*Gulp,* no word nothing, utter silence, a sign of them conceding. With breaths held, Staxius lessened his aura. Out in the distance, Rhee could be seen waving with a smile. "Trust me, kids," he spoke as they got off with sulked faces, "-Rosespire might be a hard place to live at night. Still, it's better than fighting monsters. You'll be fine as long as you obey what your mother says."
Two scared nods later, they climbed the stairs and into the plane they sat. Phones broken had given an opportunity to chat with their mother.
"That was a very long rest," a familiar voice came from behind.
"Adete!"
"Vampire," she held her arms and dashed for a hug, from temple to temple, she embraced his forehead. Her feet kept on swinging and hitting his nose.
"Where have you been?"
"I was swallowed by the godly aura, my physical body gave. None the matter, I'm here now, care to explain what has happened?" Inside and readied for take-off, he gave a summary of what had transpired. The newly recruited GateSix was blissful. Not wanting to get involved yet, a barrier of which was his stern face was created. Sat beside Courtney, the supposed siblings rested one another's head. Peacefully they slept till a new day came forth.
Screeching awoke the duo, the plane landed with it being empty. A van was called forth by Cake; the members of GateSix were given temporary residence in an apartment inside the capital. The building was owned by a Boss of the Dark-Guild, pulling a few favors got a good price and some advantages such as the top floor being free of any potential visitors.
"Alright brother," awoke Courtney, "-I'm off to Pandora, I'll see you tomorrow or so," she stretched. "Get some rest, I feel as if something big is about to happen soon," now near the stair, she waved and vanished.
'Guess it's time to move. Eira and her class will be arriving tomorrow. The guild should have prepared. A final check will serve to ease my mind a little," held onto the seat to stand, '-what is happening?' flickers, two worlds fighting against one another. 'Not again,' he sighed after which a bright light blinded him into covering the face.
"Hello again, Partner," said in a joyous tone, the room grew clear as it was Creation's lair. The upside-down clock made it painfully obvious. No sensation to the skin, a vacuum in which he could neither speak nor hear. *Snap,* a bubble formed outwards of Creation, "-that should be better?" he asked this time using the figure of a man.
"Yes, I can speak if that is what you're wondering," feet on the floor, Orenmir and Tharis were present. "Don't forget about me," came a muffled voice from the back.
"Courtney?" he asked as the twin laid face down on the floor.
"Leave her be for now," voiced Creation, "-I've got a new mission," he smiled.
"Am I to kill another god in Draebala?" the thought made the heart shudder – the fight prior had cut it too close.
"No," he smiled, "-you're to fight the Supreme God's attendant. A high-tier god by the name of Gophy, Goddess of Chaos. You're to go to the Supreme Realm at once. Be on your best behavior," unable to ask a question, Staxius teleported to a new realm. A separate dimension where time was one hour equaled to one minute on Hidros.
Stood a floating bridge, a massive castle hovered under which rested a gigantic City of beauty unknown to him. "Welcome to Cliollis, the dominion of Zeus, God of death. His Majesty has been awaiting thy arrival," a butler dressed in a white robe and a golden laurel spoke courteously. A white castle of which held an impressive stature. It reached high as if touching the sky with its towers. Streams of pure clear water ran down its side and fell downward. The latter landed in a lake that served to hydrate the citizens. Many white statues of figures of non-humans and humans alike stood at regular intervals. The bridge moved to lock itself with the castle isle. Faced with a massive staircase reaching into the castle, he walked. Ladies dressed in the same white robe with wings and holding pots of water came forth to greet. No sound, only nods, and bows.
"The castle is very much impressive," said Staxius as they walked.
"Tis the Highcalere Palace," replied the butler with a smile, his eyes lit with utmost pride and fondness for said place.
"Highcalere Palace, very much fitting for how sublime it looks. I must apologize that words fail to express its beauty. How I wonder what name the city above which it hovers is named?"
"Tis named Flirie, a rare flower of unspoken beauty which blooms each time a goddess gives birth. Its property is to have the power to give life to any dead, human or divine."
"What of this Flirie city, surely there must be more about the city itself?"
"Well, the city was created after the Supreme god Zeus made the Eipea Empire."
"Sorry to interrupt," dressed in dark red armor, a man with sharp facial features with three feathers on his head walked. The aura released was overpowering, '-that's a mere inconsequential faction of is power,' thought Staxius as the man approached.
"Lord Lixbin," knelt the butler, "-tis a pleasure to see a high-tier god make the trip to the castle."
"Raise thine head," smiled the man, "-I had to come to pay my respect as we've got a new guest in our presence."
"I'll excuse myself," said the butler who scurried off with the angels accompanying.
'Fear, I sensed it, Lixbin isn't well-received here.' Nonchalant, "-Staxius Haggard, God of Death."
"Well met, Lord Haggard, I'm Lixbin, God of Darkness," closer than normal, he stared up and down. "There's a strange scent coming off you," the eyes locked onto Staxius's cheek, "-Nike's wings, Kronos's sickle, and Death Reaper's scythe," he paused with a suspicious look. "Three symbols of powers," gently stroking his goatee, the man thought with a crinkled forehead.
"Is it that rare?" asked Staxius.
