Before they were gods, they were prey— scattered embers clinging to the dying flame of a forgotten world.
Planet Xeunus | Year 1050B
The skies above Xeunus burned with crimson fire. A hellish inferno spread across the horizon as legions of demons poured through rifts in the fabric of reality, their monstrous forms blotting out the sun. The ground was soaked in the blood of Sunphan warriors, their desperate cries echoing in the air.
"Hold the line!" A grizzled soldier bellowed, his blade glinting as he charged into the fray.
Another soldier, bloodied and battered, fought to catch his breath.
"We can't hold them much longer! They're too strong-"
Before he could finish, a jagged crimson blade, forged from the demon's own blood, pierced through his skull with sickening precision. The soldier's body hung suspended for a heartbeat, then fell in two bloody halves. The remaining warrior screamed in anguish and lunged at the demon, his strikes fueled by despair. The demon smirked, molten eyes scanning its prey in disinterest.
"Weak. Pathetic. You Sunphan are all the same."
The soldier's frenzied attack faltered as another demon blurred into view, moving faster than the eye could follow. With one swift motion, it cleaved through the soldier's body, his blood spraying across the shattered battlefield as he reached out to a nearby structure, where a trembling voice whispered.
"Father..."
The demon's ears twitched, its crooked grin spreading wider.
"Keh keh... what's this? I smell something... something sweet. Come out, little one, I promise to make it quick."
Its voice dripped with venom as it advanced, savoring every step. Before it could reach the pile of debris, a blazing fireball erupted from the wreckage, striking the demon's face with a deafening crack. Flames engulfed its head, forcing it to stagger back with a guttural roar.
"STAY AWAY FROM HER!"
A young man emerged, battered but defiant, flames coiling around his fists. His attacks were wild and desperate, the flames barely keeping the demon at
bay. But the demon recovered too quickly. With a guttural snarl, it lunged forward, seizing the man by the throat and lifting him effortlessly. Its claws dug into his neck as it slammed him into the rubble, revealing the young woman-Union, hidden beneath.
The demon grinned, raising its blood-forged blade high.
"Time to end this."
The man shielded the woman as the blade came down.
"STOP!!!"
And then—a pulse.
The air trembled.
Not from the demons.
Not from any weapon.
But from something higher.
A tremor deeper than reality itself rippled across the battlefield. The flames faltered. The sky, once crimson, fractured like glass touched by the breath of divinity. Even the demons paused, their heads twitching toward the sky.
The burning clouds parted.
And then came the sound.
Not thunder. Not explosions. Something greater.
A single, resonant boom—as if existence itself had just inhaled.
From above, a blinding sphere of light descended—no fire, no heat, just presence. It struck the ground with no impact, yet everything was sent flying. The man was thrown to the ground alongside the woman as the shockwave thundered out.
Through the haze, and the swirl of divine dust; falling ash, they appeared. Two figures—so radiant, so absolute, they seemed untouched by the world's laws. The very air bent around them like obedient servants.
One moved like chaos embodied. A red-haired man that tore through demons with a grin full of bloodlust, his twin blades howling through the air, each slash splitting monsters into raw, ruptured fragments. The ground burned where he walked.
The other… was stillness incarnate. White-haired. Eyes like frozen starlight. He moved as if time bent to his rhythm, his blade striking before thought could even register. No motion wasted. No blood on his armor. Only silence in his wake.
The man couldn't move.
He couldn't breathe.
"Xenos," the woman gasped. "We have to go. Now."
But before they could even turn, the red-haired warrior stood in their path. The bloodlust in his crimson eyes flared brighter as he stepped forward, the ground cracking beneath his boots.
"Where do you think you're going?"
The man—Xenos, stumbled back, flames flickering in his palms.
"I won't let you take her."
Then—like a blink skipped—The white-haired man was behind him.
No sound. No warning.
One hand on Xenos's wrist, cold and unyielding.
"Don't."
His voice was wind through steel.
Calm. Lethal.
And then—pressure.
Xenos fell to his knee. It wasn't just physical—it was spiritual. Existential. The crushing realization that this man was not like them. He was something other. Something above.
"Unagi," the man called quietly. "Enough."
The red-haired warrior-Unagi, snarled, but obeyed.
"They're chosen. And Suzuro has plans for them."
