell if peace or destruction would prevail.
The clock ticked down, marking the passage of time. The Rulers prepared for the meeting, their intentions and motivations hidden behind masks of deceit. The war at the Reveiverse's continued, with the outcome uncertain.
In the midst of the chaos, Krelious stood tall, his resolve unwavering. He would do whatever it took to maintain peace and order, even if it meant sacrificing everything.
The fate of the Verses and the house hung in the balance, as the Rulers and their factions waited with bated breath for the meeting that would decide their destiny. Would Krelious's efforts be enough to prevent war, or would the house be torn apart by conflict and destruction? Only time would tell.
NEXT CHAPTER ✓
ACT 3: THE BATTLE AND THE PLANS.