"Yes," voiced Lixbin, "-only High-tier gods are allowed a symbol of power. For you to have three, that must have been quite an achievement, considering the holder of the symbol has to be dead." The walk stopped shy of a fountain that sprayed golden colored water, flowers swayed, the stair to the castle stood a few footsteps away. "Lord Kronos was a friend of my mentor, Nikes owed him favor and lastly, the scythe was mine to inherit."
"Oh," said in a peaceful manner, "-forgive my rudeness, it slipped how much conniving the previous God of Death was."
"Lord Lixbin," matching his gaze, "-since I've answered your question, it'd be nice to have said favor repaid."
"You've inherited that about him too," a smiled portraited, "-go on, ask what you wish."
"I want to know the origin of the Eipea Empire."
"That mild a thing," he pointed to the far left, "-that lady over there, named Sophe, would have given thee said information for she's the court librarian."
Taking a step back, he cleared his throat to speak, "-After Kronos was dethroned, Zeus proposed that instead of ruling over different dimensions, any god who was interested in joining the Eipea Empire; ruled by the supreme god, would have an opportunity of creating their kingdom. Thus, making a new world all to themselves. The idea took some time to flourish, but once some of the more powerful gods such as Gophy and I joined. Everyone followed suit hoping to insight fear into the demon's heart. Who would pass the offer of joining a strong Empire. Quite a long time has passed ever since – the Empire holds stronger today. Once founded, the newfound peace that Kronos imposed was put into jeopardy as the new gods, launched a full-on assault against the demon and any other entities that could rival them. Seeing the strength of the Eipea Empire, all the demons united and fled deeper into the underworld dimension, they founded a new nation; Aapith. They didn't have any overseer, instead, a council of high-ranking demons would make the decisions. Both the Eipea Empire and Aapith nation gathered their armies and had an all-out war. It ended in a dreadlock, tis was when it was decided that both demons and gods would try and get along. The majority accepted, some refused, and were sent to Draebala, the dimension previously owned by Kronos. It became a war-zone. Anyone is allowed to go there to blow off some steam or for the thrill of killing, no war meant no fun. Draebala was an exception to that rule. In fear of a faction getting more members and tipping the power balance, Draebala also became a testing ground for any low to mid-tier gods and demons. They would fight each other in hopes of getting accepted into either the Eipea Empire or Aapith. This is the current state in which the gods co-exists with demons and other beings. Quite a boring prospect, fighting there has lost its fun. Though you've already experienced it first hand since you killed Intherna; a potential recruit for Eipea."
A few minutes later, the conversation ended with Lixbin excusing himself. 'Doesn't seem as complicated as I had thought.'
"Lord Death," in came the same butler as Lixbin vanished, "-the gods require thy presence at once." Step by step, climbing the stairs felt as if going to heaven. The higher one got, the brighter it grew. The last step came exposing a grand entrance with a checkered marble floor, pillars of which held intricate designs. The center hosted a big statue of Zeus which seemed to glow. Tapestries were on the walls; many depicted the heroic deeds said god had accomplished.
"Over here," said the butler who walked farther inside. Halls after halls, doors after doors till a spiral staircase. The climb continued for another few minutes. "We're here," said the butler who stood shy of an ebony door. *Click,* opened without help, it revealed an angelic sight. The throne of supreme god that faced outwards onto an open sky. Unbound by walls and ceiling, out in the middle of the day – the winds were peaceful. On each side hosted seats, it seemed more of a coliseum than the throne room. Bound by chains at the feet of a throne, a lady with a skull on her head who was dressed in shabby clothes. Despite her long eyelashes, golden colored eyes, jet-black hair – neither seemed enchanted by the beauty she exuded. Instead, her head was on the floor held by the foot of a man who was dressed in golden attire bearing blonde hair and a thunder symbol on his right cheek.
Unbothered, a few people sat with emotionless gazes on the seats. Lixbin was one of them, he had folded his arms with a pretentious smirk.
"Lord Death," called the man who bore the thunder mark, "-I do apologize for this unsightly sight," to which he kicked the lady and walked over. "Welcome to Highcalere Palace," spoken as if an old friend, he reached out for a handshake. "I've been awaiting thee," he smiled with an innocent face.
"Staxius Haggard, God of Death," he accepted the handshake.
"Zeus, Supreme God," smiled, the man accepted and led the way to the throne. "I'm sorry you had to make it here on so short notice," stood few steps away from the lady in rags, "-I had to get a hold of someone who had the right to kill even a god," he knelt and took her hair, "-this one needs to suffer a thousand deaths. A traitorous goddess who doesn't wish to have my offspring," followed by a spat, he kicked again in her stomach of which she yelped.
'Rejected,' thought Staxius who stared the surrounding, '-if he wants her to have his offspring, the lady must be strong. I don't see anyone trying to help, there might be an opportunity here if I play my cards right.'
"Surely, majesty," spoken politely with a tone that seemed to agree with his demand, "-have you no other option? A man of thine stature has to have more taste in flowers than this," he threw a disgusted gaze at the unconscious lady.
"Is that what you think?" turned with a stern face, a dense aura emanated, it nearly forced him onto his knee, "-I dare say you're quite the character," the aura dropped. "Standing firm after I blasted thee with my aura, quite admirable," turned to the lady,
*I call upon the power of thunder, heed mine call,* the weather changed, *-come and struck those I deem unworthy of mine presence; Divine Bolt.*