"Suzuro? The One? The creator of all existence?" Xenos gasped.
The man's gaze pierced through him with slight amusement.
"Yes. And now, you're coming with us."
Xenos tried to understand.
"Why us? We're not gods—"
A faint smile touched the warrior's lips. "Oh, but you are. You just haven't awakened yet."
From within his cloak, draped around his armor, the man raised a crystalline shard of iridescent light. It pulsed with the echo of creation. A portal bloomed open—swirling with galaxies, dreams, and things no mortal could comprehend. Unagi stepped through first.
"Come," he said simply.
"Suzuro is waiting."
Xenos looked at Union. Her eyes trembled, but she nodded. There was no battlefield left to fight on. No world left to save.
Only a future left to discover. And so—together—they stepped into the unknown.
CENTER OF CREATION
The moment they stepped into the portal, reality unraveled.
It wasn't like walking through a door—it was like falling upward through a dream that had never been dreamed. The air became weightless, sound twisted into color, and their bodies dissolved into threads of thought and memory. Time stretched like molten gold around them—every heartbeat echoed across galaxies. For a breathless moment, they could see everything: a thousand stars being born, entire civilizations rising and crumbling in reverse, and vast rivers of starlight flowing through a sky that had no ceiling. The sensation was overwhelming—not pain, not pleasure—just truth, peeling back the veil between the mortal and the divine. And then, as if exhaled by creation itself, they stepped through.
The portal closed behind them, leaving Xenos and Union standing in a place that felt impossibly vast and alive. The air was heavy, humming with energy. Every breath felt like inhaling stardust. Xenos instinctively clutched his sword, his fingers tightening on the hilt as he scanned their surroundings. Takagi smirked.
"Welcome to the center of creation. A nexus where divine order and cosmic chaos converge. This is where all the gods are meant to gather—though most are off wandering the cosmos, doing… well, godly things, you know!"
Before Xenos could respond, a figure approached. His aura was suffocating, a creeping shadow that made the room feel colder with every step.
"Takagi," The man said, his voice smooth but dripping with authority.
"You're back. How'd it go?"
"Troublesome," Takagi replied, his usual humor replaced by calm precision.
"The demons gave us a bit of delay, but nothing Unagi and I couldn't handle."
The man let out a low chuckle, clapping Takagi on the shoulder. His grin didn't reach his eyes.
"Good. There's much to discuss later. Find me when you're done here."
Takagi nodded.
"You got it."
As the man disappeared into the golden halls, Xenos turned to Takagi. His voice was cautious, laced with curiosity. "Another god?"
"Oh yeah," Takagi said casually.
"That was Virgil. The God of death. He's probably heading out to clean up the mess left behind on Xeunus."
Xenos narrowed his eyes.
"Mess? You mean…"
Takagi glanced over with an easy grin, but there was something forced about it.
"The demons, of course."
Xenos didn't respond, his jaw tightening as they continued walking.
The walls shimmered like sunlight on water, golden and white marble blending seamlessly. Above, the ceiling was made of crystalline glass that seemed to ripple like liquid. Through it, creation stretched endlessly—planets spinning lazily, galaxies coiling like vast serpents, and black holes swirling ominously in the distance. Xenos stopped, staring.
"Why aren't we being sucked into that?" He pointed at a massive black hole that loomed unnervingly close. Takagi followed his gaze, chuckling softly.
"This structure's stronger than any black hole's gravitational pull. But more importantly, gods like us can resist that kind of gravitational force as well. With the right training, you will too."
"Gods like us?"
Xenos muttered under his breath, still struggling to accept the reality of his situation. Eventually, they arrived at a pair of massive doors, each etched with ancient, glowing symbols. Two guards stood watch, their faces impassive, but as Takagi approached, they stepped aside without a word. Takagi grinned, motioning toward the doors.
"Go ahead. Give it a shot."
Xenos hesitated, then stepped forward. He placed his hands against the cold, smooth surface and pushed with all his might. The doors didn't budge. He pushed harder, his muscles straining, but it was no use.
"How much do these things weigh?" Xenos growled, panting.
"Five hundred septillion tons," Takagi said nonchalantly. "But any god should be able to open them with ease."
With a single hand, Takagi gave the door a light shove, sending it swinging open with a resounding boom. A gust of wind rushed past, whipping Xenos' hair into his eyes. Xenos exchanged a glance with Union, both of them wide-eyed.
