A Clash of Oaths and Power
The grand hall of the Judgment Council was silent, a heavy stillness pressing down on the gathered rulers. The air crackled with tension, thick enough to choke on. Then, like thunder splitting the sky, Tavis' voice shattered the quiet.
"The War Faction has broken our oaths!" His words were sharp, a blade unsheathed, cutting through the silence. "They bring mockery to our name!"
Nielan, standing tall with an aura of cold authority, swept his gaze across the rulers. His voice was smooth, yet laced with venom. "I see. You all now wish to stand against us." A pause, deliberate. "You know I speak the truth and nothing more. We are rulers—meant to dominate, to subdue all that exists. We create, and we destroy. This is the cycle that must never be broken… or there will be consequences to pay."
A murmur rippled through the hall, but none dared interrupt.
Then, Krelious, the High Head, rose from his throne of fractured starlight. His presence alone commanded absolute silence. "I have decided," he declared, his voice resonating with finality. "We will take action against the Unknown Chaos. And once that is done… we will put our house in order." His piercing eyes locked onto each ruler in turn. "Do you all understand?"
The rulers bowed as one, their voices a unified whisper. "Yes, High Head."
Krelious gave a slow nod. "Good. Then this meeting of peace… is officially over."
As if bound by an unseen force, every being in the hall stood and lowered their heads—a gesture of deference to Krelious and his judgment. One by one, they departed, leaving only the echoes of their footsteps behind.
When the hall was empty save for Nielan, Krelious turned to him, his expression unreadable. "Nielan," he began, his voice quieter now but no less commanding, "I hereby proclaim you and your faction guilty of the accusations leveled against you."
Nielan's eyes flashed with disbelief. "You would believe the words of another over your own house?"
Krelious did not waver. "Yes. Because he speaks the truth… and you lie. Not just to yourself—but to me as well."
Nielan's composure shattered. "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO ERASE HIM!" he roared, his voice shaking the very foundations of the hall. "A warning to others who dare point fingers at us! We are rulers! And that lowly god just insulted us—this great Verse!"
Tavis, who had lingered near the exit, stepped forward, his expression grim. "As much as I hate to say it, High Head… I agree with Nielan. That was an insult—not just to us, but to this entire realm."
Dainen, his presence like a gathering storm, added, "Because of that insult alone, we cannot let him live much longer."
Krelious' fury erupted like a supernova. "NO ONE WILL TOUCH CAREL!" he thundered, his voice shaking the cosmos. "And if any of you dare challenge my decision… the consequences will be catastrophic."
Silence. Heavy, suffocating.
Then, with a final glare, the War Faction turned and stormed out, their anger a tangible force in their wake.
Alone once more, Krelious exhaled, the weight of leadership pressing upon him. "Hmm… Zion. Nealon. What are your thoughts on this?"
Zion, ever the voice of reason, hesitated before speaking. "To be honest, High Head… our house stands divided. I fear a battle may soon erupt within our own ranks."
Nealon, her face lined with weariness, sighed deeply. "He speaks the truth. The future… does not look bright for any of us."
Krelious closed his eyes, his voice barely above a whisper. "All I have ever wanted… was peace."
With that, Zion and his faction departed, leaving Krelious alone with his thoughts.
After a long moment, he called out, "Yoton."
The warrior materialized from the shadows. "Yes, High Head?"
"Prepare 300,000 Supreme Troops," Krelious ordered, his voice steel. "For the battle at the Cronoverse."
Yoton bowed. "Yes, my lord."
Outside the Judgment Council Halls
The cosmic winds howled as Carel, his divine armor gleaming under the light of distant stars, clenched his fists in fury. Beside him stood Azarel, his most trusted strategist.
"These rulers have no dignity," Carel spat. "To disrespect their own High Head's council like this…"
Azarel nodded grimly. "Indeed, my lord. But we must leave now. Lord Tavis and his faction have already sent assassins after us. If we linger, we risk igniting a war here."
Carel's eyes darkened. "So the factions have already begun to act… What a pity." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I fear the future holds only death and destruction if anything should happen to the High Head himself."
Azarel placed a hand on her blade. "Then we must act swiftly. My lord, give the order."
Carel nodded. "Ready the troops. We leave now."
Azarel turned to the assembled warriors—elite soldiers who had sworn their lives to their lord. "All troops, move with haste! Protect our lord with your lives, as you have always done!"
The soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. "YES, MA! OUR LIVES BELONG TO OUR LORD! WE SHALL DIE FOR OUR LORD AND HIS HOUSE—FOR THAT IS OUR ROLE, AND WHAT WE LIVE FOR!"
With their oath still ringing in the air, the troops surged forward, vanishing into the cosmic expanse—leaving behind only the echoes of their loyalty and the shadow of impending war.
To be continued.