Far beyond what regular people could ever reach, at the very edge of reality itself, stood the Celestial Spire. It was a palace built by gods, floating in empty space. There was no sky there, no stars. Just endless white nothingness, broken only by its strange shape. Here, the gods gathered.
A soundless chime rang out.
One by one, the Thrones appeared.
First came Melody, Supreme Goddess of Sound. Her golden harp floated beside her. Every step caused a deep hum through the divine floor. Her face was impossible to read, like a song you couldn't figure out.
Then came Jamides, the Butterfly God. He floated like a dream, his bright, shifting wings showing every color. He did not walk. He hovered, whispering about destruction.
Next was Amias, the Fire Illusionist. His eyes burned with hidden truths. Heat shimmered around him, twisting the room like a light trick.
Lilinoe entered quietly, Goddess of Ice. She offered no greeting. Her presence felt like pure frost.
Then Marina, Goddess of Water. She was covered in sadness. Every step seemed to drip with sorrow.
Following her was Helena, Supreme Goddess of Flame. She crackled with restless energy, her fingers twitching as if ready to start a fire.
Fiona, the Serpent Empress, slid onto her throne. Her grin was wide, her tongue sharper than any blade. Her hair moved like snakes.
The wind howled without warning.
Aura, Supreme Goddess of Air, came down, her katana already drawn. Her blade shone with air so thin it could split atoms. She was cold, precise, and absolute.
And finally, Iha, Supreme Goddess of Earth, entered laughing. The ground beneath her changed shape with every step.
They took their thrones around the glowing circle of light that connected them to Mariam.
The empty space above them turned black.
Mariam, the Grand Goddess, arrived from above like a judge. Reality shimmered around her. Her silver robes moved against gravity. Her eyes looked across all her thrones.
"You all know why I've called you here."
The Nine Thrones sat straighter. No one spoke.
"The Whispering Wilds have fallen," Mariam said coldly. "All four Demigods have been defeated."
A small, surprised whisper spread among the thrones.
"Lyn too?" Helena asked, her voice excited.
"Yes," Mariam confirmed.
Fiona chuckled, her tongue flicking out. "The Zenith Guard is stronger than we thought."
"Or they got lucky," Marina murmured, looking away.
"Luck doesn't kill Lyn," Aura said, still and sharp. "They are getting better. Fast."
Melody finally spoke. "Then why do we sit here doing nothing?"
The room became silent.
Mariam slowly turned her head. "Speak clearly, Melody."
Melody stood. Her harp played a single, perfect note that echoed like a war drum.
"If they defeated Lyn, they will reach us next. I will not wait to be picked off. Send me."
Jamides made a soft hissing sound. "You're the weakest, Melody. Don't be foolish."
"I am not weak," Melody replied, ice in her voice. "I am exact. And loyal. Let me prove it."
Mariam's expression darkened. "You believe you can succeed where four Demigods failed?"
Melody knelt. "I believe I must."
The harp played again, the note trembling slightly.
Mariam said nothing for a long moment. Then she raised a hand. "Very well."
Melody looked up.
"You will go to the Angel realm," Mariam said. "There is a poor, forgotten village. It is where the Zenith Guard will move next. I see it in the threads. Take it over. Hunt them. Prove your worth."
Melody bowed low.
"You may keep your harp," Mariam added. "For now."
With a pulse of divine sound, Melody vanished.
The other Thrones sat in tense silence.
Mariam's eyes narrowed. "Let us hope she is not the first throne to fall."
The silence in the Celestial Spire was heavy. The remaining gods watched Mariam. The defeat of the Demigods was a serious blow. The air felt colder, sharper.
Jamides floated higher. "Melody is brave, but her power is soft. She is not a fighter. This is a test, Grand Goddess. Of her loyalty, or her judgment."
Amias chuckled, the sound like crackling fire. "Or a way to lose the weak. If she falls, there is one less mouth to feed." His eyes watched Fiona, who just grinned.
Lilinoe remained perfectly still, frost curling from her fingers. She said nothing, but she was always thinking.
Marina spoke softly, like distant waves. "The angels have improved. Their speed. Their teamwork. This 'Eleanor,' the 'sun user,' is a new problem."
Helena slammed her fist onto her throne, causing sparks to fly. "Then let us burn them! Why send one? Send us all! This slow game is pointless, Grand Goddess. End the war quickly!" Her fiery eyes burned with anger.
Fiona leaned forward, her snake-like hair moving. "Patience, Helena. A quick win may not be the goal. Perhaps a lesson is being taught, to us, and to the mortals." She showed her sharp teeth. "Or maybe she just enjoys the dance."
Aura remained focused, her katana still drawn. "The threat is real. They adapt. If we do not, their 'luck' will become skill, and their 'sparks' will become a raging fire." Her voice was precise, like a sharp cut.
Iha laughed again, the sound rumbling through the Spire. "Oh, Aura, always so serious! It's just a game, right? Melody will sing them to sleep." Despite her playful words, her eyes held deep knowledge of how the world works.
Mariam listened. When the talking stopped, she spoke. "The Zenith Guard believes they won. Let them. That confidence will destroy them. Melody's task is to break their new unity. To remind them of fear, of despair, of what it means to face true divinity alone."
She looked at each of them. "This war is a symphony, and every note must be played at its time. The Demigods were the first act. The Thrones are the main chorus. The crescendo will come."
The gods understood. Their job was to break the enemy, to wear them down, and prepare them for Mariam's plan. The defeat of the Demigods was not an end, but a turning point.
Mariam turned to a shimmering orb in the center. It showed a small, forgotten village in the Angel realm. It was peaceful. Soon, that peace would be shattered.
"The Angel realm," Mariam murmured to herself. "So bright, so full of naive hope. Their fall will be satisfying."
The Supreme Gods watched, knowing the stage was set for the next move. The war was only just beginning.