"The reason you couldn't open it," Takagi explained as they walked inside, "is because you haven't awakened your godhood yet. If you had, the demons wouldn't have dared set foot on Xeunus. They fear gods. But then again, a lot of creations do!"
Inside, the room was cavernous and gilded, its walls adorned with symbols of creation and destruction. Three figures stood waiting, their powerful presences impossible to ignore.
Unagi leaned against a pillar, his fiery red hair glowing faintly in the ambient light. To his left stood a tall, dark-haired man with eyes that gleamed like the midnight sky—Eres Dimitriou, the god of souls. Beside him was an elder god, Ishiro Fujimoto, the god of destiny, whose calculating gaze felt like it could see through time itself. But it was the figure on the elevated throne that stole all the attention.
Suzuro. The One. The Creator.
His presence wasn't just powerful—it was overwhelming, like the crushing weight of the universe itself.
Takagi gestured to the group.
"Introductions are in order. You've met Unagi Suzuki, the god of chaos. Over there is Eres, god of souls, and Ishiro, god of destiny. And of course, I'm Takagi Akuma, god of time."
Xenos tried to focus, but Suzuro's presence dominated the room. It was suffocating, yet mesmerizing, as if the entirety of space bent around him.
"And the one on the throne," Takagi continued, "is the man himself—Suzuro, the One. Though most just call him 'Suzuro.'
Unagi muttered under his breath,
"Does he ever stop talking?"
Before Xenos could process the introductions, Suzuro raised a hand, and the room fell silent.
"Leave us," Suzuro commanded. His voice was calm yet absolute, carrying a weight that demanded obedience. Takagi gave a lazy salute.
"Good luck, you two!"
He turned and strolled out, leaving Xenos and Union alone with Suzuro.
Unagi passed by with a sneer.
"Watch your tongues. You're speaking to your creator now."
As the doors closed, an oppressive silence settled over the room. Suzuro finally stood, his movements deliberate, every step echoing in the stillness.
"I thank you for coming," Suzuro said, his tone cold but composed. "Especially after what happened to your planet."
Xenos' fists clenched, but he said nothing. Suzuro's piercing gaze shifted between them.
"You've lost much. Your home, your family. It's tragic, truly. But such loss serves a purpose."
Xenos and Union stiffened as Suzuro continued, his words cutting deeper with each passing moment.
"You are not mortals. You never were.
You are my creations-Xenos, God of the Sun and Flame, and Union, Goddess of Space. You were destined to wield unimaginable power."
Xenos' voice cracked as he found the courage to speak.
"And our family? Were they just... collateral damage?"
Suzuro's expression didn't change.
"Mortals die. It is their nature."
Rage bubbled beneath Xenos' calm exterior, but a sharp glance from Union held him back. Suzuro smiled faintly, but it was devoid of warmth.
"You will be trained by my strongest. Takagi and Unagi will prepare you to embrace your godhood. Resist, and you will find that there is no room for weakness here."
Xenos and Union exchanged a glance, the enormity of their situation sinking in.
"Now go," Suzuro said, turning back to his throne. "Rest. You'll need it."
The doors opened once more, and the two siblings left in silence, their world forever changed.
HALLS OF THE PALACE
The halls stretched endlessly, their walls shimmering with light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the universe itself. Despite the beauty surrounding them, Xenos' scowl remained etched across his face as he stomped forward.
"Can you believe that guy? Acting like he owns us."
Xenos said placing his hands behind his head. Union glanced sideways, her expression unreadable but her voice sharp.
"What else can we do, Xenos? Running isn't an option, and fighting him? That's not a fight—it's a death sentence."
Xenos threw his hands up, his frustration boiling over.
"Ugh, this is all so damn complicated!"
Ahead of them, leaning against a pillar as though he owned the place, stood Eres. His midnight blue eyes gleamed in the dim light, and in his hand, he casually rolled a shimmering orb. Inside, tortured souls twisted and writhed, their silent screams pressing against the glass-like barrier.
"Everything is complicated."
His voice was like a distant thunder, low and ominous. The orb flared briefly, casting eerie shadows across his face. He turned his gaze to Xenos, the weight of it cutting through the air like a blade.
"I still don't understand Suzuro's logic. Of all the dying races… why pick the last two embers of a species that couldn't survive?"
