Chapter 424 Before The Gods (4)
Michael soon returned to the Celestial Realm. This time, he did not go the the hall where Leon was as he underwent the test from the Temple of Gods. Asteria had kept him appraised of what had happened to Leon in his absence. He had been wrapped in a translucent golden cocoon that sealed him off from everything else.
With a flash of light, he appeared in another hall. This time, many more Gods than what were present in the previous hall were in the hall. Each and every one of them had a serious expression on their faces. The matter that they were about to broach was very sensitive and could raise a lot of controversy.
Several Major Gods that very rarely showed their faces also appeared, intending to take part in this meeting. That was how important this was. Perhaps it was even more important than Leon's impending ascension to Godhood.
"Nice of you to grace us with your presence." Michael turned when he heard the mocking tone of the Major God, Tiphone, the All Seeing.
"My pleasure." Michael smiled and did not say anything further. He and Tiphone were not on good terms because of Leon. The ancient Major God had been advocating for Leon's death ever since he had come into contact with the Paragon of Undeath. He believed that Leon could serve as a medium for the terrifying being to wreak havoc on their world.
Tiphone grunted in response to Michael's comeback and his eye looked in another direction. Meanwhile, Michael walked up to Fazir and Asteria then stood beside them. Not far away, Dardan also hovered and discussed with another Major God. Michael took a look and recognized him.
Tyr, the God of Justice, was a principled Major God. He rarely got involved in any external matters that did not breach his interests. He kept to himself in his Divine Kingdom and rarely ventured out. Sometimes, he used the body of one of his Oracles to deliver justice on some powerful criminals that had been causing trouble for his believers, but aside from that, he rarely made any moves.
At another corner, two tall and beautiful Goddesses stood and spoke to themselves. They looked exactly alike, but the aura they gave off was contradictory and of stark difference. Their names were Nyx and Nox. Together, they held the power of night. But at the same time, their powers were not the same. It was like the setting and rising of the sun. Both were connected to the night, but they were not the same thing.
This gathering mainly had to do with the Gods of the Order Faction. No God here was truly 'Neutral', and there was surely no trace of a God from the Chaos Faction. Everyone present leaned toward the side of Order, or was firmly in the camp.
Eventually, all of them were accounted for and the most prominent Major Gods stepped forward. Dardan, Fazir, and Tiphone, were the ones who bore the mantle. They were the spokespeople of the Order Faction, so it was only natural for them to lead this meeting.
"Everyone! I thank you for answering our hasty summons." Dardan, with his trumpet-like voice, spoke up first. He raised his arms and waved them in the air to draw attention to himself. "I am sure you are wondering the reason for this rushed meeting."
"Indeed, we have been wondering what your purpose is. My sister and I can already tell that several of you are already clued in on it." Nyx spoke up, her hand on her waist and her body held in a way that made her hips jut out to the side.
"Yes, perhaps you have been planning this for a long time." Nox concurred.
"I understand that you are suspicious of our motives, but do not worry. We bear no ill will. In fact, this meeting is held in consideration of the future direction of our world. The actions we decide on today might very well be the most pivotal course that Datar will take. Just as pivotal as the end of the Era of Gods." Fazir spoke up at this time, his eyes shining with an ancient wisdom that made everyone present want to listen to him and believe in his words.
The Major Fate God's words caught the attention of the others.
"If that is so, then we are very much interested in what you have to say." A God with vibrant yellow hair and a strong build spoke up. His eyes glowed with dark golden light as he stepped beside Nyx and Nox. He was Atum, the Great Sun God who guided the sun to set. He had a close relationship with the Sisters of Night and some even believed them to be spouses.
"Very well, then." Fazir nodded and turned back to Dardan, who nodded at him, giving him the go ahead signal.
Fazir then began to explain the situation to the various Gods present. There were dozens of them, perhaps even hundreds. The majority of them were Minor Gods, but even the Major Gods were still numerous. Every aspect of the world had a godly figure to represent it. Sometimes, there were even multiple figures. Usually, only one Major God would represent an aspect, but in some rare cases, like that of Nox and Nyx, more than one Major God would represent it. Even Atum was not the only Major Sun God.
"The Gods aligned with the Chaos Faction have begun to stir up trouble. They are targeting the Ace Candidates that we have painstakingly poured in time, effort and resources into raising. They would love nothing more than to destroy them so that this world will fall into chaos when the Army of Destruction arrives at the door of Datar." Fazir said, his tone rising and his aura flaring as he noted the crimes of the Chaos Gods. "One of them, Atrox, the God of Tyranny, has made a move on the Ace Candidate that I have a personal stake in. That is a line that should not have been crossed!"
Fazir clenched his fist and a violent storm erupted around him, causing his long red hair to whip around in the air. His eyes burned with a white light that threatened to wipe out an entire kingdom in one fell swoop.
"I propose we strike the Chaos Faction! And strike them hard!" He made his stance known without hesitation.