On The Coronoverse.
The grand hall of the Decision Council was alive with tension. The air itself seemed to hum, thick with the weight of unspoken questions and the power of the rulers gathered there.
At the center of the hall, seated upon thrones carved from the bones of forgotten realms, the rulers waited. Their eyes burned with curiosity, suspicion, and the quiet dread of what was to come.
The Decision Council Meeting Begins
Krelious-Nealon, the High Head of the rulers, leaned forward. His voice was deep, a growl that rumbled through the chamber like distant thunder. "Nealon," he said, his golden eyes locking onto her. "Tell us. How did Yoton die? And just how powerful was this demon he faced?"
Zielan, the sharp-eyed ruler of secrets, nodded in agreement. His gaze was like a blade, cutting through pretense. "Yes, Nealon. We all want to know."
Nealon took a slow breath, her face grim. The memory of Yoton's last moments weighed heavily on her. "Yoton used his Soul Force," she began, her voice steady but soft. "He poured everything into his final chant against the Chaos God. But even then, the Chaos God didn't flinch. He stood his ground, unshaken."
She paused, the silence in the hall growing heavier. "That was when Yoton made his choice. He released all his power at once—transforming it into a cataclysmic blast. An explosion so vast it should have wiped out entire verses beyond our own."
The rulers stiffened. The idea of such destruction was unthinkable.
Krelious broke the silence, his tone calm but firm. "Yes. I contained the blast within the Reveiverse. I reduced its damage."
Nealon's eyes widened. Impossible. Krelious was strong—stronger than any of them—but to contain the explosion of another ruler? To restrain such power? That was beyond comprehension.
Zielan cleared his throat. "From their battle… how strong was this Chaos God?"
Akermos, the ever-skeptical ruler, muttered under his breath, "This thing must have been a disciple of the Abyssal King."
Nealon's voice was steady. "To put it plainly—he had power capable of killing a ruler. And reviving one."
Krelious nodded slowly. "Thank you, Nealon. I believe the Meeting of Rulers will give us more answers about this being's origins."
Akermos crossed his arms. "So we all agree, then. Nielan and his faction are behind this monstrosity."
Zielan and Nealon spoke as one. "Yes."
Krelious's voice darkened, his gaze turning icy. "I want you all prepared for battle at the Meeting of Rulers. I believe they plan to attack me there. And I will be ready."
Zielan frowned. "I don't think the verses can survive a battle between rulers and their armies."
Nealon agreed. "That's true. Except for the Coronoverse—the one made by the Creator. No other verse can withstand such a war."
Krelious's expression hardened. "Our battle will not destroy the verses. I have strengthened them. Many will die, but the verses will endure. Even if I am sealed away… or killed."
Akermos smirked. "You know, among us rulers, even before you became High Head, you were the only one whose death was nearly impossible."
Zielan sighed. "Even if you hate to admit it, you must acknowledge it yourself—your power is too much."
Krelious exhaled, a rare flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Hmm. I thank you for the praise. But death comes for everyone—even the King of the Dead himself. It is a cycle we cannot break. And that is why I have decided to find and execute the Creator myself. To tip the scales of balance."
Nealon was stunned. "Many rulers—including Itami, the First Father—lost their lives searching for the Creator. Beyond the verses, beyond realities, domains, and dimensions… we do not know what kills those who seek Him."
Akermos added grimly, "And that search is what birthed the Abyssal King and the Void. Two entities whose origins we do not know. We have been at war with them ever since."
Zielan nodded. "We fought them, and by sheer luck, we sealed the Abyssal King and weakened his power. The Void was trapped in the Domain of Hell alongside Death and Lucifer."
Krelious's voice cut through like a blade. "Enough. Every ruler who died in the search was weak. As for the Abyssal King and the Void—I will handle them myself after the Meeting of Rulers."
Akermos bristled. "High Head, it is blasphemy to call those who died—including our Father—weak!"
Zielan stepped in. "High Head, we are not weak. We each have strength according to our class. You… you are the offspring of Itami, the Ruler of War, Chaos, and Destruction… and Zami, the Ruler of Creation, Death, Beauty, and Fate."
Nealon gasped. "That's impossible. Itami existed 300 billion years ago. But Zami? No one knows if she even lives. She is more myth than reality."
Zielan confirmed. "Krelious was not created. He was birthed."
Akermos blinked. "You mean… they fucked?"
Zielan smirked. "Yes, Akermos. They fucked."
Nealon was still reeling. "We, the last remaining rulers, are only 20 to 150 billion years old. Each of us was created or birthed from the Divine Tree or Destruction. It is a grave sin for rulers to… mate. The abomination it could create—"
Zielan nodded. "It was made a Red Law during the reign of the Second Father, after Itami's passing. The thought of two ultimate beings producing an even greater power was deemed too dangerous."
Akermos narrowed his eyes. "Then you mean to say Krelious is over 200 billion years old… and a purebred."
Zielan confirmed. "Yes."
Akermos turned to Zielan. "And how do you know all this?"
Zielan laughed. "One of my powers allows me to see a ruler's past and dreams—without their knowledge. It also reveals their full strength."
Nealon was stunned. "So you know every ruler's full power?"
Zielan grinned. "All nineteen of us."
Akermos frowned. "What do you mean, nineteen? Are you excluding Yoton because he's dead?"
Zielan chuckled. "No. I see every ruler's power—except Krelious's."
Akermos was baffled. "Why?"
Zielan explained. "When I look at a ruler, I see white and yellow dust around them. Yellow reveals their past and dreams. White shows their full power. If the white engulfs them completely, they are immensely strong. If not, they are weak."
Nealon pressed. "Then why can't you see Krelious's?"
Zielan's smile faded. "When I look at him… I see nothing but endless white and darkness."
Akermos was stunned. "Then how did you know he was Itami and Zami's offspring?"
Zielan sighed. "Another way I see a ruler's past is through their weapon. Unlike others, whose pasts play out like a show, Krelious's dragged me into it. I saw things… that nearly drove me insane."
Nealon whispered, "Is Krelious… the Creator?"
Krelious laughed. "No. As you said—I am a purebred."
Zielan continued. "After seeing every ruler's past, I know who is strongest… and who will die first if war breaks out now."
Nealon tensed. "What are you saying, Zielan?"
Zielan met her gaze. "I'm saying Yoton is not dead. And Krelious is a purebred ruler whose power cannot be measured."
Akermos gasped. "Yoton lives?"
Zielan nodded. "Krelious made sure of it."
Nealon was speechless, tears welling in her eyes. "Where is he?"
Krelious answered. "You will see him again—but not now. I gave him a mission."
Nealon whispered, "I… I don't know what to say."
Akermos shook his head. "How the hell did you save a ruler who sacrificed his soul and turned into an explosion?"
Krelious smirked. "You don't need to know everything. Only that he lives. And this stays between us."
The rulers bowed. "Yes, High Head."
Krelious stood. "Good. This meeting is over. In three months, the Meeting of Rulers begins in the Universe. Be ready."
With that, he vanished, leaving the rulers in silence, their minds racing with the weight of what they had learned.
To Be Continued.