The gates of the Angelic capital stood open, radiant and immense, spilling golden light into the sky like a beacon meant for gods rather than mortals. Renku ascended the marble steps alone, each step echoing faintly beneath his boots. The city stretched behind him in gleaming silence—perfect, untouched, eternal. A voice cut through the stillness.
"Renku, wait!" yelled the voice.
He stopped and turned, noticing someone running toward him. It was a doctor rushing toward him, arm outstretched, urgency written across his face. There was no time for pleasantries, no time for explanations. Only one truth lingered in the air between them.
"…It's Zether," the doctor insisted.
Renku's expression changed dramatically upon hearing Zether's name. Renku's thoughts spiraled with every possible outcome.
"Catch your breath," Renku said calmly. "What about Zether?"
The doctor was panting frantically from the run. He stood up tall and took in deeper breaths one at a time. Trying to regain his composure and steady his breathing.
"You must come with me," the doctor said after composing himself.
Moments later, everything changed. The sterile chamber glowed softly with artificial light, its pristine walls humming with quiet machinery. Renku's breath caught in his throat as he stepped inside. There, lying motionless on a medical bed, was Zether. Not the composed warrior he had always known—but broken. Barely alive.
Dark, vein-like fractures spread across his chest, glowing faintly beneath torn skin, as if something inside him had tried to tear its way out. Machines surrounded him, their rhythmic beeping the only thing tethering him to life.
"Zether…" Renku whispered.
Renku rushed forward, gripping the edge of the bed as panic surged through him. His eyes scanned the damage, searching for something, anything he could fix. Zether's eyes flickered open.
"…Renku…" he softly said.
"You're alive," Renku said, relief flooding his voice. "What happened to you?"
Zether's lips parted, his voice weak, strained. "Valak… shattered the seal…"
Renku froze, the words hung in the air like a death sentence. Renku's mind once again went into overdrive with thoughts.
The demon seal was broken? But why would Valak do this? We stopped them once before and now he is willingly letting them go...
"Renku… you need to listen to me…" Zether coughed violently, dark energy flickering faintly along the fractures in his body. "Valak is not the same as he was before…"
Renku clenched his fists. "What do you mean?"
"When I fought him…" Zether continued, his voice trembling, "all I could feel was his conviction… his purpose…"
His golden eyes dimmed slightly. "He will not stop… until he reshapes the entire universe."
A heavy silence fell upon the room, any hope and joy that was there, ripped away in an instant.
Renku shook his head. "No… I can save him. There's still a chance…"
"Renku… stop…" Zether's voice cut through him.
"You don't get it…" he said weakly. "He's changed. His power… it's on another level now."
Zether paused between sentences to allow his coughing to not interrupt him. Each cough felt like a knife piercing his lungs followed by the burning of what felt like lava filling up his lungs.
"He's been consumed by his new ideology," he continued.
Renku looked down, conflicted.
"You're wrong…" he muttered. "I know Valak. There's still good in him…"
Zether watched him carefully, a flicker of sadness crossing his face. "I felt his power," he said. "You can't match him as you are now."
Renku didn't respond.
"Renku… the only way to stop him…" Zether continued, forcing the words out, "…is to not hesitate."
The room grew quieter, machines hummed, lights flickered and Renku stood there, caught between two truths.
"There has to be a way to save him… right?" he said, almost to himself.
Or is Zether right?
Zether shifted slightly, wincing.
"I know this is hard for you," he said. "Valak is like a brother to you… But that was not the same Valak."
Renku's eyes tightened as each word Zether spoke came with conviction and sadness. The words hit harder than any blade that Renku had faced before.
"When I was fighting him…" Zether continued, voice low, "…all I felt from his aura… was pure killing intent... He won't hesitate to kill you, Renku."
For a moment, Renku said nothing, trying to process all the information at once. Taking on board what Zether said and his own knowledge about Valak. Then, slowly… he smiled, not with certainty, but with defiance.
"You have to have hope, Zether," Renku said with a glimmer of hope.
Zether let out a faint, breathless laugh. "You never change…"
The two locked eyes—one clinging to belief, the other burdened by truth. Zether's expression softened.
"Just promise me…" he said quietly, "…you will do what needs to be done… if there is no other option."
Renku didn't answer immediately, but in his silence—the weight of that promise had already begun to take hold. Renku stood beside the bed a moment longer, the weight of everything Zether had said settling deep within him. The steady rhythm of the machines filled the silence between them. At last, he exhaled.
"I promise," Renku said quietly.
Zether's eyes softened, just slightly as he heard those words. A weight seemed to lift from Zether's shoulders, the burden of truth he once had was now out.