Xenos' fists clench, his flames flickering on instinct.
"Say that again."
Eres chuckles, tapping his soul orb lazily.
"Your people weren't wiped out by just Demons—were they? Your cities, gone. And you're far from where a god usually resides. Leaving your species one of the most vulnerable creation has to offer. Seems to me your kind died doing what they do best—burning out. Or are you the special one out the flock?"
Union steps forward, voice ice-sharp:
"There are mortals out there that worship to assholes like you here. You should know better than to spit on the dead."
Eres: "The dead don't deserve praise. They deserve to stay buried."
At that moment, Union's aura flares dangerously, warping the air.
Xenos steps forward too, but Eres crushes the moment with spiritual pressure, forcing Xenos and Union to one knee. The souls inside Eres' orb shriek violently as he adds:
"Don't confuse your trauma with power. Takagi may have spoken for you—but I won't."
The pressure disappeared as suddenly as it had come, and Xenos was left gasping for air. Eres chuckled, the orb dimming in his hand as he pushed himself off the pillar.
"And you—did you forget who I am already? Tread carefully, little goddess."
Union stood upstraight; a fierce look deep in her eyes. Her aura flaring dangerously. The air around her shimmered, distorting as if the fabric of space itself was bending to her will.
"Did you expect us to bend the knee at will? Taunt as much as you like. In the end—I'm sure the score here will be settled."
For a moment, the tension was so thick it seemed like the palace itself held its breath. Then Eres smirked, an expression that held equal parts amusement and menace.
"Bold. Reckless. Much like Takagi when he was young. No wonder Suzuro sent him to find you two. Had it been me…" Eres approached and leaned down to Unions ear, his voice low and intimidating.
"…I would've taken your soul alongside your kin."
He turned away, his presence lingering like the echo of a storm.
"Be seeing you."
Union waited until Eres disappeared into the distance before exhaling, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"Finally. Can we go rest now?"
Xenos straightened, still shaken but hiding it as best he could.
"That guy… he's more dangerous than he lets on." Xenos thought to himself before facing Union. "Thanks, Union."
Union's expression softened, her voice firm but protective.
"Just remember, Xenos, we're all we've got left. You're my brother. I'll be damned if I let anyone threaten you."
Xenos managed a weak grin.
"Likewise."
As they turned to leave, the echo of Eres' presence still clung to the air, a chilling reminder of the dangers ahead.
LIVING QUARTERS
The living quarters of the gods were as much a testament to their power as they were to their individuality. Each room shimmered with a distinct essence, constantly shifting and adapting to reflect its occupant's divine nature. The palace itself stood at the heart of an endless plane, its spires piercing skies that shimmered with eternal light.
Takagi leaned against a golden archway, his arms crossed as he addressed Unagi.
"Suzuro says they need to be tested. And he wants us to take care of it."
Unagi's fiery gaze flicked to Takagi, his irritation plain.
"Absolutely not. I'm not here to babysit. They'll reach their godhood in due time."
Without another word, Unagi turned and strode away, leaving Takagi alone with the siblings as they began to stir.
Xenos groaned, rubbing his temples. "Ugh… these nightmares are insane."
Union's voice came from the bed next to him.
"I hear you…"
Takagi strolled over, grinning.
"You guys feel better about the whole 'losing your home' thing!?"
Xenos and Union shot him matching glares.
"No."
"Definitely not."
Takagi sighed dramatically.
"Well, that's to be expected…"
Xenos sat up, his head still pounding. "How long were we out?"
"About an hour," Takagi said casually.
Union blinked.
"An hour?"
Takagi clapped his hands together. "Alright! Let's get started."
Union and Xenos exchanged wary looks.
SOMEPLACE FAR… FAR AWAY
Two figures stood shrouded in darkness, their forms barely distinguishable against the infinite void surrounding them.
"Just as our prophecy foretold…" said one of the figures, it's tone sinister.
"Indeed. It begins with the two of them."
Said the other.
"How do you think it will affect him?"
"We shall see in due time, Sister. Until then, let's not predict the outcomes."
"And Takagi?"
"His true strength will remain dormant for now. When the time comes, we will see if he is worthy to use it. But until then…"
The second voice softened, almost wistful.
"…Let's watch *OUR* story unfold together."