"Now get some rest," Renku continued, forcing a faint smile. "I'm going to need you for the battle ahead."
For the first time since he had entered the room, Zether allowed himself to relax. His eyes closed, tension slipping from his body as exhaustion finally claimed him. Renku lingered only a moment longer… then turned and walked away in silence.
The radiant halls of the Angelic capital stretched endlessly around him, glowing with that same untouched perfection—but now it felt distant and hollow. The doors to his quarters slid open with a soft hum. He stepped inside to a room that was pristine, ordered and still. Almost too still.
The door closed behind him and for a moment… he didn't move. He exhaled, slow and heavy. Renku walked to the edge of his bed and sat down, elbows resting on his knees, head lowered. His hands tightened slightly, fingers curling as his thoughts began to surface one after another, refusing to be ignored.
"…Killing intent…" Zether's voice echoed in his mind.
He clenched his jaw.
No…
"…He won't hesitate to kill you, Renku." Zether's voice echoed again in his mind.
Renku's grip tightened further, knuckles whitening. "Stop…" he muttered under his breath.
But the thoughts didn't stop, instead they only grew louder.
Is Zether right…?
The question lingered longer than he wanted it to. Longer than he was comfortable with. Images flashed in his mind as the memories of Valak, fighting side by side, laughing and the brotherhood they shared. Then a presence took over, one of darkness, cold and unrecognizable as Renku's eyes narrowed.
"There has to be a way…" he said quietly, almost pleading with himself. "There has to be a way to save him…"
An unforgiving silence answered him as his shoulders tensed. For the first time—doubt crept in deeper. It was not loud nor overwhelming, just there, steady, persistent. Renku leaned back slowly, letting himself fall onto the bed. The soft surface caught him, but offered no comfort.
He stared up at the ceiling not blinking once. he was still—but inside—there was nothing but chaos, Zether's words, Valak's image, hope and fear. All of it collided within him, clashing over and over with no resolution.
He's changed. I can save him. You can't match him. There's still good in him.
His chest rose and fell slowly. "…What if I'm wrong…?" The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Barely above a whisper, barely real. His eyes tightened and for a moment—just a moment— Renku allowed himself to feel the weight of that possibility. The cost, the outcome and what it would mean… If Zether was right.
Silence filled the room once more, but this time it felt heavier as if something unseen was pressing down on him, watching and waiting. Renku's gaze hardened slightly not resolved nor at peace, but holding on to something, anything.
"…I won't give up on him," he said quietly not with certainty, but with refusal.
As he lay there staring into the stillness the battle within him continued unseen and unfinished. Far from the quiet of the medical chamber, deep within the radiant halls of the capital, an emergency council had already been convened. Golden light bathed the vast chamber as elders of the Angelic Council gathered around a circular table, their expressions grim.
"I have called this emergency meeting today," the High Elder announced, his voice steady but heavy.
A murmur spread across the room.
"We have received a distress call from Havoc." his voice was stern.
"The Havocains…" he said slowly, "…have been wiped out."
Shock rippled through the chamber. The High Elder's gaze darkened as he watched his fellow members fear take over their sense of judgment.
"The Havocains?" one elder asked, disbelief in his tone.
"How did this happen?" another muttered.
"No… it can't be…" another exclaimed.
"Which means," he continued, tightening his grip on his staff, "our supply route is now offline."
A fist slammed against the table. "Those damn Arcadians!" one elder shouted. "They are savage monsters!"
"The Arcadians had nothing to do with this," the High Elder cut in sharply.
The room fell silent once more, confusion suddenly took over the atmosphere. Shocked members looked at each other looking for answers, however none came until the High Elder spoke again.
"Our sources have confirmed it," he continued. "Demons are responsible for the attack."
That word alone shifted the air.
"Demons…?"
"Outside the Demon Realm…"
"Impossible…"
Fear, confusion, disbelief all of it spread like wildfire. They knew Valak had been to the demon realm, but never did they once believe that the demons they once defeated would be released upon the universe again.
"We must act quickly," the High Elder said. "If we do not form a counter-strategy, our forces will be stranded—cut off from vital resources."
A pause followed before a composed woman stepped forward, her silver hair catching the golden light. Shayva was one of the newest members of the council, ranking first among her class and demonstrating the maturity required for position.
"If I may speak?" she said with authority.
All eyes turned towards the youngest member of the council. She now had the spotlight on her, nowhere to hide. She knew this was her moment to show everyone that she was the correct choice. At the High Elder's nod, she continued.
"Zarella and Andreia have already succeeded in stopping the invasion of Garrix," she said. "We should deploy them to Havoc immediately."
She clasped her hands behind her back, calm and confident and continued. "The Silver Wings were created for missions like this. With Andreia at their side, they should have no difficulty reclaiming the planet."
The chamber fell into thoughtful silence. The High Elder considered her words carefully, his brow furrowed. He was impressed, among all the chaos she was able to figure out a plan that had the best chance of success.
At last, he nodded. "You make a compelling case, Shayva."
He raised his staff slightly. "Send word to Zarella. She is to proceed to Havoc and reclaim the planet—but she must tread carefully."
His voice grew solemn. "May the Goddess of Creation guide us."
Moments later, the order was delivered. Within a sleek command room aboard a Silver Wings vessel, Zarella stood before a glowing transmission of the High Elder.
"Zarella," he said, "you are to go to Havoc and take back the planet."
Her expression remained calm, focused however, she was intrigued to know what had happened to Havoc.
"What is the current situation on Havoc?" she asked.
"Demons have taken control," he replied as his face darkened. "And… we believe Valak may be behind this."
Zarella's eyes sharpened as she replied. "Understood."
The transmission faded. For a moment, she stood in silence, staring at the empty space where the High Elder had been.
"Demons…" she murmured quietly with a faint, dangerous edge crept into her voice. "…it's about time I started hunting them."
Elsewhere… Far beyond the reach of mortals, far beyond the boundaries of ordinary space, the Realm of the Gods trembled. A blazing portal tore open the fabric of reality itself, its edges crackling with violent, golden energy. Ancient ruins stood beneath a sky of endless stars, silent witnesses to what was about to unfold. From within the burning rift… a figure stepped forward.
Long silver hair flowed behind him, untouched by the chaos around him. His presence alone warped the air, power radiating from him in suffocating waves. The God of Fate had made his way to the Realm of the Gods.
He smiled as he spoke. "It has been a while… brother."
His eyes gleamed bright, burning, inhuman. "Or should I say…"
The Realm of the Gods stirred. A swirling rift of green and violet energy tore open the stillness of the divine plane, distorting the ancient ruins that floated within its endless expanse. From within the chaos a figure stepped forward. Dark energy clung to him like smoke, curling around his armored frame, yet beneath it burned something far older… far more absolute. The God of Destruction, or so it appeared that way.
The God of Fate's golden eyes glowed as he spoke the word. "Sister…"
The word carried weight not affection nor warmth. Suddenly a green glow took over the God of Destruction. The image that was once him faded away like dust and from this she emerged. The Goddess of Creation. Her presence pushed back against the darkness, emerald energy blooming like life itself. She stood tall, composed, as if nothing in existence could truly unsettle her.
"As sharp as ever…" she said calmly.
"This has gone too far now!" The God of Fate stepped forward, his golden aura erupting like a star collapsing into itself as reality bent around him.
"What do you mean, brother?" the Goddess of Creation asked, her tone measured, though her eyes sharpened.
"You've created another Fate Breaker," the God of Fate said, his voice cutting through the realm itself. "Do you have no thoughts other than your own gain?"
"Fate Breaker…?" she replied. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't play ignorant with me," he said coldly.
The glow around him intensified, threads of golden energy weaving through existence itself as if rewriting the laws that governed it. The space between them began to crack under pressure as they both pushed back on one another.
"You think that little of me… brother?" her voice softened, but something beneath it shifted, something calculating.
"You're the one interfering," he continued. "Twisting what was never meant to be touched. I can see it."
His gaze locked onto hers. "You're imitating our brother's power… for your own gain."
A heavy but dangerous silence hung in the air, the tension between the two started to feel hostile. Both were playing a game of poker, none wanted to reveal their hand.
"You think so little of me…" she repeated.
"Where is he?" the God of Fate demanded. "I will hear the truth from him directly."
For a brief moment everything stilled, then she smiled.
"He had matters to attend to," she said smoothly. "So he left me in charge."
Something isn't right. He wouldn't leave not without reason and not without warning. The thought struck instantly in the God of Fate's mind.
Across from him, her thoughts moved just as quickly.
He's already suspicious…This Fate Breaker… wasn't my doing. Which means something else is interfering. Something even I didn't create. This would explain why it's been so easy for me…
"Fine," the God of Fate said at last unconvincingly. "I'll speak with him when he returns."
"It was good seeing you again." Her smile returned perfect and controlled.
Behind him, a blazing golden rift tore open the fabric of the realm. He stepped toward it, his voice echoing as if spoken across all timelines at once.
"No one escapes fate…" he said with conviction. "Not even… a god."
Silence returned to the Realm of the Gods as the God of Fate vanished within the blinding light. The Goddess stood there deep in thought, the knowledge of her brother keeping tabs on her would now change how she approached the next step in her plan.
End of Chapter 8